12/21/2022 - Kent City Council - Observer Corps Report

12/21/2022 - Kent City Council - Observer Corps Report

Type: 
Blog Post

Meeting Observed: Kent City Council

Date of Meeting: 12/21/2022

Format: Virtual

Meeting Summary:

Regular Council Meeting

Amrhein, who ran the meeting, thanked the city's service, fire, and police for their role in fighting the mill fire on Dec. 2. He noted that there were 7 to 8 other outside entities that also were called to the scene (32 trucks).

Communication:

  • Michael Fricke, who served as campaign coordinator for Kent's marijuana legalization campaign, expressed concern that the Kent police chief said he would ignore the results of the election. He said the police chief needed time and in the end, judges will read and respect municipal law.
  • Lots of written communication was sent to the city council, including one from Julie Kenworthy, director of the Kent Historical Society and Museum with regard to historic preservation and the revision to the city's design guidelines for overlay district.
  • Pamela Ferguson resigned from the city's Board of Health (she had changed her primary residence). Council voted (unanimously) to accept her resignation and thank her for her service.

Standing Committees and Legislation:
Committee of the Whole:

  • 2022-119: Jona Burton appointed to the Board of Zoning Appeals -- unanimous
  • 2022-120: Greg Seifert appointed to the Board of Building Appeals -- unanimous
  • 2022-121: Emily Mattern and Evan Howe appointed to Board of Health -- unanimous
  • 2022-122: Justin Berthiaume, mayor's appointment to the community reinvestment area housing council. -- unanimous
  • 2022-123: Audrey Kessler appointment to the Community Reinvestment Area Housing Council. -- unanimous
  • 2022-124: William Dunick appointment to the Committee on Design and Preservation. -- unanimous
  • 2022-125: Jennifer Nichols and Susan Nackford (sp?) appointment to Fair Housing Board. - unanimous
  • 2022-126: Denise Mote and James Maddox appointment to Income Tax Board of Review. - unanimous.
  • 2022-127: Karen Mueller appointment to Loan Review Board. - unanimous
  • 2022-128: Alisa Travigno and Derrick Salestro (sp?) appointment to Planning Commission. --unanimous
  • 2022-129: John Belfiore and Tom Keipera (sp?) appointment to Shade Tree Commission. - unanimous.
  • 2022-130: Judy Nelson and Mary Jayne Stone appointment to Sustainability Commission. - unanimous.

Streets, Sidewalks and Utilities Committee:

  • 2022-131: Ordinance of legislation consent for the ODOT Municipal Bridge Inspection Program. unanimous approval.

Land Use Committee:

  • 2022-132: Ordinance Authorizing Amendment to Kent's Zoning Code for new land use category in the code. unanimous approval. For a full discussion of this code change, see the first meeting in December.

Finance Committee:

  • 2022-133: Ordinance allowing for hiring public defenders for indigent persons charged in Kent with possible penalty of incarceration. -- unanimously approval.
  • 2022-134: Ordinance to increase water rates by 9 percent. approved 7 to 1 (Wallach votes no)
  • 2022-135: Ordinance to increase sewer rates by 9 percent. approved 7 to 1 (Wallach opposed).
  • 2022-136: Ordinance to authorize finance director to pay certain purchases made that exceed $3000. unanimously approved
  • 2022-137: Ordinance amending ordinance No. 2021-138. unanimously approved
  • 2022-138: Ordinance appropriating various funds to individual accounts for expenses ending Dec. 31. 2023. Unanimously approved
  • 2022-139 Ordinance amending 2021-133. unanimously approved

No unfinished Business or new Business.

  • Council member's Comments: Shaffer Bish reminds residents to clear their sidewalks and the city's website provides a list of vendors who will clear sidewalks and driveways.
  • DeLeone applauds applicants
  • Sidoti likes city holiday decorations
  • Turner encourages minority city residents to apply for commissions and boards.

Which members of the board/council were present: Garret Ferrara, Ward 1; Jack Amrhein, Ward 2;  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. Absent was John Kuhar, Ward 4

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

League to which this content belongs: 
Kent

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