I call to order the Toledo City Council meeting of February 3rd, 2026.

Clerk, please call the roll.

Get us here.

Hobbs.

Jones here.

Come.

Kramer here.

Martinez.

Present.

McPherson.

Meldon.

Morris here.

Surround you.

Here.

Williams.

Here.

Driscoll.

Here.

11 present.

Please welcome Sandra Rivers Gill for a reading of an original poem.

Then after her, we'll have the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag and the singing of the national anthem by Kelly Wilson.

Good afternoon.

I'll be reading two ecphrastic poems.

An ephrastic is generally taking a visual representation of artwork and translating the image into words.

And the first poem I have on the screen is about Frederick Douglass.

It's entitled Frederick Douglass's Smile.

And he was photographed from 1841 through 1895.

Frederick Douglass's smile.

Not dazed by dawn's early light, your eyes be black American gothic.

An image does not lie but shapes a life.

An admirer of direct addresses.

You aimed your lenses at the camera.

No reframe perspectives.

Standing in rooms of revolution, refusing to be silenced.

Your voice is a vigilant flag, iconic and cool.

No need to borrow Questlov's pick.

Yo fro, already a thick fist.

A salute to Tommy and John is an anthemed act before their time.

All those snapshots rang out, news flash, and poetic justice.

As you can see in the first photograph, that's Frederick Douglass up there.

He never smiled on any photographs, and now you know why.

Okay.

So the second poem is actually another ephrastic poem.

And it's based on the inspiration of Mildred and Richard Loving.

And they were the plaintiffs in the Supreme Court case back in 1968, Loving versus Virginia.

And this is entitled, Who Dare Sing the Bars of Their Song.

When old crows want to lean against the lyrics of a love song, new grooves turn revolutions.

Note our signature keys.

Across the vinyl of ebony bodies.

What is blooming recounts the art of physics and love, performs a mic check.

You and I hold space.

The metaphor of our rhythm is still an American anthem.

We rise.

Bombs in our hands, our beautiful duets.

A resounding of our souls, climb ladders, each wrung a moved mountain.

Thank you very much.

I wanted to actually thank Sally for giving me that call.

When she called a few weeks ago, all I saw on my phone ID was City of Toledo.

And I thought I was in trouble.

I thought I was in trouble.

I didn't know what to do, so I answered it right away.

And um pleasantly surprised, she was inviting me on behalf of um the city council uh to read poetry for in observance for black history month.

So I really appreciate that.

So with that, I say I'm glad I was I'm getting into some good trouble telling um reading these poems about black history and observance for um for this country.

So I really thank you for your time.

Be blessed.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

All right, please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, and then we'll have the National Anthem by Kelly Wilson.

Liberty and Justice For all.

Councilmember Gaddis.

Thank you.

I just wanted to um share a little bit about Sandra River Gills.

She is uh a teacher, teaching artists for the Ohio Arts Council, and I was a poet ambassador for Northwest Ohio.

Um thank you for coming and doing that.

I think um it today we are faced with uh administration that is trying to erase our cultures, and they're important to who we are, and it's really important that we celebrate them.

So thank you.

And thank you, Kelly Wilson.

She's a member of the Canaan manifested um word church and a lifelong singer.

So thank you both.

Thank you, President.

Thank you so much.

Clerk, please begin with the resolution in attendance.

Hassan Shaheb, your family, could you please come to the podium?

Resolution 30-26, recognizing Hassan Mohammed Jaber Shiab for his leadership and dedication to the Vistula neighborhood.

Whereas Hassan Mohammed Jab Jaber Shiab, affectionately known as Abu Rus, was born in Beirut, Lebanon in 1934 to Daiib Shahib and Mohammed Jaber Shaeb as one of eight children.

And whereas Mr.

Shayab immigrated to the United States in 1961 as a member of the Lebanese national wrestling team to compete in the 1962 amateur world wrestling championships held at the University of Toledo Field House, and whereas upon settling in Toledo's North End, Mr.

Shahib became a cornerstone of the Vistula neighborhood, helping to bring and establish families such as Shaib, Awada, Tawil, Dia, Chamander, Rahal, and later the Hawili family, fostering a vibrant Lebanese and Syrian community alongside other ethnic groups.

And whereas throughout the 1960s and 70s, Mr.

Shaib assisted newcomers in finding work, whether at Jeep in local businesses or through his own connections with Ringling Brothers Circus and Disney on Ice tours, while also encouraging entrepreneurship and community stability.

And was it whereas Mr.

Shaib demonstrated unwavering dedication to the North End, residing in Vistula from 1961 until his passing, investing in local housing, maintaining affordable rents and opening Shaib carry out in 1992, a business that reflected his values by excluding lottery and alcohol sales to preserve neg neighborhood integrity.

And whereas he was right widely respected as Mr.

Shahib or Pops, treating all people with kindness and fairness, regardless of race or background, and continually working to uplift his community through employment opportunities and neighborhood improvements.

And whereas Mr.

Shaeb remained committed to the North End's revival, cherishing its rich cultural history and holding steadfast hope for its future.

Now therefore, be it resolved by the Council of the City of Toledo that we formally recognize and honor the life, legacy, and contributions of Hassan Mohammed Jaber, Abu Roose, Shayib, whose dedication to family, community, and cultural heritage enriched the fabric of District One and the City of Toledo for over six decades.

Suspension.

Gaddis, Hobbes, Jones, Comibes, Kramer, Martinez, Meldon, Morris, Sarantu, Williams, Driscoll, motion carried, passage, Gaddis.

Yes.

Hobbes.

Yes.

Jones.

Yes.

