Kent City Council took a walk on the wild side at last night’s meeting.

First through fifth graders from the Children’s Musical Theatrical Program of Kent performed excerpts from their upcoming play “The Jungle Book” for council members and meeting attendees.

The children, clad in full costume from furry monkey suits to Baloo’s blue face makeup, sang “I Wanna Be Like You,” from the play.

The children will perform the play at 7 p.m. April 29 and at 3 p.m. April 30 at the Kent Stage.

“This is the first time Disney has put out their musicals for public use,” said recreation supervisor Nancy Rice. “We bought the rights, and the children are having a great time.”

After monkeying around, the council got down to business.

Ward 5 Councilman Ed Bargerstock informed the council of numerous phone calls he received regarding the city of Kent Planning Commission’s Tuesday night approval of a fifth fraternity house to be added on East Main Street.

“I have received a lot of complaints from residents of that area saying they feel the house will ruin the neighborhood and is not conducive to the neighborhood,” Bargerstock said. “I invited the residents to attend our meeting, and I’m sure they will be present at the next council meeting.”

Council moved several items to committees as part of new business. These items included discussion of a parental responsibility ordinance, which Councilman William Schultz said recently passed in Maple Heights. Another item was discussion of an ordinance requiring a revision in the building code for buildings that only have one entrance to have a second entrance for disabled people, an ordinance Schultz said recently passed in Toledo.

Council approved using council money for a city of Kent Health Department luncheon, and lending its chambers in May to Voices and Choices, a Northeast Ohio program aimed at producing more jobs and creating more economic opportunities for families and businesses.

Council also approved April 5 and 12 committee reports from council committees.

Kent City Council meets every Wednesday at the Council Chambers located at 217 E. Summit St.

Contact public affairs reporter Danielle Toth at [email protected]