Akron Council's Weekly Legislative Spotlight! 2025 Issue #38

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From the Desk of

Akron City Council President

Greetings!

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

Hello, friends, neighbors, and engaged citizens,

I'm thrilled to welcome you to this week's edition of the Legislative Spotlight! This isn't just another email; it's your go-to guide for everything happening in your city's government.

Why the Spotlight Matters

Our core purpose is to keep you informed, educated, and civically engaged. Each week, we shine a light on:

Legislative Updates: The latest news and actions taken by your City Council.
Council Business: We'll break down the terminology and process of how council business is conducted, so you always understand what's happening.
Akron Facts & Events: Fun facts about our city and a look at upcoming community events where you can get involved.

We believe that an informed resident is an empowered resident!

Stay Engaged, Be Proud, and Share the News!

We encourage you to take pride in being actively involved in the legislative affairs of the City of Akron. This is your city, and your voice matters!

To stay connected in real-time and join the conversation, please subscribe to our Facebook page and help us grow our community of engaged citizens by sharing this Spotlight with your neighbors!

Thank you for being part of this important conversation. Let's dive into the work!

Sincerely,

Margo Sommerville

Council President

Ward 3 Council Member

Legislative Highlights From Monday, November 24, 2025

Ordinance No. 381-2025 providing for the temporary appropriation for the current expenses and other expenditures of the City of Akron for the period of January 1, 2026 through March 31, 2026; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 12, Nays: 0 (Lombardo did not vote). This is a temporary budget. In the first quarter of 2026, Council will review the annual operating budget with each department during budget hearings. The dates will be added to the website calendar once finalized. These will take place in Council Chambers and will also be live streamed on YouTube.

Ordinance No. 383-2025 adopting the City’s Cybersecurity Program and Policy; authorizing the Chief Technology Manager to take appropriate actions in the event of a cybersecurity or ransomware incident, including making the appropriate local and state-level disclosures; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 13, Nays: 0. The Ohio legislature has adopted Ohio Revised Code Section 9.64 which establishes certain rules and guidelines for Ohio's municipal corporations. The City has created a Cybersecurity Program and Policy that complies with the requirements of Ohio Revised Code Section 9.64 and further expands and establishes how the City protects its information systems, infrastructure, and data.

Ordinance No. 384-2025 authorizing the Mayor, or his designee, to enter into an agreement to provide surplus water service to the City of Tallmadge; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 13, Nays: 0. The agreement from 1995 has expired and the parties have negotiated a new agreement that has incorporated the spirit of revenue/tax sharing, which will provide both cities with a mutually-beneficial, long term utility arrangement.

Resolution No. 386-2025 expressing appreciation to Samuel DeShazior for his service to the City of Akron as Councilman for the First Ward; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 13, Nays: 0. Councilman DeShazior was appointed January 29, 2024 to fill the vacancy in Akron City Council pursuant to Section 28 of the Charter. Councilman DeShazior served on the Public Service, Housing & Neighborhood Assistance, and Health & Social Services Committees. Prior to his service on Council, he served in the City of Akron Mayor's Office for two administrations from 2006 to 2024. You can hear the remarks given by his colleagues and hear from Sam DeShazior 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!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Akron City Council wishes you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Municipal Offices will be closed on Thursday, November 27th and Friday, November 28th.

Trash collection will be delayed. View the full 2025 schedule here.

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

December 8, 2025

5:00 p.m. Special Meeting

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to construct a warehouse and distribution center at 2322 Manchester Road.

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to place a digital outdoor advertising display on McIntosh Avenue, adjacent to Interstate 277.

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to retain a solid fence within the Emmons Avenue and Ardendale Avenue setbacks at 110 Emmons Avenue.

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to retain a three unit apartment house at 151 Ruckel Road.

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to construct a gas station/convenience store, two-bay car wash and truck parking area at 1805 E. Market Street.

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to place oversized directional way-finding signage within the building line setback at 350 Opportunity Parkway.

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.

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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.

Charter Section 28

Vacancy

Upon a vacancy in the office of any Councilman where the unexpired term is greater than one-half of the regular term the vacancy shall be filled, and nominees for such office selected, by elections held at the same time and in the same manner as the next regularly scheduled primary and general elections at which all electors of the City are eligible to vote.

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