City Council

COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 122 JOURNAL PAGE 175 MINUTES OF THE MEETING MAY 6, 2024 PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to Canton City Council. If everyone would please turn your cell phones to vibrate, we would appreciated it. With a quorum being present, the Chair calls this meeting of Canton City Council to order. Roll call vote please, Madam Clerk. ROLL CALL TAKEN BY CLERK WOOD: 12 COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: (JOHN MARIOL, JAMES BABCOCK, LOUIS GIAVASIS, CRYSTAL SMITH, GREG HAWK, BRENDA KIMBROUGH, JASON SCAGLIONE, CHRIS SMITH, ROBERT FISHER, JONATHAN COOKS, RICHARD SACCO & FRANK MORRIS) TWELVE COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT CLERK WOOD: Twelve present PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you. Tonight’s invocation will be given by Ward 3 Council Member, Jason Scaglione. And if you’ll all please stand and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. The regular meeting of Canton City Council was held on May 6, 2024 at 7:00 P.M. in the Canton City Council Chamber. The roll call was taken (see above) by Clerk of Council, Jill Wood. The invocation was given by Ward 3 Council Member, Jason Scaglione. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by President Bates Aylward. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you, Member Scaglione. AGENDA CORRECTIONS AND CHANGES PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: We are now under Agenda Corrections and Changes. Leader Mariol. MEMBER MARIOL: Madam President, I move we suspend Rule 22A to add second readings Ordinances #12 through 20 to this evening’s agenda. Ordinance #14 will be retained in Committee MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: I will just say we had a last minute correction, it’s 12 and 13 and 15 through 20 only because we are retaining something in committee. MEMBER MARIOL: Thank you. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: It’s been moved and seconded Ordinance 14 will be retained in the Committee. Are there any remarks? Hearing no remarks, roll call vote, please. NO REMARKS ROLL CALL 12 YEAS, 0 NAYS CLERK WOOD: Twelve yeas, Madam President. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you. The motion carries in Ordinances #12 and 13 and 15 through 20 are a legal part of your agenda as previs … previously stated Ordinance #14 will be retained in Committee uh … until May 20th. PUBLIC HEARINGS PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: We are now under Public Hearings, and we have no Public Hearings for COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 122 JOURNAL PAGE 176 MINUTES OF THE MEETING MAY 6, 2024 this evening. OLD BUSINESS PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: We are now under Old Business, and there is no Old Business for this evening. PUBLIC SPEAKS PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: We are now under Public Speaks, and we have 7 speakers this evening. Um … As I feel that most of you have spoken here before I’ll just briefly state, please come up to the podium when I call your name. Give us your name and residential address please and you have three minutes. Our first speaker is Ms. Kim Bell. KIM BELL: Kim Bell, 1733 Morris Avenue. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you. KIM BELL: Look around this chamber everybody. Uh.. We voters keep letting them continue to let them play musical chairs with our lives and our finances. And when I say musical chairs, Kristen Bates sat where Justin Reese sat. The Mayor sat where Kristen Bates sat. And Jason Reese, I can’t comment because you followed the Chain of Command, you became the Law Director after Kristen Bates but we keep playing musical chairs in this room and with politics and we voters have to stop this. This is why nothing gets done for the community and this is why black men are still being killed or just any race is being killed now. Do you think for one minute, Bill Sherer would have left his position if he wasn’t guaranteed that position as Mayor? No. So again, voting … we … we… we… We used to say they … it … it’s done by the people who want that person in position. Well, this is the situation where that applied because there was no way you beat three … three black candidates against you, no way in … in history you would have … you would have (inaudible) and … and … and … Tom West, he’s the weakest link and he … he wasn’t going to speak up, but I’m speaking up because if I ran a close race with you, I would have a key card to the top floor. And it would be Mayor one and Mayor two … And another thing, we have crowd control today. We always have crowd control at every Monday at City Council but we didn’t have crowd control Wednesday at the community meeting. Just in case some bikers who.. who go with the police who.. who.. who stand with the police and stood by this killing in case they showed up to start some trouble. We didn’t have crowd control. You could’ve picked up the phone. Canton Police wasn’t welcomed. But you could’ve picked up the phone and said, State Troopers, “Can you go … you know don’t go inside go sit outside and have crowd control. Same thing when Ben Crump came, I don’t think crowd … I wasn’t there, so I don’t think State Troops or the police where there for crowd control. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Ten Seconds. KIM BELL: Don’t (inaudible) keep telling me I … I’ve been doing this long enough … long enough, I know. And I’m still going to continue to talk so … PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: You’re time is up. KIM BELL: *buzzer* (inaudible) … time to handle this police department. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: That’s it , that’s it your time is up. You’re not going to still talk. Your time is up. Thank you. KIM BELL: It was three against one. One of the three … COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 122 JOURNAL PAGE 177 MINUTES OF THE MEETING MAY 6, 2024 PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Your time is up Ms. Bell, you know the rules. KIM BELL: One of the three should have stopped. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Our next speaker is Eris Resnick. (Applause) ERIC RESNICK: Eric Resnick, 1828 Grace Avenue North East. Madam President, Leaders, Members. There’s a connection between this City, seemly groundhog day, with its policing problem and the unwillingness that this City Council to pass a Ceasefire resolution even though you probably have enough votes to pass it if the Leader brings it to the floor. That connection was very apparent at Wednesday’s meeting at Mount Olive and it’s this. There are groups of people in this community that you, our policy members value more than others. I don’t expect you to confess to it and no one would admit to decimation of any kind and maybe it isn’t quite that (Inaudible) … But when… when you have to make choices to trade one groups needs against others, you are far too often taking the easy route instead of the moral one. And I get it that public policy can be difficult. When it’s easy, anyone can do it. When it becomes difficult is when you need to stand up. Now I couldn’t help thinking at that meeting that had the city, including its citizens, taking it more seriously in 2020 when police where gassing people on 12th street for protesting