I call to order the city council meeting of March third, twenty twenty six.

Clerk, please call the roll.

Hobbes Jones here.

Comeves?

Here.

Kramer.

Here.

Martinez.

McPherson.

Here.

Meldon.

Here.

Morris.

Here.

Soranto?

Here.

Williams.

Here.

Driscoll?

Here.

Gettys.

Ten present.

Please stand for the invocation by Father Jeff Rose, President of St.

Francis de Sale High School, the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag, and the singing of the National Anthem by Councilman John Hobbes the Third.

Really?

Let us pray.

God of wisdom and justice.

We pause at the beginning of this meeting to remember that leadership is both a privilege and a responsibility.

You've entrusted the city to the care of those gathered here.

We thank you for their service, their sacrifices, and their dedication to our city.

Grant these leaders clarity of mind, steadiness of heart, and a humble confidence, the courage to act decisively, prepared with the humility to learn and to listen.

Defend the widow.

Today we ask for the same spirit.

Teach us to learn to do good, not simply to intend it, but to practice it.

Help us to hear the plea of those whose voices are not in this chamber.

The vulnerable, the overlooked, the struggling family, the child without advocacy, the elderly neighbor living alone.

Strengthen authentic relationships among those who serve here.

In every debate, let there be a shared commitment to the common good of our city.

Remind all who hold office that leadership is at its heart service.

May each decision reflect a spirit of servant leadership, seeking not personal recognition, but the flourishing of the people of Toledo.

Bless our city.

Bless the work done here today.

Guide every decision towards justice, mercy, and the common good.

Amen.

The bombs bow stumber for the night that a flag was still.

Clerk, please.

I'm sorry.

Councilman Hobbes.

Former city councilman.

Former deputy mayor.

At twenty-two years all in Ipsalanti, Michigan.

But when God has a plan for your life, he really has a plan.

And that's Father, President, Principal of St.

Francis.

The Soros.

High school.

Father Jeff Rose.

Thank you so much for being here, sir.

Thank you.

He was a city councilman in Ipsalini.

And thought he was going to probably be mayor and go to Congress and all those things, and God really changed his life and had a different plan.

And I'm so thankful he was here today.

And uh you can always feel good when there's another night in the house.

Thank you.

All right, thank you.

Clerk, please begin with the resolution in attendance recognizing Zachary Aubrey and Anthony Mitchell for demonstrating exceptional bravery.

If you gentlemen would come up, please.

Councilwoman Morris presents resolution fifty-three twenty-six recognizing Zach Aubrey and Anthony Mitchell for demonstrating exceptional bravery.

Whereas Whitmer High School students Zach Aubrey and Anthony Mitchell displayed exceptional courage and presence of mind when they responded to a serious automobile accident in West Toledo, Ohio.

And whereas after witnessing the crash, they acted without hesitation, putting their own safety at risk to assist a driver trapped inside a severely damaged vehicle, ultimately helping to save the individual's life.

And whereas they have been publicly commended their heroic efforts, recognizing their selfless actions and readiness to respond during a critical and dangerous situation.

And whereas through their bravery, swift judgment, and genuine concern for another person's well-being, these young men exemplified outstanding character, leadership, and commitment to their community.

Now therefore be it resolved by the Council of the City of Toledo that Toledo City Council probably proudly recognizes and applauds Zach Aubrey and Anthony Mitchell for their courageous life-saving actions and unwavering concern for their fellow citizens.

Sincere appreciation is extended for their exemplary demonstration of compassion, bravery, and service to others, which reflects great upon great credit upon themselves, their school, and their community.

Suspension.

Motion carried.

Passage.

Hobbs.

Yes.

Jones.

Yes.

Comires?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

McPherson?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Sarantu?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Frisco?

Yes.

Resolution adopted.

Councilwoman Morris.

Thank you, President Williams, and thank you, gentlemen, for um allowing us to celebrate you.

That's that's some pretty hard things to do sometimes.

And you know, most people would just sit by and record and put it on Facebook or put it on Instagram or Snapchat or whatever platform you use, and they wouldn't want to be bothered.

And um this is unfortunate in our society that we have this kind of mentality in our community.

And most don't really know how they're gonna respond to a situation, right?

You didn't wake up that morning and think, oh, I'm gonna help save somebody's life.

Um but and and until you're in that kind of a circumstance, you're not really sure how you're going to react.

Um and something took over in you, both of you, that you said, you know what, I just can't stand by and wait for perhaps 911 to come, or you know, the fire department or the police.

In fact, you said I'm gonna help this person and I'm gonna save their lives.

And um I can tell you that it just really takes strength and courage to to act.

And um one of I always say this in this chamber is that one of the best things about this job is that we get to honor everyday heroes.

It makes my heart just overjoyed.

And so today, from District Six and our entire community, we are thankful that we can celebrate you and thank you for helping your community.

So thank you.

Councilwoman McPherson.

No, you can't go sit down.

Oh no.

Take in the moment.

Um, as young men in doing what you did, we are so honored to celebrate you today.

Um you give me hope that um all young people's hearts are not hardened or not interested in what's going on around them.

Just as councilwoman Moore said, you could have Facebooked it, you could have gone live.

You know, we do so many things, but you didn't.

You actually went into action.

And so as uncomfortable this may seem to you right now, you'll look back 10 years from now, maybe and and think about wow.

They really appreciated what we did.

And so I want you to know today we do and thank you for keeping hope alive with our young people.

And so you are saying to our community, we are not all lost.

And no, don't give up on us because we are here to serve too.

So thank you, and God bless both of you.

Thank you.

