Toledo City Council Meeting - July 3, 2012

Notes from Sherry

In attendance: Councilwomen Webb, Hicks-Hudson, Councilmen Collins, Martinez, Steel, Craig, Ludeman, Copeland, Riley, McNamara, Waniewski, Sarantou, Mayor Bell, Deputy Mayor Herwat.

Item 320 – Appointments – Toledo Civic Leader Committee – confirmed – all voting yes.

Item 321 – Appointments – Toledo-Lucas County Commission on Disabilities – confirmed – all voting yes.

Item 322 – Appointments – Walbridge Park Advisory Board – confirmed – all voting yes.

Item 295 – Resolution – Request Lucas County Auditor certify current valuation and dollar amount generated by 1 mil – McNamara – (to Webb) just a request for the auditor? Steel – just a request for millage. Adopted. Waniewski, Ludeman – no, rest yes.

Item 302 - Appropriation for 38th Year CDBG funds, $6,839,494:

* McNamara – there is actually 3 amendments to this.
* Martinez – Long process – tricky to figure out funds – get this money cut to the community – each amendment has p residence to Council.
* Hicks-Hudson – This will take money away from agencies.
* Collins – Repeats the same. Waniewski – take 2% away from each agency.
* McNamara – We need to fund the shelters – Council doesn't agree with it all – process isn't perfect, but it's the only one we have - the monies get smaller as the population decreases – don't have reliance on these funds – need to go with the best combination – this is McNamara's proposal for the shelters.
* Hicks-Hudson – approval comments – CRG to make recommendations to Council – shelters were left out – shelters made whole through CRG – 3% across the board reduction – move to GF. Agree with college, pay those that are least among us.
* Collins – shelters will cease to exist - close down – where will they go? We have to be a City with compassion – where do they go? Don't ask us to contribute (is he talking about people in general?) - spend tax payer dollars – correct this issue now.
* Administration – this is a situation of scarce resources – funding source that isn't compromised.
* Collins – any of these proposals do you agree with? Transfer from GF to CIP.
* Administration – contingency fund.
* Collins – use CIP to balance budget?
* Admin. - yes.
* Collins – money coming out of GF – 177 people at Chrysler to lose jobs, moving paint, 10% out – demonstrate compassion to a few for a while or just cut people off.
* Waniewski - $43,000 cut out of CIP, instead of $100,000 reduces burden – much greater acts (to Hicks-Hudson and Collins).
* Sarantou – my amendment is close to the Hicks-Hudson amendment – more to Neighborhoods – reduce at about 3% across the board – add two Inspectors, without taking anything out of the CIP or GF.
* Craig – WOW! Very complicated job ahead of us – we need to fund homeless services – shelters need to be funded – Department of Neighborhoods and United North took on project funding, it was a gift – keep assets from being stranded – take money from CIP – looking at the choices – nothing perfect – Council needs to adopt one of these proposals – long meeting.
* Steel – we've been cut 48% - only proposal that resources to UROPA (?) - become homeless without money, guest citizens of Toledo.
* Copeland – wouldn't be fair to take away from anything - we shouldn't take from the CIP – jobs mean revenue.
* Riley – ask all the organizations to share the pain – take the Hicks-Hudson plan.
* Webb – UROPA - cut Community Action 48% - no can do – we are elected officials – should address at CRC level.
* McNamara – more CDBG – help the shelters – CRC - look at the big picture.
* Collins – UROPA reduced from $378,000 to $300,000 in year 38 – report from the Commission – Senior home repair – they didn't perform to the standards – homeless shelters have – stay within the dollars we have – “Figures don't lie, but lairs figure” – Samuel Clemens – lets stay within our budget.
* Martinez – hot topic, have to make a decision today – no grants – scale back – make a decision – we've been over this for months.
* Mayor – issue is difficult – be as fair as possible – Council is for this purpose – follow the recommendations – divide all the monies between agencies.

Vote on Hicks-Hudson amendment – yes for, no against. Yes – Riley, Webb, Copeland, Craig, Hicks-Hudson. No – Waniewski, Martinez, Ludeman, Sarantou, Steel, Collins. Abstaining – McNamara. Vote failed.

Vote on Collins amendment – yes for, no against. Yes – Collins. No – rest. McNamara – abstaining. Vote failed.

Vote on Waniewski amendment – yes for, no against. Yes – Waniewski, Craig. No – Riley, Martinez, Ludeman, Sarantou, Hicks-Hudson, Steel, Collins, Copeland, Webb. Abstaining – McNamara. Vote failed.

Vote on Sarantou amendment – yes for, no against. Yes – Sarantou, Waniewski, Martinez. No - Riley, Craig, Ludeman, Hicks-Hudson, Steel, Collins, Copeland, Webb. Abstaining – McNamara. Vote failed.

