Toledo City Council Agenda Review – September 1, 2026

The Toledo City Council held an Agenda Review meeting on September 1, 2026, to prepare for the September 8, 2026 regular meeting. Council heard presentations on several new items and provided recommendations for second reading (SEP) on most items. The meeting included detailed discussions on an accessibility and inclusion resolution, a grant for fleet vehicle safety, a lawsuit settlement, and several zoning and planning matters.

Discussion Items

• Accessibility and Inclusion Policies (TMP-12849): Councilman Melden introduced a resolution committing to policies, programs, and investments to strengthen access for individuals with disabilities, older adults, and caregivers. Guests spoke in support: Justin Moore (Area Office on Aging) highlighted life expectancy disparities (e.g., average age 84 in West Toledo’s Devaux neighborhood vs. 62 in North Toledo’s Vistula neighborhood) and safety concerns for pedestrians with disabilities; Ash Lemons (Ability Center of Greater Toledo) noted that one-third of Toledo residents have a disability requiring accessibility; Tim Teegarden (Site Center of Northwest Ohio) emphasized the need for accessible communication (e.g., apps and emails); and Shannon Teems (Sunshine Communities) shared personal experiences as a parent of a child with disabilities, stressing the importance of accessible changing tables. Council members expressed strong support, noting the need to move beyond compliance to implementation. The resolution’s policy agenda covers housing, information, and architectural accessibility.

• Municipal Court Budget Reappropriation (TMP-12825): Robert Disbro II, Finance Officer for Toledo Municipal Court, presented a budget-neutral reappropriation of $400,000 from labor to non-labor to fill vacancies in the probation department and accelerate strategic initiatives. Councilman Saranto inquired about the status of a Harvard study on court operations; an update is scheduled for September 17, 2026.

• Safe Streets for All Grant (TMP-12847): Simon Nye (Commissioner of Government Affairs) and Stephanie Bartlett (Commissioner of Traffic Management) presented a $542,170 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (with a $39,770 match from the Municipal Garage Fund) to install two-way dash cameras and telematics in 186 city fleet vehicles (primarily road and bridge maintenance) to reduce crashes. City fleet vehicles account for 0.3% of registered vehicles but are involved in over 3% of fatal crashes—a 10-to-one overrepresentation. The project will collect data on high-risk behaviors (speeding, harsh braking, distracted driving) and pilot interventions. Megan Robeson (Chief of Operations) confirmed the match was budgeted in the 2026 operating budget. Discussion included union awareness, data privacy (no microphones), and concerns from Councilwoman McPherson about targeting one division; Councilman Driscoll expressed frustration about the timing of legislation. The item received SEP recommendation.

• Singletary et al. v. City of Toledo Settlement (TMP-12823): Tammy Lavalette (Department of Law) presented a proposed $62,500 settlement to resolve claims that plaintiffs Warren Singletary, Kimberley Cunningham, and Treasured Homes 1 LLC were denied a reasonable accommodation for a group home due to a 500-foot spacing violation under the zoning code. The court ruled against intentional discrimination but left a question of fact on the reasonable accommodation claim. Council moved into executive session to discuss pending litigation; after returning, they made no public disclosure but proceeded to recommend SEP.

• Fire Truck Antitrust Litigation (TMP-12841): The Law Department presented a contingency fee agreement with outside counsel (Zoll Kranz) to pursue litigation against fire truck manufacturers for antitrust violations. Received SEP.

• Elevance Health Donation (TMP-12826): Authorization to accept a $13,224 donation from Elevance Health for a point-of-care ultrasound for Toledo Fire & Rescue. Received SEP.

• Pump Station Replacement Contract (TMP-12827): Authorization of a $1,020,000 contract with Ribway Engineering Group for professional design engineering for smaller pump station replacements (Package 1) at the Water Reclamation Facility. Megan Robeson noted this is part of a larger phased construction project. Councilman Saranto requested monthly progress reports on the overall Water Rec project. Received SEP.

• Zoning and Planning Items (TMP-12840, 12845, 12848, 12844, 12846, 12842): Councilwoman Morris (Chair of Zoning & Planning Committee) reported six items: (1) Zoning code amendments for community recreation; (2) Special use permit for a new community center at 355 Dearborn Avenue; (3) Special use permit for used auto sales at 5057 Lewis Avenue; (4) Zone change at 3959 Lagrange Street; (5) Planned unit development amendment for a new library at 3027 W. Alexis Road; (6) Vacation of a portion of Jefferson Avenue. All received SEP recommendations.

• Honoring Linnie Liggins Willis (TMP-12850): Councilwoman McPherson presented a resolution honoring Linnie Liggins Willis for social justice activism and the delayed conferral of her degree from the University of Mississippi. Noted as a resolution in attendance.

• Second Reading Items (O-349-26, O-350-26, O-353-26): These included authorization for an OWDA water refinancing loan (refinancing $64,925,000 Water System Revenue Bonds Series 2016), a noxious weed assessment levy (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026), and expenditures to the Lake Erie West Regional Council for transportation planning, stormwater coalition dues, and membership fees (totaling $182,186). All received SEP recommendations.

• Council President Williams announced plans to introduce a resolution to audit the city’s flat camera system.

Key Outcomes

• All new items received a recommendation for Second Reading with Emergency (SEP) to be voted on at the September 8, 2026 regular meeting.
• The Singletary settlement was discussed in executive session; no further details were released.
• No final votes were taken (this was an agenda review).