what happened to George Floyd and again in 2022 when police killed James Williams, maybe Frank Tyson would still be with us. This police and its bureaucracy are formidable and their culture takes work. My friends and neighbors are simply demanding that you see them as important as police bureaucracy. You need to see their struggle as worthy, protecting bad policing even though the police bureaucracy resistance is formidable. The same is true the for Ceasefire resolution. It’s easier to turn people away with a pat on the head than to treat them as though their concerns matter. By the way, since I spoke to you last, about 6 more cities, including Boston and the State of Hawaii, have passed similar ceasefire resolutions. You can do this and you should do this, not because it’s easy … or that other constituency who might object to genocide or … uhn … other … other constituencies who are actually pro-genocide might object or put up a fuss. They do it because it’s the right thing to do and because it send a message that in Canton, Ohio we look after the needs of all people and we care about everybody and that every now and then we can strike a blow for the better angels of humanity even when there’s powerful resistance. You heard constituents on Wednesday you hear us now. Both of these balls are in your court. No one needs to be given a reason to think that their concerns are beneath you. Thank you. (Applause) PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you. Our next speaker is Mr. David Kerestes. DAVID KERESTES: David Kerestes uh… 626 Walnut North East. Good evening, I’m here tonight and I’ve came before and I’ve spoken about entitlement and of these people and I just don’t understand how some have entitlement over other’s and when you have selective law you have that. I came here and spoke of the Huntington Grant Fund being robbed and it was just no more than a small infraction and well, if you can have a small infraction and I can’t there’s a problem with that. And I’m here to speak tonight also on December 21st of 2021 I was kicked off of the SARTA bus garage for over a year. I was told to move, I got up and moved appropriately and I asked the guy ‘What gives you the right to tell me where I can sit?” He came over and the next thing I know I’m being kicked off for a year because I’m violating things such as violations of section 4511 of stop sign where the buses are running through the stop sign and right out on to the road. Well the Officer stands there under violations of chapter 505.491, negligent in performance in official duty and then when I speak of their incompetence I get ram rodded um … well now it happened again. But when I wrote up this documentation and had it all notarized and showed up to the committee to defend myself I wasn’t allowed to speak and I was threatened and I had to go away. I know it’s happened again and I didn’t even get to go to a committee or to see anybody. But right now I’m going to tell you, right now I have $1,000 and I’ve called the COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 122 JOURNAL PAGE 178 MINUTES OF THE MEETING MAY 6, 2024 Bar Association and I’m suing them for of deformation of character. It’s going to go right back to your police officer. This will go to me speaking to (Inaudible) about James Rydel who you kicked off this police department for unethical conduct, 6 months after I was complaining about him threating me and beating my daughter black and blue. You cover up a whole lot, is that what you have under you entitlement? Well under Revelations you’re evil people, ok. Under your entitlement you’re no more blasphemes and uh … quite frankly justice for all of the flag. I’ve been beaten at the Rikers building at 16 years old turning, James Garaux in, son of an Honor guard who was selling drugs on a football team and I’m charged by Steve Mereith, the football coach, of selling drugs when I work 7 days a week. His daddy gave him a park over here. Drug dealers uh … you know. So this has been going on my whole life with your entitlement. I’ll never be self-servant to you. You’re not God. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Ten seconds. DAVID KERESTES: Uh … Thank you. (Applause) PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you. Our next speaker is Ms. Skylark Bruce. SKYLARK BRUCE: My name is Skylark Bruce and I live at 2216 Ballinger Avenue, North East. Last week at City Council we received blatant disrespect from Council toward people who do not practice Christianity. While it was the choice of one Council Member, Brenda Kimborogh, to lead the room in a corporate recitation of the Lord’s prayer. It was every other Member of the Council’s choice to raise no objection. The Constitution of the United Sates prohibits public officials from favoring one religious tradition over another in the public (Inaudible). This means that any religious invocation at a public meeting is truly out of line, but to tell everyone in the room to stand and recite a specific prayer that they may or may not might even be familiar with, especially when you know that people of many faiths and no faith are present, that is beyond over the line. It helps (Inaudible) towards legal accountability. This is 100% within Councils control. It’s my responsibility as a Christian to call out my fellow Christians when we create an unsafe and unwelcoming space for people of any faith. That is not the God of love that I know. Don’t be just hearers of the word but doers also. Speaking of doing what we know we should, its astonishing how much heavy handed surveillance and attempted intimidation this City administration heaps upon a small peaceful protest. On Saturday the Police Department set up a mobile pole cam in a nearly empty parking lot in South East Canton shortly before planned protest then multiple officers marked and unmarked proceeded to make their presence known over the next few hours clearly attempting to intimidated organizers. Of course all the organizers of the demonstration had themselves been victims of the same corrupt system that wrongfully convicted, imprisoned and murdered Frank Tyson. Those officers on Saturday must have been terribly disappointed when we abided by all the laws when asserting our 1st amendment rights to assembly in free speech. Doggonit, no quotas were filled that day. It’s reminiscent of how police across the U.S have been used to brutalize people speaking up for label organizing in opposing unjust wars, in stopping the Black Panthers from providing breakfast for school age children. How dare they? It’s additional proof that freedom in this Country is based on social privilege and not human rights. Otherwise, it would be not questions that the officers who essentially suffocated Mr. Tyson were wrong for breaking at least 6 known policies of the Police Department of Canton Ohio. Unless those are only the shown polices and the real polices are whatever the Chief and City administration feel like on a given day. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Ten seconds. SKYLARK BRUCE: Justice for Frank Tyson and free … Free Palestine. (Applause) COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 122 JOURNAL PAGE 179 MINUTES OF THE MEETING MAY 6, 2024 PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you. *buzzer* Our next speaker is Mr. Abdullah Masri. Mr. Masri if you’d approach. Thank you. ABDULLAH MASRI: Abdullah Masri 3892, Mount Pleasant Street, North West. North Canton. Uh … Shalom Alaikum and peace be upon the soul of George Floyd. I mean Frank Tyson or the 30 other thousand murders back home because they look the same or they all are the same, bunch of oppressed people that their life is probably worthless to some of you. I just returned from Ahmad, Jordan which is just next door to Palestine … uh … that’s the hiatus that you’d not miss me through and I meet more and more of my personal uh … friends and doctors that went there and volunteered their time. And I heard more of the atrocious stories that you all don’t want to hear. And I heard about the doctors who were killed and murdered there. Doctor (Inaudible) he’s uh … UK trained in war certified orthopedics. Surgeon, head of orthopedic department in his hospital and the staff on College of Medicine there and he was killed and nobody missed him in UK. Nobody really cared for him here. So I wonder sometimes if an American citizen or American resident like me will ever be missed or cared for if I die or am killed somewhere else. I know the answer and the answer is no because you did not care about 30 thousand other people Jews, Christians, Muslims, foreigners and Palestinians who were murdered and killed there. So don’t bother answering me. Have we not reached out and emailed every single one of you to do a ceasefire resolution? Have we not made it clear you all sitting there acting like it’s none of your business, it doesn’t matter to you. What is that … what is the use and utility of power if you don’t use it to help those who need it? What is the utility of power. To get more power? Is that how you justify it to yourself? Get more power, stay in power climb up that ladder. Are we deaf? Are we Blind? Are we mute? I love this verse in the (Inaudible) it says “ It’s not the eyes that go blind it’s the hearts that are in the chests that go blind” You’re seeing the movement at the Universities those our … our brother and sister and there our … our kids, your kids they are not going to let go they are not going to stop they are not going to settle down and you are the ones who are living in the bubble now. It’s not because we’re all (Inaudible) intelligent people working here to do (Inaudible). It’s simply just because this is right and this is wrong and you choose to be on the wrong side of history. We’re utterly deeply displeased with you PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Ten seconds. ABDULLAH MASRI: We don’t want your fake smiles if you don’t care about us. Join the movement ceasefire resolution. Free Palestine. (Applause) *buzzer* PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you. Our next speaker is Mr. Ahmed Cheema. Mr. Cheema AHMED CHEEMA: Ahmed Cheema, 5155 Foxchase Avenue, North West. Respected Council Members and citizens of Canton, Ohio Shalom Alaikum and peace be with you all. I’m here again uh … for the same cause, genocide and oppression, oppression at home and oppression outside uh … I spoken in detail about my condolences … condolences from our community to Frank Tyson’s family and … and … what’s happened uh … again the de … the demand there is very clear, transparency, justice, consequences and meaningful legislation is what we ask for. Earlier I saw some presentations being done and uh … there was a mention of hunger uh … and the need to help our community members here. Uh … I was part of a walk yesterday uh … the Stark County um … Hunger Walk and numbers from 2023 are very surprising honestly uh .. it you know 15% (Inaudible) among children in Stark County uh … 11% overall I think adults included and … and 3.3 million dollars can buy a lot of groceries for these families, but unfortunately Stark County decided to put 3.3 million dollar in foreign government bonds. Uh … Uh … State of Israel to be specific and I’m not making things up I have their report uh … Again tens of thousands of Palestines in Eastern (Inaudible) are being order or were ordered earlier to again move somewhere. Where, I don’t know where that is. Go to the coast … so I don’t know their huddled together, easy target because that’s what we’ve seen happen when anytime there’s COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 122 JOURNAL PAGE 180 MINUTES OF THE MEETING MAY 6, 2024 been any kind of announcement of safety corridors or safe zone etcetera uh … You know shutting down a … a news channel that the only kind of news channel covering actually live coverage. Sure do that as well, but you know uh … But you know the movement here as somebody else mentioned here across college campus is not across the U.S it is across the world as you’ve seen and it is a movement for civil rights. For oppression and high war and high genocide and that is what I’m requesting again from this Council, to bring up the vote please. (Applause) PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you Mr. Cheema. Our last speaker is Justin Miller. And if you would approach and give us your name and residential address. JUSTICE MILLER: Justice Miller, 2353 14th street North East PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Go Ahead JUSTICE MILLER: On the 27th we sent an email to Matt Bailey, the Planning Administrator about proceeding with getting our type of fence approved. We never got a proper response, instead, we had to seek further contact a week later on the 3rd following what could have been a potentially dangerous attack by a dog. In a very short 5 minute call, we were told to simply take down the fence and cease further attempts to have it approved because it would be unethical to add a specific brand to the approved materials, which, isn’t what we were asking. It isn’t necessary. There are plenty of ways to list this type of product without needing to actually name the brand itself. We were also told that there is not enough data to show the (Inaudible) of the fence when put … when put to northeastern weather, all of this despite the product itself being used farther … Further north there is even one testimonial easily accessible via their Facebook page. That describes the fence itself remaining sound with little more than a bent pole. A simple, ten minute fix during hurricane winds in Alabama. On top of that our own fence remains strong throughout the entire time we’ve had it, being a year through this winter as well. If more data is what they need, why not allow for people like us to be the proving ground? We would like to be the ones that (Inaudible) that. Regarding the dog attack that we nearly had, on the first of May around nine at night we had a dog loose in our neighborhood. It was enough of a (Inaudible) presence that parents were telling their kids to stay inside. We happened to have our dogs out at the time … in which this dog charged our fence, our dogs charged it as well. Both collided with our fence and were repelled back by it further proving its utility. This dog continues to try to pull itself up this fence as well as bite through it, nether of which were successful. I’m simply asking that we get any kind of support we can; any type of help or advice on how to proceed with convincing the administrator that this is a viable option that would help provide the City of Canton, not only with an affordable means of security, but a way of making it so people who live in areas that are prone to things as such as stray dogs and stray animals in general don’t have to worry about their children and/or their pets being harmed in such a way and without having to worry about harming someone else pet … else’s pets in defense of their own. Thank you. (Applause) PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you. Thank you to all of our speakers INFORMAL RESOLUTIONS PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: We are now under Informal Resolutions and we have three for this evening. Madam Clerk, will you please read Informal Resolution #1A by title. 