Toledo News

The City of Toledo is applying for a grant from the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund for environmental remediation and demolition activities for the NorthTowne Square Mall Redevelopment at the primary address of 301 New Towne Square Drive, Toledo, 43612.

The Lucas County Commissioners, Pete Gerken, Tina Skeldon Wozniak and Carol Contrada, Toledo Mayor Mike Bell and Council President Joe McNamara came together today to announce the next initiative in City/County cooperation. The City of Toledo and the Lucas County Board of Commissioners have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to seek proposals for a Joint Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in the City of Toledo.  The objective of the MRF is to receive and process single stream recyclables from the City of Toledo and recyclables from the dual stream as collected by the Solid Waste Management District. 

In response to customer requests, the City of Toledo’s Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is now offering a voluntary, monthly budget program for the payment of utility bills. Toledo utility bills cover the cost of supplying water, disposal of water, storm water disposal and refuse pickup. All residential customers, who receive a utility bill directly from the City of Toledo, are eligible to participate.

Click here for answers to Frequently Asked Questions regarding this new program.

City offices will be closed Friday, December 23rd and Monday, December 26th in observance of the Christmas Eve and Christmas holidays.  Offices will reopen for regular business at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, December 27th.

Even if you’ve been a good recycler all year long, what to do with holiday decorations and gift wrap may present a challenge. Is wrapping paper recyclable? What about Christmas tree ornaments? Tinsel? To answers those questions, Republic Services has its own “naughty and nice” list of recyclable holiday materials.

The City of Toledo Department of Public Utilities is urging citizens to be aware of a new scam targeting customers of Toledo’s water and sewer service.

The city of Toledo will again accept Christmas trees at select city park sites beginning December 26, 2011 and continuing through January 27, 2012.  Collected trees will be chipped into mulch for use in city parks.

Toledo Police Chief Derrick Diggs today announced a data driven policing initiative that will be implemented in the Toledo Police Department. The department has operated under the standard policing model which focuses on response and investigation of crimes that have already occurred. A data driven model would allow the department to move to a real-time response, suppression and deterrence approach to law enforcement.

The winter 2011 edition of the Toledo Police Informer newsletter is now available featuring winter safety and crime prevention tips, new leadership and new recruits in the department and a focus on preventing domestic violence.

On November 28^th, 2011 a team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) will be examining all aspects of the Toledo Police Department’s policies, procedures, management, operations and support services. Citizens are encouraged to provide input at a public meeting or via telephone during specified hours.

Toledo Mayor Michael P. Bell and City Councilwoman Lindsay Webb (D-District 6) today announced a plan to acquire and demolish the former North Towne Square mall and prepare the land for future development.  The project would not use city general fund money, but instead would rely on U.S. EPA Transitioned Brownfield Revolving Assistance Grant dollars administered by the city’s Division of Environmental Services. The same fund was tapped to demolish the former Southwyck Mall in 2009.

The Toledo Police Department has released its 2010 annual report.  The 20 page source provides comparative statistics for manpower, crimes, traffic incidents, 9-1-1 call volume, and response times.

The City of Toledo will continue its 2011 leaf collection program through the Veterans’ Day holiday. City offices are closed Friday, but crews will be in neighborhoods throughout west Toledo working to clear away the last signs of autumn.

As Toledo residents get to work with rakes and leaf blowers preparing for the city’s annual leaf collection program, the department of Public Service is offering citizens an inside look at their operations through the new “Come Roll With Us” program.

Six officers graduated today from the Toledo Police Academy at a short ceremony held on the campus of Owens Community College.

The City of Toledo leaf collection will begin Monday, November 7 in both curbed and uncurbed streets of zip code 43613 and uncurbed streets in zip code 43623.  Green and white signs will be posted in affected neighborhoods to make residents aware that crews from the Division of Streets, Bridges and Harbor will soon be working in their area. 

Derrick Diggs was sworn-in as the Chief of the Toledo Police Department at a ceremony this morning in City Council Chambers. Diggs succeeds Chief Michael Navarre who retires today after 34 years of service to the City of Toledo. 

