Akron Council's Weekly Legislative Spotlight! 2026 Issue #1

Watch Meetings

Find My Ward

From the Desk of

Akron City Council President

Greetings!

Welcome Back & Happy New Year From Akron City Council!

On behalf of Akron City Council, I’m pleased to welcome you to the first 2026 edition of the Legislative Spotlight.

As we return from our holiday recess and step into a brand new year, Council is energized and ready to address the legislative priorities before our city. A new year brings renewed focus, fresh opportunities, and a continued commitment to serving the people of Akron with transparency, accountability, and purpose.

The Legislative Spotlight remains your trusted source for staying informed, engaged, and connected to the work of your City Council. Through this publication, we aim to keep residents aware of the issues shaping our city and the actions Council is taking on your behalf.

Why the Spotlight Matters

Each issue is thoughtfully prepared to support an informed and empowered community. Inside, you’ll find:

Legislative Updates: Highlights of recent Council actions, decisions, and initiatives.
Council Business: Insight into how your City Council works to serve Akron.
Akron Facts & Events: Community news, local highlights, and opportunities to stay involved.

We believe informed residents help build stronger neighborhoods and a stronger Akron.

Looking Ahead to 2026

As we begin this new year, we look forward with optimism and resolve. Together, we will confront challenges, build on progress, and pursue policies that enhance the quality of life across our city. We encourage you to stay engaged, share your voice, and partner with us as we move Akron forward.

Be sure to follow Akron City Council on Facebook and share this Legislative Spotlight with your neighbors, friends, and family.

Thank you for being an essential part of Akron’s story. Here’s to a healthy, productive, and impactful 2026. Now, let’s take a look at the latest updates from Council.

Sincerely,

Margo Sommerville

Council President

Ward 3 Council Member

Legislative Highlights From Monday, January 5, 2026

Ordinance No. 1-2026 authorizing the Director of Public Service, or his designee, to enter into a contract or contracts, after publicly advertising for bids, for the emergency demolition of four condemned residential structures located throughout the City of Akron; and declaring an emergency. Vote: 12, Nays: 0 (Garrett did not vote).

Remember...

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

Council Rule 2.4 states that the officers of Council shall be elected at the first meeting of Council held in January of even numbered years.

At the 6:00 p.m., 2026 Organizational Meeting, Councilwoman Margo Sommerville was elected to serve as Council President, Councilman Jeff Fusco was elected to serve as Vice-President, and Councilman Brad McKitrick was elected to serve as President Pro-Tem.

2026 Capital Investment Budget

Council began reviewing the 2026 Capital Investment and Community Development Program, legally referred to as the Capital Investment Budget. This budget is focused on key infrastructure investments in the areas of public safety, transportation, water and sewer systems, parks and recreation facilities, other public facilities, as well as certain investments in economic development, housing, and community services.

You can view the first review session here.

The next review session will be held January 12, 2026 at 3:15 p.m. You may attend in Council Chambers or watch on YouTube.

Council will hold a public hearing on January 26th. Learn more about how you can participate in the public hearing here.

View the full proposed budget here. Per Charter, Council must pass the Capital Budget by February 15, 2026.

Check out the calendar on

Council's website for

upcoming Ward Meetings!

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

January 12, 2026

5:00 p.m. Special Meeting

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to expand mulch operations at 1669 Copley Road.

Ordinance amending/supplementing Title 15, Chapter 153, “Zoning Code,” Article 8 “On-Premises Exterior Signage,” and Article 11 “Board of Zoning Appeals” to amend Downtown signage requirements.

Ordinance, authorizing a Conditional Use to establish a dual-use marijuana dispensary at 1960 W. Market Street.

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to establish additional parking for medical offices at 539 White Pond on property fronting Parkgate Avenue.

Ordinance approving the Archwood Redevelopment Plan.

January 26, 2026

5:00 p.m. Special Meeting

Resolution adopting the 2026 Capital Investment and Community Development Program.

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to establish a dual-use marijuana dispensary at 1140 W. Portage Trail.

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.

Rule 2.5

Term of Office

The term of the elected officers of Council shall commence immediately upon their election and shall extend, so long as they continue to remain Council members, until a successor is elected as described in Rule 2.4 or the officers is removed as described in Rule 2.6.

***

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