Akron Council's Weekly Legislative Spotlight! 2025 Issue #12

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From the Desk of the Council President

Hello Joan,

Welcome to This Week’s Edition of the Council’s Legislative Spotlight!

To our new subscribers—welcome aboard! We’re thrilled to have you join our growing community of engaged Akronites. And to our loyal readers—thank you for your continued support and curiosity about how local government shapes our everyday lives.

Now more than ever, staying informed matters. With important developments both nationally and here in Ohio this April, your voice and understanding are vital. From federal budget negotiations that could impact community grants and healthcare access, to Ohio’s latest push for infrastructure funding and small business tax reforms, legislative decisions are being made that ripple all the way down to our city streets in Akron.

In Akron, these topics take on special meaning. Discussions around infrastructure align with the city’s ongoing revitalization projects, including improvements to public transit and neighborhood development initiatives. Ohio’s attention to affordable housing aligns closely with Akron’s efforts to support accessible living for all residents.

Each issue of the Legislative Spotlight is designed with you in mind. Here’s what you can expect every week:

Legislative Updates: A summary of what your City Council covered during Monday’s meeting—decisions, debates, and how they may affect you.

Terminology Explained: We break down those buzzwords and bureaucratic phrases so you always know what’s really being said.

Council Facts: Learn more about what the Council does, how it functions, and how you can get involved.

Community Events: From local festivals to neighborhood meetings, we spotlight opportunities to connect, contribute, and celebrate Akron.

We’re committed to fostering transparency, connection, and empowerment. When we understand the decisions being made and the language they’re wrapped in, we’re better equipped to advocate for what matters most to us.

Share the Spotlight! Invite your friends, family, and neighbors to subscribe. An informed Akron is a stronger Akron—and it starts with each of us.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Let’s keep building a vibrant, engaged, and informed community- together.

Sincerely,

Margo Sommerville

Council President

Ward 3 Council Member

Legislative Highlights From Monday, April 7, 2025

Ordinance No. 111-2025 authorizing the Director of Public Service, or his designee, to apply for and if awarded to accept and expend the Summit/Akron Solid Waste Management Authority (“REWORKS”) Community Recycling Access Grant to support new and existing recycling initiatives; and declaring an emergency. Vote: 12, Nays: 0 (Hannah absent).

Ordinance No. 113-2025 authorizing the Mayor, or his designee to apply for, and if awarded to accept and expend, an award from the State of Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services under the State of Ohio Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program; and declaring an emergency. Vote: 12, Nays: 0 (Hannah absent). This award will be used to fund personnel costs, equipment and supplies, software tools, outreach, and other vital materials.

Resolution No. 114-2025 urging the Ohio House of Representatives to take immediate action to restore the Public Library Fund to the amount designated in the Governor's proposed budget; and declaring an emergency. Vote: 12, Nays: 0 (Hannah absent). Public libraries provide valuable community and public services, connecting community members to learning materials, professional development opportunities, civic, cultural, and enrichment activities, and each other, cultivating a shared community and a sense of togetherness unique to local public libraries. You can learn more here.

Remember...

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

April is Clean up Akron Month

Chief Executive Director of Keep Akron Beautiful Jacqui Ricchiuti attended the Public Service Committee meeting to talk about Clean up Akron Month. You can view the Committee Meeting here.

Volunteer for an upcoming event here.

Learn more about Keep Akron Beautiful here.

Ring Doorbell Cameras

Each ward was allotted 300 cameras. The staff has worked hard to distribute these at ward meetings, before Council meetings, and during office hours.

Attention Wards 1 & 3!!

There are still cameras available in these wards. If you reside in Ward 1 or 3 and are interested in a Ring Doorbell Camera (and did not already receive one from us), please call our office at 330-375-2256 for more information.

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.

Upcoming Open Comment

Public Hearings

Up for Public Hearing April 14, 2025

5:00 p.m. Special Meeting

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to establish used auto sales at 1475 Massillon Road.

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to establish a two-family dwelling at 480 Bell Street.

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to establish a two-family dwelling at 894 N. Main Street.

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to construct a commercial addition at 1477 Copley Road.

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 can 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, to receive the information to join remotely.

Please Help Us Get The Word Out!

Enjoying the Legislative Spotlight?

Why not share it with your friends and neighbors? The QR code will take them directly to the sign-up page on

our website.

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 "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.

This brief video demonstrates how to fill out the form.

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.

Motion:

A formal request for consideration of a proposal for action by Council members. Examples include a motion to pass an ordinance, a motion to amend, or a motion for time.

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

Declaring An Emergency