Documenters / Kent / Local government
Documenters: Kent City Council meeting for Aug. 20, 2025
- Margaret Lennox
Kent City Council
Aug. 20, 2025
7 p.m.
319 S. Water St.
Kent, OH 44240
Attendance
In attendance was Mayor and President of Council Jerry Fiala, President Pro Tem and Ward 2 Council Member Jack Amrhein, Ward 1 Council Member Melissa Celko, 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 Michael DeLeone, and Council Member at Large Roger Sidoti. Also in attendance were Clerk of Council Kathy Coleman and City Manager Dave Ruller.
Meeting
Fiala called meeting to order at 6:59 p.m. The pledge of allegiance was led by Celko. No public comments were made during the public comment period.
Written communication
After the public comment period, Coleman notified the board that the council office was notified that the Kent Area Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the 2025 Tree City Dinner and Awards.
The Kent Chamber of Commerce requested two ribbon cutting certificates for Market Stanzas on Aug. 23, 2025, and Scenic Studios on Aug. 25, 2025.
There was also notice from the Department of Commerce that Class C and D retail liquor permits expire on Oct. 1 and requests for renewal must be made by Sept. 2. July minutes and August minutes were received and entered into record. The July minutes and August agenda were received. The agenda and staff report was received and posted.
Consent agenda
Fiala moved the council into the consent agenda items 2025-072, 2025-073, 2025-074, 2025-075, 2025-076, 2025-077, 2025-078, 2025-079, 2025-080, 2025-081 and 2025-082 were all read and approved.
Committees and Legislation
Randall Houska was appointed to the Fair Housing Board.
Unfinished Business
No unfinished business.
New Business
Clapper made a motion to disband the Architectural Review Board (ARB), amended to have every mention of the ARB in their code removed. Seconded by Sidoti, who wants more discussion to clean up current design code. Shaffer Bish encourages they seek out public comment on this but agrees with overall sentiment. The motion passed.
Shaffer Bish voiced concern about a need for residential development in Kent and reminded council about the difficulty of creating housing in cities.
Celko reminded the council of the celebration of Market Stanza’s celebration of a mural under the bridge where the Haymaker Farmers’ Market is located in collaboration with Wick Poetry Center and Kent State University students.
Turner said he’d like to see the city build more housing and more low- and moderate-income developments.
Mayor’s Comment
Fiala celebrated the events that occurred over the week, stating that “there’s a lot of great stuff that happens in this city, and we should all be proud of what we do.”
Meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
Margaret Lennox