Documenters: Kent City Council committee meeting for Jan. 7, 2026

Kent City Council committee meeting
Jan. 7, 2026 
7 p.m.
319 S. Water St.
Kent, OH 44240 

Attendance

In attendance were Mayor and President of Council Jack Amrhein, Ward 1 Council Member Melissa Celko, Ward 4 Council Member Chris Hook, Ward 5 Council Member Heidi Shaffer Bish, Ward 6 Council Member Jeff Clapper, Council Member At-Large Tracy Wallach, Council Member At-Large Sarah Wesley and Council Member At-Large Benjamin Tipton. Also in attendance were Clerk of Council Kathy Coleman, Law Director Hope Jones and City Manager Dave Ruller.

Committees and Legislation 

Committee of the Whole
David Kovacs interviewed for a position on the loan review board. Amrhein also clarified for the newer members of council that chairing a board or committee comes with few additional responsibilities.

Council elected new committee chairs and a President Pro Tem:

• Clapper as President Pro Tem
• Shaffer Bish as Community Development Committee chair, Wallach as vice chair
• Celko as Finance Committee chair, Tipton as vice chair
• Hook as Health and Safety Committee chair, Clapper as vice chair
• Clapper as Land Use Committee chair, Hook as vice chair
• Wallach as Streets, Sidewalk, and Utilities Committee chair, Tipton as vice chair
• Wesley on the Parks and Recreation Board
• Clapper on the Standing Rock Cemetery Board
• Celko and Tipton on the Board of Control

Eric Helmstedter presented staff updates for 2025. Dominique Bollenbacher presented information on Main Street Kent’s “March for Art” project, which will involve students at different Kent city schools creating art for an installation. 

Nick Cecil informed the council that there would be a cybersecurity meeting in order to go over updates made to comply with new Ohio law. Jones also went over an update to the civil service rules. 

Melanie Baker showed the Council an overview of the routes used for snow plows.

Community Development Committee
No business.

Finance Committee 
No business.

Health and Public Safety Committee
No business.

Land Use Committee 
No business.

Streets, Sidewalks and Utilities Committee
Jim Bowling presented a potential design for pedestrian improvements on the Stow/Summit Street Bridge in agreement with Portage County, which passed. Council also approved an agreement allowing the Lake Rockwell trail to connect with parts of Kent City School District’s campuses.

A proposed change to the parking ordinances on East Grant Street requested by residents, passed.

The meeting concluded at 8:07 p.m.