City Council - Regular Meeting

It's 7 o'clock. It's time to call me to order. Amy, please call the roll.

Mr. Mr. present. Mr. Neely here is Newman here. Mr. Parker here is blind. Present. Mr. shoot.

Present.

Mr. cost is single.

Mr. would you like to stand for the invocation by Mr. and then remain standing for the pledge.

Shall we pray. Heavenly Father, as we come to you in prayer right now, we thank you for this day that you have given us, a beautiful day to serve both you and to serve our city. We thank you and reflect on the celebrations we just had over the past weekend, celebrating 250 years of our country. We thank you for the blessing of our country and the freedoms we have that we enjoy. and sometimes maybe dismiss, but the freedoms that we have to come to a public meeting, to voice our opinions, but also to worship you freely as well. Thank you for those freedoms that we enjoy in this country and that you've given us. As you use their conversations this evening helps them to be fruitful for our city as always help us to keep in mind what you have in mind for the city of Newark. These things I ask in Jesus name. Amen.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you, sir. Next up is caucus. Do we have anything pertaining to the agenda tonight?

Mr. President?

Yes.

I'd like to make a motion that... Point of order.

As present, can we excuse? Yeah.

Okay, I've got a motion by Mr. Marmy say, my Mr. Parker excuse Mr. limited all in favor say, aye. Oh, same sign that passes. Okay.

Okay. Thank you. Mr. President, I would like to make a motion that item 2623 be removed from the table.

Got a motion by Mr. cost. And please call the roll.

Mr. lonely Mr. army.

Yes.

Mr. Neely.

Yes.

Ms. Newman. Yes. Mr. Parker. Yes. Ms. blind. Yes. Mr. shoot.

Yes.

Mr. cost. Yes. This angle. Yes. Mr. yes. Okay.

That has been removed off the table.

Can we speak to it shortly?

Sure.

I had just asked that it be removed from the table since it had been considered through committee and received emergency consideration. It feels like council would be ready for a vote.

Amy, you want to read 2623?

Ordinance number 26-23 by Mr. Marmy, Mr. Koss, Ms. Blind, Mr. Barker, Mr. Neely, Mr. Shute, Ms. Newman, Ms. Ingold. An ordinance setting compensation and standing policy with respect to chiefs and deputy chiefs. Of the city of New York, Ohio, revealing all ordinances and resolutions in conflict with this ordinance and declaring an emergency for the reading of 26 dash 23. what is your wish.

I supposed to speak here.

Sorry to be emotional. That's right. Yes. So we need to.

Just if there's any discussion, Mr. president, I just want to make a comment as as last meeting, we table this legislation to have all members of council present not knowing that Mr would not be here and setting that precedence that all other compensation packages have been voted on by the full council. I did speak to Mr before he left. He did ask us to proceed forward tonight if we saw fit. So I just wanted to make that comment.

Any other discussion? Please call the roll.

Mr. Lumley? Mr. Marmy?

No.

Mr. Neely?

Yes.

Ms. Newman? Yes. Mr. Berger?

No.

Ms. Blind? Yes. Mr. Hsu?

Yes.

Mr cost. Yes, single. Yes.

Yes. 26 dash 23 passes. 7 to 2. Next up, we have minutes of the June 15th, 2026. me to have a motion motion by Mr. 2nd, Mr burger on favor say aye. Same sign passes appointments. Mayor already reappointing Megan evidence, rather than Michael noble, Bob German to the human relations commission boards. There are new appointments will begin July 7th, 2026 and will expire July 6. 20, 30 appointments will be a 4 year term 3. all in favor say aye. I think that passes reports of standing committee service without objection will be received and file reports from city officials. Operating report for the period ending June 30th, 2026. Brandon fox water administrator. 2025 yearly report for the division of water and wastewater. Brandon Fox water administration list of properties being sent to the county property tax lien for past new water, sewer, and stormwater bills totaling 2611 dollars and 98 cents. Petitions proposed alley vacation alley running East between 190 and 196 South 5th street located north of national drive. Communication, Chance Pasnick, Superintendent Parks, Cemetery Department, City of Newark Parks Department will be hosting the fifth annual T.J. Evans Youth Fishing Derby on Saturday, July 11th at T.J. Evans Park. And then next up we have public hearing 26-13. Amy, please read the public hearing.

