Akron Council's Weekly Legislative Spotlight! 2023 Issue #32

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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 the Council's Legislative Spotlight.

We hope that you are enjoying the wealth of information being shared with you each week.

We share highlights from the Council's legislative agenda from the previous Monday's Committee and Council meetings. 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, October 23, 2023

Ordinance No. 304-2023 authorizing the Mayor or his designee to apply for and, if awarded, accept and expend grant funding from the OCJS Community Policing Development (CPD) De-Escalation Training: Law Enforcement Agency De-Escalation Grant; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 13, Nays: 0. Law enforcement officers play a critical role in maintaining public safety and ensuring community well-being. The effective management of crisis situations and the ability to de-escalate tense encounters are essential skills for officers to possess.

Resolution No. 308-2023 supporting a Congressional passage of Medicare for All and urging all Ohio Federal Representatives to support the Medicare for all Act of 2022, currently pending in the U.S. Senate as Senate Bill 4204; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 12, Nays: 0 (Freeman abstained). Medicare for All would provide national health insurance for every person in the United States for all necessary medical care.

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Council also held a public hearing on the establishment of the City of Akron Form Based Zoning Code and Rezoning the Merriman Valley. The Planning & Economic Development Committee requested Time. You can view the presentation to the Committee here .

Remember...

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

Issue 17

A levy that will fund the Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board and critical services for more than 5,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities for the years 2025-2030.

Summit DD has operated for 17 years without an increase in revenue, while serving 30% more people. See these Frequently Asked Questions.

Thank you Firefighter Terra White!

On October 18, 2023, Fire Chief Joseph Natko was proud to award Firefighter Terra White with the Fire Department's first Distinguished Service Award. Firefighter White went above and beyond in a very difficult situation, which potentially saved two firefighters from harm and damage to nearby property.

Congratulations and job well done!

Akron City Council passed Ordinance No. 419-2008 declaring the

last Saturday in October from 5:00 to 7:00 PM as Trick or Treat night.

Establishing a uniform date and time for trick or treating in the City eliminates confusion and allows for greater security and a safer environment for participants. Citizens who wish to participate may indicate this to the neighborhood by turning on their porch lights between the hours to 5:00 to 7:00 PM.

Check out the calendar on

Council's website for

upcoming Ward Meetings!

If you have a specific city issue that you'd like to see resolved (a pothole, water leak, tree down, missed trash collection, etc.), you can enter it in the online system or call 311.

Upcoming Open Comment Public Hearings

Up for Public Hearing October 30, 2023:

Ordinance amending The Zoning Map by changing the Apartment House Use District Classification (U2, H2, A2) Use on property located south of the properties fronting E. Market Street from Fountain Street east to Ivan Place to a Retail Business Use District Classification (U3, H4, A5) Use.

Ordinance amending/supplementing Title 15, Chapter 153, “Zoning Code”, Section 153.140 “Definitions” and Section 153.310 “Business and Industry requirements” by establishing a form-based Urban Overlay district for the East Market Street Corridor.

Ordinance amending/supplementing Title 15, Chapter 153, “Zoning Code”, Article 1 “General Provisions” and Article 6 “Development and Area District Requirements” regarding the East Market Street Urban Overlay Area; and declaring an emergency.

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

If the Ordinance is a Conditional Use (Zoning measure), 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). Notices are also published in the Akron Beacon Journal.

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.

Public Comment Period

Those that wish to participate in the public comment period of a regular Council meeting need to submit a public comment form.

The sign-up form is available here.

For those that do not have a mobile device/computer to utilize, or need additional assistance, Council staff will be available in person before the meeting.

Signing up is a requirement of Council Rules, similar to other bodies. The only change from our previous sign-up procedure is that we made the process digital!

Legislation:

An official act of Council that takes the form of either an ordinance or a resolution.

Ordinance:

A formal act of Council. Examples of ordinance topics include: authorizing the Director of Public Service to enter into a contract for the construction of a project, approving a union agreement, approving a conditional use application, or amending the Codified Ordinances of the City.

Resolution:

A formal expression of the opinion or will of Council. Examples of resolution topics include congratulating a local high school that has won a state championship, supporting or opposing a bill pending before the Ohio General Assembly, or approving the appointment of members of a board or commission.

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