Kent, OH

General

The Sustainability Commission will meet to discuss a City Council motion regarding gas-powered leaf blowers. The body will also review the Sustainable Kent Award Program framework and discuss October Sustainability Month activities.

• Council motion regarding gas-powered leaf blowers
• Sustainable Kent Award Program framework review
• October Sustainability Month activities discussion

Planning Commission

Planning Commission

General

The Kent City Council will hold a special meeting to review a proposal from the Public Health and Safety Committee. The body will discuss an amendment to the city's codified ordinances regarding the feeding of wild animals and fowl.

• Draft Ordinance 2026-100: Amending Section 505.24 regarding feeding wild animals and fowl

City Council

City Council committees will discuss long-term capital planning and utility rate options for a 2031 sewer relocation project. The meeting includes reviews of budget appropriations and board appointments for joint economic development districts.

• Proposed 2027-31 Capital Improvement Plan
• Utility rate options for the 2031 Sewer Relocation Project
• Proposed 2026 Budget Appropriations Amendment
• New easement with First Energy in the Columbus Street Parking Lot
• Proposed exemption of feral cats from Section 505.24 regarding feeding wild animals

Board of Health

Standing Rock Cemetery

Civil Service Commission

Board of Zoning Appeals

Board of Zoning Appeals

Civil Service Commission

Planning Commission

City Council

Parks and Recreation Board

Planning Commission

City Council

Shade Tree Commission

Board of Health

Standing Rock Cemetery

Planning Commission

City Council

Parks and Recreation Board

Civil Service Commission

Board of Zoning Appeals

Board of Zoning Appeals

Civil Service Commission

Shade Tree Commission

Shade Tree Commission

Planning Commission

Planning Commission

Board of Health

Board of Health

Board of Health

Board of Health

Board of Health

Board of Zoning Appeals

Board of Zoning Appeals

Civil Service Commission

Civil Service Commission

City Council

Shade Tree Commission

Shade Tree Commission

Planning Commission

Board of Health

Board of Health

Board of Health

Board of Health

Board of Zoning Appeals

Civil Service Commission

Board of Zoning Appeals

Civil Service Commission

City Council

Shade Tree Commission

Shade Tree Commission

Planning Commission

Board of Health

Board of Health

Board of Health

Board of Health

Civil Service Commission

Civil Service Commission

Board of Zoning Appeals

Board of Zoning Appeals

City Council

Shade Tree Commission

Shade Tree Commission

Planning Commission

Board of Health

Board of Health

Board of Health

Board of Health

Board of Zoning Appeals

Civil Service Commission

Board of Zoning Appeals

Civil Service Commission

Shade Tree Commission

Shade Tree Commission

Planning Commission

Board of Health

Board of Health

Board of Health

Board of Health

Civil Service Commission

Civil Service Commission

Board of Zoning Appeals

Board of Zoning Appeals

Planning Commission

Shade Tree Commission

Shade Tree Commission

Board of Zoning Appeals

Board of Zoning Appeals

Civil Service Commission

Civil Service Commission

Shade Tree Commission

Shade Tree Commission

Planning Commission

Civil Service Commission

Board of Zoning Appeals

Civil Service Commission

Board of Zoning Appeals

Shade Tree Commission

Shade Tree Commission

Planning Commission

Civil Service Commission

Shade Tree Commission

Planning Commission

Civil Service Commission

Shade Tree Commission

City Council

City Council will hold a public hearing regarding the CDBG PY2025 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report. The body will also consider several ordinances involving city grants, noise and wildlife regulations, and a loan for water reclamation facility construction.

• Public Hearing: CDBG PY2025 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER)
• Ordinance 2026-89: Authorization to pay purchase orders exceeding $3,000.00
• Ordinance 2026-91: New section 505.24 regarding feeding wild animals and fowl
• Ordinance 2026-92: Amendment to section 509.12 regarding unlawful noise
• Ordinance 2026-90: Loan agreement with Ohio EPA for Water Reclamation Facility influent headworks building

Planning Commission

Civil Service Commission

The Civil Service Commission is meeting to review personnel updates and a request for new testing. Fire Chief Jamie Samels is requesting a new Firefighter/Paramedic test because the current list is expiring.

• New hire: Dorian Fischer, Laborer, Service Dept. (eff. Oct 26, 2026)
• New hire: Luke Hewitt, Engineering Aide, Engineering Dept. (eff. Nov 9, 2026)
• Request for new Firefighter/Paramedic test

Board of Zoning Appeals

The Board of Zoning Appeals will hold a public hearing to consider two requests for zoning variances. The board will also review meeting minutes from August 17 and September 21, 2026.

• BZ26-007: Variance request for 323 N. Lincoln Street to expand a bump-out to 18 feet by 18 feet
• BZ26-011: Variance request for 638 S. Depeyster Street to place a subordinate structure 1.5 feet from the side property line

Civil Service Commission

Board of Zoning Appeals

Board of Zoning Appeals

Parks and Recreation Board

Board of Health

The Kent City Health Department Board of Health will review September 2026 reports and discuss grant revisions and policy manual development. The board will vote on expenditures and two specific action items regarding equipment and facilities.

