Meeting Observed: Kent City Council

Date of Meeting: 10/5/2022

Format: Virtual

Meeting Summary:

Democracy Day Public Hearing

• Only three people (Lee Brooker, Mary Jane Stone and Grey Colrich) spoke on the Democracy Day Theme.

Council Committee Meetings

Community Development Committee:

• Update to Design Guidelines: CT Consultants offered a summary of where they are in Phase 1 (e.g. information gathering)--Speaker floated the idea of a shift in the paradigm to urban design and public realm as opposed to specific building guidelines as is the case now in the design guidelines. In this presentation, CT Consulting summarized a different paradigm (e.g. people prefer enclosed spaces (people inside buildings would look out and those outside would look in to create a kind of "enclosed spaces"). This would create a pleasant rich pedestrian experience, to paraphrase the consultants. Buildings that seemed to capture the essence of the city, according to those attending the public meeting this summer: Former train depot, Ray's, Acorn Alley, and Hometown Bank. These buildings were older and iconic. CT Consulting kept emphasizing the shift in paradigm throughout their (very long) presentation. One of the key elements they discussed: the need for transparency e.g. 90 percent of the first floor should have "transparency" ability to look out from inside of the building and pedestrians to look into the building. (New Police building specifically does not follow these guidelines). The consultants need to deal with Privacy concerns.
• Sidoti asked about historic preservation. Rosenberg said she liked the paradigm shift.
• Consultants emphasized that there was a need for "high-level conversations" dealing with different topics. There was even discussion about the overlay district and how all this would be defined. Sussel noted that this new approach might change the character, development, and charge of the ARB. Susel said there are two committees dealing with preservation: ARB and Design and Preservation.
• KERAMIDA Consultants for City's Climate Action and Response Plan. The sustainability panel from Keramida Consultants has been in town conducting interviews and public meetings the week of October 2. That panel all had roots in the Midwest and included cities from Ohio (Kent, Toledo, Oberlin, and Athens), Lincoln, Neb., and Bloomington, Ind. Emphasis on community base, to support the Paris Accords. We should all expect to hear more from them in the next few months (see also discussion of the proposed sustainability part-time position under the Committee of the Whole).

Committee of the Whole:
Boards and Commission interviews:

• Two people applied for Board of Zoning Appeals: Jeff Horshner and Laura Scarnekie. Election to be held at the next City Council Meeting.

City Hall Update:

• Most of the concrete wall (which will have brick facade) is done; retaining walls poured, stairwell is up. Steel top-off party -- Sometime in February, watch for the date!

Proposed Sustainability Part-Time Position:

• This will be a shared position with Kent State. University will invoice for the city's share.
• This has the potential for all kinds of incentives including grants for the installation of more energy-efficient furnaces and hot water tanks. Gwen moves to authorize, seconded, and approved unanimously.

Health and Public Safety Committee:

• Medicare for all: This is a continuation of the discussion that took place at the last City Council Meeting:
• Reps from the Northern Ohio Medical School in Rootstown presented materials in support of the City Council introducing and supporting a resolution for Medicare for All. They also encouraged all residents to write their Senators in support of Medicare for All.
• Speaker one encouraged the Kent City Council to support a resolution for Medicare for All, that the local government's resolution would set an important precedent for federal regulation. 6 locations in Ohio have already adopted such a regulation.
• Among the high points of such a resolution: would cover all necessary medical services, including dental; it would be truly universal. it would save administrative charges; reduce pharmaceuticals (government could negotiate for drug charges). Two city council members, John Kuhar and Garret Ferraro, brought up arguments against it. Rosenberg introduced the measure supporting Medicare for all, Heidi seconded. The measure passed 6 to 2.

Finance Committee:

• Budget Appropriation Amendment-- approved unanimously.

Executive Session:

• Employee Evaluation and Compensation
• Boards and Commissions

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;  Gwen Rosenberg, At Large; Michael DeLeone, At Large; Roger Sidoti, At Large, and Robin Turner, Ward 3. Absent was Tracy Wallach, Ward 6

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