Ordinance number 26-13 by Mr. Barker, Mr. Toss, Mr. Engel, Mr. Marmy, Mr. Neely, Ms. Blyne. An ordinance changing the zoning classification of certain real property generally described as 16 East Street, City of Newark, Licking County, Ohio, parcel tax ID number 054-210102-00.000 from that of GC, General Commercial Zoning District, to single family residence, RH, High Density Zoning District, Zoning Code of the City of Newark, Ohio.

For the reading of 26-13, we're going to open up this public hearing. Is there anybody here to speak for or against 26-13? Anybody? Okay, we're going to close this public hearing. Amy, please call the roll, or read it.

Number 26 dash 13 by Mr. Parker. Mr. Cosmic single Mr. Martin, Mr. dealing is blind and ordinance changing the zoning classification of certain real property generally described as 16 East street city of Newark, Lincoln County, Ohio, personal tax ID number 054 dash 210102 dash 00.000 from that of GC general commercial zoning district to single family residents are high density zoning district. So, any code in the city of Newark, Ohio.

For the reading of 26, that's 13. what is your wish? Mr. president Mr. Parker.

Thank you. Mr. president. I'd like to make a motion to adopt 26 dash 13.

2nd, no motion by Mr. Parker second by miss blind. Do we have any discussion?

Mr. president Mr. Parker famous president this has gone through the full planning process and the planning commission has afforded recommended action to approve this zoning change by this council. And I hope everyone will join me in voting in that way. Thank you.

Any other discussion. And please call the roll. Mr. Mr. yes.

Mr. Neely.

Yes.

Ms Newman. Yes. Mr. Parker. Yes. This blind. Yes. Mr. shoot.

Yes.

Mr. cost.

Yeah.

Yes. This would get us. Yes.

26 dash 13 passes 9 0 next up is 26 dash 14.

1 is number 26 dash 14 by Mr. Parker. Mr. Cosmos single Mr. Marvin is by Mr. Neely and ordinance changing the zoning classification certain real property generally described as 20 East street city of New York county, Ohio, parcel tax ID number 054 dash 21416176 dash 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, and that of GC general commercial zoning district to single family residents high density zoning district. So any code of the city of Newark, Ohio.

Want to open up this public hearing 26-14. Do we have anybody here to speak for or against 26-14? Okay, not seeing anyone. We're going to close 26-14. Amy, please call the roll. Or read it again. I keep saying, I'm getting ahead of myself.

Ordinance number 26 dash 14 by Mr. Parker. Mr. Cosmin is in gold. Mr. Marmine is blind. Mr. Neely and ordinance changing the zoning classification of certain property generally described as 20 East street city of Newark, Lincoln County, Ohio, personal tax ID number 0, 5, 4 dash 2, 1, 4, 1, 7, 6 dash 0, 0.000 from that of GC general commercial zoning district to single family residents. High density zoning district. So, any code to the city of Newark, Ohio.

For the read of 26, that's 14 was your wish. Mr. president Mr. Parker was present.

I make a motion to adopt 26 dash 14 second by Mr. Parker second by this blind. Do we have any discussion? Mr. president Mr. Parker Thank you. Mr. president. This also has gone through the entire planning process and has been recommended for passage and approval by this council. And I hope everyone will vote in the affirmative with me. Thank you. Anybody else.

No, Amy, please call the roll.

Mr. Mr. yes. Mr. Neely. Yes. Ms. Newman. Yes. Mr. Parker. Yes. Ms. blind. Yes. Mr. shoot. Yes. Mr. cost.

Yes.

Missing gold. Yes. Mr. yes.

26 dash 14 passes 9 0 next up is 26 dash 16.

Ordinance number 26-16 by Mr. Barker, Mr. Cross, Mr. Marley, Ms. Ingle, Ms. Blind, Mr. Neely. An ordinance changing the zoning classification of certain real property generally described as 2236 River Road, City of Newark, Lincoln County, Ohio. Parcel tax ID number 54-225738-00.000 and parcel tax ID number 54-225744-00.000 from that of MFC Multifamily Condo Zoning District. to single family residents, RH High Density Zoning District, Zoning Code of the City of Newark, Ohio.

