Akron Council's Weekly Legislative Spotlight! 2024 Issue #22

Watch Meetings

Find My Ward

Akron City Council

Weekly Legislative Spotlight

From the Desk of the Council President

Hello Joan,

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

We hope you enjoy the information shared each week, including 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.

Please stay connected and abreast of the issues before Akron City Council. Feel free to let us know if there is anything else you would like to see included in each issue.

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, July 1, 2024

ORDINANCE 241-2024 authorizing the Mayor, or his designee, to apply for and, if awarded, accept and expend a COPS Hiring program grant administered by the US Department of Justice; and declaring an emergency. Vote: 11-0 (Kammer absent).

RESOLUTION 245-2024 declaring that the City of Akron adopts and agrees to participate in the Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan developed in conjunction with the County of Summit Emergency Management Agency; and declaring an emergency. Vote: 11-0 (Kammer absent). The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has established rules and regulations requiring that local governments have a mitigation plan. The Summit County Emergency Management Agency (SCEMA) is responsible for updating the Plan every five years.

RESOLUTION 246-2024 opposing and objecting to the transfer application of Hibachi Xpress Ohio, LLC, 561 S Seiberling Street, Akron, Ohio 44306 for a Class D1, D2, D3, D3A liquor permit (38204330005) pending before the Division of Liquor Control; and declaring an emergency. Vote: 11-0 (Kammer absent).

Remember...

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

Ward 8 Council Member Submits Resignation

On Monday, July 1, 2024, the Ward 8 Council Representative submitted his resignation effective immediately.

“Akron City Council would like to thank Councilman Hardy for his service to the residents of Ward 8 particularly, but also to the city of Akron as a whole”, said Council President Margo Sommerville. “His love for the City of Akron and extensiveness of his service to the residents has left an indelible mark that cannot soon be forgotten.”

According to Section 28 of the Charter, Akron City Council has 30 days to appoint a new Council Representative. Interested applicants must have resided in Ward 8 for the past 1 year and can submit their letter of interest and resume to the Clerk of Council at sbiviano@akronohio.gov by 12 Noon on Monday, July 22^nd.

Until a new Council Representative is selected, Ward 8 residents can contact Councilman-At-Large Jeff Fusco at atlarge1@akronohio.gov or 330-208-5561.

We wish Councilman Hardy well!

Read the full press release here.

Ring Doorbell Cameras

Council Staff has been working hard to distribute Ring Doorbell Cameras to approved applicants. These doorbell cameras were purchased with ARPA funds and applications were processed in compliance with federal guidelines.

All applicants were notified via email whether they were approved, rejected, or put on a waitlist.

As of this date, approximately 70% of the approved applicants have picked up their Ring doorbell cameras.

We have begun contacting applicants who are on the waitlist. If you applied, please be sure to check your email!

Independence Day

Municipal Offices are closed Thursday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day.

There will be a one-day delay for trash/recycling services for the remainder of the week.

As a reminder, Akron Municipal Code prohibits discharging, igniting, or exploding fireworks within the City of Akron.

Check out the full schedule for the Rib, White, and Blue Festival.

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

Up for Public Hearing July 15, 2024

5:00 p.m. Special Meeting:

Ordinance approving the 2024 Consolidated Plan Annual Action Plan for the City’s Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnership and Emergency Solutions Grant Programs.

Ordinance amending/supplementing Title 15, Chapter 153, “Zoning Code”, Article 1 “General Provisions”, Section 153.140 “Definitions” and Article 14 “Conditional Uses”, Section 153.464 “Uses permitted as conditional uses”, and Section 153.476 “Special standards applicable to specific conditional uses” to add a definition of and development requirements for vape shops. (PC-2024-01-T)

Ordinance amending/supplementing Title 15, Chapter 153, “Zoning Code”, Article 1 “General Provisions”, Section 153.140 “Definitions” and Article 14 “Conditional Uses”, Section 153.464 “Uses permitted as conditional uses”, and Section 153.476 “Special standards applicable to specific conditional uses” to expand the definition of and add development requirements for marijuana facilities; and declaring an emergency. PC-2024-23-T)

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to retain an oversized accessory structure at 87 W. Linwood Avenue. (PC-2024-15-CU)

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to construct a detached mother-in-law suite at 2574 Addyston Road. (PC-2024-17-CU)

Up for Public Hearing July 22, 2024

5:00 p.m. Special Meeting:

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to establish a child daycare business center at 1584 Creighton Avenue. (PC-2024-18-CU)

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to construct a contractor’s office at 1684 S. Arlington Street. (PC-2024-19-CU)

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to establish a child daycare business center at 121 Rhodes Avenue. (PC-2024-20-CU)

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to establish a commercial use at 441 White Pond Drive. (PC-2024-21-CU)

Ordinance authorizing a Conditional Use to construct a deck and solid fence at 1869 Daniels Avenue. (PC-2024-22-CU)

***

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.

You do not need to fill out any forms to participate. You're able to 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 in order 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 new "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.

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.

Charter Section 28

Vacancy

a.1 Upon a vacancy in the office of any Councilman where one-half or less of said term is remaining, the members of Council shall elect a qualified individual to serve the remainder of the term.

a.2 Upon a vacancy in the office of any Councilman where the unexpired term is greater than one-half of the regular term the vacancy shall be filled, and nominees for such office selected, by elections held at the same time and in the same manner as the next regularly scheduled primary and general elections at which all electors of the City are eligible to vote.

b. If the period of time between the occurrence of a vacancy in the office of any Councilman and the next regularly scheduled primary elections at which all electors of the City are eligible to vote be greater than sixty (60) days, the members of Council shall, within thirty (30) days of the occurrence of such vacancy, elect a qualified person to fill such vacancy to serve until the remainder of the unexpired term created by such vacancy is filled in the manner specified in Section 28(4)a.1, a.2. If Council, when permitted, fails within thirty (30) days to fill such vacancy, the Mayor shall fill it by appointment.

You can view the Rules of Procedure

for Akron City Council here.