Well that we're going to be able to do that.

And I was just called with the back along with a couple other things.

It's gonna be snapshot.

That's because I told them not to have you.

Yeah, thank you again.

Oh, okay.

Yeah, I've looked at the signal cracking for the same people.

Thank you.

Hobbs.

Jones.

Here.

Call Mives.

Here.

Kramer.

Here.

Martinez.

Present.

McPherson.

Here.

Meldon.

Here.

Morris.

Here.

Surround two.

Here.

Williams.

Here.

Driscoll.

Here.

Gettys.

Here.

Twelve present.

Thank you.

Please stand for the invocation by Bishop Chaz D.

Bowes of Compassion Church Toledo.

The Pledge of Allegiance to our flag and the singing of the national anthem.

Thank you, Councilman Hobbes, for this opportunity, and to all of you I know and don't know yet, but we thank you for your tireless work in our community.

Shall we pray?

Father, we come to you now in the name of Jesus, and we thank you on this holy week.

We thank you for a city that many had counted out, that many across the nation had said was finished and over, but through the tireless work of these your people, the tireless work of this city, our city government, along with our community, you have caused it to be a city that has risen again.

And Father, I thank you because those in this room know that this city, like your son has risen.

We know it.

But in this season, you're going to cause the world to see that we have come back and we are yet coming back stronger than ever.

We thank you, Lord, that our best days are not behind us, but they are ahead.

We thank you because brighter days are in our future.

So Lord, I ask from the bottom of my heart in the depths of my soul that you give these men and women in front of me today wisdom and understanding that you empower them, that when they are weak because of criticism, because of uh setbacks, that when they are weak, that you become their strength.

And we ask this in the power of the resurrected Savior Jesus, amen.

One nation.

Liberty.

Councilman Hobbes.

Thank you, uh President Williams.

I want to um thank uh Pastor Bishop Bowles, his first lady, his family for being here.

Um several of his congregants are here with him today.

If you have not had a chance to visit Compassion Church, uh please get on an Alexis role and visit.

It is an amazing church.

It is the it is probably the most um answer um graded church on the city of Toledo.

Um God has called he and his wife to do a great work.

They have just come back from South America, uh week of umissionary work there and taking a lot of food and money and medicine to people there, and um, so I'm thankful, and uh I just couldn't think of anyone at this time, especially coming back from doing the work that we're all called to do.

I thank you for being here during this passion week.

Um, thank you, Bishop, thank you, First Lady, and uh may God continue to bless your ministry and to my St.

Francis brother of over 40 years, Mr.

John Meyer, uh, to all of the other high schools, we know nothing.

Thank you for being here today, brother.

Now you know, Councilwoman McPherson, whatever, Councilman Hobbes to Bishop and Lady Bowes.

Thank you, and to my beautiful girls, the beautiful pink cowboy boots.

Thank you for coming and sharing with us and to your um your other ministers and workers in the vineyard.

Um, we are excited to continue to work with you and and get off of the ground, the sister cities that Mexico that you're looking to do, and we just thank you for your ministry.

Thank you for coming and sharing during this holy week, and I want to say God bless you and God keep you, and we look forward to the many things that God is going to do with you and through you for the city of Toledo.

God bless you.

Thank you.

Claire, please begin with the appointment from the Office of the Mayor.

Appointment 108-26 for the Troy Township JEDD board.

The appointee is Cody Brown, replacing Brandon Sellhorse for a proposed term of office four years, expiring July 1st, 2030.

Section 61 waiver is not required.

Mayor request council confirmation.

Move to confirm.

Hobbes.

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Colmes?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

McPherson?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Serantu?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Gaddis?

Yes.

Appointment confirmed.

I now turn the meeting over to Councilman Hobbes.

Thank you, Council President Williams.

Clerk, would you please begin with the second reading items?

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

Councilman Councilman Martinez.

Thank you, Madam President.

I'm going to move this to committee to the water quality committee.

As we move forward, and then moving forward, we will have a quarterly updates on the AMI progress.

So based on the conversations we had last year on the AMI project, we want to make sure that we're holding the department accountable to ensure that they're making their uh benchmarks.

So uh more to come on that, but I request this move to committee.

Thank you.

All right, seeing no objections to the committee.

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, acquire required rights of way as appropriate, prepare bids and enter into contacts for this project and declaring an emergency move to amendments seeing no objections, so ordered emergency Hobbes, Jones, Comives, Kramer, Martinez, McPherson, Meldon, Morris, Serantwo, Williams, Driscoll, Gaddis.

Motion carried.

Passage.

Hobbs.

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Comes?

Yes.

Kramer.

Yes.

Martinez.

Yes.

McPherson?

