Toledo City Council Agenda Review Meeting – February 24, 2026

This meeting served as the Agenda Review for the March 3, 2026 Toledo City Council meeting. The council reviewed and discussed numerous ordinances, resolutions, and appointments, making recommendations for first reading, suspension of the rules (SCP/SEP), or deferral. Key discussions focused on housing and homelessness funding, utility customer assistance, healthcare contracts, and infrastructure projects.

Consent Calendar

• Resolutions and appointments were reviewed without opposition, including R-053-26 recognizing Zack Aubrey and Anthony Mitchell for exceptional bravery, appointments to the Toledo-Lucas County Commission on Disabilities, and appointments/reappointments to the Home Improvement & Home Remodeling Board of Control.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during this agenda review meeting.

Discussion Items

HOME-ARP Substantial Amendment (O-057-26)

• Rosalind Clemens (Chief of Housing and Neighborhood Sustainability) and Colleen Alley (Deputy Director, DHCD) presented an ordinance to amend the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan to establish a preference for supportive services funding for homeless individuals (Qualifying Population 1). The city received $7.9 million in HOME-ARP funds, with $3 million allocated for supportive services. The amendment responds to increased homelessness and shelter system strain. The preference will not affect other qualifying populations for rental housing projects. The public comment period ran January 26–February 9, 2026, with a public hearing on February 11, 2026. Councilmembers questioned the timeline (30–60 days for HUD approval after council passage), the number of individuals served (estimated 60), and coordination with agencies like Pathways Inc. and Health Council of Northwest Ohio. The council recommended SEP (suspension of rules for immediate passage).

Department of Public Utilities Items (O-058-26 to O-061-26)

• O-058-26 (Autoclave Replacement): Authorizes $100,000 for a new bacteria lab autoclave at Collins Park Water Treatment Plant. The autoclave saves $7,500/month in testing and reduces boil advisory time by 24–48 hours. Recommended SCP.
• O-059-26 (Buckeye Pumps Contract): Authorizes a $40,000/year contract for repair services on the spent lime dewatering pre-fill tank mixer. The mixer processes about 250,000 gallons/day, increasing solids content from 4–5% to 45–50%. Recommended SCP.
• O-060-26 (Customer Assistance Grant Program): Authorizes $100,000 for utility bill assistance grants ($250 per eligible customer, once every two years). Councilmembers expressed frustration that only 12 people applied in 2025 and none received funds due to eligibility issues. The council directed the administration to improve promotion, consider adjusting income thresholds, and provide monthly reporting. The item was held for first reading, with a request for a revised rollout plan.
• O-061-26 (State Regulatory Fees): Authorizes $75,000 for Ohio EPA annual permit fees, a 5% increase from 2025. Recommended SCP.

Department of Human Resources Items (O-062-26, O-063-26)

• O-062-26 (Anthem TPA Services): Authorizes a three-year contract (with two optional one-year renewals) for medical claims administration. Anthem was selected via RFP over Medical Mutual and United Healthcare. Estimated administrative cost: ~$1 million/year. Recommended SCP.
• O-063-26 (Carelon PBM Services): Authorizes a three-year contract (with two optional one-year renewals) for pharmacy benefit management. Carelon (Anthem subsidiary) was selected over incumbent Optum Rx. The integration with Anthem is expected to reduce prior authorization delays. Cost: ~$190,000/year. Recommended SCP.

Department of Development Items (O-064-26, O-065-26)

• O-064-26 (Expedited Building Appeals): Amends TMC 1315 to add an expedited appeal process (5 business days) for building code appeals, aligning with state law SB 6. Establishes fees: $250 standard, $500 expedited. The building appeals board comprises five professionals. Recommended SCP.
• O-065-26 (Shovel Ready Sites Fund): Authorizes an $18.7 million loan to the Toledo Community Improvement Corporation (TCIC) to create a revolving fund for site assembly, remediation, and preparation. The loan will be repaid from JEDZ revenues. Council requested monthly updates to all council members. Recommended first reading.