Well, the floor is yours if you would like something to say, and your parents can come.

I see we have the superintendent of Washington Local.

We you guys all can come and stand with them because yeah, I just let them walk up here by they sails.

No, uh, the floor is yours, and you can say whatever you want.

We do appreciate you and thank you for your bravery.

Um, so many times you hear so many people say that the every generation is lost.

You have proven today that it is it the day that you helped and served that it is not.

So the floor is yours, whatever you want to say, and shit works.

Uh I'd like to thank everyone here for the recognition.

Um I want to thank my mom too for raising me right.

And I would just like to thank and I just like to think that uh someone else would do the same for me if I was in that situation.

And I just always like to lead by example.

So everyone else hoped out.

I was just one person there.

Everyone else needs to get the recognition I got to.

I just want to say um thank you, and just thank you to everybody in my life who's helped me just be a good person like Greg and Amber and like people like my boxing coach and just people who've got to meet along the way.

Yes.

Thank you to everybody like that, and thank you, you guys.

Thank you.

We are now, you guys can come on in here.

We're gonna take a picture with uh councilwoman Moore and your families, everybody can come in.

Move to confirm.

Hobbes.

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Come?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

McPherson?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Saranto?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Appointment confirmed.

Appointment fifty-five dash twenty-six is an appointment to the home improvement home remodeling board of control.

Lindsay Link replacing Beth Holt for a three-year term expiring March third, twenty twenty-nine.

There is a waiver needed.

Move to confirm.

Hobbes?

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Comeves?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

McPherson?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Saranto?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Appointment confirmed.

Appointment fifty-six dash twenty-six.

A reappointment to the home improvement and home remodeling board of control for Dean Frederick.

Three years expiring March third, twenty twenty-five.

Move to confirm.

Hobbes.

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Come?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

McPherson?

Yes.

Meldon.

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Soranto?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Appointment confirmed.

I move for immediate consideration of ordinance zero eighty two dash twenty-six.

Seeing no objections.

So ordered.

Ordinance eighty-two dash twenty-six establishing the annual salary of a hundred and forty-five thousand dollars for the director of the city plan commission pursuant to charter section one eighty-nine and declaring an emergency.

Suspension.

Hobbes, Jones, Comibes, Kramer, McPherson, Meldon, Morris, Saranthu, Williams Driscoll.

Motion carried.

Hobbes, Jones, Comibes, Kramer, McPherson, Melden, Morris, Sarantu, Williams, Driscoll.

Motion carried.

Hobbes?

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Come?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

McPherson?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Sarantu?

Yes.

Williams.

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

I now find the meeting over to Councilman Hobbes.

Under second read items ordinance thirty-four dash twenty-six authorizing the mayor to enter into a lease agreement with the Toledo Edison Company for use of a parking lot at Dutweiler Park is a temporary storage lot and declaring an emergency.

Hobbes, Jones, Commissioner.

Councilwoman Moores.

Thank you.

Thank you for giving me that courtesy.

I um would just like to recognize the individuals who came here to witness our vote here today.

A lot of people from the Point Place and North Toledo area who are all wearing green to show that they support keeping our parks very green.

And all I can think of is that you know the George and Abraham Duttweiler, when they donated 200 acres to the City of Toledo in 1925, that they decided that they were going to keep that as uh public space, not necessarily giving that or renting it out to the highest bidder.

And I would just urge my colleagues.

Yes, this this light lighting project needs to happen over at Regina uh Regina Manor area.

Um, but uh if we start renting out our green spaces, it's a very slippery slope, and I would urge my colleagues to not support this uh ordinance.

The title does not change.

Okay.

Seeing no objections, so moved.

Emergency.

Hobbes, Jones, Comives, Kramer, McPherson, Meldon, Morris, Samrantu, Williams, Driscoll, motion carried.

Passage.

Hobbes?

Yes.

Jones?

No.

Comeves?

Yes.

Kramer?

No.

McPherson?

No.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

No.

Sarantu?

No.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

No.

Ordinance failed.

All right.

Order, please.

Councilman Hobbes.

Continue with the second read items, please.

Ordinance 51-26.

Amending the Toledo Municipal Code by repealing multiple sections of Chapter 2101 and enacting new sections of Chapter 2101 and repealing outdated chapters of the code and declaring an emergency.

Emergency.

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

Motion carried.

Passage.

Hobbes?

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Comeves?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

McPherson?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Soranto?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Claude, please continue with the new items from the administration.

Councilwoman Jones presents the following item from the Department of Housing and Community Development.

Ordinance 57-26 authorizing the mayor to submit a substantial amendment to the home ARP allocation plan approved and submitted to the U.S.

Department of Housing and Urban Development in December 2022 and approved by the HUD Field Office in 2023 for the purpose of establishing a preference for supportive services funding for qualifying population one homeless as defined in 24 CFR 91.5 homeless one, two, or three, and declaring an emergency.

Suspension.

Hobbes, Jones, Com Ives, Kramer, McPherson, Meldon, Morris, Sarantu, Williams, Driscoll, motion carried.

Emergency.

Hobbes, Jones, Com Ives, Kramer, McPherson, Meldon, Morris, Saranto, Williams, Driscoll, motion carried.

Passage.

Hobbes?

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Come?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

McPherson?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Serrantu?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

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

Ordinance 58-26.

Authorizing the mayor to accept bids and award contracts for bacteria laboratory autoclave replacement at the Collins Park Water Treatment Plant.

Authorizing the appropriation and expenditure of 100,000 from the water replacement fund for the bacteria laboratory autoclave replacement and declaring an emergency.

