OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Toledo City Council Meeting - April 14, 2026

City CouncilTuesday, April 14, 2026
BodyToledo, Ohio
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, April 14, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 52:44

Transcript — Verbatim
0:14

I don't know.

0:47

I call it the order.

0:50

The council meeting of April 14th, 2026.

0:54

Clerk, please call the role.

0:56

Jones?

0:57

Here.

0:58

Comeves.

1:00

Kramer.

1:01

Here.

1:02

Martinez.

1:03

Present.

1:04

McPherson.

1:06

Meldon.

1:08

Morris.

1:10

Here.

1:11

Williams.

1:12

Here.

1:12

Driscoll.

1:13

Here.

1:14

Gaddis.

1:15

Here.

1:15

Hobbes.

1:16

Here.

1:16

Nine present.

1:18

Please stand for a moment of silence, the pledge of allegiance to our flag, and the singing of the national anthem.

1:46

Republic.

3:43

Clerk, please begin with the resolutions in attendance.

3:48

Recognizing Arab American History Month.

3:59

Could they please come to the podium?

4:04

Resolution one twenty-seven-twenty-six.

4:08

Do we want to see if anyone's here?

4:16

Okay.

4:17

Honoring National Arab American Heritage Month observed annually in April and celebrating the history, culture, and contributions of Arab Americans.

4:26

Whereas National Arab American Heritage Month is recognized each year in April to celebrate the rich heritage, diverse cultures, and significant contributions of Arab Americans to the United States.

4:38

And whereas Arab Americans trace their roots to more than twenty countries across the Middle East and North Africa and have been part of the American story for over a century.

4:47

And whereas Arab Americans have made lasting and meaningful contributions to every aspect of American society, including education, science, medicine, business, government, arts, military service, entrepreneurship, and civic life.

5:04

And whereas the recognition of National Arab American Heritage Month promotes greater understanding, respect, and appreciation of Arab American history and culture, while also fostering unity and inclusion within our communities.

5:19

And whereas observing National Arab American Heritage Month provides an opportunity to honor the resilience, achievements, and cultural legacy of Arab Americans and to reaffirm our commitment to be a welcoming city.

5:33

And whereas we encourage residents, institutions, schools, and community organizations to observe this month through educational programs, cultural events, and activities that highlight the contributions and experiences of Arab Americans.

5:47

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Council of the City of Toledo that we hereby recognize the month of April as National Arab American Heritage Month.

5:59

Suspension.

6:01

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

6:08

Emergency.

6:10

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

6:17

Passage.

6:18

Jones?

6:19

Yes.

6:20

Comives?

6:21

Yes.

6:21

Kramer?

6:22

Yes.

6:22

Martinez?

6:23

Yes.

6:24

Serantu?

6:25

Yes.

6:25

Williams?

6:26

Yes.

6:27

Driscoll?

6:28

Yes.

6:28

Gaddis?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████████49%
Community Engagement███████████████████████25%
Water And Wastewater Management███████████████16%
Technology and Innovation████4%
Housing and Community Development███3%
Mental Health Awareness███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Toledo City Council Meeting - April 14, 2026

The Toledo City Council met on April 14, 2026, with nine members present. The meeting began with the call to order, a moment of silence, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the singing of the national anthem. The council passed multiple resolutions and ordinances, including recognizing Arab American Heritage Month, commending the National Association of Letter Carriers for their food drive, confirming a civil service commission appointment, and referring the solid waste contract back to the administration for renegotiation with Republic Services.

Consent Calendar

  • All items on the agenda were passed unanimously unless otherwise noted.

Public Comments & Testimony

Discussion Items

  • Recognizing Arab American Heritage Month (Resolution 127-26): The council adopted a resolution recognizing April as National Arab American Heritage Month, honoring Arab Americans' contributions to education, science, medicine, business, government, arts, military service, entrepreneurship, and civic life.
  • National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive (Resolution 128-26): The council recognized and commended the NALC for their annual food drive, which has collected approximately 1.9 billion pounds of food nationally since 1993. Locally, the drive has amassed six million pounds. The food drive is scheduled for May 9, 2026. Council members thanked the letter carriers for their community service, including checking on residents and reporting emergencies.
  • Solid Waste Contract (Ordinance 113-26): Councilwoman Dr. Brittany Jones moved to refer the proposed solid waste contract with Priority Waste LLC back to the administration. This decision followed significant public feedback, including approximately 3,000 to 4,000 calls from constituents. The council will return to the table with Republic Services. Jones appreciated the feedback from residents and Teamsters Local 20.

