Message from Mayor Kapszukiewicz
I want to thank everyone for your patience with snow and ice removal this weekend.

City crews spent part of this week spraying brine on major streets in advance of the storm, hauling salt to the city’s two storage barns, installing plows on smaller trucks, and inspecting the plows for larger trucks. Crews will continue to work in 12-hour shifts during the storm until roads have been cleared.

An explanation of snow emergency levels can be found here and information on the city's snow removal policy can be found here .

Safety is our number one goal so please drive carefully and slow down.
I hope to see everyone Monday at The University of Toledo's Savage Arena for the 2019 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Celebration.

The free, public event will begin at 10 a.m. The Unity Celebration is an important tradition that brings our community together to remember the life of Dr. King.
The program will feature songs and other performances by the Scott High School marching band, UT gospel choir, UT Fire Squad, and TRIBE dance teams, as well as students from Toledo School for the Arts and other individual artists.
Public Engagement
The Public Technology Institute has again designated the city of Toledo as a “Citizen-Engaged Community” for 2018-2020.

The annual designation program is designed to recognize the use of leading practices in citizen engagement and customer service.

Community applications, and the designation focuses on best practices and standards in three key areas for multi-channel contact centers: citizen participation processes, integrated communication channels, and technology, and performance reporting.

In 2016, Toledo was one of five cities and counties nationwide to receive the designation. In 2018, Toledo joined Jacksonville, Florida, and Norfolk, Virginia as one of three.

The designation status is renewable every two years.

As a Citizen-Engaged community, Toledo will have the opportunity to present to other cities and counties through webinars and discussion forums, as well as provide future input into standards for excellence in multi-channel contact centers. 

This is the third national recognition for Engage Toledo since rebranding the call center in October 2015. 

In 2018, the Engage Toledo Customer Service Call Center handled 67,749 citizen calls, with an average speed of answer of 63 seconds, and average talk time of 3:37. In 2017, 60,749 citizens called, with an average speed of answer of 76 seconds, and average talk time of 3:32.
Toledo Police
Toledo Police continued its virtual ride-along series this week. By checking in on the department’s Instagram, @toledo_police, or Twitter @ToledoPolice, accounts, viewers can see what a typical workday is like for members of the department’s Special Weapons and Tactics section.
Also, in case you missed it: The most recent Toledo Police VLOG highlights the rigorous training that police academy cadets undergo for the right to drive a police vehicle.

Members of the part-time Toledo Police "Social Media Team" create the VLOGs to increase community engagement through social media.
Mark Your Calendars
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Unity Celebration
Everyone is encouraged to join the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and legacy, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Monday, Jan. 21 at the The University of Toledo's John F. Savage Arena.

The city of Toledo supports the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability to fully participate in this program/event, please contact ADA Administrator, Joan Easler, Office of Diversity & Inclusion, city of Toledo at 419-245-1059.
80s Night at the Ice Rink
Join us 7-10 p.m., Friday, Jan. 25 for 80s Night at Ottawa Park Ice Rink.

The night will include all of your favorite music from the 1980s. This is an all ages/family friendly event. $4 per person, $2 per skate rental. More info here .
Toledo Symphony
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy will be at the Stranahan Theater at 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 26

Get into the swing of things with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy! Celebrating its 25th anniversary and countless appearances in film and television — including a remarkable seven appearances on The Tonight Show, the Super Bowl XXXIII Halftime Show, Dancing with the Stars, and performances for three U.S. Presidents — this nine-piece band takes music to the next level with a high-octane, deliriously fun show fusing together jazz, blues, swing, and more. More info here .
Mayor's Art Reception
Mayor Kapszukiewicz partnered with the The Arts Commission to bring local artists and their works to the mayor's office. These works will rotate twice a year to highlight the wide-ranging talent of local artists, the many contributions they bring to our community, and the importance of supporting creative industries in Toledo. It is curated by Nikki Eggerstorfer. Artists currently showing include David Cuatlacuatl, Mary Jane Erard, Jemma Hostetler, Natalie Lanese, Yusuf Lateef, Katie Lenhert, and Kati Kleimola.

Join us for an artist reception, 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 29 on the 22nd floor of One Government Center. To enter the building, guests must have a photo ID. All bags are subject to search and no large parcels or backpacks will be permitted. Nominal parking fees will apply.
By The Numbers
(year to date)
473 potholes filled
2,816 tons of salt used for 2018-19 season
43,164 gallons of brine used for 2018-19 season
54,567 cubic yards of leaves collected during the 2018-19 program
13 water main breaks repaired
81,515 feet of sanitary sewers cleaned
1,140 feet of storm sewers cleaned
94 trees trimmed
245 fire runs
2,349 EMS runs
345 building inspections completed
640 contractor licenses issued
Toledo In The News

Firefighter saves American flag from Vietnam veteran's burning home As a Vietnam veteran's home went up in flames, one Toledo firefighter thought quickly on his feet to preserve a patriotic symbol. Allen Skomer, who is also a vet eran, was working to extinguish the massive flames at the Toledo home when he spotted the flag's colors flying between the house and a small adjoining structure alongside it.

Toledo preparing for 25,000 people for four-day ECHL All-Star Weekend The impending snow isn't going to be enough to stop a full four-day weekend in downtown Toledo. Toledo Walleye General Manager Neil Neukam says there would have to be a blizzard to stop the festivities. "It's hockey, so you know, it's winter. People should expect snow and ice, things of that nature, and the cold." For the past few years, Toledo has been preparing for its first ECHL All-Star Game.

In 2 incidents, several people fell through ice in the same Toledo pond; 3 officers among those who fell One Toledo Police Officer was treated for exposure and two others warmed up after falling through the ice in a north Toledo pond. The officers were working to save a teenager who fell through the ice.

UT students' artwork chosen for billboards The artwork of 14 University of Toledo art students is displayed on a large scale on electronic billboards across Toledo. The 19 pieces are part of a juried exhibition organized annually by UT associate art professor Barry Whittaker.

Local officials announce new committee for 2020 census Toledo and Lucas County officials announced Wednesday the creation of a new committee tasked with ensuring proper regional representation in next year’s census. The Toledo-Lucas County Complete Count Committee will raise awareness, build trust in the process, and encourage a higher self-reporting rate.
Read Last Week's Newsletter