Suspension.

Hobbes, Jones, Com Ives, Kramer, McPherson, Meldon, Morris, Surround 2, Williams, Driscoll.

Motion carried.

Emergency.

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

Motion carried.

Passage.

Hobbes?

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Comeves?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

McPherson?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Serantu?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Ordinance 59-26 authorizing the mayor to enter into a one-year agreement with the option to renew for up to three additional one year periods with Buckeye pumps for the purpose of providing repair service for the spent Lyme D water facility.

Pre-filled tank mixer.

Authorizing the expenditure from the water operating fund in an amount not to exceed 40,000 annually.

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

Suspension.

Hobbes Jones Comives Kramer McPherson.

Williams Driscoll, motion carried.

Emergency.

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

Passage.

Hobbs?

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Come Ives?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

McPherson?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Sarantu?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Ordinance 60-26 authorizing the appropriation of 100,000 from the water sewer and stormwater replacement funds.

And the operating transfer of same to the water sewer and storm water operating funds.

Authorizing the appropriation and expenditure of 100,000 from the water, sewer, and storm water operating funds for the customer assistance grant program and declaring an emergency.

First reading.

Ordinance 61-26 authorizing the expenditure of an amount not to exceed $75,000 from the Sanitary Sewer Operating Fund for payment to the state of Ohio for 2026 annual regulatory fees and declaring an emergency.

Suspension.

Hobbes Jones Comives Kramer McPherson Meldon Morris Sarantu Williams Driscoll Motion carried?

Emergency.

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

Passage.

Hobbs?

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Come Ives?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

McPherson?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Seranto?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Councilwoman McPherson presents the following two items from the Department of Human Resources.

Ordinance 62-26 authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement for third-party administrator services for the city's self-funded medical insurance plan.

To include providing claims administration, compliance, member support, reporting, and other related services for covered employees and their dependents for a term of three years with two one-year optional renewals.

Authorizing the expenditure of funds from the Healthcare Internal Services Fund and declaring an emergency.

Suspension.

Hobbes Jones Comives Kramer McPherson Meldon Morris Sarantu Williams Driscoll motion carried.

Emergency.

Hobbs Jones Comives Kramer McPherson Meldon Morris Sarantu Williams Driscoll motion carried.

Passage.

Hobbs?

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Comives?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

McPherson?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Sarantu?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Ordinance 63-26 authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement for pharmacy benefit management services for the city's self-funded prescription drug plans.

To include administering the prescription drug benefit, optimizing network access, managing formulary and rebate programs, delivering transparent reporting and other related services for covered employees and their dependents for a term of three years with two one-year optional renewals and further authorized authorizing the expenditure of funds from the health care internal service fund and declaring an emergency.

Suspension.

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

Emergency.

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

Passage.

Hobbs?

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Comives?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

McPherson?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Serantu?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Councilman Meldon presents the following two items from the Department of Development.

Ordinance 64-26.

Amending Toledo Municipal Code Chapter 1315 by repealing Section 1315.02.

An appointment.

Appointment and enacting a new section 1315.02 appointment for the purpose of establishing an expedited appeal process and declaring an emergency.

Suspension.

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

Motion carried.

Emergency.

Hobbs, Jones, Comives, Kramer, McPherson, Meldon, Morris, Saranto, Williams Driscoll.

Motion carried.

Passage.

Hobbs?

Yes.

Jones.

Yes.

Comives?

Yes.

Kramer.

Yes.

McPherson?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris.

Yes.

Surant too?

Yes.

Williams.

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Ordinance 65-26 authorizing the mayor to enter into a loan agreement and other needed instruments with the Toledo Community Improvement Corporation to establish a shovel ready sites fund that will be used to assemble, acquire, prepare, hold, market, and transfer sites within the city for job creating and housing developments, authorizing the appropriation and expenditure of an amount not to exceed 18,700,000 from the general fund, authorizing the mayor to accept and deposit loan payments into the general fund and declaring an emergency.

First read.

Councilman Sarantu presents the following five items from the Department of Finance.

Ordinance 66-26, providing for the issuance and sale of bonds in the maximum principal amount of $18,700,000 for the purpose of paying costs of a project as defined in Section 165.01 of the revised code for the purpose of creating or preserving jobs and employment opportunities and improving the economic welfare of the city and its residents in the state of Ohio.

Providing for the pledge for that purpose of certain non-tax revenues, establishing an account or fund of the city, approving related documents, and declaring an emergency.

Ordinance 67-26 providing for the issuance and sale of bonds in the maximum principal amount of 19,800,000 for the purpose of paying costs in cooperation with the US Department of Transportation through its rebuilding America infrastructure with sustainability and equity, raise grant program, and otherwise of improving the city street system by reconstructing, resurfacing, and curbing streets, constructing water lines and related water supply facilities, sanitary sewers and related sanitary facilities, storm sewers and related drainage facilities, bicycle lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks, and streetscapes, and installing decorative street lighting, signage and trees and other landscaping, constructing a transportation mobility hub, including related seating, lighting, bicycle and scooter shelter, and other equipment, and constructing a multi-use path along Door Street, including commissioning and installing public artwork along the path.

In each case, as designated in the plans approved or to be approved by council, and together with the necessary appurtenances and work incidental thereto and acquiring real estate and interest in real estate in connection therewith and declaring an emergency.

Ordinance 68-26.

