Meeting colors

OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Toledo City Council Agenda Review for October 6, 2026 - September 29, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, September 29, 2026

BodyToledo, Ohio

SessionCity Council

DateTuesday, September 29, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:37:46

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

0:47

I call to order the agenda review meeting of September 29th, 2026.

0:52

Clerk, please call the roll.

Speaker 2

1:03

Morris here.

1:05

Sorrent to Williams.

1:09

Here.

1:10

Driscoll

Speaker 3

1:11

here.

Speaker 2

1:11

Gaddis.

1:13

Hobbs.

1:14

Jones.

1:15

Here.

1:16

Colme.

1:18

Kramer.

1:19

Here.

1:19

Martinez.

Speaker 4

1:21

Present.

Speaker 2

1:22

McPherson

Speaker 4

1:24

here.

Speaker 2

1:24

Meldon.

1:28

Quorum

Speaker 1

1:28

present.

1:29

Thank you.

1:30

Happy Tuesday, everybody.

1:33

We'll start with item number one from the Department of Finance and item number 13 from the Department of Development.

1:40

Please go ahead.

Speaker 5

1:41

Thank you.

1:42

Good afternoon, Chairwoman Morris, members of City Council.

1:45

Melanie Campbell from the Department of Finance here for this first agenda item.

1:50

And this ordinance is part of our ongoing uh closeout of the city's ARPA program.

1:55

As we approach the December 31st, 2026 federal expenditure deadline, uh, finance and law department continue to work with all our city departments to review remaining projects and ensure that the city's federal funds are fully expended.

Unassigned speaker

2:11

Um

Speaker 5

2:12

the Toledo Recovery Plan was the city's outline for spending those federal ARPA dollars, and it was a first approved um in 2021.

2:20

There's 32 projects in the plan overall, and approximately 97% of the total ARPA funding has already been expended.

2:29

This ordinance before you today specifically addresses three projects that are not anticipated to require the full amount of ARPA funding allocated to them or that might not incur all of the uh expenditures within the federal expenditure period.

2:45

Those three projects are um ARPA administration, healthy food systems hub, and the healthy food grocery store construction incentive.

2:54

Um the adjustment for these projects totals 713,000 in total, or just point four percent of the total recovery plan.

3:02

Um the federal guidelines allow the ARPA funds to be reallocated among eligible projects, provided that applicable federal obligation requirements were met by the December thirty-first, twenty twenty-four deadline.

Unassigned speaker

3:16

Um

Speaker 5

3:16

the city's projects subject to this reallocation do meet this requirement.

3:20

Through this reallocation and reappropriation of ARPA funds, um be applied to previously obligated city expenditures that can be completed within the federal time frame.

3:32

This will allow general fund resources to support the completion of the two healthy food projects beyond the ARPA expenditure deadline.

3:39

Um these projects are not being canceled, and subsequent legislation, one right after this, in fact, will be presented to council to approve them.

3:47

Overall, this ordinance does not authorize any new spending or create funding for any new projects.

3:52

Uh, we're requesting SEP and be happy to take any questions if you have

Unassigned speaker

3:56

them.

Speaker 1

3:58

Thank you.

Unassigned speaker

4:01

All

Speaker 1

4:01

right, Councilwoman Crane.

Speaker 6

4:04

Thank you for this information.

4:06

I just want to make sure I'm clear there will be 713,000 left.

4:12

Is that correct?

Speaker 5

4:14

There are three projects um with balances remaining to spend in ARPA that total 713,000.

4:21

Um we'll reduce uh the budgets in those three areas, we'll add to the municipal recovery revenue replacement line item.

4:28

So it'll be a net neutral in the ARPA funds, but what it will do is free up general fund resources to then complete what we need to with healthy foods, but not be subject to that deadline of twelve thirty-one twenty-six.

Speaker 6

4:41

Okay, so the money will be spent.

4:44

Can you tell us what projects that money will be spent on, or is that for another meeting?

Speaker 5

4:50

It's all projects in the plan, so there's no new projects, so it'll still be the healthy food programs, which um

Unassigned speaker

4:56

uh

Speaker 5

4:56

Chief Sellhorst is gonna talk about with the health department.