Yes.

Meldon.

Yes.

Morris.

Yes.

Serantu?

Yes.

Williams.

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Gaddis?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

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 $1,16,495.

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.

Hobbes Jones Comives Kramer Martinez McPherson Meldon Morris Sarantwo Williams Driscoll Gaddis.

Motion carried.

Passage.

Hobbes?

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Comeves?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

McPherson?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Sorantous?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Gaddis?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Ordinance 107-26 authorizing the appropriation and expenditure of an amount not to exceed $1 million from the unappropriated balance of the water replacement fund for the cross town water main route study.

Authorizing the mayor to accept bids and to execute the necessary contracts for preparing a route study, including inspection, survey, engineering, and other related work, tasks, equipment, and materials needed for the successful completion of the crosstown route study and declaring an emergency.

Emergency.

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

Passage.

Hobbes?

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Comives?

Yes.

Kramer.

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

McPherson?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris.

Yes.

Serrantu?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Gaddis?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Clark, please continue with the new items from City Council.

Council members Gaddis.

Comeves, Kramer, and Martinez.

Present ordinance 109-26.

Amending Toledo Municipal Code by enacting Chapter 557.

Biometric data collection.

First reading.

Council President Williams presents the following two items.

Resolution.

Oh.

Following item.

Ordinance 111-26 authorizing the expenditure of $17,366 from the general fund to pay the National League of Cities NLC 2026 membership dues and declaring an emergency.

Suspension.

Hobbes Jones Comives Kramer Martinez McPherson Meldon Morris Serontu Williams Driscoll Gaddis.

Motion carried.

Emergency.

Hobbes, Jones, Comives, Kramer, Martinez, McPherson, Meldon, Morris, Seranto, Williams, Driscoll, Gaddis.

Motion carried.

Passage.

Hobbes?

Yes.

Jones.

Yes.

Comives?

Yes.

Kramer.

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

McPherson?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris.

Yes.

Serantu?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Gaddis?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

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

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

Ordinance 112-26.

Authorizing acceptance, deposit appropriation and expenditure of $7,750,000 for the lead hazard reduction grant program from the U.S.

Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Authorizing the Mayor to accept formal and informal proposals and enter into contracts for said purpose and declaring an emergency.

Suspension.

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

Emergency.

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

Passage.

Hobbes?

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Comives?

Yes.

Kramer.

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

McPherson?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris.

Yes.

Serrantu?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Gaddis?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Ordinance 114-26.

Authorizing or I'm sorry, ordinance 113-26.

Authorizing the mayor to enter into a five-year agreement with a five-year renewal option with priority waste LLC for curbside refuse and recycling collection services.

Authorizing the annual expenditure of an amount not to exceed $13,560,000 from the general fund for said services.

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

First reading.

Ordinance 114-26 authorizing the annual expenditure of an amount not to exceed $40,000 from the general fund for rodent abatement and release for demolition at properties declared a public nuisance by Toledo Municipal Code pursuant to the existing memorandum of understanding with the Toledo Lucas County Health Department.

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

Suspension.

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

Motion carried.

Emergency.

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

Motion carried.

Passage.

Hobbes?

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Com Ives?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

McPherson?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Soranto?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Gaddis?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Ordinance 115-26 authorizing the expenditure of an amount not to exceed $65,000 from the general fund for collection, hauling, and processing equipment and materials for the construction of the clean Toledo Center.

Authorizing the mayor to accept bids and enter into necessary agreements and contracts for recycling and disposal services.

Authorizing the mayor to accept and deposit any revenues received for the exchange of recycling materials into the general fund and declaring an emergency.

Suspension.

Hobbes Jones Comives Kramer Martinez McPherson Meldon Morris Sorantu Williams Driscoll Gaddis.

Motion carried.

Emergency.

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

Passage.

Hobbes?

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Comeves?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

McPherson?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Serontu?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Gaddis?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Councilman.

Martinez presents the following two items from the Department of Public Utilities.

Ordinance 116-26.

Authorizing the appropriation and expenditure of $100,000 from the water replacement fund for the Heather Downs Pump Station Repair Project.

Authorizing the Mayor to accept bids and award contracts for the said project and declaring an emergency.

Suspension.

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

Emergency.

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

Passage.

Hobbes?

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Comives?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

McPherson?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Serantwood?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Gaddis?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Ordinance 117-26 authorizing the mayor to apply for.

Enter into agreements.

Accept and deposit loan proceeds from the Ohio EPA Water Pollution Control Loan Fund.

WPCLF and the Ohio Water Development Authority, OWDA, into the Sanitary Sewer Replacement Fund for improvement 44D.

