City Council - Regular Meeting

9:40•MSMargo Sommerville

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

10:10 – 10:29•MSMargo Sommerville

Thank you. At this time, for those who are in chambers with us, if you voluntarily wish to do so, you can please stand at this time as we're led in prayer by Pastor Emmett Lee, who joins us virtually. Immediately following our prayer, I'm going to ask if Councilperson Wilson will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Pastor Lee.

12:36 – 13:08•MSMargo Sommerville

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

13:24 – 13:35•MSMargo Sommerville

At this time, we will 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.

13:46 – 14:09•MSMargo Sommerville

So just going to ask, when you hear your name, if you'll please approach the podium. Just as a reminder, you will have three minutes to speak to this body. And we're going to begin with Tasha Mills. Tasha, turn your mic on for us.

16:40•MSMargo Sommerville

Charissa Soulful. Is Charissa Soulful here? April Stern.

20:01•MSMargo Sommerville

I have lots of ideas if any of you want to talk to me. Thank you so much, Mrs. Stearns, for sharing. Thank you. Matthew Corey.

22:25•MSMargo Sommerville

Thank you, Matthew, for sharing. Autumn Riddle.

24:48•MSMargo Sommerville

Darko, and I don't want to mispronounce your name, so I'll let you pronounce it when you get to the mic.

28:04•MSMargo Sommerville

Mr. Persky, I'm so sorry, but your time is up. But you're more than welcome to email your full statement if you like, okay? Thank you. You're welcome. Gerald Gregory.

30:29•MSMargo Sommerville

Thank you so much, Mr. Gregory. Yep. Garnett Jackson.

38:35 – 38:53•MSMargo Sommerville

Thank you, Acacia. That concludes our public comment period. We want to thank all those who took the time to come down and participate. Council, before you is the consent agenda. Is there a motion to approve? Is there a second? Second. All in favor signify by saying aye.

39:03•MSMargo Sommerville

We're now going to move to old business, starting with planning and economic development. Councilman Kamer.

39:11 – 39:23•DKDonnie Kammer

Thank you, Madam President. The committee only discussed one item today during this afternoon's meeting, and we did take a vote, and I was wondering if the clerk can read it in for the record. Number two, please.

39:35•DKDonnie Kammer

Thank you, Madam President. The committee's report was adverse.

39:40•MSMargo Sommerville

Thank you. Are there any comments at this time? Councilperson Wilson, do I see your hand?

39:49 – 40:42•FWFran Wilson

If I may, and I shared a note with the council representative before the meeting, but my understanding is, and I don't know if there could be an answer on this, there seems to be no business at the facility. There seems to be an inspection done, conducted right before the public hearing, and only five vehicles were found on the premise, so it seems like a resolution of the complaint. I don't think there were any orders that were filed for junk vehicles on the property. So I guess I'm also wondering why we didn't add extra conditions like fences and maybe a noise to the conditional use as kind

40:42 – 40:54•MSMargo Sommerville

Thank you. Is there anyone that can answer that question of how many vehicles are currently parked on the property? No? Okay. Yeah. I think perfect timing.

41:03•MSMargo Sommerville

So do you want to restate that, Councilperson Wilson?

41:05 – 41:45•FWFran Wilson

Yeah, I can repeat myself, no problem. We're talking about number two on planning, which is about 1167 Eastland. I spoke with some zoning staff before this and a couple people around this horseshoe. It seems like they're not operating an active business on the site. It seems like an inspection was done prior to the public hearing, and only five vehicles were found on the property. It seems like some of the reasons for the complaint going forward and the conditional use being submitted were resolved and maybe could be sustained that way. I just kind of had some process questions there.

42:38 – 43:30•FWFran Wilson

And my understanding is the code, if there were 10 people living in a house, which I don't think there's any laws that prohibit 10 people from living in the house and being able to drive, the code would be against every single person in that house owning and being able to drive a car. So if there are six people purported in the public hearing that might be living in the house and owning a car, that would be in violation. The city code to my understanding that's you know that's kind of what I'm where I'm processing and thinking through this I know there might be some other nuisance related stuf

43:32 – 45:11•EGEric D. Garrett, Sr.

