Akron Council's Weekly Legislative Spotlight! 2026 Issue #24

Watch Meetings

Find My Ward

From the Desk of

Akron City Council President

Greetings!

Akron is moving — and you deserve a front-row seat.

Welcome to the Akron City Council Legislative Spotlight, your direct line to the decisions, debates, and developments happening right now at City Hall. No fluff. No runaround. Just the real work your Council is doing — for you, your block, and this city we all call home.

What’s Inside This Issue

Every Spotlight is packed with what matters most:

Legislative Updates — The ordinances and resolutions on the table, and what they mean for your daily life.

Council in Action — Your representatives, ward by ward, fighting for the neighborhoods that make Akron great.

Akron Community Hub — Local events, community news, and ways to make your voice heard.

Why It Matters

City Hall shouldn’t feel like a mystery. When you know what’s happening, you can shape what comes next. Informed neighbors become engaged neighbors — and engaged neighbors build stronger communities.

Whether we’re talking infrastructure, public safety, housing, or economic opportunity, the Spotlight keeps you plugged in and ready to act.

One Small Ask

If this newsletter speaks to you, share it. Forward it to a neighbor. Post it on your block’s Facebook group. Tag a friend who needs to know what’s happening in Akron. And if someone shared this with you — subscribe here so you never miss an issue.

Now — let’s get into it. Here’s what your Council has been up to.

Sincerely,

Margo Sommerville

Council President

Ward 3 Council Member

Legislative Highlights From Monday, July 6, 2026

Ordinance No. 218-2026 authorizing the Mayor or his designee, if awarded, to accept and expend the Sustainable Forestry Initiative’s Urban Forest Certification Grant; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 13, Nays: 0. If awarded, funding from this grant will be used for data collection and compilation, assessment for accreditation, and public education.

Resolution No. 224-2026 opposing and objecting to the renewal application of 808 W MARKET STREET INC, 808 W Market St., Akron, Ohio 44303 for a Class D1, D2, D3, D3A, and D6 liquor permit (2455305) before the Division of Liquor Control; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 9, Nays: 4 (Garrett, Greer, Hannah, Sommerville). This Resolution was sponsored by Ward 1 Councilperson, Fran Wilson. During the Public Safety Committee, discussion was held regarding the volume of police calls for service and other issues. You can view the Public Safety Committee meeting here. Liquor permits are renewed annually. Objecting to a liquor permit renewal in Ohio mandates that a hearing is held with the Ohio Division of Liquor Control. You can learn more about the objection process here.

Ordinance No. 225-2026 authorizing the Mayor or his designee, if awarded, to accept and expend the NatureWorks Grant through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR); and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 13, Nays: 0. If awarded, funding from the NatureWorks Grant will cover the cost of an accessible zipline and swings, supporting the initiative of making Hardesty Park a fully ADA compliant playground.

Remember...

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

Check out the calendar on

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upcoming Ward Meetings!

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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

July 13, 2026

5:00 p.m.

Ordinance approving the 2026 Consolidated Plan Annual Action Plan for the City’s Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnership and Emergency Solutions Grant Programs.

Ordinance amending/supplementing Title 15, Chapter 153, “Zoning Code”, Article 17 “Unified Planned Development District-Class UPD” of the Code of Ordinances, City of Akron, 2004, to amend developmental standards.

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to install additional signage at 1960 W. Market Street; and declaring an emergency.

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

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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.