City Council - Regular Meeting

I don't understand.

[laughter] It is 7 o'clock. time to call our meeting to order. Any please call roles? Miss Blind present. Mr. Shu, Mr. Cross here, Mr. Hower here. Miss Zingle present. Mr. Leutus here. Mr. Marley present. Mr. Neely here. Miss Newman here. Mr. Parker here. Would you please stand for the invocation by Mr. Lebas and then please remain standing for the pledge. [clears throat]

Shall we pray? Heavenly Father, we come to pray this evening. We thank you for this day that you've given us. Thank you for the warmer weather and brighter days. I just ask that you be with us this evening in our discussions to be fruitful um for the for the city. I also ask a special prayer for the Stanley family from Catholic as they experienced have experienced some great loss and grief over the past few days. I ask that you would um help the Newark Catholic community and the community of Newark at large to surround them, help to provide peace and comfort where they can. Also play pray a blessing over our safety forces as they are out uh daily to protect our city. Be with us this evening. Help us to keep in mind your plan for our city. Jesus name. Amen.

Amen. Mr. Thank you, Mr. President. For the pledge, I'd like to introduce Adeline Gabriel, who's a fifth grader at Carson Elementary, and thank you and thank her for coming to the pledge of Ice to the flag of the United States of America and to the nation.

Thank you. Uh, next up is caucus. Do we have anything that pertains to the agenda tonight? Mr. President, Mr. Marmy, I make a motion to excuse Mr. Ch. Second. Got a motion by Mr. Marmy. Second by Mr. Hower. All in favor say I. I. Same sign. That passes. Next up, it's minutes of the February 2nd meeting, 20 26. Do I have a motion? Motion. Second. Motion by Mr. Leuda, second by Mr. Hower. All in favor say I. I.

All post. same time that passes. Uh appointments, there are none tonight. Reports of standing committees, finance, street service without exception will be received and filed. Uh reports from city officials, Ryan Bug, city auditor, operating report for the period ending January 31st, 2026. Communications uh Ohio division of liquor new liquor permit for Morning Harvest Cafe LLC 19 South Parkplace, North Ohio. Uh, Park National Bank statement of account North Memorial Building, Cedar Hills Senate Cemetery Trust. Uh, Dave Frolic email communications containing a a request to council. Next up is comments from citizens. We ask you to give your name and address. Keep your comments to three minutes and please be respectful.

[clears throat]

Michelle Smith, 237, Violet Bridge. I'd like to acknowledge the lo um the great loss of um Reverend um Jesse Jackson um a great humanitarian um and uh a a great influence in all of us. Um he he was just such an influence [clears throat] on the entire world and following me and I [clears throat] am sorry for his loss. He's influenced me my entire life. Thank you.

Anybody else like to come and speak at this time? Thank you, Mr. President. Members of council, good evening. My name is David A. Garrick. I am the staff representative for Ask Me Council 8 out of Columbus. I'm the staff representative for uh Ask Me Local 2963, which is the New York City employees. Uh Newark City employees are the heart of this community. City employees keep streets clear, water safe, community uh communities healthy. This work is not a job. It is it's a calling for the members of this local. They are not just employees. Many of them are residents of this city. They raise family here. They care for loved ones here and they care about what happens in their city. Ask me Local 2963 has a proud history with this city. Our our members have always stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Newark citizens and its leaders ready to face any challenge. While we have never given this city to any reason to doubt or our commitment or dedication, unfortunately cannot say the same thing. During these negotiations, we've been offered proposals that make us question if the city administration has any respect or value for the people who keep this city running. The administration's current actions lead us to believe that they do not. They are acting unfairly. Abs local 2963 members are not going to back down. We are prepared to stand together until we find a resolution that is rooted in fairness and respect. We are here to inform council that we

have no other choice but to uh petition for a factf finder uh with the uh state employee relations board and continue forward with our contract and our contract resolution. We are asking uh Mr. President and city council to please reach out to the administration and tell them to negotiate in good faith that respect our members that contribute to this city every day. Thank you for your time. Thank you. Anybody else would like to come and speak at this time? [clears throat] Okay. Next up is ordinance on the second reading 25-49.

