Toledo City Council to have first session since selection of temporary replacements

​By Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

At Toledo City Council’s regular meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22, individuals recently selected by Lucas County Probate Court Judge Jack Puffenberger to serve as temporary replacements for four previously vacant seats will be able to attend a meeting and vote for the first time. Those individuals include John Hobbs III who will serve on the District 1 seat, Vanice Williams who will serve on the District 4 seat, Tiffany Preston Whitman who will serve on an at-large seat, and Cerssandra McPherson who will serve on the other vacant at-large seat. Mr. Hobbs is a self-employed barber and pastor at Dominion Fellowship Church, Ms. Williams is a consultant at First Light Consulting, LLC, Ms. Whitman is the Director of Academic Innovation & Testing Services at the University of Toledo, and Ms. McPherson is a paraprofessional at Toledo Public Schools.

At the meeting, Council is expected to vote on the following: 

• Ordinance 356-20 which would require all members of city council to sign a pledge of ethical conduct at its first regular meeting every year. The ordinance is aimed at assuring that minimum core ethical standards are adhered to in day-to-day practices of council members. 
• Ordinance 360-20 which would approve $207,500 to Drewes Farms Partnership to settle its attorney fees as the prevailing party in its lawsuit in federal court against the city over the constitutionality of the Lake Erie Bill of Rights. The ordinance also would approve $35,000 to Spengler Nathanson P.L.L. for attorney fees for representing the city and costs to conclude litigation. 
• Ordinance 366-20 which would approve $10,440,000 to renew a contract with URS Corporation for construction management services for the remaining four years of Ohio EPA-mandated improvements at the Collins Parks Water Treatment Facility. 
• Ordinance 367-20 which would approve $400,000 for expanding the Cityworks PLL electronic platform for use by the Division of Building Inspection. The platform is currently used by other city departments involved in approving permits. According to the city, expanding use to the Division will allow for a more efficient review process and facilitate planned upgrades to eventually allow for electronic submission of plans.

 
Council is expected to refer the following to committee: 

• Resolution 358-20 which would demonstrate city council’s opposition to proposed widening of east/west I-475 between US 23 and Douglas Road. According to a feasibility study conducted for ODOT, options include providing for three lanes in each direction at an estimated cost of up to $154 million, or providing a smart lane in each direction at an estimated cost of up to $175 million. 
• Ordinance 363-20 which would approve $100 million in revenue bonds to purchase and install new water meters and for improvements to the Department of Public Utilities’ financial system. According to the city, the debt will be repaid by additional revenue that is generated and will not result in increased customer rates. 
• Ordinance 364-20 which would authorize $3,788,468 annually for 20 years to Johnson Controls, Inc. for implementation of an automated water meter reading system, and $10,000,000 for improvements to the Department of Public Utilities’ financial system to support the project.

 
Council is expected to give first reading to the following: 

• Ordinance 383-20 which would approve a 12-year, 100 percent Community Reinvestment Area property tax exemption to Phoenix Toledo Industrial Investors, LLC to facilitate expanded outdoor operations at 1313 Campbell Street for Brenntag North America’s nearby distribution facility. The exemption would be for the taxes that would otherwise be owed from the increase in assessed valuation resulting from the project. 
• Ordinance 385-20 which would approve a $300,000 for three years to Enterprise Fleet Management for leasing of patrol vehicles for the Toledo Police Department. The agreement would extend an existing contract with Enterprise for vehicle and equipment replacement. 
• Ordinance 391-20 which would require that a grandfathered property that does not conform to designated zoning be in operation for a minimum of 30 consecutive days in order to maintain its legal status. The change is meant to address the number of legal non-conforming property uses  and to discourage persistent vacancy.

 
The public may watch the Council meeting online by visiting https://toledo.legistar.com and scrolling down to the September 22 city council meeting and clicking on “in progress”.

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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.