Authorizing the appropriation and expenditure of loan proceeds from the Sanitary Sewer Replacement Fund in an amount not to exceed $317,210.

Authorizing a dedicated source for repayment of said loan.

Authorizing the mayor to accept bids and award contracts for said project and declaring an emergency.

Suspension.

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

Motion carried.

Emergency.

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

Motion carried?

Passage.

Hobbes?

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Comives?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

McPherson?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Serrantu?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Gaddis?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Councilman Meldon presents the following item from the Department of Information and Technology.

Ordinance 118-26.

Authorizing the expenditure of an amount not to exceed $154,900 from the Capital Improvement Fund for improvements to the city's cybersecurity posture.

Authorizing the improvements and or replacements of cybersecurity components.

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

Suspension.

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

Emergency.

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

Passage.

Hobbes?

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Come Ives?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

Of TMC Chapter 187 and declaring an emergency Hobbs Jones Comives Kramer Martinez McPherson Meldon Morris Serontu Williams Driscoll Gaddis Motion carried Emergency Hobbs Jones Comives Kramer Martinez McPherson Meldon Morris Serantu Williams Driscoll Gaddis Motion carried passage Hobbs Yes Jones Yes Comives Yes Kramer Yes Martinez Yes McPherson Yes Meldon Yes Morris Yes Sarontu Yes Williams Yes Driscoll Yes Gaddis Yes Ordinance Passed Councilman Driscoll Presents the Following Two Items from the Department of Transportation Ordinance 11926 Authorizing The Mayor to Enter Int with the State of Ohio Department of Transportation ODOT And to Accept and Deposit A Federal Grant in an amount Not To Exceed $2 Million Dollars for the Bridge Deck Replacement and Abutment Modifications of the Cooman Drive Bridge Over Norfolk Southern Railway Company Authorizing The Appropriation and Expenditure of Grant Proceeds Into the Capital Improvement Fund for said Project Authorizing The Mayor to Accept Bids and Award Contracts Related To The Construction of said Project and Declaring An Emergency Suspension Hobbes Jones Comives Kramer Martinez McPherson Meldon Morris Serontu Williams Driscoll Gaddis Motion Carried Emergency Hobbs Jones Comives Kramer Martinez McPherson Meldon Morris Serrantu Williams Driscoll Gaddis Motion Carried Passage Hobbs Yes Jones Yes Comives Yes Kramer Yes Martinez Yes McPherson Yes Meldon Yes Morris Yes Serrantu Yes Williams Yes Driscoll Yes Gaddis Yes Ordnance Passed Ordinance 120 26 Authorizing The Mayor to Enter Into A Cooperative Agreement With The State of Ohio Department of Transportation Oh And to Accept and Deposit A Federal Grant and An Amount Not To Exceed $17351 Avenue Bridge O Buckeye Street Project Authorizing The Appropriation and Expenditure of Grant Proceeds in the Capital Improvement Fund for said Project Authorizing The Mayor to Accept Bids and Award Contracts Related To The Construction of Said Project and Declaring An Emergency Suspension Hobbes Jones Com Ives Kramer Martinez McPherson Meldon Morris Serontu Williams Driscoll Gaddis Motion Carried Emergency Hobbs Jones Comives Kramer Martinez McPherson Meldon Morris Serantu Williams Driscoll Gaddis Motion Carried Passage Hobbs Yes Jones Yes Comives Yes Kramer Yes Martinez Yes McPherson Yes Meldon Yes Morris Yes Serantu Yes Williams Yes Driscoll Yes Gaddis Yes Ordnance Passed Councilwoman Morris Presents The Following Four Items From The Items From Zoning and Planning Committee Ordinance 1212 Changing The Zoning Maps Attached To Part 11 Planning and Zoning Toledo Municipal Code For the Property Located At 3360 and 3356 Monroe Street in the City of Toledo Lucas County Ohio and Declaring An Emergency Suspension Hobbes Jones Com Ives Kramer Martinez McPherson Meldon Morris Serontu Williams Driscoll Gaddis Motion Carried Emergency Hobbs Jones Comives Kramer Martinez McPherson Meldon Morris Seranto Williams Driscoll Gaddis Motion Carried Passage Hobbs Yes Jones Yes Comives Yes Kramer Yes Martinez Yes McPherson Yes Meldon Yes Morris Yes Serrantu Yes Williams Yes Driscoll Yes Gaddis Yes Ordinance Passed Ordinance 1226 Granting A Special Use Permit for Community Recreation Active For the Property Located At 2858 and 2860 LaGrange Street in the City of Toledo Lucas County Ohio Subject to Certain Condition and Declaring An Emergency Suspension Hobbes Jones Com Ives Kramer Martinez McPherson Meldon Morris Serontu Williams Driscoll Gaddis Motion Carried Emergency Hobbes Jones Comives Kramer Martinez McPherson Meldon Morris Seranto Williams Driscoll Gaddis Motion Carried Passage Hobbs Yes Jones Yes Com Ives Yes Kramer Yes Martinez Yes McPherson Yes Meldon Yes Morris Yes Serrantu Yes Williams Yes Driscoll Yes Gaddis Yes Ordnance Passed Ordinance 1236 Granting A Special Use Permit For Used Auto Sales for the Property Located At 631 South Reynolds in the City of Toledo Lucas County Ohio Subject to Certain Conditions and Declaring An Emergency Suspension Hobbes Jones Com Ives Kramer Martinez McPherson Meldon Morris Serontu Williams Driscoll Gaddis Motion Carried Okay Emergency Hobbs Jones Comives Kramer Martinez McPherson Meldon Morris Serontu Williams Driscoll Gaddis Motion Carried Passage Hobbs Yes Jones Yes Comives Yes Kramer Yes Martinez Yes McPherson Yes Meldon Yes Morris Yes Sarantu Yes Williams I Just Wanna Do A Point of Order Reck Um We D If You Look At Your Agenda 122 Is Actually The Uh Community Recreation And 123 is actually the