1A. RULES COMMITTEE: PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR THE COUNCIL OF CITY OF CANTON, 2024 - 2025 TERM. – 1A: AMEND RULE #15D, PUBLIC SPEAKS - ADOPTED COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 122 JOURNAL PAGE 181 MINUTES OF THE MEETING MAY 6, 2024 PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you, Madam Clerk. Leader Mariol. MEMBER MARIOL: Madam President, I move we adopt Informal Resolution #1A. MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: It’s been moved and seconded to adopt Informal Resolution #1A. Are there any remarks? … Hearing no remarks, roll call vote, please. NO REMARKS ROLL CALL 12 YEAS, 0 NAYS CLERK WOOD: Twelve yeas, Madam President. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: The motion carries and Informal Resolution #1A is adopted. Informal Resolution #1B, please 1B. RULES COMMITTEE: PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR THE COUNCIL OF CITY OF CANTON, 2024 - 2025 TERM. – 1B: AMEND RULE #15F (3), PUBLIC SPEAKS - ADOPTED PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you, Madam Clerk. Leader Mariol. MEMBER MARIOL: Madam President, I move we adopt Informal Resolution #1B. MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: It’s been moved and seconded to adopt Informal Resolution #1B. Are there any remarks? … Hearing no remarks, roll call vote, please. NO REMARKS ROLL CALL 12 YEAS, 0 NAYS CLERK WOOD: Twelve yeas, Madam President. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: The motion carries and Informal Resolution #1B is adopted. Informal Resolution #1C, please 1C. RULES COMMITTEE: PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR THE COUNCIL OF CITY OF CANTON, 2024 - 2025 TERM.– 1C: AMEND RULE #15F (4), PUBLIC SPEAKS - ADOPTED PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you, Madam Clerk. Leader Mariol. MEMBER MARIOL: Madam President, I move we adopt Informal Resolution #1C. MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 122 JOURNAL PAGE 182 MINUTES OF THE MEETING MAY 6, 2024 PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: It’s been moved and seconded to adopt Informal Resolution #1C. Are there any remarks? MEMBER MARIOL: Madam President PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Yes Leader Mariol MEMBER MARIOL: I just wanted to commend Chairwoman Smith, Council Member Morris, and the Rules Committee. Uh … we’ve seen other cities restrict their public speaks uh … but we are making changes that make it uh … better for the residents, give them more time to keep … allow their question to be answered and so when there’s an movement to limit what the public can say to their elected officials, were going the other way and I think that’s something that you all should be commended on, for bringing forth, so … thank you. MEMBER SMITH: Thank you. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Are there any other remarks? MEMBER MORRIS: Madam President? PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Yes, Leader Morris? MEMBER MORRIS: Leader Mariol, all the credit goes to Chairwoman Smith. MEMBER SMITH: Thank you MEMBER BABCOCK: I’ll second that. (laughter) PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Awesome. Congratulations, Chairwoman Smith. Hearing … Are there any other comments I should say? Alright, hearing none, Roll Call vote please. ROLL CALL 12 YEAS, 0 NAYS CLERK WOOD: Twelve yeas, Madam President. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: The motion carries and Informal Resolution #1C is adopted. COMMUNICATIONS PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: We are now under Communications. Let the journal show that all Communications are received as read. NOTE: ALL COMMUNICATIONS, WHICH FOLLOW, LISTED BY AGENDA TITLE, ARE ON FILE IN THEIR ENTIRETY, IN THE COUNCIL OFFICE WITH THE AGENDA ITEMS FILE DATED MAY 6, 2024. 2. REG FOR ADDT'L AMENDED CERTIFICATION DATED 4/30/24. - AUDITOR MALLONN COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 122 JOURNAL PAGE 183 MINUTES OF THE MEETING MAY 6, 2024 3. REQ HOF LOAN RESTRUCTURING; EMERGENCY. - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR HARDESTY 4. REQ APPROP CLEAN UP; EMERGENCY (VARIOUS SUPP APPROPS AND TRFS) - FINANCE DIRECTOR CROUSE 5. REQ DELINQUENT BOARD UP/CLEAN UP/DEMO CHARGES; EMERGENCY. - SAFETY DIRECTOR PERRY 6. REQ APPROP OF LOAN FUNDS FOR WATER SERVICE SHOP RENOVATION PRJ; EMERGENCY (SUPP APPROP FR 5252 WTR SVS SHOP BLD RENOV FUND TO 5252 207079 WTR SVS SHOP BLD RENOV FUND - OTHER). - SERVICE DIRECTOR HIGHMAN ORDINANCES AND FORMAL RESOLUTIONS FOR FIRST READING PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: We are now under Ordinances and Formal Resolutions for their First Reading. Madam Clerk, would you please begin with Ordinance #7. NOTE: PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD CALLED UPON CLERK WOOD TO READ ORDINANCES #7 THROUGH #11 FOR THEIR FIRST READING BY TITLE AS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW, AS FOLLOWS: O#7. (1st RDG) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO: ADVERTISE , RECEIVE BIDS, AWARD, AND EXECUTE A CONSTRUCTION CONTACT; EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT FOR CONTRUCTION OVERSIGHT SERVICES; AND EXECUTE A COST-SHARE AGREEMENT WITH PERRY TOWNSHIP FOR STREET PAVING; AUTHORIZING THE AUDITOR TO PAY ALL MORAL OBILGATIONS FOR RELATED CONTRACT CHANGE ORDERS THAT ARE OTHERWISE APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF CONTROL PURSUANT TO CANTON CODIFIED ORDINANCE 105.14; AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO RECEIVE GRANT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $600,000 AND A ZERO PERCENT INTEREST LOAN IN THE AMOUNT OF $900,000 FOR THE PERRY HEIGHTS AREA WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PHASE 2; AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO RECEIVE ESTIMATED FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $350,000 FOR THIS PROJECT FROM PERRY TWP.; AUTHORIZING THE AUDITOR TO ESTABLISH FUND; AMENDING APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE NO. 61/2024; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY ($1,500,000.00 SUPP APPROP FR UNAPPROP BAL OF 5253 PERRY HTS. WTR. PH. 2 WATER MAIN REPLCMT FUND TO 5253 207085 PERRY HTS. WTR. PH. 2 WTER MAIN REPLCMT – OTHER; $1,310,000.00 SUPP APPROP FR UNAPPROP BAL OF 5201 WATER FUND TO 5201 207085 PERRY HTS. WTR. PH. 2 WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT – OTHER ($960,000.00), TO 529 207091 PERRY HTS. WTR. PH. 2 WATER MAIN REPLACMENT PAVING – OTHER ($350,000.00) Referred to Environmental and Public Utilities and Finance Committee O#8. (1ST RDG) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRCTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO ADVERTISE, RECEIVE BIDS, A WARD, AND ENTER INTO CONTRACT FOR THE ABANDONMENT OF COLLECTOR WELL #3 AT THE COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 122 JOURNAL PAGE 184 MINUTES OF THE MEETING MAY 6, 2024 NORTHWEST WATER TREATMENT PLANT AND TO EXECUTE THE RELEASE OF EASEMENTS LOCATED AT 4125 SALWAY AVENUE NW; AUTHORIZING THE AUDITOR TO PAY ALL MORAL OBLIGATIONS FOR CONTRACT CHANGE ORDERS THAT ARE OTHERWISEE APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF CONTROL PURSUANT TO CANTON CODIFIED ORDINANCE 105.12 WITHIN THE ESTABLISHED DOLLAR AMOUNT THRESHOLDS; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY Referred to Environmental and Public Utilities Committee O#9. (1ST RDG) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO NEGOTIATE AND ENTER INTO AGREEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF STARK COUNTY AUDITOR PARCEL NUMBER 5200863 IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO XCEED $90,000 AND TO ENTER INTO ANY AGREEMENTS NECESSARY TO FACILITATE SAID PURCHASE; AMENDING APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE NO. 61/2024; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY ($90,000 SUPP APPROP FR UNAPPROP BAL OF 4501 CAPITAL PROJECT FUNDS TO 4501 202001 ENGINEERING- ADMINISTRATION – OTHER) Referred to Public Property Capital Improvement Committee O#10. (1ST RDG) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO RENEW AN EASMENT AND MAKE PAYMENT TO THE U.S ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS FOR A 50- YEAR RENEWAL TERM, BACK-DATED TO JANUARY 25, 2024; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY Referred to Environmental and Public Utilities Committee O#11. (1ST RDG) ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 91/2024 AN ORDINANCE AUTORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERIVCE TO ENTER INTO LOAN MODIFICATIONS AGREEMENTS, AND ANY OTHER NECESSARY AGREEMENTS, WITH HOF VILLAGE HOTEL II LLC AND HALL OF FAME RESORT AND ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY FOR THE RESTRUCTURE OF THE DOUBLETREE HOTEL AND HOFV INFRASTRUTURE LOANS; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY Referred to Finance Committee CLERK WOODS: Madam President. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you, Madam Clerk. At this time the Chair would declare an in-house recess for the Finance Committee to meet in regard to Ordinance #11 on your agenda this evening. You are now in recess. (COUNCIL RECESSED AT 7:33 PM FOR THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO MEET IN REGARDS TO O#11; RECONVENED AT 7:37 PM) PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you, Madam Clerk. Council is now reconvening after the recess, Leader. COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 122 JOURNAL PAGE 185 MINUTES OF THE MEETING MAY 6, 2024 MEMBER MARIOL: Madam President, I move we suspend Rule 22A to place Ordinance #11 back on this evening’s agenda. MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: It’s been moved and seconded to suspend Rule 22A to place Ordinance #11 back on this evening’s or agenda. Are there any remarks? …Hearing none, roll call vote, please. NO REMARKS ROLL CALL 12 YEAS, 0 NAYS CLERK WOOD: Twelve yeas, Madam President. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you, Madam Clerk. The motion carries and Ordinance #11 is now a legal part of your agenda. Leader. MEMBER MARIOL: Madam President, I move we suspend Statutory Rules on Ordinance #11. MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: It’s moved and seconded to suspend the Statutory Rules on Ordinance #11. Are there any remarks? …Hearing none, roll call vote, please, Madam Clerk. NO REMARKS ROLL CALL 11 YEAS, 1 ABSTAIN (MEMBER GIAVASIS ABSTAINED) CLERK WOOD: Eleven yeas, one abstention, Madam President. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you. You’ve heard the three readings, Leader. MEMBER MARIOL: Madam President, I move we adopt Ordinance #11. MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: It’s been moved and seconded that you adopt Ordinance #11. Are there any remarks other than what we’ve discussed in Committee under this Ordinance? …Hearing none, roll call vote, please. NO REMARKS ROLL CALL 11 YEAS, 1ABSTAIN (MEMBER GIAVASIS ABSTAINED) CLERK WOOD: Eleven yeas, one abstention, Madam President. #11 ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 91/2024 PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you. The motion carries and Ordinance #11 has been adopted. ORDINANCES & FORMAL RESOLUTIONS FOR SECOND READING COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 122 JOURNAL PAGE 186 MINUTES OF THE MEETING MAY 6, 2024 PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: We are now under Ordinances and Formal Resolutions for their Second Reading. Madam Clerk, would you please begin with Ordinance #12. NOTE: PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD CALLED UPON CLERK WOOD TO READ ORDINANCES #12 THROUGH #20 FOR THEIR SECOND READING BY TITLE AS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW, AS FOLLOWS: O#12. (2ND RDG) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE AUDITOR TO CREATE THE 2358 C&DD PROGRAM FUND; AMENDING APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE NO. 61/2024; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN TO EMERGENCY ($1,000.00 SUPP APPROP FR UNAPPROP BAL OF 7601 ADVANCE OUT TO OTHER FUND TO 2358 C&DD PROGRAM FUND – ADVANCE IN FROM OTHER FUND) O#13. (2ND DG) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE AUDITOR TO CREATE THE 2357 RV PARKS/CAMPGROUND PROGRAM FUND; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY O#14. (2ND RDG) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO ENTER INTO A GRANT AGREEMENT WITH COMMUNITY BUILDING PARTNERSHIP OF STARK COUNTY, INC. IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $250,000 UTILIZING ISSUE 13 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN NEIGHBORHOOD FUNDS; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY O#15. (2ND RDG) AN ORDINANCE AMENDING APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE NO. 61/2024; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY ($500,000.00 SUPP APPROP FR UNAPPROP BAL OF 1001 GENERAL OPERATING FUND TO 1001 200501 GENERAL GOV’T SUPPORT ADMIN - OTHER) O#16. (2ND RDG) AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 40/2000, AS AMENDED, TO ESTABLISH THE ATTACHED EXHIBIT THE CLASSIFICATION PLAN FOR THE SAFETY DIRECTOR’S TRAFFIC ENGINEERING, SIGN, & PAINT DIVISION BARGAINING UNIT PERSONNEL EMPLOYED BY THE CITY OF CANTON; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY O#17. (2ND RDG) AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE CITY OF CANTON 2024-2028 CONSOLIDATED ACTION PLAN; AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO FILE WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT SAID PLAN; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY O#18. (2ND RDG) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO ADVERTISE, RECEIVE BIDS, AWARD, AND ENTER INTO CONTRACT FOR THE PURCHASE OF ONE (1) TRACK MOUNTED DOZER; OR TO ALTERNATIVELY PURCHASE SAID PURCHASE PURSUANT TO ANY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 122 JOURNAL PAGE 187 MINUTES OF THE MEETING MAY 6, 2024 PROCUREMENT PROCESS AUTHORIZED BY LAW; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY O#19. (2ND RDG) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO ENTER INTO CHANGE ORDER #2 WITH AECOM TECHNICAL SERVICES INC. IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $50,314.66 