Akron Council's Weekly Legislative Spotlight! 2024 Issue #16

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Akron City Council

Weekly Legislative Spotlight

From the Desk of the Council President

Hello Joan,

Welcome to our new subscribers. We are so excited that you are joining us! To our regular subscribers, thank you for your commitment to staying informed and engaged through your continued subscribership to Akron City Council's Legislative Spotlight.

We hope you are enjoying the wealth of information shared with you each week.

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

We want you to stay connected and abreast of the issues before 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, May 13, 2024

Ordinance No. 180-2024 authorizing the Mayor, or his designee, to enter into a contract or contracts with Bounce Innovation Hub for impacted small-business assistance and support; and declaring an emergency. Vote: 13-0

Ordinance No. 181-2024 authorizing the Mayor, or his designee, to enter into a contract or contracts with Akron Community Service Center and Urban League, dba Akron Urban League for impacted small-business assistance and support; and declaring an emergency. Vote: 13-0

Ordinance No. 182-2024 authorizing the Mayor, or his designee, to enter into a contract or contracts with Western Reserve Community Fund, Inc., for impacted small-business assistance and support; and declaring an emergency. Vote: 13-0. The partners will work collaboratively with each other, the City, and small business entrepreneurs to stabilize, strengthen and grow their businesses through technical assistance, business and financial counseling, and access to affordable professional services. Read the full Press Release here.

Ordinance No. 183-2024 amending/supplementing Title 15, Chapter 153, “Zoning Code”, Article 6 “Development and Area District Requirements”, “Section 153.310 Business and industry requirements” by changing signage requirements within the Kenmore Urban Overlay Area; and declaring an emergency. (Public Hearing was held 5/6/2024) Vote: 13-0

Resolution No. 186-2024 opposing and objecting to the application of Mr. Pantry Copley, Inc., DBA Mr. Pantry, 950 Copley Road, Akron, Ohio 44320 for a Class D5 liquor permit (6208800) now pending before the Division of Liquor Control; and declaring an emergency. Vote: 13-0

The Public Safety Committee received a presentation from Captain Laughlin and Safety Communications Supervisor Michelle Nicholson regarding Safety Communications. You can watch that presentation here.

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!

Ring Doorbells

Our staff worked hard to process over 7500 applications for Ring Doorbells!

300 cameras were allocated for each ward and applications were approved on a first-come, first-served basis.

Applicants have been notified via email. If you applied for a Ring Doorbell, please check the email you provided in your application. If approved, that email contains instructions regarding pick-up options.

At this time, we are not accepting new applications.

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

June 3, 2024

5:00 p.m. Special Meeting

Ordinance accepting the eligibility report for the Meridian Urban Renewal Area, approving the Meridian Urban Renewal Plan; and making necessary findings in connection therewith.

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Notices are posted on our website at least 15 days before the meeting.

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). Notices are also published in the Akron Beacon Journal.

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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

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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.

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.