Comibes?

Yes.

Kramer.

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

Meldon.

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Sarantu?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Resolution adopted.

Dr.

Jones.

Thank you, President President.

I really just want to say that this is an honor to do this for you.

And it was just funny how it came about.

I believe, you know, you were walking out of the early vote center.

I was out there campaigning and holding my sign.

And he was like, Oh, you also're running for city council.

And I was like, Yeah, I am.

And he was like, I I just want to really honor my father and all the work that he's done in Vishula.

And I think around that time, you know, Vishula is getting more and more attention and really thinking about what is the future of that neighborhood and really honoring the history and what your father has done has definitely added to that fabric.

And like I said, this was just an honor to do for you.

So I hope that you know it brings you joy and really brings you a lot of pride for what um the investment is in this neighborhood.

And like I said, is it is something I believe in giving flowers and and really honoring those who have invested in Toledo.

So I'm hoping that this will definitely bring you peace.

I mean, he Toledo was like a part, it's basically it was his heart.

So I'll tell you, you know, my brothers will attest to it.

Is that this could mean this would have meant the world to our to our dad.

Um, just because there is nowhere else he we try to get him to move.

I live in, you know, we lived in Florida, he would not do it.

His heart has always been Toledo, and this right here, what if he would have cried.

I guarantee you it.

So from the bottom, yes, from the bottom of our heart.

Thank you so much.

Oh, we yeah, yeah.

Yeah, no, no, we're not councilwoman boys.

Thank you, President uh Williams, thank you to all of the family who is here.

Um of the things that I used to do in my old job was to help immigrants come to the United States and uh naturalize.

And the one of the best things that we have in Toledo is that we're very immigrant famil uh friendly.

Uh Lebanese Americans have been here much longer than your dad.

I mean, you you had people coming here at least in the 20s, probably even before.

And so we can thank them for the namura.

We can thank them for the canafa, uh, the the Syrians, uh close by.

Close by.

Um, but you know, it that's why I think it works here in Toledo is that we know about the Lebanese culture, we know about the Syrian culture, we know about the Polish, we know uh about the Greeks, uh the Hungarians, uh you know, there's every kind of Latinos you can think about.

And so this is this is what makes Toledo a welcoming community.

And I just I think of your dad.

Um, and this was his village, right?

This was his village.

It was his Toledo was his village, just like some place in Lebanon was his village.

And so we are just thankful for everyday heroes.

I always say that this job affords us the opportunity to honor just everyday heroes that just kind of go about their lives and do remarkable things, build their families and build their neighborhoods.

I'm just so thankful, and I'm I'm I did not sponsor this, but thank you to those who did because to me this is this is the best part of our job.

So thank you so much for letting us be a little part of your family today.

Oh, thank you.

As District 4 rep, I know how much your dad has added to District 4 Vistula wouldn't be the same if he would had not been in there.

So we thank you for I know you wanted to get him out.

We thank you for allowing him to stay.

So we appreciate you.

It was the weather, that's why I'm not sure.

The floor is yours.

The floor is yours.

If you have more comments, please feel free.

Any any of you can speak.

I mean, what are you going to say about Jen C in?

No, that's sorry, one second.

Um Osmar Sado, and that was the moment that the civil rights passed and all that.

And say they tutor him and teach him.

So he was mentored during the civil rights movement, and he wanted to make sure that that was a big thing because when he came here, it was during that time.

And my dad has citizen, uh, there you go.

Come to the mic, come on.

And um 1969, he became a neutralized citizen, and this was around the civil rights era, and the person that helped him and tutor him was an African American man, and he was like very happy to see my dad become a citizen, and that's what I was gonna say.

Thank you.

No coincidence, I guess.

Yeah, thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, guys.

Well, what we want to do is we want to bring you in, we want to bring you in so you can take a picture with City Council.

Come on, come on.

Nabi.

Please go ahead.

All right, moving along with our agenda.

Uh recognizing Devon Fagan.

If you could come up, Mr.

Fagan to the podium.

Clark, please begin with the resolution.

Resolution thirty-one twenty-six being sponsored by council members Gaddis Hobbes, Jones, McPherson, and Morris recognizing Devon Fagan, a community leader for violence preventions, healing, and youth empowerment.

Whereas the honoree is a survivor of gun violence who has transformed personal loss and lived experience into a lifetime, lifelong commitment to healing, service, and community restoration.

And whereas with the long-term goal of giving back, he leads the Hoodstock Foundation, which for over a decade has supported youth and families across Toledo's inner city through annual back-to-school initiatives, providing between 500 and a thousand backpacks and school supplies to ensure children are prepared for the academic year.

And whereas Devon has organized large-scale youth-centered community events that promote safety, opportunity, and positive engagement for children and families throughout Toledo.

And whereas Devon, in partnership with David Ross and the Toledo Arts Commission, he helped develop and implement the first youth survey focused on the impacts of gun violence, collecting responses from approximately 200 to 300 young men between 2020 and 2022.

And whereas while conducting this research, he simultaneously worked on the ground mediating conflicts among high-risk individuals and groups, seeking to prevent violence before it occurs.

And whereas Devon has co-developed circles and verses, a restorative justice program focused on building social and emotional skills for individuals affected by or responsible for harm, emphasizing accountability, healing, and growth.

Whereas through partnerships with David Ross and the Junction Coalition, he has advanced social and emotional learning opportunities for young people impacted by violence.

And where has he has served as a volunteer coordinator for the Toledo Arts Commission and participated in Lisc AmeriCorps, further demonstrating his dedication to community engagement and service, and whereas he's been a trusted resource and collaborator in the mayor's initiatives to address gun violence, including participation in the peace in motion comprehensive plan and coordinated support for victims and survivors.