FOR THE 11TH ST. SE INTERSECTION AND ROADWAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. GP 1144; AUTHORIZING THE AUDITOR TO PAY ALL MORAL OBLIGATIONS FOR THESE CONTRACTS NEEDED TO CONSTRUCT THIS PROJECT; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY O#20. (2ND RDG) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE OR DESIGNEE TO FILE WITH HUD A 2024 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR THE 2024 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT, 2024 HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP, AND 2024 EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANT PROGRAMS; RATIFYING SUBMISSION AND FILING OF SAID PLAN; AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE GRANT AGREEMENTS WITH HUD AND TO ACCEPT FUNDING FOR THE THREE PROGRAMS; AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO ADVERTISE, RECEIVE BIDS AWARD, AND ENTER INTO ALL CONTRACTS NECESSARY FOR THE TIMELY EXPENDITURE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT, EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANT AND HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS FUNDS; AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO ENTER INTO ALL CONTRACTS TO IMPLEMENT THE 2024 ACTION PLAN UTILIZING ANY PROCESS AUTHORIZED BY THE OHIO REVISED CODE OR CANTON CODIFIED ORDINANCES; AMENDING APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE NO. 61/2024; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY ($2,772,815.00 SUPP APPROP FR UNAPPROP BAL OF 2211 COMMUNITY DEV FUND TO 2211 506001 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADMIN – OTHER; $1,148,167.47 SUPP APPROP FR UNAPPROP BAL OF 2214 HOME FUND TO 2214 506001 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADMIN – OTHER; $225,340.00 SUPP APPROP FR UNAPPROP BAL OF 2219 EMERGENCY SHELTER FUND TO 2219 506001 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADMIN – OTHER) CLERK WOOD: Madam President. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you, Madam Clerk. ORDINANCES & FORMAL RESOLUTIONS FOR THIRD AND FINAL READING PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: We are now under Ordinances and Formal Resolutions for their Third, Final Reading and vote. Madam Clerk, would you please begin with Ordinance #21. NOTE: PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD CALLED UPON CLERK WOOD TO READ THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCES #21 THOUGH #26 FOR THIER THIRD READING BY TITLE AS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW, AS FOLLOWS: COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 122 JOURNAL PAGE 188 MINUTES OF THE MEETING MAY 6, 2024 O#21. (3RD RDG) ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 92/2024 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE NO. 61/2024; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY ($2,643.00 SUPP APPROP FR UNAPPROP BAL OF 1001 GENERAL OPERATING FUND TO 1001 102001 POLICE ADMIN – OTHER) (PRISONER EXTRADITION, CLEARWATER FL) PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Leader Mariol. MEMBER MARIOL: Madam President, I move we adopt Ordinance #21. MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: It’s been moved and seconded that we adopt Ordinance #21. Are there any remarks? ...Hearing none, roll call vote please. NO REMARKS ROLL CALL 12 YEAS, 0 NAYS CLERK WOOD: Twelve yeas, Madam President. #21 ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 92/2024 PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you. The motion carries and Ordinance #21 is adopted. Ordinance #22, please. O#22. (3RD RDG) ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 93/2024 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE NO. 61/2024; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY ($2,643.00 SUPP APPROP FR UNAPPROP BAL OF 1001 GENERAL OPERATING FUND TO 1001 102001 POLICE ADMIN – OTHER) (PRISONER EXTRADITION, MURFREESBORO TN) PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Leader Mariol. MEMBER MARIOL: Madam President, I move we adopt Ordinance #22. MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: It’s been moved and seconded to adopt Ordinance #22. Are there any remarks? ...Hearing none, roll call vote please. NO REMARKS ROLL CALL 12 YEAS, 0 NAYS CLERK WOOD: Twelve yeas, Madam President. #22 ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 93/2024 PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you, the motion carries and Ordinance #22 is adopted. Ordinance #23, please. COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 122 JOURNAL PAGE 189 MINUTES OF THE MEETING MAY 6, 2024 O#23. (3RD RDG) ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 94/2024 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT WITH ARCADIS FOR DESIGN OF THE WEST MANOR AREA WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT; AUTHORIZING THE AUDITOR TO PAY ALL MORAL OBLIGATIONS FOR RELATED CONTRACT CHANGE ORDERS THAT ARE OTHERWISE APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF CONTROL PURSUANT TO CANTON CODIFIED ORDINANCE 105.14; AMENDING APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE NO. 61/2024; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY ($149,010.00 SUPP APPROP FR UNAPPROP BAL OF 5201 WATER WORKS FUND TO 5201 207090 WEST MANOR AREA WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT – PHASE 1 – OTHER) PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Leader Mariol. MEMBER MARIOL: Madam President, I move we adopt Ordinance #23. MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: It’s been moved and seconded to adopt Ordinance #23. Are there any remarks? ...Hearing none, roll call vote please. NO REMARKS ROLL CALL 12 YEAS, 0 NAYS CLERK WOOD: Twelve yeas, Madam President. #23 ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 94/2024 PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you, the motion carries and Ordinance #23 is adopted. Ordinance #24, please. O#24. (3RD RDG) ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 95/2024 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH THE COMMUNITY DROP-IN CENTER IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $18,000.00 FOR FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS USING CDBG FUNDS; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Leader Mariol. MEMBER MARIOL: Madam President, I move we adopt Ordinance #24. MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: It’s been moved and seconded to adopt Ordinance #24. Are there any remarks? ...Hearing none, roll call vote please. NO REMARKS ROLL CALL 12 YEAS, 0 NAYS COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 122 JOURNAL PAGE 190 MINUTES OF THE MEETING MAY 6, 2024 CLERK WOOD: Twelve yeas, Madam President. #24 ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 95/2024 PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Okay, the motion carries and Ordinance #24 has been adopted. Ordinance #25, please. O#25. (3RD RDG) ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 96/2024 A FINAL RESOLUTION ADOPTING PLANS, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO COOPERATE WITH AND REQUEST THE DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION TO PROCEED WITH THE IMPROVEMENTS TO WALNUT AVE NE (S.R. 43D) THROUGH MARKET AVE N. FROM 12TH ST NE TO 19TH ST NW (S.L.M. 0.00 TO S.L.M. 0.75) AND MARKET AVE N. (S.R. 43) TO 55TH ST NW (S.L.M. 14.40 TO S.L.M. 17.14 AND TUSCARAWAS ST NW (S.R. 172) FROM WHIPPLE AVE NW TO WERTZ AVE NW (S.L.M. 11.85 TO S.L.M. 12.77) AND FROM SMITH AVE NW TO I.R. 77 (S.L.M. 13.28 TO 13.46), INCLUDING RESURFACING, CURB, CURB AND GUTTER, DRAINAGE UPGRADES, PAVEMENT, PAVEMENT PLANNING, TRAFFIC SIGNAL UPGRADES, AND PAVEMENT MARKINGS, LYING WITHIN THE CITY OF CANTON; AUTHORIZING THE AUDITOR TO PAY ANY MORAL OBLIGATIONS TO ODOT AS A RESULT OF THE CITY’S FINAL COST SHARE; AMENDING APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE NO. 61/2024; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY ($430,000.00 SUPP APPROP FR UNAPPROP BAL OF 2175 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FUND TO 2175 202001 ENGINEERING- ADMINISTRATION – OTHER) PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you. Leader Mariol. MEMBER MARIOL: Madam President, I move we adopt Ordinance #25. MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: It’s been moved and seconded to adopt Ordinance #25. Are there any remarks? ...Hearing none, roll call vote please. NO REMARKS ROLL CALL 12 YEAS, 0 NAYS CLERK WOOD: Twelve yeas, Madam President. #25 ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 96/2024 PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you. The motion carries and Ordinance #25 has been adopted. Ordinance #26, please. O#26. (3RD RDG) ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 97/2024 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 917.09 LICENSE TO CUT, REMOVE, TREAT OR PRUNE TREES WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS REQUIRED; FEE OF CHAPTER 917, TREES CLERK WOOD: Madam President. COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 122 JOURNAL PAGE 191 MINUTES OF THE MEETING MAY 6, 2024 PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Leader Mariol. MEMBER MARIOL: Madam President, I move we adopt Ordinance #26. MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: It’s been moved and seconded to adopt Ordinance #26. Are there any remarks? ...Hearing none, roll call vote please. NO REMARKS ROLL CALL 12 YEAS, 0 NAYS CLERK WOOD: Twelve yeas, Madam President. #26 ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 97/2024 PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you. The motion carries and Ordinance #26 has been adopted. ANNOUNCEMENT OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: We are under the Announcement of Committee Meetings. Our next meeting date is May 13th, 2024 and Committee Meetings will start at 6:15 PM. Parks and Rec director Don Angus will be giving a presentation on the Mayor’s Neighborhood Incentive Program. That’s why we’re meeting so early. Uh … Announcement Committee Meetings, Environmental and Public Utilities. MEMBER FISHER: Uh … Environmental and Public Utilities will meeting May 13th at 6:15. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Finance. MEMBER GIAVASIS: Madam President, Finance will meet May 13th at 6:15. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: And Public Property Capital Improvement. MEMBER SCAGLIONE: Madam President, Public Property Capital Improvement will meet May 13th at 6:15 PM. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you all. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: We are now under Miscellaneous Business. Is there any Miscellaneous Business to bring before the body? MEMBER MORRIS: Madam President? PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Yes, Member Morris? MEMBER MORRIS: The obnoxious guy from nine is going to go on a rant. I’ve been sitting on this Council for approximately twelve years, five months. I have serval with people who come from various backgrounds our religious beliefs vary from one spectrum to another. Some are Jew, Baptists, Catholic, Christian Uh … But we never ask. We never ask what one another’s religious beliefs are. I’m pretty sure that I’ve actually served with COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 122 JOURNAL PAGE 192 MINUTES OF THE MEETING MAY 6, 2024 some who are atheist. Member Kimbrough asked everybody to join her in the Lord’s prayer, she asked you. That was a choice and we all have a right to choose what we choose. I choose to believe what Member Kimbrough believes myself, personally. I’m not into or buy into organized religion. I think your religious beliefs are personal and they are yours. Your relationship with God is between you and God and only God will judge. So, I don’t like when people come in and take shots across the bow at my colleague’s belief. At the end of the day folks, a lot of us sympathize or agree with you on your topics, but, at the end of the day we’re people too. We have our beliefs and we have our values. And we are actually real people. Thank you. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you Member Morris. MEMBER GIAVASIS: Madam President? PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Yes, Member Giavasis? MEMBER GIAVASIS: Not only do I agree with what Member Morris just said, uh … in regards to religio … religious beliefs and I fully agree with the separation of church and state but there is a difference between asking somebody to participate and forcing somebody to. Before the meeting, my brother, who is a Muslim, I’m Christian came up to me today and asked me if I would like this copy of the Qur’an. My exact words was to him “ I’ve read this before, I’ve read it also in the Old Testament and if you would read the Israeli Tura they (inaudible) each other through the Old Testament. They are little bit of differences but we all worship the same God.” Uh … wheather you’re Muslim, Christian or Jew. God itself is God. Now, depending on some faiths, some faiths choose to believe in Christ. Some believe to believe in Mohammed some of you beliv … know choose to believe that the Messiah is still coming. That’s their individual choice. Now individually, I’ve spoken up about what my personally feelings are on the situation in Gaza. Um … I’ve also spoke up against uh … my personally beliefs of what happened in October that started it. I personally asked for a Ceasefire, I’ve asked Council to draft a letter that we’ve sent to our Congressional Delegation, that went through our Congressional Representative, that represents the City if Canton. And they’ve also went to both state sen … our U.S Senators um … in that letter and I can let Leader Meriol um … (inaudible) but in that letter it pretty much ask for the Congressional Delegation that has say so of what’s happening over there to act um … outside of that um … we could pass a resolution but I think the letter we sent to our Congressional Delegation is a lot stronger than passing a um … a um … an Ordinance, possibly that is not going to have any teeth, We’ve reached out to the people who are trying to make a difference as your elected leaders. Uh … individually were allowed to hold our own beliefs towards any type of situation. If some of the members disagree that’s their prerogative as a separate elective officials. But as community leaders, were doing what we can and we sympathize greatly with the situation that is happening in Gaza. Matter of fact I (inaudible) personally. Uh … but at the same time we also have respect the other members from the community that might not be of the Muslim faith or from Palestine, might have Israeli backgrounds. You know myself as a Greek, second generation Greek, understand