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Public commenters urge support for Black Men's Wellness Walk, community car show; downtown business owner warns of heating crisis
Summary
Three public commenters asked council for support: John Michael Oliver sought backing for the Black Men's Wellness Walk, Ashley Lentz requested help staging a July 19 car show while organizing a 501(c)(3), and Ryan Kelly warned of downtown heating failures and economic loss.
Three members of the public used the meeting’s public-comment period to request council support for community events and to raise an urgent infrastructure concern.
John Michael Oliver, executive director of the African American Male Wellness Agency, thanked council for prior backing of the group’s annual Black Men's Wellness Walk and invited members to the 13th annual event in the first weekend of August. Oliver said last year the event drew about 3,000 people and that the program provided health screenings ("we screened 175 men and 130 ladies"), community activities and live music; he requested consideration of discretionary funding to help sustain the free initiative.
Ashley Lentz, CEO of Single Moms Can Achieve Anything, described plans for a community car show at Ween Park on July 19, 2026 and asked the city for help with security and possible funding. Lentz said she has been operating as an LLC while she forms a board to pursue 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and invited council members to attend and engage with residents.
Ryan Kelly, a downtown business owner and co-owner of the Ohio One building, warned council about a protracted failure of the downtown district heating system operated by Sobey Thermal Energy Systems, LLC. Kelly said building owners and managers have engaged state officials without resolution and asked the council to ‘‘take a comprehensive look’’ and commission a study to avoid further economic damage. "If things aren't moving, then that's when momentum dies," Kelly said, urging immediate attention.
Council members responded with short remarks and pledges of follow-up; Councilman Hughes said multiple councilmembers plan to contribute to Oliver’s event and Councilman Oliver urged broader use of the emergency-resolution mechanism to address citywide crises.
