I call to order the city council meeting of April twenty eighth, twenty twenty-six.

Clerk, please call the roll.

Jones.

Here.

Cole Mives.

Here.

Kramer.

Here.

Martinez.

Present.

McPherson.

Meldon.

Here.

Morris.

Serantu.

Here.

Williams.

Here.

Driscoll.

Here.

Gaddis.

Here.

Hobbs.

Here.

Eleven present.

Please stand for the invocation by Pastor Jerry Booz.

The Pledge of Allegiance to our flag and the national anthem by Cole Crofts, a sophomore at TSA, jazz major.

Let us pray.

Eternal God, we come before you all the same.

Thank you, first of all, for being God, for being our redeemer, our keeper.

Father God, we come now before you and petitioning you God to watch over this council, Father.

I ask you to give them the wisdom to lead your people.

We know that we are living in difficult days, difficult times.

But it does not change who you are.

So I pray, God, that they lean on you to get the understanding, to know what the next steps are.

Father God, we thank you for our leaders.

We ask you to protect them, guide them.

We thank you for those who are joined together in this room tonight.

Whatever it is that they need, we ask you to grant it.

And we ask it now in the mighty name of Jesus.

Thank you and amen.

All right.

Um thank you so much.

Hey, hey, Cole, before you run off.

Good job.

Um, you know, shocker that TSA would put out, you know, develop kids who could play the national anthem about eighteen different instruments, but I think if we have one, I mean we can have them run it back with the pick a totally new instrument.

Um so kudos, good to see you.

It was a wonderful surprise.

That's all I want to say.

Good job.

Thank you.

Uh Dr.

Jones.

Thank you, President.

Um, first of all, just thank you to Pastor Booth for saying prayer, definitely a needed word at this time and just coming in at the last minute.

Thank you for for doing that for me.

Um, and thank you to Cole.

Uh, this definitely was a surprise, and you played beautifully, and um very proud of just what TSA has been producing as far as those who are really ingrained in the arts and culture and and really adding to Toledo as it is.

So thank you again.

And thank you, Chair.

Thank you so much.

Um, we're gonna move forward with Clark.

Can you read the first resolution in attendance?

Resolution 154-26 recognizing Toledo Design Collective on their 25th anniversary.

Um you guys want to come on up?

Everybody can come.

Yeah.

Yes, TDC rolls deep.

Come on up here.

Whereas Toledo Design Collective was founded in 2001 by Robert C.

Fang and Dick Myers with a core belief that thoughtful urban planning and design has the ability to reshape lives, neighborhoods, and the city of Toledo.

Whereas for 25 years, TDC has strengthened and upheld Toledo's design standards by promoting aesthetic cohesion, engaging the community in decision making and teaching the value of urban planning through thoughtful design.

And whereas Toledo Design Collective has provided valuable opportunities for professional development, mentorship, and engagement through workshops, exhibitions, public programs, and partnership with the goal of giving back to the local community.

And whereas the organization has contributed significantly to the revitalization and beautification of the community by championing thoughtful, inclusive design as seen in their work on various neighborhood master plans, including Toledo Downtown Plan, Junction Neighborhood Master Plan, Vistilin Neighborhood Master Plan, and many more.

And whereas TDC works directly with neighborhood groups and organizations to help empower residents to advocate for the vision and goals they have for their own communities, and whereas Toledo Design Collective's members, leadership, and board have demonstrated a sustained commitment to collaboration, innovation, and the advancement of design is both a profession and a public good.

Whereas the celebration of its 25th anniversary represents not only a milestone in the TDC's history, but also an opportunity to recognize its enduring contributions and envision its continued impact for future generations.

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Council of the City of Toledo that we recognize, congratulate, and commend Toledo Design Collective on the occasion of its 25th anniversary, and wish them many more years of service to the community.

Jones, comives, cramer, martinez, melden, morris, serant to Williams, Driscoll, Gaddis, Hobbes, motion carried.

Jones.

Yes.

Comides.

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

Meldon.

Yes.

Morris.

Yes.

Sarantu?

Yes.

Williams.

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Gaddis.

Yes.

Hobbs.

Yes.

Resolution adopted.

Councilwoman Morris to kick it off.

All right.

Thank you so much.

You know, this is odd because I just had lunch with a friend of mine, and we were just talking about Dick Myers today.

And we were talking about the bridge project and all of the different land reuse and the design that that had to go in with the uh the Glass City, um, Veterans Glass City Skyway.

And uh just the remarkable giants that we stand uh on and and look at the beauty that we have in the city of Toledo truly comes from the genius brains um that that formed the Toledo Design Collective.

So thank you.

Thank you for making us a more beautiful, beautiful place.

Councilman Meldon.

Thank you so much, Council President.

So good to see you all here.

Thanks for coming.

You know, you throw out these resolutions, uh, and you never know who's gonna actually show up.

And you showed up in force.

Thank you for being here.

It's actually a secret ploy to wish a happy belated birthday to Ryan.

Um so I have Cole, if you could fire it up no, I think Cole left.

No, I just uh it's such an honor.

I mean, I feel like this could have been co-sponsored by you know 12 members of city council, no problem.

Um looking forward to the event on Thursday.

Um I think you know, recognizing we have this arbitrary love for big round numbers, and so 25 seemed like a good thing to uh to celebrate.

But I I appreciate in particular two things struck me.

One is I love the gritty grassroots organizations and the work that they do.

Um there's not uh you know millions and millions of dollars of overhead, but yet, as this sign campaign is about to kick off, I'm not trying to steal every comment you're about to make.

Um your reach is so um expansive and everywhere.

I'm meaning not width, but also depth.

Um, and that's just a really remarkable thing.

I know for me, uh I um have no interest in wishing you a happy 25th anniversary if we can't say what do we do as a community to see the next 25 grow and be more and more prosperous because it brings me to the second thing that uh I think of I think everyone for the most part when they run for office, what animates them and what drives them and what interests them the most is thinking about what this community will look like someday.

Government in a in a way is not exactly the best tool for immediate like crisis intervention.

There are public safety and the majority of our dollars go there.

You understand.

Most of the time we're thinking about what this community will look like for the young people sitting behind seated behind you.

Um I think I mean you gotta think about things in terms of decades.

You almost think about things in 25 year chunks.

Um, and the work that you do citywide for every part of our community is inspiring to me.

And I'm on the record saying I want to help you ever I can see the next 25.

So thanks for being here.

Thank you, Councilman.

Uh, I think it was Councilman Driscoll.

Thank you, President Williams.

Uh, this is a full circle for me moment for me.

Uh as many of you guys all know, but as many of you probably know, I interned at Toledo Design Center at the time in the summer of 2017.

Uh, and so uh and I'll I'll never forget my job interview.

It was with uh Bob Seafink and Shoemaker Pahnbeck and Mike Young.

And uh we went through the normal stuff, and at the end, Paul Hollandbeck said to me in a in the way that he said things.

He said, Uh, frankly, you're our only candidate, so I think that you'll be uh so uh I I wouldn't have anything that I have uh professionally if not for TDC for them taking a chance on me and uh whatever trouble I get into you're responsible, Bob.

You started it.

Um I could I could talk for hours about uh what this organization means to me personally, um and and it means a lot, and and and I I know you guys know that.