Thank you, Madam President. I guess my concern, Madam President, is with the current code. A parcel, I looked it up, and an individual can have a parcel at 4,000 square feet. If that single family home has 4,000 square feet and they have four vehicles, they're not in violation, but that fifth vehicle puts them over. This particular petitioner has over 44,000 square feet. If there's ever been a case where conditional use should be applied, this is that time. The gentleman's, all his property taxes are up to date. Every single, the property is, excellent condition he's a good neighbor and so i g

45:12 – 46:08•MGMark Greer

I ALSO SHARE THE CONCERNS THAT AFTER THE COMPLAINTS WERE MADE AND THE PROPERTY OWNER WAS ALERTED OF THOSE COMPLAINTS AND THE ZONING AND ORDINANCE INFRACTIONS THAT WHEN THE CITY REINVESTIGATED AND SENT SOMEONE OUT THAT THERE WERE ONLY FIVE CARS, WHICH SHOWS ME THAT THE PROPERTY OWNER MADE his goodwill effort to address the complaints that had been levied against him. And I also have concerns that we should move forward with this at this time when we have a property owner who has done his best to address that and when he has six members of his family who live in that house who also own automobil

46:10•MSMargo Sommerville

Thank you, Councilman Greer. Councilman Kamer.

46:12 – 46:50•DKDonnie Kammer

Well, thank you, Madam President. I just, as committee chairperson, I just want to help make sure everyone around the horseshoe receives information. I just know that the planning department is against this. The planning commission voted against this. We also received an email from our clerk of council last week in regards to some photographs of the property. I do not know when the photographs were taken. So, yeah, it's up to this council to... you know, move forward with an adverse report or not. But I just wanted to make sure that was brought to the council floor.

46:51•MSMargo Sommerville

Thank you so much. Is there anyone else that wishes to bring forth comments that has not yet spoken? Councilman Lombardo.

46:58 – 47:29•PLPhil Lombardo

Thank you, Madam President. From what I understand, there's over 20 vehicles involved. And, you know, with the conditional use saying six, but, you know, it's okay to have five. I mean, Where are the other 15? You can't drive one to replace the other in a garage or something and maintain that five like the current code. So that's where I'm at. I mean, where are the other vehicles at? So there is storage somewhere for some of those other vehicles. Thank you.

47:29 – 48:04•TBTina Boyes

Thank you. Councilwoman Boyce. Thank you, Madam President. I did have a question for planning. I understand this is prohibited under residential zoning code and this is a residentially zoned area. I understand that. But are there ways to pursue this from a commercial standpoint? So I understand that would be a completely different process, but the fact that there's an outbuilding that could store these vehicles, I understand that's not a residentially approved use, but is there a way to do this from a commercial standpoint for a different process?

48:33•TBTina Boyes

Yes. Is that something that's possible for this particular issue?

48:39•MSMargo Sommerville

I'm so sorry, but I'm going to ask that you please maintain order. We cannot hear what is being said here on the floor. Thank you. I'm sorry, Councilwoman Boyce, can you restate your question?

48:48 – 49:02•TBTina Boyes

Yeah, my question was, to that end, since there is an outbuilding, is that a potential use of that outbuilding to store a certain number of cars that don't enter and exit the property frequently that would solve this problem?

49:36 – 49:58•FWFran Wilson

I just, you know, I respect the chair bringing up the Planning Commission and the department's, you know, decisions about disapproval, but I would also say I don't think it says in the record, and I don't believe from the minutes that the pre-hearing inspection was discussed at the Planning Commission meeting, I would presume, about the just five vehicles on the property and

50:03 – 50:50•FWFran Wilson

But there were also, you know, it went from complaint to no orders given from the department, it seems, to a conditional use request being submitted, right? So I think there's some, for me, that's an interesting process, but on its face, I think he's presented a valid argument. If you look on Google Maps, just across the street, 300 feet, maybe north, there's maybe a quarter mile driveway with a, huge driveway in the back of their property that could probably fit 8 to 10 cars. They have a big swimming pool. It's about the same size of their property. I'm not about process and information comin

50:50•MSMargo Sommerville

Thank you so much, Councilperson. Councilwoman Omobian?

