TOLEDO, Ohio — Toledo City Council on Wednesday approved a pilot program to provide free period products in city-owned bathrooms that see high amounts of traffic.
The $50,000 put toward the project will fund the items in bathrooms at the Municipal Court, the Safety Building, Walbridge Park and the Frederick Douglas Community Center, among others.
Council president Carrie Hartman previously told WTOL 11 that she would like to further expand the inclusivity and include products in both men's and women's restrooms.
Council also approved a study on the effects of scrap and salvage yards in the city, amending an ordinance that previously sought to temporarily ban new ones for six months.
Council member Theresa Morris, who proposed the ordinance, said it was deemed not necessary due to the lack of scrap yards applying for permits during the proposed moratorium period.
American Rescue Plan Act funds will also be directed toward work on buildings in the city. Council approved $7,574,152 to clean up, demolish and redevelop brownfield sites, including the Spitzer and Nicholas buildings on Madison Street, and $293,250 for 10 commercial demolitions per an agreement with the Lucas County Land Bank.
ARPA funds were also approved for the following projects:
- $3.25 million for building improvements at city community and senior centers
- $2 million for the Glass City Riverwalk Project
- $500,000 for the build-out of the Glass City Enrichment Center for the Starbase Youth Program
The city also accepted two grants from the Ohio Department of Public Safety — one of $49,876.20 for an impaired driving enforcement program and the other of $52,376.20 for a selective traffic enforcement program.
