Public Meetings - Toledo, Ohio

On June 9, 2026, the Toledo City Council convened at 9:15 AM. The meeting began with a proclamation recognizing June 2026 as National Gun Violence Awareness Month, followed by public testimony from volunteers, violence interrupters, and youth advocates. The council then considered and voted on a series of ordinances and resolutions, including items related to infrastructure, public safety, zoning, and a resolution opposing state-level Medicaid tracking requirements. Several council members delivered remarks on a mass shooting at the Old West End Festival over the weekend and discussed broader gun violence prevention efforts. Recognition of National Gun Violence Awareness Month - Councilwomen Kramer and Morris introduced a resolution (passed unanimously) recognizing June 2026 as National Gun Violence Awareness Month. The proclamation noted that an average of 120 people die daily in gun-related incidents in the U.S. and encouraged community action such as wearing orange, education, and advocating for policy changes. - Kendra Keck (Director of Childhood Wellness, Toledo Lucas County Health Department) voiced strong support for the violence interrupter program run by Monsei (Save Our Community), praising its cognitive behavioral training approach and calling for restored school programming. - Youth speakers Justice Meredith, Matrice Madrid, and Liviana of the Young Leaders Collective shared personal experiences as victims or family members of gun violence and thanked the Monsei team for their support. Public Comments & Testimony - Kendra Keck expressed unequivocal support for Monsei’s violence interrupters, stating their efforts are "some of the best I've seen in the nation." - Justice Meredith, Matrice Madrid, and Liviana testified about how Monsei’s programs gave them hope and a sense of purpose after experiencing gun violence. - Councilmembers publicly thanked the violence interrupters (standing in the chamber) for their daily work in de-escalation and community outreach. Discussion Items - Ordinance 249-26 (Special use permit for a school at 3300 Glendale Ave.): Councilman Hobbes explained the school is a dropout recovery program for students expelled from other districts, offering trades. He emphasized it is not a traditional school and that TPS had previously considered partnering. Councilwoman Morris, a former dropout recovery principal, supported the school. The ordinance passed 8-2 (Driscoll and Comives voted no). - Ordinance 240-26 (Amendment to FLOC Group for portable ALPRs, two-year continuation): The vote failed with Kramer, Gaddis, Jones, and Comives voting no (6-4? Actual tally: No: Kramer, Gaddis, Jones, Comives; Yes: McPherson, Meldon, Morris, Williams, Driscoll, Hobbs. Motion failed 6-4). - Ordinance 241-26 (One-year drone technology continuation with FLOC Group): Passage with dissent: Kramer, Gaddis, Comives voted no (7-3). - Ordinance 242-26 (In-car cameras from Midwest Public Safety LLC): Passed unanimously. - Ordinance 252-26 (Special use permit for a solar field at 427 Lotus Ave.): Passed 8-2 (Gaddis and Jones voted no). Councilwoman Jones explained her no vote was due to lack of a community benefits agreement. - Resolution 254-26 (Urging Ohio General Assembly to vote no on HB 795): Councilwoman Gaddis introduced a resolution expressing concerns about GPS-based electronic visit verification for Medicaid services, citing privacy, workforce, and access issues. The resolution passed unanimously. - Remarks on the Old West End Festival Shooting: Multiple council members (Morris, Driscoll, Kramer, McPherson, Meldon, Williams, Jones) offered condolences, gratitude to first responders, and called for state-level action on gun violence and restoration of local government funding. Key Outcomes - Proclamation adopted unanimously recognizing National Gun Violence Awareness Month. - Resolution 228-26: Declaring intent to waive admission fees to city pools during heat emergencies — passed unanimously. - Ordinance 185-26: Spent lime disposal contract (up to $5.5 million annually) — passed unanimously. - Ordinance 229-26: Toledo Municipal Court case file scanning with ScanWorks ($72,934) — passed unanimously. - Ordinances 230-26 through 234-26: Department of Public Utility items (water reclamation, vector truck, stormwater boxes, maintenance equipment, permanganate facility) — all passed unanimously. - Ordinance 235-26: Real estate conveyance to Toledo Lucas County Public Library — passed unanimously. - Ordinance 236-26: Bloomberg Harvard City Hall Fellow grant ($300,000) — passed unanimously. - Ordinances 237-26 and 238-26: Department of Transportation items (ODOT agreement, Main Street grant) — passed unanimously. - Ordinance 239-26: Project Safe Neighborhood grant ($21,900) — passed unanimously. - Ordinance 240-26: Portible ALPR continuation (failed 6-4). - Ordinance 241-26: Drone services continuation ($100,000) — passed 7-3. - Ordinance 242-26: In-car cameras ($91,000) — passed unanimously. - Ordinance 243-26: Motorola radio purchase ($62,000) — passed unanimously. - Ordinance 244-26: VAWA grant for domestic violence unit ($30,000.52) — passed unanimously. - Ordinance 245-26: Fire inspection software amendment ($7,888) — passed unanimously. - Ordinance 246-26: Hoffman Road Landfill compliance ($360,000) — passed unanimously. - Zoning ordinances 247-26 through 253-26: Special use permits and zoning map changes — all passed with varying votes (see discussion). - Resolution 254-26: Opposing HB 795 — passed unanimously. - Absences excused: Councilmen Martinez and Meldon, Councilwoman Morris, Councilman Hobbes, Councilwoman Jones — all excused for specific committee meetings.

