Meeting Observed: Kent City Council

Date of Meeting: 6/15/2022

Format: Virtual

Meeting Summary:

Kent City Council
Recognitions:

• Fire Chief Bill Myers applauds four individuals: one citizen Darren Beatty, two firefighters, and one police officer who were all involved in the rescue of a mother and child from Cuyahoga River on April 22. (see story in Record-Courier for full account)
• Health Commissioner Joan Seidel made a report that introduced new employees and discussed grants.
• 2022-267 and 269 allowed for the acceptance of grants -- approved unanimously

Committee of the Whole

• Five members (who were interviewed June 1 -- see earlier report) appointed to Flag Committee (all approved unanimously) -- although at the end of the council meeting, there was discussion that the five had met previous to the appointment. There was discussion about the appropriateness and legality of the meeting)
• Stacey Wilson was appointed to the Portage County area Transit Board. The appointment was approved but Amrhein abstained.

Community Development:

• 2022-059 Approved the Liquor License for the Kent Hotel.

Land Use

• 2022-060 and 061 a redistricting and a change of zoning (to industrial research) was approved unanimously. This deals with Davey Tree was discussed extensively at the previous meeting (see earlier meeting report).

Finance Committee:

• 2022-062 to 069 which dealt with grants and financial distributions were all approved unanimously.

New Business:

• Lots of discussion about the Portage County Vision Plan. Shaffer Bish noted that there was no discussion of climate change and diversity. Turner asked for a copy of the report. Bridget Sussell noted that the city isn't a member of Todd Pease's Portage County Regional group.
• Amrhein talked about going to Washington D.C. with other representatives of the City to ask for a Raise Grant and praised James Bowling (Superintendent of Engineering) for his work.
• Kuhar explained that KSU students leaving for summer have let their cats out to fend for themselves again this year.
• Mayor encouraged all on council to get involved with the Heritage Festival.

Which members of the board/council were present: Garret Ferrara, Ward 1; Jack Amrhein, Ward 2;  John Kuhar, Ward 4;  Heidi Shaffer Bish, Ward 5; Tracy Wallach, Ward 6; Gwen Rosenberg, At Large; Michael DeLeone, At Large;  Roger Sidoti, At Large; Robin Turner, Ward 3.

Was there a public notice of the meeting that included the time and place of meeting: Yes

Was an agenda of the meeting or handouts available to visitors: Yes

Are minutes from previous meetings posted/available: Yes

https://www.kentohio.org/737/Agendas-and-Minutes

Observer: Kathleen Endres