Akron Council's Weekly Legislative Spotlight! 2024 Issue #6

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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 26, 2024

ORDINANCE No. 38-2024 authorizing a Conditional Use to establish a retail baseball/softball training facility at 1277 Home Avenue; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 11, Nays: 0 (Hardy & Kammer absent)

ORDINANCE No. 41-2024 approving certain rules proposed by City of Akron Citizens’ Police Oversight Board; and declaring an emergency. (Substitute offered as amendment) Vote: Ayes: 11, Nays: 0 (Hardy & Kammer absent) Applications for the vacant seat on the Citizens’ Police Oversight Board are due at 12:00 noon on Friday, March 1, 2024. You can read the full press release and find the application here. Read more about the Citizens' Police Oversight Board here.

RESOLUTION No. 42-2024 approving and confirming the appointment of John Valle for staggered term beginning on February 15, 2024, re-appointing Michael Dobbertin, Kathy Wilkins, and Laneita Jones, on staggered terms, to the City of Akron Housing Appeals Board; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 9, Nays: 2 (Garrett & Omobien); Hardy & Kammer absent) You can read more about the Housing Appeals Board here.

ORDINANCE No. 43-2024 authorizing the Director of Public Service, or his designee, to enter into a contract or contracts, without the formality of publicly advertising for bids, for the emergency demolition of 2324 Manchester Road; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 11, Nays: 0 (Hardy & Kammer absent) Councilwoman Boyes will have her monthly ward meeting on Tuesday, March 5 from 6:30-7:30pm at the Kenmore Community Center (880 Kenmore Blvd.). Mayor Malik and other city officials will be in attendance to discuss the demolition plans. Read the full Press Release here.

ORDINANCE No. 45-2024 authorizing the Director of Public Service or his designee to apply for, and if awarded, accept and expend funding from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) for the Safe Routes to School Program; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 11, Nays: 0 (Hardy & Kammer absent)

ORDINANCE No. 46-2024 authorizing the Director of Public Service, or his designee, after publicly advertising for bids, to enter into a contract or contracts to repair defective sidewalks and drive aprons throughout the City of Akron and to address ADA accessibility issues at city parks and community centers as part of its City Sidewalks 2024 project; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 11, Nays: 0 (Hardy & Kammer absent)

Remember...

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

Check out the calendar on

Council's website for

upcoming Ward Meetings!

Your Council Representative

Is Available to Serve You!

There are several ways to reach your Ward Representative:

View their information on the 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 .

Snowplow Tracker

The City of Akron’s new snowplow tracker and dashboard is available at AkronOhio.gov/SnowplowTracker.

This site will include near real-time information about the city’s snow and ice operations as they are happening. The dashboard features the city’s snow and ice plan, response levels, street priorities, parking ban information, FAQs, and more.

Upcoming Open Comment Public Hearings

Up For Public Hearing March 11, 2024:

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

Ordinance amending/supplementing Title 15, Chapter 153, “Zoning Code,” Article 2 “Districts and Maps” and Article 5 “Accessory Uses in Residence Districts” by adding use districts to the Form-Based Zoning Code. (Summit Lake Rezoning)

Up For Public Hearing March 25, 2024:

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

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to construct additional parking at 2330 Smith Road.

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to expand an auto salvage business at 1483 Triplett Boulevard.

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to place an off-premises hi-rise sign at 1570 Frederick Boulevard.

***

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.

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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 5.5

Proper Language & Attire

The use of profane or vulgar language, either by Council members or by any other person attending the Council meeting, is positively forbidden. At meetings, all Council members shall dress appropriately and conduct themselves in a professional manner.

You can view the Rules of Procedure

for Akron City Council here.