The Toledo City Council Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Committee met on June 4, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. to receive updates on a new co-responder behavioral health program, the long-planned multi-district community police substation, and recent incidents involving Toledo Police Department (TPD) officers. The meeting included presentations from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) and TPD leadership, followed by extensive public testimony. Discussion Items Co-Responder Program Update - Presenters: Andy Minton (Behavioral Health Criminal Justice Coordinator, CJCC) and Lt. Kelly Russell (CIT Coordinator, TPD) - Program Overview: A co-responder unit pairs law enforcement officers with behavioral health clinicians to respond to crisis calls. The program was developed from a 2022 TPD finding that 21% of incidents requiring force (130 of 611) involved individuals with suspected mental health issues. The Mental Health and Recovery Services Board (MHRSB) allocated levy funds in 2024, and the CJCC secured a federal Connect and Protect grant ($550,000). - Structure: Two co-responder units will serve the central and south districts. Each unit has a clinician hired by the Zepf Center, who will ride along with different CIT-trained TPD officers each shift. A case manager will follow up with individuals after crisis contacts. The program aims to de-escalate, divert from jail, and connect to services. - Timeline: Tentative launch date of July 1, 2026, pending federal approval on budget revisions. The grant period is four years (one planning, three implementation). Clinicians will initially work day shifts (approx. 6:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.) due to workforce shortages; nighttime expansion is a future goal. - Metrics: Tracking dispositions, charges, recidivism, service connections, and use of force. Data will be pulled from existing criminal justice systems (NORIS). - Council Questions: Councilmembers inquired about training requirements (clinicians must have social work degree and independent licensure; officers must have CIT training), the Denver model (which used rotating officer assignments to build department-wide awareness), hiring interview panel composition (TPD, Zepf Center, and community member requested), and the need for a pooled vehicle for clinicians. Councilman Hobbes requested data and statistics from Denver. Councilwoman McPherson requested that the interview panel include a community representative. Multi-District Substation (Community Station) Update - Presenter: Chief Troy Turnley - Location: Jackman Road and Sylvania Avenue (western portion of a multi-tenant office building, east of the old Arthur Treacher’s/Family Video site). - Status: Lease negotiations near completion. Renovations will include a redesigned entryway for community interaction, IT upgrades, and signage. Cost estimates are within budget. A contract has been signed for $500,000 in general fund appropriations. - Timeline: Goal to open before end of summer 2026, but could slip to fall 2026 or early 2027 due to renovation duration. - Staffing: The department is re-evaluating staffing (command staff meeting June 18) to address projected officer reductions from retirements and smaller academy classes. The levy failure reduced the ability to assign records officers for report-taking. The station will be used by district officers, community service officers, and as a base for on-duty personnel. - Council Feedback: Councilman Meldon emphasized bold signage to maximize visibility (even if it requires a variance from the new sign code). Councilwoman McPherson and Councilman Sarantou expressed excitement and urged swift progress to meet community expectations. TPD Standard Operating Guidelines and Officer Conduct Incidents - Presenters: Chief Troy Turnley and Chief of Public Safety Brian Crawl (former TPD chief) - Incident 1: On an unspecified date, a TPD officer used a takedown technique on a 15-year-old female who was handcuffed and walking in the street. The internal affairs investigation has concluded; the chief expects to release the findings and discipline via a press conference in the following week (week of June 8). The case involved multiple interviews with the juvenile, her mother, and officers, plus review of video/audio. - Incident 2: On an unspecified recent date, officers in an unmarked vehicle in the Sylvan/Detroit Avenue area made derogatory comments to youth, including a statement about “enjoy living in poverty.” One officer was immediately removed from specialty assignments and reassigned. The investigation is nearly complete; all involved officers admitted the conduct and acknowledged it violated policies. Discipline is expected but subject to union grievance/arbitration processes. - Training and Cultural Competence: The chiefs stated that the second incident is “reprehensible” and not a training failure but a personal moral failure. The department is planning enhanced