Whereas Devon and other community members have raised funds to support families impacted by violence, including assisting with funeral expenses, and he serves as a reviewer for the healing and compassion fund.

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Council of the City of Toledo that we recognize and commend Devon Fagan as a community leader for his extraordinary extraordinary commitment to violence prevention, restorative justice, youth empowerment, and the healing of our city.

Suspension.

Gaddis, Hobbes, Jones, Comives, Kramer, Martinez, Meldon, Morris, Sarantu, Williams, Driscoll, motion carried.

Passage.

Gaddis?

Yes.

Hobbs?

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Comes?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Sarantu?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Resolution adopted.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilmember Gaddis.

Thank you.

And I know we briefly messaged, but I just hard to put into words how much gratitude I feel for what you're doing.

I see what you're doing.

And as impressive as this resolution sounds, it barely scratches the surface of the ripples of impact that you've had on our community.

And I am really grateful for the opportunity to honor all of your work and thank you from the bottom of my heart.

You are changing lives.

You are making Toledo a better place, and I am proud to share this city with you.

Thank you.

And then he lost.

I'm telling a little bit of your business.

Lost his son's mother, and he's a single father right now.

So not only has he changed his life around for himself, but he's changed his life around for his son.

You don't see that a lot.

And so he is a partner of the city of Toledo.

He is working with Monsi.

He does do work consistently to try to end the gut violence, not just gun violence, the violence, period, trying to show young men and women that we don't have to just survive, we can live.

So I thank you from me and City Council, because I know the struggles, so I appreciate how hard how hard you have worked to walk the path that you are.

Because you could have been dead or in prison.

And you standing here getting recognized by Toledo City Council.

So thank you.

Thank you.

The floor is yours.

I do really, really appreciate it because it's been so long, I've been just, you know, just going and going and going.

I just don't want a lot of young men to be the man.

I was, basically.

That's it.

That's all.

Thank you.

We want he wants his family too.

Come on, y'all.

Clerk, please continue with the appointment from the office of the mayor.

Appointment thirty two dash twenty six.

Mayor respectfully request council confirmation of Ken Fallows, Brandon Sellhorst, and Paul Searing for a two-year term expiring February twenty twenty eight to the mommy Monclova Toledo JEDZ board.

Move to confirm.

Gaddis.

Yes.

Hobbs?

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Comides?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

Meldon.

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Serantu?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Appointment confirmed.

I now turn this meeting over to Councilmember Gaddis.

Thank you, Clerk.

Please begin with the new items from the administration.

Councilman Hobbs presents the following item from the Department of Fire and Rescue Operations, Ordinance Thirty-three-26, authorizing the mayor to accept an Ohio Statewide Search and Rescue Water Capability HB ninety six one hundred and thirty third GA regional grant from the Ohio Emergency Management Agency in an amount not to exceed eight thousand and eighty-three dollars for the City of Toledo Department of Fire and Rescue Operations, authorizing the deposit appropriation and expenditure of funds and declaring an emergency.

Suspension.

Gettys, Hobbes, Jones, Com Ives, Kramer, Martinez.

Meldon, Morris, Sarantu, Williams, Driscoll, motion carried.

Emergency.

Gettis, Hobbes, Jones, Com Ives, Kramer, Martinez, Meldon, Morris, Sarantu, Williams, Driscoll.

Motion carried.

Passage?

Yes.

Hobbs.

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Com Ives?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Soranto?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Councilmember Comives presents the following two items from the Department of Public Service.

Ordinance thirty-four-twenty six authorizing the mayor to enter into a lease agreement with the Toledo Edison Company for use of a parking lot at Duttweiler Park as a temporary storage lot and declaring an emergency.

Councilwoman Morris.

Thank you, President Williams.

Um I asked for um during agenda.

I I had a referral that was answered regarding uh this the parameters or the scope of the work that would be done by Edison for this staging area.

And it was responded to by saying that it was replacing the existing structures on Ironville La Pier to enhance reliability due to the area's growth.

Um it doesn't say anything about the actual project, what they're doing there, why they're there.

Um they did offer that they would put up a fence that would be somewhat opaque.

We're not sure if it's six feet or seven feet.

And it's a lot of different things that they could put there.

And this is along a main thoroughfare.

This is along the summit.

When I asked Director Fosnaw, he said that it was going to be a long summit.

So there's a question as to number one, what is this the scope of the work?

Exactly where is this going?

Um, putting this on a main thoroughfare is like putting this on central or Bancroft in old Orchard.

Um I don't think that we should be renting out our parks to companies.

Um I don't think uh six thousand dollars is enough.

I don't think that we should have the opening to a neighborhood be a construction pit.

Um I really that is just the end of that discussion.

I won't even get into this issue that we're dealing with the Bay of U retirees.

That is it is comparable but also involved.

Um I don't agree with this, and I at least if we can hold it until we get the information, but I am just not comfortable with this with this uh piece of legislation, and I would urge you to not support it or at the very least hold it.

Thank you.

Councilman Driscoll.

Thank you, President Williams.

I uh a lot of what I was going to say, Councilman Morris already shared, but I I do feel like the answers to the referrals weren't exactly sufficient in terms of understanding what it is that's actually happening to the park space.

And I think we all saw that the termination of the lease with the retiree golf course.

That that doesn't take place till next week, I think, if I have my dates correct.

So there's still some uncertainty around that project.

Um maybe the rest of the members of this body don't feel that there's uncertainty, but I don't yet feel prepared to vote on this ordinance with that still up in the air.

