Toledo City Council Agenda Review: September 15, 2026

The Toledo City Council held its agenda review meeting on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, in Council Chambers at One Government Center. The agenda listed a 2:00 PM start; the meeting record timestamp indicates 19:00 UTC (3:00 PM EDT), and the record notes that no minutes are available. The session reviewed items scheduled for the September 22, 2026 full council meeting; no formal votes were taken, as final action occurs at the subsequent council meeting. Participants included Council President Williams and Councilmembers Morris, Kramer, McPherson, and Driscoll, along with Commissioner of Government Affairs Simon Neek, Director McColaichik, and Department of Public Service staff.

Consent Calendar

• TMP-12882: Recognizing Susie's Coats for Kids and Hannah's Socks on the occasion of their 20th year anniversary (sponsor: Kramer).
• TMP-12883: Recognizing and honoring the Toledo Troopers (sponsors: Gadus, Morris, and McPherson; the transcript spells the first sponsor's name “Gaddis”).
• Both recognition resolutions were reviewed without objection and are scheduled for the September 22 council meeting.

Discussion Items

1. Summit Street Embankment Stabilization Grants (Item 1)

• The administration presented legislation authorizing the mayor to accept and enter into grant agreements for an embankment stabilization project on Summit Street, described as one of the most important routes in and out of the Point Place neighborhood and the northern end of a future continuous multi-use corridor. Councilmember McPherson stated that whoever is selected to do the work should hold a public meeting so citizens can see what will happen.

2. Recycling Contamination Audit (Item 2, Department of Public Service)

• The Department of Public Service requested a waiver of competitive bidding to contract with GT Environmental for a contamination audit, with the goal of gaining additional data on contamination and identifying improvements to reduce overall costs. Fieldwork would collect five samples per district, approximately 30 samples citywide.
• Multiple councilmembers questioned whether a full audit is the highest and best use of funds when prior audits had already identified issues, and suggested a modified audit with some funds redirected to marketing and education. Several members agreed that residents do not go to the city website for information; one member noted the city spends about $1 million annually on its marketing and communications department and questioned why water-bill inserts could not promote recycling guidance.
• The administration responded that the previous effort was a “snapshot audit” and that the proposed audit would provide substantially more data. Council requested, by referral, that the administration provide the prior audit's recommendations and details on whether full recycling has been implemented at all city facilities.

3. Smart Tree Inventory Contract (Items 3–5, Department of Public Service)

• The administration presented a professional services contract to create a smart tree inventory using LIDAR data, which it said would provide a more accurate and consistent way to document and manage tree assets and prioritize maintenance. The contract would run two years with up to three one-year renewals.
• Councilmembers asked whether the effort duplicates LIDAR data previously presented (the presenter is transcribed as “Lee Kiry West”) and whether existing LIDAR could be shared. The administration said the RFP process had addressed whether existing LIDAR would be compatible.
• The administration stated that no full in-person tree census or inventory had been conducted in more than 15 to 20 years; the last known asset data transfer to the city's operations occurred in 2012.
• Procedural outcome: The administration will attempt to provide answers by the next council meeting. If the questions are not resolved, the item will remain at first reading rather than being advanced through the SCP procedure.

4. TMC Chapter 917 (Trees) Amendment: Permit Fee

• A council sponsor introduced an amendment to remove the clause in Toledo Municipal Code Chapter 917 providing that permits under the chapter “shall be issued without requirement of any fee.” The sponsor and staff clarified that the change does not create new permits; it removes a no-fee provision.
• Multiple councilmembers expressed concern that residents may not know a permit is required, that the fee amount is unknown, or whether the fee would be scaled, and that homeowners who had already suffered tree damage would have no recourse to recover costs and could face stop-work orders. One member stated reluctance to add a fee without knowing the amount.
• Staff said notification should be the city's responsibility only when the city performs the inspection directly or receives a direct service request or concern.

5. TMP-12885: Motel and Hotel Licensing

• The legislation adds TMC Chapter 741 to require licensing of motels and hotels. A sponsor explained that Ohio currently issues these licenses and that the city had tried unsuccessfully to work with the state on problem properties.
• The sponsor stated that people have been living in some motels and hotels as their primary residence for more than two years, contrary to state code, and that the city has brought in nonprofits (including 211, the Ability Center, the veteran center, and the homelessness board) to connect residents to services.
• The proposed $400 fee matches the city's convenience-store licensing approach. The sponsor said the city is “not trying to overregulate, but the reality is the state won't do anything and it's best at the local level” to enforce local regulations.

6. TMP-12884: Audit of the Flock License Plate Reader System

• Council President Williams and Councilmember Hobbes sponsored an emergency resolution requesting an audit of the city's use and oversight of the Flock system, citing resident concerns about the use, access, and sharing of information under city control or supervision.
• A sponsor described the goal as providing clarity about how city employees interact with the Flock system. A public safety committee meeting was announced for the following Thursday and will include a discussion of the Flock system.

7. TMP-12894: Retaliation Prohibited (TMC Chapter 1766)

• The ordinance was sponsored by Councilmember Brittany Jones and Councilmember Teresa Gadus (spelled “Gaddis” in the transcript); co-sponsors were not present. It was developed with the Fair Housing Center, whose “very patient members” attended.
• A speaker reported that the Fair Housing Center texted individuals who had contacted the organization, drew just under 200 responses, and found that more than 50 percent of respondents rated their experience at the maximum level on a 1-to-5 scale (the transcript cuts off before stating what was rated).
• The ordinance is closely modeled on Cincinnati's retaliation rule. A speaker noted that Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland have all updated their local housing codes and that local housing code is “one thing that we can control locally.” The speaker also said tenants “might have rights under the landlord-tenant act, but they are afraid to say anything.”
• In the surrounding housing discussion, a speaker cited Durant saying that Toledo Public Schools has over 2,000 students who are homeless.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken; the session produced referrals and procedural direction for the September 22 council meeting.
• Summit Street grant item: reviewed, with a council request that a public meeting accompany the project work.
• Recycling audit: council requested, by referral, the prior audit's recommendations and information on full recycling at city facilities; several members indicated the audit could be scaled back in favor of marketing and education.
• Tree inventory contract: deferred pending administration answers by September 22; if unanswered, the item continues at first reading.
• TMC 917 amendment: no action; concerns raised about unknown fees and public awareness.
• TMP-12885 (motel/hotel licensing), TMP-12884 (Flock audit), and TMP-12894 (retaliation) were reviewed and will proceed to the September 22 council meeting; the Flock audit is an emergency resolution.