We'll open up this public hearing for 26-16. Is anybody here to speak for or against this tonight? How's your opportunity? Do we have anybody? Come on up, ma'am. Just give me your name and address for the record, please.

Thank you. Molly Glenn, 250 West Street, Suite 17. as well as received a PCA variance, and it is technically a down zoning. We are currently approved for 132 multi-family units. We'd be looking at 47 homes here, and we've agreed to dedicate the southern parcel for a public park. The present would be also with Kate and Munchler, and we'd be happy to answer any questions that this Board may have.

Thank you. Anybody else speak for or against it? Okay, we're going to close this public hearing and we please read it again for us.

Number 26, 16 by Mr. Parker. Mr cost Mr. Marmine is single and is blind. Mr. Neely and Ornish changing the zoning classification of certain real property generally described as 20 to 36 river road city of Newark, Lincoln County, Ohio, personal tax ID number 5, 4 dash 2, 2, 5, 7, 3, 8. 0.000 and personal text ID number 5, 4, 2, 2, 5, 7, 4, 4, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, from that MFC multifamily condo zoning district to single family residents are high density zoning district. So any code in the city of Newark Ohio.

Further reading 26 dash 16 was your wish.

Mr. Parker famous president to make a motion to adopt 26 dash 16.

2nd, most of my Mr Parker 2nd, my miss blind. Do we have any discussion?

Mr. president? Mr. Parker Thank you. Mr. president as was mentioned, this has gone through the entire planning process planning commission planning director do recommend this for passage and approval by council. I do want to note the small acreage parcel that she did mention. I spoke with the service director on this once that is transferred to the city, there will be deed restrictions put on that property by the city. Something that we talked to the residents about. I know a lot of residents in the area are here tonight. So that's something the service director and I have talked about and we'll be moving forward once city owns the property. And with that, I will be voting the affirmative and hope everyone else will as well. Thank you.

Anybody else please call the roll.

Mr. Lemley, Mr. Marmy, Mr. Neely, Ms. Newman, Mr. Barker, Ms. Blyne, Mr. Shoup, Mr. Koss, Ms. Ingold, Mr. Lebutis.

26-16 passes 9-0. Next up is comments for citizens. This is your opportunity to come up and speak. We'll actually give your name and address. Keep your comments to three minutes. Do we have anybody tonight? Come on up. Oh, sorry. Sorry.

And I must have missed the thing where you did the ordinance in regard to 20 Conley Avenue. But who do I call to speak to about why the possession of a house? My grandma's name has been taken from my uncle. Who do I call to talk to about that?

Here are you talking about a property maintenance issue?

Uh, apparently, so his taxes are paid and it's his house that my grandma bought for him. So, okay.

I'm not sure who took the house that you're referring to, but if it was the city, I would call the property maintenance department. Okay, thank you.

You're welcome.

Okay. Come on up. 37 violent court. Um. A couple days was the 4th of July and yet there have been my neighborhood and as well as a lot of neighborhoods in the city have been celebrating the 4th of July until after midnight in some cases by allowing their children to play with fireworks and allowing people that are not trained in the practice to blast fireworks onto other people's roofs and trees in a time period when the conditions in the air are dry and a lot of people are having breathing issues and that sort of thing as a result of it. A lot of the chemicals in fireworks are toxic. And I think having that much for way past the time period where it's customary and in amateurs hands, I think is perhaps a mistake. I can't see why the city allows children to play with fireworks. I cannot see why the stores are subjected to having to have a sign on their doorway begging people not to shoot fireworks at their door within 300 feet. I heard cars going off from the noise from the fireworks. additional costs. I think it's time, it used to be that when people signed up to buy fireworks, there was a requirement to sign an affidavit that you were going to take them out of the fire because it was restricted. And I don't understand why at present Um, fireworks are an all year round event. And that people have fireworks in the cars, they have them in full in their garages. This is a hazard and I think we need to consider that. Thank you.

