Akron Council's Weekly Legislative Spotlight! 2025 Issue #15

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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 28, 2025

Ordinance No. 142-2025 authorizing the Mayor, or his designee, to file applications and enter into an agreement or agreements with the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WSRLA) with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) and with the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) for planning, design, and/or construction of the Water Main Replacement Program 2024; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 13, Nays: 0.

Resolution No. 144-2025 declaring it necessary to improve North Main Street between the termini of Martin Luther King Boulevard and the northern corporate limit by resurfacing; constructing and reconstructing curbs, concrete sidewalks, driveway approaches, water service connections and water mains; installing roof drain pipes and planting trees; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 11, Nays: 2 (Garrett & Lombardo). The City Assessor will notify benefitted property owners of the special assessment for the improvement.

Resolution No. 145-2025 approving and confirming the appointment of Elizabeth England as a member of the Human Resources Commission; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 13, Nays: 0. Learn more about the Human Resources Commission here.

The Public Service Committee received an update on the Gorge Dam project. You can watch that meeting here.

Remember...

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

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.

Lock 3 Summer Schedule

Lock 3 is gearing up for its first summer season in its newly renovated space with an exciting mix of live music, festivals, activities, and events that celebrate the spirit of the city.

From concerts under the stars with local and national acts to cultural gatherings and family-friendly fun, Lock 3 will be a vibrant hub for connection and celebration. While a full schedule of concerts and events is available now, including 60 bands, additional headlining national shows will be added in the weeks ahead.

View the full schedule here.

City of Akron Logo

Take the survey here to provide your input!

Each year, letter carriers across the country head out on their routes on the second Saturday in May to collect donations of non-perishable food items to benefit local food pantries. Since launching in 1993, the National Association of Letter Carriers’ annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive has grown into the nation’s largest one-day food drive, helping to fill the shelves of food banks in cities and towns throughout the United States.

The need is great, but you can help. We invite you to join letter carriers and partner organizations in the fight to end hunger in our communities by participating in the annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.

Simply leave your donation of non-perishable food in a bag near your mailbox on Saturday, May 10th, and your letter carrier will do the rest.

Upcoming Open Comment

Public Hearings

May 12, 2025

5:00 pm Special Meeting

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to place a digital outdoor advertising display at 800 Flora Avenue.

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to place a static outdoor advertising display at 800 Flora Avenue.

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to construct three two-family dwellings at 733, 737 & 745 Excelsior Avenue.

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to construct an oversized garage at 711 Delaware Avenue.

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to construct a child daycare business center at 698 Diagonal Road.

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to establish a Type A daycare home at 355 St. Leger Avenue.

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.

Rule 6.8

Consent Agenda

A consent agenda, consisting of any number of ordinances or resolutions, may be voted upon. The Mayor or any Council member may remove an item from the consent agenda until the beginning of the Council meeting. (Charter, Section 34)

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

Declaring An Emergency