Documenters: Kent City Council committee meeting for March 4, 2026

Kent City Council committee meeting
March 4, 2026
7 p.m.
319 S. Water St.
Kent, OH 44240 

Attendance 
In attendance were Mayor and President of Council Jack Amrhein, Ward 2 Council Member Eric Dreger, Ward 3 Council Member Robin Turner, 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 and City Manager Dave Ruller.

Committees and legislation 

Committee of the Whole
Council conducted interviews for the Planning Commission and Civil Service Commission. Adam Stephens was interviewed for the Planning Commission. Mariah Taylor, Darlene Rocco and Robert Hamer all interviewed for the Civil Service Commission. Council’s decisions will be made at the regular council meeting on March 18.

Council received updates on Kent State University from an administrator and student, as well as on the former Kent Church of Christ building that council bought in November.

Nick Cecil, who oversees technology, went over the process of updating the city’s networks.

Community Development Committee
Community Development Director Bridget Susel discussed the Community Development Block Grant program’s 2026 projects. 

Susel then went over the renewal of the sublease agreement between Kent and the Haymaker Farmers’ Market.

Susel also provided updates on state legislation that affects how Kent interacts with flood plains. 

Finance Committee 
Service Director Melanie Baker went over the 2026 NOPEC Community Event Sponsorship grants. Grants were provided to businesses for their involvement in the community.

Baker then discussed the 2026 Energized Community Grant. 

Finance Director Rhonda Hall provided a list of budget amendments and increases that were approved with emergency.

Health & Public Safety Committee
No business.

Land Use Committee 
No business.

Streets, Sidewalks and Utilities Committee
Baker presented a change of language required for Nathan and Phillip drives, as the no parking signs currently on the street need to be moved to the other side of the street to comply with city ordinances. 

Executive Session
Council went into executive session to consider the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion or compensation of a public employee or official. 

Regular Session
Council made a motion to approve position allocation for vote at the regular meeting, which passed.