Meeting Observed: Kent City Council

Date of Meeting: 10/19/2022

Format: Virtual

Meeting Summary:

• Sidoti started the meeting with a reminder that snow is on its way and that there is a city ordinance about removing snow from sidewalks and asked for patience for leaf removal.
• Police Chief Shearer applauded the work of four police officers during August for their work in the city.
• Five individuals (Sean Shrengost, Emily Huff, Dr. Joseph Sarconi and Max Brockwell) spoke to the council in support of Medicare for all.
• Doug Fuller spoke about the proposed revisions to architectural design guidelines and the organization hired to carry out the task. He encouraged the council to invite Nathan Bevil of the Ohio Historic Preservation Office to discuss proposed changes.

Standing Committee Reports:
Committee of the Whole:

• Two individuals (Jeff Foster and Laura Scarnecki) unanimously approved to Zoning Appeals Board.
• Shared Sustainability Position between Kent City and Kent State University (2022-106) approved unanimously.

Health and Safety Committee

• Kuhar applauded the NEOMED students who did an excellent job outlining the difficulties associated with the current system but would not support a resolution in support of Medicare for All. Sidoti, Shafer Bish, Turner, Rosenberg and Amrhein all made statements in support of the proposed resolution
• 2022-107 Kent City Council Supports Medicare for All (7 to 2 in favor, Kuhar and Ferraro against).

Land Use Committee

• annexing land
• 2022-108 which replaced 2022-98 unanimously approved
• 2022-109. Accepting 172.8 acres of land from Franklin TWP. to Kent (This includes the Davey Tree Campus). Unanimously approved.

Streets, Sidewalks and Utilities Committee

• 2022-110 Apply for PUCO funding for Hudson Road Widening and improved access to bike trails. Unanimously approved
• 2022-111 Renew ODOT bridge inspection services. Unanimously approved

Finance Committee

• 2022-112 append 23 to adjust funding transfer. Unanimously approved
• 2022-113. Employement Dave Ruler. Unanimously approved.

Lots of comments from City Council members, including Shafer-Bish and Turner applauded NEOMED students. Rosenberg congratulated Main Street Kent for Rainbow Weekend.

Mayor wished Kuhar a happy birthday and proposed continuing to provide city employees with $25 vouchers to spend in the city's stores. All in favor except Rosenberg who abstained because she owns a downtown business.

The Mayor and many of the City Council members encouraged everyone to vote.

Then City Council went into executive session to discuss employee evaluation and compensation.

Which members of the board/council were present: Everyone was 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, and 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