Ordinance number 25-49 by Mr. Barker, Miss Lion, Mr. C, Miss Zingle, Mr. Mr. Harmon, and Mr. Neely. An ordinance approving and authorizing the law director of the city of Newark or the law director's designate to take all necessary steps to annex the property being 1.998 acres more or less known as 3131 Hornill Road as reported in instrument number 202212270029997 0.546 acres more or less located in the township of Newark as identified by instrument number 20249130016055. 5 and 1.231 acres more or less located in the township of Newark as identified by auditor's parcel number 058-290796-0000 pursuant to the Ohio Revised Code 709.16

heard the reading of 25-49. What is your wish, Mr. President? Mr. Barker. Thank you, Mr. President. I make a motion to adopt 25-49. Second. Got a motion by Mr. Barker, second by Miss Blond. Do we have any discussion? And will you please call the RO? Miss Blind? Yes. Mr. Shup. Mr. Cross. Yes. Mr. Hower? Yes. Missing? Yes. Mr. Leas? Yes. Mr. Marble? Yes. Mr. Neely? Yes. Miss Newman? Yes. Mr. Barker? Yes. 25-49 passes 90. Next up is 25-50.

Ordinance number 25-50 by Mr. Barker, Mr. Cos, Mr. Neily, Mr. Marmy, Mr. Leutus, Missing Engle. An ordinance to assume maintenance responsibility for the full width of Hornsill Road from Wildfl Wildflower Drive and Hornsill Road exits the municipalities limits adjacent to 2250 Hornill Road, Newark, Ohio 43055 and to authorize the service director to enter into all necessary road maintenance agreements with the Licking County Board of Commissioners for the maintenance of Hornill Road. Cur 25-50 was your wish, Mr. President. Mr. Barker, make a motion to adopt 25-50. Second motion by Mr. Barker second by Mr. Hower. Do we have any discussion? Amy, please call the role. Miss Blind, yes. Mr. Shu, Mr. Cost, yes. Mr. Hower? Yes.

Miss Engle? Yes. Mr. Debutus? Yes. Mr. Murray? Yes. Mr. Millie? Yes. Miss Newman? Yes. Mr. Burker? Yes. 25-50 passes 90. [clears throat] Next up is ordinance on the first reading 2603. Ordinance number 26-03 by Miss Newman, Mr. Cost, Mr. Marmy, Mr. Ludas, Miss Blind, an ordinance vacating a 16 foot wide alley as shown on the plat of Fairview acres edition as recorded in plat 4, page 96 of the Licking County flat records. Said alley is located between Morgan Avenue and Bonner Street east of State Route 13.

For Green of 26-3, what is your wish? No, this will be held until March 2nd. Sorry. Next up is 2604-04 by Mr. Barker, Mr. cost. Mr. Marmy, Mr. Leutus, Miss Blind, an ordinance changing the zoning classification of certain rural property generally described as 1509 Dmore Stroll. A property currently being annexed from Newark Township to the city of Newark, Clicking County, Ohio, parcel tax ID number 058-291228-00.0000 to single family residence RN medium density zoning district, zoning code of the city of New Ohio.

26-04 will be referred to the planning commission. Next up is 26-05 ordinance number 26-05 by Mr. Murmy, Mr. Cos, Mr. Barker, Mr. Levitus, and Miss Blind to provide for the issuance of not to exceed $1,60,000 of bond anticipation notes in anticipation of the issuance of bonds for the purpose of paying the cost of church street area improvements and repair including electrical, sidewalk, street, and streetscape and all necessary pertinances there too, and declaring an emergency. Further reading of 26-05. As you wish, Mr. President Mr. Marmy

make a motion to adopt ordinance 26-05. Second motion by Mr. Marmy. Second by Mr. Barker. Do we have any discussion? Amy, please call. Miss Blind. Yes. Mr. Sh. Yes. Mr. Cos. Yes. Mr. Hower? Yes. Miss Engle? Yes. Mr. McDudus? Yes. Mr. Marmy? Yes. Mr. Neely? Yes. Miss Newman? Yes. Mr. Barker? Yes. 26-05 passes 90. Next up is 26-0.