Um but professionally I'll just say uh without an organization doing the kind of planning work that TDC has done for many years, we we wouldn't have accomplished a lot of what we've been able to accomplish.

TDC had the really reignited the conversations about reinvestment in downtown Toledo.

I mean, think about the the Broadway corridor grant that we completed work on last year.

Think about uh the Swan Creek planning grant that that we're undergoing later this fall to reconnect the junction neighborhood to the warehouse district, all part of the master plan.

The the grant that we received for the front and main project that um John Hughstead and others took away from us, but for I'm sure for very good reasons, we're building a ballroom now.

So uh I knew you'd like that one, Bob.

Uh but without without doing that work ahead of time, we would never would have accomplished what we have.

So you guys are the unsung heroes of a lot of the redevelopment and reinvestment that's happened in Toledo and particularly um our core neighborhoods, uh and those neighborhoods for 50 or 60 years that have been disinvested in.

And to have folks reigniting those conversations makes those communities feel heard, so there's a tangible aspect and all the grants and the reinvestment we're seeing, but there's this intangible quality uh to what it does for the spirit of the neighborhood in terms of making people feel like they're valued and listened and and heard.

And uh we're so lucky to have TDC.

The the final comment I make is um knowing the people that founded this organization and those who have been uh a part of its stewardship for 25 years, this organization is good because those people are good, and it's woven into the DNA of this organization and through every project that we worked on.

There was a sense of caring about the community that maybe doesn't always come from professionals in fields like planning and architecture.

Uh, but but the people uh at TDC are fundamentally good through and through, and we're lucky to have you in our community.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh Councilman Martinez.

Thank you, Madam President.

While that's hard to follow up on.

Um, but there's a a uh a quote, uh it's one of my favorite quotes, and I I looked for that because I wanted to make sure I got it just right.

Um it's by Margaret Mead, and it says, Never doubt the small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.

Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has, and without a doubt, you guys have helped change with the trajectory of the city of Toledo.

So many of you may or may not know, but um I was a CDC director and not knowing what I was doing, and I had some really great mentors show me like whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, let's think about this a little bit more thoughtful.

Um, and at the time there were a lot of CDCs kind of fighting for, you know, just um funding projects had a lot of great things going on, and I was on this little startup called Viva South Toledo CDC, and not really knowing what I was doing, trying to get funding, you know, being scrapping, trying to make a difference in the old South End, and you know, I had a lot of help, a lot of guidance, a lot of mentorship from you guys, and I've never forgotten that in fact has helped guide me, uh, not only be in public service, because I got tired of yelling at the sky about public policy and and urban planning and change and stuff like that, um, or about the impact of landscape architecture and safety design and all these great things that make neighborhoods wonderful.

I would not have ever had that opportunity, because number one, I didn't know about urban planning or anything like that going to college, um, but for you guys, and you guys have been a big part of who I became as a developer and making sure that I'm very intentional and and not being afraid to get into the grassroots and talk to the people and knock on doors and actually explain things in a very easy, understandable manner versus very high level um city policy type things.

And I sincerely appreciate your dedication uh and willingness to take on some stranger in the old South End and and really help us design a beautiful uh community, and I think it's finally blossoming after you know 25, 30 years of hard work, dedication, blood, sweat, tears, uh, a lot to no's.

Um, and I sincerely appreciate all your hard work is not gone forgotten.

I cannot believe it's been 25 years.

I feel like I blinked.

So thank you all for all of your hard work.

And Mr.

Jarrett, I don't know if you know, he's a magician, and he forecasted accurately our first tax credit project in the old South End.

And it was like unbelievable.

I think within a dollar, maybe.

So thank you for all you do.

Uh and believe me when I say that whole quote really epitomizes this small committee group of individuals that have really changed the city of Toledo.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilmember Gaddis.

Thank you.

I have been lucky in my time in office to have worked on two plans now.

And um, you guys really embody the power of with, right?

You can do something to a community, and that uh it's makes change, but people don't feel too good.

You could do it for a community that's a little better, but you guys do it with the community countless hours of being out there, talking to folks, bringing them in, and then making this vision, and it's so it takes so much work, and when when you hand that over to us and we turn into Ordinance, then I it is it sets the vision for our city to move forward, and I love that.

I use your plans all the time to advocate for more resources to get them into our district, and to say I'm always like, Did you check the plan?

Did you check the how is that how does that tie into the plan?

I'm sure the administration uh is tired of me, but but it really w that's the power of the neighborhoods, and you brought that together.

So I want to thank you for that, and uh congratulations on 25 years.

Thank you.

Dr.

Jones.

Thank you, President Williams.

I mean, T D C a lot of you have worked with just in the very facets of just my career and of course community development, and what was really unique about you all is the fact of making urban planning not only fun but very informative and changing a lot, as some of my colleagues have said.

Um, the the focus on especially bringing in newer planners and really showing them the other side is not just check boxes and and just standard.

This is really grassroots getting into the neighborhoods, talking to the people, and having their opinions and their wishes materialize.

And I think that is really what TDC does the best at.

And for these 25 years, just all of the things that has been listed off right now, your accomplishments, really excited to see where we will go with for the next 25 years.

And I know me personally as an urban planner, it really shows that this career is something that you can really impact people.

And I'm really am supportive of you all.

And like I said, just really putting it out there that of course urban planning exists as a career, but then also the different types and different facets and different scales in which it really can be ingrained in a lot of the community.

So just thank you all.

Thank you for your dedication.

Thank you for the probably tireless nights and conversations.

And again, looking forward to celebrating that on Thursday as well.

Thank you, Chair.

Thank you.

Um and I'll I'll leave the last message and then I'll give the floor to you guys.

So I met you guys years, the group and and the idea of TDC came.

I my best friend was actually a board member.

And um, and she just always talked about it, and I was like, I don't know what that is.

Um that doesn't mean anything to me at that at that point.

I was like, I don't know what that is.

And she was just jumping on all these boards, and then she said one that I was passionate about was TDC, and I was like, okay.

And then I worked at Lisc and came to LISC.

And at the time I was there, there was a situation going on in District 3, Lido Lanes.

And this really kind of was the catalyst for me because when you think about a neighborhood organization, they have a bite, right?

A neighborhood organization have a bite.

You guys give teeth to that bite, or even sharpen the teeth that that neighborhood has, and the fight was does General Dollar fit into where the old Lido Lanes was based off the neighborhood plan, and guess what?

It did.

And guess where it is now?

They opened and closed, and that was the argument, and it's always an argument that is answered by a neighborhood plan that guess who did the Toledo Design Collective.

So thank you so much for what you do and sharpening the teeth or even giving the teeth to our neighborhoods, not just the the district three, but district four.

Our neighborhood plans have soared.

So thank you so much for what you do.

Thank you.

And here's the 25 more years.

The floor is now yours.

Thank you so much, Council President Williams, and to each and every one of you.

I'm uh incredibly moved right now.

Uh, and I just really really want to say thank you.

I certainly have some comments to share, but I would be remiss not to uh turn it over first to our founder and namesake, uh Robert C.

Fang of the Robert C.

Fang studio, uh, etc.

etc.

So Bob, will you please come up and share some words?

I would be brief.

Uh this is really an experience for me to uh see what was a dream at one time.

