Akron Council's Weekly Legislative Spotlight! 2024 Issue #25

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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 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 22, 2024

Ordinance No. 273-2024 approving the 2024 Consolidated Plan Annual Action Plan including applications and certifications for the Community Development Block Grant (“Community Development”), the HOME Investment Partnership (“HOME”) and Emergency Solutions Grant (“ESG”) Programs; authorizing the Director of Planning and Urban Development to enter into all necessary contracts for the operation and term of the Programs; and declaring an emergency. (Public Hearing was held 7/15/2024) Vote: Ayes: 11, Nays: 0 (DeShazior absent)

Ordinance No. 274-2024 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 st andards applicable to specific conditional uses” to add a definition of and development requirements for vape shops; and declaring an emergency. (Public Hearing was held 7/15/2024) Vote: Ayes: 11, Nays: 0 (DeShazior absent)

Ordinance No. 275-2024 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. (6/24/2024) (Public Hearing was held 7/15/2024). Vote: Ayes: 11, Nays: 0 (DeShazior absent)

Ordinance No. 280-2024 authorizing the Mayor, or his designee, to enter into an agreement or agreements with Youth Success Summit in furtherance of the activities and services it provides to organizations serving Akron’s youth; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 11, Nays: 0 (DeShazior absent) You can watch the presentation to the Budget & Finance Committee here.

Ordinance No. 281-2024 authorizing the Mayor, or his designee, to enter into a development agreement with Amazon Services LLC, providing for the sale and redevelopment of property located in Springfield Township at 2280 Picton Parkway in Akron; finding such property is not needed for any public use; and declaring an emergency. Vote: Ayes: 11, Nays: 0 (DeShazior absent)

Remember...

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

Ring Doorbell Cameras

APPLICATIONS REOPENING FOR WARD #'s 1, 3, & 5

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.

If you applied, please be sure to check your email!

Each ward was allotted 300 cameras. We will reopen the Doorbell Camera Safety Program application process to distribute a limited number of unclaimed cameras to eligible Akron residents living in Ward #'s 1, 3, and 5.

Starting Wednesday, July 24^th at 8:00 a.m., and concluding on Thursday, July 25^th at 4:00 p.m. residents residing in Wards 1, 3 & 5 who have not previously received a doorbell camera can apply for their free camera via the online application. Residents can confirm that they reside in one of these wards at akroncitycouncil.org/find-my-ward.

This program is available to Akron residents, both homeowners and renters. Homeownership will be verified through Summit County Property Records. Renters must submit an Attestation form signed by their landlord with their online application. The attestation form is available here.

Applications submitted from residents outside Wards 1, 3, & 5 will not be considered.

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

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.

Section VII: Election Procedures When Council Vacancy Must Be Filled by Council

Rule 7.10 Elections

Before an election can be held, a quorum of Council members must be present. To be elected, a candidate shall receive the vote of a majority of the duly elected members of Council.

***

In Resolution 242-2024, Council established July 29th as the date to hold an election to temporarily fill the Ward 8 representative seat until the next primary and general election at which all electors of the City are eligible to vote.

You can view the Rules of Procedure

for Akron City Council here.