in-service training for 2027, including courses on child development, adolescent crisis response, cultural competence, and “situational de-escalation” (ICAT training). Council President Williams noted she did not see a youth development module in current training and requested details on the full curriculum. Councilwoman Jones requested cross-referencing data on officers using the Police Next Door program (which allows relocation) and those involved in hostile interactions. Councilwoman McPherson expressed skepticism that training alone can overcome officers’ lifelong biases. Councilwoman Kramer asked about pre-hire psychological screening and whether the vendor (National Testing Network, contracted in June 2024) was performing adequately; Chief Turnley said background checks include neighborhood and employer interviews. Public Comments & Testimony - Joyce Singer (Glenwood Park Neighborhood Coalition): Urged that youth and police interaction be taught in schools, with parent involvement. Praised chiefs for taking the incidents seriously. - Richard Arnold: Questioned the performance of the National Testing Network (the new psychological screening vendor) and requested a performance evaluation compared to the previous local psychologist. - Harold Harris: Stated that 90% of officers are good, but bad ones spoil trust. Blamed leadership (safety director and chief) for failing to control the 10%. Called for new safety director and new chief. - Mr. Morris (apparent): Recalled a 2024 incident where an officer told a black woman to “shut up” and referenced Chief Crawl’s defense of free speech. Demanded accountability, not just reassignment. Claimed racism is systemic in law enforcement. - Georgia Daniel: Described pattern of racist and biased behavior. Called for an independent review of the first incident because the chief is too close to it. Suggested surveying youth about their safety with police. - Vanessa Lynn: Said training cannot change a person’s heart; officers involved in the second incident should be fired, not suspended. - John Bibbish: Pressed for a project plan and timeline for the substation, noting that $500,000 in general fund money was appropriated in March and may expire on December 31. Councilwoman McPherson and Councilman Meldon assured him the project is moving forward. - Michelle Williams (Lincoln School Coalition): Invited police to ride through her neighborhood (Grand Street) and engage with youth. Said the incident near her home involved children living with their uncle. - Darlene Sweeney Newburn (NAACP President): Stated that the department’s culture, not just training, must be addressed. Called for accountability and transparency. Requested that the review of SOPs be used to evaluate internal culture. - Rev. John Jones (Hope Toledo): The incident occurred in his neighborhood, which has a rich history. Called officers’ comments intentional and revealing of heart. Said children handled it well, but the system is broken and leadership at all levels must change. - John Dorn: Lives in the neighborhood and said unmarked vehicles are not for hunting kids; they should be clearly marked for special operations. Urged firing officers, not reassignment. Criticized training officer misconduct. - Pastor Troy Brown: Said he must tell his 15-year-old daughters they are smart, kind, and beautiful because of skin color. Urged adults to do the right thing for children. - Don Lynn: Asked if TPD uses the city’s code of conduct in training; requested that question be answered. - Manita Mongo: Recalled being dismissed at an NAACP meeting when discussing an officer calling a black woman a “wench.” Said resources go around problems, not to fix racism. Encouraged proximity and seeing children as humans. - Richard Torres: Called it racism and demanded the responsible officers be fired. - Dr. Hope Bland: Called for an independent reviewer for both incidents because the chief has bias. Stated that the community has the right to call child protective services on law enforcement if they see a child abused. - Earl Mack (Buffalo Soldiers): Expressed more concern about black-on-black violence than police misconduct, but said he trusts Chief Turnley will handle the officer discipline. Acknowledged the difficulties of dealing with police unions. Key Outcomes - Co-Responder Program: The committee received the presentation positively. Councilman Hobbes will submit a referral requesting data from Denver’s program and CIT statistics from TPD. Councilwoman McPherson asked that the hiring panel include a community representative. The launch remains tentative for July 1, 2026, pending federal approval. - Substation: The lease signing is imminent; renovations will begin soon. Council members encouraged bold signage and a name change from “substation” to “community station.” The project must be completed by year-end to use the appropriated funds. - Officer Conduct: The chief promised a press conference next week to release findings and discipline for the first incident. The second incident investigation will conclude next week, with discipline to follow. Multiple councilmembers requested additional data: curriculum details, psychological vendor performance, cross-reference of Police Next Door program with complaints, and a youth survey. These will be pursued via referrals and follow-up with administration.