So I'd appreciate it if we went first reading on this.

Thank you.

Councilman Sarantu.

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam President.

I too uh am opposed.

I I too am for at least a two-week delay to get more answers.

I did talk or did uh communicate with Director Fosno this afternoon, and this is going to be at least for a one-year period of time, maybe even longer, maybe two years.

And quite frankly, I think it will be an ugly site to view from Summit Street because you will, if you are heading south on Summit Street, you will not be pleased with what you view.

A seven-foot fence is not going to cover up cranes, it's not going to cover up the uh huge trucks that will be parked there and and other uh construction items.

So I I urge a two-week delay uh until we get more definite answers.

Thank you.

Thank you.

As a district council person, I um would move to that we vote on this uh today because we had an agenda review where we discussed it and um I I got sufficient answers for myself, and one doesn't have anything to do with the other.

Um this is something that is the the that is being helped helping a neighborhood at the end of the day.

I use debt weiler park.

The I have no problem with uh Toledo Edison using it to fix up a neighborhood.

We've been complaining about Toledo Edison not doing stuff, and then we're gonna hold them up on a project.

I believe that as a district council person, I would like to vote on this today with respect to my colleagues' concerns.

I understand your concerns, but uh we can't say that Toledo Edison isn't isn't doing what we need them to do, and then tell them they can't do what they need to do.

So we gotta make sure that we uh stand firm on what we're what we're talking about.

Um I don't want to hold up a project, um, and I use debtweiler more than anybody out here, so um I believe that we can definitely vote on this today.

Um we can slow roll, we can do what uh slow row suspension, but I want to vote on it today.

Slow roll or suspension can you explain the vote, please?

The vote is for passage of ordinance 34-26, the lease agreement.

So suspension is the first motion.

Suspending the rule, yes.

Hobbs?

Yes, Jones, yes, comives, yes, cramer, yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

No.

Sarantu?

No.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

No.

Motion carried.

No emergency.

Emergency.

Emergency.

Sorry.

This is a slow or slower.

Do you want passage?

No.

We can just go regular.

Okay.

Suspension is okay.

Then uh emergency Gaddis.

Hobbes, Jones, Comives, Kramer, Martinez, Meldon, Morris, Sarantu, Williams, Driscoll.

Motion carried.

Passage.

Gaddis?

No.

Hobbes.

Yes.

Jones?

No.

Comeves?

Yes.

Kramer?

No.

Martinez?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

No.

Serantwood?

No.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

No.

Ordinance failed.

Ordinance 35-26 authorizing the mayor to enter into a two-year contract with an option to renew for an additional year with an environmental contractor for the cleanup, removal, remediation, and disposal of chemical products within the limits of the city of Toledo, authorizing the expenditure and amount not to exceed $30,000 from the sewer, water, and stormwater operating funds for said purpose and declaring an emergency.

Suspension.

Gaddis Hobbes Jones Comives, Kramer, Martinez, Meldon, Morris, Serantu, Williams, Driscoll, Motion Carried.

Emergency?

Gaddis Hobbes Jones Comives, Kramer, Martinez, Meldon, Morris, Sorontu, Williams, Driscoll, motion carried.

Passage?

Gaddis?

Yes.

Hobbs?

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Comives?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Seranto?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Councilman Martinez presents the following four items from the Department of Public Utilities.

Ordinance 36-26.

Authorizing the disappropriation of $1,741 from the 2012 water bond issuance.

$74,200 from the 2013 water bond issuance.

135,061 from the 2016 water bond issuance in the water bond improvement fund.

Authorizing the appropriation of $1,741 from the unappropriated balance of the 2012 bond issuance.

$74,200 from the unappropriated balance of the 2013 bond issuance and 135,061 from the unappropriated balance of the 2016 bond issuance.

Authorizing the expenditure not to exceed 211,02 from the water bond improvement fund for this facility refurbishment project at the Division of Water Treatment.

Authorizing the mayor to execute the necessary contracts for the design preparation of plans and specifications, engineering, bidding, construction oversight, testing permits, renovation, construction, appurtenances, and other related work, tasks, equipment, and materials needed, and declaring an emergency.

Suspension?

Gaddis, Hobbes, Jones, Comives, Kramer, Martinez, Meldon, Morris, Serantu, Williams, Driscoll, motion.

Motion carried emergency?

Gaddis, Hobbes, Jones, Comives, Kramer, Martinez, Meldon, Morris, Serantu, Williams, Driscoll, motion carried.

Passage.

Gaddis?

Yes.

Hobbs?

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Comeves?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Serantwood?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Ordinance 37-26 authorizing an annual expenditure of an amount not to exceed $25,000 from the water operating fund to provide payment of the City of Toledo Department of Public Utilities annual membership dues to the American Waterworks Association and declaring an emergency.

Suspension?

Gaddis, Hobbes, Jones, Comives, Kramer, Martinez, Meldon, Morris, Sarantu, Williams, Driscoll, Motion carried.

Emergency?

Gaddis, Hobbes, Jones, Comives, Kramer, Martinez, Meldon, Morris, Sarantu, Williams, Driscoll, motion carried.

Passage?

Gaddis?

Yes.

Hobbes?

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Comives?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

Martinez?

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Serantu?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Ordinance 38-26 authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract and to execute all documents necessary and proper to allow the marketing of water and sewer line repair plans along with leak adjustment insurance with home serve USA Corp.

to DPU customers, waiving the competitive bidding provisions of TMC, Chapter 187 for said purpose and declaring an emergency.

Councilmember Comives.

Thank you so much, President Williams.

