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Record of Proceedings

Toledo City Council Meeting - May 12, 2026: Recognitions, Ordinances, and Committee Referrals

City Council — Tuesday, May 12, 2026
BodyToledo, Ohio
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, May 12, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:02:52

Transcript — Verbatim
0:59

I call to order the city council meeting of May twelfth, twenty twenty six.

1:03

Clerk, please call the roll.

1:05

Come.

1:07

Kramer.

1:08

Here.

1:09

Martinez.

1:10

Present.

1:11

McPherson.

1:13

Meldon.

1:14

Morris here.

1:16

Some round two.

1:18

Williams.

1:19

Here.

1:20

Driscoll?

1:21

Here.

1:21

Gaddis.

1:22

Here.

1:23

Hobbs.

1:24

Here.

1:25

Jones.

1:26

Here.

1:27

Nine present.

1:29

Please welcome Dr.

1:30

Dustin Pearson, assistant professor.

1:34

Department of English, language and literature at the University of Toledo for a poetry eating.

1:40

And there you go.

1:50

Well, thank you for the invitation to read a poem.

1:53

I was asked to read a poem about community, and I figured since it was just Mother's Day, this poem would be a nice way to bridge those two.

2:01

It's called Exchange Rate.

2:05

What comes over me that day on the phone?

2:09

Now, more than ever, my mother and I talk to each other as people in an unspoken agreement to shut the groomed airs of parents and children.

2:23

You didn't get the life you deserved, I say.

2:27

But in our thirties and sixties, neither life is over.

2:33

She'd made a joke, thinking about prospects and regrets.

2:50

When I stand in front of mirrors, noting sooner than I imagined the uneven exchange rate of decay between a body and a mind, and the doubt it brings to me and spectators alike.

6:22

Councilmember Colme.

6:24

Thank you so much.

6:26

I just want to take a moment to thank Dr.

6:29

Dustin Pearson for gracing us with poetry today.

6:34

I think it's always important to bring in folks with uh different perspectives than just having a religious uh body for us.

6:44

So I'm really grateful that he was able to make it.

6:46

Dustin Pearson is the author of A Season in Hell with Rimbaud, winner of the 2024 Nancy Dasher Book Award, Millennial Roost, and A Family is a House in 2019.

6:57

The route named Justin Dustin, one of nine black poets working in academic, cultural, and government institutions committed to elevating and preserving the poetry art form.

7:06

He's an assistant professor in the Department of English language and literature at UT, where he teaches creative writing and literature.

7:12

So we're super grateful to Dustin for joining us.

7:15

And then also to our Jews House choir.

7:17

Thank you so much for taking time.

7:33

Founded in 2014, Juice House started with a group of UT students, faculty and alumni who came together with a desire to give back to their campus and their city.

7:42

What began as an idea to give free, healthy juice to overwork to med students on the health science campus?

7:48

Has be since become a student organization and community endeavor to cultivate a positive healthy social ecology for all students and members on UT's campus.

7:57

Today, members of Juice House include both community members, students, faculty, staff, and alumni dedicated to improving our city.

8:05

So thank you so much for gracing us with your incredible talents today.

8:09

It's definitely appreciated.

8:11

Thank you.

8:12

And you all are welcome to stay for our council meeting if you like.

8:16

Most people don't, and if you stay, you might find out why.

8:21

Thank you so much.

8:23

Councilwoman Moores.

8:24

Thank you so much for gracing us with your beautiful voices today.

8:30

We were just saying it just gave us chills.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████████████████34%
Arts And Culture█████████████████████████████29%
Community Engagement██████████10%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████8%
Water And Wastewater Management█████5%
Environmental Protection█████5%
Transportation Safety███3%
Public Safety███3%
Housing and Community Development███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Toledo City Council Meeting - May 12, 2026: Recognitions, Ordinances, and Committee Referrals

The Toledo City Council meeting of May 12, 2026, was called to order at 9:00 AM with all nine members present (Comives, Kramer, Martinez, McPherson, Morris, Seranto, Williams, Driscoll, Gaddis, Hobbs, Jones). The meeting opened with a poetry reading by Dr. Dustin Pearson, assistant professor at the University of Toledo, and a performance by the Juice House choir. Council then conducted a special recognition, adopted numerous ordinances, and referred several items to committees.