Motion carried.

Passage.

Hobbes?

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Come?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

McPherson?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Surround two?

Yes.

Williams.

I just want to do a point of order real quick.

We did.

If you look at your agenda, 122 is actually the uh community recreation.

And 123 is actually the special use permits for the 631.

So just wanted to put that on record for the numbers of the ordinances.

Yes, my vote is yes.

Drift school, yes.

Gaddis, yes.

Ordinance passed.

Ordinance 124-26, granting an amendment to a special use permit for a school originally granted by ordinance 631-23 for the property located at 6004 Hill Avenue in the city of Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio, subject to certain conditions and declaring an emergency.

Suspension.

Hobbes, Jones, Comibes, Kramer, Martinez, McPherson, Meldon, Morris, around two, Williams, Driscoll, Gaddis, motion carried.

Emergency.

Hobbes, Jones, Com Ives, Kramer, Martinez, McPherson, Meldon, Morris, around two, Williams, Driscoll, Gaddis.

Motion carried.

Passage.

Hobbs.

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Come Ives.

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

McPherson?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Surround two?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Gaddis?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

That completes the agenda.

Councilman Hobbes, first call.

I moved to dispense with the reading of the Toledo City Journal for the City Council meeting of March 17th, 2026.

Seeing no objections, so ordered.

I moved to excuse Councilman Hobbes for non-attendance at the City Council meeting of March 17th, 2026.

The zoning and planning committee of March 18th, 2026, and the special council meeting of March 31st, 2026.

Councilman Martinez for non attendance at the Housing Community Development Public Health Committee of March 26, 2026.

Councilwoman McPherson for the non-attendance at the Housing Community Development and Public Health Committee of March 26, 2026.

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

Zoning and Planning Committee of March 18th, 2026.

Committee of a whole March 25th, 2026.

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

Councilwoman Morris for non-attendance at the zoning and planning committee of March 18th, 2026.

And Council President Williams for non-attendance at the Committee of a Whole, March 25th, 2026.

Seeing no objections, no order.

And so we hope that we will remember to celebrate Good Friday and to celebrate Resurrection Sunday.

When I first came on council in 2020, by far was not a perfect place or perfect company as far as picking up trash.

They are not a perfect company today.

But I will say that since Sheryl and Rochelle have come on board a few years ago, my experience with Republic has become a lot better for myself and district one.

I can only talk about my experience.

But because Rochelle has given them her number, they reach out to her, and oftentimes will then send praises of how they responded.

I know personally that there were several times last summer and last fall where Rochelle took her own truck and went out and picked up whatever needed to be done in District One.

Another reason I support Republic is because right now we're dealing in a time where everything is going up, gas and a lot of things.

And especially to the point of almost $9 million in the next five years.

But what they have been doing, it seems to be working, and it has lessened the amount of complaints.

I was involved in a union.

I worked for TPS now.

I'm a union member.

And so I believe in supporting Republic because they are union.

I don't know what priority is going to do.

I just know that Republic is a union company right now.

And so I hope that we will really think about this decision as it relates to many of our constituents who just can't have with groceries going up with gas going up.

Thank you.

Councilwoman Dr.

Jones, first call.

Thank you, Cleric.

I believe that this is definitely going to go far, and I'm working closely with Chief Clemens in order to really get through as far as how the funds will be spent and what needs to be done in order to really take a chunk out of just lead in general, because I know there will be in combination with other led programs, and so just trying to find a strategy in order to really reduce those numbers throughout the city.

