Message from Mayor Kapszukiewicz
I want to start today with a very important reminder for all Toledoans and residents of Lucas County: please complete the 2020 Census.

I cannot underscore enough how important it is that Toledo gets an accurate count, especially given the fiscal difficulties we are facing because of COVID-19. The census will determine our level of federal funding for the next ten years. I spoke recently with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, who informed me that Toledo is not performing well when it comes to our residents’ response rate. As of Monday, it was 52.7 percent in Toledo and 59.4 percent in Lucas County – both below the 63.7 percent for Ohio. Tell your family members and your neighbors: complete the Census. It takes a few minutes. That’s all. Visit 2020Census.gov or call 844-330-2020 and be counted today!

Additionally, I announced this week that we are going to suspend enforcement of the new rules to downtown parking (which were approved by City Council last year) for the time being. That means the free 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. parking will remain in place until further notice. This is a decision we made jointly with the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority. Now is not the right time to implement that change.

Finally, I want to ensure everyone that we are working very hard to make sure restaurants and bars can reopen safely and be able to operate successfully. That includes allowing them to expand their footprints into the public right-of-way to meet social distancing requirements beginning May 29.
New Special Events Web Page
Visit toledo.oh.gov/special-event to request a special event permit and for more information.
Economic Development
Businesses with five or fewer employees can apply for the emergency microenterprise recovery program through May 24.

The grant is designed to assist for-profit microenterprises to maintain or restart operations, and retain jobs by providing up to $5,000 for eligible operating expenses incurred between March 1 and June 30.

The program is funded with $1 million of the $4.45 million COVID-19 CARES Act Community Development Block Grant Funds. The grants are subject to federal requirements. EMRG is a one-time program that will terminate once the grant funds are disbursed. Contact the Department of Economic Development at emrg@toledo.oh.gov or 419-245-1614 with any questions.

More information can be found now, and applications may be filed at toledo.oh.gov/emrgrant .
Parks, Recreation, and Forestry
Visit mulch.toledo.gov to order mulch.

Customers can request delivery or pick up at 221 Elmdale Rd. If a customer requests to pick up mulch, they are encouraged to use the online store. Drive-ups are welcomed, but there may be a wait time. To avoid wait times, place order via the online store prior to arrival or while at the lot. You can also contact the staff at 419-936-3010 to request an appointment. Our woodlot staff is happy to assist you.
Toledo-Lucas County Health Department
Visit this page for the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Lucas County, including testing under "Community Testing." The Lucas County COVID-19 Call Line Numbers are 419-251-4000 (English only) and 419-291-5355 (multilingual).
Find updated sector-specific operating requirements, including requirements for restaurants, and personal services here .

The full Responsible RestartOhio plan for consumer, retail, and services can be found at c oronavirus.ohio.gov/ResponsibleRestartOhio .

The Ohio Department of Health COVID-19 website is Coronavirus.Ohio.Gov and the Ohio Department of Health hotline is 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).
Mark Your Calendars
Virtual "Wednesdays With Wade"
Join us for another virtual "Wednesdays With Wade" with Mayor Kapszukiewicz.

It will be held at 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 20 .

You may watch on the city Facebook Live, https://www.facebook.com/cityoftoledo/ , where it will be simulcast live from a Zoom meeting. You may post your questions for the mayor or city staff in the Facebook comments once it starts.
V irtual town hall series : Impact of COVID-19 on the Black Community.
Front Line Heroes Blood Drive
The American Red Cross is holding a very special blood drive to honor Front Line Heroes in our community. These brave men and women put themselves on the line day after day to keep us safe and care for us during this challenging time.

It is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday, May 28 at UAW local 12, 2300 Ashland Ave. You can call 800-Red-Cross to make an appointment or go to redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code “heroes.”
Substantial Amendment to the 2015-2020 Five-Year Consolidated Plan and the 2019-2020 Action Plan Virtual Public Hearing

The City of Toledo Department of Neighborhoods is seeking comments on its Substantial Amendment to the 2015-2020 Five-Year Consolidated Plan and 2019-2020 Action Plan to be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. More info at this link .

This is an amendment to the 2015-2020 Five-Year Consolidated Plan and the 2019-2020 Action Plan to enable the city to receive $4,453,360 in COVID-19 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and $2,249,248 in COVID-19 Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), made available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).

A virtual public hearing on the Substantial Amendment to the 2015-2020 Five-Year Consolidated Plan and the 2019-2020 Action Plan is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., Thursday, May 28 at this link: https://toledo-oh-gov.zoom.us/j/99185317553 .
By The Numbers
(year to date)
46,830 potholes filled
536,543 pounds of debris cleared from streets with street sweepers
823,438 pounds of debris cleared from alleys
93 water main breaks repaired
537,652 feet of sanitary sewers cleaned
7,244 feet of storm sewers cleaned
310 trees trimmed
839 illegal signs removed
2,962 building inspections completed
1,373 contractor licenses issued
2,097 fire runs
18,085 EMS runs
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