Akron Council's Weekly Legislative Spotlight! 2025 Issue #33

Watch Meetings

Find My Ward

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.

This season of transition is also a season of possibility. From neighborhood revitalization projects to economic development, from public safety initiatives to education and youth programming, the conversations happening in Council chambers connect directly to the daily lives of Akron families. Now more than ever, your engagement ensures that these decisions reflect the priorities and values of our community.

We’re also excited to share another way to stay connected—Akron City Council's new Facebook page is gaining momentum! This platform serves as a hub for legislative updates, community spotlights, and important announcements, making it easier for you to follow and engage with the work of your Council in real time. Make sure you follow us!

Each edition of the Legislative Spotlight will continue to 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 celebrations to neighborhood gatherings, we spotlight ways to connect, contribute, and celebrate Akron.

As we honor Akron’s rich past and step boldly into its future, we remain committed to transparency, accountability, and collaboration. Together, let’s make this season a time of learning, civic pride, and deeper community connection.

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 move forward with focus and purpose, together.

Sincerely,

Margo Sommerville

Council President

Ward 3 Council Member

Legislative Highlights From Monday, October 20, 2025

Ordinance No. 349-2025 amending Title 11 “Business Regulations,” Chapter 111 “Regulations Governing Specific Businesses,” of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Akron to add Article 39 “Smoke Shops,” Section 111.640 “Smoke Shop Licenses” and Section 111.641 “Penalty;” and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 12, Nays: 0 (Garrett absent). This legislation requires Smoke Shops to obtain a license and establishes penalties for failing to obtain a license and/or violation of laws.

Ordinance No. 350-2025 amending/supplementing Title 15, “Land Usage,” Chapter 153, “Zoning Code,” Article 1 “General Provisions,” Section 153.140 “Definitions,” Article 3 “Classification of Uses,” and Article 5 ”Accessory Uses in Residence Districts” by adding definitions and development requirements on smoke shops and Article 14 “Conditional Uses,” Section 153.464 “Uses permitted as conditional uses” by eliminating vape shops; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 12, Nays: 0 (Garrett absent). This legislation was introduced to Council on July 21, 2025 and Council held a Public Hearing on September 29, 2025. This legislation regulates the location of Smoke Shops to avoid and reduce over-concentration.

Ordinance No. 351-2025 amending and/or supplementing Title 5, “Public Works,” Chapter 50, “Sewers,” Article 2, “Sewer Charges,” Sections 50.20, “Definitions,” 50.21 “Levy of charges,” 50.22 “Sewer service charges,” and 50.23 “Charges outside the City” of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Akron; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 11, Nays: 1 (Kammer) (Garrett absent). Council first discussed this legislation at their September 8th meeting. On September 29, a Substitute Offered as an Amendment was read in. If you missed it, you can view the full presentation to the Public Service Committee here.

Remember...

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

Dan Molnar

Ward 7 Councilman Donnie Kammer invited Firestone Park resident Dan Molnar to attend Monday's Council meeting in order to be recognized for performing CPR at the Akron Marathon on September 27th.

Dan was waiting near the finish line for his fiancée when another runner collapsed. Dan hopped over the barricade without hesitation and provided critical care.

You can see the portion of the meeting where Dan is recognized on YouTube.

Dan encourages everyone to get CPR certified. The Red Cross offers classes- information is available here.

Lead Poisoning Prevention Week October 20th to 24th

National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week raises awareness about the sources of lead poisoning and how to reduce lead exposure, the health effects of lead exposure, and the importance of testing children and homes for lead. Even low levels of lead in blood are associated with developmental delays, difficulty learning, and behavioral issues in children.

Housing Rehabilitation Manager Taron Cunningham and Housing Rehab Specialist David Minor are pictured above. David is holding a SciAps XRF, which is a tool for the filed examination of all painted surfaces calibrated to detect any lead paint over the HUD guidelines. They attended Monday's Housing & Neighborhood Assistance Committee meeting along with Director of Neighborhood Assistance Eufrancia Lash. You can view the meeting here.

Learn more about Lead Poisoning Prevention week here.

Check out the calendar on

Council's website for

upcoming Ward Meetings!

In 2008, Akron City Council passed Ordinance No. 419-2008 declaring the last Saturday in October from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. as "Trick or Treat Night" in the City of Akron. Establishing a uniform date and time for trick or treating in the City eliminates confusion and allows for greater security and a safer environment for the participants. Citizens who wish to participate may indicate this by turning on their porch lights.

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

Notices are posted on our website.

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). These 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.