City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening. We're gonna call the meeting for Akron City Council to order at this time. Our clerk will read the roll.

Bolden. Aye. Boyes.

Aye.

Connor.

Aye. Davis.

Aye. Garrett. Present.

Greer.

Aye.

Hanna.

Aye.

Kamer. Aye. Lombardo.

Aye.

McKittrick.

Aye.

Omobian. Aye. Marville? Aye. Wilson? Aye. All members are present.

Thank you. For those who voluntarily wish to do so, would you please stand at this time as we are led in prayer by Dr. Angela Hayes of Christ Center Church. Immediately following our prayer, I'm going to ask if Councilwoman Boyce will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Angela, I'm just going to have you hit that button on your mic.

As I begin, I wanted to first and foremost thank each and every one of you for this privilege and this honor. One thing that a lot of you do not know is that my father did serve as a precinct committee person, and I understand the pressures that the job that you do involved, and so I thank you for your individual service and commitment to do this job. A lot has changed since I've arrived at this big age. There was never a time where you had to walk through a security system, so that was a bit shocking, but I do understand that things have changed in the world. But again, I thank you each for your personal commitment and your service. and for all of those that are here i thank you for your commitment as well because your voices will help shape what happens in our city so if you would please bow your heads in a word of prayer lord first and foremost i want to thank you i thank you lord for allowing us to each be here in this moment and in this space There were a lot of people who might have wanted to be here, but are not. So we thank you, Lord. I thank you, Lord, for this opportunity for these minds to be able to meet together. It is everyone's desire for their voices to be heard, not just listened to, but to be heard. So I pray that there is a spirit of cooperation. for each party that it is not an us versus them, but everyone's voice to be lifted and heard. Because again, as I stated, it is by hearing the voices on each side that cooperation is formed to make our city a great city. It is my understanding that the word Akron in Greek means the highest point. So I pray that we all work together across the aisles, that again it is not he versus she or them versus us, but what can we do to work together to be a partnership to allow this city to come up to its zenith, the highest point, to meet that definition, to be an example, not just here, not just in the state, but across the land. So I pray, Lord, that we remember who we're representing. We're representing ourselves. We're representing our city. We're representing our families. So it is for this reason I pray all of this in the spirit of unity, cooperation, and partnership to cross the aisles. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Amen. The minutes from our previously held meeting have been provided. Are there any additions or corrections?

Is there a second?

Second.

All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it.

The motion to approve the minutes passes 13 to 0.

We'll now move to our public comment period. I'm going to ask all those who 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. Thank you.

Thank you. Just going to ask, when you hear your name, if you'll please approach the podium. And you will have three minutes to speak to this body. And we're going to begin with Greg Long. Is Greg Long here with us? Jessica Riddle.

Hi. Today we're going to talk about Devon Fields again. He joined the Akron Police Academy in December of 2019. He stated he was inspired to become a police officer to help change the negative perception of police. He wants to change people's perception He said growing up he never seen anybody say anything positive about police, so he thought this would be a good opportunity for him to make a difference. But instead of changing our negative perception of police, he has increased it. He's been in multiple fatal shootings, 36 use of force incidents between 2022 and 2021. 24, if I had a small amount of fractions that he did, I wouldn't have a job anymore, but I wouldn't be employed anywhere, let alone be on another paid leave that we are covering. This time it's for sexual assault. When will he have to be held accountable for his negative actions? But this is something that's been going on, because today I read an article of a lieutenant that was getting over while employed by APD. When he knew he was being investigated, he retired, cashing in huge benefits he wouldn't have got if fired. He wasn't held accountable, given a misdemeanor. Meanwhile, months before he was given the low misdemeanor, city of Akron authorities pushed harsher felony indictments for two city maintenance water workers that made less than 10% of the lieutenant that was given a misdemeanor. Both of them got felony charges. So, you know, when are we going to help these police officers that do bad things accountable for their actions? When they keep getting away with it, they're going to keep doing it. So I hope you guys will think about that.

Jessica, thank you so much for your comments. Donnell Hilton.

Good evening, everyone. Danielle Hilton, President and founder of Warm the Homeless Initiative. First, I just want to give a quick shout out to Mr. Willie Smith, the leader of the Yours and Mine Civic Community Organization that is advocating for civic engagement of residents and to continue speaking for change. I remember long ago when I was pursuing a college major in chemistry slash chemical engineering. I initially felt very discouraged because it consisted of rigorously complex studies, equations, grueling lab hours. It was mentally and intellectually demanding or taxing. To top that, I faced a few professors that did not interact with me in a supportive way or sought to persuade me to change my course due to their racial biases. Long story short, I learned from that point forward to now to never allow a discouragement or opposition to deter self from achieving or for fighting for what's important. Patience is a virtue. By God's grace, I went on to become recognized as the first African-American student in the history of that small private liberal arts college to receive my Bachelor of Science degree in that major and was blessed to work alongside some of the brightest individuals in the industry of polymer science. Although I'm not a paid public servant or politician, as a community advocate, I still care enough about residents and the future of the city to continue researching and fighting for anti-blight amended legislation, strengthening code enforcement and new initiatives. some of which I shared with our mayor and other leaders earlier this year in February and others throughout last year. I was recently a part of the Unify Akron Super Assembly where I happily learned that assembly delegates presented several housing solutions to Mayor Malik and leaders, some of which I had previously echoed. There's power in the voices of the people compared to just one voice, obviously. In the words of our mayor, change starts from the bottom up. But I also believe accountability starts from the top down. And when the two collide, accountability directs change to its final concrete destination. And residents could appreciate that. Lastly, recently, you all agreed to pass legislation regarding tighter grips on recovery homes, which I believe, in honesty, that was basically done to find loops to address the discomfort of some residents or property value concerns of some residents that live nearby in that community. I think it's important that we address or strengthen our nuisance legislation together. I think that's much more important. Just the last side note to this body and the mayor, please consider a hefty vacancy fee or tax on commercial properties that are not filled within two years and fines for unmaintained commercial structures and lots. The revenue could benefit work for and others. Thank you.

