City of Akron Council Meetings take place weekly on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. and are open for the public to attend in person at 166 S High St or virtually via Youtube livestream: youtube.com/@AkronCityCoun…

Those interested in attending can find the agendas online here: onlinedocs.akronohio.gov/OnBaseAgendaOn…

If you’d like to make a public comment during a City of Akron Council Meeting, you must register by 4:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Details and the registration form can be found here: akroncitycouncil.org/public-comment…

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. Council members in attendance included: Bruce Bolden, Tina Boyes, Sharon Connor, Jan Davis, Samuel DeShazior, Jeff Fusco, Johnnie Hannah, Donnie Kammer, Phil Lombardo, Brad McKitrick, Linda Omobien (virtual). Eric Garrett was absent.

The council members voted 12-0 in favor of approving the minutes of the previous meeting.

Kevin Gostkowski, President of Akron Firefighters Local 330, spoke during public comment about an anticipated move of ladder truck 9 from Highland Square to Wallhaven. He said it is important to choose ladder truck locations carefully for the safety of citizens and firefighters.

Gostkowski said this move would cause slower response time as shown by a GIS study and data on the highest concentration of incidents. He offered to meet with council members to discuss further, and to provide copies of the GIS study as needed.

Harrington Hargrove, a member of the public, spoke next. He said that Ward 3 hasn’t gotten the same attention as other wards for economic development, street lighting, and funding.

Hargrove said that council members already know the issues he’s speaking of and that the lack of progress over 40 years is evidence of racism. He brought packets of information for council members and the mayor.

The next public comment came from resident Karla Maple, who said that Laura Cogar Lawson, director of Rubber City Rescue, had been attacked by a dog she took home after the Akron Police Department called her about the abandoned dog.

Maple said that Lawson was taken to the ER and asked that the council find it in the city budget to cover her $6,500 in medical expenses related to the incident. Maple said that Lawson receives 25-100 calls per month from the Akron Police Department.

Carson Barnes gave the next public comment addressing the destruction of an Ohio Historical Marker at the historical site of the Akron Urban League. He said that the marker’s destruction may constitute a hate crime.

Barnes asked that the council support a fundraiser and provide funding to purchase another marker. The proposed fundraiser is to take place at Lawton Street Community Center on Oct 5 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. akronohio.gov/business_detai…

Rev Joyce Penfield of Church of Our Savior gave the next public comment. She said that she is a member of Palestine Education for Akron and asked the council to promote education about The Nakba and oppression of Palestinian people. Penfield provided resources for the council.

Item #1 was offered by Councilman Lombardo to receive advancement of tax funds for the tax year 2024 collected in 2025. The resolution passed 12-0.

Item #2 was offered by Councilman Lombardo to accept the rates determined by the Summit County Budget Committee for 2025. The ordinance passed 12-0.

Item #3 was offered by Councilman Lombardo to enter an agreement with SHI to purchase a backup system for city files which are currently at 90% space used. The ordinance passed 12-0.

Item #7 was offered by Councilman McKitrick to purchase equipment for county medics for two med units to be put into service. The ordinance passed 12-0.

Councilwoman Davis spoke in reference to the public comment from Carson Barnes and stated she has spoken with him as well as the director of Lawton Street Community Center and will work with them on the project of fundraising to replace the Ohio Historical Marker.

Councilman Kammer spoke on behalf of Laura Lawson. He said he has concerns about the lack of cages at the animal control facility and the lack of resources to Akron Police Department for animal control. He plans to bring a resolution to the next meeting related to these concerns.

Councilman Fusco spoke related to public comments from Kevin Gostkowski, saying he had concerns about the move of ladder truck 9 and requesting a presentation at the Public Safety Committee next week.

Meeting adjourned at 6:12 p.m. This concludes the City of Akron Council Meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for Sept 23. For more meeting coverage, check out . akron.documenters.org

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