Opening Ceremonies

  • Dr. Dustin Pearson read a poem titled "Exchange Rate" about community and family, bridging Mother's Day. Councilmember Colme (likely Comives) thanked him and highlighted his literary achievements.
  • The Juice House choir performed; Councilwomen Morris and McPherson expressed gratitude. Councilmember Colme noted the choir was founded in 2014 by UT students and community members.

Recognition

  • Resolution 176-26 was presented by Councilmembers Meldon, Morris, Seranto, and Hobbs recognizing WGTE FM91 on its 50th anniversary. The resolution was adopted unanimously (9-0). Brad Cresswell (station manager) and Dale Thornton (interim president/CEO) accepted and thanked the council. Councilmembers shared personal stories about WGTE’s community impact, including its classical music programming, educational resources, and the former Channel 30 auction. Councilman Seranto recalled the 1976 launch of FM91.
  • Resolution 177-26 (recognizing the 25th anniversary of the Toledo Crisis Intervention Team, actual anniversary in 2027) was referred to the Public Safety Committee for later consideration.

Discussion and Voting on Ordinances

Most ordinances were passed with suspension of rules and emergency clauses by unanimous votes (9-0) unless noted. Key items include:

  • Ordinance 178-26: $77,440 from Capital Improvement Fund for speed feedback signage in District 1 (passed).
  • Ordinance 179-26: $17,000 for lighted stop signs in District 6 (passed).
  • Ordinance 180-26: First reading – repeals prior ordinance (483-19) to use $25,000 for street furnishings in District 4 (no vote yet).
  • Ordinance 182-26 and 183-26: Amending solid waste codes (bulk collection, set outs, monthly fees) – referred to Sustainability & Beautification Committee.
  • Ordinance 184-26: $100,000 OEPA litter grant plus $25,000 general fund match (passed).
  • Ordinance 185-26: Authorizing up to $5.5 million/year for removal and beneficial reuse of spent lime from water treatment (first reading; referred to Water Quality Committee hearing on May 13). Councilman Martinez noted wanting to avoid issues from the previous procurement.
  • Ordinance 186-26: $100,000 for Heather Downs Pump Station valves (passed).
  • Ordinance 187-26: $100,000 for basins refurbishment (passed).
  • Ordinance 188-26: $15,000 annually for membership dues to Association of Ohio Drinking Water Agencies (passed).
  • Ordinance 189-26: $36,000 for employee engagement activity with Toledo Mudhens (passed).
  • Ordinance 190-26: $542,179 for youth engagement initiatives (passed).
  • Ordinance 191-26: $25,000 from TIF fund for Huron Street Furnishing Project (passed).
  • Ordinance 192-26: Three-year subscription for OpenGov budgeting platform at $229,473/year (passed).
  • Ordinance 193-26: Enacting an annual motor vehicle license fee – referred to Transportation Committee. Councilman Driscoll noted a committee hearing scheduled for May 21 at 2:00 PM.
  • Ordinance 194-26: $50,000 cooperative grant with Toledo Lucas County Public Library for construction (passed).
  • Ordinance 195-26: $9,892,573 grant from Lucas County for design and construction (passed).
  • Ordinance 196-26: $1 million from Franklin Park Westfield TIF for design project (passed).
  • Ordinance 197-26: Five-year impound lot management services contract up to $2,471,617.35/year (first reading).
  • Ordinance 198-26: $152,792.78 from Edward Byrne Memorial JAG grant with $5,000 general fund match (passed).
  • Ordinance 199-26: $331,951.92 from State of Ohio for police training (passed).
  • Ordinance 200-26 (ESG grant $619,354) and 202-26 (HOME grant $1,971,147.86 plus carryover $5,759,943) and 203-26 (CDBG grant $7,026,000 plus carryover $985,000) – all referred to Housing and Community Development Committee.
  • Ordinance 201-26: $7,550.18 reappropriation for ESG (passed).
  • Ordinance 204-26: Vacating a portion of Bismarck Street (first reading).

