City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening. We're going to call the meeting for Akran City Council to order. At this time, our clerk will read the role. Balden, I. Boy, I Connor. Hi, Davis. Hi Garrett. Present Hannah. Hi Kr. Hi Lombardo. I Mkhitrich. I Somerville I Wilson I. All members are present.

For those who voluntarily wish to do so, would you please stand at this time as we are led in prayer by Elder Anthony Burwell of St. Ashworth Temple Church of God in Christ. He also serves as chaplain with the Harmony Hospice. I'm also going to ask if Councilman Garrett would lead us in the pledge of allegiance immediately following.

Thank you. Almighty God, creator of all things and all people, we welcome your presence in this humble assembly of your children. Lord, in these trying times, we are grateful for your protections and pray that you will continue to uplift our elected leaders today for the tireless work of caretaking our community and its needs. Help us, Father, to gather with grace, plead without pride, listen with good intentions, and act with loving kindness. Let thy will be accomplished this evening and forever more for the benefit of this community and all that are served. We ask all these things in your precious name we pray. Amen.

To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you.

The minutes from our previously held meeting have been provided. Are there any additions or corrections? Is there a motion to approve? Motion to approve. Is and a second. All in favor signify by saying I. I. I. Any oppose? The eyes have it. The motion to approve the minutes passes 12 to zero. We'll now move to our public comment period. All those who have signed up to participate, if you'll please stand at this time so that you may be sworn in by our clerk. Could you please raise your right hand? Do you swear or affirm that the testimony you give will be the truth? If so, please say, "I do." I do. Thank you.

Thank you. Just going to ask when you hear your name, if you'll please approach the podium. And just a reminder, you will have three minutes to speak to this body. And we're going to begin with Benjamin Gford. Uh good evening, Akran City Council. My name is Ben Gford. I live in Ward 4 and I'm a member of the Akran chapter of Democratic Socialist America or DSA for short. I want to bring to your attention our Akran fights for trans rights campaign in the hopes that we can collaborate on making Akran a safer community for our trans residents in particular. In a 2024 article from GLAD, quote, "Every major medical association and leading world health authority supports health care for transgender people and youth." And yet, the trans community is increasingly under attack. In March of this year, the Lmin Institute, which studies genocides, released its third red flag alert that the US is in the process of committing anti-trans genocide. Part of this is due to the steady increase in anti-trans legislation across the country, which threatens the voting rights and general health and well-being of trans people who are already at much higher risk of depression and suicide. In Ohio, we're threatened by Ohio HB249, which pretends to be an effort to protect minors from sexual content, but it is dangerously vague. As the Akran Beacon Journal recently noted, HB249's vagueness enables extreme censorship and harassment. If passed, it can turn every Akran police officer into an art critic. And if a trans person gets a bad review, they could be put in jail. This would then put the city of Akran on the hook to defend these arrests. At the very least, HB249 is extreme censorship. But more likely, we see it as a cudel to harass and harm anyone dressing in a way that does not conform to their gender assigned at birth. Trans people in particular. Even though HB249 is not yet law, the city should be proactive in its support of our trans community. When I signed up for public comment, I submitted a draft of a resolution for council to consider. We modeled this on similar resolutions that passed in cities like Lakewood, Ohio and Kansas

City, Missouri. The resolution would have council call on Mayor Malik to pass an executive order to codify non-inforcement of anti-trans laws through complete depp prioritization. We are city strapped for resources. Do you really want to send our officers out as fashion police? And our resolution extends beyond issues of dress to also ensure that residents can continue to receive gender affirming care. We likely have several thousand transacronites who are becoming increasingly threatened by our government. But also keep in mind this goes beyond the trans community. The right-wing attacks start with the most vulnerable and if we don't stand up now, the attacks will escalate to the gay community, to racial groups, and so on. We reject the fascist tactic of divide and conquer. Already you can see how f gender fascism hurts more than just trans people. Cisgender women, that is women born as women, face increasing discrimination and sometimes violent assaults just for not being feminine enough. We must do what we can to stop this persecution here so it does not spread. Acron DSA has collected already 960 signatures from Acronite saying they want the city to protect its trans residents and council person Wilson has expressed their support for this resolution. Acron DSA and I call on the rest of you and the city of AA to join protecting our fellow workers, friends, family members and neighbors, please review our resolution. Trans Aacronates need you to vote on it and pass it with urgency. We are also available to discuss after this meeting. And just briefly, I'd like to state that I oppose George Johnson for the vacant council seat based on what little I know. I do not think he represents most acronites and the appointment democrat the appointment process should be more democratic in general. Thank you.

Thank you Ben. Greg Long. Greg Long.

He got a bail. Get in. Get out. better clear before you start me cuz I didn't hear a lot that he was saying. I want to make sure everybody hear me. Yes. Y'all hear me over there?

