Meeting Observed: Kent City Council

Date of Meeting: 12/15/2021

Format: Virtual

Meeting Summary:

Regular Council Meeting:
Public Comments:
Record Courier Reporter Diane Smith talked about the low wages at the paper, which explains why there is such a turnover in staff. Kaitlyn McGovern will be replaced, she said. Reporters are working out of their homes and there is discussion that the editorial offices of the paper will be moving to smaller quarters in Ravenna.

The remaining speakers dealt with three different topics:

• NEED FOR A COMMISSION ON RACISM/INCLUSION. Speakers: Dr. Geraldine Hayes-Nelson, 795 Admore, need to create commission to address systematic racism; Jennifer Case, 315 E. Grant, with Kent United Church of Christ, supports NAACP proposal for anti-racism commission; Rene Ruchotzke, 237 Highland, endorses commission; Nancy Warlop, 491 Earl, represented the Kent Interfaith Alliance for Racial Reconciliation and Justice and support the commission to study racism and its impact on the community; and Lee Bricker, 814 Hudson Road, supports a commission.
• ALLERTON/KSU INTERGENERATIONAL VILLAGE. Kent residents continue voicing concerns over the land that was formerly Allerton Apartments on the Kent State campus. They include: John Thomas, 1621 Chadwick Dr., encourages the development of a Land conservatorship; Eric Nichols, 1560 Chadwick Dr., discussed survey of neighbors, concern especially about environmental issues; Wendy Usseck (sp?), Box 365, Kent, Ohio, need to include community representation on the intergenerational steering committee, also a concern for environmental concerns. For more on the continuing concerns on this project, see earlier reports.
• PARKING PROBLEMS ON WATER STREET. The issue is the lack of parking and the tickets being issued during the 2-hour daytime parking. Both individuals who spoke live at 300 N. Water St and said the 2-hour daytime parking had brought them tickets. Brian Kollat and Nathaniel Barkovsky (sp?). Both said they bought resident permits to park in the evening but wanted the permits to be allowed during the 2-hour parking during the daytime. Currently, they have to continue to move their cars.
• All three issues are discussed later in the meeting.

STANDING COMMITTEES AND LEGISLATION:

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE:
Commissions and Boards:
Architectural Review Board:
In the continuing saga of the Architectural Review Board, Council Member Sidoti moves not to fill the vacancy on ARB until guidelines are completed. approved 8 to 1. (For a fuller look at the issues involving the ARB, see previous reports).

Sustainability Commission, Andrew Scholl voted in for another term:

• 2021-127 A RESOLUTION APPOINTING ANDREW SCHOLL TO THE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. (Authorized)--passed unanimously.
• 2021-128 A RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE CITY OF KENT MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF DAVID SMEILES TO THE COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT AREA HOUSING COUNCIL, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. (Authorized) -- passed unanimously
• 2021-129 AN ORDINANCE CONFIRMING THE CITY OF KENT MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF ANNETTE PETRANIC TO THE FRANKLIN-KENT JEDD, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. (Authorized) -- passed unanimously.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Accepted the Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report

STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND UTILITIES:

• 2021- 130 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF KENT TO SUBMIT A PHASE I BUILDS GRANT REQUEST TO FUND THE WRF FINAL CLARIFIER REHABILITATION PROJECT – PHASE I, TOTALING $1,391,300, TO EXECUTE THE SUBSEQUENT AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF OHIO AND TO ACCEPT THE GRANT WITH CORRESPONDING APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY (Authorized) -- unanimously approved.

FINANCE COMMITTEE:

• 2021-131 AN ORDINANCE DESIGNATING DEPOSITORIES FOR THE CITY OF KENT, OHIO, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY (Authorized)--unanimously approved.
• 2021-132 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO CONTRACT, ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF KENT,WITH THE OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER, PORTAGE COUNTY, FOR THE PROVISION OF LEGAL COUNSEL TO INDIGENT PERSONS CHARGED WITH POTENTIAL PENALTY OF INCARCERATION FOR OFFENSES COMMITTED IN VIOLATION OF THE ORDINANCES OF SAID CITY FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 2022 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2022. (Authorized)--unanimously approved
• 2021-133 AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING 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, 2022, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY (Authorized) -- unanimously approved.

THE FOLLOWING TWO ORDINANCES INCREATE RATES OF 3 PERCENT:

• 2021-134 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 913.05 OF THE KENT CODIFIED ORDINANCES, INCREASING THE WATER RATES OF THE CITY OF KENT, OHIO BY THREE PERCENT (3%) BEGINNING WITH THE FIRST BILLING CYCLE IN JANUARY, 2022, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY (Authorized) 8 in favor, Kuhar abstains.
• 2021-135 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 915.72 OF THE KENT CODIFIED ORDINANCES, INCREASING THE SEWER RATES OF THE CITY OF KENT, OHIO BY THREE PERCENT (3%)BEGINNING WITH THE FIRST BILLING CYCLE IN JANUARY, 2022, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY(Authorized)--8 approve, Kuhar abstains
• 2021-136 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(Authorized)--unanimously approved
• 2021-137 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SALE AT PUBLIC AUCTION OF SURPLUS PROPERTY NOT NEEDED FOR MUNICIPAL PURPOSES BY A LIVE AUCTIONEER PURSUANT TO SECTION 721.15 OF THE OHIO REVISED CODE, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY (Authorized)
• 2021-138 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO.2020-126 THE POSITION ALLOCATION AND GENERALCOMPENSATION PLAN, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY (Authorized)--unanimously approved.
• 2021-139 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2020-129, THE CURRENT APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE, PASSED DECEMBER 16, 2020; 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, 2021; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY (Authorized)--unanimously approved
• 2021-140 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER, OR HIS DESIGNEE, TO ENTER INTO A NEW CONTRACT WITH PORTAGE COUNTY SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT FOR THE COLLECTION OF RECYCLABLES IN THE CITY OF KENT, WITHOUT COMPETITIVE BIDDING; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY (Authorized)--8 to 1 in favor, Kuhar opposes.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Heidi Shafer Bish moves that the anti-racism/inclusion commission be moved to committee for fuil discussion, need to discussion membership and mission. Wallach added an amendment that the racism/inclusion committee report be reported out by February -- both unanimously approved

NEW BUSINESS:

• This relates back to the public comments on the parking issue.
• After discussion on how to do this. The City Council unanimously approved to send the whole matter to the TDS who would make a recommendation on it to Council.
• Re-elected Council Members Sworn in.
• Lots of comments by Council members. Among them: Shafer-Bish discusses need of housing options in the city; Turner observes importance of town and gown communication;
• Wallach discusses overworked health workers, happy, healthy new year.

Mayor's Report

• Contract for a new city hall signed; and need to respect everyone's way of celebrating the holidays.
• Card and gift for the Clerk.

Which members of the board/council were present: All 9 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