Providing for the issuance and sale of bonds in the maximum principal amount of 12,210,000 for the purpose of paying costs of improving the city street system in cooperation with the Department of Transportation of the State of Ohio, and otherwise by improving streets by constructing, reconstructing, and rehabilitating the pavement base, bridges, curbs, drains, improvements, driveway approaches, pedestrian ramps, bicycle paths, and sidewalks, widening, realigning, adjusting radius cutbacks, manholes, and catch basins, preparing the surface and surfacing and resurfacing, and installing traffic signals and signalization where necessary, and improving bridges by constructing, reconstructing, replacing, rehabilitating, restoring, and widening bridge decks, supporting piers, abutments, arches, beams, columns, and other structural steel components, and bridge bearing systems and related embankments and drainage facilities, restoring and installing expansion joints, bridge railings, and traffic barrier railings, and constructing, reconstructing and rehabilitating the pavement base, curbs, drainage improvements, driveway approaches, bicycle paths, and sidewalks, and surfacing and resurfacing the roadway on the bridges and approaches to those bridges where necessary.

In each case as designated and then the plans approved or to be approved by council and declaring an emergency.

First read.

Ordinance 69-26, providing for the issuance and sale of bonds in the maximum principal amount of 7,490,000 for the purpose of refunding for debt charges, savings certain of the city's outstanding capital improvement and refunding bonds, series 2015, dated October 15, 2015, repealing ordinance number 312-25, passed on August 12, 2025 and declaring an emergency.

Ordinance 70-26, providing for the issuance and sale of bonds in the maximum principal amount of 1,100,000 for the purpose of paying costs of acquiring fire apparatus and equipment for use by the city's Department of Fire and Rescue Operations in declaring an emergency.

First read.

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

Ordinance 71-20 Councilman Driscoll.

Sorry, I'm she could have finished.

Thank you, President Williams.

There are some questions about this.

I had some questions about this with other members, and so I think at this time it's best to wait until we pass the 2026 budget.

Although we always reserve the right to do an appropriation.

If any of this funding didn't make it through the 2026 budget, we'd have to have a new ordinance to repeal these ordinances.

And so I think since we're at you know at most two council meetings away from passing the budget.

I think I think we should just hold the go first reading and at the latest hold these until March 31st.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Ordinance 71-26 authorizing the appropriation and expenditure of an amount not to exceed $500,000 from the Capital Improvement Fund for the 2026 sidewalk program, authorizing the expenditure of an amount not to exceed $1,750,000 from the special assessment improvement fund for the 2026 sidewalk program authorizing the expenditure of an amount not to exceed 1,250,000 from the tree assessment fund for the 2026 sidewalk program, authorizing the mayor to prepare plans and specifications, acquired required rights away as appropriate, prepare bids and enter into contracts for this project and declaring an emergency.

First read.

Ordinance 72-26 authorizing the mayor to enter into a cooperative grant agreement with and accept financial assistance from the State of Ohio Department of Transportation for the multi-use path project on Parkside Boulevard, authorizing the acceptance, deposit appropriation and expenditure of grant proceeds into the Capital Improvement Fund in an amount not to exceed $1,016,495, authorizing the mayor to execute all necessary documentation for the grant, authorizing the mayor to accept bids and award contracts related to the design and construction of the project and declaring an emergency.

First read.

Ordinance 73-26, amending ordinance 49-25 to accept an additional 125,906 dollars in grant funds from the Ohio Public Works Commission for the Sylvania Avenue Project, amending ordinance 49-25 to reduce loan funding by 125,906 dollars for the Sylvania Avenue Project and declaring an emergency.

Suspension.

Hobbes, Jones, Com Ives, Kramer, McPherson, Meldon, Morris, Sarantu, Williams, Driscoll, motion carried.

Emergency.

Hobbes, Jones, Comives, Kramer, McPherson, Meldon, Morris, Serantwo, Williams, Driscoll, motion carried.

Passage.

Hobbs?

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Comives?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

McPherson?

Yes.

Meldon.

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Soranto?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Ordinance 74-26 authorizing and expressing the City of Toledo's support for applications to the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Safe routes to school grant programs for funds to construct infrastructure enhancements and engage in education and encouragement activities to improve pedestrian and bicycle access for students traveling to Washington local schools and declaring an emergency.

Suspension.

Hobbs, Jones, Com Ives, Kramer, McPherson, Meldon, Morris, Surantu, Williams, Driscoll.

Motion carried.

Emergency.

Hobbs, Jones, Comives, Kramer, McPherson, Meldon, Morris, Sarantu, Williams, Driscoll.

Motion carried.

Passage.

Hobbs?

Yes.

Jones.

Yes.

Comives?

Yes.

Kramer.

Yes.

McPherson.

Yes.

Meldon.

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Soranto?

Yes.

Williams.

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Resolution adopted.

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

Resolution 75-26 declaring the intent to vacate all that portion of Jefferson Avenue lying between Water Street and the Maumee River.

Located in the city of Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio, and declaring an emergency.

Suspension.

Hobbes, Jones, Com Ives, Kramer, McPherson, Meldon, Morris, Samantha, Williams, Driscoll.

Motion carried.

Emergency.

Hobbes, Jones, Com Ives, Kramer, McPherson, Maldon, Morris, Samantha, Williams, Driscoll.

Motion carried.

Passage.

Hobbs.

Yes.

Jones.

Yes.

Comeves?

Yes.

Kramer.

Yes.

McPherson.

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Samantha?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Resolution adopted.

Clerk, please continue with the items from zoning and planning.

Councilwoman Morris, Chair of Zoning and Planning Committee presents ordinance 76-26.

Changing the zoning maps attached to Part 11, planning and zoning, Toledo Municipal Code for the property located at 1839, Tremainesville Road, City of Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio, and declaring an emergency.