Number 26-06 by Mr. Marie, Mr. Cross, Mr. Barker, Mr. Medudas to provide for the issuance of $155,000 of bond anticipation notes in anticipation of the issuance of bonds for the purpose of paying a portion of the city's cost for Horns Hill Road sanitary sewer project improvements and declaring an emergency. Further reading 2606. What is your wish, Mr. President? Mr. Marmy, make a motion to adopt ordinance 26-06. Second. Got a motion by Mr. Marmy, second by Mr. Barker. Do we have any discussion? Can we please call the role? Miss Blind? Yes. Mr. Shute. Mr. Cost? Yes. Mr. Hower? Yes. Miss Engle? Yes. Mr. Leutus? Yes. Mr. Marley? Yes. Mr. New? Yes. Miss Newman? Yes. Mr. Burker?

Yes. 2606 patches 90. Next up is 2607. Ordinance number 26-07 by Mr. Harmy, Mr. Cross, Mr. Burker, Mr. Utus Miss Blind to provide for the issuance of $485,000 of bond anticipation notes in anticipation of the issuance of bonds for the purpose of paying the cost of construction of the stream bank protection project including replacement of the sheep pile dam on Raccoon Creek site preparation and all necessary and declaring an emergency. Further reading 2607 what is your wish Mr. President? Mr. Make a motion to adopt ordinance 26-07 second. Motion by Mr. Marmy second by Mr. Barker. Do we have any discussion? And we please call the role. Miss Blind.

Yes. Mr. Shu. Yes. Mr. Cost. Yes. Mr. Hower? Yes. Miss Engold? Yes. Mr. Levitus? Yes. Mr. Marley? Yes. Mr. Neely? Yes. Miss Newman? Yes. Mr. Barker? Yes. 26-07 passes 90. Next up is 26-08. Ordinance number 26-08 by Mr. Marley. Mr. Cos, Mr. Barker, Mr. Leutus. An ordinance consolidating up to three bond anticipation note issues of the city of Newark, Ohio and declaring an emergency. Further reading of 26-08 was your wish. Mr. President, make a motion to adopt ordinance 26-08. Second. Got a motion by Mr. Marmy. Second by Mr. Barker. Do we have any discussion? And we please call the Miss Blind. Yes. Mr. Shu. Mr. Cos. Yes. Mr. Hower? Yes. Miss Engold? Yes. Mr. Debut?

Yes. Mr. Marmy? Yes. Mr. Neely? Yes. Miss Newman. Yes. Mr. Barker. Yes. 26-08 passes 90. Next up is resolutions on the second reading. 26-01. Resolution 26-01 by Mr. Marmy, Mr. Cross, Miss Blind, Mr. Barker, Mr. Shu, Mr. Leutus, Mr. Ney, Miss Engold. A resolution appropriating monies for current expenses of the municipal corporation. Further reading of 26-01 was your wish. Mr. President, Mr. Marmy, make a motion to adopt resolution 26-01. Second. Got a motion by Mr. Marmy. Second by Mr. Barker. Do any discussion? Amy, please call the role. Miss Blind. Yes. Mr. Shu. Mr. Cost. Yes. Mr. Hower? Yes. Miss Engold? Yes. Mr. Leutus? Yes.

Mr. Marmy? Yes. Mr. Neely? Yes. Miss Newman? Yes. Mr. Barker? Yes. 26-01 passes 90. Next up is uh 26-2. Resolution number 26-0 received by Mr. Barker, Mr. Cos, Mr. Marley, Mr. Shu, Mr. Millie, Miss Engold, Miss Fle, Mr. Lebutis, a resolution authorizing and directing the director of public service of the city of Newark, Ohio to enter into contract without competitive bidding subject to the appropriation of funds for the purchase of a replacement utility billing software, UBS, for the water, sewer, and storm water departments. Further reading 26-2 as your wish, Mr. President. Mr. Barker. Thank you, Mr. President. I can make a motion to approve resolution 2602. Second.

