Akron Council's Weekly Legislative Spotlight! 2026 Issue #3

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Find My Ward

From the Desk of

Akron City Council President

Greetings!

Welcome you to the Akron City Council's Legislative Spotlight.

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

This 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. 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 26, 2026

Due to the snowstorm and in the interest of public safety, Council met virtually on January 26, 2026. Charter Section 141, which was approved by voters in November 2020, allows for virtual meetings. Council Rule 1.4 explains that the President of Council may determine to hold a meeting virtually.

Ordinance No. 16-2026 approving the Archwood Redevelopment Plan; making necessary findings in connection therewith; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 13, Nays: 0. A Substitute Offered as an Amendment was read in. This document gives a status update on the Waste Transfer Station.

Resolution No. 17-2026 congratulating Michael Antenucci on the occasion of his retirement and thanking him for his service to the City of Akron; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 13, Nays: 0. Mike Antenucci began his service to the City of Akron on April 26, 1996 as a City Planner. He was promoted to Zoning Manager in July 2011. Many Council members voiced their appreciation to him during the Planning & Economic Development Committee, which you can watch here.

Resolution 20-2026 supporting the partnership between the City of Akron and Unify Akron to identify solutions to the housing affordability crisis in Akron; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 13, Nays: 0. City Council supports the efforts of Unify Akron, a division of Unify America, to work with community leaders, residents, and organizational partners to organize and fund the Assembly established to find housing solutions for the Akron Community. Representatives from Unify Akron attended the Housing & Neighborhood Assistance Committee. You can watch that meeting here.

Remember...

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

2026 Capital Investment Budget

Council held a public hearing regarding the Capital Budget on January 26, 2026. View the full proposed budget here. Per Charter, Council must pass the Capital Budget by February 15, 2026. 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 held last week here. You can view the second review session here.

Registration for the 2026 Akron Parks Challenge is open! The deadline is February 23rd. Executive Director Bridget Ambrisco is scheduled to attend the February 2nd Parks & Recreation Committee meeting to provide information. The meeting is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. You can attend in person at 166 S. High Street, or watch live on YouTube.

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

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.