Y'all hear me over there? Y'all ready with the bill? All right. Greg Long is my name for y'all that don't know. And I guess most of y'all don't know. The last time I was up in here is 30 almost 40 years ago. 36 years ago, I had a a thing taking place. You can check the Beacon Journal out about it. But anyhow, uh, a few of us got together. I'm old old school as you can tell. A few of us got together. I'm a old school street hustler. not con man but legitimate uh hustler. I was old school. I I I dealt with this thing called business of uh this old school this business of music by Billboard when everybody else was running uh the uh here and there. I was at the Akran Armory if y'all remember that. I don't know some might remember that. I'd done the talent shows. Well, anyhow, Yogi's Big Blue, Henry Burke with the uh South High alumni uh hall of fame and I done the South High Cavoc of Stars. I don't know if y'all remember all of that, but anyhow, we got together. I came out the hospital with spine surgery and we got together and said we wanted to try to do something old school, right? Because they was telling me what was taking place in the streets here. I've been gone uh 20, 30 years, 36 years. But it tells me that the streets and stuff is is gone. Okay. The the streets and stuff is gone. Killing and etc., etc. So, what we

wanted to do is throw something that's good. This is return to old American days by uh Billboard was doing it. But we took this with Alabama Chile. He made this song in Billboard. Return to old American days. And we thought it would be a good theme song for here. We're looking at and and look, first of all, I want to apologize being old school. I used to go down uh high street to or broad street to board education and go in and sign the application and you know go ahead and do it. But I talked to uh Mr. Carter since the pee-wee association got the use of Lanefield and we talked about doing it and Mr. Miller I mean Marvin Blake told me that it was the wrong way to do it. Things have changed. So he sent me to Lori who handles parks and recreation and we on the right track now. So if anybody see this and it hasn't been approved by the city, we're in the right track of getting it done the right way at this particular point in time. And to the city, I want to humbly apologize to y'all. We're not coming in hustling. We want to do it the right way. Matter of fact, we want you to co-sponsor this with us. Thank you so much, Mr. Greg. I'm sorry, but your but your

I'm going Oh, one thing. I want each and every one of you council persons to donate to the AAN Parent Pee-Wee Association. Dig in your socket and donate five grand to the cause. Please. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. Appreciate you. I want to stay so Gabrielle Massie. Is Gabrielle Massie here with us? And we got to go. I'm Thank you. I think y'all know Mr. Card. Thank y'all so much.

Hello, my name is Gabrielle Massie. I am here as a mother and as a part of Akran Inner City Soccer League since about 2021 when my daughter first joined. Um I've seen this program grow kids that don't always have the same chances of as everyone else. Um so we are grateful for Coach Dele and everything that he's built for our children in the community that you know kind of keeps them involved. As you know with Akran public schools they're not able to participate in sports until 7th grade. So that does leave several years where they don't have like affordable structured sports or you know no me early mentorship or even just a positive area to keep them focused and grounded. So um with this program this gives our girls our kids girl mom here but um gives our kids a place to belong and grow and just be proud of themselves. You know, they compete in several tournaments yearly, bringing back medals and trophies. And one of our own girls, Savannah, was chosen by Nickelodeon to be followed and featured on one of their shows called Game Changers. So, we are um I just lost track of what I was. But anyway, so just to fast forward, we don't practice where we play. Our home field is Copley Road Soccer Complex. It is a safe soccer environment. It's semi-encclosed. It's filled with, you know, tons of fields and goals where, you know, solely for soccer, but we are one of the only programs that aren't given the authorization to practice there. We can only play there. We're sent to Lane Field, which we know Lanefield is an area with crime. And that reality was brought to our children just this past Thursday on April 23rd when there was a driveby shooting about

15 to 20 rounds were went off. It could have been more. Um around 7:40 p.m. It's broad daylight. Kids running around practicing drills as parents standing around watching talking like normal. The coaches teaching until it wasn't normal and everybody's running around for their lives saving, you know, trying to get the kids to get down. And the part that still makes my stomach drop is that some of these kids were smiling in the middle of the field looking up at the sky thinking it was fireworks while we're all trying to shuffle them to hide them behind cars, hide them anywhere. There really wasn't anywhere to hide them. So, you know, that quickly that danger became a reality for them. And a lot of them didn't even know they were in danger. And it's not fair for these kids to practice in these conditions when, you know, gunfire or gunshots is something that they have to concern themselves with while they're trying to practice. I just we want to figure out how is there a way that we can practice where we play at or maybe come up with an alternate practice area that is a safe environment for these kids. Um, it's again, it's a great program. We've been like years.

Okay. G, listen, I will be happy to talk with you after. Please stay after. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Daryl Dean.

All right. Good day. How y'all doing? Good.