Vote on Sarantou amendment again – yes for, no against. Yes – Sarantou, Waniewski, Hicks-Hudson, Steel, Collins, Webb. No - Riley, Craig, Ludeman, Copeland, Martinez. Abstaining – McNamara. Vote failed.

Hold for two weeks.

* Martinez – they need to go now.
* Craig – vote with compassion.

Sarantou amendment AGAIN – yes for, no against. Yes – Sarantou, Waniewski, Collins. No - Riley, Craig, Ludeman, Copeland, Martinez, Hicks-Hudson, Steel, Copeland, Webb. Abstaining – McNamara. Vote failed.

* Webb – hold 302 for two weeks.
* Craig – hold for one week?
* McNamara – yes we can.
* Webb – we don't have plurality – can we vote for this at 1:59 next week?
* McNamara – yes we can. Do you want to withdraw you postponement of two weeks?
* Webb – yes.
* Martinez – we have had hours of discussion on this.
* Steel – I will be on vacation next week.
* Hicks-Hudson – go with her amendment, we had the most yes votes – try to allocate the scarce, there are funds in the GF.
* Sarantou – make decision tonight.
* Ludeman – trusting the Administration, review panel, and Commission – move forward tonight.
* Webb – Sarantou amendment tonight – reconsider Hicks-Hudson amendment.
* Martinez – reconsider the City's amendment.

Vote on 302 – yes – Ludeman, Martinez. No - Riley, Sarantou, Craig, Hicks-Hudson, Steel, Collins, Copeland, Webb. Abstaining – McNamara, Waniewski. Vote failed.

Item 293 Appropriation for 5 agencies providing homelessness services, $103,797 CIP Fund. Vote failed – yes – Craig, Ludeman, Martinez. No - Riley, Sarantou, Hicks-Hudson, Steel, Collins, Copeland, Webb. Abstaining – McNamara, Waniewski.
* Craig – spirit of compromise – no plan – biggest failure in my 6 years here – tripping over good, looking for perfect – we let the people down.

Item 296 – Resolution – Submit to electors for Nov. 6 election question of 1 mil levy for 10 years for parks & recreation

* Steel – to fund parks with a levy – some we are doing to an extent – parking fees – recommendation from the group – ask voters what they think.
* Waniewski – we are going to voters now? Property owners are tapped out – there is no master plan.
* Webb – look at the issue – pools, ball diamonds, swing sets – see this is a quality of life issue – safety issues for the equipment – parks have been starved for resources – meaningful partner with the City – we will have achieved great things.
* Sarantou – Fire, Police, and streets first.
* Steel – place on the ballot – start the discussion.
* Collins – the State of Ohio requires it to go to the voter – they elected us.
* Webb – means a lot to the community.

Adopted – no – Waniewski, Ludeman, Sarantou. Yes – Riley, Martinez, Craig, McNamara, Hicks-Hudson, Steel, Collins, Copeland, Webb.

Item 315 – SUP for solar panel installation and parking lot at 650 Lincoln and 1828 Glenwood – passed – all voting yes.

Item 323 – Amend TMC Sec. 767.13, Human Trafficking Awareness – passed – all voting yes.

Item 324 – Amend TMC Ch. 780, Pedicabs – passed – all voting yes. Steel – 30 days to become compliant.

Item 325 – Levying assessments for 2011 Assessed Services Program – Street Services, $16,136,110 - 1st Reading.

Item 326 - Levying assessments for 2011 Assessed Services Program – City-wide Street Lighting, $3,574,233 - 1st Reading.

Item 327 - Levying assessments for 2011 Assessed Services Program – Downtown Street Lighting, $250,821 - 1st Reading.

Item 328 - Levying assessments for 2011 Assessed Services Program – Trees, $4,709,051 - 1st Reading.

Item 329 - Levying assessments for 2011 Assessed Services Program – Surface Treatment, $715,753 - 1st Reading.

Item 330 - Levying assessments for 2011 Assessed Services Program – Weeds - 1st Reading.

Item 331 – Accept U. S. EPA grant from Port, Metro Parks & LCLRC for Brownfield Properties, $800,000 – passed – all voting yes.

Item 332 – Accept Lucas County EMA grant for Police Video Surveillance and Security Project, $110,000 – passed – all voting yes.

Item 333 – Amend TMC Sec. 1319.04 to clarify language on penalties for illegal and unauthorized work – passed – all voting yes.

Item 334 – Amend Ord. 232-12 to increase expenditure for demolition grader dozer from $95,000 to $115,000 – passed – all voting yes.

Item 335 – Resolution – Appoint Assessment Equalization Bd. For sanitary sewer at N. Detroit, Dearden & Birdsall – adopted – all voting yes.

