New Toledo City Council district members to be sworn in, vote expected on licensing of additional construction contractors

By Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

Prior to Toledo City Council’s January 2 session at 5:30 p.m., District 3 Councilwoman-Elect Theresa Gadus and District 5 Councilman-Elect Sam Melden are expected to be sworn in for the seats they were elected to in November. Ms. Gadus will succeed former councilman Peter Ujvagi and Mr. Melden will succeed former councilman Tom Waniewski. Returning district council members include Tyrone Riley (District 1), Matt Cherry (District 2), and Yvonne Harper (District 4). At-large council members currently in the middle of their 4-year term include Cecelia Adams, Gary Johnson, Nick Komives, Rob Ludeman, and Larry Sykes. An at-large vacancy was created effective December 31 with the resignation of Sandy Spang who took a role in the City’s economic development department. Council has 30 days from that date to select a replacement who according to city charter must run in the November 2020 general election to retain the seat for the remainder of the term that expires at the end of 2021.

At the session following, Council is expected to vote on Ordinance 2-20 which would create a new section in Toledo Municipal Code requiring additional construction contractors to complete examinations and obtain a local license to perform work in the city. The ordinance specifies framers and drywall installers, but establishes a board of control to formulate regulations governing the practice and business of the general contracting and interiors industries. The requirements would expand contractor licensing into commercial and multi-unit residential construction. Toledo currently requires local licensing for home improvement and remodeling, and plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and refrigeration contractors.
 
Council is also expected to vote on the following items:

• Ordinance 1-20 which would authorize a new lease for the Division of Engineering Services to relocate to the former Greyhound bus station at 811 Jefferson Avenue for $480,570 annually for 12 years with three options to renew for a period of five years each. The division is currently located on the third floor of One Lake Erie Center at 600 Jefferson Avenue.
• Ordinance 6-20 which would allocate $70,000 to the Lucas County Land Bank for creation of a strategy for updating Toledo’s comprehensive master planning document. The Land Bank will use the funds along with contributions from other agencies, to enter into a consulting agreement with Detroit-based Smith Group, Inc. to develop the strategy. Upon completion of the strategy the Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions will lead a process of creating the updated comprehensive plan. Toledo’s comprehensive plan was last updated in 2010 and is designed to implement recommendations to guide growth and development.
• Ordinance 10-20 which would approve ATD Properties LLC’s request for a zone change to general industrial at 5639 Telegraph Road to facilitate expansion of Toledo Tool & Die’s facility located at 105 West Alexis Road. The site will be used for warehousing and manufacturing.
• Ordinance 14-20 which would amend Toledo zoning code and require a special use permit for drug and alcohol treatment centers proposing to locate within 1,000 feet of another center. The ordinance would allow review and input from the Lucas County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board in cases involving a permit.

All Council meetings are held in Council Chambers on the first floor of One Government Center located on Jackson Boulevard in downtown Toledo.

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​Tim Schneider
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​As Manager for Local Government Advocacy, Tim Schneider advocates for local policies and laws that safeguard and foster a pro-business environment in the Toledo Region. Tim has more than 10 years of legislative and public policy experience with the local, state and federal levels of government.