Thank you so much, Mrs. Hilton. Cindy Lawler Owens, Jennifer Boswell,

President Somerville, members of city council, members of the administration, and fellow members of the public. My name is Jennifer Boswell. Today I stand before you as a local leader of Moms Demand Action, a grassroots movement to end gun violence in all its form. Gun violence has been the leading cause of death for children ages one through 17 since 2020. Death of children by firearm surpasses both car crashes and childhood disease. We are coming up on National Gun Violence Awareness Day this Friday, June 5th, and Wear Orange Weekend this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I have some orange awareness ribbons to distribute today for those of you who'd like to observe the occasion. Akron is a community where we all know to some degree about the impact of gun violence on our family, friends, and neighbors. So in addition to asking to observe Gun Violence Awareness Day by wearing orange clothing or ribbons, I'd like to offer two specific actions all Akronites can take to reduce gun violence. First is to commit to secure storage of all firearms at home and in vehicles. Safe storage is securing a firearm unloaded and locked up with ammunition stored separately. There are now many reasonably priced options for locks and lock boxes that allow swift access for the gun owner while also preventing access to children and others. Second, we need to be aware of those around us who might be struggling with intense emotions such as grief, loss, anger, or hopelessness. I learned recently from the staff at Akron Children's Hospital how quickly acute emotions can develop into action to harm oneself. I also learned that talking about suicidal thoughts with someone does not plant the seed for suicide, but rather gives an important opportunity to listen, validate feelings, and slow down the moment to access interventions. We need to make sure everyone we know is aware of the crisis hotline at 988. I'd like to conclude by inviting everyone present to participate in National Gun Violence Awareness Day and Wear Orange weekend. I will be present at community events this summer, starting with the city's launch of its Juneteenth celebrations this Sunday at lock three. On the handout that comes with the ribbons, there's a barcode that can connect anyone wishing to become part of the gun violence reduction movement, and in particular, young people, students, high school and college. And also, using the barcode, survivors of gun violence can get connected to support. Thank you.

Thank you so much, Jennifer. Austin Hopkins.

Good evening, city council members. My name is Dr. Austin Hopkins. I'm a pharmacist who specializes in HIV treatment, prevention, sexual health, and gender-affirming care in Akron. I stand before you today at the start of Pride Month to speak in favor of the Akron chapter's DSA's fight for transgender rights in this city by encouraging this council to consider enacting measures that protect rather than harm akron individuals who identify as transgender pride is a time where our collective identities as lgbtq plus individuals should be elevated rather than marginalized and devalued anti-trans legislation is being enacted in our state and puts trans people at risk house bill 8 forces school counselors to out their students house bill 68 keeps trans youth from getting the health care they need and house bill 249 targets lgbtq people in the arts for criminal prosecution Gender affirming care is not only evidence-based in my practice, but as well affirmed by the American Medical Association and also medically necessary and life-saving for my patients. Increased access to care without fear or prosecution or prejudice is essential for all of my transgender patients to thrive in this city. This comes with positive outcomes not only for those individuals, but for the economy as well. There's less resources and healthcare costs associated with mental illness like depression, anxiety, and less admissions to hospitals, secondary suicide attempts, and the ability to have more productive members in this city who can live as their authentic selves. So I ask this council to consider measures that make Akron a trans-sanctuary city and provide protections for our transgender constituents within the Akron city limits. Examples include but are not limited to trans people free from prosecution by the city from seeking or receiving gender affirming care and de-prioritizing state and federal anti-trans laws. There's already precedents being set in the state. Lakewood has already passed a resolution adopting the gender freedom policy under Ohio's Home Rule Authority. Under this authority, they are able to determine the utilization of resources and have determined they will not be using those, seeking those for gender affirming care and that those resources will be allocated into prosecuting other crimes. Athens has a resolution that's passed that encourages the administration to adopt policies deprioritizing other authorities' efforts to impose criminal punishment or civic penalties for those seeking gender-affirming care. So please, consider at the start of Pride Month what you can do as council members to help your transgender constituents, my patients, to make our city safer for everyone. Pride started as a riot and continues to be a fight in the streets, the courtrooms, and even city council meetings. When life gives you heels, will you wear them so it's easier for people to look up to you, or will you wear them to look down on others? Thank you.

Thank you, Dr. Hopkins. Shannon Coker. Shannon here with us.