So thank you for that.

And that really ties into the committee meeting that was held last Thursday.

And so she gave an introduction about the services that she does as well as just the stats of Toledo in general.

Well, she referenced Detroit, but she said I want 60% of Detroiters because she's still working on Toledo data, but of Detroiters actually have the trait.

And so that in itself combined with, if you understand just the genetics of it, there's there could be a higher rate of those who have sickle cell disease because it's one out of four reason.

Reason I know this is because I have the trait, so I've done like a third great project about it, so I'm kind of versed in in just that.

But once we get this data of Toledo, there really would be a campaign when it comes to sickle cell in general.

And so heard from that, and then like I said, it ties into just more information concerning the grant that was just accepted.

Um and there was other side conversations as far as just um what group would be focused on as far as neighborhoods, um, what how the recruitment strategy would be for contractors as well as who was basically the priority group that you're headed for.

So census hood is more stimulation stipulations for the requirements, but um I'm glad that we actually have that.

Um rolling in to um I wanted to thank everyone who came out to my first front porch talk that was held at the Delta Hotel, trying to combine it with the farmers market, considering what is happening right now, especially in Westgate, but just offering another option in order to have fresh produce and access and space for those who are growing.

So it is still gonna um go on.

I've um come next month.

We'll be focusing myself and councilmember Gaddis will be focusing on the our homes, our rights, um, as far as like a tenant town hall.

Um, you'll find more information on the city website.

But then also um going into just again tying in those uh farmers markets, which will come back in May, still along with the front purchalks, but also with the Delta Hotel as usual.

So with the Our Homes Our Rights, the first meeting will be um April 6th, and I forgot the location, but like I said, it's on the city website.

So come out, talk about just your experience.

We'll also have surveys, very interactive because we really want to learn what is the rental experience looking like here in Toledo and how we can better prepare for that with legislation as well as current enforcement and what we need to look into.

So this is gonna be basically a win-win.

Um, the space, safe space to let your opinions be known, but then also it helps us do our job as far as policymakers and just oversight in general when it comes to uh rental spaces and rental experience.

So, other than that, um, tomorrow is the kickoff for Minority Health Month.

Um, I believe was it NHA is having their first event?

Well, though the Led Resource Center is having their event that they're behind the kickoff for this.

So if you have time, attend that at 12 30 tomorrow at the Glass City Enrichment Center.

And then, like I said, just stay tuned for our um our homes, our rights um events and come out.

Come out to all of them if you if you can.

Other than that, I reclaim my time.

Councilmember Colme's first call.

Thank you so much, Clerk.

Um, I first want to say thank you to all of the folks who are involved in bringing in over 11 million dollars in grants that we approved today.

Uh, really appreciate all the effort to do what we can to fund the important work that needs to happen in Toledo.

Um, I also want to thank my colleagues for supporting the Clean Toledo Center ordinance today.

Um, really excited for this to open.

I think it's really gonna be a game changer for us.

Um I will be sure to invite all everybody when we open so we can all stand together and support the the good work that we've done.

Um I also want to shout out glass recycling in Toledo, otherwise known as Grit.

I've been working in partnership with them.

Uh we have been signing up bars and restaurants across Toledo who can access free, completely free glass recycling.

They will bring the containers, they will come and collect those containers, um, and that glass actually gets recycled and truly stays in our area.

So just want to shout out Grit and thank them for their hard work.

Uh, last um I attended the Milestones Awards last week.

Uh congratulations to all of the winners.

It was really nice to be able to be there to uh support everybody and present them with a resolution from City Council and congratulations for their uh winning and a big shout out to uh Sherry Sharpei who I nominated and want to express further congratulations to.

Thank you.

Councilwoman Kramer, first call.

Thank you, Clerk.

I want to say happy trans day of visibility.

Um, diversity is truly what makes our community great, and I see you trans folks in our community, and I will continue to advocate for inclusive local policies.

I also want to give a kudos to Notre Dame Academy.

Um, they do require their students in their government classes to learn about local government.

And I had Lizzie Paulicki with me today, um, shadowing this exciting day on council.

So, you know, hopefully she had a good experience.

Uh Notre Dame Academy grad here, so I'm always happy to have Notre Dame students here with me.

I also want to thank our parks department for the work they did on Promenade Park this weekend.

We had a lot of folks down there for the No Kings rally.

But our parks department really, you know, made Promenade Park look wonderful, and I think it was pretty clean when we left.

And also I want to thank Sergeant Masser and the police department because they made sure that we were safe down there.

And I think we all felt very safe and we didn't really have any issues.