Got a motion by Mr. Barker, second by Miss Blond. There any discussion and we please call the RO. Miss Blind? Yes. Mr. Shu. Mr. Cos. Yes. Mr. Hower? Yes. Missing? Yes. Mr. Vidus? Yes. Mr. Marmy? Yes. Mr. Neely? Yes. Miss Newman? Yes. Mr. Parker? Yes. 26-2 passes 90. Next up is 26-3.

Resolution number 26-03 by Mr. Barker, Mr. Cost, Miss Blind, Mr. Morne, Mr. Leutus, Mr. Shu, Mr. Ney, Miss Ingle. A resolution authorizing and directing the director of public service for the city of Newark, Ohio to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the Lincoln County Transportation Improvement District and the city of Keith for the construction of certain improvements to Thornwood Drive known as the Thornwood Drive FA drive improvements project phase 2 work. Further 26-3, what is your wish, Mr. President? Mr. Barker. Thank you, Mr. President. I make a motion to approve resolution 2603. Second. Got a motion by Mr. Barker, second by Mr. Hower. Do you have any discussion? Mr. President, Mr. Barker.

Thank you, Mr. President. I need to make a motion to amend 2603. Uh, there was an error found. Uh, it had the mayor's address as Newark, New Jersey, not North, Ohio. Second. So, we got a motion to make amendment by Mr. Barker and then second by Mr. Hower. Amy, please call. Miss Blind, yes. Mr. Shu, Mr. Cos, yes. Mr. Hower, yes. Miss Engle, yes. Mr. Leutus. Yes. Mr. Marvin. Yes. Miss Houston. Miss Newman. Yes. Mr. Ber. Yes. So the amendment has passed 90. Now we're back to um the adopt adoption by Mr. Burker. Mr. Hower and Miss Blind. Yes. Mr. Shu. Mr. C. Yes. Mr. Hower.

Yes. Miss Engold. Yes. Mr. Leutus. Yes. Mr. Marley. Yes. Mr. Neely. Yes. Miss Newman. Yes. Mr. Burker. Yes. 26-03 passes 90. Next up is resolutions on the first reading 26-04. Resolution number 26-04 by Mr. Marley, Mr. Cross, Mr. Barker, Mr. Leutus, and Miss Blind. A resolution appropriating monies for the current expenses of the municipal preparation. 26-04 will be held until our next meeting March the 2nd. Next up is 26-05 expedite. Resolution number 26-05 expedite by Mr. Murmy, Mr. Cos, Mr. Barker, Mr. Leutus, and Miss Blind. A resolution appropriating monies for current expenses of the municipal corporation. Heard the reading of 26-05. What is your wish?

Mr. President, Mr. Marmy, make a motion to wave the two-day reading rule and resolution 26-05. Second. Got a motion by Mr. Marmy to wave the uh two-day reading rule. Second by Mr. Barker. Amy, please call the RO. Miss Blind, yes. Mr. Shupe, Mr. C, yes. Mr. Houseer, yes. Miss Engle, yes. Mr. Leutus, yes. Mr. Mar, yes. Mr. Ne, yes. Miss Newman. Yes. Mr. Burker, yes. Today, uh, reading one has been waved. What is your wish, Mr. President? Mr. Marmy, I make a motion to adopt resolution 26-05. Second. Got a motion by Mr. Marmy. Second by Mr. Hower to adopt. Do we have any discussion? Amy, please call the role. Miss Blind, yes. Mr. Shu, Mr. Cost, yes.