I um I know that I made uh uh a few comments regarding this piece of legislation and I appreciate the opportunity to take it to uh committee and I'm hoping that's why your light is on uh Mr.

Martinez, but I and I hope that that is still the case even after what I have to say, but I want to just quickly uh say that I did reach out to NLC and have a good conversation with them about their partnership that they have with Home Serve, and they spoke quite highly of them.

I also did make a video where I referenced this piece of legislation at one point in the very first comment that came on there was from somebody who said I did this in my city and it was amazing.

Um and they now live in Toledo now, so I reached out to them and asked them about their experience.

They had a great time with it.

So I'm hoping that all of this really good news means that it's all just really good news.

Um really excited about that, but I think the uh committee hearing will certainly educate the public and make sure they know what their options are too.

So I appreciate that opportunity.

Thank you.

Councilman Martinez.

Uh thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, uh Councilman Comives.

Yes, this is actually uh you beat me to the punch, and I'm glad to hear that there was a great experience.

Uh so we have scheduled the uh water quality committee for Friday the 13th at uh 1 p.m.

here uh so hopefully uh we'll have a good uh presentation and bring all your questions uh definitely great opportunity for our residents, uh at least that's our hope.

Um if that way we can address any concerns and then we can vote on this uh directly thereafter, making sure all of the members are comfortable and all our questions are answered.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Uh Ordinance 39-26 authorizing an annual expenditure of an amount not to exceed 20,000 for the payment of the city of Toledo's dues to the water reuse association and declaring an emergency.

Oh no, wait a minute.

We didn't vote on home serve.

No, we didn't.

So 38-26.

First reading.

Okay.

39-26 authorizing an annual expenditure of an amount not to exceed 20,000 for the payment of the city of Toledo's dues to the water reuse association in declaring an emergency.

Suspension.

Gaddis Hobbes Jones Comives, Kramer, Martinez, Meldon, Morris, Serantu, Williams, Driscoll, Motion carried.

Emergency.

Gaddis Hobbes Jones Comives, Kramer, Martinez, Meldon, Morris, Serantu, Williams, Driscoll, motion carried.

Passage.

Gaddis?

Yes.

Hobbes?

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Comives?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Soranto?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Councilman Serantu presents the following two items from the Department of Finance.

Ordinance 40-26.

Authorizing the expenditure of an amount not to exceed 99,000 from the general fund and the utility administrative services fund for the implementation of procurement strategies that improve overall function.

Authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract for said purpose, waiving the competitive bidding requirements of Toledo Municipal Code Chapter 187 and declaring an emergency.

First reading.

Ordinance 41-26 authorizing the mayor to enter into amended contracts with existing vendors through the end of 2026 in order to account for verified tariff related cost increases.

Waiving the competitive bidding requirements of TMC Chapter 187 and declaring an emergency.

Suspension.

Gaddis Hobbes Jones Comives Kramer Martinez Meldon Morris Sarantu Williams Driscoll Motion carried.

Emergency.

Gaddis Hobbes Jones Comives Kramer Martinez Meldon Morris Serantu Williams Driscoll Motion carried.

Passage.

Gaddis?

Yes.

Hobbs?

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Comives?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Serrantu?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Councilman Driscoll presents the following two items from the Department of Transportation.

Ordinance 42-26 authorizing the mayor to enter into and execute a cooperative agreement between the City of Toledo and Washington Local Schools.

And to give consent to the city of Toledo to install bike racks on school district property and declaring an emergency.

Suspension.

Gaddis, Hobbes, Jones, Comives, Kramer, Martinez, Meldon, Morris, Sarantu, Williams, Driscoll, motion carried.

Emergency.

Gaddis Hobbes, Jones, Comives, Kramer, Martinez, Meldon, Morris, Sarantu, Williams, Driscoll, motion carried.

Passage.

Gaddis.

Yes.

Hobbs?

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Comeves?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Soranto?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Ordinance 43-26 determining to proceed with an improvement of Brockt Drive, bounded by Imperial Drive in Savania Avenue by installing eight street lights, authorizing the annual cost for said improvement from the special assessment services fund and the general fund, authorizing the payment from the special assessment services fund to Toledo Edison for a one-time installation cost and declaring an emergency.

Suspension.

Gaddis Hobbes Jones Comives, Kramer, Martinez, Meldon, Morris, Sarantu, Williams, Driscoll, motion carried.

Emergency.

Gaddis Hobbes, Jones, Comives, Kramer, Martinez, Meldon, Morris, Sarantu, Williams, Driscoll, motion carried.

Passage.

Gaddis?

Yes.

Hobbs?

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Com Ives?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Serant to?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Clerk, please continue with the items under the clerk reports.

Ordinance 44-26.

Vacation of the 14-foot wide alley running north and south, abutting lot 179 and north 15 feet of lot 70 178 in the Hefner's edition.

In the city of Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio, subject to certain conditions, waiving certain fees and declaring an emergency.

Suspension.

Gaddis, Hobbes, Jones, Comives, Kramer, Martinez, Meldon, Morris, Serantu, Williams, Driscoll, motion carried.

Emergency.

Gaddis Hobbes Jones Comives, Kramer, Martinez, Meldon, Morris, Serantube, Williams, Driscoll, motion carried.

Passage.

Gaddis?

Yes.

Hobbs?

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Comives?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Serrantu?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

I must state that ordinance 34-26, which previously was stated as failed, did not receive the required number of votes for suspension.

It required nine.

It only received eight.

So it will be treated as a first reading and will reappear on the agenda for the next council meeting.

Thank you, Clerk.

That completes the agenda.

Councilmember Gaddis, first call.