• Purchase of a new vehicle for the food program
• Termination of the lease for the downstairs portion of the Erie St. building
• Approval of September 2026 expenditures and encumbrances
• Discussion of Healthy Brain Initiative Grant
• Revision of Workforce Development Grant

Standing Rock Cemetery

The Standing Rock Cemetery will meet to approve previous minutes, accept a financial statement, and approve vouchers. The agenda also includes a fuel report and other business.

• Approval of financial statement
• Approval of vouchers
• Fuel report
• Discussion with Jim DeLeone
• Discussion with Kyle-Urban Forestry

General

City Council

Kent City Council holds a committee meeting on October 7, 2026, following a Democracy Day public hearing and a Board of Control session. Committees will discuss an economic development strategy update, deer overpopulation and wildlife feeding, a noise ordinance review, a rural EMS dispatch grant, and rescinding two Community Reinvestment Area agreements with Klaben at 1238 and 1250 West Main St. The Finance Committee takes up a resolution on public funds depositories that declares an emergency. Other items include a new 2026 Squirrel City Half Marathon event and a State Route 629 grant agreement for North Mantua Street.

• Rescind CRA agreement with Klaben for the "New Dealership" at 1238 West Main St. (ref. Ord. 2024-106)
• Rescind CRA agreement with Klaben for the "Service Center" renovation at 1250 West Main St. (ref. Ord. 2024-107)
• Public Funds Depositories resolution estimating deposit amounts, award date, and designation period, declaring an emergency
• North Mantua Street - State 629 Grant Agreement
• New event: 2026 Squirrel City Half Marathon

Planning Commission

Shade Tree Commission

Board of Zoning Appeals

Civil Service Commission

Board of Zoning Appeals

Civil Service Commission

The Kent Civil Service Commission will review personnel updates, including new hires and a resignation, and consider a request to exempt Melanie Baker from testing for Chief Operator at the Water Reclamation Plant. Most agenda sections have no business, making this the only substantive item.

• New hires: Cameron Baker (Police Officer, Aug 10) and Andrew Bull (Health Commissioner, Sep 14)
• Resignation: Steven Kern (Police Officer, effective Sep 27)
• Testing exemption request for Chief Operator at Water Reclamation Plant
• Approval of July 2026 minutes

The Kent Civil Service Commission met on September 21, 2026, approving July minutes and an exemption from testing for the water reclamation plant Chief Operator position. All other departmental agenda items reported no business.

• Approved July minutes by unanimous voice vote
• Authorized exemption from testing for Chief Operator at the water reclamation plant by unanimous voice vote

Board of Zoning Appeals

The Kent Board of Zoning Appeals will hold a public hearing and business meeting to consider two variance requests. One seeks to expand an approved bump-out at 323 N. Lincoln Street beyond the standard size limits, and the other requests a reduced setback for a subordinate structure at 251 Dodge Street. The board will also review meeting minutes from August 17, 2026.

• BZ26-007: Variance to expand bump-out to 18x18 feet at 323 N. Lincoln Street (limit: 12 ft wide, 20 ft long)
• BZ26-009: Variance for 5-foot setback (10 ft required) for subordinate structure at 251 Dodge Street
• Public hearing and business meeting at Council Chambers, 319 S. Water Street, 7:00 PM
• Accommodation requests due 48 hours prior via Community Development at (330)678-8108

The Kent Board of Zoning Appeals voted to excuse an absent member, approved a variance for a storage shed at 251 Dodge Street, and postponed another variance request to the October meeting. The board also deferred approval of the August 17, 2026 meeting minutes due to a lack of a voting quorum at that prior meeting.

• Excused Michelle Sahr from the September 21, 2026 meeting (3-0)
• Postponed variance request BZ26-007 at 323 N. Lincoln Street to the October meeting
• Approved variance at 251 Dodge Street to allow a subordinate structure 5 feet from the principal structure (3-0)
• Deferred approval of August 17, 2026 meeting minutes to the next meeting

Parks and Recreation Board

The Kent Parks and Recreation Board is holding its regular monthly meeting. The agenda includes approval of minutes, staff reports on August revenue and expenditures, and updates on parks and recreation programs. An executive session is scheduled to discuss personnel matters.

• Approval of minutes from the August 20, 2026 meeting
• Monthly revenue and expenditure reports for August
• Park and recreation program reports
• Executive session on personnel matters (ORC §121.22)

City Council

The Kent City Council will hold its regular meeting, beginning with a Board of Control session. The agenda includes a consent agenda with several routine ordinances and resolutions, covering budget adjustments, tax levies, a license agreement, and easement donations. There are no items listed for committee discussions, unfinished, or new business.

• Ordinance to pay purchase orders exceeding $3,000 (2026-81)
• Resolution designating October as 'Sustainability Month' (2026-83)
• Ordinance adjusting appropriations for fiscal year 2026 (2026-84)
• Resolution accepting tax levy amounts and certifying to county auditor (2026-85)
• License agreement with Klaben Property Management for property near 1238 West Main Street (2026-86)

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission will consider an application for a Conditional Zoning Use Certificate and Site Plan Approval. The proposal involves allowing multifamily dwellings on parcel 45-004-00-00-053-000.

