09/14/2011
Primary produces changes on Council
Tuesday's Democratic primary election will result in several changes on City Council beginning January 2012. In Ward 6, Bill Hoch narrowly defeated veteran Councilman Bob Otterman, and in Ward 7, Donnie Kammer defeated Council Vice President Tina Merlitti. Marilyn Keith, wife of Clerk of Council and former Ward 8 Councilman Bob Keith won the Ward 8 race. Current Ward 8 Councilman Phil Montgomery did not run for re-election. Councilman Bruce Kilby retained his Ward 2 seat. The winners of the Democratic primary will run against Republican challengers in the November general election. In the race for mayor, Don Plusquellic won easily over challenger and Councilman At Large Mike Williams. Plusquellic garnered 55 percent of the vote to 43 percent for Williams.
09/13/2011
Belfast City Councilor praises Akron's regeneration
A visiting City Councilor from Belfast, Ireland, Nichola Maria Mallon, told City Council Monday evening that Akron's accomplishments are inspiring. "My understanding of Akron from what I had read was that it had suffered as a city, its key industries had left, and I was expecting to come and see destitution," she said. "I am inspired by what I see. I see regeneration. I see growth. I see positivity. And, I am lucky enough to be here during an election, and I see how engaged people are." (more...)
09/09/2011
Voters to decide on rules for speaking to Council
A charter amendment that will change how and when citizens can speak at meetings of Council will be on the November 8 ballot. City Council voted to put the issue to vote at a special Council meeting Sept. 7 called by Council President Marco Sommerville. Click on the headline to read more and to watch the special Council meeting...
09/02/2011
Sommerville calls special Council meeting
Council President Marco Sommerville is cutting Council's summer recess short by calling a special meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 7 at 5 p.m. to discuss Council's long-standing public speaking policies. The special meeting is necessitated by the Sept. 9 deadline for placing potential charter changes on the ballot. Current rules allow citizens to address Council only on specific legislation during public hearings. Citizens also may make a written request to speak to Council in advance of a meeting, and there is an open speaking period 30 minutes before the start of each Council meeting. The special meeting on Wednesday will take place in Council Chambers.
08/01/2011
Council on Summer Recess
Akron City Council is on its annual summer recess. The next scheduled Council and Committee meetings are Monday, Sept. 12.
07/26/2011
Council clears the air
Council approved an ordinance amending the agreement with KB Compost to build an anaerobic digestion system at Akron’s sewage treatment plant. The new system will replace composting and eliminate the resulting odor in the valley. The project will create 100 construction jobs and earn the city Federal energy credits and royalties if the new technology is applied in other cities.
07/20/2011
Hurley ward meeting moved back one week
Ward 1 Councilman Jim Hurley has moved his ward meeting scheduled for today to next Wednesday, July 27, at Patterson Park Community Center, 800 Patterson Ave. Public safety will be discussed. Hurley's ward meetings are generally the third Wednesday of each month. He will not have a ward meeting in August because Council will be on its summer break.
07/19/2011
Akron wins competition for Meggitt jobs
Council approved legislation Monday night that will allow the city to complete a deal with Meggitt-USA Services Inc. to locate a shared service center in Akron. Meggitt will invest $100,000 in a facility and create 32 new jobs with a $1.5 million payroll. Mayor Plusquellic secured the deal on a recent trip to Megitt's headquarters in England. Following the conclusion of Council's regular business, several members of Council addressed about 25 residents from Vane and Sorin Avenues who attended the meeting to voice concerns about a proposed apartment complex. A spirited discussion among Council members begins about 37 minutes into the meeting:
07/12/2011
Easements for sewer seperation approved
Council approved legislation Monday evening that will allow the city to begin work on separating storm and sanitary sewers to reduce untreated overflows into the Cuyahoga River. Also approved was legislation to expand Akron's "Central Business District" and rename it "Downtown." Expanding the boundary will bring more conformity to downtown development. After Council business concluded, Council President Marco Sommerville responded to a letter from the mayor to Council about campaign rhetoric that accused the city of not focusing on local job retention. "To send a signal that Council and the mayor are not working to retain jobs is wrong," Sommerville said. "It makes people who are hurting and don't have employment feel a sense of hopelessness - that this government is not responding to their needs and doesn't understand the significance of the problem. I understand that this is an election year and a lot will be said about many issues, but I want everyone know that we are working as hard as possible to retain jobs in this community." The full Council meeting follows via Vimeo, a video sharing website.