Hi. Hi. I don't have anything written out because I was going to do it on my lunch break, but I didn't get one. In fact, I'm in between patients right now. I'm a registered nurse for the, I work in home in the city of Akron. My main area is the south, southwest side. Kenmore, I reside in Kenmore. And I have been noticing a trend that's been going on that's very concerning. so if we have a patient that is unsafe at home and they need to be placed we normally call the paramedics and they are transported to the emergency room where they get the care that they need or if they have any medical emergency like an elevated blood pressure or their blood sugar is over like 500 or anything that's going to cause them harm even death we call the paramedics. But it just seems that lately the paramedics are saying, it's not an emergency, we're not coming, or they get there and they do things to halfway fix things, which ends up making them return again. And so the big concern that I have is on a Saturday I had a patient that was transported from a skilled nursing facility and when I got there Saturday afternoon he was sitting in his chair from where the skilled nursing transport dropped him off and he was unable to go to the bathroom or get his food. So we called the paramedics and they said that this was not an emergency and they were not coming. From 3.30 on a Saturday afternoon until 9.30 at night, we finally, after arguing with 911, my boss and I, we finally got the paramedics to come and to transport the patient to Cleveland Clinic where he is receiving the care that he needs and is being placed in somewhere safe for him to be. Now, I understand this is not going to be fixed in a second, or you may not have the resources on your hand right now to tell me, but eventually we need to really take this matter into consideration because we can't just leave our citizens just sitting in homes, hurting, sick, and blood pressures. Two weeks ago, one of my colleagues called a patient's blood pressure was 197 over 110, and they said it was an emergency to take them. And it was because it was a previous stroke patient. They left and then we had to call the paramedics back that evening. So I just really just hope that we can take some time and try to figure out what. I understand that our paramedics are busy. I understand that there's budget cuts. And I'm in health care. Believe me, I've been dealing with budget cuts for 10 years. But we need to figure out some kind of resources that the citizens can use to get the help that they need to be medically safe at home and safe and not have any issues. Thank you.

Mrs. Coker, I'm going to ask that after the meeting, if you'll meet with Chief Henderson so that he'll be able to help you. Okay, I just have a quick question. What time is that? Well, actually, if you want to step out, he can step out and talk with you now. I have to go get somebody's blood. Thank you. You're welcome. Acacia Reynolds.

Good evening, Council, Madam President. So, I got a very disturbing text from my husband at work today. In it, he highlighted a Signal Akron article that I am sure you have all heard about by now. Now, my emotions range somewhere from shock to disgust. to somewhere between acceptable and acceptance. Because my thought was, why should we be surprised? We are already aware that there is a cop that got away with murder, that he is now probably going to get away with sexual assault. So why should we be surprised that another cop was able to get away with swindling thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars from the city, from city businesses, and that he was just slapped on the wrist? He had to pay back maybe a tenth of what he ended up swiping from hardworking Akronites. Meanwhile, civilians who worked for the city now have felonies on their records. Felonies that currently can prevent them from getting in suitable housing, can prevent them from getting suitable jobs for the exact same crime. Now I ask you, why do the police get special treatment? Why do the police get to work secondary jobs at $40 an hour, $50 an hour if you work for the crime lord that was this lieutenant? And this is supposed to incentivize them to want these jobs. That is three times my pay for the job that I have to go to just to pay the bills. But they have to be incentivized by $10 more an hour to take these security positions. I'm furious. I can't understand how this is what we live in as Akronites. We're better than this. We're better than this. We need to fix and oversight the people who have the power. It needs to be equal for all, like it says in the Pledge of Allegiance. For all. Thank you.

Thank you, Acacia. Tamara Cote. I still said it wrong? I tried. I tried. You can come to the mic and tell them what your real name is.

I'm so sorry.

For some of y'all here, I know I hate talking, so, and since Bill said I like to mumble. Before I, I wrote this, this morning. It simply is basically a poem about disunity in the black community. And I feel this is any place better than ever to talk about that, because to make long story short, I was accused of threatening Jan Davis back in January. And it wasn't true. She knew it wasn't true. She didn't believe it to be true. But it was spoken by an outsider to someone that I used to collaborate with. I'm not here to bash anyone. I'm going to read this, and I'm sorry if I mumble y'all, sorry if I go fast, but I'm just going to read it. It's called Disunity in the Black Community. I see that there is a great divide, and this is something that I cannot hide. I have sat and pondered and wondered about this. It leads me to a dark place, perhaps an abyss, and I'm sorry if I get emotional, y'all. But nevertheless, I stand here today that within the black community, we stand in our own way. From the constant hating, backbiting, chaos, and divide, I can't even begin to tell you how many nights I've cried. For me to see that it is the people that look like me who has turned out to be my own worst enemy. How do we get past this and try to bring back unity? This is a serious plague within the black community. We have black-on-black crime happening at alarming rates, while the oppressors laugh and take their natural time when it comes to solve our case. We have division amongst organizations because of outsiders acting like a snake when people believe the lies and take the bait. From the FOP laughing in our face because they don't seem to find it important to quickly solve Jasmine's case, to get that killer cop off of the force. Sorry, Mr. Mayor, but the mayor says it is a process, of course. See, one thing about white supremacy that you have to understand is when black people aren't united, it pleases the oppressor, the racist white man. They are sitting there laughing directly at us when they find that there is more division, and that weakens us. A house divided against itself cannot stand, especially when there is no unity amongst a fellow man. How can you call yourself a leader when you're constantly tearing someone else down? I don't need you to tear me down, sis. I need you to fix my crown. Citizens' voices in the city are unheard. Why the mayor doesn't bring up important topics is absurd. When will we be heard? No offense, Margo. City Council sits quiet, moves on to more important agendas, and never utters a word. We get tired of hearing, I hear you, when you see us, when you see all the hurt and the pain, the agony that we go through, and we have to chant, say their name. We are tired. I know I'm tired. And as a people, as a whole, we have to stop giving the white supremacists exactly what they want. Not all white people are racist. It weakens us. Think about all the violence that happens when we come together, but over a simple misunderstanding, we're divided. My heart was heavy to write this because I feel that as a people in a community, we need to do better. It shouldn't be people that's looking like me, hating on me, and me hating and bashing anyone else. And thank you for your time.