Um, this is more directed to uh the mayor. Uh, the reason why I'm up here, I want to address about the the streets of Akan, the city streets. The streets are horrible. the potholes, the the potholes, the sink holes, the um especially in the African-American uh community, in the black community, the streets are so bad. But if you drive anywhere else in this city, uh where the suburbs or where white people stay at, the streets aren't that bad where they stay. But in our community, the streets are horrible. CPPley Road, uh, uh, East Avenue. Um, as a matter of fact, up by the House of the Lord, that concrete up there, it's been up there and, and the and the potholes up there have been so bad, and the street needs to be repaired so bad. It's been over 40, 50 years, and y'all still have not touched those streets. You take Thornton Street, same way with Thornon Street, the the the concrete, it needs to be repaired. It needs to be redone. You know what I'm saying? You got all these bad streets that need repair and nothing is being done about it. You know what I'm saying? I've addressed this. I' I've sent you messages and and nothing is being done about it. I don't know who you hiring as a contractor to come in and fix these streets, but for instance, over there on West Market right by downtown, the same the same people that you hiring to come in and fix fix that area down there, they've been down there over five different times trying to fix that hole down there. I mean, it's it's it's ridiculous. Not only that, the police department, can you please tell the police, the police department to stop targeting and racial profiling African-Ameans?

You know what I'm saying? Every time you look up, there's a young black kid being murder. I You don't never hear a young white kid getting murdered or getting killed by the Akan Police Department. It's always a young black man. You know what I'm saying? And and that's unacceptable in this city. You know, you're the mayor. You're the one supposed to be holding a press conference, you know what I'm saying, about trying to make a change in the city. The chief, he is, you already know the chief, he's a racist. He's no good. You know what I'm saying? Get somebody else in there. You could have hired a Mike Miller and you could have put him in there. You could have put somebody in there that was going to help the community. You know what I'm saying? The the racial profiling has got to stop. It's it's ridiculous. You know what I'm saying? and and y'all city council, y'all the ones who supposed to be trying to make a change for this city. You know what I'm saying? It is ridiculous. All of this stuff, it has to stop. You know, it doesn't make any sense. Fix the streets. Get the streets done. And how to active police to stop racial profiling pulling over black people? That's what they do. They pull over black people talking about, "Oh, well, you just left a drug in there." It's ridiculous and it needs to stop.

Thank you, Mr. Dean. Thank you. Is Robert Grant here? Greetings. Um, before I get started, I want to give some context to my statements by giving you a brief background. I'm a father. I have four children. Uh, oldest is 30. Then you got girls who are 16 and 14 and a baby who is five. Okay. I've had uh they have three different mothers. Okay. have been divorced twice, going through the second one. I've never cheated. I've paid more than $100,000 in child support. Okay? You don't do that if you can't keep a job. Now, I'm here to talk about police corruption, starting with city prosecutor Craig Morgan and the ongoing health bias and systemic genderism that his lack of service and conspire co-conspired behavior in the dispatch department as well as the dispatch department's lack of correct use of resources that acts as a cover and portal for racism that the greater society has never stopped using against African-Ameans. This is clearly seen in each of the incidents reports from 782 Avon Street. Case numbers 248 2228 2313 3218 2307-5892 22117377

and there's two others I'm not going to go cuz I got time. These uh reports either make incorrect statements about my mental health, which would be the health bias, okay, communicated or written with either elementary school language, skills or manners clearly designed to manipulate and or alter the storyline. These documents clearly highlight uh violent and child endangering behaviors from Miss Angelina TV Grant that have gone unaccounted for by her office neighbor in the police department for three years, Mr. Craig Morgan and are behaviors that would put any man in jail. They're on the reports. Just look and read them yourself. Juvenile detective Sergeant Ross refused to add child endangerment to the charges to the police report uh 2472228 or 82228. I apologize. Uh which I reported to him or two um on 2:00 p.m. on the 14th of this month. Uh I'm sorry, Thursday the 23rd of this month. But the point of the matter is the police policy concerning fathers with shared custody in Akran in Northeast Ohio in general. But we can start here violates uh of custody order should not need further court intervention. Judge has already ruled Mr.

the violator should be automatically I'm sorry but your time is up but I'll be happy to talk with you after. Yes ma'am. Okay. Thank you. Is Reverend John Batty here? Okay,

madame chairperson and members of the council, uh, I've been struggling all day. It's been a bad week. four floods in our basement, too on Sunday morning. And um we're But I'm here today. Um I met my old friend George Johnson uh at the waiting to get in and met his lovely wife Christy. Um, George and I have known each other for a long time and I consider him a friend. However, I believe in justice and I believe without oversight. Every agency, every person as high as our wouldbe king in the White House has to have oversight. And I know that George is dead against the oversight committee voted in by voters in Akran. We need oversight of the police department because there is corruption there. There is brutality there and those actions need to be called out by somebody and we have voted this uh oversight committee by the people of Akran. If we do not, and I'm appealing especially to you who um are against the oversight committee,

we need that oversight committee. And George, I apologize. We go back a long way, but I know George's dead set against that oversight committee, and we need it. Otherwise, we're heading down the path the way the Israelis are doing to the Palestinians. Sorry, George. I love all of you. Consider your conscience. Consider how much the people of Akran need the oversight committee. Thank you. Thank you, Reverend Batty. Autumn Riddle,

Reverend Batty, that was well said.

