James Hardy (City Council Ward 8) started the meeting at 9 am. He introduced Keep Akron Beautiful (KAB) staffers who will explain the Planting Change Campaign.

Jacqui Ricchiuti (Executive Director of KAB) said KAB do litter picking, graffiti removal, and flower planting along streets including Main and Castle BLVD. A staffer said Akron has seen a "notable Decline" in the tree canopy. . keepakronbeautiful.org/planting-chang…

She said tree canopies improve quality of life, bring economic benefits, absorb rainfall, save energy, and bring opportunities for recreation and tourism She said KAB is leading the Planting Change campaign which will plant 100,000 trees in Akron planted by Akron residents.

Ricchiuti said residents can plant trees on their land, donate to the campaign, or join KAB for tree-planting events She urged residents to take care of existing trees on their land and not to cut down the trees on their land blog.davey.com/what-do-trees-…

She said KAB will be loaning resources for people to plant trees including shovels to plant trees Hardy said the city is building a tree nursery for street trees

A resident said KAB needs to restrict tree planting away from the Devil Strip and in other restricted areas like above utility lines to prevent nuisance ordinance violations. She said KAB needs to publish a guide for where trees can be planted

A staffer said KAB employees will answer questions from residents and that they are creating videos to guide residents about tree planting and care

Ricchiuti said KAB is rebuilding the APS Arbor Day program where 4th Graders receive education on trees and tree care, plant trees, and receive a tree seedling at the end of the program.

Hardy said the city regularly reviews the tree canopy coverage and said the Akron Waterways Renewed projects included Basins in forested areas that reduced tree canopies. He said the city made a 2-1 tree replacement pledge which they are behind on.

He said areas like East Akron lost more of their tree canopy than the rest of the city and those neighborhoods can feel up to 10 degrees hotter than the rest of the city Residents said utility companies and developers have been destroying trees on streets and near White Pond

Hardy said First Energy made states including Ohio pass ordinances that allow Utility Companies to trim any tree near utilities after a major blackout He said the 100,000 trees in 10 years will maintain the current tree coverage and not restore the original 40% coverage

A resident asked if the city can regulate Summit Metro Parks' to prevent debris and brush build-up near streets and property Hardy said the city has almost no say in how Summit Metro Parks maintains its property

A community engagement officer said all violent crimes are down except Felonious Assault He said applications for Akron Police (APD) have ended and saw significant numbers of lateral transfer officers He said there isn't a suspect for the Mass Shooting

He said the incident was not random and that it was likely the result of existing conflicts and said the victims were mostly "collateral damage" and not an intended target or the perpetrator He said letting off fireworks is illegal in Akron even on July 4th

Hardy said he did not sign the letter from city council urging the mayor to cancel Juneteenth events. He said there was no credible threat and he was not able to see the letter before signing it. He said he understands the frustration of his colleagues on council.

He said it is difficult to get timely feedback from the mayor's office and that the letter was not the right solution from council. He said he would not have reacted any differently from the Mayor and that only canceling Juneteenth events would be unfair.

He said the mayor holding a press conference without council and throwing them "under the bus" fractured the relationship with council. He said organizers of the Heartwalk had little time to cancel so 1000+ people arrived and the Rubber Ducks went as far as opening the stadium

Hardy said the city is funding the design for the new Merriman Valley Train Depot and bids will be open as early as next year He said he wants the Merriman Valley to create a Special Improvement District

He said he has talked with the Akron Law Department and it is possible to regulate Vape and Smoke Shops the same way that dollar stores are regulated.

He said Summit County is creating a plan to end homelessness. He said the mayor and other organizations are attempting to curb the crisis. He said most homeless people in Akron are temporarily homeless due to either evictions or higher rents

He said Akron achieved "functional zero" veteran homelessness where there are enough beds and resources for any homeless veteran in Akron He said the tax abatement program funds habitat for humanity projects, low income housing. He said the program isn't enough due to inflation

A staffer from The City Recreation Department has opened new pickleball courts and tennis courts at the Northwest Recreation Center and Firestone Highschool's softball stadium will begin renovations soon

The meeting ended at 10:36 AM. The next meeting will be July 27th at 9 am at Acme in 1835 W. Market Street in Wallhaven. For more coverage check out akron.documenter.org

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