Meeting Observed: City of Kent Regular City Council Meeting
Date of Meeting: 5/21/2025
Format: In-person
Meeting Summary:
The Council formally held the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Council Chamber and took pictures. The mayor announced that there will be another ribbon-cutting ceremony for the building.
Public Communication:
Jim Smith, 1432 River Park, Kent, wanted the Council and the community to know that the second KSU graduate will be inducted into the Football Hall of Fame this year. The person is Antonio Gates, who played on the KSU basketball team. He encouraged all to acknowledge Gates’ role in football.
Cass McKay Walker, 1314 N. Mantua St., Kent, presented a picture of the new Kent Administration Building to the City Council. The Council thanked her for the photograph and promised to display it in the building.
Tina Bhargava, 615 Crain St., Kent, said she was representing the Kent Higher Education Coalition and applauded the Council for delaying considering cameras in the city of Kent.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
2025-0036 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE KENT FIRE DEPARTMENT TO APPLY FOR A GRANT THROUGH LEARY FIREFIGHTER’S FOUNDATION, AND TO ACCEPT ANY GRANT, IF AWARDED, WITH CORRESPONDING APPROPRIATIONS OF FUNDS WHICH PROVIDES FUNDING FOR A NEW FORCIBLE ENTRY TRAINING DOOR AND THREE (3) TRAINING
MANNEQUINS, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
2025-037 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE FINANCE DIRECTOR, UPON THE ISSUANCE OF A CERTIFICATE OF AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS, TO PAY CERTAIN PURCHASE ORDERS MADE THAT EXCEED $3000.00; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
2025-038 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2024-131, THE CURRENT APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE, PASSED DECEMBER 18, 2024; SO AS TO ADJUST APPROPRIATIONS, TRANSFERS AND ADVANCES FROM THE VARIOUS FUNDS OF THE CITY OF KENT TO INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS FOR THE CURRENT EXPENSES OF THE CITY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2025; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
2025-039 A RESOLUTION DETERMINING TO PROCEED TO SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF KENT THE QUESTION OF THE RENEWAL OF THE CITY’S EXISTING 0.73-MILL TAX LEVY FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING SUFFICIENT FUNDS FOR THE CURRENT EXPENSE OF MAINTAINING AND OPERATING A FIRE STATION IN THE CITY OF KENT WEST OF THE ERIE RAILROAD PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 5705.19(I) AND 5705.191 OF THE OHIO REVISED CODE, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
2025-040 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER, OR HIS DESIGNEE, TO CONTINUE THE ENTERPRISE ZONE AGREEMENT WITH THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY PROVIDING FOR A PROJECT AND REAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION PURSUANT TO THE OHIO ENTERPRISE ZONE PROGRAM (EZ), AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
2025-041 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER, OR HIS DESIGNEE, TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH KENT STATE UNIVERSITY (KSU), HAYMAKER FARMERS’ MARKET (HFM, INC.) AND CITY OF KENT (CITY) TO INSTALL NEW PUBLIC ART BENEATH THE HAYMAKER PARKWAY BRIDGE; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
2025-042 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER, OR HIS DESIGNEE, FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A FOUNTAIN IN THE RIVER AT THE HERITAGE PARK DAM SITE; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY..
2025-043 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A WATER TAP-IN FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 5885 HORNING ROAD, OUTSIDE THE CITY OF KENT, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
2025-045 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING “PART FOURTEEN-PROPERTY MAINTENANCE AND HOUSING CODE” OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF KENT TO AMEND SECTIONS 1406.05, 1410.04 AND 1411.12, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
All approved unanimously
STANDING COMMITTEES AND LEGISLATION
Community Development Committee:
2025-044 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A REQUEST FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) ASSISTANCE FOR PROGRAM YEAR (PY) 2025 AND THE FIVE YEAR
CONSOLIDATED PLAN FOR 2025-2029 UNDER TITLE I OF THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED, AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND FILING OF THE FIVE YEAR CONSOLIDATED PLAN FOR 2025-2029 AND THE PY2025 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN, INCLUDING RELATED CERTIFICATIONS, AND UPON AWARDING OF THE GRANT, AUTHORIZING APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Unanimously approved
COUNCIL MEMBERS’ COMMENTS
Shaffer Bish discussed the dam as a monument to the city’s history and hoped that the fountain would only be a temporary measure.
Hook and Celko thank Smith again for reminding the council about the Gates induction.
Celko encouraged McKay Walker for her generosity
Mayor reminded everyone that Monday was Memorial Day and read a poem
The Council entered an executive session to discuss a proposed amendment to the AFSCME contract and the Position Allocation Ordinance.
Which members of the board/council were present:
Melissa Celko – Ward 1
Jack Amrhein -- Ward 2
Robin Turner--Ward 3
Chris Hook—Ward 4
Heidi Shaffer Bish – Ward 5
Jeff Clapper – Ward 6
Michael DeLeon – at Large
Gwen Rosenberg – at Large
Roger Sidoti – at Large
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