Live reporting by
Wittman Sullivan
Council recognizes Juneteenth as federal holiday for city employees

Jeff Fusco (Council At Large) started the Planning and Economic committee meeting at 1:00 PM with all members present The minutes from the previous meeting passed unanimously Fusco requested time on all old legislation

Planning Director Suzie Graham Moore said Item 3 enters into partnerships with Summit County, the Land Bank, and the GAR Foundation to study development feasibility of large plots in Akron and inner-ring Akron suburbs.

She said the developments are intended to attract commerce and large scale development Item 3 passed unanimously Fusco ended the meeting at 1:04 PM Brad McKitrick (Ward 6) Started the Rules Committee Meeting at 2:00 PM with all members present

The minutes from the previous meeting passed unanimously A staffer said this ordinance will recognize Juneteenth as a holiday in the codified ordinance. The item passed unanimously The meeting ended at 2:02 PM

Donnie Kammer (Ward 7) started the Public Service Committee Meeting at 2:02 PM The minutes from the previous meeting passed unanimously Service Director Chris Ludle said Item 4 replaces chemical systems in the water distribution system Item 3 passed unanimously

Ludle said Item 5 will connect 2 water mains in Copley to build system resiliency. Item 5 will also extend a Copley water main to an apartment building and existing homes. This will be paid for by a grant and tapping fees. He said no water capitol funds spent will be spent

Item 5 passed unanimously Ludle said Item 6 will apply for grant funding to establish a train quiet zone on crossing including N. Portage Path, Castle, N. Hawkins, and White Pond. He said they will install new gates and warning signs at those intersections for safety

He said this will not include Market St. due to high traffic and road width. He said that trains are not supposed to blow their horns for the included intersections Linda Omobien (At Large) asked if trains can still blow their horns in emergencies Ludle said they can

Omobien asked if other cities have tried quiet zones Ludle said that Hudson established a similar quiet zone He said Merriman is not included in the quiet zone due to private driveways being too close to the crossing Item 6 passed unanimously

Ludle said Item 7 will plug 2 of the remaining gas wells that are located near the National Park bringing the total abandoned gas wells to 7 Item 7 passed unanimously Ludle said Item 8 will add space onto Hanger A in the Akron Municiple Airport Item 8 passed unanimously

Ludle said Item 9 will replace the generator in City Hall which was originally in the Capitol budget but is now an emergency. He said City Hall is using a temporary generator. Item 9 passed unanimously Ludle said Item 10 will replace lawn 2 mowers in Good Park and 1 in Mud Run

He they will contract with Baker Vehicles for new Hybrid Mowers that will save costs and will replace hydraulic driving systems with electric ones. He said the hybrid mowers will conserve half the gas of the current mowers. Item passed unanimously

Ludle said Item 11 will install splash pads in Elizabeth Park. He said it will not be open for fall but will be completed before Memorial Day 2025. Item 11 passed unanimously The meeting ended at 2:27 PM

Phil Lombardo (Ward 2) started the Budget and Finance Meeting at 3:02PM The Finance Director said Item 2 will renew a 5-year agreement with Thomas Reuters to provide the Westlake Proflex Legal Research Program. He said the monthly fee will start at $3200 and increase 3% annually


The meeting ended at 3:05 PM. The next City Council Committee Meetings will be June 24th at 1:00 PM at Akron City Hall (166 S. High Street). For more coverage check out akron.documenters.org
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