Thank you for that. That was beautiful. Thank you. Is Taylor here? Okay. And is Nathaniel Green here? Okay. All right. Well, that concludes our public comment period. Again, we do want to thank everyone who came down, signed up, and participated. 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 aye.

Aye.

Any opposed? The ayes have it.

The consent agenda passes 13 to 0.

We'll now move to our old business, planning and economic development. Councilman Kamer.

Continue time.

Time will be granted. Public service. Councilman Kamer.

Thank you, Madam President. I do have one item I'd like to suspend the rules on, but I would like to have it read in for the record, please.

This is item number one. It's an ordinance authorizing the Director of Public Service to enter into a contract or contracts without the formality of publicly advertising for bids with Bell Bank Equipment Finance for the lease of six 2026 Elgin Pelican NP Street Sweepers and declaring an emergency.

Thank you, Madam President. Committee's report is favorable, and 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.

Thank you, Madam President. This is to move forward with leasing six new street sweepers. The city would like to lease instead of purchase. It's going to save us a lot of money. And with that, we're asking for passage.

Thank you. The rules have been suspended and the committee's report is favorable. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it.

This ordinance passes 13-0.

Public Safety, Councilman McKittrick.

Continued time, please.

Thank you. Time will be granted. That concludes our old business. We'll now move into new legislation, starting with budget and finance.

Item number one, offered by Lombardo. Ordinance authorizing the mayor or his designee to enter into a contract or contracts with the Akron International Soapbox Derby for the City of Akron to provide funding for operational support for planning and implementation of the 2026 Akron International Soapbox Derby and declaring an emergency. Councilman Lombardo.

Consent agenda, please.

This item will be placed on the consent agenda. Item number two offered by Lombardo, ordinance authorizing the mayor or his designee to execute an intergovernmental agreement with the County of Summit for animal control services provided by the Executive's Division of Animal Control for a two-year term for the period of January 1st, 2026 to December 31st, 2027 with two options to renew for an additional two-year term and declaring an emergency. Councilman Lombardo.

The committee requests time, please.

Thank you. Time will be granted. Item number three offered by Lombardo, ordinance authorizing the mayor or his designee to enter into a contract or contracts without the formality of publicly advertising for bids with West Publishing Corporation, a Thompson Reuters business for a case management and database system for the Akron Citizens Police Oversight Board and the Office of the Independent Police Auditor and declaring an emergency. Councilman Lombardo.

The committee requests time, please.

Thank you. Time will be granted. Item number four offered by Kamer, ordinance authorizing a conditional use to establish a daycare business center at 943 Springdale Street and declaring an emergency. Councilman Kamer.

We're going to refer this item for a public hearing on June 15th.

Thank you. Item number five offered by Kamer, ordinance authorizing a conditional use to install digital signage over the height limitation at 1 South High Street and declaring an emergency. Councilman Kamer.

Refer for a public hearing on June 15th.

This item will be referred. Item number six offered by Kamer, ordinance authorizing a conditional use to establish a parking lot at 921 Cordova Avenue and declaring an emergency. Councilman Kamer.

Refer for a public hearing June 15th.

This item will be referred. Item number seven offered by Kamer and Amobian, ordinance authorizing the mayor or his designee to enter into a contract or contracts with the Board of Education of the Akron Public School District for the Akron Afterschool Program to provide for general operations of the program and a pilot partnership expansion with the Akron Area YMCA in the East Cluster and declaring an emergency.

Councilman Kamer.

Thank you, Madam President. Committee's report is favorable. We're asking for suspension of the rule.

Are there any objections to suspension of the rules? Seeing and hearing none, the rules have been suspended.

Thank you, Madam President. This has been a real commitment here, going about 26 years strong, collaboration with the city and Akron Public Schools. And this year, it expands. They're teaming up with the Akron area YMCA. And with that, we're asking for passage.

OK. Thank you. Any other comments? OK. Councilwoman Omobian.

Thank you very much, Madam President. Can you hear me okay? I just want to further state that this program, this afterschool program that we have been engaged in for more than 25 years is outstanding. Not only that, it's recognized as one of the best programs probably in the country. And I should know because I was on the school board when we started it. I also want to acknowledge the fact that the expansion is based on the data that the school system is learning about how this program is impacting young people at risk. And as was stated earlier today, this program and others that you have heard the mayor talk about are really good at violence prevention. And so I am just ecstatic about this, excited about this opportunity. And I think it has a lot of possibilities. And we know that the earlier children learn to read, behave in school and learn, the better citizens they become. So I'm excited about this program. Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor and your staff for doing this.

Thank you, Councilwoman. Any other comments? Seeing and hearing none, the rules have been suspended. The committee's report is favorable. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye.

Abstain. Abstain.

Roll call.

Bolden.

Abstain.

Boyes. Aye. Connor. Aye. Davis. Aye. Garrett.

Aye.

Greer.

Aye.

Hanna.

Aye.

Kamer. Aye. Lombardo.

Aye.

McKittrick.

Aye.

Omobian? Aye. Somerville? Aye. And Wilson?

