Akron Council's Weekly Legislative Spotlight! 2023 Issue #19

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Akron City Council

Weekly Legislative Spotlight

From the Desk of the Council President

Hello Joan,

Welcome 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.

We share highlights from Council's legislative agenda from the previous Monday's Committee and Council meetings each week. Definitions and information about commonly used terms and council-related facts are also featured.

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

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, June 5, 2023

ORDINANCE NO. 159-2023 authorizing the transfer of certain vacant properties to neighboring property owners that meet the criteria of the Mow to Own Program; approving the specifications of the Mow to Own Program; determining that eligible properties are not needed for public use; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 13, Nays: 0. Read more about the Mow to Own Program here.

ORDINANCE NO. 160-2023 authorizing the Mayor, or his designee, to accept and expend grant funding from the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program (RCP Program) Planning Grant; authorizing contracts related thereto; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 13, Nays: 0. The RCP Program will assist with the creation of a community-based master plan to guide the transformation of the Innerbelt by providing funds for the planning process.

ORDINANCE NO. 163-2023 authorizing the Director of Public Service to enter into a contract or contracts, after publicly advertising for bids, for the construction/reconstruction of Patterson Park Community Center (the “Project); authorizing the Director of Public Service, without the formality of publicly advertising for bids, to enter into a contract or contracts with PRIME AE for design services for the Project; authorizing the Director of Public Service, without the formality of publicly advertising for bids, to enter into a contract or contracts for construction management services for the Project; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 13, Nays: 0. See this flyer for information on a Patterson Park Community Center Open House on June 15th.

Guests from Zencity provided the Budget & Finance Committee with a report on the Community Survey conducted February-March 2023. Read the report here or watch the meeting here .

Remember...

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

We are excited to announce that we welcomed a new employee on June 1st.

Maddison Stephenson joined our team as an Administrative Assistant III.

Please join us in welcoming Maddison to Council staff!

Check out the calendar on

Council's website for

upcoming Ward Meetings!

Upcoming Open Comment Public Hearings

A public hearing will be held by the Council of The City of Akron on Monday, June 12, 2023, regarding an Ordinance approving the certificate of appropriateness to demolish the former Beacon Journal Building at 44 E. Exchange. On May 2, 2023, The Urban Design and Historic Preservation Commission denied the application for a certificate of appropriateness. The applicant filed an appeal of the Commission’s denial and it will now be reviewed by City Council per Akron Municipal Code Title 3, Chapter 31, Section 31.395 (F).

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Notices are posted on our website at least 15 days prior to the meeting date.

Suppose the Ordinance is a Conditional Use (Zoning measure). In that case, a notice is also mailed to the owners and residents of property within, contiguous to, and directly across the street from the property involved in the Ordinance (per Charter Section 34).

You do not need to fill out any forms to participate. You may attend in person in Council Chambers or remotely via videoconference.

Those wishing to attend remotely need to notify the Clerk of Council as outlined in the meeting notice in order to receive the information to join remotely.

The Akron Public Art Commission

Seeking 4 New Commissioners!

The Public Art Commission was established in 2020 to oversee the budget, strategy, collection, and administration of the Plan for Public Art. The Commission is dedicated to celebrating the cultural vitality of the people of Akron and promoting economic vibrancy throughout Akron through the integration of high-quality artwork in public places.

The Commission is made up of nine volunteer members, all appointed by the Mayor and approved by Akron City Council. The Commission currently meets virtually once a month. There are occasionally some in-person events commissioners are expected to attend.

They are accepting applications now through noon on Friday, June 23, 2023. Chosen applicants will be expected to serve a 2 or 3 year term.

Akron City Council

Margo Sommerville, President

166 S. High Street, 3rd Floor

Akron, OH 44308

www.akroncitycouncil.org

(330) 375 - 2256