Uh 25 years ago, I retired from my firm on a Friday and on Monday, we opened the design center.

And uh that was uh kind of a goal.

I've been working with neighborhood organizations since 1975 with Don Monroe and East Toledo, and uh really learned the importance of neighborhood organizations and what what they can do, and uh it's just a proud experience.

Uh Mike Young and uh Bill Thomas were with me from the beginning.

I really miss almost every day Dick Meyer and Paul Hollanduck.

Uh we were competitors for years and years and years as architects, and uh it uh really is moving that you know you're old enough to retire for one thing, and then still maintain the friendships and use all our competitive experience in serving the community.

And uh when did we hire Elizabeth?

Uh yeah, she was the first person we paid.

We operated out of our own pocketbooks for all those years, and uh I thank you for recognizing the organization.

I'm pretty much out of it now.

Uh hitting 90 was a milestone for me.

But uh we're we're hoping we go on for many, many more years, and uh uh we're here to serve the city and the community.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

We'll have you all come in for a picture.

Uh we'll come in here.

Oh someone else has some.

Yes.

I'll be I'll be very brief.

I'm sorry, Council President.

Um I just wanted to share a quick anecdote.

Well, one, I want to make sure that you're all invited to our uh twenty-fifth anniversary celebration this Thursday uh at uh Sophia Kintero Art and Cultural Center on the Broadway corridor um at five thirty PM.

And you might see as you go home tonight some signs popping up around the city that say TDC was here.

Uh so we we were celebrating uh the many projects and spl places and spaces that we've worked.

So uh know that those are sanctioned.

Uh and if you need one moved, call me.

Um but I just wanted to share a quick anecdote as I was uh thinking about um my my experience and and I I walked into the expansion, the special improvement district uh expansion meeting in uptown a couple weeks ago, and I was shaking hands and ran into a few familiar faces.

And I was sitting in that little room at Manhattan's uh and just looking around at all these people that had been on this kind of long journey with together.

This is kind of where I I was like, how did I get here?

It's like, oh yeah, this is my origin story.

This is kind of where it started for me.

And it really I came into this work as a resident, as an advocate, as somebody who cared about their neighborhood and wanted it to be better, uh, as an artist in the community.

Um and I had lots of ways I didn't know many people at first, and then I kind of uh built some friendships and things, worked on some cool things over time with some of you who now are sitting up here.

Uh, but I didn't really know I didn't have a place to put that drive until I got involved with this this organization as a volunteer uh through that uptown master planning process.

And that went on to turn into uh me joining as a board member, which I served as, uh, and then uh eventually joining here as as uh the director.

So to stand here today uh as the director of this organization is somebody that came uh from that very resident driven uh space.

I just can't say enough to Bob and those guys for providing an opportunity for people like me who'd want to know how things work.

We want we have so many questions about our neighborhood.

Why is this thing this way?

How does this thing get better?

And this agency for me was the one that that provided that opportunity to know, to learn to get access to that information.

Uh and so I just want to say, you know, your support today means so much because it uh it's uh about celebrating this milestone of twenty-five years, but I I say all the time our work is not fast.

A Broadway corridor project is not fast.

Uh a Ryan Bunch uh coming into a community meeting, not sure what a planning session is, uh is not fast work either.

So I thank you for your support uh and I and I look forward to uh who we see and and what we see in the next twenty-five years.

So thank you for being here.

Thank you.

Now you guys can come on in so we can take a picture.

You guys can come on in and the pit and so we can take a picture.

We have also moving forward with our agenda, and then we have one more resolution at that, but we have today our kid mayor, Jamie Howard from Ella P.

Stewart Academy for Girls, and our Kid Council.

We're gonna have each kid council member and our kid mayor come up and introduce themselves.

Now, is there a step stool down there?

All right.

So when you come up, you gotta come up, you say what your name is.

Remember, I said what's the most important thing about you.

So you come up, say your name, and then I need you to tell me what school you go to.

The first one up is our kid mayor.

I don't know why she acts shy every time.

Hi, my name is Jamie Howard, and I go to LF Store Academy for girls, and my district number is number three, and my district person is Teresa Gaddis.

Yay, thank you.

Okay.

Okay, then we're gonna do districts now too.

Can you pull the mic up a little bit, David, for them so they can speak in it?

All right, so then we'll have our next kid council.

Hi, my name is Bristol Without, and I go to Shoreland Elementary, and my district is six, and I'm represented by three yeah.

And fun fun fact, my parents actually did graduate um at Star Academy too, or start high school.

And my district person is Sam Meldon.

And you love school.

And my person is Sam Melladin.

Yes.

Hi, Ella.

Hi, I'm Leah Mendoza.

I um from Meadowville Elementary.

I go to District Six, and my person is this and Morris.

Yay!

Thank you.

My name is Marley Marks.

I go to McGregor Elementary School.

My district person is um Teresa Morris, and I go to District Six, and I like being on C Council because I like learning about the city of Toledo and helping my community.

Thank you.

Hi, my name is Vies Hawes.

Um, I go to Greenwell Elementary, and my district is six.

My person representing that is Sam Mowden.

Hello, my name is Alex Obu, and I go to Navarre Elementary School, and I'm not too sure about my district number.

And my district three of my district person is Teresa Gaddis.

Yes.

Good job.

Thank you.

Uh oh, look at that here.

My name is Lucy Alex Bua.

Um, I go to Beverly Elementary School.

My district is number four.

And uh my name Whoa, is it working?

You're fine.

I can't hear is he good?

Can you hear it?

Hi, my name is Ashton Snow.

I go to my system academy, and my district is district three, and my district president is Teresa Teresa Gaddis.

Gaddis.

Oh my God.

Hi, my name is Neve Bagley.

I go to Monac Elementary School.

I am in District Five.

And my district representative is Sam Meldon.

Uh my name is Maya Vamos, and I go to Bose Elementary in my district is three in my district person is Gaddis.

Yes.

Good job.

Is that all of our kid council?

That is so amazing.

This is probably the best thing that we do.

Thank you, Commissioner Mahoney.

This is amazing.

So we welcome you all, and you'll be back soon to do a mock council ride.

And you'll be presenting soon to what you think we should do best, I think.

So Mayor Wade Kabzikavits.

I'm Wade Kapsakavich.

I went to Virginia Charlie School.

I'm District 5, and my man is Sam Meldon.

Um but good.

The um no, I just wanted to say that um the mayor of Maumee and the mayor of Perrysburg are both relatively new in their jobs.

And um they I noticed about a week ago that mommy has stolen our good idea, and now they have a kid council.

And just today the mayor of Parisburg was up in our office, and one of the first things he wants to do is uh start a kids uh a kid mayor program in Perrysburg.

So um I think we're on to something good here that uh the folks in Maumee and Perry's Burg wanna copy us.

Frankly, the way we copied some city in Indiana when we started this a couple years ago.

But uh this this really is one of the most wonderful things we do.

And it's just it just always fills my heart with joy to see these young people and the energy and passion they have for their community.

So that's all.

Thank you so much, and I think that this is uh very important to get young folks excited about the legislative process and the legislative body and how our city works.

So thank you for being here.

And remember what we said.

This is a very exciting meeting.

Clerk, can you read the second resolution in attendance, please?

