Akron Council's Weekly Legislative Spotlight! 2025 Issue #40

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From the Desk of

Akron City Council President

Greetings!

A Warm Welcome to This Week’s Edition of the Council’s Legislative Spotlight!

As the year gently winds down and the holiday season fills our hearts and homes, I’m delighted to welcome you to this edition of the Legislative Spotlight. While we prepare for a brief council recess, our commitment to keeping you informed never takes a holiday.

Why the Spotlight Still Matters - Even During The Season

Our purpose remains the same: to keep you informed, educated, and civically engaged. Each edition of the Spotlight is designed to shine a light on:

Legislative Updates: The latest actions and developments from your City Council.
Council Business: Clear and simple explanations of how council work is done, so you stay in the know.
Akron Facts & Events: Highlights about our great city and upcoming community happenings where you can stay connected and involved.

We truly believe that an informed resident is an empowered resident—during every season of the year.

Stay Engaged, Be Proud, and Share the Spirit of Civic Pride!

As we reflect on the year and look toward a new one, we encourage you to remain proud and engaged in the legislative life of the City of Akron. This is your city, and your voice continues to matter—now and always.

To stay connected in real time and keep the conversation going through the holidays, we invite you to follow our Facebook page and share this Spotlight with friends, family, and neighbors.

Thank you for being an important part of this work and this community. Wishing you a joyful, peaceful holiday season—and now, let’s take a look at the latest updates!

Sincerely,

Margo Sommerville

Council President

Ward 3 Council Member

Legislative Highlights From Monday, December 8, 2025

Ordinance No. 397-2025 authorizing a Conditional Use to construct a warehouse and distribution center at 2322 Manchester Road; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 10, Nays: 1 (Wilson) (Garrett and Kammer were absent). This will be the first Amazon sub same-day (SSD) facility in Summit County, which aims to deliver products like groceries and pharmaceuticals to consumers in less than 24 hours. The Planning & Economic Development Committee discussed the ordinance and held a public hearing at 1:00 p.m. Council held a public hearing on this Conditional Use request at the 5:00 p.m. Special Council meeting. You can view the full presentation by the petitioner during the Committee meeting here.

Resolution No. 409-2025 recognizing the courage, sacrifice, and service of those veterans within the City of Akron and celebrating the important work of U.S. Army veteran Lawrence Williams and his tireless advocacy for veterans; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 13, Nays: 0. Throughout his life, U.S. Army veteran and two-time Purple Heart awardee Lawrence Williams, who valiantly served during the Vietnam War from 1966 until 1971 when he was honorably discharged, advocated for Akron-area veterans sought to increase accessible support for veterans affected by post- traumatic stress disorder and other afflictions.

Resolution No. 413-2025 encouraging the City of Akron to adopt and implement veteran-only parking spaces at certain City-owned facilities in order to honor Lawrence Williams, a two-time Purple Heart awardee, who worked tirelessly to secure veteran-designated placards at local stores to ensure veterans felt seen and appreciated throughout Akron; recognizing and commending the courage, sacrifices, and service of all Akron veterans; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 13, Nays: 0. Veteran-only parking spaces serving the Balch Street Community Center, Patterson Park Community Center, Ed Davis Community Center, Judge James R. Williams Community Center, Mason Community Center, Ellet Community Center, Firestone Community Center, Northwest Family Recreation Center, Kenmore Community Center, and Reservoir Park Community Center will honor and help ensure the accessibility of public facilities to Akron veterans.

Ordinance No. 410-2025 approving funding necessary to implement the agreements between the Akron Firefighters Association, Local 330, and Civil Service Personnel Association bargaining units and the City of Akron; approving funding necessary for adjustments in compensation and health care benefits for the Akron Firefighters Association, Local 330, and Civil Service Personnel Association bargaining units, all while economically utilizing taxpayer dollars to provide quality services to Akron’s citizens; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 12, Nays: 0 (Wilson abstained). Both of these bargaining units have reached agreements with Mayor Malik regarding adjustments in employee compensation and other changes to incorporate into new collective bargaining agreements between the City of Akron and the respective bargaining units. The Local 330 and C.S.P.A memberships have met and formally voted to approve and/or ratify the respective agreements.

Monday, December 15th will be the last regular meeting of 2025.

Council will resume on January 5, 2026.

Remember...

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

Check out the calendar on

Council's website for

upcoming Ward Meetings!

Welcome Stephen Dyer!

Please join us in welcoming Stephen Dyer as our very first Legislative and Public Policy Affairs Coordinator.

We are beyond excited to have Stephen join our team as we continue strengthening how Akron City Council manages its legislative affairs and public policy work. In this new role, Stephen will work closely and cooperatively with the City of Akron Law Department, Council leadership, and all members of Council to help guide legislation, improve processes, and support smart, effective policymaking for our city.

This position represents a new and exciting chapter for Akron City Council—one focused on increased collaboration, transformative innovation, and ensuring our legislative work is thoughtful, strategic, and responsive to the needs of our residents.

Stephen brings valuable expertise, a strong work ethic, and a passion for public service that we know will benefit our city in meaningful ways.

Please help us give Stephen a warm Akron welcome as he steps into this important role. We’re looking forward to all that’s ahead and to the positive impact his leadership will bring as we continue working for YOU, Akron!

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.

Rule 2.9

Organizational Session of Council

An organizational session of Council shall occur during the first meeting of Council held in January of even numbered years. The Clerk of Council shall preside at the organizational session of Council until the President of Council is elected.

Rule 3.3

Selection of Committees

Immediately after the organizational meeting, and their election to Council leadership, the President, Vice-President, and President Pro-Tem shall meet to select the chairpersons, vice chairpersons, and other members of the standing committees. The President shall formally announce Council leadership's selections.

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