Akron Council's Weekly Legislative Spotlight! March 2023 Issue #8

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Akron City Council

Weekly Legislative Spotlight

From the Desk of the Council President

Hello Joan,

Welcome to our new subscribers, we are so excited that you have decided to join us! To our regular subscribers, thank you for continuing to read Council's Legislative Spotlight.

Each week will 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, March 13th, 2023

RESOLUTION 63-2023 urging the City of Akron to allocate and/or re-allocate Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund monies, or other City funds, for the purpose of providing Akron residents relief from the burden of excessive medical debt; urging the exploration of obtaining additional funding and/or other in-kind contributions from Akron’s local community partners for the purpose of enlarging the program and making it more impactful; encouraging the City to establish a process and the necessary infrastructure needed to make the medical debt forgiveness program successful; and declaring an emergency. Vote: 12-0 (Connor absent) A group of students from Northeast Ohio Medical University brought this idea to Council and provided public comment at Monday's meeting.

RESOLUTION 64-2023 urging the federal government to require the installation and use of temperature detectors along railway tracks and to provide for periodic inspection and maintenance of railroads in order to prevent future train derailments; expressing support for the bipartisan Railway Safety Act of 2023; expressing condolences to those impacted by recent train derailments and incidents throughout the State of Ohio; and declaring an emergency. Vote: 12-0 (Connor absent) Please view this document to see actions that have been taken so far.

Operating Budget

The 2023 Operating Budget Ordinance must pass by the end of March. An overview was given at the March 13th Budget & Finance Committee.

Budget documents can be accessed via our Agenda Portal.

Budget Hearings began on Tuesday, March 14th, and will continue through Thursday, March 16th. These occur in Council Chambers beginning at 3:00 p.m. and are also live-streamed on YouTube.

Remember...

You can see all the legislation discussed during the March 13th meeting at: https://onlinedocs.akronohio.gov/OnBaseAgendaOnline/

The City of Akron is Considering a Drop-Off Glass Recycling Facility.

"Drop-off locations are different than our normal curbside recycling program. Instead of placing glass in your recycling bin once a week,

We're collecting information about whether and how you may utilize a glass recycling program that requires you to drop off your glass at a centralized location. Your responses to this survey will help us determine if a sustainable glass recycling drop-off program is possible in Akron."

Emily Collins

Strategic Advisor to the Mayor

Please take the survey to provide your feedback!

Akron Launches Zencity Engagement Platform

The City recently launched Akron Engage, a new online platform to gather more community feedback on various projects. The projects and programs currently featured on the Engage platform include: Glass Recycling Program, Police Community Relations, E. Exchange St. Corridor Project, Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, Car Share Program, and City Flag. Projects will be updated and added to over time.

Visit akron-oh.civilspace.io to learn more and get involved.

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.

Rule 4.13 Point of Information

A point of information is a request by a member of Council to the Presiding Officer requesting additional information relevant to the business at hand. The Presiding Officer shall direct the request to the appropriate person and all information shall be exchanged through the Presiding Officer in order to maintain decorum.

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