Um, we don't need another Fusco in the seat. George Johnson, another Fusco. We don't need another Fusco in this seat. Literally, right now, there's two people we can count on and counsel. Garrett and friend. That's it. We have nobody else we can turn to. I've addressed so many issues at this podium over the past year and nothing gets resolved. The flat cameras. I finally received a letter 3 weeks ago about them tracking me a year ago for um suspecting of damaging and now hiring sign. Instead of using these resources to find out who shot up the Kelly Black party, where's the justice for that young man that was killed? Where's the justice for Diamond Fisk? Why aren't we using these flat cameras to try to solve a murder? Why are you trying to track an activist? Instead, I receive a letter that says it's exon they were exonerated. and Erica Wilds, an analyst, Noah Smith, a police officer. Instead of using their tools to actually solve a murder, you would rather chase an activist for suspecting of damaging and now hiring sign. I'm just I'm tired of coming up here speaking. I didn't write a speech tonight because at the end of it, it's just going to say, "Thank you for your comment. Thank you." That's it. Nothing gets resolved by coming up here. We have Davon Fields working the entrance at the Court Municipal Building. There's been rumors he's been at the training centers with the new cadetses. I mean, slap after face after slap after face. Um, where's the accountability? And that falls on you, Shamas. I mean, it's been over a year and now Davon Fields is just working the entrance at the court building. But I'll be sure to

keep sharing his picture so everybody is aware that you have a killer working there. Um, I've addressed Tango 22. That is a gang that is known in the Akran Police Department. I haven't been addressed about that. The FOP bringing killers here. Never anything's never addressed. Um, it's not really a point to speak, but again, George Johnson is not for this position. And that's another thing. How does this voting even go? Did you guys already have this determined who you wanted to pick? Did everybody else just do an interview for nothing? I'm just confused. It's like who's actually for us besides these two people right here? That's it. All right. Thank you.

Is Is Ashley Green here? She's not. Okay. Okay. So, that concludes our public comment period. We do want to thank everyone who took the time to sign up and come down and participate. Council, before you is the consent agenda. Is there a motion to approve? So moved. Is there a second? Second. All in favor signify by saying I. I. I. Any oppose? The eyes have it. The consent agenda passes 12 to zero. We'll now move into old business beginning with planning and economic development. Councilman Kr, continue time.

Thank you. Time will be granted. Public service. Councilman Kr. Continue time. Time will be granted. Public safety. Councilman McKitrich. Continue time, please. Thank you. Time will be granted. That concludes our old business. We'll now move into new legislation. Item number one offered by Camer. Ordinance authorizing a conditional use to construct a housing development at Exit Road and Ericson Avenue, parcel number 6762680 and declaring an emergency. Councilman Kamer. Thank you. Refer for a public hearing on May 18th. Thank you. This item will be referred. Item number two offered by KR ordinance authorizing a conditional use to establish a towing operation in impound lot at 1065 Dublin Street and declaring an emergency.

Councilman KR refer for a public hearing on May 18th. This item will be referred. Item number three offered by KR, ordinance authorizing the mayor or his designate to negotiate, enter into, execute, and deliver agreements and/or other documents in connection with the sale and development of approximately 2 acres of city-owned land located at the southwest corner of Ascot Parkway and Wind Street, existing as Summit County parcel number 7001613, authorizing the sale of said property to NSK Industries, determining said property is not needed for public use, and declaring an emergency. Councilman KR. Consent agenda. This item will be placed on the consent agenda.

Item number four offered by KR. Ordinance authorizing the director of public service or his designate to enter into a contractor contracts after publicly advertising for bids, requesting and receiving requests for proposals, requesting and receiving quotes and/or self-performing work for the planting of city trees and declaring an emergency. Councilman KR consent agenda. This item will be placed on the consent agenda. Item number five, offered by Camer, ordinance authorizing the director of public service or his designate to enter into a contract or contracts after publicly advertising for bids, requesting and receiving requests for proposals, requesting and receiving quotes, and/or self-performing work for the removal of trees on city-owned land and declaring an emergency.

Councilman KR agenda. This item will be placed on the consent agenda. Item number six offered by KR, ordinance authorizing the director of public service or his designate to enter into a contractor contracts after publicly advertising for bids, requesting and receiving requests for proposals, requesting and receiving quotes, and/or self-performing work for the trimming of trees on city-owned property and declaring an emergency. Councilman KR agenda. This item will be placed on the consent agenda. Item number seven offered by KR, ordinance authorizing the director of public service or his designate after publicly advertising for bids to enter into a contractor contracts for the modernization of the Stubs Justice Center elevators and declaring an emergency. Councilman Kr. Consent agenda.