So that was wonderful.

So I also wanted to thank the folks that came last week for the meeting about the refuse contract.

I want to say that we are taking our responsibility on this uh contract very seriously, and I really appreciate all of the feedback that I've received via email, just conversations in the grocery store, but also all the people who came to the meeting last week.

So, you know, if you feel strongly one way or another, I do encourage people, you know, send us an email.

Our emails are on the website.

Thank you.

Councilman Martinez, first call.

Uh thank you, Madam Clerk.

Um, very briefly, I want to wish everyone a happy Easter.

Um and then secondly, uh, we were able to follow up with the owners of Urban Air when they had the teen takeover.

Uh, I think it was a very productive conversation.

Uh, I think hopefully through the conversation and relationship building with the police department.

Um, we'll be able to number one prevent this in the future in any establishment, and number two, uh work with the administration and the police forces to ensure that they have the proper numbers so when these when business owners are aware, uh they will be able to alert the proper authorities instead of uh the 911 or um the non-emergency numbers so we can actually get people there immediately.

Um, you know, he uh unfortunately we're a victim of circumstance and they did everything right.

Um they continue to see the after effects of the bad publicity, and I would encourage everyone to go there.

It is a safe space.

Um and I strongly encourage everyone that is uh gonna attend, make sure that you are watching your children.

It is your responsibility, and if not, um there could be potential repercussions in terms of um child neglect or something to that nature, depending on how severe it is.

So with that being said, I will yield the floor.

Thank you.

Councilwoman McPherson, first call.

Thank you, Clerk.

Um, just a couple of things.

I want to say congratulations to the 12 silent soldier honorees that were awarded on Sunday at the premier on behalf of the um Mountain Ebo outreach.

Um it was uh very um heartwarming to honor so many people from the city of Toledo that are doing the work behind the scenes, and you may not see them up front, but they are actually um they're getting the work done for the community.

Also um want to keep the families of uh the Love family, one of the longest uh standing musicians at Greater St.

Mary's Church.

He only played for one church for over 45 years, and we eulogize him on Saturday, so we want to keep that family and then the Clayborn family.

Um yesterday, Deacon Trustee Claybourne.

Born at Indiana Avenue Missionary Baptist Church.

We want to keep their family in our prayers.

A lot of you probably hear Sasha Claiborne singing around the city of Toledo.

Um preparing for Holy Week.

Um, I would like to invite you all to Nelson Grace Park on Saturday from 2 p.m.

to 4 p.m.

I am hosting a Easter egg scavenger hunt along with the Minister Wives and Widows Association and along with uh the Masonic Order and many others that will be volunteering.

Um and it's a community event.

We are just going to celebrate one of our community parks and celebrate a place and safe place for our children to come out and have some fun and for the parents.

So it's from two to four, and you're invited to come out and you guys want to come out and pass out some igs.

You're welcome to come out too in between your trash.

Um we welcome you.

I think it will be a fun day, and we just pray that it does not rain between two and four on Saturday.

To all have a blessed and safe uh Easter.

And I done.

Councilmember Meldon, first call.

Thank you so much, Clerk.

Um so today's the a lot of stuff to talk about, but today's the budget day, and we did it.

We passed the budget.

I want to just thank everyone who supported my my amendment for the um continued police presence, community uh police station in West Toledo.

Um you know, last summer when the news broke that um the Northwest substitution was going to go away.

Uh this body quickly uh voted 12-0 in support of uh a commitment to maintain a police presence in West Toledo, and I'm thankful to those who uh luckily we had enough to get across the finish line today because that's what we did.

We voted we got seven votes to to maintain that commitment, and I'm excited that we did that.

Um, two, uh a town hall.

I love the the NDA shout out.

Um Washington local students showed up in force last week at my town hall at Monac Elementary.

Um several yeah, a couple other people who were there were here today.

That's kind of fun to see them in the in the crowd.

Um several young men from Washington Local doing very similar civic engagement work as part of their curriculum.

They all made me very uh envious of their hair.

These young men have some hairstyles out there, they are all shapes and sizes, um, and it's remarkable.

So uh hope to see more fancy hair uh at the next town hall, which is um Mac you're invited to.

Um April 21st at the Washington Local School admin building.

And then unfortunately, we had to move, we had one for April 28th, that Tuesday.

We have to bump it by one day, still at Meadowvale, but it's gonna be April 29th, that Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Um it's hello.

That's very exciting.

I mean, I don't know how I got so lucky to be the one.

But you rest assured, I think.

I was not going to yield the floor.

Did Councilwoman McPherson just turn the lights out on me?

I'm sorry, I'm voting against I vote against trespass one time.

And she's like, you just keeps talking.