I move to dispense with the reading of the Toledo City Journal for the City Council meeting of January 20, 2026.

Seeing no objections.

So ordered.

I move to excuse Councilmember Gaddis for non-attendance at the agenda review meeting of January 27th.

Councilwoman Jones for the non-attendance at the community and administrative services committee of January 22nd.

Councilmember Colmives for non-attendance at the City Council meeting of January 20th.

Councilmember Meldon for non-attendance at the agenda review meeting of January 27th.

And the Committee of the Whole of January 29, 2026.

Seeing no objections, so ordered.

Thank you.

Today I have nothing.

Councilman Hobbes, first call.

I have nothing today, thank you.

Councilwoman Dr.

Jones, first call.

Thank you, Clerk.

Well, first, happy Black History Month.

Um this the start of this month and and the start of just reliving the history and and all of the strides that African Americans, black Americans have done.

Um so definitely, you know, patronize some businesses and really looking to just more of the history and more details concerning that as well.

So I really just want to give homage to those who came before me and um also looking forward to even more things coming through here, um, especially as far as just achievements and and first ever and things of that nature, and really relishing and just the culture, um, my culture, and um looking forward to more of the the buildup of what's happening.

I know that the African American Chamber of Commerce is having an event um coming up the end of this month.

They're reviving themselves, and I feel that that's very exciting.

I know that there are a lot of restaurants that are really promoting um black-owned restaurants and their um specialties as well, and of course, there's always the push to patronize more black-owned businesses more online as well as locally.

So I hope that you will take up the challenge for that.

And um looking forward to just the events that are happening this month as well.

And also just looking um considering the one uh agenda item for the Toledo Edison leasing.

Um, I feel that we should have asked for a little bit more money.

I understand that it was is not connected to Bayview, but it could open up some doors for that, and I understand the lease is up as well for next week.

Um, but if we are going to go about and renting out our parks, and especially if we're talking about the budget, we should ask for more money from Toledo Edison when it comes to that.

So um considering that it may it will be on the next um agenda, then possibly some changes can come from there as well, and and also get more valuable information when it comes to what they plan to do for this.

But other than that, um stay warm.

Uh 20 degrees is uh uh warmer than what we've been going through, um, but still also recognize that there are still people that are freezing at this point.

Um but other than that, I reclaim my time.

Thank you.

Councilmember Comes, first call.

Thank you.

Uh happy Black History Month, everybody.

I hope that you please uh follow the good advice of my uh neighboring colleague here and seek out opportunities to support uh black owned businesses and and organizations in our community.

Thank you.

Councilwoman Kramer, first call.

Thank you, Clerk.

Uh I just wanted to take a minute and commend the neighbors on Brocktrive for reaching out about getting those street lights installed.

Um since that came before us, I did take a deep dive into the street lights in the city, and it was very interesting to see there are kind of a lot of neighborhoods that don't have street lights, and street lights are known to deter crime.

So I just want to encourage residents in Toledo.

If you don't have street lights on your street, let us know.

Uh call engage Toledo, you know, use the app.

Um you can fill out a petition with your neighbors and you can get street lights.

I know my mom is one of those people.

There's no street lights on her street, and so she's looking into it.

Um obviously it's very cold to go out and talk to your neighbors right now, but I encourage people to do so because it does deter crime uh in your neighborhoods.

I also want to thank all of the snow angels.

Uh we haven't had a meeting since we've had all that snow.

And again, I'm gonna refer to my parents, but my dad is a disabled Vietnam veteran, and he cannot get out and snow and shovel the snow.

So um a snow angel came and cleared my parents' walk and driveway, and so I'm just so thankful.

So if anybody is able and wants to get out there and be a snow angel, again, um, it's on the city's website, and you can apply.

And you know, people are so appreciative for those who help um shovel out their snow.

So thank you.

Councilman Martinez, first call.

Uh thank you, Madam Clerk.

Uh, two things.

Uh, number one, uh on the same vein of the snow angels.

I do want to commend the city and all of the hard working employees that did snow removal over the past uh week.

Um I've had nothing but compliments in District 2 for the um Johnny on the spot removal.

Um they've also been very uh receptive to recommendations that I have submitted uh on behalf of our office and constituents.

Um so I am very pleased with the response we've gotten.

And so this kind of set the benchmark for future snow removal moving forward.

So uh it was a really good experience uh and had a lot of uh positive feedback from uh our residents.

Secondly, uh tomorrow uh OLPH is being recognized by Lieutenant Governor Jim Trussell, so he will be in town to present an award for their um 2026 um team trussle uh event to get kids moving and getting more exercise.

So last year they participated and were recognized at the UT Glassbowl.

And so he will be back tomorrow along with a famed uh local celebrity, uh Mr.

Sassenbach, who went to OPH and then went on to play for Ohio State.

Um so I'm looking forward to presenting them with a resolution, the recognition for getting their kids involved in all the hard work that the athletic department's been doing to encourage kids moving.

So thank you.

Councilmember Meldon, first call.

Thank you so much.

Um just a couple things.

Uh you'll see some notice, so it's a formal invitation, all of you.

We're gonna launch the spring town hall series again.

So I have four of those uh beginning March 10th at Blessed Sacrament.

Um March 24th at Meadow Vale Elementary, April 21st, Washington Local Administration Building, and May 5th at Monac.

Um so thanks to McKenzie for helping me, you know, get all that together.

It's just a good opportunity to get out in the community and make sure that no one feels horn swoggled.

Thank you.

That's a shout out.

That's a shout out to the word of the day.

And the word of the day, something our council president has implemented in an email.

It's not actually an attempt to grow our vocabulary, it's merely a way for her to see who reads the emails.

