City Council - Regular Meeting

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

Bolden.

Aye.

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

Present.

Greer.

Aye.

Hanna. Aye. Hamer. Aye. Lombardo. Aye. McKittrick.

Aye.

Omobian. Aye. Somerville. Aye. Wilson.

Aye.

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 Dr. Peggy Holmes. Immediately following our prayer, I'm going to ask if Councilwoman Davis will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Gracious Father, we're so grateful for this another day. We're grateful, oh God, that we live in a country where we can pray and petition you to lead us and to guide us. We're not leaning on our own understanding, but we're leaning on you for direction. We pray that you would bless those that lead our country and make decisions for our city. that you will give them guidance, dear God. Bless them today to lean on you. We ask you to watch over our city, bring peace to our city, and bring comfort to those who have to attend to those people. Father God, we thank you today for your manifold blessings that you continue to bestow upon us. We thank you, O God, for this is the day that the Lord has made, and we will rejoice and be glad in it. Bless us and we will be blessed. Keep us and we know that we will be kept. This we ask in your precious name today. Amen.

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

Motion to approve.

Is there a 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. 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. I do. Thank you.

All right. So, Mr. Seeley, I think you know we're starting with you. You're the only one that's showed up. So, thank you.

Good evening, Madam President, council, those in attendance. The last time I was here, I spoke about dilapidated and vacant houses. Here I am two months later, again, yet here to speak about it with no results. When will council, the mayor, and the city wake up and realize it's time to take action? It's not just about the looks or the cosmetics of these homes. It goes deeper. The concerns are real. These homes pose serious risks and threats to our communities. They're crime magnets. They're fire hazards. We have kids that get in them. We have drug addicts that get into them. And worse, homeless in the wintertime get in and build fires to stay warm. How much time does this cost our fire department, having to come out and fight fires unnecessarily? That problem could be alleviated by getting these houses down. They also cause pest infestations, environmental hazards with toxins and chemicals that may be in the property or outside of the property. They also lower people's property values in the neighborhood and our communities. They also create an unsaved space and endanger public health and the safety of those near them, be it debris, chemicals, stuff that's hanging off the roofs, off the sides of the houses or whatever. It also attracts wrong attention to troublesome people, kids looking for a hangout, homeless, squatters and such. This issue affects me directly in my ward in ward three. I've got several of these houses on my street that I've been complaining about for years, complaint after complaint after complaint, calls and text messages to my councilwoman, calls to the city, inspectors constantly out at these addresses, and still no results. I think it's time for results at this time. I'm tired of excuses. It just doesn't affect me, it affects our whole entire city. along with the building and the house, and I think everybody knows where it's at, on Viotum, that was supposed to have been down months ago and still standing to this present. Those are also still causing the same issues they've been causing. When are those gonna come down? Are we gonna keep having to deal with the same issues down on that corner? Nothing ever changes in our communities when we're asked for action. Also, the next thing I wanted to speak on was on June 17th, the FOP Lodge 7 posted a very childish and unprofessional post in regards to counseling Eric Garrett. But yet only one council person in this horseshoe stood up for him, and that was Fran Wilson. And I commend you, sir. Thank you. But the rest of council needs to be united and stand up for who's around your horseshoe.

Thank you, Mr. Seeley. I do believe, Theresa, are you online with us?

Yes. Hello. Hello. Okay. You can begin.

We can hear you.

Hi. Hi, everyone. My name is Theresa Augustine. I'm from Kenmore. I have three things that I want to voice my support for. One is support for Akron to be considered a trans sanctuary city. I work in technology. There's many transgender folks that are working in tech as well. and they're able to relocate and looking for a transfer sanctuary city to work remotely cleveland heights has followed this path and experienced an increase in community if not taxes and businesses as well Two data centers, another technology point. Talking to my neighbors, Summit Lake and Kenmore, we unanimously do not want a data center in our neighborhood. I would expect every neighborhood would feel similar. I saw we're looking at some additional vetting processes. I encourage those. And even getting public input would be wonderful. The third one is the topic I'm most familiar with, and that's police oversight of license plate readers. I'm a student at Cleveland State University studying cybersecurity data privacy law at Cleveland State School of Law Center for Cybersecurity Data Privacy. Lots of experts in the field, especially in regards to police technology and surveillance. Tanisha Ward, also a graduate of CSU's School of Law, advised the city of Cleveland on their flock cameras, license plate readers. I encourage Akron to follow suit and get expert advice. A couple of things I can add. Just today, an article was released in Law 360, an analysis by Jack Karp to protect and stalk how some police misuse plate readers, provides examples of police officers abusing public surveillance technology to stalk people in their private lives. I'm currently a scholar and a fellow working with Electronic Frontier Foundation, who's creating like a network of understanding which cities are utilizing this technology. Lots of these cities' residents push back against the city. I'm sure some of you are aware just today, the Supreme Court determined that geofence surveillance tactics are considered a search when they're done without a warrant, I would expect license plate readers to follow the same suit. So once again, encouraging more oversight of license plate readers and ideally relocating those funds to other places.