Um put that in the notes, NDA student out here.

Uh what exciting thing happened in the council meeting.

Um what I was trying to say, now I can read again, is uh we had to move it.

So it was the 28th, it's gonna be the 29th at Meadowvale.

And then lastly, I just want to um remember uh my wife's grandmother, Phyllis Rist.

Um we went to her funeral yesterday.

Um she was 92.

Um listen to this, her and her husband, Lewis were married for 68 years.

That is a long time.

Um six children, 15 grandchildren, more and more great grandchildren and counting.

Um they were a Rossford family.

She went to Wade High School though.

It's kind of fun to go back and hear about you know these folks who I can't imagine life when she was when she was in high school at Waite.

Um but uh yeah, just a strong Rossford family for years and years and years.

Uh Mayor McKinnon was at the visitation, uh, which was which was a lot of fun.

So my heart goes out to uh my wife's family and everyone uh struggling with loss, even though it wasn't sudden, even though 92 years is a really wonderful life, uh it's hard and and loss is difficult.

So I I I think I an unexpected part of this job, which I never saw coming, was that when my family experiences loss, I get to talk about how wonderful they were.

Um I didn't necessarily see that coming, but I always take the opportunity when I can.

So my heart goes out to them, and thank you all for joining me in that.

Thanks.

Councilwoman Morris, first call.

Thank you, Clerk.

And uh I just wanted to say that tax season is almost over.

And I'm so excited.

Um it's been a long uh couple of months.

I haven't had a day off uh for several months, and uh Easter will be my first day off in a long time.

Um thank you to Dana, my assistant for filling in the void and um to my vice chair Martinez and zoning and planning.

Um it's everything I can do to get to these meetings, and so when we have multiple meetings, it makes it difficult, uh, especially when I work in different in a different state.

Um I was not able to come to the uh the committee of the whole to talk about the refuse.

Um I was not able to come to the uh the committee of the whole to talk about the refuse, and um so I just wanted to address the group that was here because I appreciate you coming out and coming to the meeting and sitting through the whole meeting.

Uh we appreciate your advocacy and um and showing up.

Um we appreciate our uh constituents who are reaching out to us.

Um a lot of times there are a lot of things that we vote on, and we don't necessarily always hear from our constituents.

Thank goodness this time we're hearing from them, and I think that helps.

Um, thank you to Republic who did uh empty the dumpster at Friendship Park.

And the reason that I am saying that is because this Saturday we also have um and the Point Place Business Association Easter Egg Hunt at 10 o'clock at Friendship Park.

So anybody who wants to come out, um it's really interesting because it starts at 10 and it's over in like five minutes.

Uh because those kids they come out there and they just go after those eggs.

Um, it's it's something to see.

And so uh everyone gets something uh whether it's the egg or whether it is uh prize or what have you, and that's what makes our community special, the way that we take care of our residents and our children.

So thank you so much, and I hope to see more of you after April 15th.

Thank you.

Councilman Sarantu, first call.

Thank you.

Well, today's budget day, and I want to thank the administration and I want to thank council members uh for everyone's hard work.

We passed it.

Now we have uh our hard work ahead of us because we've got to watch all of our dollars, the revenue as well as expenditures, and make sure that uh we're spending it wisely and bringing in bringing in uh the revenue as as we uh have projected.

So I appreciate everyone's help uh on that issue.

It is a huge project, and this year took an extraordinarily longer time uh to deal with it, but I I think it was worth it.

No budget is perfect, and that's why we have the ability to amend the budget any time between now and the end of the year.

With that, I also want to acknowledge uh our Republic employees that are here, uh Teamster members.

We appreciate everything you're doing, and I appreciate all the emails and phone calls that I've had from constituents uh with their opinions uh on this very important decision that council will have to make on April 14th.

Uh with that I also uh want to wish a blessed and happy Easter to our Christian friends.

Uh incidentally, the Eastern Orthodox Easter is one week later on on April 12th, and I also want to wish our uh Jewish uh faith members uh a very happy uh and healthy Passover on April 9th.

So thank you all.

Thank you, Madam Clore.

Councilman Driscoll, first call.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

I just have one uh short uh one short thing, which is that you all may know that sometimes in a moment of weakness, I've been known to poke a little bit of fun at our transportation department and their resistance uh to try anything.

But I want to give uh shout out to Gary Stockey and uh say I'm very grateful that he has worked alongside the old West End uh festival steering committee to do a road closure on Delaware, which I did not think we were going to be able to get through our transportation division.

Um it's really necessary if any of you were there during festival last year.

It may have well been closed because there's so many people on Delaware.

It really was isn't safe to have cars going back and forth there.