Toledo Police Chief Mike Navarre has announced that he will retire from the department on October 21, 2011. Chief Navarre, 55 years old, was appointed to the police department on July 12, 1977. He was appointed Chief of Police in May of 1998 by then Mayor Carleton S. Finkbeiner, after the departure of Chief Gerald T. Galvin who was appointed to the chief’s position in Albuquerque, New Mexico that year.

The City of Toledo's Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report for program year 2010-2011 is now available online for review and public comment. 

The Toledo Civil Service Commission established the 2011 Fire Fighter Eligibility List on September 9, 2011. The list is available online by visiting the Human Resources web page. 

The fall issue of the Toledo Police Informer is now available featuring back to school safety tips, Police Athletic League events and new technology available for child protection. 

The City of Toledo and its partners today unveiled a five acre solar field on the grounds of its Collins Park Water Treatment Plant on the city’s east side. The project, which began in 2010 is the culmination of $5.2 million in public/private partnership investment to bring clean, alternative energy to the city while reducing energy consumption costs for the plant.

The Toledo Fire and Rescue Department today promoted six chief officers at a ceremony Toledo City Council chambers. The promotions included the Assistant Chief, two Deputy Chiefs and three Battalion Chiefs.

Toledo Mayor Michael P. Bell and Lucas County Commission President Pete Gerken today signed a regional service sharing agreement to provide refuse and recycling services to the city of Toledo through the Lucas County Solid Waste Management District. The County will contract with Republic Services, formerly Allied Waste, to provide collection services.

Luis Santiago was sworn-in as the Chief of the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department at a ceremony this morning in Chub de Wolfe Park. Santiago succeeds Chief Michael Wolever who retired July 1 after 33 years of service to the City of Toledo.

The Toledo Fire and Rescue Department will hold the 50th anniversary memorial service in observance of the Anthony Wayne Trail fire on Friday, June 10, 2011. The annual ceremony will begin at noon in Chub DeWolfe Park, the site of the Toledo Firefighters' Memorial. Retired Fire Chief Carl Neeb will serve as the keynote speaker.

The Toledo Fire & Rescue Department will accept applications for the next fire civil service exam beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 7, 2011 at the Fire Administration building located at 545 N. Huron St. in downtown Toledo. The department is expecting to hire a class of at least 25 probationary firefighters in late 2011.

CLICK HERE to proceed to the online application.

The City of Toledo would like to remind citizens that it’s getting close to tax time. 
The 2010 City of Toledo income tax return is due on or before April 18, 2011.

Following Sunday’s ice and snow storm, the city of Toledo has been working to clear downed trees, limbs and branches from city streets to ensure roads are passable and to allow Toledo Edison crews access to areas where electric service must be restored. This has been the priority in cleaning up after the weather event.

The City of Toledo is applying for a Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund (CORF) grant to assist with cleanup at the former Doehler Jarvis Plant 2 property located at 5400 N. Detroit in Toledo, OH 43612.  The application is available for review at the Lagrange Branch of the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, located at 3422 Lagrange St., Toledo,  OH 43608 until March 7, 2011. 

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Day celebration started out 10 years ago as an idea to bring the city together on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It now has become the largest community event in the area to celebrate the activist’s memory and vision.

Mayor Michael P. Bell today released the 2011 Operating Budget at a press conference that included his administration’s finance staff, Safety Director, Police and Fire Chiefs and other directors. The Mayor made clear that 2011 again poses fiscal challenges for the city, noting an environment of increased expenditures and declining resources, but also emphasized that the budget includes no new or increased general fund taxes or fees.

City of Toledo Director of Finance, Patrick McLean, today announced the city’s projections for major revenue sources in the 2011 budget cycle. The city anticipates a 2.6% increase in income tax collections although property and estate taxes along with state revenue sharing will more than offset those gains leaving the city with nearly $1.6 million less in revenue for 2011 than 2010.

The City of Toledo will begin its 2010 Leaf Collection Program on Monday, November 1, and conclude early December, weather permitting.