Thank you so much. Have a good day. Thank you so much, Theresa, for sharing. That concludes our public comment period. Council, before you is the consent agenda. We do want to draw attention that item number two has been pulled. So when we vote, we will be voting on all items excluding item number two. 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 old business. Planning and economic development, Councilman Kamer. Thank you, time will be granted. Public safety, Councilman McKittrick.

Continue time, please.

Thank you, time will be granted. We'll now move into new legislation.

Item number one offered by Mayor Malik and Councilperson Wilson, resolution expressing the opposition of the city of Akron to House Bill 249 and affirming the city's commitment to the dignity, safety, and equal treatment of LGBTQ plus residents and declaring an emergency.

Councilman McKittrick.

The committee's report is favorable asking for suspension of the rules.

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

I'd like to yield to the mayor who spoke today, if he'd like to speak again, and to the other sponsor, Council Representative Wilson. Thank you.

I already spoke a lot at committee, so I just, you know, want to thank Council for bringing this forward to the full Council. It's important that we push back on bills that promote hatred, bigotry, fear of our LGBTQ plus community and also that are not grounded in any coherent understanding of the First Amendment. So appreciate your consideration.

Thank you, Councilperson Wilson.

Thank you. Yeah, thank you for the mayor and the admin for helping and co-sponsoring this. Last weekend, I was in Columbus with a number of local elected officials who are out and who are active allies, and this was named as one of the most egregious things on the state legislature that we should all be aware of so house bill 249 is essentially a drag ban and directly in my opinion i'm not a lawyer but infringes on first amendment rights to express ourselves in public and in performance this bill has passed through the ohio state house and our akron representatives ronica sims and derek hall have voted no on it it is now going off through senate committees right now I just want to say, and I spoke a little bit in committee as well, but to our public and here, gender nonconforming people, transgender people, different gender expressions and identities, queer people have been our neighbors, our families and friends forever, and they deserve just as much visibility and rights and opportunities as the next. I spoke a little bit earlier today about Akron's own history. We have a long history of gender-bending drag performances in Akron. I spoke with a historian working at the University of Akron between committee and today, talking about our long, long history, 100-plus year history of drag performance in Akron. um these are stories of self-expression of love of of local stories of people here so thank you for your support thank you so much are there any other comments at this time council person bruce i'd just like to add my name to legislation thank you any other comments at this time councilwoman omobian

And I stated earlier today that we know all kinds of people and Akron is a welcoming city and has been for a long time and we welcome all peoples and that includes international people from overseas and and individuals who are different in any way. And as we think about our history, all of these people have made contributions to our society in many, many ways. And I could stand here and cite a few if I could recall all of them, but I can tell you that I think we should do this as council, mayor and council as a whole. So thank you very much for doing this.

And Councilwoman, are you making that motion?

Yes.

Okay, so we have a motion on the floor for Mayor and Council as a whole. Is there a second?

Second.

All in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed? The ayes have it.

This resolution passes 13 to zero. Item number two offered by Omobian, resolution expressing the sincere sympathy and condolences of the city of Akron to the family and loved ones of former Councilman Warner Mendenhall on the occasion of his passing, expressing appreciation for his decades of dedicated service to the Akron community and declaring an emergency. Councilman McKittrick.

The committee's report is favorable, asking for suspension of the rules.

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

I'd like to yield to the sponsor, Councilwoman Mobian.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just so that I stand here tonight, expressing my deep condolences to Warren Mini Hall's family, his wife Kelly and their children and his siblings and other relatives. I had the pleasure of meeting Warren some time ago. You're talking about a very nice, outstanding, very bright young man. He has left us too soon. If anybody knows anything about Mendenhall, you know that he gave up free services, legal services to lots of people, especially during the COVID pandemic. And he was just a giving person. I really, you know, felt He was a very kind-hearted person. I don't know how many people actually met him. He was a fierce fighter in the courtroom, but he was a wonderful person as an individual. So many people shared with me this week and the past weeks of his passing. Everybody was surprised and very shocked. But again, we lost a giant when we lost him. And so I extend strongest, sincerest condolences to his family. Thank you. And with this, I'd like for us to pass, please.

