01/31/2012
Council wants oil and gas rights, too
The state took away cities’ rights to regulate oil and gas well drilling, and Akron City Council wants those rights back. Council passed a resolution Monday evening urging the state to allow cities to regulate oil and gas well locations and methods of extraction in heavily populated areas. Recent changes in drilling technology, including ‘fracking,’ have raised concerns for public safety, said Jeff Fusco, who introduced the resolution. Watch the full Council meeting to learn more.
Jan. 30, 2012 from Akron City Council on Vimeo.
01/24/2012
Former Sears store to be recycled
The former Sears store at Rolling Acres Mall is going to be reused as a recycling center. City Council approved an ordinance at Monday's meeting that will allow Pinnacle Recycling of Barberton to convert the former retail store into a facility for sorting, cutting, shredding and bailing paper and plastics. The company expects the operation to create 22 jobs initially with growth to 30 employees. Also Monday Council approved Community Health Center's plan to establish a residential treatment facility at 838 Coburn Street for women with substance abuse issues. Chief Executive Officer Ted Ziegler told Council the non-profit organization will spend $125,000 to $150,000 on renovations and add 20 new employees to staff the facility.
Jan. 23, 2012 from Akron City Council on Vimeo.
01/24/2012
Sommerville announces committee assignments
The 2012-2013 committee assignments have been made by Council's Committee on Committees, and Council's nine standing committees have started their regular Monday afternoon meetings again. Council has 11 committees, each with a chairperson and four additional members. For a complete list of committees and their members, click on About Council.
01/11/2012
Mayor explains state auditor demands to Council
At the end of an uneventful Council meeting, Mayor Plusquellic addressed Council to explain the actions the city has taken in response to the state auditor's demands that the city change its accounting practices. To comply with the auditor's demands, the city combined 740 funds to reduce the overall number of funds it tracks to 121. Those accounting changes cut the deficit on the books from $88 million to $12 million. The Mayor also explained why the city must start some projects before receiving federal funding, and he updated Council on the status of almost $4 million in TIF funds the city is owed. Watch the whole Council meeting for more.
Jan. 9, 2012 from Akron City Council on Vimeo.
12/20/2011
Council bids farewell to four colleagues
The year’s final Council meeting was filled with tributes and fond farewells to four Council members whose terms ended. Bob Otterman (W6), Tina Merlitti (W7), Phil Montgomery (W8) and Kelli Crawford (W10) were praised for their dedication and service by their Council peers and Mayor Plusquellic. Bob Otterman, who is retiring from politics, also was presented a resolution of appreciation from the Ohio legislature by state senators Tom Sawyer, a former Akron mayor, and Frank LaRose. Following the Council meeting, Clerk of Council Bob Keith called an organizational meeting to swear in the new Council, including newly elected members Bob Hoch (W6), Donnie Kammer (W7), Marilyn Keith (W8) and Garry Moneypenny (W10). Council then elected officers with Marco Sommerville (W3) returning as president, Mike Freeman (W9) vice president, and Jeff Fusco (At-large) president pro tem.
Dec. 19, 2011 from Akron City Council on Vimeo.
12/13/2011
Criminal Expungement Program wins Council support
The University of Akron-City of Akron collaborative program that helps residents clear crimes from their records won Council support again for 2012. Council voted to provide $20,000 for administrative support of the Criminal Expungement Program, which provides legal assistance to residents who want to seal their public records of a court conviction. In its first year, the program helped to clear the records of 36 residents with an additional 13 hearings pending and 23 cases in process. Other Council action centered on job creation. Council approved assistance for two related technology companies to relocate from Tallmadge to downtown Akron, and for a metal recycling company to build a new office and warehouse in the Flora Urban Renewal Area. Together, the companies currently employ more than 60 professionals and intend to grow their payrolls.
Dec. 12, 2011 from Akron City Council on Vimeo.
12/06/2011
Council upgrades software
An ordinance authorizing the city to purchase new software for scanning, tracking, searching and sharing legislation was approved by Council at Monday's meeting. Council also approved the sale of new bonds to replace general obligation bonds issued in 2001, 2002 and 2003. Current lower interest rates will save the city about $3 million over the life of the bonds.
Dec. 5, 2011 from Akron City Council on Vimeo.
11/30/2011
City workers allowed to carry over unused vacation time
Council gave city workers an early Christmas present by waiving provisions that prevented them from carrying over unused leave and vacation time. Ward 10 Councilman Mike Freeman explained that reductions in staffing created manpower shortages, which sometimes prevented city workers from taking time off. Council also passed a resolution urging Congress to approve H. R. 1351, which will allow the U.S. Postal Service to use money it has overpaid into the civil service retirement fund for operating expenses. Akron’s mail sorting center is slated to be among those closed as the Postal Service cuts costs.
November 28, 2011 from Akron City Council on Vimeo.
11/22/2011
After school program awarded grant
Calling it the best return on any city investment, Council approved a $185,000 grant at Monday's Council meeting for Akron’s after school program, which provides learning activities to more than 4,000 students at 27 elementary Community Learning Centers. Council also passed a resolution opposing the merger of the Akron and Cleveland postal processing operations. The merger would eliminate 241 jobs in Akron. Council and the administration plan to meet with Postal Service authorities to explore options to save those jobs.
November 21, 2011 from Akron City Council on Vimeo.
11/15/2011
Zoning approved for Learning Centers
Three public hearings were held by Council Monday night to allow citizens to comment on the proposed Hatton, Seiberling and King Community Learning Centers. Following one question from one couple who live near King School, Council approved conditional use zoning to permit their construction. Council also passed a resolution congratulating the Division II State Champion St. Vincent-St Mary girls cross country team and a resolution urging Congress to reject the portion of the Federal Budget that will result in cuts to Community Development Block Grants.
November 14, 2011 from Akron City Council on Vimeo.
