Meeting Observed: Kent City Council

Date of Meeting: 3/2/2022

Format: Virtual

Meeting Summary:

Committee of the Whole:

• Review of City Flag Design: More discussion of the City Flag Design. Variety of discussions ranged from involving the Heart and Soul Committee to doing interviews on what Kent means to me. The Council decided unanimously to have the Committee of the Whole sponsor a contest (open to the public) to design a flag and then fast-track the decision.
• Committee to Address Race and Diversity: City Manager Dave Ruller talks about the history of City Council actions going back about 6 years. The thrust of his talk was: City Council had a history of actions in supporting race and diversity in the city, including approving adopting Black Lives Matter resolution, Health Equity in all policies, Social Equity Diversity with Kent Police, involving Heart and Soul in the city. He concluded that the multicultural framework already exists but has a slightly different focus than the NAACP proposed focus, which would rely on a 3rd party, that a city board/commission has a legal responsibility/authority/liability. He said there is a need for a clear vision, pointed out the council has been having problems getting applicants. He advocated clear mission state, clear guidelines, clear responsibilities, and clear deadlines. Ruller says he doesn’t know enough to give a recommendation. Ruller prefers to involve Heart and Soul involved with surveys and interviews. To regroup in April with NAACP.
• Board of Shade Tree Committee. Three candidates for the committee but one person didn’t come for the interview. Applicant Rebecca Berryhill, 462 Needham Ave. manages university grounds dept., wants to see more shade trees, Oaks as a keystone for animals and insects wants native trees. Applicant Jason Knowles, 1293 Gayle Drive, consultant in urban foresters, likes oaks. Applicant Maggie Morgolee was not present for the interview.

Community Development:

• Celebrate Kent Diversity Grants Review: Celebrate Kent 00 allow a carve out for a diversity event; Smaller Neighborhood Grants: Educators would be eligible, up to $250 for a diversity (broadly defined) to promote/educate on diversity. Need to establish guidelines. Both approved unanimously.
• CDBG Proposed Projects: Among them 160K Walnut St. Construction between Harris and Dodge; Furnace Inspection and Replacement for low income; 15K Family Services for 30-day emergency shelter; small business administration for business owners; fair housing services – no motion.

Land Use Committee:

• 2 River Bend Lots not included in Kent 1917 annexation, e.g. underwater and unbuildable. Motion passed unanimously (e.g. to get them as part of Kent).

Streets Sidewalks and Utilities:

• Main Street Art and Wine Festival, to be related to N. Water St., East Main to Portage, ok from businesses. Council approves unanimously.
• Water Service Request, 1677 State Rt. 49, motion approved unanimously.

Finance Committee:

• Sale of Surplus Fitness Equipment that had been used in W. Main facility – online auction, proceeds to go to Parks and Recreation. Council also authorized Parks and Recreation to donate any equipment that does not sell. Both measures passed unanimously.

Adjourns to Executive Committee meeting

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, no excuse provided in virtual meeting

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