Akron Council's Weekly Legislative Spotlight! 2025 Issue #24

Watch Meetings

Find My Ward

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! 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 your commitment to staying informed about how local government shapes our everyday lives.

As the school year has ended and summer is in full swing, Akron is alive with energy, reflection, and celebration. .

This past week, Akron reached two remarkable milestones: being named an All-American City once again, and celebrating its Bicentennial birthday. For 200 years, Akron has been defined by innovation, resilience, and community spirit—and being recognized as an All-American City reaffirms what so many of us already know: that Akron is a city built by and for its people, and one that continues to rise to meet the challenges and opportunities of our time.

As we celebrated our nation's Independence and our city's Bicentennial, gathered for parades, cookouts, and fireworks, we also celebrated the legacy of a city built by and for the people—and we look ahead to the next chapter that we will help shape. We were reminded of the importance of civic participation, shared values, and the power of community voice.

Recent developments—both nationally and here in Ohio—continue to impact Akronites in real and lasting ways. From federal budget decisions will affect community grants and healthcare, to Ohio’s infrastructure and small business policy shifts, these issues touch everything from housing to transit to everyday affordability.

Here in Akron, these broader policies connect directly to our local priorities. Infrastructure conversations mirror our own revitalization efforts, including transit upgrades and neighborhood improvements. Statewide debates on housing and economic opportunity echo Akron’s push to create inclusive, accessible spaces where every resident can thrive.

Each edition of the Legislative Spotlight will highlight the issues that impact us locally. Here’s what you can expect every week:

Legislative Updates: A breakdown of what your City Council covered during Monday’s meeting—key decisions, discussions, and what they mean for you.

Terminology Explained: We simplify complex terms so you always know what’s really being said.

Council Facts: Learn how Council works, who represents you, and how you can make your voice heard.

Community Events: From Bicentennial happenings to neighborhood gatherings and July 4th festivities, we spotlight ways to connect, contribute, and celebrate Akron.

As we honor Akron’s rich past, we remain focused on building a transparent, informed, and empowered future. When we understand the decisions being made—and the language they’re made in—we’re all better equipped to shape the community we want to live in.

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 make this summer a season of celebration, connection, and civic pride—together.

Sincerely,

Margo Sommerville

Council President

Ward 3 Council Member

Legislative Highlights From Monday, July 7, 2025

Resolution No. 224-2025 urging the federal government to release funds for local afterschool and summer programs that benefit students; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 12, Nays: 0 (Garrett absent). School districts and local governments rely on federal funds to facilitate vital afterschool and summer programs. These programs preserve youth safety and support working families by providing students safe educational an enrichment opportunities outside school hours. Should funding delays persist, nearly 2,500 Akron Public Schools students may lose access to vital afterschool programming in the upcoming 2025-2026 academic school year. Further funding delays will jeopardize critical programming serving nearly 1,000 Akron youths who rely on Akron Public Schools summer programs for educational enrichment, supplemental language learning, technological competency, and other tutoring and family literacy services during the summer of 2026.

Resolution No. 225-2025 congratulating the Mayor, the City administration, and their community partners on successfully acquiring the All-America City designation for the City of Akron by the National Civic League; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 12, Nays: 0 (Garrett absent). The Mayor, the City Administration, Akron residents, and partners representing various organizations throughout Akron have dedicated great effort over the past several months to promote the City of Akron in the National Civic League's All-America City competition. This effort culminated in the City of Akron being named an All-America City by the National Civic League on Sunday, June 29, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. The City is now a four-time All America Cities Award winner, having received the same designation in 1981, 1995, and 2008. You can watch the presentations here.

Resolution No. 226-2025 approving and confirming the appointment of Sandy Agosta as a member of the Akron Tree Commission; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 12, Nays: 0 (Garrett absent). Sandy is an accomplished career landscaper. The Tree Commission meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 1:30 p.m. The Tree Commission meetings are livestreamed on YouTube. Learn about the benefits of tree planting here.

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!

Did you attend the Bicentennial Parade?

Yes

Akron Inner City Soccer Club

Akron City Council welcomed Akron Inner City Soccer Club at Monday's meeting.

The U10 Boys team and the high school team were champions at tournaments in North Olmstead and Maryland.

The team was recognized by Akron City Council and led Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.

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

Monday, July 14th

5:00 p.m. Special Meeting

Ordinance approving the City of Akron 2025-2029 Consolidated Strategy and 2025 Annual Action Plan.

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to install a hi-rise sign at 61 S. Seiberling Street.

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to construct a commercial building at 1518 Copley Road.

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to establish a vape shop at 1328 Copley Road.

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to establish a vape shop at 1252 E. Tallmadge 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.

Municipal Code

Title 15 Chapter 153153.494

Revocation of Conditional Use

A. Any conditional use enacted or amended on or after July 1, 1995 is subject to revocation by the City Council upon a determination that the holder of a conditional use has violated:

Any standard or condition set forth in Sections 153.474 or 153.494 of this code; or
Any standard or condition imposed pursuant to Section 153.488 of this code; or
Any applicable license, permit, regulation, or law.

B. Any conditional use is subject to revocation by the City Council upon a determination that:

The use for which the conditional use was obtained is being or has been exercised so as to be detrimental to the public health, safety or general welfare or constitute a public nuisance; or
The property or any structure thereon subject to the conditional use has been abandoned, or the use authorized by the conditional use has ceased for a period exceeding twelve months and no amendment has been granted for a longer time; or
The conditional use approval was obtained by fraud or misrepresentation.

C. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall be construed to limit the authority of the City of Akron or its council to grant, regulate, or revoke any conditional use.

Learn more about Conditional Uses by viewing the Municipal Code here.

***

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