The City Council held an Agenda Review meeting on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 2:00 PM in Council Chambers to prepare for the June 9 regular meeting. Eleven council members were present, with Councilman Martinez absent. The meeting covered a range of legislative items including resolutions, ordinances, and new items from various departments. No votes were taken; items were discussed and will proceed to the June 9 meeting for first or second readings. Resolutions in Attendance - R-226-26: Recognizing Dr. Timothy Trax on his retirement. - R-227-26: Recognizing June 2026 as National Gun Violence Awareness Month, sponsored by Councilmembers Kramer and Morris. Second Reading Item - O-185-26: Authorizing a contract for removal, hauling, and beneficial reuse of spent lime from the Water Treatment Division, with an annual expenditure not to exceed $5,500,000 from the Water Operating Fund. This item sparked significant discussion. Councilman Serranti expressed concerns about awarding the contract to the lowest bidder, Rocky Ridge, due to ongoing FBI and state investigations. He suggested awarding to the second bidder, Polcat, or holding off. Council President Williams emphasized the urgency of removing spent lime to fulfill obligations to the Regional Water Commission and avoid financial penalties. Chief Operations Officer Megan Robeson confirmed the administration is exploring options with the law department given the investigation. Councilwoman Gaddis questioned the "lowest and best" criteria, noting an FBI investigation may disqualify "best." New Items from Council - R-228-26: Declaring the intent to waive admission fees to city-owned public swimming pools during declared heat emergencies. Councilman Driscoll presented statistics: 5 heat emergency days in 2022, 6 in 2023, 9 in 2024, and 7 in 2025. The resolution is non-binding. Discussion included concerns about pool capacity and potential extended hours. Council President Williams announced a "pool party tour" starting June 24 at Roosevelt. Items from Toledo Municipal Court - O-229-26: Authorizing an agreement with ScanWorks LLC for scanning and destruction of case files, costing $72,934 from the General Fund. The court processed 54,876 case files in 2025. The contract is for one year to digitize and destroy paper files to save space. Items from Department of Public Utilities (5 items) - O-230-26: $1,600,000 from Sanitary Sewer Replacement Fund for rebuilding the Roots Air Blower System at the Water Reclamation Facility. The third blower unexpectedly failed, requiring an overall project. Waivers of competitive bidding are needed for Roots and Eaton. - O-231-26: $675,000 (split between Storm Water Replacement and Sewer Replacement funds) for a Vactor truck to maintain CSO facilities. Chassis procured from Valley Freightliner. Delivery estimated at least six months. - O-232-26: $250,000 from Storm Water Replacement Fund for roll-off boxes to haul grit from CSO basins. Will be an ongoing replacement program. - O-233-26: $150,000 from Sanitary Sewer Replacement Fund for machine shop equipment (milling machine, lathe, etc.) to replace unsafe equipment. - O-234-26: $300,000 from Water Replacement Fund for Permanganate Facility Improvements to address wear from abrasive chemicals and prevent failures during harmful algal blooms. Item from Department of Development - O-235-26: Authorizing sale of a portion of city-owned property in Highland Park to the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library for $1 to formalize ownership. The library has not finalized community engagement plans but aims to serve as a community hub. Item from Office of the Mayor - O-236-26: Accepting a $300,000 Bloomberg Harvard City Hall Fellowship grant to fund a fellow for two years focusing on population growth. The fellow, Utsav Kharel, holds a Master's from Harvard and has experience in cross-sector collaboration. Several council members expressed interest in being involved and receiving periodic updates. Chief Clemens highlighted deliverables including research on successful cities and metrics for progress. Items from Department of Transportation (2 items) - O-237-26: Consent for ODOT to replace a culvert on Dorr Street over Heldman Ditch. No city cost. Work expected 2028-2029. - O-238-26: Accepting a $60,000 GM on Main Street grant for temporary traffic calming on Summit Street between Cherry and Olive. The project uses flexi posts to slow traffic and improve pedestrian connectivity between the riverfront and Vistula neighborhood. Items from Police Operations (6 items) - O-239-26: $21,900.16 Project Safe Neighborhood grant for overtime for drone first responders, gang unit, and crime gun intelligence. - O-240-26: $14,000 annually from General Fund for continuation of portable automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) from Flock. Discussion included safety of mounting poles and cooperation with private businesses. - O-241-26: $100,000 from Law Enforcement Trust Fund for one-year continuation of drone technology services from Flock. A side-by-side comparison with a new vendor (Brink) will be conducted. - O-242-26: $91,000 from Capital Improvement Fund for in-car cameras for new police vehicles. - O-243-26: $62,000 from Capital Improvement Fund for radios for new vehicles. - O-244-26: $30,001.52 Violence Against Women Act grant for training and overtime in domestic violence investigations. Item from Fire and Rescue Operations - O-245-26: $7,888 from General Fund for a six-month extension of fire inspection software from Streamline Automation Systems while the city goes out for bid on a new system. Item from Department of Public Service - O-246-26: $360,000 from Solid Waste Trust Fund for repairs at Hoffman Road Landfill to address leachate and gas collection compliance issues. Solid Waste Trust Fund balance is approximately $655,000. Zoning and Planning Items (7 items) - O-247-26: Special Use Permit for gas station expansion at 4486 Monroe St. - O-248-26: Zone change at 4927 N. Summit St. - O-249-26: Special Use Permit for a school at 3300 Glendale Ave. - O-250-26: Special Use Permit for scrap and salvage facility at 5400 N. Detroit Ave. - O-251-26: Special Use Permit for community recreation at 617 City Park Ave. - O-252-26: Special Use Permit for standalone solar field at 627 Lotus Ave. - O-253-26: Zone change at 2108 Collingwood Blvd. Councilman Serranti raised concerns about the solar field contractor, Perrysburg Energy Solutions, due to delays in a previous mural lighting project. He requested a referral for a progress report on the mural lighting, which had received $500,000 from the city and $300,000 from partners, now withdrawn. Key Outcomes - All items were presented and discussed; none were voted on. - Items will proceed to the June 9, 2026 regular council meeting for first or second readings as appropriate. - The spent lime contract (O-185-26) will be subject to further internal review by the administration regarding the lowest bidder under investigation. - A referral was made to obtain the scope and application for the Bloomberg Harvard Fellowship. - A referral was made to get a progress report on the solar lighting mural project and contractor performance. - Councilmembers requested periodic updates on the Bloomberg fellow's work and involvement in the process.

