Meeting Observed: Kent City Council Regular Meeting

Date of Meeting: 4/19/2023

Format: Virtual

Meeting Summary:

Kent City Council Regular Council Meeting, April 19. 2023

• Tracy Wallach announced that the Portage County Recycling Center is now taking food scraps for composting.
• Pledge of Allegiance led by Girl Scouts from Cadet troop 91527, who also spoke to the council. The Girl Scouts had collected 500 pounds of plastic bags, enough to qualify for a Trex bench. They asked that the city accept the bench, preferably of be placed in front of the Taco Bell. Mayor says, “We’ll take the bench” and find the best place for it.
• Peter Paino (1258 Windward Lane) asked City Council to look into how long it takes between a submission and ability to appear at the Planning Committee. He said at least 10 weeks, compared to 2 or 2.5 weeks in other local cities. He asked the Council to look into the matter.
• There were lots of written communication, including a Liquor License Transfer request for Haasz Moonbase LLC DBA Dome Night Club, 166 Currie Hall Pkwy, Kent.– unanimously approved.

Committee of the Whole

• 2023- 018 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE TO ADOPT A CLIMATE ACTION PLAN (CAP) TO IDENTIFY STRATEGIES FOR REDUCING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND INCREASING RESILIENCY TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE KENT COMMUNITY, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY (Authorized)—unanimously approved.
• 2023-019 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE TO ENTER INTO A LETTER OF INTENT WITH THE CITY OF AKRON AND OTHER GOVERNMENT ENTITIES OPERATING IN THE AKRON METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA (MSA) ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF A REGIONAL COOPERATIVE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN (CAP) AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY (Unauthorized) – unanimously approved

Community Development:

• 2023- 020 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 (Authorized) – unanimously approved.

Finance Committee

• 2023-021 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2022-138, THE CURRENT APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE, PASSED DECEMBER 21, 2022; 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, 2023; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY (AUTHORIZED)—unanimously approved.
• 2023-022 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF KENT TO SUBMIT A FUNDING APPLICATION FOR A TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (TID) GRANT TOTALING $0.5 MILLION, AND TO ACCEPT THE GRANT, IF AWARDED, WITH CORRESPONDING APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS FOR THE EAST MAIN STREET AREA IMPROVEMENTS, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY (Authorized) – unanimously approved
• 2023-023 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF KENT TO APPLY FOR A COPS HIRING PROGRAM (CHP) GRANT THROUGH THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY-ORIENTED POLICING SERVICES TO FUND ONE ADDITIONAL SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER, AND TO ACCEPT THE GRANT, IF AWARDED, WITH CORRESPONDING APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY (Authorized) – unanimously approved

New Business:

• Kuhar moves that administration looks into Paino's complaints and, if legitimate, determine a way to improve condition -- unanimously approved
• Shafer-Bish expressed concern about the noise level in CBD and the effect on residents. How to apply noise ordinance downtown, more enforcement of current ordinance.

Council Comments:

• Rosenberg congratulated Police Department for the many awards its officers have won.
• Turner said he went out on patrol with police and commended officers for being efficient and effective.
• Mayor invites the council members again to attend the police class next spring.
• Ferraro said Hometown Bank is celebrating its 125th anniversary

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://kentoh.portal.civicclerk.com/

Observer: Kathleen Endres