The Village of Ottawa Hills has initiated discussions with the City of Toledo to provide fire and emergency medical service in the Village. The two parties are ready to move forward with implementing legislation in the near future.  The proposed agreement will benefit both communities, by providing excellent protection and service at a considerably reduced cost to the Village of Ottawa Hills, quicker response time for some Toledo residents and increased revenue for the city.

City of Toledo officials joined with volunteers from Toledo Free Ride for a ribbon cutting at the new Jermain Park Mountain Bike Trail on Saturday, October 2^nd to mark the trails ceremonial grand opening to the public. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was part of an all day event for biking enthusiasts and included cyclocross demonstrations, races, and displays from local bike shops. 

Mayor Michael P. Bell today joined Toledo Police Chief Michael Navarre and the Board of the Toledo Police Museum to announce the reopening of the museum at Ottawa Park. The historical museum will soon be located in the former Ottawa Park Nature Center.

The City of Toledo has been awarded over $3.5 million in federal funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to continue stabilizing and strengthening Toledo neighborhoods that have been hit by the foreclosure crisis.

The City of Toledo’s Division of Solid Waste will begin operating under formal rules for refuse and recycling collection on Tuesday, August 24. 

Councilwoman Lindsay Webb and the City of Toledo Department of Public Service will host a meeting for Point Place residents affected by the Flood Control Dike on the Ottawa River, Mudjaw Creek and Maumee Bay. The meeting will be from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Monday, July 26, 2010 at the Friendship Park Senior Center.

In response, the Department of Public Service has developed an action plan to ensure that the dike is again certified. Councilwoman Webb will be on hand with Department of Public Service staff. Representatives from the Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA are also expected to attend as the City presents the proposed action plan and answer questions. Residents in the affected area have been notified of the meeting by letters to their home and are encouraged to attend.

A copy of the needs assessment survey is available on the City of Toledo's FTP server.  Instructions and a link are provided below.

FTP Instructions (in PDF) | City of Toledo FTP Server
 

The City of Toledo will once again offer the Garden Partners program in an effort to maintain urban beautification projects in neighborhoods throughout the city despite the recent budget challenges.

Today, Toledo Mayor Michael Bell attended a press conference held by Vice President Joe Biden in Washington, D.C. During the press conference, the Vice President announced that The Toledo Lucas County Port Authority will receive a $15 million Department of Energy grant to “ramp-up” energy efficiency building retrofits.

The City of Toledo will begin a targeted enforcement of the red light camera fines on May 1 as part of an effort to boost compliance and collect the outstanding citations that have not been paid.

The State Employment Relations Board (SERB) has declined the City of Toledo’s emergency request for designation of illegal strike based on their judgment that there was not a demonstrated continuing or recurring threat of illegal strike and that the action more appropriately constitutes pursuit of an unfair labor practice charge.

Following Judge Jensen’s ruling on the request by the Toledo Police Patrolmen’s Association for a Temporary Restraining Order against the City of Toledo enjoining enforcement of exigent circumstances, Mayor Michael P. Bell issued the following statement:

Notice of Public Meeting and Information Repository for a Clean Ohio Assistance Fund Grant

The City of Toledo is applying for a grant from the Clean Ohio Assistance Fund for environmental cleanup of the properties located at 1200 South Detroit Avenue and 1045 & 1065 Research Drive, Toledo, Ohio 43614.  The application is available for review at the Heatherdowns Branch of Toledo-Lucas County Public Library from July 23, 2010 until September 9, 2010.  A public meeting to discuss and solicit comments to the grant application will be held on Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at the Heatherdowns Branch Library, 3265 Glanzman, Toledo, Ohio, 43614.  Application information is also available online at www.toledo.oh.gov.  Any questions may be referred to Joel Mazur at 419.936.3944.

Application Summary Document

As of January 1, 2009 the City of Toledo is implementing a new trash collection system. Refuse collection days will move forward one business day after each city holiday, thus resulting in no weekend holiday collection.

