Akron Council's Weekly Legislative Spotlight! February 2023 Issue #4

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Weekly Legislative Spotlight

From the Desk of the Council President

Hello Joan,

To our new subscribers, we are so excited that you have decided to join us! Thank you to our regular subscribers.

Weekly, we share highlights from Council's legislative agenda from the previous Monday's Committee and Council meetings. We also feature the definitions of and information about commonly used terms and acquaint you with council-related facts.

Please stay connected and abreast of the legislative agenda of Akron City Council.

We believe the information shared in each week's Legislative Spotlight will continue to educate, empower and liberate you to become increasingly engaged with your City Council in making Akron a better place for all its residents.

Sincerely,

Margo Sommerville

Council President

Ward 3 Council Member

Legislative Highlights From Monday, February 6th, 2023

ORDINANCE NO. 18-2023 authorizing the Mayor or his designee, without the formality of publicly advertising for bids, to enter into a contract or contracts with Axon Enterprises to install dashboard cameras in frontline cruisers; and declaring an emergency. Vote: 13-0

ORDINANCE NO. 23-2023 authorizing the Director of Public Service, or his designee, to enter into a contract or contracts for repairs to Canal Park Stadium mandated by Major League Baseball (the “MLB”); and declaring an emergency. Vote: 13-0

ORDINANCE NO. 26-2023 amending and/or supplementing Title 3, Chapter 31 and enacting Article 3 “Akron Citizens’ Police Oversight” including Section 31.50 “Definitions,” and 31.51 “Citizens’ Police Oversight Board - Term in order to orderly implement certain portions of Section 68a of the Charter; and declaring an emergency. (Substitute was offered as an amendment on 2/6/2023) Vote: 13-0

Legislation was introduced to appoint the Citizens' Police Oversight Board. This legislation was referred to the Public Safety Committee. The Committee requested Time.

RESOLUTION approving and confirming the appointment by Mayor Horrigan of Beverly Richards, Tristan Reed, and Shawn Peoples, to the Akron Citizens’ Police Oversight Board, as established by Charter Section 68a; and declaring an emergency.

RESOLUTION approving and confirming the appointment by Akron City Council of Donzella Anuszkiewicz, Imokhai Okolo, Diane Lewis, Caitlin Castle, Robert Gippin, and Kemp Boyd to the Akron Citizens’ Police Oversight Board, as established by Charter Section 68a; and declaring an emergency.

Remember...

You can see all the legislation discussed during the February 6th meeting at: https://onlinedocs.akronohio.gov/OnBaseAgendaOnline/

February is Black History Month.

It is the month designated to celebrate the achievements of Black people, honor and celebrate Black culture and educate on Black history.

Black educators and Black United Students at Kent State University first proposed Black History Month in February 1969. The first celebration of Black History Month took place at Kent State a year later, from January 2 to February 28, 1970.

Six years later, Black History Month was being celebrated all across the country in educational institutions, centers of Black culture, and community centers, both great and small, when President Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month in 1976, during the celebration of the United States Bicentennial. He urged Americans to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history".

Akron Safe Pledge Program

Akron City Council has launched the Akron Safe Pledge Program to provide funding for creating a safe dining experience during a rise in COVID-19 cases this season.

For more information on how to apply, visit:

Akron City Council Announces $250,000 Akron Safe Pledge Program | Akron City Council.

Suspension of the Rules

Procedural rules require that legislation be read at three council meetings before a vote (see Declaring an Emergency). When there is a need to pass legislation immediately, the Committee Chair or sponsoring Council Representative may ask for a Suspension of the Rules to allow an immediate vote on the legislation.

Declaring an Emergency

Allows the council to dispense with the requirement that a piece of legislation is read at three separate council meetings, and allows the legislation to go into effect earlier than 30 days from the passage of the legislation.

You can view the Rules of Procedure for Akron City Council here.

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Akron City Council

Margo Sommerville, President

166 S. High Street, 3rd Floor

Akron, OH 44308

www.akroncitycouncil.org

(330) 375 - 2256