50:57 – 52:02•LOLinda F. R. Omobien

Thank you, Madam President. My question is, would the chair or the committee entertain more time, please? It sounds like there are a number of questions. And as I sit here, I'm considering more. I haven't visited this property. And it sounds like the young man Seems like he's a good neighbor. I haven't looked at his property, but to have three grown children going to college and driving vehicles who will eventually move out of the house at one point, at some point maybe. But I know that we have granted a number of citizens to build larger garages when they can afford it. I know we had one rece

52:02•MSMargo Sommerville

Thank you, Councilwoman Obian. Councilman Kamer.

52:06 – 52:17•DKDonnie Kammer

I mean, I guess the committee met and we made an adverse report. I would have to yield to our clerk or counsel for any kind of clarification, if you don't mind. Sarah?

52:29 – 52:48•DKDonnie Kammer

Okay. No, it sounds good. It seems like it's a good... Dialogue, I guess I don't know if there's a committee member that would like to make that motion because I won't Councilman Hannah.

52:56•MSMargo Sommerville

Okay. Is there a second from the committee members? I

53:02•MSMargo Sommerville

THANK YOU. AND THEN LET'S DO A ROLL CALL, CLERK. THANK YOU. SURE.

53:27•MSMargo Sommerville

THANK YOU SO MUCH. TIME WILL BE GRANTED.

53:29•DKDonnie Kammer

Okay, and then continue time on the rest of the agenda.

53:33 – 53:44•MSMargo Sommerville

Okay, thank you so much. Public utilities, Councilman Kamer? Time will be granted. Public safety, Councilman McKittrick?

53:47•MSMargo Sommerville

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

54:14•PLPhil Lombardo

Committee's report is favorable. We're asking for a suspension of the rules.

54:18•MSMargo Sommerville

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

54:23•PLPhil Lombardo

Thank you, Madam President. These are bonds to cover the project of the sidewalk program in 2022.

54:30•MSMargo Sommerville

Thank you. The rules have been suspended. The committee's report is favorable. All in favor signify by saying aye.

55:04•PLPhil Lombardo

Committee's report is favorable, and we're asking for suspension of the rules.

55:08•MSMargo Sommerville

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

55:13•PLPhil Lombardo

Thank you, Madam President. Again, bonds to cover the various resurfacing of city streets from 22 to 25.

55:21•MSMargo Sommerville

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

55:58•MSMargo Sommerville

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

56:24 – 57:06•MSMargo Sommerville

Thank you. The rules have been suspended. 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. That concludes our new legislation. We'll now move into committee assignments. Rules, Councilman McKittrick. 2 p.m. Budget and Finance, Councilman Lombardo. 3 p.m. Planning and Economic Development, Councilman Kamer. 1 p.m. Public Service, Councilman Kamer. Public Safety, Councilman McKittrick. Parks and Recreation, Councilwoman Conner. 145. Housing and Neighborhood Assistance, Councilman Bolden.

330, and I would like to let Council know that the Director of Neighborhood Assistance, Francia Lash, and Code Compliance Commissioner, Duane Greger, will be here to discuss the new Code Compliance Division, how they're working, and also some things on vacant buildings.

57:22 – 57:36•MSMargo Sommerville

Anyone let us know the date of that meeting? Councilman Bolden, is it going to be when we come back? The 19th? Thank you. Health and Social Services, Councilwoman Davis. Is there anything else coming before council this time, Councilperson Wilson?

57:36 – 58:53•FWFran Wilson

Thank you, Madam President. I just wanted to bring three quick things up. I know we've been getting a lot of flock-related items, so I just wanted to invite the public and anybody here at this table. We're going to have a flock educational session at the Highland Square Library on the 10th, so Saturday, 1 to 3 p.m. chance to get to know the technology and understand why and how it's being used. The second thing I wanted to mention, I know we were all pretty shocked and I brought it up last week about a Jameson who was hit and killed by a suspected drunk driver. And I just wanted to name, you k

58:53•MSMargo Sommerville

Thank you so much for sharing. Anything else coming before council? Councilman Lombardo?

