Akron Council's Weekly Legislative Spotlight! 2026 Issue #11

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From the Desk of

Akron City Council President

Greetings!

Welcome to the Akron City Council Legislative Spotlight—your essential guide to staying informed, engaged, and connected to the legislative work driving our community forward.

This publication is designed to bridge the gap between City Hall and your front door, ensuring every resident is aware of the issues shaping our city and the deliberate actions your Council is taking to improve the lives of all Akronites.

Why the Spotlight Matters

We believe that an informed community is an empowered one. Each issue is carefully curated to provide you with transparency and clarity. Inside, you will find:

Legislative Updates: A breakdown of key ordinances, resolutions, and strategic initiatives.
Council in Action: Highlights of how your representatives are advocating for your interests in every ward.
Akron Community Hub: Local news, upcoming events, and direct opportunities for you to get involved.

Strong neighborhoods are built on communication and collaboration. By staying informed, you help us build a more resilient and vibrant Akron.

Looking Ahead

As we navigate the year’s challenges and opportunities, we do so with a clear vision and unwavering determination. From infrastructure and public safety to economic development and housing equity, our priority remains the same: moving Akron forward together.

Your perspective is vital to our success. We encourage you to remain an active partner in this journey—share your ideas, attend our meetings, and stay engaged with the process.

Stay Connected: Follow Akron City Council on Facebook and help us grow our reach by sharing this Spotlight with your neighbors, friends, and family.

Thank you for being a vital chapter in Akron’s ongoing story. Now, let’s dive into the latest updates from your City Council.

Sincerely,

Margo Sommerville

Council President

Ward 3 Council Member

Legislative Highlights From Monday, March 30, 2026

ORDINANCE NO. 97-2026 to make the annual appropriation for the current expenses, other expenditures and the capital outlays of the City of Akron for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 11, Nays: 2 (Kammer & Lombardo). Council must pass the annual operating budget by March 31 each year. A Substitute Offered as an Amendment was read in at Monday's meeting. Learn more about this year's budget here.

RESOLUTION NO. 98-2026 acknowledging the retirement of Jeff Fusco, Councilman At-Large for the City of Akron; and accepting the same; expressing appreciation for Councilman Fusco’s services as At-Large Councilman; establishing the process to fill the vacancy caused by this retirement; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 13, Nays: 0. Per Charter, Council must fill the vacancy within 30 days. Council will hold an election on April 27, 2026 to temporarily fill the vacant position until December 31, 2027. Those wishing to be considered as a candidate for the vacancy shall apply via email before 12:00 p.m. on April 16, 2026. See this Press Release for more information.

ORDINANCE NO. 99-2026 authorizing the Mayor, or his designee to, if awarded, accept and expend funds from the Region 5 Wetland Program Development Grant program through the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) to facilitate the Akron Wetland Mapping, Assessment, Research, and Strategic Habitat (MARSH) Plan; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 13, Nays: 0.

RESOLUTION NO. 104-2026 declaring April 2026 as Fair Housing Month and restating the City of Akron’s commitment to furthering the goal of eliminating housing segregation and discrimination; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 13, Nays: 0. The Fair Housing Act, enacted on April 11, 1968, affirms the fundamental principle that access to safe, decent, and affordable housing is essential to strong communities, economic opportunity, and individual well-being.

Remember...

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

Flyer for April 7th At-Large Representation Town Hall Meeting at 6:00 p.m. at Firestone CLC

Citizens' Police Oversight Board

Akron City Council extended the application deadline to apply for the

Citizens' Police Oversight Board.

In anticipation of another impending vacancy, City of Akron residents from all ten wards are encouraged to apply.

Completed applications are due

via email to

citizenoversight@akronohio.gov

Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 12:00 Noon.

See the full Press Release here.

invitation flyer for Connect at the Rec for teens in grades 6 to 12 Friday, April 3 from 1 to 5 pm at Ed Davis Community Center

Clean Up Akron Month

There are several clean ups scheduled in collaboration with Keep Akron Beautiful.

You can sign up to volunteer here.

flyer from Keep Akron Beautiful advertising the ward 3 cleanup April 11

Keep Akron Beautiful Ward 9 Clean up Day flyer

Keep Akron Beautiful Ward 2 Clean Up flyer

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

April 6, 2026

5:00 Special Meeting

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to expand parking at 839 S. Arlington Street and 1037 Wyley Avenue. (PC-2026-01-CU)

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.

flyer with a cell phone stating to call 311- Your one call to city hall.

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.

Resolution:

A formal expression of the opinion or will of Council. Examples of resolution topics include congratulating a local high school that has won a state championship, supporting or opposing a bill pending before the Ohio General Assembly, or approving the appointment of members of a board or commission.

See this video for more information on the difference between an Ordinance and a Resolution.