From the Desk of the Council President

Greetings!

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. .

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.

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.

👉 Please note: This is our final edition before Council recesses for the month of August. While no regular Council meetings will take place in chambers during this time, the work continues across our city and in our neighborhoods. Council Members and staff remain engaged with constituents and ongoing initiatives—because progress doesn’t pause.

We wish all of you a safe, fun, and refreshing August, filled with community, connection, and summer joy. We’ll see you again in September!

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

Recycle Right

The Recycle Right campaign is a communitywide initiative to improve the quality of recycling in curbside carts by providing residents personalized and real-time curbside recycling education and feedback. 

The initiative—running Monday, June 23 through Friday, August 15—will again include mobilizing specially-trained personnel to conduct curbside cart observations. Residents who have contaminants (non-recyclables) in their recycling carts will receive informational “Oops” tags on their carts with direct feedback designed to improve recycling cart contents. Recycling carts found to contain contaminants such as trash and other non-recyclable items will not be emptied. Instead, residents will be given the opportunity to correct the mistake and return the cart to the curb the following week. 

Together, the Recycle Right campaign combined with the efforts of city sanitation employees and the glass drop-off program have transformed Akron’s recycling for the better. Last year, recycling audits confirmed the city’s contamination rate had fallen to about 12%. Now, instead of costing the city money, the recycling program creates revenue — more than $56,000 last year.

Read more here.

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.