Anybody else would like to speak at this time? It's going up.

a few things I want to bring up. And it's kind of bothering me. Okay, number one, why do we have ordinance in malls? Aren't they supposed to be enforced? If they're supposed to be enforced, why aren't they enforced? Why do we have to wait until somebody calls? driving down the street, sees the wall broke, or an ordinance broken, why can't he just make the decision to stop? Because by the time you call, by the time you get out there, there ain't nothing there. We got people parking on the wrong side of the road. We got people And I know years ago, parking on the wrong side of the road was illegal. So maybe we need to step up the game and start enforcing these laws and ordinances a little better. Also, property maintenance. Okay. I quit calling property maintenance because last time I called, The person said, told property maintenance that I was harassing them. Well, if you don't take care of your property, yes, I'm going to call. If I ain't harassing them, I don't know what is. Even if I ride around town, the property sits a city in Newark Oaks. Sometimes the grass is just out of there. Why is that? Cedar Hill Cemetery. I know Parks and Recreation is supposed to take care of that. But my sun wall goes up every two weeks and trims around our family's heads and stuff there. Why aren't they getting trimmed by Parks and Recreation? We shouldn't have to do it. We're not getting paid to do that job. OK. The other thing is, too, I called three times this weekend over the gentleman Okay? He wasn't having a concert, but he had his own system down there that you could hear clear over 5 2nd Street. Every time I called, the excuse I got, we don't have anybody available. Well, why don't we? I mean, the way I look at it, they're there to protect and serve everybody, not just some. Why does a sergeant have a right to disregard a call? All calls are important, I think, no matter what it is. I know the fire department don't disregard calls. So why do we get our calls disregarded? Why do we have to hassle with the dispatcher? The dispatcher gets an attitude with you sometimes. That's why when we had the dispatcher down to the station, we didn't have any problems. But since the dispatcher's been with the Sheriff's Department, it's nothing but a problem. So we need to look into that, I hope. Okay. with the roundabouts, rebuilding these with the roundabouts. I'm sure it was a chunk of money. It wasn't cheap. If I go down here and park on a roundabout, am I going to get a ticket? Am I going to get towed? Probably. But yet you see UPS park on there, and I was down there the other day and I walked around all the roundabouts and looked for bricks in them. A lot of them were cracked and busted. Because FedEx parks there, UPS parks there, fire trucks parks there, North PD parks there, but we ain't allowed to park there. And there's plenty of room on street park. If we didn't have room on street, we shouldn't put in roundabouts. They'll get me wrong, they're nice. They swear they're nice. But they're being abused. This is directed towards Trisha Moore, law director. You told me the only way to get results is call, call, call, call, call. I had a year and a half of calls and never got no results. What do I gotta do, call three, four, five years? Year and a half calls is too long to get results for some. So maybe you need to check into that on things, if you would please. I'd appreciate it. Last but not least, is I noticed, I have asked, I've lived on Second Street up on the hill for 40 years. Nice neighborhood and all that. I've asked for 30 years to get our streets paved, curbs and good sidewalks set up in that area. Today, I go to my granddaughters, I go down Granville Street, and I notice on the other side of 21st Street, Granville's getting sidewalks and curbs. I'm sure they ain't asked for 30 years. Why does it take so long? Always gets hold of the same thing. We don't have money, don't have money, but we had money to do all this other. Our sewer lines are bad up in that area. Why can't we get done with this? Aren't we part of the city of Newark? Or are we just neglected because the city of Newark don't want to respond to the south end? It's just getting, I'm getting fed up with it. I mean, it seems like we're getting pushed out. So I'd like to see something done. Please. Thank you.

Thank you. Anybody else at this time? Okay. Next up is, uh, ordinance on the 2nd, reading 26, 20, 26 dash 20 by missing goal.

Mr cost and this line Mr. Barber Mr. Neely Mr. shoot with your army in order to amending the position classification, pay range and department authorization tables of the city of Newark Department of service division of water and wastewater by abolishing 1 water meter customer representative precision classification while creating 1 water meter technician. Position classification and settings compensation.

Therefore further reading of 26 dash 21 is your wish is present a single.

I move that we approve ordinance 2620.

Got a motion I got a 2nd. 2nd, by Mr Parker, any discussion.

Please call the roll. Mr. Mr.

Yes.

Mr. Neely.

Yes.

Ms. Newman. Yes. Mr. Barker? Yes. Ms. Blyne? Yes. Mr. Hsu?

Yes.