This item will be placed on the consent agenda. Item number eight offered by Mkhitrich. Ordinance authorizing the mayor or his designate without the formality of publicly advertising for bids to enter into a contract or contracts with Ben Penare Incorporated for the purchase of one medical unit and the required standard equipment to place the unit in service and declaring an emergency. Council McKitrich. Uh the committee's reports favorable. We're asking for suspension of the rules.

Are there any objections to suspension of the rules? Seeing and hearing none, the rules have been suspended. Uh, this is a med unit that will replace a unit in our aging fleet uh to stay within uh NFPA guidelines and this is a company that we will not have to wait uh an extraordinary amount of time to be able to get it. Uh we're asking for passage. Thank you so much. The rules have been suspended and the committee's report is favorable. All in favor signify by saying I. I.

Any oppose? The eyes have it. This ordinance passes 12 to zero. Item number nine offered by Connor and Amobian. Ordinance authorizing the mayor or his designate to enter into a contractor contracts with Akran public schools to provide meal preparation and delivery services as part of the city's annual summer food service program and declaring an emergency. Councilwoman Connor agenda, please.

Thank you. This item will be placed on the consent agenda. Item number 10 offered by Connor, ordinance authorizing the mayor or his designate to enter into a contractor contracts after publicly advertising for bids to resurface two tennis courts and convert two tennis courts into four pickle ball courts at Reservoir Park and declaring an emergency. Councilwoman Connor,

thank you so much. This item will be placed on the consent agenda. Item number 11 is a resolution appointing a blank space to fill the vacancy in the Akran City Council at large and finish the current positions term which ends December 31st, 2027 and declaring an emergency. Okay. Thank you so much. So our next order of business will be the election of our atlarge council representative. At this time we will report out that the screening committee is bringing forth a name of consideration and George Johnson is that name. At this time, we're gonna I'm gonna ask everyone please maintain order in the audience. Thank you. At this time, we'll take a nomination from the floor for George Johnson. Councilwoman uh Davis, Councilman Kr.

Thank you, Madam President. Uh I'd like to move forward and uh with the committee's recommendation and nominate George Johnson for the vacancy for at large. Thank you. Um, is there a second on that nomination? Second. Thank you so much. At this time, we would like to open up the floor for any other nominations.

Councilwoman Davis. Thank you, Madam President. This afternoon has been the longest of my life. It's been real tough. I've talked with a lot of people. I've gotten pissed off. I've cried. I didn't drink, okay? But I will have a glass of wine later. And I stood on this council floor when I first arrived here and I said, "I will always vote my conscience. I rise to state that my soul is anchored." I even reached out to Mr. Johnson to congratulate him. And as I told everyone that called me, I had a top candidate, which was not Mr. Johnson, and he knows that. I made him aware of that. But I said that I would vote for whoever the committee brings forward. At the end of the day, me, Janice Davis, I make up my own mind based on my conscience and what I have to live with. We are at an inflection point in this city. We need someone that this council is much deeper than what the average person sees. You have to be able to reach behind those walls, behind walls externally to move this city forward. We're in a space where we need healing. You need healing and you need someone to be able to lead

that charge. I can work with George. I might vehemently disagree with his ideology, but I could work with him, argue with him, and when it's all said and done, I can go have a drink with him. But I believe that we're in a space and in a place that change is necessary. And the person that I believe can help bring that change is Mark Greer.

So I rise to nominate Mark Greer. Second. Is there a second on that nomination? Second. Okay. Thank you. We also want to open up the floor for any other nominations. Councilman Garrett. Thank you, Madam President. our right to nominate one of the most qualified individuals that we have on coun has ever been on council before. She has more legislation than just about anybody. The person that can sit in and fill in for Jeff Fusco to get started on day one. Um and that is Miss Terara Mosley Wink. Okay. And can and can we get a second on that one on that nomination? Okay. Thank you. Just wanted to say point out that

I turned it off. Thank you. We got a tough decision tonight. Um, you know, all of us, I'm sure the candidates, we have many friends out there, colleagues, former co-workers, whatever. It's going to be a tough decision. Um, I would encourage all the candidates though to look not only at tonight, but I would look towards May 2027. I think that's what it's all about if you really want it. Um, but that's the first thing I wanted to say. Second thing is um and the reason I'm seconding with uh my colleague Mr. Garrett is that I often say I don't know who said this but there's only one place where success comes before work that's in the dictionary because otherwise in life it's the other way around isn't it? And when I see someone put forth so much work as this booklet I got from uh Tara Mosley samples um a lot of accolades are in here a lot of uh proof of uh you know work that that has been done um and I'm the other candidates hasn't have good resumes also but when I see someone put together a book like this that tells me that that's the amount of work that they want to keep doing for this city, then I believe she'll be successful. Thank you.

Thank you so much. We want to open up again if there's any other nominations from the floor. Councilwoman Mobian, do I see you? I don't have another nomination, but I'm allowed to speak. Yes, you can.