This resolution 155-26 from Council President William and all members of council recognizing Ashley Westgate for her contributions as Toledo City Council's 2025-2026 legislative intern.

Whereas Ashley Westgate is a dedicated and accomplished student, her who earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, graduating sumacum laud from the University of Toledo with college and departmental honors in May of 2025, and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration, expected graduation in May 2026.

Whereas thanks to an ongoing partnership with the University of Toledo's Urban Affairs Center, Toledo City Council hosted Ashley as a legislative intern for the 25-26 school year.

Whereas Ashley has demonstrated a strong work ethic and versatility, gaining firsthand experience in public service through her internship, where she supported day-to-day operations, completed numerous research projects, elevated council's communication strategy and planning, worked with constituents and deepened her understanding of civic engagement and policymaking.

And whereas Ashley is deeply committed to service, volunteering as Rockthon Logistics Chair, which makes her responsible for the run-of-show for the six-hour annual dance marathon supporting children and hospice care, vice president of Bridge U Toledo packing peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for Toledo's unhoused population, and Songfest director for her sorority, Elfa Omicron Pai, who just recently won second place at 2026 Songfest and raised the most money.

Whereas her academic and civic achievements have earned her notable honors, including the Excellence Award for Political Science, McNamara Scholarship for Public Administration, and the Eberlee Center Scholarship.

In addition, Ashley served as the UT student body vice president, her final year of undergrad.

And whereas Ashley will continue her education at the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law starting this fall, she will be missed in Toledo.

And whereas Ashley's broad knowledge, customer service skills, and technical proficiency underscores her ability to lead and serve effectively in diverse and dynamic communities.

And she embodies the values of leadership service and academic excellence, standing as an inspiration and role model for the next generation of public servants.

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Council of the City of Toledo that we recognize and commend Ashley Westgate for her achievements, dedication to the residents of Toledo and commitment to public administration.

Suspension.

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

Motion carried.

Passage.

Jones?

Yes.

Comives?

Yes.

Kramer.

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Sarantu?

Yes.

Williams.

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Gaddis?

Yes.

Hobbs.

Yes.

Resolution adopted.

Councilman Colmives.

Thank you so much.

It sounds like you didn't need to be our intern to get commended because you had so many incredible accomplishments under your belt already.

So kudos to you.

Certainly appreciate all you did for us.

And having your energy in the office is always nice.

It's good to see a friendly face when you're walking in.

So I really appreciate that.

I want to take a point of privilege if it's okay to allow our chief of staff to maybe say a few words because Lucy really fought for this program to be included.

We've had two excellent interns so far.

And we just really appreciate her her drive to bring in really good people to work with us.

So if I may.

Yes, please.

Hello.

I normally would not sit in a seat like this, but for Ashley Westgate, I wanted to take a moment to say a few words, and I really appreciate Councilmember Colmines giving me the space to do so.

So once upon a time, I was a University of Toledo student and interned in Mayor D.

Michael Collins' office.

I later worked for Paula Hicks Hudson Mayor, Mayor Wade Capsicavage, Columbus City Council, and now I'm the first ever Toledo City Council Chief of Staff.

Internships, internships are critical to the college experience, and it's always been a goal of mine to give back to students at the University of Toledo.

Thanks to the amazing members of Toledo City Council and the Jack Ford Urban Affairs Center, which is named after a former council member, Jack Ford, we are able to run this program and have Ashley here with us this past year.

Ashley, you are fierce, intelligent, inquisitive, caring, and you're pretty funny.

You work hard and it shows.

Not only are you graduating with your master's degree this week and speaking at the honors college medallion ceremony this Friday, you are moving on to law school, and really the sky is the limit for you.

Thank you for your work and time with us.

I hope you keep this experiences and memories with you throughout your life, as I do.

I want to take a quick moment to say thank you to a few guests that are here.

Um, Jamie LaFever from the University of Toledo's honors college, um, who has worked with Ashley over the last few years, and uh Dr.

Daniel Bowden from the political science department, uh, who also has worked with Ashley and was one of the people who recommended her for this internship.

Um and lastly, I want to say thank you to Dr.

Daniel Hamill and Dr.

Sujada Shetty from the Urban Unfair Center for partnering with us in this important program.

Ashley, thank you.

Thank you, Chief of Staff, Frank.

Uh Councilman Drisco.

Thank you, President Williams.

Uh Ashley, it's it's gonna be hard to see you go.

You did a great job uh working for the city of Toledo.

Uh something in the water at the Jack Ford Urban Affairs Center.

We've got two two two for two, two great interns, and um, and you followed up last year.

We had a greater intern, you followed it up well.

Um, everything we asked you to work on, you did a fantastic job.

You left no stones unturned.

You dove right into the project every time.

And um, and it's not always an easy job.

You have to answer the you know the front line when take taking phone calls from residents, and uh, we had a number of heated issues while you were serving, so you definitely got more than a few uh phone calls that you'd probably like to take back if you could.

But uh, but but you but it never you never wavered, you were here every day, you did a great job, and uh wherever you're headed next, I know you're gonna make a difference because you you've done it here in Toledo.

You did it here uh at City Council during your internship, and uh I can just tell that's a that's the kind of person you are.

So I I look forward to uh uh whatever whatever awaits you in in your professional future, and uh and uh we were well served by you.

Thank you.

Councilmember Gaddis.

Thank you.

I'll keep it brief.

I just want to thank you for your hard work.

Um you it was a joy to have you in the office, and the work that you provided to me is going to change the lives of so many people after you.

You are making so many changes, you don't even realize it.

So keep going, your future is bright, and thank you.

Well, Ashley, I will say one thing and then we're gonna turn the floor over to you.

Come back.

I will.

Just come back.

Listen, this is the talent that we want back into our city.

Um, and I'm sure you'll find a great position.

Just come back.

I I definitely welcome seeing you every day, your smiling face, and we have some rough calls, but we got through them and and just come back.

The floor is yours.

Um well, I wanted to start by um just thanking every single one of you.

When I got the email that I had the interview for this position, I was over the moon.

Um, and rightfully so now that I've been through it for the entire year, because um this has been one of the best opportunities I have had um while studying public administration, um, I have found so many connections between this experience and my studies, and it has completely enhanced my degree path.

Um so this has just been I I'm so grateful for this experience here.

I have loved every minute of it, and I'm gonna be really sad to go.

Um, I also wanted to thank the folks in the audience who are here, um, Jamie and Dr.

Bowden.

They've both been great supporters over the last few years, um, and I really appreciate them being here.

Um I also want to thank all of the council members and staff and the mayor for just everything while I've been here.

Um, all of the projects that I've been assigned have been an enhancement to my experience.

If I didn't have anything to do, I wouldn't have learned anything, and I feel like I've learned so much through even just the phone calls and all of the research projects that I've been given.

Um, and then the biggest thank you goes out to Lucy.

Um you have been a wonderful supervisor.

You made me feel welcome as soon as I walked into the building.

Um, and you have taught me so much and inspired me, and I am not going to forget this experience, and I certainly will at least be back to visit.

Um, but I really appreciate everything.

Um, and having this internship has given me better understanding of my academics, a better path into the future, and just a um better understanding of the Toledo community and deeper love for it.

So thank you.

Clerk, please continue to with the appointment from the mayor's office appointment one fifty six dash twenty-six to the electrical board of controls.