4:59

Oh god.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Food Security████████████████████████24%

Fiscal Sustainability███████████████15%

Public Safety███████████████15%

Water And Wastewater Management███████7%

Engineering And Infrastructure██████6%

Procedural█████5%

Public Engagement█████5%

Education And Youth Programs████4%

Public Utilities Management████4%

Summary of Proceedings

Toledo City Council Agenda Review for October 6, 2026 - September 29, 2026

The Toledo City Council held an agenda review meeting on September 29, 2026, to discuss and recommend action on items scheduled for the October 6, 2026 full council meeting. Discussions covered ARPA fund reallocations, healthy food programs, demolition grants, transportation projects, school resource officer agreements, public utilities infrastructure, zoning changes, and second-reading ordinances. Several items were recommended for passage (SEP), while others were moved to first reading due to outstanding questions.

ARPA Reallocation and Healthy Food Program

Item 1 (Finance): An ordinance to reallocate $713,000 in unspent ARPA funds among existing projects (ARPA administration, healthy food systems hub, grocery store incentive) to meet the December 31, 2026 federal deadline. Approximately 97% of total ARPA funds have been expended. The reallocation would free general fund resources for continued healthy food programs. Councilmembers Martinez, McPherson, and Saranto raised concerns about transparency and specificity of future spending. President Williams requested a first reading to allow further finance committee review. Moved to first reading.
Item 13 (Development): An agreement with the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department to use $355,000 for the Healthy Food Small Market Program, expanding from 6 to 12 stores. The pilot program showed measurable success: produce variety increased from bananas to 36 varieties at two stores; healthy food sales rose from $50/month to $530/month at two stores; Phoenix Earth Food Co-op saw a 159% increase in SNAP produce sales. Councilmembers expressed support but requested a map of stores by district and further details. Moved to first reading.

Demolition and Transportation Projects

Item 2 (Mayor’s Office): Resolution supporting five grant applications to the Ohio Department of Development’s Building Demolition and Site Revitalization program for demolishing blighted properties, including the former D. Michael Collins substation and four other sites. Councilmember Martinez noted the need for better coordination with Toledo Public Schools on surplus property. Recommended SEP.
Items 3-6 (Transportation):
- Item 3: Resolution of intent to reimburse capital improvement funds for the Glendale Avenue project ($248,457) via Ohio Public Works Commission debt. Recommended SEP.
- Item 4: Authorization to accept $831,976 FEMA grant for Miami Street embankment stabilization (80-year design life), with a $277,325 city match. Construction expected in 2027. Recommended SEP.
- Item 5: Renewal of Centracs traffic signal performance software for five years at $62,304 from the Franklin Park/Westfield TIF. Councilmembers Driscoll and Meldon questioned the use of TIF funds for software and requested a long-term plan for TIF expenditures. Recommended SEP.
- Item 6: Dedication of city-owned parcels for the TARTA mobility hub and multi-use path as part of the RAISE Grant project. Recommended SEP.

School Resource Officer Agreements

Items 7-8 (Police Operations):
- Item 7: One-year agreement with Toledo Public Schools for three TPD officers (reduced from six due to TPS’s own sworn officers) at $139,458.32. Recommended SEP.
- Item 8: One-year agreement with Washington Local Schools for two officers (increased from one) at $93,657.16. Recommended SEP. Deputy Chief Heffernan noted the police department is down to about 600 sworn officers and future staffing depends on the upcoming levy. Councilmember Kramer confirmed the reduction still provides adequate coverage.

Public Utilities and Infrastructure

Items 9-12 (Public Utilities):
- Item 9: Purchase of two Watson-Marlow Bredel pumps for Collins Park Water Treatment Plant at $45,205. Recommended SEP.
- Item 10: Authorization for a $1,020,000 loan for design of Small Pump Station Improvements Package 1 (10 stations). Recommended SEP.
- Item 11: Amendment to Toledo Municipal Code Section 933.10(d) to allow the DPU director to establish a temporary debt relief program for residential water/sewer customers. Recommended SEP.
- Item 12: Resolution to acquire utility easements for the Raw Water Main project on Cedar Point Road in Oregon, Ohio, to serve 500,000 customers. Recommended SEP.

Zoning and Planning Items

Six items were presented from the Zoning & Planning Committee, including zone changes at 1302 Kelsey Ave. and 3910 Haverhill Dr., special use permits for towaway vehicle storage, a scrap and salvage facility, and a gas station, plus a local landmark designation for the Dura building. President Williams urged voting down the gas station permit due to the owner’s history of tax delinquency and property disrepair. All items were recommended for SEP except the gas station, which was expected to be opposed.