Thank you. I I want us to know that this is not personal. This is about moving the city forward. This is about trying to get the most qualified and competent person to sit on council with us. Uh I'll leave the election part up to the citizens of Akran for next year. But for the time being, I uh the individuals that have been nominated, I certainly endorse um two of the candidates and I have no um problem doing it. Uh Mark Greer has more than proven himself to this city. Uh when he ran for mayor, I think he surprised all of us in the way he conducted himself, the knowledge of the city, the things he had done for the city and how he can help us move the city forward. Not only that, the mayor appointed him as executive director of the bsentennial in which he did an outstanding job. Uh Mr. Greer has come to many many meetings in the community where he has spoken about the history of the city and all kinds of information about this city to help us understand the different things that have happened and ways in which we can address them. And again, I have no problem with Tara Mosley samples. I um she'll probably kill me. Tara Mosley whims wings. Um, and I served with her. Uh, Tara knows legislation. She knows the city. Uh, I think most of the folks in Akan know her. And I could go with either one of these candidates. And again, as I stated, it's not about anything personal. I can talk to any of these three individuals and have no

problem going to l dinner, lunch or breakfast and we can go toe-to-toe. But again, those are the individuals that I'm prepared to support. Thank you.

Thank you so much. Are there any other nominations? Seeing and hearing none, what we're going to do is we're going to close our nominations. And at this point, we're going to appoint our clerk, Sarah Biviano, as our chief teller. She will pass out uh ballots. I want to make it very clear to everyone around the horseshoe and everyone in the audience all candidates that applied to names will be on the ballot. So not necessarily just whomever was nominated. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. And if we can maintain order,

I would like to appoint two tellers if we can. Councilwoman Boy and Council uh Min Hannah to observe our ting of our ballots. This is

That's very okay. We will now do another round of ballots because there is no one who's reached seven. So, at this time, our clerk will read uh pass out another set of ballots. We will vote again. Madame President, I'm I'm curious and I'm not really sure how we do this as a council. Do we drop names off?

No, we can't drop names off because every person who applied has the right to be on our ballot. No, I was just thinking about the count if the count is so low that that you can't Okay. No, we can't do that. Thank you. You're welcome.

So sorry for new tellers if appoint um Councilman Lombardo and Councilman Garrett. Okay, let's talk about this again. I don't think

So what we will do is we will announce these results. Okay. On this ballot, there were five votes for Mark Greer, six votes for George Johnson, and one vote for Tara Mosley Williams. Would you like me to you need to repeat that? There were six votes for George Johnson, five votes for Mark Greer, and one vote for Tara Mosley Williams.

Okay. Be before I recognize you, the law department has advised of something that we can do. It would take a vote um supermajority vote um as a way to move forward if we are willing to agree on dropping the lowest vote getter from that three and just voting on two which would be Mark Greer and George Johnson. But that would be a a vote that this body would have to decide on if that's something you want to do. I move to to do just that, Madam President.

Okay. So, we do have a motion on the floor by Councilman Garrett. Is there a second? Second. Okay. Thank you.

Just to be clear. So, at this time, what we're going to do is we're going to pass out another round of ballots. And again, the only two names we are considering is Mark Greer and George Johnson. Madam President, I just want to Are you okay? I'm sorry. I hope my voice didn't startle you, Sar.

Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. I'm so sorry. My mic's off. So, let's just take a formal vote. We had a motion. We had a second. All in favor signify by saying I. I. I. Okay. And let's just do a roll call. Balden. I. Boy. I. Connor. Hi. Davis. Hi. Garrett. Hi. Hannah. Hi. Kr. Hi. Lombardo. I. Mkhitrich. Hi. Amobian. Hi. Somerville. I. Wilson. I. The motion passes 12 to zero. CO moment, did you have something you want to say?

I think I almost forgot my question. Um, oh, I know what I This will be our third round. Do we continue until we get seven or we stop at some point? We'll continue. Oh, there's no point at which we said we can't decide on anyone. Okay. Thanks.

Thank you. This is my Thank you. All right, we're going to appoint tellers, Councilwoman Amobian, and Council Person uh Wilson.

So, at this time, we're going to take a brief recess so that we can print more ballots. Thank you. Can you share the count, Madam Chair? Yeah, we can share the We can share. If you could please be order so that everyone can hear, we're going to share that count. There were six votes for George Johnson, five votes for Mark Greer, and one vote for Maria Golden.

I don't know. Why did they do that? I don't know who did that. Why did they do that? I I don't know. She wasn't even on the first ballot. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Well, she was You were only supposed to vote for one or the other, right? I'm talking the first ballot wasn't even called. Oh, well, you know, just because the committee said John was you didn't have to. But this Oopsy.