Suspension.

Hobbes, Jones, Comives, Kramer, McPherson, Meldon, Morris, Surround 2, Williams, Driscoll, Motion carried.

Emergency.

Hobbs, Jones, Com Ives, Kramer, McPherson, Meldon, Morris, Surround 2, Williams, Driscoll, Motion carried.

Passage.

Hobbs?

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Comeves?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

McPherson?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Surant too?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Ordinance 77-26.

Granting an amendment to a special use permit originally granted by ordinance 218-19 for Christ the King Church and School Site Expansion for a site located at 4757 Monroe Street.

City of Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio, subject to certain conditions and declaring an emergency.

Suspension.

Hobbs, Jones, Comives, Kramer, McPherson, Meldon, Morris, Sarantu, Williams, Driscoll, Motion carried.

Emergency.

Hobbs, Jones, Comives, Kramer, McPherson, Meldon, Morris, Arantu, Williams, Driscoll, motion carried.

Passage.

Hobbs?

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Come Ives?

Yes.

Kramer.

Yes.

McPherson?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Samrantu?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Ordinance 78-26.

A map amendment to the Vistula neighborhood.

First read.

Ordinance 79-26.

Amending Toledo Municipal Code Section 1104.0100 use table.

Suspension.

Hobbes, Jones, Comives.

Kramer, McPherson, Meldon, Morris, Sarantu, Williams, Driscoll, Motion carried.

Emergency.

Hobbs, Jones, Comives, Kramer, McPherson, Meldon, Morris, Sarantu, Williams, Driscoll, Motion carried.

Passage.

Hobbs?

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Come Ives.

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

McPherson?

Yes.

Meldon.

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Surround too?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Ordinance 80-26.

Amending Toledo Municipal Code Section 1106.0401.

Review by repealing the prior version.

Then enacting a new amended version thereof and declaring an emergency.

Suspension.

Hobbes Jones Comives Kramer McPherson.

Motion carried.

Suspension.

Emergency.

Hobbes Jones.

Com Ives.

Kramer McPherson.

Meldon.

Morris.

Surround to Williams.

Driscoll.

Motion carried.

Passage.

Hobbs?

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Comives?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

McPherson?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Surround to?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Ordinance 81-26.

Amending Toledo Municipal Code to enact a new section 1111.0610.

Zone changes subject to subdivision plating and declaring an emergency.

Suspension.

Hobbs Jones.

Come Ives, Kramer, McPherson, Meldon, Morris, Samtu, Williams, Driscoll.

Motion carried.

Emergency.

Hobbs Jones.

Com Ives, Kramer, McPherson, Meldon, Morris, Sarantu, Williams, Driscoll, Motion carried.

Passage.

Hobbs?

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Com Ives.

Yes.

Kramer.

Yes.

McPherson?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Samantha?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

That completes the agenda.

Councilman Hobbs.

First call.

I move to dispense with the reading of the Toledo Journal.

Toledo City Journal for the City Council meeting of February 17th, 2026.

Seeing no objections.

Some ordered.

I move to excuse Councilman Hobbes for non-attendance at the zoning and planning committee meeting of February 18th, 2026.

And the economic development and innovation committee of February 19, 2026.

Councilman Martinez for non-attendance at the Finance Debt and Budget Oversight Committee of February 25th, 2026.

And the Housing Community Development and Public Health Committee of February 26, 2026.

Councilwoman McPherson for non-attendance at the City Council meeting of February 17th, 2026.

And the Economic Development and Innovation Committee of February 19th, 2026.

Councilman Meldon for non-attendance at the City Council meeting of February 17th, 2026.

The agenda review meeting of February 24th, 2026.

And the Housing Community Development and Public Health Committee of February 26, 2026.

Councilwoman Moore's for non-attendance at the zoning and planning committee of February 18th, 2026.

And Councilmember Gad is for non-attendance at the zoning and planning committee of February 18th, 2026.

Seeing no objections order.

She spent 42 years in the Navy, and she did not get her PhD until she was 70 years old.

Much of what she done in doing and her work was kept underground.

It was not exposed.

Other people were allowed to take credit for her work as an African American woman.

And it wasn't until the movie figures came out that her work began to be exposed and who she actually was and what she had done.

And so I just wanted to recognize Dr.

Gladys West, who was 95 years old just a few weeks ago when she passed.

And with that, I yield my time.

Councilwoman Dr.

Jones, first call.

Thank you, Clerk.

Well, since you started it off, happy women's history month.

And just the changes that they have been doing within the city.

And it was great to see everybody come together to really honor these works.

And it was a great ending to Black History Month, but like I said, a great beginning to women's history month because they are making history as well.

So if you hadn't had a chance to attend, it's always the last Saturday of February.

And you know, is at the Pinnacle.

Very nice, very, very nice event.

And looking forward to a lot more that's coming up as well.

Um and actually, with that, I yield my time.

Councilmember Colme's first call.

Thank you so much, Clerk.

Uh I wish everybody happy.

Um Women's History Month.

Uh I am really excited to celebrate uh a local woman named Sherry Trapeppi, who I nominated for a YWCA Milestones Award.

She'll be receiving it later this month.

I think many of you will probably be in attendance.

Um, and I hope that we show good support at that event because it's a ton of incredible local women that have done incredible work in our community and made a lasting impression.

So it's awesome to be able to celebrate them.

Um I also attended on Friday the Glass City Wranglers Home Opener, which was super fun at the uh Glass City Center.

Um they put up stands.

You can get beer and popcorn, all the good stuff that you want.

They got free entertainment.