Item 336 – Agreement with Public Financial Management for debt consulting for DPU, 5 years, $65,000/yr., W&S – passed – all voting yes.

Item 337 – Appropriation for pumps & motors at Heatherdowns Pumping Station, $395,000 Water Bond Fund – passed – all voting yes.

Item 338 – Appropriation for exhaust fans for Water Treatment, $50,000 Water Bond Fund – passed – all voting yes.

Item 339 – Amend TMC Ch. 903, 911 & 913 to update sidewalk & sub-space programs for Engineering Services - 1st Reading.

Item 340 – Amend TMC Sec. 943.10 to clarify storm water appeals process - 1st Reading.

Item 341 – Re-appropriate CIP budget from wages to contractual services for Promenade Levying assessments for 2011 Assessed Services Program Park & other, $45,000 – passed – all voting yes.

Item 342 – Appropriation for sewer televising and assessment for Engineering Services, $150,000 Sewer Imp Fund – passed – all voting yes.

Item 343 – Purchase Trimble Total Station Survey Robotic System for Engineering Services, $35,683 CIP & Sewer Imp – passed – all voting yes.

Item 344 – Appropriation for water line to Promenade Park Docks, $17,000 2% Water Funds – passed – Collins -no – rest yes.

Item 345 – Street Lighting – Kelsey Ave. from Valleywood Dr. to Spring Grove Ave. - passed – all voting yes.

Item 346 – Expenditure to KT/LCB to continue environmental education programs, $20,000 S.W. Trust – passed all voting yes.

Item 347 – Permission to Owens Corning for civic banners on Washington St. Bridge over Swan Creek, $50/banner – passed all voting yes.

Item 348 – Waive TMC for minimum 30-day period SUP for proposed charter school at 600 Jefferson Ave. - passed – no – Steel, Webb, Collins, Martinez, McNamara. Yes – Riley, Waniewski, Craig, Ludeman, Sarantou, Hicks-Hudson, Copeland.
* Steel – space required from Law Department – clarify.

Item 349 - Agreement with HealthSCOPE benefits for 3rd Party Administrator for health care, $13.25/monthly/employee – passed – all voting yes.

Item 350 – Agreement with Front Path Health Coalition for employee health care, $5.50/mon/employee Allocated – passed – all voting yes.

Item 351 – Agreement with Delta Dental for dental insurance for City employees, 2012-15, $107,458+/yr Allocated – passed – all voting yes.

* Sarantou – thanks to the Administration – secured bids – saved money.
* Steel – repeats Sarantou.

Item 352 – Resolution – Vacate alley bounded by Lagrange, Park & Streicher – adopted – all voting yes.

Craig - Re-submit 302 for a vote.

McNamara – motion to re-consider – yes. Vote – (to re-consider) – passed – all voting yes.

* Collins – understands risk involved – doesn't want to ignore – does not want to go for funds in CIP or GF – amend legislation by 1%.
* McNamara - put this proposal in writing – first call.
* Hicks-Hudson – reconsider Sarantou amendment.
* Martinez – we are back to square one.
* Sarantou – let the Mayor decide – we shouldn't take monies out of CIP or GF.

Slow roll – (Sarantou amendment) – passed. No – Steel, Webb, Collins, Martinez. Yes – Riley, Waniewski, Craig, Ludeman, Sarantou, Hicks-Hudson, Copeland. Abstaining – McNamara.

Vote on amendment – failed. No – Steel, Waniewski, Webb, Craig, Martinez, Collins. Yes – Riley, Ludeman, Hicks-Hudson, Copeland. Abstaining – McNamara.

* McNamara – delay?
* Collins – yes, delay.


Last Call:

Sarantou – Happy and safe 4th of July.

Waniewski – thanks to the Administration for road work and looking at CDBG process about the families – need to get out of Social Services.

Webb – thanks a bunch for the Parks levy – time and energy spent on this.

Collins – catastrophic events across this land – compassion towards the people.

Steel – motion to recess.

Reconvene (6:35). Collins – in the spirit of compromise – amend – Plan Commission to the Department of Neighborhoods – reduce across the board by 1% - protect shelters – 10% hit – what fulfills the greatest need - Mr. Copeland said it – we need jobs.

Collins amendment – failed. No – Waniewski, Ludeman, Craig, Sarantou, Martinez. Yes – Steel, Webb, Riley, Collins, Copeland, Hicks-Hudson. Abstaining – McNamara.

Item 302 – (written prior) - failed. No – Riley, Ludeman, Craig, Sarantou, Hicks-Hudson. Yes – Steel, Webb, Waniewski, Collins, Copeland, Martinez. Abstaining – McNamara.

Item 303 – Expenditure for 26th Year Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), $610,343 – passed – Waniewski, no – rest yes.