Akron Council's Weekly Legislative Spotlight! 2026 Issue #26

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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 20, 2026

Ordinance No. 235-2026 repealing Title 7 “Traffic Code,” Chapter 75 “Bicycles, Motorcycles and Snowmobiles,” Section 75.12 “Bicycle licensing” of the Akron Codified Ordinances; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 13, Nays: 0. This code update repeals the requirement that bicycles be licensed by the City. State law in Ohio does not require local authorities to mandate bicycle licensing.

Ordinance No. 239-2026 amending and/or supplementing Title 9, Chapter 92 “Animals,” Section 92.29 “Beekeeping,” of the Akron Codified Ordinances in order to modify beekeeping standards in the City; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 13, Nays: 0. The City recognizes the important role that pollinator species, such as the honey bee, play in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. The Ohio Department of Agriculture maintains free registration of apiaries and annually inspects colonies across the State of Ohio.

Ordinance No. 241-2026 authorizing the Director of the Department of Planning and Urban Development to enter into a contract with East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation (EANDC) in Akron for the implementation of the Akron Downpayment Assistance Program; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 13, Nays: 0. The provision of down payment assistance is consistent with and encouraged under the City of Akron 2026 Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development.

Ordinance No. 242-2026 approving the Petition for Approval of the City of Akron Highland Square Special Improvement District, Inc.’s Services Plan, 2026-2029; authorizing and/or ratifying execution by the Mayor of the City of Akron (the “Mayor”) of the Petition for Approval of the City of Akron Highland Square Special Improvement District, Inc.’s Services Plan, 2026-2029; adopting the City of Akron Highland Square Special Improvement District, Inc.’s Services Plan, 2026-2029; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 13, Nays: 0. Ohio Revised Code (“R.C.”) Chapter 1710, effective September 29, 1994, provides for the creation of special improvement districts, to be governed by a board of trustees, known as a board of directors of a non-profit corporation, for the provision of special services in a designated district.

Resolution No. 250-2026 opposing and objecting to the renewal application of Andys in Firestone Park, LLC, 1751 S Main St., Akron, Ohio 44301 for a Class D5 and D6 liquor permit (0211611) before the Division of Liquor Control; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 13, Nays: 0. This Resolution was initially sponsored by Ward 7 Councilman Donnie Kammer, then passed as Mayor & Council as a Whole. 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.

Remember...

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

Mid-Year Budget Review

The Budget & Finance Committee held a mid-year budget review. You can watch the meeting here.

Documents are available on our online agenda portal.

Check out the calendar on

Council's website for

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 27, 2026

5:00 p.m.

Ordinance authorizing text changes to amend the Zoning Code to define and regulate data centers.

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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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.