It was a good time.

Um, but I would really encourage all of us to be supporting.

I mean, it's really great to see uh their move from Scott High School to a larger venue, if you will, and hope to just see them continue to grow and show off the amazing talents that Toledo has.

Uh last, I'll be leaving tomorrow to go to Washington, DC to uh I'll be visiting the Department of Energy and the EPA while I'm there, but I'm also gonna be lobbying and working with uh many advocates from around the Great Lakes, people from states that border the Great Lakes and uh folks from Canada as well, who are gonna be lobbying our uh federal lawmakers to encourage further support for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, uh more funding for conservancy around our Great Lakes, um IWAP money, you name it.

There's all kinds of things that we're gonna be talking about.

There's all kinds of things that we're gonna be talking about, but um going to represent Toledo, hope to do it well, hope to continue to bring back federal dollars uh that we've been utilizing in and around Toledo to help improve the quality of our Great Lakes.

Thanks so much.

Councilwoman Kramer, first call.

Thank you, Clerk.

Um, I also attended an event on February 28th that uh was consequential.

Um it was rare disease day on February 28th, and so uh classmate of mine from Notre Dame Academy, Deb Ayers is a very strong woman, so celebrating Women's History Month.

Um she founded the Avalon Foundation based on her daughter who uh suffers from a rare uh lives with, survives with a rare disease, and so um I was very glad to attend that event and celebrate all of the people in this region who are surviving with rare diseases.

Um a cousin of mine passed away a year ago um and he had Frederick's ataxia, which is also a rare disease.

So it's uh a cause that's very close to my heart.

Um, but one of the things that the Avalon Foundation does is they provide a lot of leadership opportunities for high school kids.

So this event was pretty much run by high school kids in this region, and it was really inspiring to see all that they did.

They organized a panel discussion, they organized silent auction.

So it's a really great opportunity for kids in our region to get some leadership opportunities, and they also do a lot for sick kids in this area as well.

So it's just a really great foundation and you know a great opportunity to celebrate women doing really fantastic things in our region.

So thank you.

Councilwoman McPherson, first call.

Thank you.

Um let me first say thank you to Anita Madison and the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists for um recognizing me on Saturday at their Black History Banquet.

I was honored to um um be there and recognize and for the many years I was am still a member of the Black Coalition of Trade Unionists.

It was a great um brunch, and then I had the pleasure of going over and celebrating with the AKAs and honoring um one of the young ladies that they honored was Janae Hicklin, who I work with with uh Leaf Ministries and feeding the homeless, and I was just um happy to be standing with her and um my she wrote Deborah Barnett who has done so much uh work in our community.

Uh also Miss uh Lisa Duffy, who is um with the YWCA and who we will be celebrating with the women the milestones.

Um the other thing that I want to uh bring forth is concerning to me is that um there's somebody, some company that's going out and tagging signs on our stop signs that say buy we buy houses.

And um I took a picture of it because I had two on my street on my corner, and they are tagging low-income neighborhoods.

Now you know we've had we've got this problem right now with people coming in and buying homes in the city of Toledo, the LLCs, and then we can't find them, and we know nothing about them, and so we've put forth the uh the legislation where you own a home, you've got to register your home.

Now we have them coming out putting up signs saying we'll buy your home.

And they're targeting the low-income area where they can buy it cheap, whether or not they're gonna keep up with it, but it is very concerning to me, and so I cut them down.

I did uh send it out to the law department.

Um, and I also let our beautification team know it's an out of email because I one I want to know is it is there some legal things because they're they're tagging to our stop signs, which can be in visual, it can cause problems.

And two, they're just out in the community just putting them out there in our community.

It's almost like they're um you know, just going for us and want to buy up all of the properties that they can get their hands on in the city of Toledo.

I have an issue with that.

And so I um it is a concern for my for me.

And if you see the signs tag to a stop sign or a post or whatever, yeah, cut it down, throw it in trash.

We are not up for sale.

Toledo is just not up for sale, not like that.

Um black history month has been fabulous.

I attended so many wonderful uh programs during the month.

Um gospel music, we had speakers from all different levels.

Um it has been a fantastic month, but let black history not just be a month.

Black history is our history and is every day that we live it.

And right now, it is it is it is it angers me that they want to delete us from the history, they want to delete us in the classrooms, they want to delete us totally, and we have struggled, we have helped build this United States of America, and at this point, uh, president wanna can just delete us as insignificant people that mean nothing to this world.

It angers me.

It's an it's an insult to my great-grandparents that were slaves, it's an insult to my mother that cleaned homes.

It's an insult to me as an educator that in my time has tried to speak positive and educate our kids and bring everything that's good in our community, and here we are in 2026, dealing with deleting us from the history.

So black history is every day.

Every day I live black history.

As we go into women's history, there's some magnificent women, African American women, as Councilman Hobbes just introduced, that have brought forth so much to this country, and again, we want to delete it.

I shall not remain silent, nor will I ignore the ignorance of those who are trying to delete us.

I will speak out.

I will not keep silent, but I will pray for those that are ignorant when it comes to this.

African Americans of this United States that live, breathe, work, contribute, and has for many, many years.

It breaks my heart that we are seeing black men still hanging from trees.

God have mercy upon all of us, and especially those that see there's nothing wrong within it.

That's all I have.

Councilmember Meldon, first call.

Thank you so much, Clerk.

Normally when I follow my colleague, I make some joke about not wanting to follow her, but I'm not gonna do that this time.

I'm just gonna say amen.

Uh cannot even be more.

So thank you for everything you're sharing.

Just a short spiel for me today.