The Toledo City Council held a special meeting on June 2, 2026, primarily to reconsider and vote on Ordinance 225-26, which grants a special use permit for a major utility water tower at 1910 Northover Road. Councilwoman McPherson initiated the reconsideration, citing her prior absence due to sick leave and new information about potential daily financial penalties from the Ohio EPA. After debate, the council voted to reconsider and subsequently passed the ordinance by a 9-2 margin. Discussion Items - Reconsideration of Ordinance 225-26: Councilwoman McPherson requested reconsideration of the previous week's vote on the special use permit for a water tower at 1910 Northover Road. She explained that she had been on sick leave and did not fully review the matter, and later learned that failing to approve the permit could cost the city a substantial amount of money daily due to Ohio EPA requirements. Councilwoman Morris opposed the reconsideration and the ordinance itself, expressing that the administration did not adequately search for alternative locations and that the two water towers would negatively affect property values in the neighborhood. She noted she had petitions from residents who could not sell their homes due to anticipated property value loss. - Final Vote on Ordinance 225-26: Following the reconsideration, the council proceeded to vote on the ordinance itself. Key Outcomes - Reconsideration Motion Passed: The motion to reconsider Ordinance 225-26 passed with 9 votes in favor (Kramer, McPherson, Meldon, Sarantu, Williams, Driscoll, Hobbs, Jones, Colmines) and 2 opposed (Morris, Gaddis). - Ordinance 225-26 Passed: The ordinance granting the special use permit for a major utility water tower at 1910 Northover Road passed by the same 9-2 vote (yes: Kramer, McPherson, Meldon, Sarantu, Williams, Driscoll, Hobbs, Jones, Colmines; no: Morris, Gaddis). The meeting was then adjourned.

The committee met to receive updates on the city's Lead Safe Ordinance and new Vacant Property Registration program. Presentations were delivered by Monica Smith (Lead Safe Coordinator) and Jim Molnar (Code Compliance Commissioner). No formal votes were taken; the session was informational. Discussion Items Lead Safe Ordinance Update (Monica Smith) - Phase 1 (deadline Dec 31, 2025 – 17 census tracts, 4,800 rental units): 954 active certificates; 4,465 reminder letters sent; 3,736 notice of violation letters sent. - Phase 2 (deadline June 30, 2026 – 12 census tracts, 2,800 units): 93 active certificates; 2,634 reminder letters sent. - Phase 3 (deadline Dec 31, 2026 – 12 census tracts, 3,058 units): 133 active certificates; 2,958 reminder letters in transit. - Citywide totals (120 census tracts, 8 compliance deadlines through June 30, 2029): 10,057 reminder letters, 3,736 notice of violation letters, 4,124 active certificates. Approximately 1,500 certificates had expired, requiring reapplication. Confusion from a 2.5–3 year court challenge was noted. - Quality control: city conducts QA reviews and site visits; found inaccuracies in inspector reporting. Ongoing communication with inspectors. - Enforcement: phased approach – reminder letter (6 months before deadline), notice of violation (45 days to cure), then referral to Housing Court. First 200 Phase 1 referrals expected around June 18, 2026. - Technology: interactive online map for public to check lead-safe status; CityWorks portal under development for streamlined applications. - Outreach (2024–2025): 231 individuals trained, 8 outreach events reaching 1,350 people, school visits, marketing campaign (billboards, radio, print, social media). Future outreach will be handled by the Toledo Lead Resource Center. - Challenges: public awareness, inspector capacity (69 local inspectors), data system limitations, funding constraints. - Ms. Smith emphasized the program's focus on preventing lead poisoning in children, stating "Lead poisoning is 100% preventable but its effects last a lifetime." Vacant Property Registration Update (Jim Molnar) - Ordinance strengthened December 2025; enforcement launched February 17, 2026. - 600 courtesy notices sent to properties identified as vacant (via inspection, USPS vacancy, no water service). - Registrations rose from 55 to 247 (349% increase). - 25 fines of $250 issued to non-compliant owners; another 100–200 fines expected shortly. - Technology: workflow system and public-facing registration portal (in development for full online payment). Integration with Ptolemy software for data tracking. - Program complements rental registration and lead-safe efforts – referred to as "the three sisters" for neighborhood stability. - Mr. Molnar concluded with an original poem reinforcing the message to register vacant properties. Key Outcomes - No formal votes or resolutions were adopted. - Staff will begin referring Phase 1 non-compliant property owners to Housing Court around June 18, 2026. - Council members expressed support for continued funding of Ptolemy software and suggested exploring county partnership to share costs. - Chair requested additional metrics from both programs. - Councilwoman McPherson noted ongoing enforcement on Chase Street, citing 174 inspections and 38 code cases over five years. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were offered.