Key Outcomes

  • Resolution 127-26 (Arab American Heritage Month): Adopted unanimously (9-0).
  • Resolution 128-26 (NALC Food Drive): Adopted unanimously (9-0).
  • Appointment of Karen Poor (Appointment 129-26): Confirmed to the Civil Service Commission for a six-year term expiring March 31, 2032, replacing David O'Connell.
  • Ordinance 109-26 (Biometric Data Collection): Deferred for two weeks until April 28, 2026.
  • Ordinance 113-26 (Solid Waste Contract): Referred back to administration; renegotiation with Republic Services will proceed.
  • Ordinance 130-26 (Glass City Jazz Fest Sponsorship): Authorized expenditure of $40,000 from the general fund. Passed unanimously (9-0).
  • Ordinance 131-26 (Soccer/Lacrosse Field Special Use Permit Extension): Extended a special use permit for a renovated soccer/lacrosse field at 3535 West Savania Avenue for six months until October 22, 2026. Passed unanimously (9-0).
  • Resolution 132-26 (National Community Development Week): Designated the week of April 6–10, 2026 as such. Adopted unanimously (9-0).
  • Ordinance 133-26 (Hoffman Road Landfill Emergency Repairs): Authorized a contract with APTIM for emergency repairs, expenditure not to exceed $15,000 from the solid waste trust fund. Passed unanimously (9-0).
  • Ordinance 134-26 (Citywide Vehicle Lease Program): Authorized expenditure not to exceed $3,500 from the municipal garage fund. Passed unanimously (9-0).
  • Ordinance 135-26 (Mechanical Systems & Infrastructure Improvements): Authorized expenditure not to exceed $500,000 from the capital improvement fund. Passed unanimously (9-0).
  • Ordinance 136-26 (Non-Emergency Vehicle & Equipment Replacement): Authorized expenditure not to exceed $1 million from the capital improvement fund. Passed unanimously (9-0).
  • Ordinance 137-26 (Police Department Vehicle & Equipment Replacement): Authorized expenditure not to exceed $1 million from the capital improvement fund. Passed unanimously (9-0).
  • Ordinance 138-26 (Parks Infrastructure Revitalization): Authorized expenditure of $300,000 from the capital improvement fund. Passed unanimously (9-0).
  • Ordinance 139-26 (EPA Grants): Authorized acceptance and deposit of $81,624 from Ohio EPA and reduction of $89,987 from U.S. EPA grant proceeds. Passed unanimously (9-0).
  • Ordinance 140-26 (Bayview WRP Grit Tank Parts): Authorized expenditure not to exceed $184,000 from the sewer replacement fund. Passed unanimously (9-0).
  • Ordinance 141-26 (Bayview WRP Process Control Equipment): Authorized expenditure not to exceed $65,000 from the sanitary sewer operating fund. Passed unanimously (9-0).
  • Ordinance 142-26 (Reynolds Area Pump Station Property Acquisition): Authorized expenditure of $125,000 in loan funds and amendment of contract with Erie West Realty Solutions Inc. for up to $15,000. Passed unanimously (9-0).
  • Ordinance 143-26 (Source Water Protection Grant): Authorized agreement with Ohio EPA for a $15,129 grant and agreement with Ohio State University. Passed unanimously (9-0).
  • Ordinance 144-26 (TOC Meters): Authorized expenditure of $105,000 from the water replacement fund for two TOC meters. Passed unanimously (9-0).
  • Ordinance 145-26 (UV 254 Meters): Authorized expenditure of $145,000 from the water replacement fund for four UV 254 meters. Passed unanimously (9-0).
  • Ordinance 146-26 (City Website Enhancements): Authorized expenditure not to exceed $35,000 from the general fund. Passed unanimously (9-0).
  • Ordinance 150-26 (Craig Memorial Bridge Rehabilitation): Authorized cooperative agreement with ODOT for bridge rehabilitation. Passed unanimously (9-0).
  • Ordinance 151-26 (Arlington Avenue Sewer Repair Loan): Authorized application for a supplemental loan not to exceed $2 million from Ohio Water Development Authority. Passed unanimously (9-0).
  • Ordinance 152-26 (Personal Injury Settlement): Authorized settlement of Julie Robinson's claim for $750,000 from the risk management fund. Passed unanimously (9-0).
  • Ordinance 153-26 (Alley Vacation): Vacated a 25-foot alley behind 2024 Champlain Street. Passed unanimously (9-0).
  • First Read Items: Ordinance 147-26 (Owens Corning TIF extension), Ordinance 148-26 (Middle Grounds development agreement amendment), and Ordinance 149-26 (Glass City Riverwalk Project agreement) were introduced as first reads.

Meeting Transcript

I don't know. I call it the order. The council meeting of April 14th, 2026. Clerk, please call the role. Jones? Here. Comeves. Kramer. Here. Martinez. Present. McPherson. Meldon. Morris. Here. Williams. Here. Driscoll. Here. Gaddis. Here. Hobbes. Here. Nine present. Please stand for a moment of silence, the pledge of allegiance to our flag, and the singing of the national anthem. Republic. Clerk, please begin with the resolutions in attendance. Recognizing Arab American History Month. Could they please come to the podium? Resolution one twenty-seven-twenty-six. Do we want to see if anyone's here? Okay. Honoring National Arab American Heritage Month observed annually in April and celebrating the history, culture, and contributions of Arab Americans. Whereas National Arab American Heritage Month is recognized each year in April to celebrate the rich heritage, diverse cultures, and significant contributions of Arab Americans to the United States. And whereas Arab Americans trace their roots to more than twenty countries across the Middle East and North Africa and have been part of the American story for over a century. And whereas Arab Americans have made lasting and meaningful contributions to every aspect of American society, including education, science, medicine, business, government, arts, military service, entrepreneurship, and civic life. And whereas the recognition of National Arab American Heritage Month promotes greater understanding, respect, and appreciation of Arab American history and culture, while also fostering unity and inclusion within our communities. And whereas observing National Arab American Heritage Month provides an opportunity to honor the resilience, achievements, and cultural legacy of Arab Americans and to reaffirm our commitment to be a welcoming city. And whereas we encourage residents, institutions, schools, and community organizations to observe this month through educational programs, cultural events, and activities that highlight the contributions and experiences of Arab Americans. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Council of the City of Toledo that we hereby recognize the month of April as National Arab American Heritage Month. Suspension. Jones, Comibes, Kramer, Martinez, Sarantu, Williams, Driscoll, Gaddis, Hobbes, motion carried. Emergency. Jones, Comibes, Kramer, Martinez, Sarantu, Williams, Driscoll, Gaddis, Hobbes, motion carried. Passage. Jones? Yes. Comives? Yes. Kramer?

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