58:58 – 1:01:55•PLPhil Lombardo

Thank you, Madam President. I noticed something tonight. We had, I think, about eight public comments. Different subjects that are important to people. Environmental concerns, fog cameras, some conditional use. But there wasn't any public comment on the assault of the officer that happened the other week. So I found that a little striking because it just seems like when the shoe's on the other foot, there's a line out the door. But I guess it doesn't work when the officer is assaulted. So I just wanted to commend the officer for her bravery. You know, she was attacked, as you know, taken down,

1:03:44•MSMargo Sommerville

Thank you, Councilman McKittrick. Councilwoman Davis?

Thank you, Madam President. To be clear, we often don't agree with folks that come down to city council. We agree to disagree sometimes, but in all fairness, two of the people that took to the podium and spoke tonight, they did offer their sympathy via social media to the officer as well as I did. We don't want to ever see anything like that happen in the city, let alone in Ward 4. So they were sympathetic. It wasn't all ill will towards the young lady. And I think most of them were sympathetic because they are women themselves. They understand, and they couldn't understand why. And I don't kn

1:04:53•MSMargo Sommerville

Thank you, Councilman Davis. Councilman Garrett?

1:04:57 – 1:07:25•EGEric D. Garrett, Sr.

Thank you, Madam President. I too have shared a statement with the individual who was attacked. She's a brave individual and we commend her. But Madam President, I want to quickly discuss a topic that concerns a lot of our constituents throughout. And we'll be hosting a town hall meeting to discuss Our current situation with our current police chief, I think this is important that we as a community bring this conversation up. When you have a police chief who's interested in exiting and leaving and taking a different job in a different location after we put confidence in this individual to atte

1:07:26•MSMargo Sommerville

Thank you, Councilman Garrett. Councilwoman Omobian?

1:07:32 – 1:10:06•LOLinda F. R. Omobien

Thank you, Madam President. I, too, share the concern expressed by our colleagues regarding the young officer. I attempted to reach out, but I think she's out of town. But I want to make sure that we are accurate about the activities surrounding this. Now, I've heard that what was said about people laughing and whatever they were doing was not totally accurate, but it is absolutely unacceptable wrong for anybody to put their hands on an officer. And if they are in the presence of an officer who appears to need help, I would hope that we would all do whatever we can to be helpful. But I want to

1:10:06•MSMargo Sommerville

Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilman Greer?

1:10:12 – 1:13:44•MGMark Greer

Thank you, Madam President. I wanted to say I think all of us here on council, we put out a statement last week about what happened to our officer. I put out a statement myself as well on social media and really said that we all came to rally around her. officer and of course we we all all know and have said that these attacks are unacceptable But I do want to also echo what my colleague Councilwoman a Mobian has said we have to also make sure that Inaccurate our incomplete information about a response can paint a an untrue narrative about the community there. And I grew up in this area. I tal

1:13:44•MSMargo Sommerville

Thank you so much, Councilman Gur. Councilman Davis?

I think we need to quit dancing around the mall, Barry Bush, here. Brian Lucy put the statement out. If it's accurate... then let Brian Lucy state that it's an accurate statement and show the evidence up. If it's not accurate and he acted in emotions, then he needs to acknowledge that because that continues to just divide the community. And I'm calling on Brian Lucy, either put it on the table or acknowledge that it did not happen or you erred. We all do sometimes. And that's okay. But acknowledge it. Let's just stop dancing around things all the time down here. Because we do enough of it. Tha

1:14:32 – 1:14:51•MSMargo Sommerville

Thank you. I'm going to ask that you please maintain order. Thank you so much. Is there anything else coming before council at this time? Just as a reminder, there's no meeting on next Monday as we observe the Italian American Heritage and Culture Day. If there's nothing else coming before us, is there a motion for adjournment? There are no objections.