All right. So, we're going to resume and we're going to pass out another round of ballots. Madam President,

thank you. Is it possible that our law director, Brian, can maybe explain to the crowd as to what's taking place and how this is all panning out so they'll be a little bit more clear as to why so many ballots, whose name is dropping off, who's staying on just to calm some of the anxiety. If we could, please.

Sure. Absolutely. And before we do that, we're going to appoint tellers uh Councilman McKitrich and Councilman Kr, please. Yeah, Councilman. So, um the I'll I'll keep it brief. So, in short, um council can basically amend its rules by a supermajority vote. Okay. Uh if they suspend their rules essentially, and that's what that vote was. Now, it doesn't preclude anybody from voting for anybody that's on the sheet technically because it is a ballot vote. Everybody remains on there. And that's that's that's how it has to remain. So while this was a procedural tactic to try and shorten the time frame and the debate, anybody's free to vote for any candidate at any time during these votes. That's the reality. So even though you voted to modify the rules, somebody chose a different candidate, which is okay. But at present, I would, you know, advise council at this point to just proceed with the vote and not attempt to modify the rules, just allowing people to vote as they choose each ballot. And it will take probably a little bit longer, but that's okay. We'll make sure we're in compliance with the law.

So, so I guess my Brian, if you don't mind, please. So, the motion that I made, what significance does it have if we're doing something a little different? So, can you help me with that? We were the what we were trying to do was to get people to cast their ballot between the two individuals. Okay? And that didn't happen. So what Brian is saying from the law department is that people can choose whomever on that list that they wish to do so. And so that's what he's trying to explain. Okay. So this There were eight votes for Mark Greer and Four votes for George Johnson.

Oh, yeah. Yeah. Before you are sworn in, I'm going to go ahead and read in the resolution as a substitute containing the name. This is a resolution appointing Mark Greer to fill the vacancy in the Akran City Council at large and finish the current positions term which ends December 31st, 2027 and declaring an emergency. Okay. So, at this time, we're going to ask for a vote on um the resolution that was just read in. What is council's pleasure? Councilman G, you have Do you want to make a favorable?

I'm sorry. I move for a favorable report, madam. Second. Thank you. There's a second. So, all in favor signify by saying I. I. I. Any oppose? The eyes have it. This resolution passes 12 to zero.

Okay. So, now we're going to do is we're going to ask Mark Greer to please come forward so that you may be sworn in. And we are honored to be able to have the honorable Judge Connie High Totower of Summit County Domestic Relations Court here to assist us in this. Congratulations. ations. Again, I'll ask you to please raise your right hand and repeat after me. I

I Mark Greer Mark Greer do solemnly swear solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States of America that I will support the Constitution of the United States of America. Constitution of the state of Ohio. The Constitution of the State of Ohio. The charter of the city of Akran. the charter of the city of A and all the laws and all the laws statutes statutes ordinances and resolutions ordinances and resolutions enacted there enacted there and that I will honestly and I will honestly impartially impartially and faithfully and faithfully perform the duties perform the duties of the office to which I have been elected

of the office to which I have been elected to the best of my ability and understanding to the best of my ability and understanding. So help me God. So help me God.

Congratulations. Okay. Thank you. And Mark, we'll have you to have your seat right next to uh to Councilwoman Boy. Thank you,

neighbor. New neighbor. And Councilman, don't sit down too soon. We'll have you stand so that we can have some remarks from you.

Thank you, Madam President. Um and thank you to everyone here. This was unexpected. I didn't have anyone standing with me because I uh was expecting to just be home and checking my emails. Uh I am so incredibly humbled and honored to be here and to have gained the support of the members of council. I want to start off by first of all thanking God. Um I believe that he was very present in all of this. I want to thank and acknowledge my mother who is uh unable to be here but I I know that she has been praying for me as well. I want to thank and acknowledge all of the 17 candidates who submitted their applications. truly the breadth of uh the entire the entire lot of all of us that put forth our names uh it's it's not an easy thing to do and to be just counted amongst that group is truly an honor and I want to thank again all of them for going through this process and for really committing themselves to do uh what is in the best interest of the city of Akran and the city we call home. I want to thank also and acknowledge everyone here in the audience. Uh this is this is a great day and the city of Akran just a little over 200 years ago had had its start and it's the city that has inspired all of us. It's the city that the mosaic of the people, the neighborhoods, the communities,

the churches, the schools, the civic groups, the leaders that have made this city what it is. uh Akran is a special place and I think we all here know that and it's incredibly uh an an honorable thing to be able to stand in this hall in this uh hallow horseshoe. So, I want to thank everyone who who uh again voted in in support not only of me but in all of the applicants and I truly want to acknowledge the people of the city of Akran from High Hampton to Coventry Crossings to West Akran to Elllet all 24 neighborhoods. This is an amazing city. We are amazingly privileged to be able to sit in this seat and I pledge to bring the voices of all 90 plus thousand of us uh to these chambers and do my best not only to earn your support but make sure that I meet all of you and making sure that we do the work that you have sent us here to do. THANK YOU. AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS, UH, Councilman Mark Greer. Um, our next order of business is election of vice president. And at this time, we would like to take nominations from the floor. Councilman Balden,

I nominate Brad McKitrich. Is there a second? Second. Second.