Second Reading Ordinances

O-399-26 (Retaliation Prohibited): Enacts new TMC Chapter 1766 prohibiting landlord retaliation. Councilmember Jones and George Thomas (Fair Housing Center) noted support but agreed to engage Housing Court Judge Howe for input. Held for further discussion; not moved to passage.
O-402-26 (Fuel Budget): Appropriates $1.4 million for city-wide fuel purchases. Recommended SEP.
O-403-26 (Smart Tree Inventory): Authorizes $250,000 annually for a two-year professional services contract. Councilmember Driscoll requested a referral to check for duplication with existing data from Lake Erie West Regional Council. Held for referral.
O-404-26 (Tree Code Amendments): Amends TMC Chapter 917 regarding tree removal permits. Councilmember Martinez questioned the transparency of existing fees. Held for referral.

Resolutions

TMP-12923: Recognize Chilli Rodriguez (sponsors Morris, Gadus).
TMP-12924: Domestic Violence Awareness Month (sponsor Hobbs). Councilmember Hobbs invited co-sponsors and noted a Breaking the Violence Summit on October 2.
TMP-12919: Dedicate Escott Ave. at May St. as “Gregory Wojciechowski ‘Wojo’ Way.”
TMP-12922: Dedicate Ewing St. at Nebraska Ave. in honor of Clifford Russell.

Key Outcomes

First readings ordered for ARPA reallocation (Item 1) and Healthy Food Small Market Program (Item 13).
SEP (second reading passage) recommended for Items 2-12 and most zoning items, pending final council vote on October 6.
Referrals issued for: interest earned on ARPA funds; map of healthy food stores by district; long-term plan for TIF fund spending (Franklin Park); tree canopy data duplication; and specific fees under tree code amendments.
Retaliation ordinance held for additional consultation with Housing Court.
Gas station special use permit expected to be rejected based on councilmember statements.

Meeting Transcript

I call to order the agenda review meeting of September 29th, 2026. Clerk, please call the roll. Morris here. Sorrent to Williams. Here. Driscoll here. Gaddis. Hobbs. Jones. Here. Colme. Kramer. Here. Martinez. Present. McPherson here. Meldon. Quorum present. Thank you. Happy Tuesday, everybody. We'll start with item number one from the Department of Finance and item number 13 from the Department of Development. Please go ahead. Thank you. Good afternoon, Chairwoman Morris, members of City Council. Melanie Campbell from the Department of Finance here for this first agenda item. And this ordinance is part of our ongoing uh closeout of the city's ARPA program. As we approach the December 31st, 2026 federal expenditure deadline, uh, finance and law department continue to work with all our city departments to review remaining projects and ensure that the city's federal funds are fully expended. Um the Toledo Recovery Plan was the city's outline for spending those federal ARPA dollars, and it was a first approved um in 2021. There's 32 projects in the plan overall, and approximately 97% of the total ARPA funding has already been expended. This ordinance before you today specifically addresses three projects that are not anticipated to require the full amount of ARPA funding allocated to them or that might not incur all of the uh expenditures within the federal expenditure period. Those three projects are um ARPA administration, healthy food systems hub, and the healthy food grocery store construction incentive. Um the adjustment for these projects totals 713,000 in total, or just point four percent of the total recovery plan. Um the federal guidelines allow the ARPA funds to be reallocated among eligible projects, provided that applicable federal obligation requirements were met by the December thirty-first, twenty twenty-four deadline. Um the city's projects subject to this reallocation do meet this requirement. Through this reallocation and reappropriation of ARPA funds, um be applied to previously obligated city expenditures that can be completed within the federal time frame. This will allow general fund resources to support the completion of the two healthy food projects beyond the ARPA expenditure deadline. Um these projects are not being canceled, and subsequent legislation, one right after this, in fact, will be presented to council to approve them. Overall, this ordinance does not authorize any new spending or create funding for any new projects. Uh, we're requesting SEP and be happy to take any questions if you have them. Thank you. All right, Councilwoman Crane. Thank you for this information. I just want to make sure I'm clear there will be 713,000 left.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI

TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com