Mr. Costa?

Yes.

Ms. Ingalls? Yes. Mr. Levitas? Yes.

26 dash 20 passes 9 0, and that's up ordinance on the 1st, reading 26 dash 24 for December 26 dash 24 by Mr. Parker.

Mr. Cost and single miss line and ordinance changing the zoning classification of several property generally described as 1010 price street city of Newark county, Ohio, personal text ID number 055 dash 282810 dash 00.004 from that of GC general commercial zoning district to limited industrial zoning district. So any code of the city of Newark Ohio.

26-24 will be referred to the Planning Commission. Next up is resolutions on the 2nd, reading 26 dash 36 resolution number 26 dash 36 by Mr. Mr. cost is blind.

Mr Parker, Mr. Neely, Ms Newman, Mr shoot missing gold resolution, authorizing and directing the mayor of the city of New York to prepare and submit applications to the Department of Homeland security for fiscal year 2025 fire grant programs and support of training programs, equipment purchases, funding for personnel, fire prevention and fire safety programs throughout the city.

Further, you know, 26 dash 36 was your wish as president tomorrow make a motion to adopt resolution 26, 36. 2nd, most of my Mr. Marmy 2nd, my Mr Parker. Do we have any discussion?

Amy, please call Mr. Mr.

Yes.

Mr. Neely.

Yes.

This Newman. Yes. Mr. Parker. Yes. This blind. Yes. Mr. shoot.

Yes.

Mr. cost.

Yes.

Yes. Yes.

26 to 36 passes 9 0 next up is 26 to 37. number 26 to 37 by Mr. Barney.

Mr. Cost is blind. Mr. Parker. Mr. Neely. Mr. sheet. Missing called a resolution appropriating monies for current expenses of the municipal corporation for the reading 26 to 37. what is your wish?

Mr. President. Make a motion to adopt resolution 26, 37 by Mr. Marmy. Yeah, the 2nd. 2nd, yeah, 2nd, by Mr. shoot. Do you have any discussion? And you please call the roll.

Mr. Mr. yes. Mr. Neely.

Yes.

Ms. Newman abstain. Mr. Parker is blind. Yes. Mr. shoot. Yes, Mr. cost. Yes. Yes.

Yes. 26 dash 37 passes. 8 is a worth with 1 extension. So next up is resolutions on the 1st reading. There are none. And then next up is comments from citizens. This is your last opportunity. We have anybody.

I appreciate the fact that the police need to prioritize when there's a lot of things happening in the city in terms of what gets prioritized and I think that needs to be considered same for the and rethink that. Not everybody has a computer. Not everybody has access to that information. I think there has to be a way to make the law clearer so that the public can be more enlightened in terms of

Thank you. Anybody else? City officials? All director.

Thank you. President Mr. My advice stays the same. Make the phone calls. The only way that it's going to get to my office for prosecution is through complaints. Okay. And if that you said you've been calling for 3 years, I don't know if it's on the same issue. Continue to call my. My suggestion is the same. It will always be. Call the police if you have a problem. And I will tell you, that man standing right there, Deputy Chief Logan, is one of the most responsive DCs that I've seen over patrol in years. And I know this from personal experience. I've had criminal cases that come before me that are of urgent nature. All it takes is 1 email to deputy chief Logan, and the police are at the victim's house, getting what I need so that I can get justice for them. He's at every home court. He listens to all the complaints that come into home court about properties about people on the property. Don't take for granted what you have in this man right there. Okay, and if you're not getting what you want from dispatch, that's a county issue and that can be addressed with the county. I can't control what you get through dispatch. And if you're not happy with what you're getting from patrol and their sergeants, talk to that man. Okay, um, well, that'll pass. Thank you.