Thank you so much, Councilwoman. Are there any other comments at this time? I was just going to ask, can we get a motion for Mayor and Council as a whole? I think it's very appropriate on this piece.

So moved.

Is there a second? Second. Thank you. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it.

This resolution passes 13 to zero. Item number 2A is a substitute offered as an amendment from item number two that was pulled from the consent agenda It's offered by Mayor Malik, President Somerville, Councilman Lombardo, Councilman Garrett, and Councilwoman Davis. It's an ordinance authorizing the mayor or his designee to enter into a contract or contracts without the formality of advertising for bids with minority behavioral health group for a one-year term for the purpose of operating the street team program, credible messenger's initiative, and declaring an emergency. Councilman Lombardo.

Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to poll the committee for a favorable report.

Yes.

Omobian? Aye. Wilson?

Aye.

Boyce?

Aye.

Bolden? Aye. Thank you, Madam President. The committee's report is favorable, and we're asking for passage for this credible messenger initiative, which will hire two extra credible messengers.

Thank you so much. I just wanted to add, the reason why I pulled the item from consent, I think on last Monday we heard a really impressive report. We actually heard a lot of really good news from Pastor Dennis and also from Marcel, who helped us run the Credible Messenger program here in Akron, which was just a pilot program. But the data that really they shared with us showed just the success of the program and that the program is actually really working. And I think it's important when we see something that is working, we should put resources behind it so that we can continue that work and expand that work. You know, one of the things that Marcel talked about and so did Pastor Dennis is that this work is relentless, meaning it has to be done always out in the community, talking, connecting, providing resources. And for two people to do that citywide is a huge task. And my hat goes off to Marcel because, I mean, he has really worked magic, but he has the true passion of this work, and that's the only reason why it has been successful. And so I am just glad that on today we're going to be able to hire two additional people that Marcel can add to his team where he can really expand this work because, again, $150,000 is really a small investment that can really make a huge impact. It's the step in the right direction and a way for us to be proactive to deal with the issues that are impacting and plaguing our neighborhoods. Mira, I don't know if you have some comments you want to share.

Absolutely. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, committee members. You know, we are really proud of this program, you know, and have, you know, as a city been working at this even since the prior administration. But, you know, we've now completed the first 18 months of the pilot program. And, you know, last Monday, Allison Drinkard, who's been doing the evaluation, shared along with Marcel McDaniel and Pastor Dennis and others shared about some of the successes we've had so far. And we've been really excited to bring forward kind of the next year of this program and expand it more than double the size of the program and appreciate the desire from Council, from Council leadership and all of Council to allocate even more funds than have been budgeted. And so we will be able to go from the first 18 months was $185,000. We brought forward $450,000. Now it's going to be $600,000 from July 1 until the end of next June. And our hope is to continue to build it even more. And one of the things that we've seen across this country is that communities that invest in law enforcement and also invest in what they call community violence intervention, the community violence intervention program, that there's success when you build those two things upon each other. So now with this program now more in a hopefully in a permanent phase and our new pivot program with the hospitals, with SUMA in general, in its pilot phase, along with the work that our law enforcement officers are doing every single day, I think that's a strong approach. and an approach that we can continue to build on in a collaborative spirit between the administration and council. So really appreciate the support on this.

Thank you so much. So sorry. Council McKittrick.

Thank you, Madam President. I just want to thank you, Madam President, for recognizing this and having the conversation in regard to this to be able to extend some more money to this program because it is, when you look at the numbers, it is working. I appreciate the Mayor and all the work that his office has done on this as well. I'd like to add my name to this. Thank you.

Thank you. Councilwoman Davis?

Thank you, Madam President. I just want to stand and say that Credible Messengers, along with Minority Behavioral Health and others, have done excellent work over the last year and a half in this area. But I really want to give kudos to Marcel. Marcel has really put his heart and his soul into this work. I've met with him over the last year and a half in meetings, been out with him on the street teams. met with some of the young men that they brought under their umbrella and they've trained. They're doing great work and I am so appreciative that the mayor and the council have agreed to extend that additional $150,000. Thank you.

Thank you. Councilman Greer.

