Akron Council's Weekly Legislative Spotlight! 2026 Issue #16

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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, May 4, 2026

Ordinance No. 119-2026 authorizing the Director of Public Service, or his designee, to enter into a contract or contracts, after publicly advertising for bids, requesting and receiving Requests for Proposals (RFPs), requesting and receiving quotes, and/or self-performing work, for the planting of City trees; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 11, Nays: 0 (Davis & Garrett absent). Learn more about the Parks Maintenance Division here.

Ordinance No. 123-2026 authorizing the Mayor, or his designee, to enter into a contract or contracts with Akron Public Schools to provide meal preparation and delivery services as part of the City’s annual Summer Food Service Program; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 11, Nays: 0 (Davis & Garrett absent). The City's Recreation Bureau facilitates the Summer Food Service Program, through which meals are provided to youth at locations across the City and the greater Akron area during the summer months. When school is out, hundreds of children lose access to school breakfast and lunch. This program fills the gap by providing free meals to children who might otherwise go hungry.

Resolution No. 125-2026 approving and confirming the reappointments of Floyd Easley, Renee Nied, and Scott Rowland to the Vacant Commercial or Industrial Buildings Appeals Board; approving and confirming the appointment of Theodore Forsberg to the Vacant Commercial or Industrial Buildings Appeals Board; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 11, Nays: 0 (Davis & Garrett absent). Learn more about this board here.

Resolution No. 126-2026 expressing Akron City Council's full support for the adoption of Reconnecting Our Community: Akron Innerbelt Master Plan (the Innerbelt Master Plan); and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 11, Nays: 0 (Davis & Garrett absent). View the full presentation given to the Planning & Economic Development Committee here.

Resolution No. 128-2026 approving and confirming the reappointments of Kathy Wilkens and Barbara Waress to the Housing Appeals Board; approving and confirming the appointments of Julie Ann Sweet-Buntin, Thomas Fuller, and Douglas Powley to the Housing Appeals Board; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 11, Nays: 0 (Davis & Garrett absent). Learn more about this board here.

Remember...

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

Clean Up Akron Month

There are several clean ups scheduled in collaboration with

Keep Akron Beautiful.

You can sign up to volunteer here.

Keep Akron Beautiful Ward 2 Clean Up flyer

Letter carrier's food drive flyer Saturday, May 9th

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

May 18, 2026

5:00 p.m. Special Meeting

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to construct a housing development at Exeter Road and Ericsson Avenue (PN 6762680).

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to establish a towing operation and impound lot at 1065 Dublin Street.

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.