Toledo, OH - Recognizing the hardship and pain of housing foreclosure, Mayor Carty Finkbeiner sent letters today to U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, U.S. HUD Secretary Steve Preston, Senator George Voinovich, Senator Sherrod Brown and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, calling upon the Bush Administration to provide additional assistance for hurting Toledo families. 

Toledo, OH - Today was a great day for one of Toledo's great old buildings. The City of Toledo received a $3 million Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund (C.O.R.F.) grant to conduct remediation work on the former Fiberglas Tower.

Toledo, OH - Mayor Finkbeiner has released the attached statement, following the decision of AFSCME Local 7 to vote down the proposed new contract with the City of Toledo.

Toledo, OH - In recognition of University of Toledo Rockets Coach Tom Amstutz' spectacular success -- both on and off of the football field-- Mayor Finkbeiner has declared this Friday, November 28 as Tom Amstutz Day in the City of Toledo. Beginning on Thanksgiving Day, all Lamar electronic billboards across the City will beam a special message to Coach Amstutz, in appreciation for his place in Rockets history.

Toledo, OH - On Friday, November 21 Mayor Finkbeiner attended a meeting and presentation in Columbus at the Governor's Residence. Attendees included Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, Lt. Governor Lee Fisher, members of their staff and the Ohio Department of Development.

2008 Leaf Collection Schedule

Toledo, OH - Mayor Finkbeiner and several other Mayors from across the country sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, urging a prompt resolution to the proposed $25 billion bridge loan to the auto industry. The letter was sent from the office of Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, and included endorsements from 13 Mayors.

Cleveland, OH - Mayor Carty Finkbeiner attended the 2008 Northern Ohio Minority Business Council banquet and awards ceremony in Cleveland, where he wasone of four Ohio mayors to be honored for their efforts in expanding minority-based businesses in their communities.

Toledo, OH - Mayor Finkbeiner and UAW Local 12 President Bruce Baumhower spent today in Washington, D.C., lobbying for Federal financial assistance to America's beleaguered auto industry. While there, they -- along with a group of about 40 Mayors, City Managers, and Labor Leaders -- met with Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, and Congressman John Dingell. Mayor Finkbeiner and Mr. Baumhower also met privately with Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown.

Toledo, OH - Mayor Carty Finkbeiner has released the following statement regarding his 2009 proposed Operating Budget.

Toledo, OH - This weekend, Mayor Finkbeiner and his wife Amy traveled to New York City to spend Friday night and Saturday as guests of Steve, Tim, Bob, and Kip Forbes and their families.

Toledo, OH - Good news for Toledoans looking to ease the burden of unpaid Code Enforcement citations.  Beginning October 1, 2008 individuals and businesses will have a chance to pay off their delinquent Code Enforcement citations as part of the city’s first ever Code Enforcement Amnesty Program.  This limited one-time offer will run through December 31, 2008.

Toledo, OH - Today Mayor Finkbeiner announced one of the most important economic development deals of 2008.

Toledo, OH - Today, Toledo City Council approved the appointment of Jerry Chabler to the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority Board.

Toledo, OH - In 2000, the Parent Community Partnership (part of Lucas County Family Council) founded Parent Week -- a seven-day celebration of the joys and challenges of parenting. This event focuses on the importance of strong parenting, and of the role of the entire community plays in keeping our children safe. Now in its 8th year, Parent Week is now celebrated across the entire state of Ohio, and endorsed by Governor Ted Strickland.

The Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commission is sponsoring a Planning and Development Forum featuring Ohio Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher as the keynote speaker. The forum will be held Tuesday, October 7th, 2008 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the McMaster Family Center for Lifelong Learning at the Main Library in Downtown Toledo.  The forum will include sessions on local and state planning and development issues and projects. Registration is required.

Toledo, OH - One house. A family of 13. Hundreds of volunteers. An incredible, high-energy week! 
Mayor Carty Finkbeiner and the City of Toledo are saying “Thank you” for everyone’s effort in building the new home for Toledo firefighter Aaron Frisch, his wife Jackie, and their 11 children for “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”

Toledo, OH - In light of the sale of the Commodore Perry building today, Mayor Finkbeiner issues the following statement:

"The Commodore Perry was a strategic investment, acting as a catalyst for further redevelopment in a targeted area of the city.  The project was revitalized in the late '90s, and today is a solid, well-maintained building that provides housing to residents wishing to live in downtown Toledo.