Mr. Mayor. I will pass this evening. Thank you. Thank you. Uh, Mr. Thank you. Mr. President needs to call a finance committee meeting for July the 20th. Um, a couple of things, uh, Mr. burner and the parking laws, if you heard my comments, the last time that I was here, they are enforcing the parking a lot more and, uh. Deputy chief Logan explained why to me and the reason why is because we have these 20,000 dollars pieces of equipment that we're sitting on a shelf and not being utilized and he instructed his sergeants and the teams to start enforcing parking. And it has been in the wrong way. Parking is 1 of them that's being ticketed. Um. I will also state that I will have to disagree that the south end is being neglected. There are parts of the city that it's just, it's not the city's responsibility to put curbs and sidewalks in first and foremost. It's the property owner's responsibility. Does the city do it at times? There are times when we do pay for it. One is safe routes for schools. And so if there's somewhere where we need to put a sidewalk so then kids who are walking to school can get to a bike path or something along those lines, we do that. Other times is when we tear up a road or we take out a whole, we do the sewer separation. Yes, we go ahead and we replace those. So, I don't there's parts of my word up in the 6 word that we'll never see sidewalks put in by the city, because that's either the developer or the property owner's responsibility. So it's not just the South end and you're not being neglected or ignored. And I guarantee you have a council woman over there that would never let that happen. So, I guarantee you that. Some other things as far as fireworks, it isn't the city that's allowing children to let fireworks off as parents and the city does not condone that. The city does not condone any illegal use of fireworks or anything along those lines. There are folks who are going to violate the law with fireworks. It is very difficult for our police force to To handle all the different firework complaints and things that are going on plus the evidence is destroyed. And so. But I do commend our safety forces for being there for safety issues during the 4th of July and the times around the 4th of July. And you're right. It is happening on Labor Day Memorial Day a lot more and some other holidays. I agree with the law director to continue to call. Never take things into your own hands. I also would state that there's areas in which if it's the same type of issue, you could just file a report. And what happens with some of those is if it's a continuation of something that is happening in an area, That's when our detective forces sometimes can get involved when they see a pattern or something happens in another area of the city. And then all of a sudden they see a report, similar reports of things happening in another. And so it helps. It doesn't, it isn't always instant. Um, we do not have ways in which we can, uh, well, we don't have the staffing to take care of everything instantaneously and particularly patrolling, uh, All areas of the city want to explain my no vote on the increase of the chiefs and deputy chiefs. I was not. I was not opposed to raises for those positions. What I was opposed to was the justification of what we were told as to why the certain dollars amounts and also the. We were told that it was because of the percentage of difference in pay between the sergeants and the other officers and then the deputies and then the chiefs in that pecking order. What the pay raises has caused now, not only were those numbers not accurate, it also has created a huge increase in the disparagement between the chiefs and their bosses, the directors and the mayor. In the percentage of now, those are over 30%. Over 35% between the chiefs and the directors, and it is getting very, very close to where our engineer who is 1 of the. A position that requires special education and training that the chiefs are right there in line with that position within the city. So, and I could not compare the law director's office because they're, they're funded by various funding sources and not just the general fund. Again, I was not opposed to those increases as far as them getting pay raises, but looking at where the elected officials there at 3, 3 and 3% the next 2 years. So that's just creating a huge.

Disparagement between the directors and the mayor, and then those positions.

And finally, I want to commend the city of Newark. Not only I think everyone had a fantastic 4th of July. I think there was a lot of celebrating going on within our city. I think it was done with. Just without many incidents as far as injury and major issues. I believe that the positives of what the fireworks display that. occurs over at the Newark campus of the branch. I think it's just great that our community gets together and celebrates like that. And 250 years is a tremendous accomplishment. And I want to thank everybody that was involved as far as our safety forces. I know that also the mayor and the administration, they have a lot going on and a lot of communicating and things happening in order to make The celebration happened, and I want to thank everybody for that.

Thank you. Mr. Neely. Thank you. I'll pass.

