Akron Council's Weekly Legislative Spotlight! 2024 Issue #5

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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 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

Legislative Highlights From Monday, February 12, 2024

Ordinance No. 28-2024 authorizing the Director of the Department of Planning and Urban Development to enter into contract or contracts with non-profit organizations for the provision of tenant based rental assistance to carry out the intent and purpose of the HOME American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP); and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 13, Nays: 0.

Resolution No. 31-2024 recognizing and congratulating the Ellet High School Girls Basketball Team for their outstanding achievement in winning the City Series Basketball Championship; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 13, Nays: 0. Watch the recognition here!

Resolution No. 34-2024 adopting the 2024 Capital Investment and Community Development Program, legally referred to as the Capital Investment Budget; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 13, Nays: 0. You can read the Mayor's Press Release here.

Ordinance No. 35-2024 authorizing the Director of Public Service, or his designee, after publicly advertising for bids or obtaining quotes, as appropriate, to enter into a contract or contracts for the purchase and installation of speed tables and related traffic calming materials and equipment; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 13, Nays: 0.

Ordinance approving certain rules proposed by City of Akron Citizens’ Police Oversight Board; and declaring an emergency. This Ordinance was referred to the Public Safety Committee. The Committee requested Time.

Remember...

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

There is no meeting Monday, February 19, 2024 in observance of Presidents' Day. Municipal Offices will be closed.

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.

Celebrating Black

History Month

Read the Press Release for upcoming events.

The city is also celebrating our Black-owned businesses this month with the Akronite app. Over 65 Black-owned businesses are now on the app and for the month of February, users can earn an additional 15% back in Blimps when shopping at these businesses. The app is free to download on Apple and Android devices. Learn more about the app at AkronOhio.gov/Akronite .

Upcoming Open Comment Public Hearings

Up For Public Hearing February 26, 2024:

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

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to construct an addition to a gas station at 745 E. Archwood Avenue; and declaring an emergency. (PC-2023-63-CU)

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to construct an automobile sales lot at 1410 Vernon Odom Boulevard; and declaring an emergency. (PC-2023-67-CU)

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to establish a four-unit apartment in a Single-Family Residence Use District at 1971 16th Street, SW; and declaring an emergency. (PC-2023-69-CU)

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to establish a retail baseball/softball training facility at 1277 Home Avenue; and declaring an emergency. (PC-2023-70-CU)

***

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.

You do not need to fill out any forms to participate. You're able to 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.

Please Help Us Get The Word Out!

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311- Akron's One Call to City Hall

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, call 311, or download

the new "MyAkron311" app.

The app is available for free on all Apple or Android devices in the app store.

After downloading, residents can create a profile, enter a service request, look up timely city information, and set up notifications specific to their address such as trash/recycling collection reminders.

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.

Those who wish to participate in the public comment period of a regular Council meeting need to submit a public comment form by 4:00 p.m. on the date of the meeting.

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 is available to help.

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

Rule 3.2

The President of Council may create special committees as are necessary to carry out the duties of Council. Membership on special committees will be established by the President of Council.

You can view the Rules of Procedure

for Akron City Council here.