I said just a short little spiel.

It's okay.

No, it's fine.

Word of the day is just doesn't mean anything anymore.

Okay.

Um look, I things surprise me sometimes.

Um what was not surprising to me was when the dulcet tones of Councilman Hobbes rung out through the chambers.

Didn't surprise me that you had such a lovely voice.

I don't know why.

It just didn't.

Uh great job.

That was nice.

Um I have a couple, a couple quick things here.

Um, if who's shocked that I want to talk about the U.S.

Open coming to Toledo?

Nobody.

Uh but a couple things, it's interesting.

Think about this.

Well, you know, it's funny you mention that because it's very easy to hear this news about something happening in 2045, and I'm like, 19, 19 years from now.

What does that mean?

And I was thinking there is not a single, this is this is wild to me, but it's true.

There is like not a single player that's gonna play in the Bay Hill this weekend who will probably make the cut at that tournament.

It is it's wild to think about.

But that's not really the point I want to make.

The point I want to make is sometimes we make decisions here and we don't necessarily know the ripple effects, and I remember what we did around the Solheim Cup to prepare our city and put on a good show and do everything.

If we didn't do that, this doesn't happen.

Um and I'm not suggesting in any way, shape, or form that like you know, city council is responsible.

It takes a million different players to kind of coordinate and pull something like this off.

But it is a huge deal.

A couple points of context.

Um you've heard the mayor talk a lot about the different numbers.

Last year at Oakmont, 288 million dollars of economic impact over that weekend.

Think about average attendance, the US Open, and not 19 years from now, who knows what that crowd will be like.

Uh does keep getting bigger and bigger.

Um it's like two and a half Jeepfest crowds.

And you think about like what Jeepfest feels like and looks like throughout the summer.

So it's a really, really big deal.

A little fun history to think about the first U.S.

Open at Inverness was 1920.

Okay.

21 years later, 1931 was the second.

Twenty-six years later, 1957, 22 years later, 1979, where a 17-year-old, 1979 U.S.

Open at Inverness, a 17-year-old named Jack Nicholas, maybe you've heard of him, made his major champion ship debut and missed the cut because Inverness is no joke.

Um it's a really, really exciting thing.

It will be 66 years since the last one was at Inverness when it comes back here in 2045.

Um who knows what any of us will be doing by then.

But the flip side of that time is we have a lot of time to get ready.

And that's uh that's just really a really, really exciting thing.

It says so much about our region, so much about this historic course that we have on Door Street.

Um I would never give Inverness an applause without talking about a course just nearby who that is a few years older, called Ottawa Park.

Uh the historic Ottawa Park, the People's Country Club.

Um founded by SP Germain, right?

SP Germain then chartered Inverness.

The history there is just remarkable.

And so while the world wants to celebrate the championship, the the United States Golf Championship called the U.S.

Open coming to Inverness.

I'm gonna just keep stringing together every little dollar and cent that we can to invest in Ottawa Park because that's our that's our golf course, and we should be really proud of it.

Um other thing, a little news happened about the Westgate Farmers Market this weekend, and I want to talk about that.

It's very disappointing to me, quite frankly.

Um I don't think I've ever done this.

Uh but I'm like putting out a call.

If anyone can help connect me to the farmers market, I've called many times and cannot get a response.

Uh like I know it it might sound a little silly, but it's not working.

Um the Westgate 2 development, this is not like new, we knew Westgate was gonna be redeveloped.

When that got across the finish line, we had a good sense that that would not be a good location anymore for the Westgate Farmers Market that happens on Wednesdays in the season.

Um so I started kind of like thinking about how do we keep that in West Toledo?

I know my district really, really cares about it.

A couple good ideas, no response.

It feels to me, and I would love to be proven wrong, and if I am, I'll say it into the microphone the next time.

Uh it feels to me like they are content to just not have one in Westgate.

It's just prove I would love to be proven wrong.

Not disparaging at all.

I want the fun I don't disparage things I want.

I want the farmers market in West Toledo.

It feels like they're content to just have the one downtown and not worry about West Toledo.

So I'd love to talk to anyone about how we can pull that off and save it.

Speaking of talking, uh, next Tuesday night is the first of my springtown hall series, 6 p.m.

at Blessed Sacrament.

Um, so we have four of those kind of all throughout District 5.

All of you are welcome to be there.

It should be a good time.

Um, some really fun, exciting updates.

Um Blessed Sacrament is certainly gonna be sort of the Northwest substation, so that will be a topic of conversation, public safety in general.

Um so I look forward uh to everyone coming out.

It's all for me.

Councilwoman Morris, first call.

Thank you, Clerk.

And um one of the golf courses that has been altered forever has been the Bayview uh retirees golf course.

And while it's lovely that we're making improvements um and and trying to attract other places, we have to be mindful of those who have given unselfishly um to to the course and how that is going to be uh forever altered.

And I wanted to thank my colleagues though for honoring Zach and Anthony.

This is that's really important that we stop and we pause and we honor our young people.

A lot of times people are so disheartened.

And so I just really thank all of us for for really rolling out the red carpet for these two young men.

Secondly, I um I also wanted to say thank you to Councilwoman Kramer, Councilman Driscoll, Councilwoman Dr.

Jones, and Councilwoman or Councilman Serantu for coming to the point place Black Watch on February 23rd.

I'm always happy to have at large members to come into the district and remind the members of whatever district it is that they do have seven members of City Council, not just one.

So they were very well received, and thank you so much for coming.

On Friday, um March 6th at 5 o'clock from 5 to 8.

