Akron Council's Weekly Legislative Spotlight! 2026 Issue #5

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From the Desk of

Akron City Council President

Greetings!

Welcome to the Akron City Council Legislative Spotlight — your go-to source for staying informed, engaged, and connected to the work happening on behalf of our community.

This publication is designed to keep residents aware of the issues shaping Akron and the actions your City Council is taking to move our city forward.

Why the Spotlight Matters

Each issue is thoughtfully curated to help foster an informed and empowered community. Inside, you will find:

Legislative Updates: Key actions, decisions, and initiatives from City Council.
Council in Action: A closer look at how your Council is working to serve the people of Akron.
Akron Facts & Events: Community news, local highlights, and opportunities for involvement.

We believe that informed residents help build stronger neighborhoods — and ultimately, a stronger Akron.

Looking Ahead

We approach the year with optimism and determination. Together, we will address challenges, build on our progress, and advance policies that enhance quality of life across our city. Your voice matters, and we encourage you to stay engaged and partner with us in shaping Akron’s future.

Be sure to follow Akron City Council on Facebook and share the Legislative Spotlight with your neighbors, friends, and family.

Thank you for being an important part of Akron’s story. Now, let’s take a look at the latest updates from your City Council.

Sincerely,

Margo Sommerville

Council President

Ward 3 Council Member

Legislative Highlights From Monday, February 9, 2026

Resolution No. 38-2026 requesting that the City of Akron be included in the City of Akron Highland Square Special Improvement District; approving the Petition for Creation of the City of Akron Highland Square Special Improvement District; and approving articles of incorporation for The City of Akron Highland Square Special Improvement District, Inc.; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 12, Nays: 0 (Omobien absent). Special Improvement Districts (SIDs) in Ohio are designated areas where property owners can pay additional assessments to fund public improvements and services that enhance the district's vibrancy and safety. In this case, the assessments are based on frontage on West Market Street from Portage to Casterton/Dodge. Learn more here.

Resolution No. 39-2026 adopting the 2026 Capital Investment and Community Development Program, legally referred to as the Capital Investment Budget; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 12, Nays: 0 (Omobien absent). The Capital Budget has been on Council's Agenda since January 5th. Review sessions were held January 5th and January 12th. A public hearing was held January 26th, and again on January 29th to give those who wanted to attend in person an opportunity. A Substitute Offered as an Amendment was introduced at Monday's meeting. You can view the full budget here.

Resolution No. 45-2026 opposing the passage of Ohio General Assembly House of Representatives Bills 26, 42, and 281 and Senate Bill 172 which would require local law enforcement agencies and other entities to assist the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in its operations; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 12, Nays: 0 (Omobien absent). While local law enforcement has no role in civil immigration enforcement, these Bills would change this, effectively requiring local law enforcement agencies and other entities to help ICE perform its operations. You can view the discussion during the Public Safety Committee meeting here.

There will not be a meeting Monday, February 16th in observance of Presidents' Day.

Remember...

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

Registration for the 2026 Akron Parks Challenge is open! The deadline is February 23rd.

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

February 23, 2026

5:00 pm Special Meeting

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to construct an addition to a day care business center at 1264 Copley Road.

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.