fully what the members from the Palestinian community are going through. Uh … in regards to maybe the Genocide that’s taking place over there right now. The Turks did this to the Greeks um … so it hits home for me too. I was elected to represent everybody. Regardless of what faith and what walk, what creed, what color of their skin. I’ve never asked an individual “ How do you vote?” or looked at the color of their skin or what type of region they practice before decided that was going to … systems as their Elected Official. Every member of this Council has the same right to do the same things if that’s what they choose to do. You have the right to stand up and say the things you’re saying. Freedom of speech is wonderful I applaud it, I welcome it and a lot of times it helps us to be better Elected Officials. But I’m just asking Members to also consider that all these individuals around this Horseshoe have the same rights from their own beliefs. Now if those beliefs are different than yours, than you have the opportunity every two years to vote differently. That’s what Democracy is, but we’re all here COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 122 JOURNAL PAGE 193 MINUTES OF THE MEETING MAY 6, 2024 for the same reasons. We all want to make the City of Canton a better place for everybody, not from one walk of life but from all walks of life. And I’ll leave it there. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you Member Giavasis. I’m going to go to him first because he’s been signaling. So Member Scaglione then it will go to Member Smith. MEMBER SCAGLIONE: So we talked a little bit about the needs for housing and what not tonight. I spoke with a gentleman that asked me to relay some messages here tonight. There was two sev … several … or two multiunit buildings in my Ward along (inaudible) with a couple of duplexes. One unit unfortunately was (inaudible) the Building Department put an unsafe building order on it and was ready to demolish it. During this process the owner that lived in the building uh … that was only receiving rent from couple tenants that he knew were there, had to come over and see what was going on. When he did, he found doors kicked in, people living there what weren’t supposed to be there just things in complete shambles. And this man is an older age and he chooses to sell these buildings to somebody else that was going to redo them and is redoing them. I talked to the new owner and he asked me to thank not only the Building Department, but the Safety Department for the effort in helping the set out and the help in the work he’s doing to make these building again a valuable place for people to live. He’s tremendously thankful for all the help he’s getting so far and with the investment that he is putting forth, I think we need to help him all that we can. Thank you. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you Member Scaglione. Now we’ll go to Member Chris Smith. MEMBER CHRIS SMITH: Yes, uh … Madam President I just want to make a couple of comments, I really do appreciate you all coming down each week and asking us to do a resolution. I was one of those that supported the letter uh … for the ceasefire. I even asked the question why we couldn’t do the resolution. It was explained to me. I did not accept the explanation that was given to me, but you all must understand that, when we do resolutions it takes a vote. And it takes seven votes and if everybody is not in agreeance than it can’t be done. I sympathize with you, I really do. And I really wish we could do a resolution for this particular thing you’re asking for us to do. So, all I can really say is, I’m sorry that we can’t do one or we haven’t done one. And maybe we can in the future I don’t really know, but if we do, I will be in support of it. I just want you to know that. And another thing, on Wednesday I want the City to pray for the Frank Tyson family. It is important that this City pray for this family. Thank you. (Applause) PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you Member Chris Smith. MEMBER COOKS: Madam President? PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Yes Member Cooks? MEMBER COOKS: Yes, I’d like to mention something also and first and foremost we sympathize uh … with the situation that is going on in Gaza, um … no one, I don’t think here in America, is happy with that. I think our stomachs are unsettled um … being here in Council for about two months I believe differently. Learning a lot, hitting the ground running. But we do sympathize. We hear you and we’re not just up here and it’s going in one ear and out of the other um … For Frank Tyson and his family, truly another tragic situation um … I want to commend the Council Members that were at some of the events that went on (Applause) and I know some of the other Council Members that weren’t able to be there were able to see it also. We’re together on this, time will tell. To my constituents, residents um … that came up it’s been some concerns um … it’s a true um … concern of ours. I’ve had some Council people that have went by and saw the situation there. I distributed COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 122 JOURNAL PAGE 194 MINUTES OF THE MEETING MAY 6, 2024 information to all of the other Council Members um … Mayor and everyone um … we don’t take anything lightly that you’re saying up here. We just want you to know that. Thank you. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you very much Member Cooks. And now Member Kimbrough, you wish to be recognized. MEMBER KIMBROUGH: I just want to say that number one as Council Person I am grateful to be a representative of this great City of Canton. Of course right now what’s happening in our city has made it hard for everybody. Our condolences go off for their family and what happened, my concerns and concern with the Palestinians but we also have other issues within the city as well. I didn’t make anybody pray. Council Woman Chris Smith asked to pray. We have the National Day of Prayer at Centennial Plaza and anybody can come that wanted to come. If you wanted to pray, it’s an option. I choose to continues to pray for the peace of the entire City, not just one (inaudible), but the whole world needs peace and that we can all … if some place that we can all get close enough to get along and make sure that all people are taking care of. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you Member Kimbrough. Leader. MEMBER MARIOL: Yes, Thank you, Madam President. I just want to take an opportunity, on record, to send heartfelt condolences to Frank Tyson’s family and let them know that they’re in my thoughts and I know they’re in all of our thoughts. So, thank you. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you very much Leader. Do any other Members wish to make any further statements or is there anything else under Miscellaneous Business? … Alright hearing nothing, Leader Mariol. MEMBER MARIOL: Madam President, I move we adjourn. MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: It’s been moved and seconded we adjourn. Roll call vote please, Madam Clerk. NO REMARKS ROLL CALL 12 YEAS, 0 NAYS CLERK WOOD: Twelve yeas, Madam President. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you, you are adjourned. (Gavel falls) ADJOURNMENT TIME: 8:04 PM ATTEST: APPROVED: JILL M. WOOD KRISTEN BATES AYLWARD CLERK OF COUNCIL PRESIDENT