Abstain.

This ordinance passes 11-0 with two abstentions. Item number eight, offered by Kamer and Amobian. Ordinance authorizing the mayor or his designee to, if awarded, accept and expend grant funding from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the community project funding for the East Copley District Planning Project sponsored by Congresswoman Amelia Sykes and declaring an emergency. Councilman Kamer.

Yes, that agenda.

This item will be placed on the consent agenda. Item number nine, offered by Kamer and Amobian. Ordinance authorizing the mayor or his designee to, if awarded, accept and expend grant funding from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the community project funding for the downtown Akron Main Street project sponsored by Congresswoman Amelia Sykes and declaring an emergency. Councilman Kamer.

Consent agenda. This item will also be placed on the consent agenda.

Item number 10 offered by Kamer. Ordinance ratifying the actions of the Director of Public Service in contracting with Eslitch Wrecking without the formality of publicly advertising for bids for the emergency demolition of a nuisance structure located at 1086 Brown Street and declaring an emergency. Councilman Kamer.

Thank you, Madam President. Committee's report is favorable and 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.

Thank you. This is something that's already been cleared and finished, this vacant, abandoned building, but we had to bring this back in to change some language. With that, we're asking for passage.

Thank you. The rules have been suspended, and the committee's report is favorable. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it.

This ordinance passes 13-0. Item number 11 offered by Kamer. Ordinance authorizing the Director of Public Service or his designee to enter into a contract or contracts after publicly advertising for bids for the replacement of and improvements to the high service pump valve and Limer Turk manual valves at the Water Supply Bureau and declaring an emergency. Councilman Kamer.

Consent agenda.

This item will be placed on the consent agenda. Item number 12 offered by Kamer, ordinance authorizing the director of public service or his designee to enter into a contract or contracts after publicly advertising for bids to replace lead service lines throughout the city and declaring an emergency. Councilman Kamer.

Consent agenda.

This item will be placed on the consent agenda. Item number 13 offered by Kamer. Ordinance determining to proceed with and levying special assessments for the improvement and maintenance of the off-street parking facilities of the Kenmore Business District and the Canton Road Business District and declaring an emergency. Councilman Kamer.

Consent agenda.

This item will be placed on the consent agenda. Item number 14 offered by Kamer. Ordinance levying special assessments for the improvement of Riverview Road between the termini of 1460 lineal feet north of the southern property line of PTS of lot 345678677757677 public purpose and the northern corporation limit. Merriman Road between the termini of Portage Path and Riverview Road. Akron Peninsula Road between the termini of Portage Trail Extension and West Steeles Corners Road, Smith Road between the termini of Riverview Road and San Run Road, Portage Trail Extension between the termini of Akron Peninsula Road and North Hampton Road, and North Portage Path between the termini of Merriman Road and Portage Path Extension by resurfacing and declaring an emergency. Councilman Kamer.

Consent agenda.

This item will be placed on the consent agenda. Item number 15 offered by Kamer. Ordinance levying special assessments for the improvement of Copley Road between the termini of Mercer Avenue and Tregonia Drive, South Maple Street between the termini of Tregonia Drive and Glendale Avenue, Manchester Road between the termini of East Avenue and Wilbeth Road, and East Avenue between the termini of Vernon Odom Boulevard and Manchester Road by resurfacing and declaring an emergency. Councilman Kamer.

Consent agenda.

This item will be placed on the consent agenda. Item number 16 offered by Kamer, ordinance levying special assessments for the improvement of East Wilbeth Road between the termini of Interstate 77 and South Arlington Street, Triplett Boulevard between the termini of South Arlington Street and South Cyberling Street, Massillon Road between the termini of Oaks Drive and East Waterloo Road, and George Washington Boulevard between the termini of East Waterloo Road and Triplett Boulevard by resurfacing and declaring an emergency. Councilman Kamer.

Consent agenda.

This item will be placed on the consent agenda. Item number 17 offered by Kamer. Ordinance levying special assessments for the improvement of West Portage Trail between the termini of North Portage Path and Treetop Trail by constructing and reconstructing curbs and concrete sidewalks and declaring an emergency. Councilman Kamer.

Consent agenda.

This item will be placed on the consent agenda. Item number 18 offered by Kamer. Resolution declaring it necessary to improve certain streets in the city between certain termini by providing street cleaning services and street lighting and declaring an emergency. Councilman Kamer.

Consent agenda.

This item will be placed on the consent agenda. Item number 19, offered by McKittrick. Ordinance authorizing the mayor or his designee to, if awarded, accept and expend a grant from the Violence Against Women Act program administered by the Office of Criminal Justice Services for 2026. Authorizing the director of law or his designee to enter into an agreement or agreements with Oriana House Incorporated to implement the grant by continuing to fund investigators for the domestic violence unit and declaring an emergency. Councilman McKittrick.

The committee's report is 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.

This is a program with a grant that's been going on for about two and a half decades, and it's to continue to fund two investigators to be able to work with the domestic violence unit, and we are asking for passage.

Thank you. The rules have been suspended, and the committee's report is favorable. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed?

The ayes have it. This ordinance passes 13 to 0. Item number 20, offered by McKittrick. Ordinance authorizing the mayor or his designee to enter into a contract or contracts after publicly advertising for bids with EMSMC to provide emergency medical service billing and revenue management services and declaring an emergency. Councilman McKittrick.

The committee's report is 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.