Department of Finance Items (O-066-26 to O-070-26)

• O-066-26 (NTR Bonds – $18.7M): Companion to O-065-26, for economic development. First reading recommended.
• O-067-26 (RAISE Grant Match Bonds – $19.8M): For infrastructure improvements including street reconstruction, mobility hub, and multiuse path. First reading.
• O-068-26 (Streets & Bridges Bonds – $12.21M): For street and bridge improvements. First reading.
• O-069-26 (Refunding Bonds – $7.49M): To refund 2015 bonds, with projected savings of $184,000. First reading.
• O-070-26 (Fire Apparatus Bonds – $1.1M): For fire equipment. First reading.

Department of Transportation Items (O-071-26 to O-074-26)

• O-071-26 (2026 Sidewalk Program): Authorizes $3.5 million (CIP, special assessment, and tree assessment funds) for sidewalk repairs. The program will save 150 trees by using flexible asphalt around roots. Council debated whether the $500,000 CIP appropriation is permissible before the 2026 budget passes. Recommended first reading.
• O-072-26 (ODOT Multi‑Use Path – Parkside Blvd): Accepts $1,016,495 in grant funds (80% federal, 20% city match). First reading recommended due to budget uncertainty.
• O-073-26 (OPWC Grant Amendment – Sylvania Ave): Converts $125,906 from loan to grant for the Sylvania Avenue resurfacing project. First reading recommended.
• O-074-26 (Safe Routes to School – Washington Local Schools): Authorizes application for ODOT grants for infrastructure improvements near Shoreland Elementary School (estimated $816,834, 100% grant funded). Recommended SCP.

Clerk Reports and Zoning Items

• R-075-26 (Jefferson Avenue Vacation): Declares intent to vacate a portion of Jefferson Avenue between Water Street and the Maumee River. Noted.
• O-076-26 to O-081-26: Zoning items including a zone change at 1839 Tremainsville Road, special use permit amendment for Christ the King Church (4757 Monroe Street), Vistula neighborhood map amendment (188 parcels), text amendments for storage facility special use permits, density bonus site plan review, and legacy zone changes. All were noted as coming from the Zoning & Planning Committee.

Second Reading Items

• O-034-26 (Toledo Edison Lease – Detwiler Park): Authorizes a one-year lease (with a possible month-to-month extension) for a parking lot as a temporary storage yard for electrical upgrades. The city negotiated $1,000/month rent and a screened fence. Councilmembers expressed concerns about precedent for private company use of parks and visibility of storage. Council President Williams supported the project, noting the impoverished neighborhood. Councilwoman Morris opposed, citing slippery slope. The item was held for further information on alternative sites. The council will vote on March 3, 2026.
• O-051-26 (Municipal Code Amendments – Non‑Union Employees): Repeals and enacts sections of Chapter 2101 (non‑union employee code). Second reading, no significant discussion.

Key Outcomes

• Recommendations for Passage: Most items received recommendations for SCP or first reading, as noted above. The customer assistance program (O-060-26) was held for first reading pending improved outreach and possible policy changes. The Detwiler Park lease (O-034-26) was held for additional information.
• Directives and Referrals:
  • The administration was directed to improve promotion of the Customer Assistance Grant Program, provide monthly usage reports, and consider adjusting income eligibility thresholds.
  • The Department of Public Utilities was asked to provide a breakdown of HOME-ARP funding percentages and details on outreach for the homeless population.
  • The Department of Transportation was asked to provide addresses of locations where flexible asphalt was used around trees, and to ensure resident communication for sidewalk and Safe Routes projects.
  • The Department of Finance was asked to clarify whether CIP appropriations are permissible before the 2026 budget is passed.
• Next Steps: The full council will consider these items at the March 3, 2026 meeting. The council’s Finance Committee will meet February 25, 2026 to discuss budget-related issues.