Meeting Observed: Kent City Council Regular Meeting

Date of Meeting: 3/15/2013

Format: Virtual

Meeting Summary:

It was another meeting with audio problems at the Kent City Council.

4 New Police Officers were introduced: David Walker, Stephen Kern, Derrick Knapp, and Mary Baldwin.

Public Comment: Most of the individuals appearing (Matt Morrison, 5185 Sunny Brook Road, Diana Patowe, 225 Shaw Dr.; Andrea Morrison, 5885 Sunny Brook Rd; Nancy Waxsmith, 234 Cheryl Dr., Robert Shaefer, 278 Shaw Dr., and Jerry Cisco, 267 Shaw Drive) dealt with the low-frequency noise emanating from the Land O' Lakes plant. Each noted that the noise was against the law --City ordinance 509.2, and Land O' Lakes not responding to complaints. Mayor Fiala (at the end of the public comment) noted that the city has been attempting to set up a meeting with Land O' Lake No Luck so far.

Betsy Justice, 211 Brady ST., exec. director Love Life (non-profit) talked about Star Child Center, intergenerational daycare. She asks for City Council Support.

There were other written submissions as well, including the Planning Commission and Health Dept. reports

Committee Reports and Action

Committee of the Whole:

• 2023-013 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE CURRENT REPLACEMENT PAGES TO THE CITY OF KENT CODIFIED ORDINANCES AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY (Authorized) -- approved unanimously

Health & Safety Committee:

• 2023- 014 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE TO ACCEPT A VISTA GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $159,062.00 FOR THE CITY OF KENT HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY (Authorized)-- approved unanimously
• 2023- 015 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER, OR HIS DESIGNEE, TO ACCEPT A GRANT FROM THE OHIO EPA IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,000.00 TO BE USED TO FUND THE MOSQUITO CONTROL PROGRAM THROUGH APRIL 2024 AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY (Authorized) -- approved unanimously

Streets, Sidewalks and Utilities Committee:

• 2023-016 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF KENT, OHIO TO DEVELOP, IMPLEMENT, AND MONITOR A VISION ZERO PLAN TO ELIMINATE TRAFFIC FATALITIES AND SEVERE INJURIES WHILE INCREASING SAFE, HEALTHY, AND EQUITABLE MOBILITY FOR ALL, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY (Authorized) -- approved unanimously

Finance Committee:

• 2023- 017 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE TO ACCEPT THE NORTHEAST OHIO PUBLIC ENERGY COUNCIL (NOPEC) ENERGIZED COMMUNITY GRANT AWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $54,794.00 AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY (Authorized) -- approved unanimously

Unfinished Business -- none

New Business:
Wallach noted that she brought the issue up on low-frequency noise a year ago and moved to put the issue into committee. Noted there are lots of abatements to control this. Approved unanimously.

Council Members' Comments:
Shaefer-Bish and Amrheim applaud the Love Life program.
Rosenberg, Sidoti, and Ferraro liked the introduction and new police officers.

Mayor's Report

Adjourn

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://kentoh.portal.civicclerk.com/

Observer: Kathleen Endres