It's John R.

Sally Jr.

Uh replacing Rick Burson for the remainder of a three-year term expiring January twentieth twenty twenty-nine does require a waiver of section sixty-four and the mayor requests council confirmation.

Move to confirm.

Jones.

Yes.

Comives?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Serrantu?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Gaddis?

Yes.

Hobbs?

Yes.

Appointment confirmed.

I now turn the meeting over to Council Councilwoman, Dr.

Brittany Jones.

Thank you, President.

Uh Clerk, please begin with the second read items.

Ordinance one oh nine dash twenty-six.

Amending Toledo Municipal Code by enacting chapter five five seven biometric data collection.

Passage.

Jones?

Yes.

Comives?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Serantwood?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Gaddis?

Yes.

Hobbs?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Ordinance one forty-seven dash twenty-six.

Amending ordinance number three fifteen-ninety-four.

As amended by ordinance numbers five eighty-five dash ninety-four and four hundred eighty-six-thirteen, which declared improvements to the site of the Owens Corning World Headquarters to be a public purpose and authorize the use of tax increment financing under Ohio revised code sections fifty-seven oh nine point four one fifty-seven oh nine point four two and fifty-seven oh nine point four three.

With respect to improvements on the included property to extend the time period of the TIFF, authorized there under as permitted under Ohio Revised Code Section 5709.511.

Authorizing amendments to the tax increment service agreement between the city of Toledo, Toledo Lucas County Port Authority, and Owens Corning, dated March first, nineteen ninety-five, as amended, and the execution of other necessary documents requiring a compensation agreement with Toledo Public Schools and declaring an emergency.

Emergency?

Jones, comives, cramer, martinez, melden, morris, serant to Williams, Driscoll, Gaddis, Hobbes, motion carried.

Passage.

Jones, yes.

Comimes?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris.

Yes.

Soranto?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Gaddis?

Yes.

Hobbs?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Ordinance one forty-eight dash twenty-six authorizing amendments or supplements to the development agreement for the middle grounds dated June first, nineteen ninety-four.

As supplemented December twenty-third, twenty thirteen, and declaring an emergency.

Emergency.

Jones, comives, cramer, martinez, meldon, morris, serantu, Williams, Driscoll, Gaddis, Hobbes, motion carried.

Passage.

Jones.

Yes.

Com Ives?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris.

Yes.

Seranto?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Gaddis?

Yes.

Hobbs?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Ordinance one forty-nine-26 authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with the Metropolitan Park District of the Toledo area in Owens Corning for the development of the Glass City Riverwalk project.

Making certain findings with respect there too, waiving the competitive bidding process of Toledo Municipal Code, Chapter 187.

With respect to the conveyance of real property and declaring an emergency.

Emergency.

Jones, comives, cramer, Martinez, Meldon, Morris, Sarontu, Williams, Driscoll, Gaddis, Hobbes.

Motion carry.

Passage.

Jones.

Yes.

Comeves?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Serrantu?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Gaddis?

Yes.

Hobbs?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

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

Council President Williams presents the following two items.

It's an appointment 157-26.

These are reappointments to the Board of Honor.

Ramona Collins for a two-year term expiring April 28, 2028.

And Barbara Floyd, two-year term expiring April 28, 2028.

Move to confirm.

Jones?

Yes.

Comives?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Serant to Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Gaddis?

Yes.

Hobbs?

Yes.

Appointment confirmed.

Ordinance 158-26 authorizing the mayor to enter into a grant agreement with the University of Toledo.

Jack Ford Urban Affairs Center for the purpose of covering in part the cost of a legislative intern partnership.

Authorizing expenditure not to exceed $15,000 from the general fund to be paid to the University of Toledo.

Jack Ford Urban Affairs Center and declaring an emergency.

Suspension.

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

Emergency.

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

Passage.

Jones?

Yes.

Come Ives?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Serantu?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Gaddis?

Yes.

Hobbs?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Clerk, please continue with the item from the Toledo Municipal Court.

Councilman Hobbs presents the following item from Toledo Municipal Court.

Ordinance 159-26.

Authorizing the expenditure not to exceed 201,357.61 cents from the general fund for the purpose of upgrading the audio, visual, and recording equipment in three of the courtrooms in the Toledo Municipal Court.

Authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract for said purpose, waiving the competitive procurement requirements of TMC Chapter 187, and declaring an emergency.

Suspension.

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

Emergency.

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

Passage.

Jones?

Yes.

Comeves?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Serantu?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Gaddis?

Yes.

Hobbs?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

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

Councilman Martinez presents the following item from the Department of Public Utilities.

Ordinance 160-26.

Authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract for the inspection, maintenance, and repair of the fire alarm system and related components at the water reclamation facility.

Authorizing the expenditure of an amount not to exceed $50,000 annually from the sewer operating fund.

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

Suspension.

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

Emergency.

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

Passage.

Jones?

Yes.

Comives?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Serantu?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Gaddis?

Yes.

Hobbs?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Councilwoman McPherson presents the following item from the Department of Human Resources.

Ordinance 161-26.

Authorizing the mayor to enter into a one-year agreement with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield for the provision of specific stop loss insurance services.

Authorizing the expenditure of funds, waiving the formal competitive bidding requirements of TMC Chapter 187 and declaring an emergency.

Suspension.

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

Motion carried.

Emergency.

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

Passage.

Jones?

Yes.

Comives?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Serantu?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Gaddis?

Yes.

Hobbs?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

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

Ordinance 162-26.

Authorizing the mayor and Department of Economic Development to implement a property readiness evaluation grant program.

Authorizing the mayor to enter into a program grant agreements authorizing $80,000 from the general fund for the property readiness evaluation grant program authorizing subject to annual appropriations, the expenditure of funds from the general fund for the property readiness evaluation grant program and declaring an emergency.

Suspension.

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

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

Jones?

Yes.

Comives?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Serantwo?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Gaddis?

Yes.

Hobbs?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Ordinance 163-26.

Approving a community reinvestment area real property tax exemption for Zalmay Sedage.

4455 Seacor Road, Toledo, Ohio, 43623 for the remodeling of an existing commercial facility into a multifamily residential unit located at 5744 Southwick Boulevard.

Toledo, Ohio, 43614.

Property in the Authorne Hills Community Reinvestment Area.

Authorizing the execution of an agreement and other documents related there to making certain findings and determinations in connection therewith and declaring an emergency.

Suspension.

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

Emergency.

Jones Comives Kramer Martinez.

Meldon Morris Serantou Williams Driscoll Gaddis Hobbes.

Motion carried.

Passage.

Jones?

Yes.

Comives?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Serantu?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Gaddis?

Yes.

Hobbs?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Councilwoman Williams presents the following three items from the office of the mayor.

Ordinance 164-26.

Authorizing the mayor to enter into a sponsorship agreement with destination Toledo for the 2026 party in the park series at Promenade Park.

Authorizing the expenditure of an amount not to exceed $50,000 from the general fund and declaring an emergency.

Suspension.

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

Emergency.

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

Passage.

Jones?

Yes.

Comives?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Serantwo?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Gaddis?

Yes.

Hobbs?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Ordinance 165-26 authorizing the expenditure of $12,500 from the general fund for the 2026 Ohio Mayor's Alliance Annual Membership and declaring an emergency.