Mr. Hower, yes. Miss Engled, yes. Mr. Leutus, yes. Mr. Marmy, yes. Mr. Ney, yes. Miss Newman, yes. Mr. Mr. Ber. Yes. 26-05 passes 90. Next up is 26-06. Resolution number 26-06 by Mr. Barker, Mr. Thomas, Mr. Marley, Mr. Leutus, Miss Blind. A resolution authorizing and directing the director of public service to negotiate and enter into contract with DWA recreation for playground equipment at Walls Park and waving competitive bidding and declaring an emergency. Per 26-06. What is your wish, Mr. President? Mr. Barker. Thank you, Mr. President. I make a motion to adopt 2606. Second. Got a motion by Mr. Third Barker, second by Miss Blind. Do we have any discussion, Mr. President? Mr. Barker.

Thank you, Mr. President. This is an emergency. The emergency clause is there because we are trying to time this up with a grant we've received. Any other discussion? Amy, please call the role. Miss Blind, yes. Mr. Shu, Mr. Cost, yes. Mr. Hen, yes. Missing, yes. Mr. Levut, yes. Mr. Murray, yes. Mr. Ne, yes. Miss Newman, yes. Miss Burgerer, yes. 26-06 passes 90 and our last one tonight is 26-07.

Resolution number 26-07 by Mr. Barker, Mr. Cross, Mr. Marmy, Mr. Leutus, Miss Blind. A resolution authorizing and directing the director of public service of the city of Newark, Ohio to accept bids and enter contract subject to the appropriation of funds for construction of the Grand Road sanitary sewer relocation project 2021-11 project

26-7 will be held until our next meeting March the second. That completes our ordinance and resolutions tonight. Next up is your last opportunity to come and speak. Do we have anybody tonight? Come on up, please. Smith, 237 Violet Court. Um this weekend, um eight people lost their lives, um due to an explosion of fireworks. Um and um I have seen a number of stores in our community um between Keith and and Newark. [clears throat] um who have signs on um their the French out of their stores um asking people not to shoot fireworks in front of their within 300 ft. Some people have entire garages full of fireworks and they're now being used not just um for um Fourth of July um but just about every holiday or personal holiday that um they can think of. Um without necessarily knowing what they're doing. In some cases they're letting their kids boost them. Um, this is inappropriate and I think the city ought to consider a regulation on that. Thank you.

Thank you. Anybody else like to speak? City officials, law director. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I will pass. Thank you. Uh, we're going to go out of order tonight and start with Mr. Hower.

Thank you, Mr. President. I appreciate that. got some news to share, but I think I'll touch on something more important first. Um, you just mentioned in his prayer, I just want to uh just say my thoughts and prayers are with the Stanley family. They have a huge impact on a ton of people and that was pretty heartbreaking to get over the weekend. So, I just want to say my prayers and with them. Um unfortunately um I'm going to be moving outside of my um district um into the the fifth board um and uh due to that this is going to be my last uh meeting on council um which certainly very sad for me um really enjoyed um working with you all um and some members who aren't here any longer. um really enjoyed working with all all of you. Um enjoy representing the first ward. Hopefully I've um done right by them. Um and uh just uh look forward to this next phase, but I hope to stay engaged and still be around and just want to thank you for all the patience and education and just the help you provide. Thank you.

So somebody else you'd like to thank for supporting you? Oh, my wife here. She is here. [laughter] Thank you. All right, Miss

Thank you, Mr. Certainly like to thank everyone for coming out tonight. Um, in alignment with what with Smith has stated, you know, we do mourn the loss of Reverend Jesse Jackson and all that he has brought to our nation. I thank you for for bringing that up. It's very important. I also want to, you know, keep everyone just in a in a mind of prayer for this family. It's a great loss. Uh, and also for the resident on Summit Street that lost her life in the fire. You know, it's been very difficult for the neighborhood. Um, so we certainly want to keep that family. Also, we want to thank the art and private for the quick response and uh and all they did during that time and grief and tragedy. So, I'm very grateful to them. Uh I'm also grateful to the community for the night to shine event. It was great. They were hundreds uh that came out from the special needs community uh to be honored and loved during a very special time. And I just like to thank her. I could see people here who were present and none of that would have occurred not volunteers. So appreciate you and thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Cos. Michael, want to thank you for your service. You've done an excellent job and a good counselor. I hope to see you back here in one pass or another. With that, I'll pass. Think you want to say something else, Miss Block? um to Mr. House.

