Meeting Observed: Kent City Council

Date of Meeting: 1/19/2022

Format: Virtual

Meeting Summary:

Regular Council Meeting

Opening Remarks by Sidoti:

• Applauds snow removal in kent during a snowstorm
• Applauds health director for work on co-vid
• Kent State put aside its plans for the multigenerational village (more about that later)
• Looks forward to new city hall
• Encourages checking in on senior citizens.
• Lots of written communication but no public comments.

Committee of the Whole:

• Voting on the Design and Preservation Committee Applicants: Kathleen Endres and Allen Orsland elected to committee and Mark Weisman, reelected.
• 2022-001 Resolution unanimously approved for these three to be appointed in the committee.

Community Development:

• 2022-002 (Allows city to apply for a grant for Brownfield Remediation Projects) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF KENT TO SUBMIT A GRANT FUNDING APPLICATION TO THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT (ODOD) FOR BROWNFIELD REMEDIATION PROJECTS AND TO ACCEPT THE GRANT, IFAWARDED, AND EXECUTE THE SUBSEQUENT GRANT AGREEMENT WITH CORRESPONDING APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY -- unanimously approved.

Health & Safety Committee

• 2022- 003 (for marijuana ordinance on ballot in November, instead of May) AN ORDINANCE SUBMITTING A PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENT TO THE ELECTORATE AT THE GENERAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON THE 8th DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2022, AS SPECIFIED IN ARTICLE XI, SECTION 11.05 OF THE KENT CITY CHARTER, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. This generated some discussion. Kuhar asked why the measure wasn't going to be on the May ballot. The measure passes -- 7 in favor, Kuhar abstains and DeLeon votes no.
• 2022- 004 (this deals with regulations for mobile food) AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 7, TITLED “BUSINESS REGULATION CODE” TO ENACT A NEW SECTION 744 TITLED “MOBILE FOOD UNIT REGULATIONS” AND TO AMEND THE TITLE OF THE CHAPTER, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. (Authorized) -- unanimously approved.

Streets, Sidewalks and Utilities Committee: Chair Sidoti/ Vice-Chair Wallach

• 2022- 005 (change in overnight parking) AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 353.02 AND 353.03 OF “PART THREE - TRAFFIC CODE” OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF KENT TO CHANGE THE LOCATIONOF THE AREA DESIGNATED FOR THE OVERNIGHT PARKING PROGRAM, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. 8 in favor, Kuhar abstains.

Finance Committee:

• 2022-006 (new fire protection/emergecy medical service agreement with franklin township) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER, OR HIS DESIGNEE TO ENTER INTO A NEW FIRE PROTECTION AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH THE FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY--unanimously approved.
• 2022- 007 (accept NOPEC grant) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE TO TAKE ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY TO ACCEPT THE NORTHEAST OHIO PUBLIC ENERGY COUNCIL (NOPEC) 2022 COMMUNITY EVENT SPONSORSHIP PROGRAMAWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,000.00, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY--unanimously approved.
• 2022-008 (to accept a grant to Kent Parks) AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING A DONATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,000.00 TO THE CITY OF KENT PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT FROM THE HENRY V. AND FRANCES W. CHRISTENSON FOUNDATION FOR KENT PARKS AND RECREATION BEAUTIFICATION, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY -- unanimously approved.
• 2022-009 (to accept a $25 donation) AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING A DONATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $25.00 TO THE CITY OF KENT PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT FOR THE VARIOUS PROGRAMMING OFFERED TO THE YOUTH POPULATION, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY -- unanimously approved.

Unfinished Business:

• Sidoti says he thinks applications to Boards and Commission might be affected by Covid. He says Doug Fuller should be encouraged to apply for planning committee

New Business:

• Lots of discussion about the state of the sidewalks following the giant snowfall.
• Motion to request city staff to meet with Franklin Township on snow events and clearing sidewalks -- 7 in favor, 2 against.
• Greatest amount of discussion dealt with issues associated with the proposed race and inclusion committee. One motion dealt with arranging a workshop conducted by Sunny Mathews to educate council on topics associated with systematic racism. ($1000 cost) -- after wide discussion, motion is defeated 5 to 4.
• Another motion made to ask staff to look into grants to promote inclusivity and diversity in Celebrate Kent grants (e.g. to highlight diversity and inclusion) -- unanimously approved

Council Members' Comments

• Heidi Shaffer Bish was disappointed in the university's decision to shelve intergenerational village.

Mayor's Report

• The fire chief called to report on the Stow St. accident -- Firefighter Pat Paisley found a vehicle stopped on railroad tracks on Stow St. Driver disoriented. Paisley got driver out before train came through.
• Other matters in Mayor's report:
• Applauds all first responders for their work in the snowstorm.
• Proclamation on 103 birthday of Harry George
• Two deaths of former city employees -- Carol Lockhart and Mary Ann Bazzuti (sp)

Executive Session

• Contract negotiations; and conferences with an attorney concerning disputes pending court actions

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;  Tracy Wallach, Ward 6; Gwen Rosenberg, At Large; Michael DeLeone, At Large; Roger Sidoti, At Large; 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/AgendaCenter/City-Council-6

Observer: Kathleen Endres