Toledo, OH - The City of Toledo Department of Development recently delivered a $5000 Downtown Incentive Grant check to Don Mewhort, Sandra Hylant and Neal Mahoney, the new owners of Midland Title and Escrow at 401 Adams St.

Toledo, OH - The City of Toledo has introduced to City Council legislation towards finalizing its agreement with Perrysburg Township to develop a Joint Economic Development District (JEDD).

Toledo, OH - "I believe the announcement of Healthcare REIT’s move to Dana’s Headquarters in Toledo is a strategic move for both companies - and the best of a challenging era for Toledo, Dana and Healthcare REIT."

Toledo, OH - I accept full responsibility for the City’s desire and commitment to transform the former flea market at the Erie Street Market into a multi-purpose entertainment facility.  After a nationally recognized recording group was committed to coming to Toledo on August 2, the City worked night and day to prepare for the rededication of the hall.

Toledo, OH - Mayor Finkbeiner and Toledo Police Chief Mike Navarre announce the increase in the Toledo Police Class for 2008.  Thirty-three (33) men and women will be recruited for the Police class, scheduled to begin December 1.

Toledo, OH - Repeated storms have caused significant damage to trees city-wide. City of Toledo Forestry crews have been working exclusively on storm clean-up. Thank you for your patience as Forestry crews continue to perform storm clean-up. 

Toledo, Ohio - Read the letter Mayor Carty Finkbeiner and Toledo Public Schools Superintendent John Foley sent on Monday, July 14, 2008 to Executive Director Michael Shoemaker of the Ohio School Facilities Commission. The letter asks the Ohio School Facilities Commission to work with the District and the City of Toledo in maintaining the Scott High School building.

Toledo, Ohio - Below is text of a letter Mayor Carty Finkbeiner sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 to Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, and Senators George Voinovich and Sherrod Brown.  It asks for the U.S. Census Bureau to work with Toledo’s 2010 Everyone Counts Committee to ensure all locations where the City’s residents reside are counted.

Toledo, OH - On Monday, June 16, 2008 the first meeting of the Mayor’s Intermodal Advisory Committee was held.  The group discussed the focus of the meetings and organized the objectives to accomplish.

Toledo, OH - Recent storms have brought considerable damage to trees.  The City of Toledo Division of Forestry would like to remind Toledoans that Forestry crews are working to clear blocked streets, and removing trees from the public right of way.

Toledo, OH - The Mayor would like to announce an addition to the Intermodal Advisory Committee.  Mr. James E. Seney, Director of Transportation Based Development with VRG Partners, has agreed to participate on the Mayor’s Intermodal Advisory Committee.

Toledo, OH - Mayor Carty Finkbeiner today announced a ten-person committee to study where an Intermodal Transportation Hub could best be located, and how it can be financed.

Toledo, OH - The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission has approved Toledo's application for $4.9 million grant for the Marina District Project.

Toledo, Ohio - Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner has been appointed to Governor Strickland’s 21st Century Transportation Commission effective May 6.

Toledo, OH - Effective May 5, 2008, the City of Toledo will begin the next step in continuing improvements to refuse and recycling collection services provided to residents.

Toledo, OH - If you have ever considered hosting an event along Toledo's beautiful waterfront or in the downtown area... it's easier than you think!

Toledo, Ohio - Hoping to block legislation that would reduce the potential for mortgage relief for struggling homeowners, Mayor Carty Finkbeiner asked Northwest Ohio legislators to oppose Ohio House Bill 359.

Toledo, Ohio - Mayor Finkbeiner today expressed his pleasure that Governor Jim Doyle of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin state legislature have reached an agreement on the Great Lakes Compact to preserve the integrity of Great Lakes Water.