• Conditional Zoning Use Certificate and Site Plan Approval for Currie Hall Parkway (PC26-002)

Standing Rock Cemetery

General

The Kent Sustainability Commission will hold a special meeting to review sustainability topics and projects. No formal decisions are listed on the agenda.

The commission established the date, time, and location for the Lights Out! bat event. Members discussed potential marketing efforts and a proposed co-sponsorship for the Sustainable Kent Awards program.

• Scheduled Lights Out! event for Oct. 9, 7-8:30pm at Plum Creek
• Designated Oct. 10 as the rain date for the Lights Out! event
• Appointed Julie Grant as the commission point person for the event

Board of Health

The Kent City Board of Health is meeting to approve routine reports and expenditures, and to take action on a tobacco retail license denial for Kent Mart Inc. The agenda includes a statistical and health department report for August 2026, plus discussion and action items.

• Approval of August 2026 expenditures and encumbrances
• Action on Kent Mart Inc. tobacco retail license denial
• Statistical report for August 2026
• Health Department report for August 2026

City Council

The Kent City Council committee meeting will discuss creating a new Sustainability Council Committee, proposed topics for new charter amendments, and permanently designating October as Sustainability Month. It will also consider a license agreement for 1238 W. Main St., a right-of-way donation for the N. Mantua St. improvement project, and a budget appropriations amendment.

• Discussion of proposal to create a new 'Sustainability' Council Committee
• Permanent designation of October as Sustainability Month
• Certification of tax rates and amounts to Portage County
• 2026 Budget Appropriations Amendment
• 1238 W. Main St. License Agreement

Kent City Council met on September 2, 2026, and approved placing a charter amendment on the ballot to lower the threshold for suspending rules and passing emergency measures from a three-fourths to a two-thirds majority. A motion to establish a standing Sustainability Committee on Council failed for lack of a second. Council also approved several routine items, including a permanent designation of October as Sustainability Month, a re-appointment to the Convention and Visitors' Bureau, certification of tax rates to Portage County, a 2026 budget appropriations amendment, a license agreement with Klaben, acceptance of easements from Kent City Schools for the North Mantua Street project, and a letter of exclusivity for a NOPEC municipal power purchasing collective. All approved motions carried by unanimous voice vote with emergency clauses.

• Approved placing charter amendment on ballot to change emergency vote threshold from three-fourths to two-thirds (unanimous voice vote)
• Motion to establish a standing Sustainability Committee on Council failed for lack of a second
• Approved permanent designation of October as Sustainability Month with emergency clause (unanimous voice vote)
• Approved re-appointment of Eric Helmstedter to Kent Convention and Visitors' Bureau with emergency clause (unanimous voice vote)
• Approved certification of tax rates and amounts to Portage County with emergency clause (unanimous voice vote)
• Approved 2026 budget appropriations amendment with emergency clause (unanimous voice vote)
• Approved license agreement with Klaben for storm water overflow at 1238 W. Main St. with emergency clause (unanimous voice vote)
• Approved acceptance of four easements and right of way donations from Kent City Schools for North Mantua Street improvement project with emergency clause (unanimous voice vote)

Planning Commission

Parks and Recreation Board

City Council

The Kent City Council will hold a regular meeting on August 19, 2026, beginning with a Board of Control session. The agenda includes the swearing-in of Police Chief Gary Stone, a proclamation for Aaron Ruggles, and public comment. The main business is a consent agenda of eight ordinances, including authorizing payment of purchase orders over $3,000, amending the fair housing quorum, certifying unpaid bills for sidewalk repairs and utility charges to the county auditor, extending the school resource officer agreement, accepting easements for the North Mantua Street project, and approving a water tap-in for a property on State Route 43. All committee reports indicate no business.

• Swearing-in of Police Chief Gary Stone
• Ordinance 2026-73: authorize payment of purchase orders exceeding $3,000
• Ordinance 2026-74: amend fair housing quorum (Section 557.05(e))
• Ordinance 2026-75/76/77: certify unpaid sidewalk, utility, and code enforcement bills to county auditor for tax lien
• Ordinance 2026-78: extend school resource officer MOU with Kent City Board of Education to June 1, 2027

The City Council approved a consent agenda containing eight ordinances, including a school resource officer agreement and property tax certifications for unpaid municipal bills. Council also voted to move three proposed charter and ordinance issues to committee for review, while rejecting a proposal to move nonpartisan election considerations to committee. Additionally, the council authorized a charter amendment proposal regarding term limits for the Charter Review Commission.

• Approved liquor license application for CVS Pharmacy at 500 S. Water Street
• Approved consent agenda including eight ordinances (7-0-1)
• Moved three proposed ballot issues to committee (unanimous)
• Denied moving nonpartisan election issue to committee (3-5)
• Approved proposal for charter amendment on Charter Review Commission term limits

Planning Commission