Akron Council's Weekly Legislative Spotlight! April 2023 Issue #13

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Akron City Council

Weekly Legislative Spotlight

From the Desk of the Council President

Hello Joan,

Once again, we would like to welcome our new subscribers. We are so excited that you have decided to join us! To our regular subscribers, thank you for continuing to read Council's Legislative Spotlight.

We share highlights from Council's legislative agenda from the previous Monday's Committee and Council meetings each week. Definitions and information about commonly used terms and council-related facts are also featured.

Please stay connected and abreast of the legislative agenda of Akron City Council.

The information shared in each week's Legislative Spotlight will continue to educate, empower and liberate you to become increasingly engaged with your City Council in making Akron a better place for all its residents.

Sincerely,

Margo Sommerville

Council President

Ward 3 Council Member

Legislative Highlights From Monday, April 17th, 2023

ORDINANCE NO. 98-2023 authorizing the Purchasing Agent to enter into a contract or contracts, without the formality of publicly advertising for bids, with S3 Technologies, LLC for the design and installation of audio-visual upgrades to Akron City Council Chambers; and declaring an emergency. This Ordinance was on the Consent Agenda, which passed by a vote of 11-0. (Holland & Malik abstained on the Consent Agenda) We are excited about these upgrades to Chambers that will result in a better audio/visual experience for those joining in Chambers and those participating at home.

ORDINANCE NO, 102-2023 authorizing the Director of Finance, or his designee, to enter into a contract or contracts with the Akron International Soapbox Derby for the City of Akron to provide $50,000.00 in operational support for the planning and implementation of the 2023 Akron International Soap Box Derby; and declaring an emergency. The Budget & Finance Committee heard from Bret Treier, Chair of the Soap Box Derby Board of Directors. You can view his remarks here.

ORDINANCE NO. 105-2023 authorizing the Director of Public Service or his designee, without the formality of advertising for bids, to enter into a contract or contracts with Keep Akron Beautiful for the provision of litter control, recycling, graffiti removal, and beautification activities in the City of Akron; and declaring an emergency. April is Clean Up Akron Month. Find out how you can get involved here.

ORDINANCE NO. 109-2023 authorizing the Director of Public Service, or his designee, to enter into a contract or contracts, without the formality of publicly advertising for bids, with TRC Environmental Corporation for design and construction management services on the BF Goodrich Power Plant Demolition Project; and declaring an emergency. There has been a lot of interest in the smokestacks, so there will be a public meeting scheduled soon to talk about them. You can see the discussion during the Public Service Committee here.

Remember...

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

The City of Akron is dedicated to keeping our residents and business owners aware of critical safety updates and providing accurate news and information surrounding the grand jury decision in the officer-involved shooting of Jayland Walker.

Please visit www.akronupdates.com. This page will be updated to provide the most recent information as it becomes available including status updates on road closures and emergency orders. You’ll also find mental health resources, the grand jury process, the rights of protesters, and more.

Due to the Municipal Building being currently closed, Council and its Committees will meet virtually until further notice. You can access these meetings via livestream on YouTube. Please visit our website at www.akroncitycouncil.org for further Council information and updates.

Akron Safe Pledge Program

Akron City Council has launched the Akron Safe Pledge Program to provide funding for creating a safe dining experience during a rise in COVID-19 cases this season.

For more information on how to apply, visit:

Akron City Council Announces $250,000 Akron Safe Pledge Program | Akron City Council.

Virtual Meetings

In 2020, Akron voters approved a Charter Amendment (Issue 6) by over 85% to modernize procedures for Council including establishing rules to meet by video/teleconference.

Council Rule 1.4 Virtual Meetings

Meetings of Council or its Committees may be held virtually by videoconference technology as determined by the President of Council.

Any member that is connected to a meeting of Council or its Committees both visually and audibly through the videoconference is deemed present for purposes of attendance and deliberation and voting.

You can view the Rules of Procedure for Akron City Council here.

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Akron City Council

Margo Sommerville, President

166 S. High Street, 3rd Floor

Akron, OH 44308

www.akroncitycouncil.org

(330) 375 - 2256