EMS Transport is able to bill for the transports, and this is a company that will help us save money in the percentage that the company does take when getting the payments from the insurance company. This in no way is payments from our citizens, just the insurance or coverages that they have, and 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 aye. Aye. Any opposed?

The ayes have it. This ordinance passes 13 to zero. Item number 21 offered by McKittrick. Ordinance authorizing the mayor or his designee to enter into a contract or contracts without the formality of publicly advertising for bids with summit psychological associates to conduct psychological examinations and evaluations for safety personnel and other candidates as appropriate and declaring an emergency. Councilman McKittrick.

Consent agenda.

This item will be placed on the consent agenda. Item number 22 offered by McKittrick, ordinance authorizing the mayor or his designee to enter into a contract or contracts without the formality of publicly advertising for bids with National Testing Network to conduct entry-level testing for firefighter medic candidates and declaring an emergency. Councilman McKittrick?

The committee's report is favorable and 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.

This is testing to be able to hire another class of 25 firefighter medics, and we are asking for suspension of the rules so they can get the process started and get the class started as soon as possible.

Thank you. The rules have been suspended, and the committee's report is favorable. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed?

The ayes have it. This ordinance passes 13 to 0. Item number 23 offered by Connor, ordinance authorizing the mayor or his designee to enter into a contract or contracts without the formality of publicly advertising for bids with Aspen Institute's Project Play to conduct a study on youth sports access and declaring an emergency.

Councilwoman Connor? Consent agenda, please. Thank you. This item will be placed on the consent agenda.

Item number 24 offered by Connor, ordinance authorizing the mayor or his designee to enter into a contract or contracts without the formality of publicly advertising for bids with Community Hall Foundation Doing Businesses Akron Civic Theater to provide professional services for the management of the Heinz Pohl Summer Dance Festival and declaring an emergency. Councilman Connor. Consent agenda, please.

This item will also be placed on the consent agenda. That does conclude our new legislation for this evening. We'll now move into our committee assignments. Rules. Councilman McKittrick. 2 p.m. Public safety. Councilman McKittrick.

2.15.

Budget and finance. Councilman Lombardo.

3 p.m.

Parks and recreation. Councilwoman Connor. 1.45. Planning and economic development. Councilman Kamer. Housing and Neighborhood Assistance, Councilman Bolden.

330.

Public Service, Councilman Kamer. Health and Social Services, Councilwoman Davis.

230.

Okay, thank you. Is there anything else coming before Council at this time? Councilperson Wilson?

Thank you, Madam President. I wanted to thank whoever turned the video back on for public comment as well. That's lovely. People can tune in online and see people commenting. Thank you. Another thing before I get into what I really want to say tonight is I also, like many people, read the Signal Akron article about Lieutenant Mark obviously share a lot of deep concerns about this and hope to see some action. Yeah, the whole article, my mouth just kept dropping and dropping and dropping. I think a lot of us feel similarly, so I just wanted to say that. Today is also the first month of Pride Month, and so I just wanted to say, to all Akronites and to Council I'm blessed to be here as one of very few people who are out and in this seat in this elected body I'm the third out person to be in this horseshoe. Sandra Kurt was the first and then Mr. Montgomery was the second and I'm the third proud to be here and One of our public commenters, Jen, she mentioned gun violence and suicide rates. And in my community, in the queer community, suicide rates are at an all-time high. While we have a half a million people here in Ohio that are, you know, identify as LGBTQIA+. There's so many more that live out in the shadows and away from their families. and suicide rates are very high. So Jen mentioned calling 988, right, Jen? Anybody feeling like they need extra support can call 988. But I look forward to also having more conversations this month and bringing some more stats and stuff about my community and why we should be supporting this community, especially with everything that's been going on. Thank you.

Thank you so much. Councilwoman Omobian.

Thank you, Madam President. I have two things I want to say. First of all, I'd like to give a shout out, a thank you to Congresswoman Emilia Seitz for shepherding our grants through the HUD department and getting those dollars to us. And thank Emma Lieberth Osborne and her team for crafting that and being in touch with Congresswoman Seitz. I think we all know how difficult it is to get anything out of Washington these days. For us to get $1.4 million for the projects that we heard about this afternoon, we just want to extend a shout out to her. I'd also like to give a shout out to the mayor. I have watched the State of the City Address, I don't know, three or four times. It was absolutely wow. I was so ecstatic and excited about how well we have done as a group together. and the different initiatives that you talked about during the State of the City Address. And I want to hear more about this Polymer Pathway Program because it sounds very exciting. And then to listen to you talk about, I know we've been giving different investments into our daycare initiative. But it really came across extremely well because we know that the daycare providers are doing the best they can with the limited resources they have. And for them to partner with us and other nonprofits to provide training to their staff and to help out with all the other initiatives, that's fantastic. Because when we start investing in lives at a young age, we know we get a better benefit. I also want to talk about the housing initiative. You know, for years and years, we've been trying to stay away from different groups. But for us to work with Freedom Block, and we know the good work that they do in many areas, I think that's outstanding as well, and I'm excited about that. Then the investment in APS, which we've been doing for years, but to expand that to after-school programming with the YMCA. Again, you know, these programs can't be taken lightly because all of these investments, we're investing in lives and trying to reduce violence. And it starts at a young age. I know it continues through adulthood, but as early as we can get our children on the right path, we are better for it. And then I'm looking forward to the Goodyear Blimp Day. I'm going to try my best to be in town when we have that because it sounds exciting as well. But I heard about all the things we're doing, the way you crafted the speech with the videos and stuff. I thought it was just outstanding. And so many people have commented to me about that. So congratulations to the mayor and to the work that we are all doing together. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilman Garrett?