Yes. And it's been an honor sitting next to you this very short time and I hope for long but I wish you all the best and I know I know you have a bright future ahead of you and how would you you choose to consider this? Thank you. I get in the single.

First of all, Michael, we began our relationship. I was your mentor. You have been my mentor here and I thank you very much for everything you've uh worked to help me do and put my feet on knowing what most importantly I'm going to miss you not but you're not far away. Thank you for your service. Um I I also just wanted to tell you that um I am working with the Lincoln County Foundation. Um they the foundation does not go out and and do things but they help to make things happen. And right now they are talking about convening and having um opportunities to talk about housing in Newark and Licking County. And I had the opportunity to do a diplomas to a tiny house, a little village um and about 20 houses. And it was really interesting to see that I was so surprised that the tiny houses really were well suited for one person and that's all they were made for. And um and I think that that is one way we can look at housing here. It's at least a part of the discussion now. Um the foundation will also be having a meeting in March understanding that will also be talking about housing in Luke County. So um with that Mr. President,

thank you Mr. Leas. Thank you Mr. President. Mr. Hen, thank you for your service on council. you know done a fine job representing your sport your professional career has help council capacity from a finance perspective and your analytical skills with integrated as well so while I hope to see you leave council I know you got big things ahead and I'm excited for you and one day you guys get to move to a new area but uh I know you'll be proud and uh done a fantastic job. So that I will pass. Thank you, Mr. Murray.

Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, first thing I need to call a finance committee meeting for April the 6th or March, excuse me, March the 2nd. Um, I first want to start out by just uh giving my condolences to the Stanley family and uh my thoughts and prayers. I I can't even begin to imagine uh the grief that they are going through and um just know that uh there's there's a lot of folks surrounding them and they are they are very well known in the community because they were involved in the community and all of the children just contributed significantly uh to the community. Um, and just want to add some additional prayers to that as well. Um, the next thing I want to talk about, uh, for unfortunately I was a little under the weather during Valentine's Day. Uh, but I did have some feelers out there and the downtown was hopping. And it is great to see that our community doing so well between get the lead out and just the Valentine uh reservations with every restaurant was just booked and just like to see that the downtown is is being fully utilized in that capacity. And I think that it was just a a great day for the community and uh with the day being representative of love uh the folks that love this community really do appreciate that and I being one of those. Um, speaking of love, Michael, I've loved serving with you

and um, I have truly uh, gained a lot of respect for what you have done and what you have brought to the table with city council and also representing your Lord. I also have gotten to know you well enough that this is just one chapter and this is just a technicality that's removing you from council and in some way shape or form you are going to still contribute to the city whether it be on council in the future or some other role and you will continue your support of the city with all the endeavors and the involvement that you are currently and moving to a different location is not going to change that. And I appreciate what you do and I look forward to working with you in one way or another in the very near future and hopefully maybe even back up here on council. Although, you know, with our age span, I might be gone by then. But uh but no, I really do appreciate you and um thank you very much and I wish you good fortune in your next chapter. Thank you. And with that, Mr. President,

Mr. Neely, thank you, Mr. President. Uh Michael, I I knew you well before either of us was on council. Uh he would watch our house while we were on vacation. And it's such a gentleman, this guy. My my dog ate his entire wallet. When I say his entire wallet, I mean his entire wallet. Didn't say a word to any of us. Um until we were sitting on the couch a week later and saw something under the couch and realized it was part of his credit cards and his ID [laughter] and then we he finally came clean about that and never said a word though. Uh Michael, thank you for your service to the city. Uh you have represented your ward very well. I've been approached by members of your ward just very upset about you leaving, but I know it's it's a good thing for you uh you and your wife and I congratulate you on that and just thank you and know there's more in store and I appreciate your friendship. With that, I will pass.

M.

