Akron Council's Weekly Legislative Spotlight! 2025 Issue #8

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, we’re delighted to have you join our community. To our regular readers, thank you for your continued engagement and support.

We encourage you to invite your friends, family, and neighbors to subscribe to the Council’s Legislative Spotlight. By doing so, they too can stay informed about the important work happening in our city.

In each issue, we are committed to providing:

Legislative Updates: A summary of the Council’s legislative agenda from the previous Monday’s meetings keeps you informed about decisions impacting our community.

Terminology Explained: Clear definitions of frequently used terms in Council discussions, ensuring everyone understands the language of local governance.

Council Facts: Insights into the functions and responsibilities of the Council, enhancing your knowledge of how our local government operates.

Community Events: Information about current events and activities happening in Akron, helping you stay engaged with our vibrant city.

Our goal is to educate and empower you with accurate and timely information. We believe that an informed community is a strong community, and through this newsletter, we aim to foster transparency and engagement.

Thank you for being an essential part of our city’s journey. Together, let’s continue to build a vibrant and informed community.

Sincerely,

Margo Sommerville

Council President

Ward 3 Council Member

Legislative Highlights From Monday, March 10, 2025

Ordinance No. 76-2025 authorizing the Director of the Department of Planning and Urban Development to enter into contract or contracts with non-profit organizations for the provision of tenant based rental assistance to carry out the intent and purpose of the HOME American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARPA and HOME Investment Partnership Funds); and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 9, Nays: 0 (Boyes, Garrett, Kammer, & Omobien absent). Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 designating additional funding to cities specifically intended to provide housing, shelter, and supporting services to persons experiencing or at risk of homelessness, fleeing, or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, and other vulnerable populations at greatest risk of housing instability utilizing HOME Investment Partnership-American Rescue Plan Act funds. The City wishes to commit resources to address the problem of homelessness and provide tenant based rental assistance to citizens who reside in the City of Akron.

Resolution No. 77-2025 designating the City Council Users and Social Media Supervisor and authorizing the same to establish, administer, and moderate social media accounts on behalf of City Council; authorizing the President of Council to approve all content posted on behalf of City Council to official City Council social media platforms; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 9, Nays: 0 (Boyes, Garrett, Kammer, & Omobien absent). Akron City Council recognizes the need for use of social media to promote public awareness and boost participation in the legislative process and programs of the City of Akron. This Resolution designates personnel to create, administer, and moderate its social media platforms by launching City Council's official Facebook page. Thanks Council Chief of Staff Dr. Joan Williams for all of your hard work on this initiative!

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, 2, & 3!!

There are still cameras available in these wards. If you were approved but didn't pick up, please contact our office at 330-375-2256.

Check out the calendar on

Council's website for

upcoming Ward Meetings!

Lock 3 Survey

As warmer months approach, the City is working to program Lock 3 as an exciting and welcoming place to celebrate the City of Akron. Please take the survey by scanning the QR code or clicking here to share your feedback!

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.

Each week, we will feature a different

City Council Member.

Be sure to check out upcoming issues of our legislative spotlight for more!

Upcoming Open Comment

Public Hearings

March 17, 2025

5:00 p.m. Special Meeting

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to establish a dual-use cannabis dispensary at 235 E. Waterloo Road.

Ordinance approving the renewal application of Robert Dunkler to have agricultural property at 1395 Collier Road placed in an "agricultural district" pursuant to Revised Code Section 929.01.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON MARCH 17th BUT WILL BE RESCHEDULED FOR A LATER DATE:

ORDINANCE amending/supplementing Title 15, Chapter 153, “Zoning Code”, Article 6 “Development and Area District Requirements”, Section 153.305 “Residence Requirements” and Section 4.3.3. “Walls and Fences” of the City of Akron Form-Based Code to amend fencing requirements; and declaring an emergency.

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.

Quorum:

The minimum number of members who must be present to officially conduct business. A quorum of Council is a majority of all of the members of Council, a quorum of a committee is three members.

***

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

Declaring An Emergency