Thank you. Are there any other nominations from the floor for vice president? Seeing and hearing none, we will close our nominations. I will appoint our clerk, Sarah Biviano, as our chief teller, and she will begin to pass out ballots. And madam chair just So I recall all we're we're allowed to vote for anybody abstain or put for just my understanding. Yes.

Thank you. Okay, just about now. Everybody should have served as a teller. Raise your hand if you didn't get a chance. Councilwoman Davis will appoint you as a teller and um our new Councilman uh Greer will appoint you as a teller.

There were 11 votes for Councilman Brad McKitrich and two abstensions. Councilman Mkhitrich as vice president of counsel. We're going to ask that you please maintain order. Thank you. Congratulations, Vice President Brad McKitrich. We will now conduct our election for our council pro Tim. At this time want to open up the floor for nominations. Council McKitrich. Thank you, Madame President. I rise uh in support and to nominate uh the ninth board council woman Tina Boyce. Thank you. And is there a second on that nomination? Second.

Thank you. Any other nominations from the floor for council pro Tim? Seeing and hearing none. Sorry, council. I rise. Thank you, Madam President. I rise to nominate fourth word council person Jan Davis. Is there a second on that nomination? Is there a second on that nomination?

Any other nominations from the floor? Seeing and hearing none, we will close our nominations. At this time, our clerk will pass out ballots. Let's see. Okay. At this point, we'll appoint tellers, Councilman Boy, and um Oh, can't be can't be boys. Listen, we we're running out of people. Um,

Councilman Kr and Councilman Hannah, thank you.

There were seven votes for Councilwoman Boy, four votes for Councilwoman Davis, one vote for Councilman Garrett, and one abstension. So, Councilwoman Boy is president prom and congratulations to Councilwoman Boy on council pro Tim. So, at this time, I'm going to ask for a motion specifically uh from leadership so that we can go into executive session to considerate and deliberate the appointments of committee assignments. So, we have a motion at this time. Motion. We have a motion. Is there a second? Second. All in favor signify by saying I. I.

I. The eyes have it. We'll move into executive session and we'll be back shortly.

So, at this time, we're going to ask for a motion to come out of executive session. I'll make that motion. Is there a second? Second. Roll call. Boy, I Mkhitrich I, Somerville, I. The motion to come out of executive session passes three to zero.

Thank you. And at this time, we will have our clerk uh read our committee assignments. Rules Committee is chaired by Councilman Brad McKitrich, vice chaired by Mark Greer, Linda Amobian, Sharon Connor, and Jan Davis. Budget and finance will be chaired still by Phil Lombardo, and vice chaired by Linda Amobian. Council person Fran Wilson has been added, and Councilwoman Tina Boy and Councilman Bruce Balden are staying on that committee as well. Sorry about that. In planning and economic development, Councilman Donnie Kimer is the chair and Councilwoman Sharon Connor is the vice chair. Public service, public utilities and green committee is staying the same. Public safety Are we

planning? We need to to which committee are you on? Yes. So, you're adding Councilman Balden. I'm sorry. Councilman Balden is the one who's been added. Okay. She was reading it. Sorry. Public safety is staying the same. Parks and Recreation is staying the same. Housing and neighborhood assistance is staying the same. And health and social services is changing. Um, it'll still be chaired by Councilwoman Jan Davis, vice chair is Linda Amobian, Council Person Fran Wilson, Mark Greer, and Eric Garrett. Okay. Thank you so much. Is there anything else coming before council at this time, Councilwoman Davis?

Yes. Thanks, Madam um, President. I just want to rise and uh say thank you uh for today the robust debate and I respect u the council choice and I think Mark will serve really well on this committee and I believe that he is what Akran needs and we need on this council at this time. I extend you know a heartfelt thank you to all of the other candidates that applied. you had some really really great candidates that were were running and I hope that they do run in about a year. Mark, you'll have to run again as well, but I think uh this has been tough for me personally. Okay. But I'm a big girl, so I'm okay now. And we're going to move on. Thank you.

Thank you. We just want to do our committee assignments. Rules. Councilman McKitrich 2 p.m. Public safety. Councilman McKitrich 2:15. Budget and finance. Councilman Lombardo 3 p.m. Parks and Recreation. Councilwoman Connor Planning and Economic Development. Councilman Kur Housing and Neighborhood Assistance. Councilman Balden. 3:30. Public service. Councilman Kur Health and Social Services. Councilwoman Davis. 2:30. Okay. Um, if there's nothing else coming before council, is there a motion for adjournment? Motion to adjurnn. We have a motion on the floor. No objections. Meeting adjourned.

This concludes the live broadcast of Akran City Council. Marggo Somerville, president of council presiding.