Meeting Observed: City of Kent Regular City Council Meeting
Date of Meeting: 5/7/2025
Format: In-person
Meeting Summary:
This, the first City Council meeting in the new administration building, drew a near-capacity crowd and addressed an array of subjects, from the outdoor seating area on Franklin Ave. to warming centers and the long-awaited proposal on design guidelines.
STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE:
Information Update on Outdoor Seating Area: Social Media has been abuzz with rumors about changes to DORA (Downtown Outdoor Seating Area) on Franklin. Franklin had not been closed for picnic tables by the time of the City Council meeting. 32 Kent businesses participate in Dora now, said City Manager Ruller, and 12 had expressed concerns about seasonal closings on Franklin. Ruller also said he received more than 100 emails in support of the seating. Community Development Director Bridget Susel asked for guidance on this matter. After a lengthy discussion (and some difficulties with the mics), the council seemed amenable to continuing the DORA seating on Franklin. Ruller also said Main Street Kent plans a DORA Passport program in the summer. By the weekend, Franklin was closed again, and the picnic tables were installed.
Discussion of Heritage Park Dam Replacement Pump: Service Director Melanie Baker outlined the cost of replacing the pump at the Heritage Park Dam, which adds oxygen to the water. She said the estimated cost to replace that pump is $400,000 to $500,000. Although the waterfall, which would require a replacement pump, is not off the table, she said a less expensive option is available – a fountain to eliminate the algae in the summer. This fountain alternative would cost $12,000 to $15,000, she said. Sidoti moved for the fountain alternative, and the city council unanimously approved the measure.
Haymaker Mural Agreement: City Engineer Jim Bowling outlined the Mural Art Agreement between Kent State and the Haymaker Farmers Market, which is designed to continue the goal of integrating art into public spaces. Haymarket Farmers Market will manage the design and installation of the mural as the lead agency to fund the project. The Mural Art Project’s budget is $20,000. KSU will provide the in-kind services for producing the poem to be incorporated into the mural. The poetry element will be in cooperation with KSU’s Wick Poetry Center. Council approved unanimously the initial $5,000 to meet the requirements of the contract.
Water Service Request: Bowling outlined the water request for 5885 Horning and asked the city council to approve the request. The council unanimously approved the recommendation.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE:
Update on Main Street Kent: Main Street Kent Executive Heather Malarcik provided a long list of activities, including various marketing activities. Other summer activities included Talk of the Town on the 3rd Saturday of the month—one-hour walks around town; the reopening of DORA from June to September, although it was put in place after the council meeting; and Wizard Weekend. Among the Fall and Winter events are Oktoberfest, Kent Rainbow, Family Friendly Trick or Treat, Small Business Saturday, Window Decoration, etc.
Charter Review Applications: Audio difficulties prevent reporting on this.
COMMITTEE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:
Proposed Amendments to Chapter 14: Property Maintenance: Sussel said the city had been getting complaints about someone living for an extended period in a tent in the rear yard of a residential property. Kent codified ordinances have no regulations prohibiting the transportable items like tents or motor vehicles like tents and motor vehicles as temporary housing; she suggested revising part 14 of property maintenance and housing Code to include a definition of temporary housing, and a revision to 1410.24 to exterior property areas for windows to be openable and with screens. Council approved unanimously.
Continue Enterprise Zone agreement with Davey Tree: Sussel said that Davey had completed the 3rd wing addition to the corporation, and so she recommended that the agreement be continued. The council unanimously approved this.
Discussion of Warming Center Funding Recommendation: Everyone in Kent saw how cold this past winter had been. That means that the cost of the warming center went up. Typically, the cost is around $8,000, but this year, it went up to $12,000. Sussel asked the council to approve the allocation of $12,000, which the council did unanimously.
FINANCE COMMITTEE:
Two measures approved unanimously: West Side Fire Levy Notice to Proceed and 2024 Budget Appropriations Amendment
LAND USE COMMITTEE:
Proposed Text Amendments to Zoning Code: This has been a hotly contested subject for the past 3 years. This deals with updating the Design Guidelines approved for the Downtown/West River Overlay District. The proposed text covered building design, including exterior elements, materials, massing, street-level windows, and entrances. Two local architects, Doug Fuller and Bridget Tipton, spoke against the proposal. Both also talked about the elimination of the Architectural Review Board. No vote was held on this, and Sussel requested additional comments.
Which members of the board/council were present:
Melissa Celko – Ward 1
Robin Turner--Ward 3
Chris Hook—Ward 4
Heidi Shaffer Bish – Ward 5
Jeff Clapper – Ward 6
Michael DeLeon – at Large
Gwen Rosenberg – at Large
Roger Sidoti – at Large
Absent was Jack Amrhein -- Ward 2
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