Thank you, Madam President. I want to echo your words and the words of my colleagues and the mayor. We're so happy about Marcel I think that Marcel McDaniel he's he's not just been doing this work since this program started he's been doing this work for years and he brings the authenticity he brings the passion and the commitment he's been on those front lines and we cannot applaud him more because the results that have happened in just a small area where the pilot started we can only imagine how much greater of an impact will be made as it expands so really thankful again to him and also minority behavioral health thank you councilman councilwoman mobian

I really, really appreciate the administration taking a chance on something like this. It's not everyday folks that we begin to recognize that people that have been in the trenches and have engaged in this kind of behavior are the ones that can really help us dig ourselves out of this problem. The same thing has happened in mental health. It's those individuals who are mentally ill who are stable that are now part of the treatment team in mental health and do a fabulous job with the professionals. Colin Powell and his wife said it best many, many years ago, and I will always remember this, that the best thing we can do for young people is to identify a mentor, someone, an adult that they can befriend, get to know someone who can spend time with them. Because when Marcel talked about going to that young man's house, talking to him, who had already been injured or knew someone had been injured, had his gun ready to go in the streets, and they started finding things for him to do. and encouraging him to do something else. That is the kind of relationship, that's the kind of work that needs to be done. Somebody in person there to help redirect these young people because they know no other way of getting revenge other than going out there and fighting and doing stupid stuff again. It's just outstanding when you have somebody who is willing to go into that community and engage with those individuals and do the kind of hard work. I really appreciate him and everybody else that's willing to do this. Thank you so very much for investing in this because this is the kind of investment we need to make. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilperson Wilson?

I just want to echo everybody's here and also thank you for working on making the budget increase. I wondered if we could make a motion for Council and Mayor as a whole maybe. I think we're all in support and want to support this further.

Wonderful. We do have a motion on the floor for Mayor and Council as a whole. Is there a second? Second. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it.

This ordinance passes 13 to zero. Item number three offered by Kamer, ordinance approving and authorizing an amendment to the purchase and development agreement between the city of Akron and city center development LLC or its nominee regarding the city center building located at 146 South High Street, Akron, Ohio and declaring an emergency. Councilman Kamer.

Cassandra agenda.

This item will be placed on the consent agenda. Item number four offered by Kamer, ordinance authorizing the mayor or his designee, if awarded, to accept and expend the Sustainable Forestry Initiative's Urban Forest Certification Grant and declaring an emergency.

Councilman Kamer.

Consent agenda.

This item will be placed on the consent agenda.

Item number five offered by Kamer, ordinance authorizing the director of public service after publicly advertising for bids to enter into a contract or contracts for the replacement of various water mains throughout the city of Akron as part of the 2026 water main replacement program and declaring an emergency.

Councilman Kamer.

Consent agenda.

This item will be placed on the consent agenda.

Item number six offered by Kamer, ordinance ratifying the actions of the director of public service or his designee in entering into a contract or contracts with Wingfoot Rental and Development without publicly advertising for bids for the emergency repair of a water main on South Valley Street and declaring an emergency.

Councilman Kamer.

This item will be placed on the consent agenda.

Item number seven offered by Kamer, ordinance ratifying the actions of the director of public service or his designee in entering into a contract or contracts with Wingfoot Rental and Development without publicly advertising for bids for the emergency repair of water mains at Smith Road and Riverview Road, 716 Crosby Street, 535 Crosby Street and Chateau Avenue and declaring an emergency. Councilman Kamer.

Consent agenda.

This item will also be placed on the consent agenda.

Item number eight was pooled. Item number nine 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 for the purchase of four vehicles for the Akron Fire Department and declaring an emergency.

Councilman McKittrick.

Consent agenda, please.

Thank you. This item will 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 Conner. 2.5. Planning Economic Development, Councilman Kammerer. Housing and Neighborhood Assistance, Councilman Bolden.

3.30.

Public Service, Councilman Kamer. 2.00 p.m. Health and Social Services, Councilwoman Davis. 2.30. Thank you. Is there anything else coming before Council at this time? Councilman Greer.

