10/24/2011
Grant would pay for bulletproof vests
Council approved legislation that authorizes Mayor Plusquellic to apply for a Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant from the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance. The grant will pay between 20 and 50 percent of the cost to equip all Akron law enforcement officers with body armor. Council also approved legislation allowing the mayor to seek a High Visibility Enforcement Overtime Grant from the state. The grant would pay for traffic officers to monitor high-accident intersections for speed, DUI and seatbelt violations.
October 24, 2011 from Akron City Council on Vimeo.
10/18/2011
City to accept grant from Summit County for housing
Akron will receive $272,000 from Summit County for affordable housing. Council passed an ordinance at Monday’s Council meeting authorizing the mayor to accept the grant, which will be used to help the city acquire and redevelop neglected properties primarily in the Summit Lake area. Council also passed a resolution supporting Issue 25, a renewal levy for Summit County Board of Developmental Disabilities. The agency serves more than 4,000 residents with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities. The levy provides 72 percent of its funding.
10/10/2011
Columbus Day
Council and Committees will not meet today because of the holiday. The next meetings will be Monday, Oct. 17.
10/04/2011
School levy, sewer overflow reform win Council support
Resolutions supporting a 5.5 mill school levy and urging Congress to reform the Clean Water Act sewer overflow policy won unanimous approval by Council Monday night. School Superintendent David James spoke about the levy to Council and said that the success of the school system and the success of the city are joined. more...
09/27/2011
Council to consider limits on street memorials
A letter signed by three West Side city block club presidents and read at Council Monday evening asked Council to set time limits on street-side memorials. The issue is how long a memorial - usually consisting of stuffed animals, candles, balloons and flowers attached to a telephone pole - should be allowed to remain on display. (more...)
09/20/2011
City to install electric charging stations for cars
Akron is entering into an agreement with Clean Fuels Ohio to obtain a Federal grant to install five vehicle electric charging stations. Council approved an ordinance at Monday's meeting authorizing the city to obtain the grant money from the 2009 American Recovery and Investment Act. Council also passed a resolution encouraging voters to support repeal of Ohio House Bill 194, a Republican plan for redrawing congressional districts. Ward 5 Councilman Ken Jones said that HB194 "oppresses voters." To see the entire Council meeting, click on any of the following links: 9-19-11 from Akron City Council on Vimeo.
09/20/2011
Ward 1 meeting rescheduled
Ward 1 Councilman Jim Hurley has changed the date of his ward meeting from Sept. 21 to Sept. 28. It remains at the Highland Square Branch Library where the new neighborhood Mustard Seed grocery store will be discussed. Future ward meetings will return to Patterson Park Community Center, 800 Patterson Ave.
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...
