Toledo City Council Agenda Review – October 13, 2026

The City Council of Toledo, Ohio, held an agenda review on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in Council Chambers to prepare for the October 20, 2026 Council meeting. Nine members were present. The council reviewed 15 administrative items, two resolutions in attendance, two second-reading items, and three new council items. No final votes were taken; members recommended suspension of the rules (SEP/SCP) for most administrative items. A lengthy discussion focused on a resolution to terminate the city's Flock camera agreements.

Administrative Items Reviewed (Items 1–15)

• (Item 1) Finance: Accepted 2027 property tax amounts/rates set by the Lucas County Budget Commission, estimated at $20,210,000 total. Councilmember Gaddis asked about a roughly $170,000 change; Finance's Melanie Campbell said the city was checking with the county. Recommended SEP.
• (Item 2) Finance: Authorized the Finance Director to request advances on property tax payments so funds arrive before the normal twice-yearly settlement. Recommended SEP.
• (Item 3) Mayor's Office: Authorized acceptance of a $19,510,645 BUILD grant from FHWA/ODOT for the Front and Main Corridor Modernization project. Includes resurfacing, medians, street trees, lane/intersection reconfigurations, and pedestrian improvements on Front Street (Oak St to I-280) and Main Street (MLK Bridge to Nevada). No local match. The original 2025 grant was rescinded; the revised project replaces a proposed roundabout at Main and Starr with a signalized intersection and adds accessibility elements at two TARTA bus stops. Construction expected summer 2027 through end of 2028. Councilmembers asked about traffic impacts; staff said a traffic plan will be shared. Recommended SEP.
• (Item 4) Transportation: Authorized up to $15,000 for a walk-behind paint sprayer for crosswalks, lane markings, bicycle lanes, and handicap markings; replaces equipment beyond service life. Recommended SEP.
• (Item 5) Police: Accept $58,035.77 STEP grant from Ohio Department of Public Safety for overtime speed/restraint enforcement; no local match. Recommended SEP.
• (Item 6) Police: Accept $55,535.77 IDEP grant for overtime impaired-driving enforcement; no local match. Recommended SEP.
• (Item 7) Fire: Extended ESO Solutions software license for three years plus two one-year options, at up to $105,000 annually; waives competitive bidding for compatibility; emergency. Recommended SEP.
• (Item 8) Fire: Accept donation up to $13,000 from Elevance Health, Inc. for EMS supplies/equipment; no match. Recommended SEP.
• (Item 9) Housing: Amended agreement with Fair Housing Center for Source of Income Testing, adding $5,000 and nine months. Testers check whether landlords discriminate against renters using vouchers, VA benefits, or Social Security. Preliminary results show larger landlords generally compliant, smaller landlords often unaware. Recommended SEP.
• (Item 10) Public Service/Fleet: Accept $89,272 Ford Motor Company settlement for a 2025 Ford Explorer police vehicle destroyed by fire in April 2026; funds will buy a pursuit-rated vehicle and equipment. Fire cause still under investigation; Ford will perform failure analysis. Recommended SEP.
• (Item 11) Public Utilities: Accept $10,650 PUCO Hazardous Materials Training Grant for annual OSHA hazwoper refresher training. Recommended SEP.
• (Item 12) Public Utilities: Authorize $1,500,000 from Water Replacement Fund for raw water main tile restoration along a 1940s-era main replacement; includes repairing drainage tile on agricultural land. Councilmember Komives requested an overall water system plan overview. Recommended SEP.
• (Item 13) Public Utilities: Authorize supplemental agreement with Promise Network Inc. for Fresh Start Debt Relief Program, adding $400,000. Officials reported installment plans more than doubled and Fresh Start collected an additional $6 million in three months; total spending since 2021 was $1.3 million with $13 million returned. Recommended SEP.
• (Item 14) Economic Development: Accept $2,000,000 state REDD grant for the Spitzer Building at 520 Madison Avenue for exterior stabilization/weatherproofing, supporting rehabilitation into approximately 160 residential units. No match. The grant is part of a new state pilot program (10 of 32 applications funded). The project is being bid; completion depends on closing the funding gap. Recommended SEP.
• (Item 15) Economic Development: Approve amended JEDZ contract with Maumee and Monclova Township for the Riverfort Drive Roadway and Utility Extension Project. A manufacturing company weighing relocation would build a $21 million facility with 95 jobs and about $6.4 million annual payroll. Infrastructure cost is $1.58 million; after $950,000 state assistance, the gap is $630,000. Each JEDZ partner will contribute $210,000; Monclova will advance the full gap and Toledo and Maumee will reimburse from future JED income tax revenue, with Toledo repaid in about seven years. No upfront city cash. Recommended SEP.

Resolutions in Attendance

• Recognizing Chief Troendle on his retirement; Chief's last day is October 30, 2026, after nearly four decades of service. President Williams invited co-sponsors.
• Recognizing TARTA for its 55th anniversary; Councilwoman Kramer invited co-sponsors.

Second Reading Items

• O-413-26: Reallocation of ARPA Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds among eligible projects. Councilmember Komives requested legal guidance on continued compliance with ARPA rules.
• O-425-26: Agreement with Toledo-Lucas County Board of Health for Healthy Food Small Market Program, appropriating $355,297 from the General Fund.

New Council Items

• Resolution recognizing the Toledo Blade for 150 years of publication (sponsored by Williams and Morris). Williams noted community concern about the Blade's current difficulties and emphasized its importance.
• Resolution requesting termination and non-renewal of all City agreements with Flock Group, Inc., removal/deactivation of equipment, and deletion of data (sponsored by Komives, Jones, Gadus, Driscoll, Kramer).
• Resolution adopting the 2027 City Council calendar; first reading, with President Williams inviting comments.

Flock Camera Discussion

• Councilmember Komives thanked the public for attending, said council is divided, and urged listening to the public.
• Councilmember Driscoll cited AI-driven hacking risks and concern about mass data collection; he supported public safety but cautioned against collecting driving-pattern data.
• Councilmember Melden linked the issue to the city's forthcoming responsible AI and data governance policies, and asked why the vendor's practices should not be expected to fit city values.
• Councilmember Sarantou said neighboring cities with lower crime keep Flock; the mayor supports retention; and police, prosecutors, and a judge have testified that Flock helps solve crimes.
• Councilmember Martinez called the termination resolution premature and political theater, noting an ongoing audit, and said he would introduce legislation to prohibit certain searches and require a warrant for the searchable database. He cited Schmidt v. Norfolk as pending litigation and suggested state or federal rules.

Key Outcomes

• All 15 administrative items received recommendations from the reviewing councilmembers to suspend the rules (SEP/SCP) for the October 20 meeting, with no formal vote taken at agenda review.
• No action was taken on the Flock resolution; members identified follow-up proposals, including warrant requirements and search restrictions.
• Councilmember Komives requested a legal review of ARPA reallocation compliance.
• Councilmember Driscoll requested a referral or briefing on the Ford settlement and vehicle fire investigation.
• Councilmember Komives requested a broader overview of the Public Utilities water system plan and raw water main project; Councilmember Martinez announced an upcoming water quality year-in-review meeting.