Toledo, OH - The City of Toledo recently passed the 2008 budget.  Contained within the budget are changes regarding the City’s garbage fee.  The fee will be $7.00 if you do not recycle and $2.00 if you do recycle starting on May 1, 2008.

Toledo, Ohio - To address the abundance of potholes on Toledo streets following a winter and spring of nearly record snowfall, Mayor Carty Finkbeiner has created a “Pothole Posse” to quickly repair streets.

Toledo, Ohio – Effective May 5, 2008, the City of Toledo will begin the next step in continuing improvements to refuse and recycling collection services provided to residents.

Toledo, OH – Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner has declared March 1^st as Bob Nichols Day in honor and recognition of former University of Toledo Head Basketball Coach Bob Nichols, who also served as Head Coach of the Central Catholic Fighting Irish.

Toledo, OH - Starting on Monday, February 25, 2008 at 9:00 am the Martin Luther King Jr. Bridge will close to traffic for the placement and curing of the final concrete topping.

Toledo, Ohio - This morning, in a conversation with the City of Toledo Law Department, Ohio Civil Rights Commission spokeswoman, Toni Delgado, denied telling a Toledo Blade reporter that there had been a finding of probable cause in the cases of Perlean Griffin, Dwayne Moorehead, and Gary Daugherty, who were dismissed from the City of Toledo last year for various reasons.

Toledo, Ohio - Mayor Carty Finkbeiner is supporting Councilwoman Lindsay Webb in requesting federal funding to complete a risk-based assessment of the levy in the area known as “The Back of the Point” in Toledo’s Point Place Neighborhood.

Toledo, Ohio - As a result of recent incidents at the Westfield Franklin Park Mall, the Toledo Police Department and Westfield security will be strictly enforcing the City of Toledo curfew law.

Toledo, Ohio -- Responding to complaints from vendors at the Erie Street Market that they had not received proceeds from CitiFest from sales of their merchandise, Mayor Carty Finkbeiner has determined that the City of Toledo will assure they receive those funds that are owed.

Toledo, OH - Since December 1, 2007, the City of Toledo’s Division of Streets, Bridges and Harbor has been picking up both snow and leaves from city streets and fighting mother nature in a seemingly losing battle in an attempt to complete leaf collection by the end of 2007.

Toledo, OH - The City of Toledo will begin its 2007 Leaf Collection Program on Monday, November 5, 2007 and conclude on Friday, December 21st, weather permitting.

Toledo, Ohio -- The Toledo Police Department announced today that they have received a grant from The U.S. Department of Justice for $125,291 to combat gang activity in the City of Toledo. The grant is a Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) grant. This is the second GREAT grant the city has received.

            Toledo, Ohio -- Jefferson Avenue, now one way traffic between 11th Street and Summit Street, will be converted to two-way traffic between 11th Street and Erie Street at 9:00 AM on October 11, 2007.

            According to recent numbers Toledo's economy is strong and getting stronger. The U.S. Commerce Department recently released data, according to which the personal income in the Metro Toledo area recorded a 4.4% increase in 2006 over 2005.

Toledo, Ohio -- City of Toledo officials learned today that the Ohio Department of Development has awarded the city $3 million in funding from the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund (CORF) for the Marina District Development.

Toledo, Ohio --- Mayor Carty Finkbeiner announced today appointments to the Architectural Review Committee that will review future design decisions for the Marina District. The committee is structured...

Exempt city employees who do not have union representation will soon start paying monthly health insurance premiums. The ordinance approved by City Council will affect all exempt employees,...

Toledo, Ohio - Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner was joined by business and civic leaders today at International Park as the leadership of the City of Toledo celebrated its new status as a City of the Future...

Toledo, Ohio - On Thursday, June 7, Mayor Finkbeiner organized a tour of flooded homes and talk to residents on Mayfield Street....

Toledo, Ohio -- The City of Toledo’s finance team, including Assistant Chief of Staff, Dave Moebius; Finance Director John Sherburne; and Toledo City Council Finance Committee Chairman George Sarantou, returned today from Nashville...