Thank you, Madam President. I want to discuss, Madam President, a lot of my constituents have been calling me, and the resounding theme is lack of institutional control. And it's frustrating, Madam President, because they're expecting the council to do something about a lieutenant who steals not only from 330, steals not only from Amazon, not only from these other companies, but it all falls right to our mayor. And I just want to make sure that people really understand the power that he has to do something about it and refuses to do anything about it. This lack of institutional control, whether it's dealing with Davon Fields, whether it's dealing with individuals being stunned and the city has to pay for it, and these are people in handcuffs, whether it's people being punched in the face and then it's burdens put onto the taxpayers. Madam President, this is shocking. It shocks me that more of our council members aren't outraged. I mean, because the minute you become numb to it, the minute you say it is OK, it is not OK in the poor white, black, and brown community, Madam President. And folks are hurting. I mean, this is a complete smack in the face to allow Mr. Fields to go out on SWAT patrol while on probation. I mean, just imagine just the whole idea of just the blunder, the whole perception, how that looks, the traumatic effects that it has on our community. This is a person who completely hunted folks down, shot this young boy in the back, and allowed him just to lay there and bleed out. But yet, here and still, whether it's Officer Simcox and now this gentleman, who made more money in 2025 than any other employee, And this is so frustrating that no one seems to think that this is really serious enough to fire this individual. Instead, let's allow him to retire. Anybody else, anybody else would have been fired on the spot. Allow this to happen in Ms. Montrella's department. Allow this to happen in Chris Little's department. Allow this to happen in the fire department. Oh, heads would have rolled. It would have been on front page. The mayor would have been down here screaming and yelling. But you allow this culture. It's the culture. We spent $300,000 for this birth report, Madam President. $300,000. But if you can only imagine, it's a two-sided coin. On one side of the coin, we talk about the recommendations. We're gonna get you guys thrown off. We're gonna put this on some cool board and you can track it and watch it and look at it. But all the other side of that coin, Madam President, is the culture. We're not addressing that at all. We're not addressing immediately the 60 second look back. Immediately, that can happen today. We're not addressing stop punching people in the head. That can happen today. We're not addressing, Madam President, The chief of police, who's supposed to oversee all of this. We got new plays, but the same coach. How is that supposed to happen, Madam President? How are he supposed to, if you take a look at the article, it's sort of like Trumpism here in the city of Akron. I'm gonna chastise the person who wrote the article. I'm gonna chastise him for bringing out the filth that's happening in that police department. Now, I must say, there are some amazing people who work in our police department. Amazing. Super amazing. But when you refuse to address the leadership, institutional, lack of institutional control, Madam President, that is the only thing I can think of at this point in time. We're looking for leadership in this space, Madam President. And I've been so sad to hear our constituents come down here and they're just talking into the wind. At what point in time will there be accountability, real, real accountability? You allowed this person to retire. I mean, really, Madam President. If it was any other department, any other department, they would have been fired. They would have been chastised. But instead, we saved the chastising for the gentleman who wrote the article. I'm just disappointed, Madam President, and so many of our constituents are just disappointed and sad. They were expecting so much more. They were expecting so much more. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Councilman.

Thank you, Councilman Greer. I just want to address all councilmembers first, Mayor, and then we'll give you opportunity, okay? Councilman Greer, I saw your hand.

Thank you, Madam President. I have a couple of things. I want to start off with the first one by, first of all, thanking our Akron Fire Department Our really outstanding Akron Fire Department, over the course of this past weekend, we lost one of the staples in the Ward 3 community, Roush's Market, that was attacked with an act of arson. And while, again, I applaud our Akron Fire Department, and I know that they are working towards rebuilding uh... it does underscore something that has gone on in that neighborhood and in those corridors for far too long and it is the ongoing disinvestment that has happened there for decades uh... this this neighborhood was really ravaged with the implementation of the inner belt and it was just under sixty years ago where West Thornton and V Odom were lined with thriving businesses. Now, when almost 60 years of disinvestment has gone forth and you barely have a handful of businesses on each of these streets, when we lose such a core staple like Roush's, it underlines how that continuing disinvestment really affects that community even more because nothing else is left around it. We have a food desert that has been created now with this loss. And so I think it's very important that we look at specific and targeted investment that has to happen in these corridors And it has to go beyond just public improvements. It has to go beyond just streets being repaired and repaved, but the businesses that were lost, the damage that has been done to that community must be intentionally addressed. My last thing is I also share some of the concerns that my colleagues have and that many in the audience here have voiced. When I read that article, it was a grave concern for me. And when we talk about accountability, accountability and transparency are the The lack thereof are the two biggest underminers of trust. And our community wants to put its trust in how things are run and knowing that the rule of law is going to be applied equally. So I join that concern and hope that real action and accountability really takes place. Thank you.

Thank you. Any other council members have comments? Mayor Malik?