Suspension.

Jones Comives Kramer Martinez.

Meldon Morris Serantou Williams.

Driscoll Gaddis Hobbes.

Motion carried.

Emergency.

Jones.

Comives.

Kramer Martinez.

Meldon.

Morris.

Serrantu Williams.

Driscoll.

Gaddis.

Hobbes.

Motion carried.

Passage.

Jones?

Yes.

Comives?

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Serrantu?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Gaddis?

Yes.

Hobbs?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Ordinance 166-26.

Authorizing the expenditure of $15,257 from the general fund for the 2026 United States Conference of Mayors.

Annual membership and declaring an emergency.

Suspension.

Jones Comives.

Kramer Martinez.

Meldon.

Morris.

Serantu Williams.

Driscoll Gaddis Hobbes.

Motion carried.

Emergency.

Jones.

Comives.

Kramer.

Martinez.

Meldon.

Morris.

Serantu.

Williams.

Driscoll.

Gaddis.

Hobbes.

Motion carried.

Passage.

Jones?

Yes.

Come Ives.

Yes.

Kramer?

Yes.

Martinez?

Yes.

Meldon?

Yes.

Morris?

Yes.

Serrantu?

Yes.

Williams?

Yes.

Driscoll?

Yes.

Gaddis?

Yes.

Hobbs?

Yes.

Ordinance passed.

Councilman Driscoll presents the following item from the Department of Transportation.

Ordinance 167-26.

Authorizing the mayor to enter into contracts utilizing cooperative purchasing agreements for the purchase of one tandem axle plow truck.

Authorizing the expenditure of an amount not to exceed $375,000 from the Capital Improvement Fund and declaring an emergency.

Suspension.

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

Item from the Department of Transportation Ordinance 167-26 authorizing the mayor to enter into contracts utilizing cooperative purchasing agreements for the purchase of one tandem axle plow truck authorizing the expenditure of an amount not to exceed $375,000 from the Capital Improvement Fund and declaring an emergency Jones Comives Kramer Martinez Meldon Morris Serontu Williams Driscoll Gaddis Hobbes motion carried emergency Jones Comives Kramer Martinez Meldon Morris Serontu Williams Driscoll Gaddis Hobbs motion carried passage Jones Yes Comives Yes Kramer Yes Martinez Yes Meldon Yes Morris Yes Sarantu Yes Williams Yes Driscoll Yes Gaddis Yes Hobbs Yes Ordinance Passed Councilman Hobbs presents the following item from the Department of Law Ordinance 168-26 Authorizing the Mayor to purchase a cyber liability insurance policy from Coalition Insurance Solutions Incorporated for the purpose of protecting the city's cyber network for a period of one year with an option to renew for three additional one year periods subject to annual appropriations authorizing the annual expenditure of 109,813 dollars from the risk management fund waiving the competitive the formal competitive bidding requirements of TMC 187 and declaring an emergency Jones Comives Kramer Martinez Meldon Morris Serontu Williams Driscoll Gaddis Hobbes motion carried emergency Jones Comives Kramer Martinez Meldon Morris Serontu Williams Driscoll Gaddis Hobbs motion carried passage Jones Yes Comives Yes Kramer Yes Martinez Yes Meldon Yes Morris Yes Serontu Yes Williams Yes Driscoll Yes Gaddis Yes Hobbs Yes Ordinance Passed Councilman Hobbs presents the following two items from the Department of Fire and Rescue Operations Ordinance 169 26 Authorizing the expenditure of an amount not to exceed 1,250,000 from the Capital Improvement Fund for the purchase of fire and rescue department vehicles and emergency equipment authorizing the mayor to accept bids and award contracts necessary to complete said purchases and declaring an emergency suspension Jones Comives Kramer Martinez Meldon Morris Serontu Williams Driscoll Gaddis Hobbes motion carried emergency Jones Comives Kramer Martinez Meldon Morris Serantu Williams Driscoll Gaddis Hobbes motion carried passage Jones Yes Comives Yes Kramer Yes Martinez Yes Meldon Yes Morris Yes Samrantu Yes Williams Yes Driscoll Yes Gaddis Yes Hobbes Yes Ordinance Passed Ordinance 170 26 Authorizing the Expenditure of Anount Not to Exceed $2500 from the Capital Improvement Fund for Fire Station Improvements Authorizing The Mayor to Accept Bids and Award Contracts For said Improvements And Declaring An Emergency Suspension Jones Comives Kramer Martinez Meldon Morris Serontu Williams Driscoll Gaddis Hobbs Motion Carried Emergency Jones Comives Kramer Martinez Meldon Morris Serontu Williams Driscoll Gaddis Hobbs Motion Carried Passage Jones Yes Comives Yes Kramer Yes Martinez Yes Meldon Yes Morris Yes Serrantu Yes Williams Yes Driscoll Yes Gaddis Yes Hobbs Yes Ordinance Passed Clerk Please Continue with the Items From Zoning and Planning Councilwoman Morris Presents The Following Four Items From The Zoning and Planning Committee Ordinance 171 26 Changing The Zoning Maps Attached To Part 11 Planning and Zoning Toledo Municipal Code for the Property Located At 2500 Collingwood Boulevard In the City of Toledo Lucas County Ohio And Declaring An Emergency Suspension Jones Com Ives Kramer Martinez Meldon Morris Serontu Williams Driscoll Gaddis Hobbs Motion Carried Emergency Jones Comives Kramer Martinez Meldon Morris Serontu Williams Driscoll Gaddis Hobbs Motion Carried Passage Jones Yes Comives Yes Kramer Yes Martinez Yes Meldon Yes Morris Yes Samrantu Yes Williams Yes Driscoll Yes Gaddis Yes Hobbs Yes Ordinance Passed Ordinance 1726 Changing The Zoning Maps Attached To Part 11 Planning and Zoning Toledo Municipal Code For the Property Located At 4019 Roan Oak Road in the City of Toledo Lucas County Ohio and Declaring An Emergency Suspension Jones Comives Kramer Martinez Meldon Morris Serontu Williams Driscoll Gaddis Hobbes Motion Carried Emergency Jones Comives Kramer Martinez Meldon Morris Serantu Williams Driscoll Gaddis Hobbs Motion Carried Passage Jones Yes Comives Yes Kramer Yes Martinez Yes Meldon Yes Morris Yes Serrantu Yes Williams Yes Driscoll Yes Gaddis Yes Hobbs Yes Ordinance Passed Ordnance 173 26 Changing The Zoning Maps Attached To Part 11 Planning and Zoning Toledo Municipal Code for the Property Located At 2855 Through 2857 LaGrange Street in the City of Toledo Lucas County Ohio and Declaring An Emergency Suspension Jones Comives Kramer Martinez Meldon Morris Serantu Williams Driscoll Gaddis Hobbes Motion Carring Emergency Jones Comives Kramer Martinez Meldon Morris Serontu Williams Driscoll Gaddis Hobbs Motion Carried Passage Jones Yes Comives Yes Kramer Yes Martinez