Little does she know.

If you just skip past everything at the top and memorize the word of the day, you can make it seem like you read the whole thing.

Which is what it really means to horn swoggle someone.

Um so I have now horn swoggled her that I've read that email, um, which I have not.

I can sorry, Councilmember Comas.

Um, that's that's fine.

That one I I got I had to do a double double take on that one, I will admit it.

I looked it up.

Turns out there's a wrestler that goes by that name.

Didn't know that.

Um and then I had to really scroll to find out if there was actually a definition.

There is.

So you are not horn swoggling us.

Um yeah, so town hall series, uh just a good time to get out in District 5 and talk about everything that's going on.

All the at-large members you're invited.

And you know, if you show up, then I have to talk less, which is great.

So I hope that you will.

Uh I always thank the administration for their cooperation on these events because they bring out you know different department heads depending on what's going on and what's really important to that area.

Um, you know, it's probable that we'll talk about very popular, all the greatest hits like Seacor Road, which is exciting, um, and other things.

So uh it's it's a it's a good time.

I do want to echo this sentiment around snow removal.

It is a good thing.

I don't I don't really want it to be a referral, but it is something I want to talk to the administration about about how we can improve.

I feel like sometimes we get the main roads done, and then we just kind of go, well, I guess we're good.

And I'm not even picking on the residential streets, although that's easy to do.

I'm talking about turning lanes.

Like for some, I was it's just an interesting thing.

I mean, Bancroft uh, for instance, was the one that comes to mind.

And it's like right by the university, pedestrian-friendly area, and we have just given up on the notion that there should be a turn lane right there.

It's not the only one, it's just the one that comes to mind.

So I'd love to talk about that a little bit.

It feels like um main arterial road, I mean, just main roads in our city.

Um, we don't want traffic to be uh limited uh by uh you know being being messy like that.

So uh let's talk about that and figure it out.

That's all I have.

Thank you.

Councilwoman Morris, first call.

I think we should make councilman Meldon spell horn swoggle.

Um yeah, okay.

Well, on the same vein of shoveling, um, one of the things that I have uh really been concerned about, um, certainly neighborhoods and people not being able to get out, but there are reasons why folks can't get out.

There aren't reasons why um chain businesses cannot uh uh get out and do their their sidewalks in front of their business.

I have a real problem with that.

There's people walking out in the street because they can't walk on the sidewalk.

That's not safe for our city.

Um people have mobility issues, it's you know, it's icy, you could fall in the street, and then you got a car running, you know, it's just awful.

So um really I think we need to look at businesses and their compliance with uh shoveling in front of their uh in front of their uh places of business.

Um we had an issue over at O'Shea's um on uh on Sylvania, and um, you know, I don't begrudge folks from having a good time, but you gotta keep everything in your establishment.

And there was a woman um who uh was nearly killed in the middle of the road.

Um, and so I really urge the administration and the Toledo uh police department to start looking a little bit more at the CERT list and trying to make sure that we get all of the people who have uh calls for service that we make sure that those uh businesses get on uh that list.

Um of the things that I am so excited about is um we have a student leadership group that kind of grew out of the funding that we provided to our youth in Point Place.

Uh it's a student leadership program.

They meet monthly and they come up with different ideas to uh work on.

Their latest one is doing Valentine treat bags for the homeless.

And um they are doing this in conjunction with the residents at St.

Paul's Community Center.

Um they are accepting donations of wrapped Valentine candy, um sweet treats, crackers, chips, just a little something to let them know that they are loved, no matter what day it is, but certainly on Valentine's Day.

So if you have any donations, um, if you have uh money that you would like to to give to them, please let me know.

I will put you in contact with those that are working with our youth.

But um to me that's that just made my heart just sing.

Lastly, what doesn't make my heart sing um was a letter that was received or sent by the city and received by the Bayview retirees, sending them a letter evicting them on February 10th.

What I'm really most disappointed is that the city is taking more land than is needed for this project.

And now this is going to be litigated.

So now people have to come out of their pockets.

The city's gonna have to come out of their pockets, perhaps.

Uh the retirees are gonna have to come out of their pockets, and I just hate to see this coming to this kind of a situation.

I really felt like there could have been more movement in a diplomatic kind of uh discussion, and unfortunately that's not what we're seeing here.

So just really need to go on record saying how disappointed I am that this is get getting to this point.

Um those retirees.

I mean, this is you're all gonna get there if you're lucky uh to be able to retire.

And um it some of these people, this is this is their livelihood, and they take care of it and they volunteer and they they put their money where their mouth is.

And um I'm just really sad that we really couldn't come to a different agreement.

That's all.

Councilman Sarantu, first call.

Thank you.

Um first of all, happy uh blank history month.

And I would remind everyone here that uh on this dais, we had a very long term uh and very devoted council member by the name of Jack Ford.

He was a longtime uh public servant as a councilman, was president of the city council, uh, went on to be a state representative, and went on to become the first African American mayor of the city of Toledo.

So just don't want to forget that because he he really paved the path for so many other people.

Um I had the pleasure this past Sunday of presenting a council resolution to Carol Foyes, and Carol uh served nearly 40 years as the office administrator at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, and she touched so many people, and she's retired, and uh she is the one that answered the phone and dealt with uh well over 50 Greek festivals, keeping everybody organized and working with the public uh when the city would call uh to use the uh facilities at Holy Trinity.

She was the positive voice out there that said, of course, and she just has done a great, great job.

So I just want to personally wish her again a very uh happy and and healthy retirement.

Uh also want to um uh say that uh at at last Friday's uh Timacog meeting, um a number of things happened.

