Meeting Observed: City of Kent Regular City Council Meeting
Date of Meeting: 6/4/2025
Format: Virtual
Meeting Summary:
Pre-meeting Interviews for Board/Commission positions
Parta: Stacey Wilson
BBA: Paul Sellman; Christopher Syphrit, Randall Houska
Fair Housing: Cara Evans
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE:
Discussion of Changes to Civil Service Commission Language. Changes in the appointment positions for the police and fire chief. Police Chief – be open to outside members of the current Kent police force. The fire chief will keep the position inside. Several questions were asked. Celko asked to see the wording in writing.
Move to approve (without the actual wording) – approved unanimously. The actual wording will be voted on at the next meeting (June 18)
Community Engagement office – Dominique Bollenbacher, Community Engagement Coordinator, offered the following update: Family movie nights will be held in neighborhood parks (partnership with the library and schools)
Community Beautification Program – to honor the beautiful gardens of the month. For business and homes. Starts in July.
Activities for the new administration building.
Cutting the ribbon – June 18 at 6:30 (before city council meeting)
Heritage Day tours – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Not over $1000 for the June 18 and Heritage activities
(Much discussion on the activities of the new Community Engagement Office)
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:
Program Year 2025 Community Housing Impact and Preservation Grant (Bridget Susel, Community Development Director): Kent is eligible for up to $250,000 in housing rehabilitation funding through the state’s owner-occupied rehabilitation program. Typically $85,000 to $90,000 to cover expenses in an owner-operated home – everything from basement to roof. The deadline for applications is June 25. Unanimously approved.
FINANCE COMMITTEE:
Parks and Recreation Master Plan Funding Update (report by Angela Manley, Parks and Recreation Director)
The City Council has been requesting reports from the Parks and Recreation Department for some time. Manley said that to accomplish everything would require $2.3 million, but $1.2 million is budgeted—three significant new additions: a pickleball court, a dog park, and a splash pad.
The council discussed the fact that there were no senior services available. City Manager Ruller said this is the start to grow the Parks and Rec. He referred to Parks and Rec as the “next frontier,” said the city was going to “up the ante” for Parks and Rec.
LAND USE COMMITTEE
Proposed Surface Easement Agreement (266 N Water St.) (Bridget Susel reports on this.) The property is slated for demolition by the end of June. Easement agreement unanimously approved.
STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE:
Three events were outlined – all received business approval
Special Events Permit: Summer Revival Golden Hour Market, July 26, 2025
Special Event Permit: Fall Revival Harvest Vintage Market, Sept. 20, 2025
Special Event Permit: 2025 Wizardly World Event – July 19, 2025
All unanimously approved.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
To discuss the appointment of Board/Commission positions.
(These decisions will be announced and voted at the Kent City Council meeting June 18, 2025).
Which members of the board/council were present:
Melissa Celko – Ward 1
Jack Amrhein – Ward 2
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 Robin Turner, Ward 3, ill
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