Akron City Council

Weekly Legislative Spotlight

From the Desk of the Council President

Hello Joan,

Happy New Year! We extend well wishes for a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous 2024 and welcome our new subscribers. We are so excited that you have decided to join us! To our regular subscribers, thank you for your commitment to staying informed and engaged through your continued subscribership to Akron City 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.

We encourage you to stay connected and abreast of the issue before 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

Council held their Organizational Meeting on Monday, January 8th as required by Rule 2.9.

Margo Sommerville was elected President of Council.

Jeff Fusco was elected

Vice President of Council.

Brad McKitrick was elected President Pro Tem of Council.

Council Leadership announced Committee Assignments as required by Rule 3.3. You can view the assignments here. Please note that President Sommerville will be serving on the Public Service, Housing & Neighborhood Assistance, and Health & Social Services Committees until the Ward 1 vacancy is filled, per Rule 3.6.

Legislative Highlights From Monday, January 8, 2024

RESOLUTION 1-2024 accepting the resignation of Councilwoman Nancy Holland as Councilwoman of the First Ward of the City of Akron; expressing appreciation for her services as First Ward Councilwoman; establishing the date for the election of a person to fill the vacancy caused by this resignation and suspending Council Rule 7.3; and declaring an emergency. Vote: 12-0. See the Press Release for more information. Ward 1 residents that need assistance should contact Councilman at Large Jeff Fusco until the Ward 1 vacancy has been filled.

RESOLUTION 2-2024 acknowledging Akron Police Officers Kyle Cunningham and Jason Sams and thanking them for their heroism displayed in saving a life; and declaring an emergency. Vote: 12-0. Their dedication to their duties and to the City of Akron help make Akron a safer community. You can watch the portion of the meeting where the officers were recognized here.

RESOLUTION adopting the 2024 Capital Investment and Community Development Program, legally referred to as the Capital Investment Budget; and declaring an emergency. This legislation was referred for a Public Hearing to be held on January 22, 2024. In addition to the public hearing, there will be two review sessions held. Read more about these sessions here.

There will not be a meeting next week due to Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Council will return on January 22, 2024.

Remember...

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

Continuing The Legacy of

Community Service

Council President Margo Sommerville, Ward 4 Councilwoman Janice Davis, Ward 5 Councilman Johnnie Hannah, and Ward 8 Councilman James Hardy, enjoying a time of service at

Haven of Rest Ministries!

Check out the calendar on

Council's website for

upcoming Ward Meetings!

Your Councilperson Is Available

to Serve You!

There are several ways to reach your Ward Representative:

View their information on Council's website .
Attend their ward meeting .
Call or email them.

Upcoming Open Comment Public Hearings

Up For Public Hearing January 22, 2024:

(during 6:30 p.m. Regular Meeting)

Resolution approving the renewal application of Evella Maldonado Ramos to have agricultural property at 1080 St. Michaels Avenue placed in an “agricultural district” pursuant to Revised Code Section 929.01.

Resolution approving the renewal application of Donald and Carol Bessemer to have agricultural property at 1543 Collier Road placed in an “agricultural district” pursuant to Revised Code Section 929.01.

Resolution adopting the 2024 Capital Investment and Community Development Program, legally referred to as the Capital Investment Budget. (PC-2023-58-CIP)

Up For Public Hearing February 5, 2024:

(during 5:00 p.m. Special Meeting)

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to establish a laundromat at 147 N. Arlington Street. (PC-2023-49-CU)

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to establish a Type A daycare home at 782 Bellevue Avenue. (PC-2023-60-CU)

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to establish a charter high school at 375 W. North Street. (PC-2023-57-CU)

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to construct a gas station and convenience store at 1526 Vernon Odom Boulevard.(PC-2023-65-CU)

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Notices are posted on our website at least 15 days before the meeting.

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). Notices are also published in the Akron Beacon Journal.

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Public Comment Period

A public comment period is held at each regularly scheduled Council meeting, where up to ten (10) members of the public may address Council on matters within Council's authority. No member of the public shall be permitted to address Council during the public comment period more than once every 30 days.

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Signing up is a requirement of Council Rules, similar to other bodies.