One, Lisa Sabecki, our county commissioner, president of the county commissioners, uh was elevated to vice chair of uh T Macog, which they adopted a name change, and now it's gonna be uh Lake Erie West uh uh regional council.

And uh she will be part of that leadership team.

Also um Scott Miller, Sindusky County Commissioner, uh was elected uh second vice chair of uh the Lake Erie West Regional uh Council.

I'll have to get used to that.

Uh and myself, I was elected chair, and I I really appreciate that.

Most importantly.

Thank you.

Um most importantly, I want to thank my colleagues for your support and being there.

Uh that meant a lot to me, and I appreciate that.

Historically, as long as I'm gonna mention some history.

Forty-seven years ago, 47 years ago, uh was the last time we had a chair of T-MACOG that was from the city of Toledo, and that was the late Doug DeGood.

So I'm honored uh to fill those shoes and look forward to working with everyone, not just in the city, but throughout our region because we have a great region of Ohio and we need to keep working together to promote Northwest Ohio as well as the city of Toledo.

So thank you very much.

That's all I have.

Councilman Driscoll, first call.

Thank you, Clerk.

Uh congratulations, Councilman Sarantu on uh being appointed chair of the of the Lake Erie West Regional Council.

It was a great moment for you.

Uh I know you'll do a great job.

I've always I've been inspired working with you, and I I'm sure you'll do a fantastic job.

And I miss sitting next to you, but Councilmember Gaddis insisted.

She said, I'm pulling rank, I'm kicking you out of your seat.

I want to sit by George.

Uh that's how it all went down.

Luckily, you know, I got a good trade.

But uh here we are.

Uh I I won't spend too much time on this, but we lost a good one last week.

Paul Hollandeck uh passed away on Thursday after a very short and sort of sudden battle with cancer.

He was the longtime chair, many of you know Paul, the longtime chair of the Toledo Design Collective Board and also a partner at the collaborative.

He was uh the he was he was uh the person who hired me to come back uh work as an intern at TDC.

Um I worked there in the summer of 2017 and saw two candidates come through.

Uh the Lucas County Treasurer at the time who was running for mayor, Wade Kapsakevich, and uh Councilmember Comives came through and spoke with the group.

You'd be surprised to hear that Councilmember Comives was uh incredibly reserved in that meeting.

And I remember asking if I want he said if I want to learn more about urban planning, what books should I read?

And uh and I gave him a suggestion.

I said the Life and Death of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs.

I assume you read it, you're a voracious reader.

Um and they both went on to win and look the rest of his history.

A lot of people shared Paul's obituary, a lot of people that I know.

The the word that kept coming up over and over again was mentor, that's what he was.

He he really believed in uh ushering through the next generation of leaders.

Um lots of lots of really interesting and talented people who spent time either on the TDC board or as interns.

Uh Brandon Sellhorse, Jen Van Horn from the Metro Parks, uh Rachel Mominy, who serves on the uh plan commission.

So uh this is this was a big loss.

Paul is a great guy, and uh and he was good through and through, truly.

And uh uh it's too bad to see him go, but uh he'll uh I'm told we're gonna be I think we're gonna do a resolution, but um told the service will be sometime in the spring, so I'll share that information when it comes.

Um that's all I have.

Thank you, Clerk.

Council President Williams, first call.

Thank you so much, Clark.

Uh so this morning um we raised the uh pan African flag.

Um I was asked to be a speaker over there, and if you want to go see my speech, it was amazing.

Just saying I had to pat myself on the back and say, hey, happy Black History Month.

Black History Month means a lot to me.

Um just because I like to look at my forefathers and then look at the president.

So please go out on Facebook and listen to my speech.

Uh also too, thank you to the Lucas County Commissioners for leading that up every um year.

They are actually going to be celebrating black history every uh Tuesday this month.

So um if you can, if you're here at 11, go in and peek in and see what they have going on.

I just appreciate them taking that on and um really highlighting um the work of black Americans in this city and throughout the country.

Uh on February 12th, I will be talking about Heart Health at the Go Red Luncheon.

Um Council Member Martinez is uh providing me with a resolution to designate February uh Heart Healthy Month uh with the American Heart Association.

They are actually highlighting my story on my journey um with my heart attack February 15, 2025.

Um I had a uh widowmaker heart attack.

Um I am celebrating life.

I try to celebrate life every day.

Um, but I thank God that he decided to keep me and uh switch my life up.

So just shout out to American Heart Association.

Um Black Women's Health is uh if you haven't noticed, I wear um in the month of February, I wear um Black Women's Lives Matter sweatshirts.

Um that's talking about black women's lives mattering in a way where our voices are not heard in the medical field, um are not heard in many rooms.

So please, please, please um don't take me wearing sweatshirts and hoodies as a disrespect to my seat.

I take it an uh as an honor, um, but I do take being a black woman as a higher honor honor because we carry a lot.

So um I do uh want to make sure I say that.

So I'll wear my sweatshirts this month and my t-shirts to highlight black women and black history.

Um also too, shout out to uh our Libby Glass workers.

Um they are ratifying their contract.

I am glad after five months.

So appreciate this council for meeting with them, talking to them.

Um, the administration actually uh showing up for them in several ways as well.

So I am so happy that they're working it out, and I appreciate what they um they did.

It took a lot and it's cold outside.

Christmas has passed, New Year's have passed, summer has passed, and they stood firm.

So we're with you guys, and and I'm glad that they were able to uh get what they needed in that contract and fear for all their employees.

Without further ado, this meeting is adjourned.

Oh, hello, okay.

Everybody's been trying to left.