Uh, thank you. Um, so first off, I wanted to say thank you to so many faces who are here today. Um, democracy is not a spectator sport and it's incredibly important that our citizens um, our employees show up when there's big issues at play. Um, I'm sure there's a million other things you could be doing on a Tuesday evening. And so I appreciate seeing you all here. So, I did want to say thank you to everyone who took time out to participate today. Um, in addition, um, while I am not a member of New York Panis, I am a big fan of pancakes and I am a big fan of getting people together. Um, so on Saturday, um, uh, February, I believe it's Saturday, February 28th. Is that right? Saturday, February 20th. I want to make sure this is right because it's important. Um, at the Grove by the River, um, it is their annual pancake event. This is incredibly important. Pancakes for all. Um it is $10 for adults, kids 10 and under. Eat free. Um it's a great fundraiser for adults to ensure that New York can continue to do great work around the community. That goes from 700 a.m. until 100 p.m. Um and the growth happens to be in the seventh ward, which is very exciting, too.

Um lastly, Mr. Hower, I'm really sad to hear that you were going. Um, you were the first person I ever played golf with and I'm still just as terrible. Um, I I was in a poresome with Mr. Barker and his wife and Mr. Hower and it was probably one of the worst games of golf ever played. Um, but I know that I made good friends that day and so you're not going anywhere. But, um, I am sad that I won't be able to see you at the house. So, um, with that I will pass. Thank you, Mr. Barker.

Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, Miss Newman, thank you for reminding me of that round of golf. I try to forget that on a daily basis. [laughter] I think at one point Michael and I were just hitting them into the sand just to get along the course. U, Michael, I I don't know what more else can be said. I you're truly a great friend. I will miss you here on council. I know this is not the end of your story here with with our local community. uh as as you are well entwined uh in different aspects of our community and I I appreciate everything you do and I welcome you and Len to the fifth ward. Uh you've got my number, you need anything, you let me know. Um it is the most desirable ward now since you and L have moved there. I can I think I can coin that for that move. So I I appreciate you coming. I sure I will hear that from Mr. Wrath. I will get a text message, I'm sure. Uh, I want to send uh our my family's prayers to the Stanley family. Uh, I had the the pleasure during COVID of serving at the food pantry with uh Monica and uh McKenzie and uh Brooklyn. Um, we had a great family. Uh, my wife worked with them through New Catholic at different events and uh it's just a huge loss uh for their family and the overall community. uh they're a great thing. Uh and with that, I need to call service committee meeting for March 2nd and I will pass.

Thank you, Mr. Barker. Um I too like to send my condolence to the Stanley family. Like everybody said, they're really good family and it's just like I just couldn't imagine it. So I'd like to wish Molly a happy birthday. Today's her birthday. Thank you.

And uh I will not October 8th. But I will say Bill Cos is glad that you're on counsel because he's not able to snap to celebrity. So I always like to share some fun facts about Black History Month. I think I've shared these before, but um some black inventors. Um, I think we all be glad that this was invented was the air conditioning unit. Uh, Frederick M. Jones in 1949. Thank God he invented the air conditioning unit. Um, traffic lights. Uh, Garrett Morgan in 1923. And, uh, of course he'd probably be upset with roundabouts now, but you know. So, and u uh elevator uh al Alexander Miles 1867 invented the elevator. So, everybody here don't help to take the steps. So, Mr. Hower, I met Mr. Hower around 2018 2019 at Park National Bank and that's when I started running [clears throat] for council then Mr. Hower would get off at 5:00 you're dressed just like dad. Come meet me and go door to door in his suit and dress shoes every about every night. And uh you have represented the first w um everybody's I got phone calls and saying is this true and I said unfortunately it is. Um hate to see you leave but happy for you. Um, you've been

a good friend to me to counsel. U, you're a good good husband, good [clears throat] man, and now the fifth board has somebody else to pick from. You want to run for our next meeting is March the 2nd. Do I have a motion? Motion by Mr. C, second by Mr. Loose. All in favor say I. most fun. A to