Toledo City Council Meeting – May 26, 2026

The Toledo City Council convened on May 26, 2026, at 9:15 a.m. for a regular meeting that included cultural performances, recognition of student exchange participants and debutante cotillion awardees, and action on numerous ordinances and resolutions. Key items included a new five-year solid waste contract with Republic Services, revised municipal solid waste fees, a failed police impound lot management contract, and a controversial special use permit for water towers that passed but was immediately subject to a reconsideration motion. Council members also provided committee updates and announcements.

Performances and Recognitions

• Cultural Performance: Punam Dance (Money Korea Kundumaran) performed traditional dances. Council welcomed them and encouraged following their social media.
• Theatrical Excerpt: Stone Productions, a nonprofit community theater, performed an excerpt from "Jagged Little Pill" (Northwest Ohio premiere) to promote their upcoming production. Cast members Anthony Cavada, Tally Carter, and Dash Wexel performed.
• Pledge and National Anthem were recited.
• Resolution 205-26 (Councilwoman McPherson): Recognized the 2025–2026 ACE students (U.S. Department of State High School Foreign Exchange students) and designated them honorary Toledo citizens. Unanimously adopted.
• Resolution 206-26 (President Williams): Commended the 58th Annual Debutante Cotillion Ball award recipients. The event was held May 23, 2026. Crown Miss Debutante 2026: Marlia Smith (Central Catholic HS, 3.8 GPA, attending Eastern Michigan University for political science). Runners-up: Sabria Greer (Central Catholic HS, 3.8 GPA, attending BGSU for forensic investigation) and Dana Bethany (Central Catholic HS, 5.0 GPA, attending University of Toledo for nursing). Adopted unanimously.

Consent Calendar / Uncontested Items

Items below were approved with suspension of rules and declared emergencies unless noted otherwise. Votes were near-unanimous; dissenting votes are indicated.