Motion carried emergency Jones Comives Kramer Martinez Meldon Morris Soronto Williams Driscoll Gaddis Hobbes motion carried passage Jones yes Colmives Yes Kramer Yes Martinez Yes Meldon Yes Morris Yes Serantu Yes Williams Yes Driscoll Yes Gaddis Yes Hobbs Yes Ordinance Passed Ordnance 173 26 Changing the Zoning Maps Attached to Part 11 Planning and Zoning Toledo Municipal Code for the Property Located at 2855 Through 2857 LaGrange Street in the City of Toledo Lucas County Ohio and declaring an emergency suspension Jones Comives Kramer Martinez Meldon Morris Serantu Williams Driscoll Gaddis Hobbes motion carrying emergency Jones Comives Kramer Martinez Meldon Morris Serantu Williams Driscoll Gaddis Hobbs motion carried passage Jones yes comives yes Kramer yes Martinez Yes Meldon Yes Morris Yes Serranto Yes Williams Yes Driscoll Yes Gaddis Yes Hobbes Yes Ordinance Passed Ordinance 174-26 granting a special use permit for major public utility Schneider Park Water Tower for the property located at zero South Detroit Avenue in the city of Toledo Lucas County Ohio subject to certain conditions and declaring an emergency suspension Jones Com Ives Kramer Martinez Meldon Morris Soronto Williams Driscoll Gaddis Hobbes motion carried emergency Jones Comives Kramer Martinez Meldon Morris Serantu Williams Driscoll Gaddis Hobbs motion carried passage Jones yes Colmives Yes Kramer Yes Martinez Yes Meldon Yes Morris Yes Serranto Yes Williams Yes Driscoll Yes Gaddis Yes Hobbs Yes Ordinance Passed I move for immediate consideration of proposed ordinance 175-26 Councilman Martinez Thank you Madam President before you is a new moratorium that we that just recently uh expired last week uh this is slightly different where it does include public um buildings uh this will give us sufficient time to make sure that all of the um items are being thoroughly studied the uh 125,000 dollar consultant uh contract or funding for the contract uh has gone out to bid uh this gives us sufficient time to make sure that uh all of uh both private and public structures are being reviewed in depth.

Um this really came about with the uh Tilda Public Schools system and announcement of closing some schools, uh specifically the Harvard uh school.

Um and I did speak to uh the president of TP uh TPS and there is no immediate plans of demolition, however, uh I think as they decide uh what to do moving forward it they'll I still believe it's prudent for us to continue moving forward with this, making sure that the building is uh preserved and used for our future.

So um I would appreciate your support on this and thank you, uh President Williams for letting me walk this on.

Uh I think it was more of a timing issue since uh the previous moratorium did expire uh last week, so that's why I'm asking for this for the emergency consideration.

Thank you.

Suspension I see no objections, so ordered okay, suspension.

I have to read it ordinance 175-26, issuing a moratorium on the acceptance, review, and approval of demolition permits for buildings of historical community importance until December 31st, 2026.

Requesting plan commission to study protection of historic school buildings and potential redevelopment of sites and declaring an emergency suspension Jones Comives Kramer Martinez Meldon Morris Serantu Williams, Driscoll, Gaddis, Hobbes, motion carried, emergency, Jones, Comives, Kramer, Martinez, Meldon, Morris, Serantwo, Williams, Driscoll, Gaddis, Hobbs, motion carried, passage, Jones, yes, comives, yes, cramer, yes, martinez, yes, Meldon, yes, Morris, yes, serantus, yes, Williams, yes, Driscoll, yes, Gaddis, yes, Hobbs, yes, ordinance passed that completes our agenda.

Councilwoman Dr.

Jones, first call.

I move to dispense with the reading of the Toledo City Journal for the City Council meeting of April 14th, 2026.

Seeing no objections, no order.

I move to excuse Councilwoman Dr.

Jones for non-attendance at the housing community development and public health committee of April 23rd, 2026, Councilman Martinez for non-attendance at the housing community development and public health committee of April 23rd, 2026, and the Finance Debt and Over Budget Oversight Committee of April 28th, 2026, Councilwoman McPherson for non-attendance at the city council meeting of April 14th, 2026, Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Committee of April 16th, 2026, Agenda Review Meeting of April 21st, 2026, and Housing Community Development and Public Health Committee of April 23rd, 2026.

Councilmember Meldon for non-attendance at the city council meeting of April 14th, 2026, in the Housing Community Development and Public Health Committee of April 23rd, 2026.

Councilwoman Morris for non-attendance at the city council meeting of April 14th, 2026, Zoning and Planning Committee of April 15th, 2026 in the Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Committee of April 16th, 2026.

Council President Williams for non-attendance at the Transportation Committee of April 22nd, 2026, and Councilman Hobbes for non-attendance at the Finance Debt and Budget Oversight Committee of April 28th, 2026.

Councilmember Comice, first call.

Thank you, Clerk.

I just want to I'll be brief.

I just wanted to uh mention that I had a good time on the east side this past Saturday doing a cleanup with some folks from um one voice for East Salito, thank you.

Um was really nice we cleaned up along Main Street.

There's still a lot to do.

If you get a chance to pick up litter, please do so.

Uh afterwards I went to Picklefest.

I don't know if anybody else did, but it was a good time.

I saw somewhere that maybe 20,000 people came through at all together, uh, which is kind of wild to think about.

There was a there were many events happening downtown.

Um I did hear from a couple of uh bar owners and restaurant owners that they were happy because so many people poured into their spaces because there wasn't enough there weren't enough vendors at Picklefest.

So good problem to have.

Um last just want to mention that this Saturday is um what's called ramp it up with KTLC keeps Little Lucas County Beautiful Um along many of the um on-ramps exits from our interstate system there will be crews that are doing litter cleanups.

I'll be at um Detroit in 75 um at 9 a.m.

So if you want to come pick up litter with me there, you can do so.

Thanks.

Councilwoman Kramer, first call.

I will echo that about Picklefest.

It was pretty amazing to see everybody downtown, and there were lots of very long lines and happy uh food truck owners and restaurant tours.

So yeah, it was it was crazy downtown.

So it was good.

Kudos to all the planners.

Um I do want to just mention we had a press conference last week, and you can now get free gun locks at every library in Lucas County, which is really exciting.

They look like this, um, but I think it opens up a larger conversation about storing your guns and storing your weapons.

We are a store at safe community, and so I just encourage everyone if you have a firearm at home, make sure it's locked up in some way.

And if you need a gun lock, go to the library.

The library's a great partner.

I also want to mention that these are all free, so these are not being paid for with any taxpayer dollars.

Um, they've been donated by the VA and Arbor Healthcare system, so that's really important.

Um I also want to wish an early happy birthday to my colleague, councilwoman Teresa Morris.

She has a big birthday coming up, so I just wanted to wish her happy birthday.

Councilman Martinez, first call.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Uh, just one quick announcement.

Tomorrow at the Heavy Downs Library at 6 o'clock, we will be having the D2 roads construction meeting.

Uh so if you're interested in coming, please uh come.

Um it'll be more of a um a quick intro by myself and then it'll be more of an open house style with uh all of the appropriate uh administrative uh uh directors so we can get your questions answered quickly and easily.

So hopefully it's easy peasy and uh everyone can get informed, signed up to make sure that you know what's going on for new road constructions in your neighborhood.

Thank you.

Councilman Melder Meldon, first call.

Thank you so much.

Clerg.