The Civic Engagement, Toledo Community and Administrative Services Committee met on May 28, 2026, to receive a presentation from Commissioner Karen Maloney on the evolution of civic engagement, including a comprehensive analysis of the city's boards and commissions and a proposal for a new volunteer program, Serve Toledo. Council members discussed the findings and recommendations, with no formal votes taken. Discussion Items - Presentation by Commissioner Karen Maloney: Maloney presented findings from a study conducted by Bowling Green State University's Center for Regional Design from August to December 2025. Key statistics include: 26 active commissions, 20 inactive boards; only 12.8% of residents satisfied with board work; 8% knew how to apply to serve; less than 7% participated regularly; 50% wanted to participate; 63% had moderate or higher trust; 97% rated effectiveness as fair or worse; 72% did not know how to apply; 70% said diverse representation is very important; 73% said investment in commissions is important. - Strategic Recommendations: Maloney outlined four recommendations: (1) centralized civic engagement with an application portal, transparent vacancies, and standardized onboarding; (2) modernized communication including a public dashboard, social media integration, hybrid meetings, and newsletters; (3) sunsetting or consolidating duplicative commissions, working with the law department to amend Chapter 141 of Toledo Municipal Code to include annual review and elimination criteria; (4) creating a clear pathway for residents through an ambassadors program and the new volunteer program "Serve Toledo." - Proposed Human Relations Commission Structure: Under the umbrella of the Human Relations Commission, Maloney proposed district connectors (one per district, representing neighborhood groups) and community connectors (time-limited, goal-driven groups for LGBTQIA+, Latino Affairs, gender equity, and new Americans). Connectors would be required to complete the ambassadors program. Terms and goals would be evaluated periodically. - Councilmember Questions and Input: Councilmembers Gaddis, Kramer, Jones, and the Chair asked about costs, recruitment diversity, the inclusion of disability access, partnerships with Epic Toledo and United Way, youth engagement, and the definition of "new American." Maloney estimated the volunteer program cost under $10,000, with risk management and a management portal ($3,500) as main expenses. She planned a soft launch in October 2026 at Pumpkin Palooza and a hard launch in 2027. Key Outcomes - No votes or formal decisions were taken. The committee received the presentation and discussed the proposals. - Commissioner Maloney will return closer to mid-year adjustments with code amendments for boards and commissions. - Council requested a list of inactive and active boards and commissions. - The Serve Toledo volunteer program is set to soft launch in October 2026, with a full launch in 2027.

The Toledo City Council Finance Committee met on May 27, 2026, to receive updates from the Department of Public Utilities (DPU), the Finance Department, the City Auditor, and the United Way of Greater Toledo on the 211 system. The committee discussed water shutoff procedures, income tax collections, ARPA spending, and community resource access. Public Comments & Testimony - John Bibbish (2152 Grantwood) addressed the committee to request a formal referral for the police substation project at Sylvania and Jackman, a $500,000 project included in the budget. He noted that two months had passed since the budget was passed and urged collaborative action. Council Chair Surantu responded that a formal referral regarding the plans for the substation had been made at the previous day's council meeting. Vice Chair Driscoll added that the next Public Safety Committee hearing on June 4, 2026, at 5 p.m. would address the topic. - Richard Arnold (audience member) asked the United Way representatives about funding for the 211 program, specifically referencing a $148,750 county allocation with no renewal option. He inquired about a plan to replace or absorb that funding. United Way CEO Wendy Pistree responded that they continue to fundraise and seek other sources, including contract revenue from expanded services, to patch together the $913,000 annual budget. Discussion Items - Department of Public Utilities – Water Shutoffs: Director provided an update on delinquent accounts. Process: a door tag is left, customers are encouraged to pay or sign a payment plan; if no response, service is disconnected within approximately two weeks of the final notice. Prior to that, customers receive multiple notices on bills. The first group of shutoffs targets about 100 customers who were already shut off before the moratorium. Total residential delinquent amount is $52.3 million; commercial is approximately $7 million (industrial included in that). Outreach includes text messages, emails, and planned events at libraries and