Kent · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Kent public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Feral Cat Feeding Ordinance
Kent's ordinance bans feeding wild animals, and feral cats are currently included. The Law Director wants feral cats removed from the ban so council can consider alternatives like TNR (trap-neuter-return) programs, following resident emails on both sides.
JEDD Board Appointments and Contract Review
The Franklin-Kent JEDD brings in income tax revenue shared with Franklin Township, and its board terms are expiring. Council will consider re-appointing two members and discuss why expanding the JEDD's business participation has been difficult.
Feeding Wild Animals and Fowl Ordinance Amendment
The city is proposing to amend its rules on feeding wild animals and fowl. Depending on the final language, this could affect residents who feed birds or other wildlife in their yards. The emergency clause means any change would take effect immediately upon adoption.
Gas-powered leaf blowers
City Council has asked the Sustainability Commission to weigh in on gas-powered leaf blowers, which raise concerns about noise and emissions. Any eventual rules could affect landscaping companies and homeowners alike.
Rescission of Klaben CRA tax-incentive agreements
Two tax-incentive deals with Klaben Auto Group were scrapped because the dealerships' national corporate parents wouldn't release construction payroll data. Oddly, this is good news for schools: they now collect full property taxes instead of a quarter of them.
Rural EMS and dispatch modernization grant
A proposed ordinance lets the Kent Fire Department apply for a state grant to buy dispatch software and equipment for its paramedicine program — a boost for emergency response if awarded.
Towing and storage fee review request
City Service and Bakers Service Center asked the city to raise the city's towing and storage fees. The city manager issued a temporary rate increase on October 5 while council works toward a final decision.
Cemetery worker pay raises
Standing Rock Cemetery staff will see cost-of-living raises effective June 1, 2026, with hourly rates between $14 and $22.50 depending on classification.
Corporate money in politics and Citizens United
The annual charter-required hearing lets residents weigh in on whether corporate campaign spending is drowning out ordinary voters. Speakers pushed for a 28th Amendment overturning Citizens United.
2025 Charter Review Commission Council action
Voters will be asked to lower the vote needed to suspend the rules and pass emergency measures from three-fourths to two-thirds, matching Robert's Rules — something council says would make special meetings easier.
Exemption from testing for Chief Operator position
The city wants to fill the top operator job at the water reclamation plant without the usual competitive civil service exam. State rules allow this when a candidate's specialized qualifications make testing impractical, and the commission found that standard applied here.
KPD kennel volunteer program
Resident Shauna Roach asked the city to allow screened, trained volunteers to walk, play with, and comfort dogs held at the Kent Police Department kennel, inspired by two huskies, Nikki and Jacob, who waited there for weeks. Council directed staff to look into the proposal.
Standing Sustainability Committee Proposal
Council weighed creating a dedicated sustainability committee to improve information flow between council and the Sustainability Commission. The motion failed without a second, and members instead asked for quarterly commission updates and better visibility on climate action plan work.
Sidewalk Snow Removal Enforcement Expansion
Two council members called out neighbors who don't shovel, noting icy sidewalks endanger students, older residents, and dog walkers — especially on Kent's east side. They floated a community campaign and honoring good snow-clearers.
North Mantua Street improvement project
The city is applying for $500,000 in ODOT funds for the North Mantua Street corridor — money that could ease future street improvements without hitting local taxpayers as hard.
NOPEC Municipal Electricity Purchasing Program
Kent accepted $2,000 for the Heritage Festival plus $49,965 to hold in escrow for future energy-efficiency projects — the old DePeyster building is a candidate.
School Resource Officer in Kent City Schools
The agreement between the city and Kent schools for school resource officers was extended to June 1, 2027, keeping police in school buildings another year.
Student and pedestrian safety as school year begins
With KSU students back and Route 59 torn up, council members urged drivers to slow down, watch for students crossing, and obey school bus stop laws.
Public Health
West Nile virus has officially popped up in three local samples, meaning it's time to bust out the bug spray and ditch any standing water around your yard. Stay smart outdoors so you don't end up sick.
John Davey Arboretum joint use agreement
A ten-year joint use agreement lets visitors park at the SEED campus and walk a new North Mantua Street sidewalk between the arboretum cabin, restrooms, and campus.
2027 Tax Budget and 2026 Appropriations Adjustments
Council advanced the year's second budget amendment — roughly $850,000 in increased appropriations — for approval.
Firefighter safety equipment grant
The fire department can now apply for a $25,000 Joey D. Foundation grant to buy "personal bailout" gear that helps firefighters escape dangerous situations.
2027 Tax Budget Adoption
Council adopted the city's tax budget for fiscal year 2027 and sent it to the county auditor — the annual paperwork that underpins city revenue.
Solar array at 800 Mogadore Road brownfield
A consultant showed the 17.7-acre ABB-owned brownfield could host a 3.5-megawatt solar array, but current law limits sales to the wastewater plant next door — and getting power there means negotiating with CSX. Council voted to back state community-solar bills that could unlock the project.
Fiber optic construction oversight and safety
After a fatal gas-line strike in nearby Twinsburg, officials explained Kent's permitting process for fiber installers, the temporary right-of-way suspension, and the roughly 30 utility strikes across 175 miles of work — urging residents to call 811 and the Community Development Department, not police, with issues.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car CRA agreement revision
The tax-break deal for renovating the long-vacant Longitano building at 1225 West Main was rewritten with fewer relocated jobs — 49 part-time and 1 full-time, payroll of $825,000 instead of $1.4 million — but council called it still a win for the West Main corridor.
WRF Influent Headworks Building Loan
Council authorized a loan agreement with Ohio EPA to help build the Water Reclamation Facility's new influent headworks building — a core piece of the city's sewer and wastewater infrastructure.
Standing Rock Cemetery Funding and Governance
Property owners in both Kent and Franklin Township will continue paying .60 mills to support Standing Rock Cemetery for tax year 2026. The resolution still needs more readings before it's final.
Franklin Avenue Seasonal Closure Length
Main Street Kent surveyed its DORA participants and wants to shift the Franklin Street closure from May–October to Memorial Day–Labor Day. They'll present at next month's committee meeting — the closure itself isn't going away.
Needham Avenue Emergency Access
Cars parked on both sides of narrow Needham Ave were blocking fire trucks. New rules ban parking on the south side near the hydrants.