Message from Mayor Kapszukiewicz
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It was a busy week and I hope everyone will get to enjoy the Memorial Day weekend while also pausing to reflect on the sacrifices made by those who died in active military service. They are our heroes and we must honor those brave men and women.
On Wednesday, we announced
details
of the 2018 Engage Toledo Ambassador academy. It's a great, 10-week civic engagement program that begins on June 6. We called for people to apply on Wednesday and by Friday morning, we had 25 applicants to fill this year's academy. The program creates an incredible two-way conversation between Toledoans and the officials you've entrusted to run our city.
Also this week, we proposed a new plan to achieve regional water by forming a new commission with the suburban communities. We would all have a say in water rates and future investments in the utility under this plan. It also addresses concerns expressed by some council members, citizens, and suburban customers. This is a rare opportunity to create a meaningful partnership between all of our communities.
There will be a lot of discussion on this important topic, and I want everyone to have a voice in the process as it proceeds.
In case you missed it earlier this week, Toledo City Council approved a 5-year, $320 million capital improvement plan that included a nearly $70 million capital budget for this year. Much of the $70 million will pay for debt service payments and major street improvements. Council also appropriated $11.3 million for 29 projects throughout the city.
Among the improvements and purchases are: $1.35 million for three ambulances and nine other fire department emergency vehicles; Levis Square downtown will get $500,000 in improvements; Danny Thomas Park will get $300,000 in renovations; $1 million for sidewalk repairs, and $250,000 for lighting improvements.
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The 28-second video here is a snapshot of our downtown docks that were installed recently recently for the season.
This installation, along with Memorial Day, is the start of our summer season!
Years ago, many people said our waterfront was underutilized. Now, it has new life.
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In the years to come, the Maumee River through downtown and East Toledo will continue to attract more boaters, businesses, and fun.
You should get out to enjoy our city parks during the long weekend. This week alone, we mowed more than 1,010 acres in anticipation of your visit. There are 161 Toledo parks with more than 1,500 acres. Our parks have 523 benches in some of the most delightful places, 380 tables ready for a picnic, 69 baseball diamonds available for a quick neighborhood pick-up game, and 98 playgrounds for swinging and sliding.
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They do amazing work for our community that includes helping people with ramps for their homes, to provide dependent living skills training for young people with disabilities, and training and placing therapy and service dogs.
Watch the video to see a brief highlight of what they are doing for our community.
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Sewers and Drainage,
Water Reclamation
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Big thanks to the city crews from the Water Reclamation and the Sewer and Drainage divisions who worked Wednesday night into Thursday morning to repair the Imperial Woods pump station on Talmadge Road and Sylvania Avenue.
The underground pump station was quickly repaired to minimize inconvenience for property owners and businesses. One of two pumps at the station needed to be replaced because of a giant grease plug that rendered it inoperable.
Replacing the pump was a high-risk operation that required careful planning. Two crew members had to work in a confined space, 40 feet below the street, for an extended period of time. It cost $35,000 and was dangerous repair that could have been avoided. People should not dump oil and grease down the drain into the sanitary sewer system. More info on that
here
.
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Streets, Bridges, and Harbor
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Mill and fill street crews finished working in Council District 5 (West Toledo) this week. They started working Wednesday in District 6 (North Toledo and Point Place).
The program is designed to take out bad pavement and replace it with new asphalt. City crews completed 16.5 miles last year. The goal for 2018 is 25 miles. The 2018 city budget includes $700,000 for the 2018 program. Mill and fill runs in addition to the city’s street resurfacing program. City crews will also begin crack sealing to extend the life of streets.
Please use
this link
to find the schedule and where crews are working.
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Bridge crews have been busy working on the Swan Creek and Edgewater Park levee systems for FEMA and USACE compliance. They have also been installing buoys and docks, doing fence work, and bridge deck repairs.
Several crew members have been participating in crane certification training.
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Memorial Day Parade
Summit Street, Downtown Toledo
The annual Toledo Memorial Day Parade will march through downtown Toledo beginning at 10 a.m., Saturday,
May 26.
People will line the streets to admire patriotic floats, marching days, flag displays and more. Afterwards, head to the memorial service at Civic Center Mall in commemoration of those who gave their lives in service to our country.
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Help the Main Library Write Its New Chapter
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Join us for a Community Bike Conversation
4 - 5:30 p.m., Wednesday,
May 30
at 5604 Swan Creek Dr, Toledo.
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Anthony Wayne Memorial Service
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In commemoration of the 57th anniversary of the Anthony Wayne Trail fire, we cordially invite you to attend a memorial service in honor of fallen Toledo Firefighters. The service will take place at noon, Monday,
June 11,
at the Toledo Firefighters Memorial located across from 545 North Huron St., Michael P. Bell Administrative Building. A brief reception will follow in headquarters.
Please join us as we gather in memory of all Toledo firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty and our retirees who passed in 2017. Captain George S. Fraser and Captain Benn R. Miner will be added to the monument during the service. A brief reception will follow.
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10 a.m., Saturday,
June 16
at
Cornerstone Church, 1520 South Reynolds Rd., Maumee, Ohio
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By The Numbers
(
year-to-date
)
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42,821
potholes filled
230
water main breaks repaired
16,758
feet of sanitary sewers cleaned
3,003,901
pounds of debris removed with street sweepers.
1,005
trees trimmed
3,919
vehicles towed
4,195
building inspections completed
2,534
contractor licenses issued
647
new jobs
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Engage Toledo
How can we help you? The Engage Toledo app lets you to make service requests 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. We are committed to customer service.
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United Way of Greater Toledo is celebrating its centennial anniversary on May 31 at the National Museum of the Great Lakes.
It originated as the Toledo War Chest on May 15, 1918 and became the Community Chest in 1920. In 1984, the Community Chest began operating under the name United Way. Since its conception, and throughout its development, the United Way of Greater Toledo has been a vital community advocate for those in need and its mission is to unite the caring power of people.
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Toledo City Council formally recognized the Toledo Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club for its work at Wilson Park.
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The group adopted the park and presented a check for $1,000 to the city to provide free swimming at the park's pool. It also plans to install an overhead screen and projector in the shelter house, permanent benches, and a patio with a canopy.
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Toledo In The News
City Council approves 5-year, $320 million spending plan
Toledo City Council on Tuesday approved a five-year, $320 million capital improvement plan, including a nearly $70 million capital budget for 2018. Several city departments are slated to have new vehicles, downtown’s Levis Square will see $500,000 in improvements, and South Toledo’s Danny Thomas Park will receive $300,000 toward a much-needed renovation. Much of that $70 million goes to debt service payments and major street improvements, but council also appropriated about $11.3 million to 29 projects throughout the city.
Local WWII vet receives letter from President Trump
Bob Barger's story has spread around the world, even making it to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Bob and The University of Toledo were mentioned in a White House press briefing and that amazing moment was followed up with a special delivery Wednesday morning.
Toledo's newest infrastructure project to improve stormwater drainage will start in July to fix longstanding flooding problems. It's being called the Jamieson Ditch Project, Regina Bypass.
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