Committee Referrals

  • Resolution 177-26 → Public Safety Committee
  • Ordinances 182-26, 183-26 → Sustainability & Beautification Committee (hearing May 20 at 2:00 PM)
  • Ordinance 185-26 → Water Quality Committee (hearing May 13 at 4:00 PM)
  • Ordinance 193-26 → Transportation Committee (hearing May 21 at 2:00 PM)
  • Ordinances 200-26, 202-26, 203-26 → Housing and Community Development Committee (hearing May 14 at 2:30 PM)

Councilmember Comments

  • Comives: Cited EPA progress on Omnipolymer site remediation, expected completion by June/July. Noted tree planting in his yard and upcoming solid waste ordinance hearing.
  • Kramer: Congratulated graduates, praised ANST student plant sale and EcoFest at Glass City Metro Park.
  • Martinez: Reminded District 2 residents of Dark Frog Dash street closures; emphasized water quality meeting to discuss spent lime contract procurement.
  • McPherson: Thanked Republic for street work; cautioned that city tree planting may occur without resident notice.
  • Morris: Thanked poll workers for long hours on election days; reminded of outdoor farmers market; acknowledged belated birthday surprise from colleagues.
  • Seranto: Remembered former city treasurer/auditor Dan Hiskey, who passed away, noting his service and integrity.
  • Driscoll: Recognized his mother’s retirement; praised city’s infrastructure work ahead of Old West End Festival; reiterated upcoming transportation committee meeting on license fee.
  • Gaddis: Highlighted the Biggest Week in American Birding event, bringing $40 million to the local economy.
  • Hobbs: Had nothing to add.
  • Jones: Celebrated her twins' first birthday; announced front porch talks (May 13 West Toledo, May 18 Mott Branch, May 21 Sanger Branch, all 6 PM); promoted a food truck rally on May 20 at Delta Hotels benefiting Connecting Kids to Meals.
  • Williams: Thanked the clerk for continuing the 'word of the day' tradition (though deemed it a poor imitation).

Key Outcomes

  • Resolution 176-26 adopted unanimously.
  • All ordinances that were voted on (178-179, 184, 186-192, 194-196, 198-199, 201) passed unanimously (9-0) with suspension of rules and emergency clauses where applicable.
  • Several ordinances and one resolution were referred to committees for further discussion.
  • No public comments were heard during this meeting.

The meeting adjourned after councilmember remarks.

Meeting Transcript

I call to order the city council meeting of May twelfth, twenty twenty six. Clerk, please call the roll. Come. Kramer. Here. Martinez. Present. McPherson. Meldon. Morris here. Some round two. Williams. Here. Driscoll? Here. Gaddis. Here. Hobbs. Here. Jones. Here. Nine present. Please welcome Dr. Dustin Pearson, assistant professor. Department of English, language and literature at the University of Toledo for a poetry eating. And there you go. Well, thank you for the invitation to read a poem. I was asked to read a poem about community, and I figured since it was just Mother's Day, this poem would be a nice way to bridge those two. It's called Exchange Rate. What comes over me that day on the phone? Now, more than ever, my mother and I talk to each other as people in an unspoken agreement to shut the groomed airs of parents and children. You didn't get the life you deserved, I say. But in our thirties and sixties, neither life is over. She'd made a joke, thinking about prospects and regrets. When I stand in front of mirrors, noting sooner than I imagined the uneven exchange rate of decay between a body and a mind, and the doubt it brings to me and spectators alike. Councilmember Colme. Thank you so much. I just want to take a moment to thank Dr. Dustin Pearson for gracing us with poetry today. I think it's always important to bring in folks with uh different perspectives than just having a religious uh body for us. So I'm really grateful that he was able to make it. Dustin Pearson is the author of A Season in Hell with Rimbaud, winner of the 2024 Nancy Dasher Book Award, Millennial Roost, and A Family is a House in 2019. The route named Justin Dustin, one of nine black poets working in academic, cultural, and government institutions committed to elevating and preserving the poetry art form. He's an assistant professor in the Department of English language and literature at UT, where he teaches creative writing and literature. So we're super grateful to Dustin for joining us. And then also to our Jews House choir. Thank you so much for taking time. Founded in 2014, Juice House started with a group of UT students, faculty and alumni who came together with a desire to give back to their campus and their city. What began as an idea to give free, healthy juice to overwork to med students on the health science campus? Has be since become a student organization and community endeavor to cultivate a positive healthy social ecology for all students and members on UT's campus.

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