We are hosting a family Irish dance at Friendship Park Community Center, and uh it's we're gonna have free food, we're gonna have dancing, uh, all kinds of Irish jigs.

So if you're feeling froggy, come on out on Friday from 5 to 8, and we would love to have you.

Um and then lastly, with women's history.

My mom was here, and I really wanted her to stay, but she took off.

But um she's the most strongest woman I have ever met in my entire life.

Uh she was electrician for 45 years with the International Brotherhood and Sisterhood of electrical workers.

And so honestly, umor the women that are in your life because they do remarkable things every day.

That's all I have.

Councilman Sarantu, first call.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Um I uh wish Councilman Comives a successful trip to Washington, and I hope that the delegation that you're with uh and you in particular will emphasize to our wonderful senators and congressmen and congresswoman the importance of the Gordy Howe Bridge of opening on time.

This is a huge project that Canada, Canada has paid for, and they used uh a significant amount of United States steel, and it is very important that this bridge open.

This is a huge six-lane bridge.

I personally have visited it, and it will be a uh remarkable and positive addition to commerce and trade in particular between the United States and Canada, and it is very important that it open.

There is federal legislation proposed by uh Marcy Capner and others uh to not delay the opening and to make it illegal to not allow that bridge to open.

The ambassador bridge is antiquated, it is an embarrassment, it is a blockade uh to progress, economic progress and trade for the United States and uh Canada.

My wife and I uh were on our way to Windsor a few years ago on a Saturday morning, and it took us one hour to get across the ambassador bridge.

So uh despite uh the owner, Mr.

Maroon and his one million dollar donation to President Trump's political committee, we must endure and state that this bridge must open.

So I I really appreciate Councilman Coleman's going to Washington and uh expressing our concerns about that, as well as the business community and so many people on Northwest Ohio uh have expressed.

Secondly, um I want to thank uh State Senator Paula Hicks Hudson, former mayor Hicks Hudson for hosting a uh presentation yesterday at the main library on data centers.

Um it was a really important meeting because we had a panel discussion uh from some experts uh talking about the positives as well as the negatives of a data center uh you know to be in our area.

And it was very unfortunate as Senator Hicks Hudson expressed to us that she invited several opponents, opponents of data centers, but they refuse to come.

So I just I urge citizens to go to these meetings, hear both sides so we can make some intelligent decisions uh for the future of our community.

Lastly, uh I want to ask by way of referral, I have had a lot of inquiries uh from people, statements from people saying that the mail has been delayed significantly, that they send their bills out and it's taking well over a week for bills to be processed.

And I'm uh sending a referral to the administration uh to the Department of Public Utilities uh particularly to ask them what percent of customers, DPU customers are getting late charges imposed on them this year, year to date, and what percent of customers in year 2025 had late charges because the mail is slow.

Uh many people are you know are sending their bills to Chicago, and I'm hearing that many people are getting late charges through no fault of their own.

They're not sending them one or two days before the due date.

They're sending them uh five to seven to ten days ahead.

So I'm very curious, and in that light for citizens out there, let me know or let council know if you're also experiencing those same uh delays uh with the mailings that you're making when you write a check and you you put it in the mail.

So I I think it's very important for us to know that so that we can try to rectify it and certainly um treat the DPU customers you know fairly uh about this issue.

With that, I am done.

Thank you.

Councilman Driscoll, first call.

Thank you, clerk.

Uh Councilmember Melvin left out a a really interesting historical fact about Inverness, you know what I'm going to say.

That was played at Innervernus.

I'm sorry, U.S.

Open.

It was the first time that anybody from the PGA tour was invited into uh the actual club, invited into the country club, and then nine years later, uh Walter Hagen, I think is his name, was a player on the tour and gifted uh a grandfather clock to Inverness, which is still there today.

And uh kind of a you know, we were the fun historical fact from uh from Toledo.

Uh I guess I just know more about golf than Sam does.

That's a definitive fact.

I don't want to win that competition.

Thank you.

Thank you, that's all I have.

Council President Williams first call.

I was about to gavel them point of order.

Uh no fighting on the dais.

Um so I do want to say congratulations to Councilwoman McPherson for being recognized this weekend.

I couldn't make it, but um I'm glad that sh she has been recognized for the work that she does for the people that's working.

Um I do want to bring uh a serious conversation to the day is um there was a school shooting here locally in Toledo, and that's what we need to call it.

There was a school shooting here locally last Monday.

Um I appreciate my colleagues that have come and talk to me about it.

Um this is on the situation.

Kids need to be safe going to schools, and I take that as a serious, serious conversation to have what whatever school uh a situation like this happens, the young man was shot on the inside of the school, not on the outside.

Um and I and I actually watched the video and was disheartened that that was able to happen.

I there were several children and kids, students that were in the line of fire.

Um I did speak to the young man who was shot.

Um I spoke to his mother and he is doing better, but the young man that shot him is still on the loose.

Um that's something we take seriously.

I definitely urge the public uh to you know whatever tips you have, um, whatever needs to be done and rally around the students that still attend that school, and I do uh stay in con I am in constant contact and I have met with the board and me and several other council members are going to the board meeting to talk about this situation and to make sure that they understand that we care about our kids in the city of Toledo, no matter what school they go to, we care about all kids.

So um I just thank my colleagues for uh definitely uh understanding that kids are important.

Uh the students that attend any school in the city of Toledo, it's important.

And um we urge these schools to take it serious.

We partner with uh Washington Local and with TPS to provide uh a school resource officer as a partnership.

Um public safety is important and that's a number one priority for the city of Toledo.

And in other news, this meeting is adjourned.