And uh and I just appreciate their uh flexibility and their openness to try something new.

And they said we're we're trying this out, gonna see how it works, but uh good for them.

Kudos to them, thank you, Gary.

And that's all I have.

Thank you.

Councilmember Gaddis, first call.

Thank you.

I just want to uh shout out Chief Robson and her crew.

They are in East Toledo uh working on a Viaduct lighting under a Viaduct that's been out for a long time, and I've gotten several calls of very excited uh residents.

That's a safe pathway uh for a lot of our students, and it'll be lit up and uh the neighborhood's super excited.

Uh speaking of calls, I've been getting a lot of calls about the uh increasing smell and the radius around the hole in Arlington.

Um so the administration is hosting uh the Department of Transportation is hosting a meeting tonight at 6 at Bowser High School, and I'm just uh extending the invitation if you'd like to come and hear about the frustrations our residents are really having in that neighborhood.

Um I welcome you with that I yelled my time.

Thank you.

Okay, well, thank you so much.

I'm so glad that we got through the two o'clock meeting and we got through the uh this meeting.

I'm excited uh for the budget to have been passed.

Um I know, you know, I I like to smile, I like to have fun, I like to have uh good conversations, but I will address um the Republic versus priority conversation.

Um I've been in this seat since 2020, and upon getting in this seat representing district four, um the main concern that my constituents that live in a district is trash, um, whether it be bulk or curbside, we have had this issue uh since 2020.

So I'll tell everyone, and I I had meetings and I told them I actually was leading the charge to replace Republic.

I'm not gonna lie, I I did because my resident said we needed replacement, and all of y'all's residents told y'all we need to replace it.

I didn't forget, I didn't forget on Pearl Street, the 200 block of Pearl Street.

Um, there was a situation where curbside or bulk was getting picked up for almost a year.

How do I know?

I have a picture of a garbage can that has rats at the bottom that I share with most of my colleagues and I shared with uh union reps.

Here's my issue.

Here's my issue.

I represent the residents of district four.

That's who I represent.

That's who who put me in this seat.

Um and that's who I hold have to hold me accountable.

Not only the residents of Toledo, I hold this job as a district council member and a council member for the city of Toledo in high regard into the work that I have to do in service.

We are serving the citizens of Toledo, and in my service, we get calls about trash, we get try calls about roads, we get calls about everything.

I represent a predominantly most of my district is African American.

Most of my district is impoverished.

So I take issue with the trash that's in my districts.

Yes, I have met with Republic several times.

Republic, the hierarchy, knows my name.

They know where my daycare is.

They come and visit me and talk to me.

I've rode around the city with the leadership of Republic.

Do I take issue with the drivers?

Absolutely not, because yeah, I know it.

The systems that have been put in place to disenfranchised impoverished African American communities I take issue with.

I'm speaking for District 4.

District 4 is the district that I live in and I serve in and I work in, and I own buildings in, and I own houses in.

Yes, we have attempted.

I was not at this meeting, so this is my opportunity to speak, which I apologize to my community that I was not at this meeting because I was taking care of my community in another city.

So here's the thing.

I'm gonna read this scripture, and I want to be, I want to put this to everybody that's listening.

Matthew 20 and 28.

For the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve others, to give his life as a ransom for many.

So if I got to lie out, and I gotta take this fight for myself.

I fought for Republic to be removed because my citizens that I serve told me remove them.

Find somebody better.

Now, one thing that I didn't hear that didn't that that didn't get impressed upon, um, the increase that we're considering for the solid waste has nothing to do with who we go with for our solid waste contract.

That's a misconception I would that has been out there to my residents, and I want to clear that up.

The increase to the weight, solid waste is not based on who we take to do our garbage.

Our garbage solid waste fees are below the average in the state.

So that is something that we have been playing with for years.

So I I want to clear misconceptions up, and I've been on the phone all day with several of my constituents and other constituents.

I'm still getting complaints about not pick up things not being picked up.

I'm working with Cheryl, I'm working with Rick, but I also work with Scott and Ruben or Rogan or whoever.

I work with all of them.

What are we to do?

No, I am not one that wants anybody to lose jobs.

I had to lay off staff at my business.

I don't want to ever do that.

Which I said in our budget meeting.

Human capital is not what this council is about alleviating.

We don't want to cut any human capital.

But I will tell you, I am a servant.

And when I answer, I have to go look at my constituents and say, Oh, we couldn't go because you know they fixed it in three months.

That's not what I'm gonna do.

What I'm gonna do is I'm gonna keep advocating for my residence, and I'm gonna keep on advocating till the day that I die for what's right, what's just, and what's appropriate.

Thank you.

This meeting is adjourned.