Um, I like it.

I like it.

You know, it's funny.

I was mentioning I open, you know, I get my mail when I sit here, and there's Meldon and Meldan on three different envelopes, so I'll take whatever, apparently.

Um three things.

One, let's start with the the most kind of serious and heavy.

I just want to wish, and I feel like I'm channeling a little bit of councilwoman McPherson.

I'm sure she would mention this as well.

Just wish uh our condolences as a body to um to the family of James Daniels, so my good friend anyway, Jason Daniels, but then also if you think about Officer Daniels' uh brother, uh, who recently passed.

Uh really lovely obituary, seemed like quite quite an amazing life of impact that I probably don't even know anything about, but my heart goes out to to Jason and Kelly and the family, um, and I'm sure that's true for all of us.

So the second thing I just want to, you know, there are these moments where we especially when they're second read, they just kind of they kind of buzz right past us.

And um I just want to draw our attention to 1472.

Um it's just a really really big deal.

Um I think about the long-lasting effect and impact that it it's going to have and what we're doing by keeping OC here.

Um, you know, it's interesting.

We had really like a future youth theme at the front end of our meeting.

Um, but I think that that vote and that that effort and that work that we're doing, that partnership we have with OC is a really great example of that.

I mean, you know, you look at this kid council, and they're all bright and brilliant, and we want them to have the best possible employment opportunities in this community, and that's certainly one of them.

Um, you know, what's the C-suite level role that uh Ashley Westgate could find herself in, you know.

When we have more companies like this, it that's that's what gives opportunity.

So just a really really good thing.

So kudos to uh Chief Selhorst and and all of his hard work on that.

And then lastly, um kind of echoing councilman Martinez.

There's another community uh town hall, uh, the last of my four springtown halls.

Uh it's at Meadowvale Elementary, home of one of our kid council members, I think that's right.

Um, and yeah, we've had we've had three of these.

It's just good to get out in the neighborhoods and different parts of District 5 and talk about all the great projects that are going on.

The uh the agenda is short, it's sure to be an evanescent meeting.

And that's all councilwoman Morris, first call.

Okay.

That's all that's all I have to say about that.

Um just wanted to say thank you to our chief of staff, uh, Lucy uh and all the staff for working very hard on the uh locks save lives uh press conference.

Um and thank you to Councilman Driscoll, um, Councilman Serantu, President Williams, and and my my colleague over here, uh uh Councilwoman Kramer.

Um it was a yeoman's uh job, and thank you to all of you for helping uh with that project.

Uh I sat in on the store store at Safe um Metro Toledo chapter meeting, and I'm just amazed at all of the people who really want to lend in hand, and um we're going in the right direction, gang, and I'm really proud of that.

Uh thank you to the uh water reclamation staff.

Uh we got a wonderful tour of the uh of the processing plant there.

Uh, and uh thank you for that.

And then um tonight, uh I know it's last minute, but tonight is the greater Northwest Ohio workers' memorial event tonight at six o'clock at local 500.

I hope you can attend.

Um thank you to the point place shoreline block watch.

Uh they gave me uh a birthday card and all signed it, and uh I miss them as much as they've missed me, and it's just nice to be able to come back and um uh lead that community.

It's quite an honor.

And then lastly, um, I don't know what you're doing Friday, but it's the Uno de Mayo, and that means it's going to be a fun time at Friendship Park, and we're gonna have a taco and nacho bar.

It's not show bar, and uh come on in and uh there we go.

Uh come on over, five to eight, friendship park, uh, and just say oh lay.

That's all.

You've missed me, don't you?

Councilman Sarantu, first call.

Well, thank you very much.

Um I just want to uh thank Owens Corning, uh a great Fortune 500 company uh for their efforts uh in staying in Toledo.

You know, um they could have gone anywhere, and in the late 90s, they were looking all over the country, but they chose to remain in Toledo, and the person that helped make a difference on that was Mayor Finkminer.

So we appreciate his efforts in retaining that company because today we wouldn't have this issue before us if they had left uh for other places.

They could have gone to 50 other locations in the United States.

So I appreciate that.

And uh let us also not forget uh the workers uh that we've lost uh so many people have done their jobs, and it's it's a shame when they can't return home safely uh and healthy.

So we must never forget.

Thank you.

Councilman Driscoll, first call.

Thank you, Clerk.

I too was on the tour at the water rec plant.

Uh I appreciate our staff uh taking us through there.

I've been it's the first time I've been, and uh it's quite an operation.

They do a very capable job uh maintaining operations there.

Uh I want to thank Councilman Kramer, uh Chief Staff, and our my legislative Abe McKenzie for coming out to Grace Community Center and helping with the little property cleanup that took place on Saturday, and uh everything's looking great over at Grace, and uh that's all I have.

Thanks, Clerk.

Councilmember Gaddis, first call.

Thanks.

Uh I just want to give a a thank you to one voice.

They they cleaned up, they got over a hundred bags of garbage and 12 tires along uh Maine and front.

So kudos to them.

And then I uh want to remind everybody that Dr.

Jones and I uh will be hosting this Wednesday, our home our rights in West Toledo Library, uh branch library at 6 p.m.

So inviting the public to come out.

We still want to hear from uh the renters in that area, so please come out with that.

I yield my time.

Thank you.

Councilman Hobbs, first call.

Um, I just want to say thank you to Director Mooth and the Lucas County Children's Service Board who allowed me to be their speaker on last week.

Um, and it was a great uh turnout, and um a lot of our um workers, um, a lot of important people in our city, and it was just great to see so many different entities come together um to take time out of the day to show how much they really care about our children and what they're going through.

Our um council president Williams works with children every day.

We have people that are working um tirelessly, uh, whether it's a grandmother, whether it is an aunt, whether it is teachers, whether it is um services board.

Um we went on a tour a few weeks ago at Ronald McDonald House, um, and our mayor um became immediately engaged with a young lady that was there, and that is extremely important that our children know that they matter to us and that they are our future, and uh so I'm thankful for that opportunity, and hopefully, all of us will continue to um work as hard as we can towards our children.

Uh also want to say uh to councilwoman Morris, since Councilman Meldon is now writing your lines.

Maybe he can write some for me.

Thank you.

Council President Williams.

Thank you so much.

Um thank you, Councilman Meldon, for always giving us context for the word of the day.

Thank you.

We have to use them.

We are expanding our vocabulary.

Um I also want to say, you know, so uh I um so in awe of our transit service in TARDA this week.

Today is only Tuesday, but I have ridden the bus two days this week, and it has been great.

And I and that's because my car is damaged right now and in the shop, and I refuse to put gas in someone else's car with the way they the prices are.

So I've been riding the bus from the daycare to here, and it has been amazing to ride the bus.

And I'll probably do that even when my car gets out the shop because gas is expensive.

So I want to shout out TARDA.

Um, please go out to the transit um rapid transit that'll be coming up.

It's going to be amazing to have Rapid Transit here.

I'm excited to see it, especially because it will be on the bus route that I'm actually been taking this week.

So I'm so excited.

Um, I do uh want to thank um just Ashley again, Ashley Westgate has really shown like she's amazing, y'all.

And like to have her in our being a miss of greatness in this young lady and watch her grow has been an honor and a privilege.

With that being done, it this meeting is adjourned.