senior centers. A list of planned outreach locations will be provided to council. - Finance Department Reports: - Income Tax: Commissioner Zavisha reported April withholding up $60,000 but year-to-date down $500,000 (1%). The top 75 companies are up $117,000; companies outside that group are down $617,000. Three of the top ten employers show negative withholding. Business net profit up $500,000 (9.8%) year-to-date; individual net profit up $440,000. Overall collections up $360,000 (4.6%) year-over-year, but cautious due to faster payment processing. The Ohio Attorney General program has collected approximately $450,000 this year, with the city receiving 100% of tax, penalties, and interest owed. - Wage and Hour Theft: Commissioner Morris reported a new staff member onboarded two weeks ago. Efforts are yielding results as contractors increasingly require compliance certificates. A total will be provided next month. - General Fund Revenues (page 4): Director Campbell reported 33% of the year complete, collections at 27% of budget (compared to 28.5% at same point last year). Property tax at 50%, licenses and permits at 35%. Charges for services at 55% due to a one-time $4.6 million EMS payment from the county. Investment earnings only 10%. Cable franchise fees appear low but are quarterly payments; one small payment received so far, bulk expected in May. Year-over-year decline in franchise fees noted. - General Fund Expenditures (pages 5-6): Year-to-date expenditures at 33.7% of budget. Labor category at 34.5%, with contractual payments early in the year. Overtime ahead of budget but expected to decrease after a recent firefighter class. Medical costs under budget so far; council requested monthly tracking of medical/prescription costs. Supply and service encumbrances for mowing and contracts drove some categories ahead. - CIP and ARPA: About 93% of ARPA funds have been expended. The healthy food incentive program is at 29% and requires continued monitoring. Vice Chair Driscoll requested a follow-up in June or July on red flag programs to ensure timely spending. The FY2025 audit is proceeding; basic financial statements to be filed with the state auditor on Monday, with auditors arriving in early June. - HUD 108 Loans: Vice Chair Driscoll inquired about loans not being repaid; the only one is the Delta Hotel in South Toledo, which is current on payments. Swain Fields loan is finalizing. - City Auditor Report: John Ravalsky provided a quick update on the grass cutting audit, expecting to do observations next month with completion targeted by end of June or possibly July. Councilperson Gaddis suggested creating a landing page on the city website to host completed audits. The auditor will check with the Director of Communication. - United Way 211 Update: - CEO Wendy Pistree, Jill Bungie, and Erin Tupper presented. Program budget for FY26-27 is $913,000 (up from $764,000). 39% of households in the area are ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). 211 receives 80,000–85,000 calls annually, with a peak of 104,000 in 2021. Coordinated Access serves as the entry point for homelessness and housing services, averaging over 6,000 calls/year. In Code Blue this winter, 211 provided 358 rides over 52 nights and 9 days of activation. Partnership with Toledo Police Department: presentations at roll calls resulted in 28 contacts within six weeks; 211 is now part of crisis intervention training. 211-to-You program at the library holds outreach events (48 in 2025). Ride United (Lyft) provided over 3,100 rides since 2023; DoorDash delivered over 3,500 items. A new state contract expands 211 to cover 16 counties for the Department of Children and Youth. The committee expressed strong support for state and federal advocacy to fund 211. Key Outcomes - Council Chair Surantu confirmed a formal referral for the police substation plans was made at the full council meeting; the Public Safety Committee will discuss on June 4, 2026. - The Finance Committee will schedule a follow-up in June or July to review ARPA red flags and ensure timely expenditure of remaining funds. - City Auditor Ravalsky agreed to work with the Communications Director to create a public web page for completed audit reports. - United Way representatives will continue sending monthly 211 reports to council and provided a link to sign up for advocacy newsletters. Council members offered to assist in advocating for state and federal 211 funding.

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.

The Investment Advisory Committee met in a special recorded session on May 22, 2026, to discuss economic justification and its application to investment strategies. The meeting included a single discussion point based on the available transcript. Discussion Items - A speaker discussed expanding the use of economic justification beyond reinvestment to all types of investment, expressing that such an expansion makes sense. Key Outcomes - No formal decisions or votes were recorded.