Yes, absolutely. Thank you very much. And thank you to everyone who came down here tonight. A couple of things I want to address, most directly the Signal article regarding Lieutenant Farrar, former Lieutenant Farrar. I want to be very clear about a couple of things, right? Our Akron Police Department investigated the conduct that was brought forward here. right as part of that investigation right the department reached out well let me first start with the disciplinary process right so when the lieutenant became aware of the disciplinary process he resigned right there is nothing to prevent someone from resigning right he is entitled to resign right Certainly, that did not stop the investigation. It would not have stopped the investigation. And by that time, it was very clear that he was going to be fired. And I would imagine the reason he resigned is because there was no basis upon which he could even begin to challenge that. I want to also be very clear about something that Ms. Riddle said. There is no situation in which his pension could have been taken by firing him versus him resigning. His pension is his, just like any person who works and earns that pension. And so firing versus resigning would not change that as an outcome. With that being said, that did not stop the investigation. The investigation into his conduct continued as a criminal investigation because it was criminal conduct. As part of that investigation, our Akron Police Department detectives reached out to the other businesses that he scammed and a number of those businesses were not willing to bring charges, right? We brought criminal charges on behalf of the city for the conduct against the city. A lot of the conduct at issue was against other businesses. We cannot force them to bring charges for that conduct. And certainly would have very much have been willing to do so if they were willing to cooperate in those situations. And because of the lack of that was what did not allow it to amount to the level of a felony versus a misdemeanor. As part of that process, Lieutenant Farrar pled no contest to a charge, which means that he has a criminal record, which means that he will never serve as a police department, certainly in our department or any other department, and that he will pay restitution. I'm not saying that it is a perfect outcome. I'm not saying that it is even a good outcome. The whole thing, I very much share the feelings of sickening when you read about this kind of thing. I'm not asking anyone to be pleased. But I want to be very clear about what occurred and what did not occur. Now, furthermore from that, I want to say we have a system by which our department provides off-duty officers can work extra jobs. And frankly, this is often a benefit to organizations that are not the city that have significant security needs, as we have seen. And those needs, sadly, have only grown in society over the last several decades. With that being said, it is a program that does need to be looked at and does need to be reevaluated. It needs to be improved. And that speaks to what we have talked about. I've talked about from this podium. I've talked about from other podiums. So just culture of continuous improvement, whether it's in our police department or whether it's across the entirety of the city. And so that is something we will continue to work on. It is something that I've made very clear is at the heart of why we are in the middle of this use of force review and why we have implemented a specific piece of this use of force review. Specifically, some of the points that have been raised tonight, specifically limiting the use of head strikes, something that we have implemented as of several weeks ago. and many other things that we are in the middle of implementing because we take that very seriously. And so for those who are frustrated, for those who are angry, I absolutely stand and hear that and I take that extraordinarily seriously. I'm not asking anyone to be happy with this situation. But I do want to be very clear about what occurred and what we have done about it. The second thing I want to just note is several of the comments related to trans rights. And I appreciate the advocacy of those who have come down over the past few months and advocated around these issues. I did have a chance last week to talk with Mayor Steve Patterson in Athens. And Athens has worked on this issue over the last several years. So we had a very productive conversation and look forward to bringing things before this council and our administration that we can work on to make sure that those in our trans community, our LGBTQ plus community are supported. Those are just a couple of the things, but appreciate you giving me this time tonight.

Thank you so much, Mayor. Just one comment, excuse me, that I think needs to be said, which is concerning to me, that I continue, and I think even this whole entire body continues to have to read and find out information through the signal, right? That is not partnership. That is not collaboration. We should have known that information prior to the article coming out, because it is very disturbing. And for us to get the information when everyone else got the information is unacceptable. It's unacceptable. So I just had to say that. And I want to circle back, and Councilman Greer kind of mentioned it, but I do want to thank our fire chief and also our police department for your professional way that you handled the fire at Rouches. Thank you so much. But I do want to say something. You know, Councilman Greer talked about the disinvestment in the neighborhood. But there has been a lot of investment in the neighborhood. So I want to make that real clear. We invested a lot of money in and around that neighborhood. And we talk about a food desert. It is a food desert. We're thankful, right? We've had Ms. Julie's Community Gardens. We've also had Let's Grow Akron Community Gardens. We've also had the Akron Zoo, who's really helped to feed that community. And so I just want to make that very clear. And I also want to thank the owners of Rauch's and their commitment to make sure that they rebuild and they come back because they know how important that market was to that neighborhood, particularly for people who don't have transportation and have, you know, not able to go to the store to get the items that they need. Most importantly, people didn't realize people use Roushes for money orders so they can pay their rent, to pay their monthly expenses. So this is a huge loss for the neighborhood. And so I just wanted to acknowledge that but also make it very clear. There's been a lot of investment in and around that neighborhood. We're going to continue to make sure that happens.

Mayor.

Thank you, Council President. I did forget one thing, and you reminded me, so I really appreciate it. With regard to Roush's Market, I want to thank our Akron Fire Department for the work that they did. I want to thank our Akron Police Department. Really just wanted to share, Akron Police Department was able to make an arrest in that case around alleged arson. And so they were able to make that arrest today, and I want to thank them and the U.S. Marshals for that work. It certainly is an absolutely tragic loss, and I appreciate the comments that have been shared about it. I think that our economic development team, I know, looks forward to working with council, not just about making sure the food access in that neighborhood, but also just around development and investment in that neighborhood. It's a beautiful neighborhood, and the folks in that neighborhood deserve our support. So thank you very much. Thank you so much.

Thank you so much. Is there anything else coming before council at this time? We have a motion on the floor. If there are no objections, meeting adjourned.

This concludes the live broadcast of Akron City Council. Margo Somerville, President of Council, presiding.