• Ordinance 180-26: Repealed prior grant authorization and new $25,000 from Capital Improvement Fund for street furnishings in Warehouse District (District 4). Passed 11-0.
• Ordinance 214-26: Authorized $26,000 for collection/hauling/processing of materials at 2026 Clean Toledo Recycling Events and Center. Passed 11-0.
• Ordinance 215-26: Authorized $75,000 to Keep Toledo Lucas County Beautiful for cleanups and recycling programs. Passed 11-0.
• Ordinance 216-26: Authorized up to $99,000 for sewer maintenance hole repair near Sherwood and South Detroit. Passed 11-0.
• Ordinance 217-26: Authorized annual $20,000 each from sewer and water operating funds for Ohio Utilities Protection Service membership. Passed 11-0.
• Ordinance 218-26: Appropriated $50,000 from Water Infrastructure Development Fund 2% water fund for community garden water infrastructure. Passed 11-0.
• Ordinance 219-26: Reappropriated $183,806 from water bond fund for real estate acquisition for raw water main project. Passed 11-0.
• Ordinance 220-26: Appropriated $873,605 from water replacement fund for real estate acquisition for raw water main project. Passed 11-0.
• Ordinance 221-26: Accepted $4,841 EPA grant for source water protection and authorized agreement with OSU. Passed 11-0.
• Ordinance 222-26: Authorized mayor to accept up to $5.5 million from Ohio Rail Development Commission for Point Place railroad grade separation project design/engineering. Passed 11-0.
• Resolution 223-26: Supported city applications to Lake Erie West Regional Council for transportation infrastructure funding. Passed 11-0.
• Resolution 207-26: Dedicated Searles Road (Door St. to Nebraska Ave.) in honor of Dr. Crystal Ellis. Passed 11-0.
• Resolution 208-26: Dedicated Wilmot Street in honor of Comani Latigue. Passed 11-0.
• Resolution 209-26: Dedicated corner of Junction and Indiana as Lee and Vernon Lidell Way. Passed 11-0.
• Ordinance 210-26: Amended prior ordinance to change account code for renovating basketball court at Friendship Park ($80,000 from Capital Improvement Fund). Passed 11-0.
• Ordinance 211-26: Amended prior ordinance to change account code for installing pickleball courts at Fort Meg Surtoma Park ($175,000 from Capital Improvement Fund). Passed 11-0.
• Ordinance 212-26: Amended prior ordinance to change account code for speed feedback signage in District 1 ($77,440 from Capital Improvement Fund). Passed 11-0.
• Ordinance 200-26: Authorized acceptance of $619,354 Emergency Solutions Grant from HUD for 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan. Passed 11-0.
• Ordinance 202-26: Authorized acceptance of $1,971,147.86 HOME Investment Partnership Program grant from HUD plus $5,759,943 in carryover funds. Passed 11-0.
• Ordinance 203-26: Authorized acceptance of $7,026,026 Community Development Block Grant from HUD plus $985,000 in carryover funds. Passed 11-0.
• Ordinance 193-26: Enacted annual motor vehicle license fee (revenues to street construction/maintenance/repair fund). Passed 11-0.
• Ordinance 224-26: Appropriated $145,899 from general fund to support merger of Beach House Inc. (d/b/a Leading Families Home) and Family House. After discussion, motion to hold was withdrawn; passed 11-0.
• Ordinance 60-26: Appropriated $100,000 from water, sewer, and stormwater operating funds for Customer Assistance Grant Program. Passed 11-0.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 181-26 (Councilmember Comives): Authorized five-year agreement with Republic Services for curbside refuse/recycling collection, with five one-year renewal options, annual expenditure up to $13.2 million plus fuel charges, waiving competitive bidding. Councilmember Comives requested review of the contract. Passed 11-0.
• Ordinance 183-26: Repealed and replaced section 963.03B to revise monthly municipal solid waste fees, declared emergency. Councilmember Gaddis voted no. Passed 10-1.
• Ordinance 185-26: Authorized up to $5.5 million annually for removal/hauling/reuse of spent lime from Division of Water Treatment. Councilmember Serantu moved for two-week delay due to unanswered questions. Motion carried, so vote was delayed.
• Ordinance 197-26: Authorized five-year police impound lot management services contract (up to $2,471,617.35 from municipal toll fund), waiving bidding. Failed: voting yes – Williams, Hobbs (2 votes); voting no – all others (9 votes).
• Resolution 204-26: Declared intent to vacate portion of Bismarck Street north of Swan Creek. Passed 11-0.
• Ordinance 225-26 (Water tower special use permit): Granted special use permit for major public utility water towers at 1910 Northover Road, subject to conditions. Councilwoman Morris opposed the location in a residential area. Councilman Martinez stated the project is required by OEPA, will improve water pressure, and costs came in $20 million under budget ($80 million total). Initial vote: yes – Comives, Martinez, Serantu, Williams, Driscoll, Hobbs (6); no – Kramer, McPherson, Morris, Gaddis, Jones (5). Ordinance passed 6-5. Immediately, Councilman Martinez moved for reconsideration (he was on prevailing side). The meeting adjourned before a vote on reconsideration. President Williams noted that failure to pass could incur $4,000 per day penalties.
• Ordinance 213-26: Declared moratorium until November 30, 2026 on permits for gasoline/fuel sales, requested Plan Commission study. Remained in committee (Zoning and Planning) until November 18, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

No public comments or testimony were recorded in the transcript.

Key Outcomes

• Republic Services contract (Ord. 181-26) and solid waste fee revision (Ord. 183-26) passed, ensuring continuation of curbside collection with increased annual expenditure up to $13.2 million plus fuel charges, and revised monthly fees.
• Police impound lot management contract (Ord. 197-26) failed due to insufficient support (only 2 yes votes).
• Spent lime removal contract (Ord. 185-26) was delayed two weeks per Councilmember Serantu’s motion.
• Water tower special use permit (Ord. 225-26) passed 6-5, but a motion to reconsider was made and left pending at adjournment. Council President Williams warned of $4,000 daily fines if the permit is not in place.
• Several capital improvement account code changes passed for parks and traffic signs.
• Grant agreements for HUD programs, Ohio Rail, and environmental projects were approved.
• Council excused absences for multiple members from various committee meetings.