Sorry. Thank you, Madam President. I want to start off by saying that on June 19th, the black elected officials of Summit County put out a statement that was condemning the really nasty and juvenile mean that was put out on our colleague, Councilman Eric Garrett. That actually happened before last week's meeting. While I certainly take responsibility for not reiterating it in public last time, like I have since learned I should have, but I did want to set the record straight that several of us around this horseshoe are members of the black elected officials of Summit County, and we did put out a joint statement condemning those actions. The meme is still there, and I want to reiterate that it should be taken down in a time that We are looking to really unite These actions are uncalled for and certainly do not help. So I just want to reiterate that for the record. I also just want to stand and rise in acknowledging that this weekend we are going to be celebrating America's 250th. Last year during the bicentennial, we welcomed the America 250 Ohio Commission here. and Akron was recognized as an official America 250 city. And while we have certainly had our challenges in our nation's history, we have had so many people who have fought, some who have given their lives to really advance this country and leave something better for future generations. I want to also certainly acknowledge everyone who has fought and given their lives, whether in the military. I know one of our colleagues, Councilman Eric Garrett, has honorably served our nation, and we want to recognize everyone who has done so. There will be a lot of events, of course, happening this weekend, and so I just encourage everyone to visit those events and in honor of this historic milestone. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman, for sharing. Any other council members have a comment? Mayor Malik?

yes thank you so much madam president and uh as councilman grier mentioned obviously we have the fourth uh on saturday and uh really excited for the events that we're going to be having over the next few days uh especially the celebrations down on main street and lock three and encourage folks to come out you know we have this beautiful civic space uh in terms of block three and you know it's going to be great great atmosphere uh appreciate our police and fire are going to be working to provide safety, but really encourage everyone to come out because it's a celebration for the whole city. And as the Councilman mentioned, and obviously the work that's been chronicled through the Bicentennial, you know, so many people in the city have made an impact here in this city and all across our country, you know, whether it is Sojourner Truth, whether it's John Brown helping spark the Civil War and the end of slavery, whether it's the folks who built Goodyear Corsairs and helped win World War II. and all those, including Councilman Garrett, who served in the military. We have a lot to be proud of as a country, and yet the true value of our country, in my opinion, has always been that we are striving to reach our highest ideals. And we know that we fall short, but we are always pushing to to create true equality true freedom true Liberty um true opportunity and so uh in that 250 years hopefully uh the work that we're doing this horseshoe the work that everyone in the city is doing no matter what role they serve will push our city and our country forward thank you thank you mayor councilman boys did I see your hand any other comments at this time Councilman Davis

Yes, Marcel McDaniel will be speaking at my ward meeting tomorrow at St. Sebastian's at 6 o'clock. If you can make it, come out and hear what he has to say about violence intervention, okay? Thank you. Thank you. Councilman Garrett?

Thank you, Madam President. I appreciate the opportunity. Madam President, there's another veteran I would like to recognize this evening. Madam President, earlier today, as I was driving in, going to another meeting, there was a huge house fire that took place on Hazel Street. I immediately, when I first noticed the incident, I immediately picked up the phone and I reached out to a veteran. I reached out to a phenomenal leader, Chief Henderson. He was aware of the situation. He had even quoted me the address. He told me that he had crews on their way and that they would be there as I was getting off the phone with him. They were pulling up. These firefighters did a phenomenal job on saving eight individuals who live next door. You know, a lot of times when I go to church, House of the Lord, it's the prayers that that stop things that you don't even know that they're even coming your way. This family next door had no clue what was coming their way. But because of that amazing fire department that we have, those eight individuals were saved. And the individual who had the house that was caught on fire, he was able to get out and they took care of business there. So I just want to thank our safety forces. I want to thank Chief Henderson and his crew for a phenomenal job. I saw it firsthand today myself, and I'm so appreciative of everything that they do. So thank you, Madam President, for the time. And thank you, Chief Henderson, for what you've done today. You and your team.

Thank you so much, Councilman Garrett, for sharing. Any other comments? Before we make a motion for adjournment, just really a question, if we can get some information, Mayor. It has been brought to my attention that Smithers is moving out of Akron.

I don't know that there's some information that I'm not aware of. The Smithers downtown office moved to Fairlawn several months ago. We have been in active conversations with them for years, but several times over the past few months, we've been having ongoing conversations with them about their property at the corner of Market and Aqueduct. So there's no decision that we are aware of. I spoke with the CEO in the last few weeks. Happy to loop you in on some of those communications, talk further.

I appreciate it. Would like to really know that information because that is a big deal and a real huge loss for the city we're talking about. A lot of high paying jobs.

yeah and what i would say is that we've had active conversations with them they've talked for many years in fact things have been brought to council about potential buildings that they would look at so we're having active conversations right now i don't believe that there's any final decision happy to talk about it more appreciate getting that information thank you so much anything else coming before council if not is there a motion for adjournment i said sure

If there are no objections, meeting adjourned.

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