Yes. Thank you. Mr. President 1st off. Just a quick clarification. Thank you to Mr. Murray for pointing out rules 7 and 14 of our New York City Council rules that I should have stated during caucus that I was going to abstain on the vote. And so. Learning point for everyone there, so thank you. And so I'll make sure to do that in the future. Again, just to thank you to police and fire you add in 110 plus degree heat and fireworks and time off and something tells me, there are a lot of stories from this weekend. And so I just want to say thank you to everyone who is out in the heat and making sure people stayed safe and we're given care if things did not turn out in their fashion. It was mentioned in the agenda there's a fishing derby that is coming up on July 11th this Saturday. A lot of work goes into that. It's really big, no cost to participate. It's a big deal for a lot of kids in the neighborhood. So please make sure you help spread the word about that event coming up this Saturday. Um, at the last council meeting that we had in June, I had mentioned that it can now market district that the produce perks tokens would no longer be good after June. 30th, there has been funding secured for that and now produce perks will be accepted through the end of December of this year. So, for those who do receive snap benefits, you can get up to 25 dollars of matching funds through the produce perks program. That is that is funded through outside organizations and that is back on through the end of December, which is exceptionally important because we have not even hit the peak of Ohio produce yet. So it's a very big deal for our vendors and for the families and the community. Um, and with that being said, oh, 1 last item. Sorry about that. As was mentioned by several folks here by our law director by Mr. please call and use your study services. What's not reported. We do not know. And we've talked a lot and we're going to be talking a lot about how our dollars are spent and we have to know what we don't know. We don't know. And so the city is here to serve its residents. And so you need to call in about those services. Unfortunately, we don't have an unlimited funds. And so we do have to make hard decisions a lot of times about what that looks like the people who are here as well as city employees. And we have to continue having those discussions and you showing up here you reaching out to folks is how it happens. And just because it may not work out the way you wanted it doesn't mean it didn't work out in some way. So keep talking, keep asking. I know I've said it before, and it's a little bit cheesy, but I mean, democracy is a participation event. So we need you to keep showing up and keep calling. So, with that, I will pass. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Parker. Thank you. Mr. President. I will call a service committee meeting for July 20th. Thank you. Mr.

Thank you. Mr. President. Our laws are accessible gratefully. Our library is a great resource. The police staff in the office in our police department there, they're very accessible and they're very good about directing you to right places. How do I know? I do a lot of research because believe it or not, you can't always trust AI, right? AI will lie to you. And so it's always better to go back to the books sometimes. And so it really is good. Just take your time, dig through things and it's in the digging. That's how we learn. So I appreciate your comment though. Coming up on the 18th is Operation Hope Lift. We're going back to Hope Park and we're giving it a facelift. We've had some new families move in there with a lot of children. And so it's going to be a great day. If you have time on the 18th, we're starting early. Start early. and hopefully we'll finish before dark and so but it's going to be a good day and um i'd like to thank uh uh everyone who who wanted to volunteer for this this whole park event because again a lot of people are showing up and it just shows the type of community we have we love our kids uh i would also want to thank the street department i went out and met them last week while they were working on some things for citizens. You know, the street temperature was probably 125. It was hot. And still, they were out there picking up tires, picking up trash that had been jettisoned from trucks. They did a great job. And it was just nice to be there and work alongside them just to say thank you. Last thing is kind of an assignment. One of the things that I did over the weekend was I read the Constitution. And I'll tell you why. The things you forget. What a great document that is. It's a wonderful document. And to even put yourself in the place where our founders were, they weren't old guys like a lot of us think. They just wore white flags. But they were people much like ourselves who were trying to find their way and were blessed to do something magnificent in this document. So please, if you have a chance, read it. And it just brings home that we truly have something more than significant. We have a miracle here. Thank you, sir.

Thank you. Mr. shoot. Thank you. Mr. president. I will pass. Mr. cost single.

Yes, branding. I'm glad you stayed tonight because I want to recognize you and your department folks and water and wastewater for your annual report. It was comprehensive. It was very educational to me and I love the pictures at the end and so forth. But what was really important. there were the list of accomplishments that they completed in 2025 and their goals for 2026. a lot of people aren't going to put those goals out there for what's going to happen next year because then we hold you to it but that was great everybody that you had working on that uh brandon did a great job a well done report and thank you very much for that With that I'll pass, Mr. President.

Thank you. Mr. Laboudis, bring us home. Thank you, Mr. President. I would too like to thank Mr. Fox. Actually, I was staying informed about a water main break in our area last week, if I remember. So thank you for your timely responses on that. I'd also like to thank Service Director Rhodes, who is helping with a couple issues in the fourth ward as well. I do need to call a safety committee meeting for July 20th. And with that, I will pass.

Thank you. Our next meeting is going to be July 20th, and I want to wish my grandson a happy 7th birthday on the 19th. And do I have a motion? Motion by Mr. Cross. Second by Mr. Little-Buddhist. All in favor say aye.

Aye.