City Council Weighs Firefighters’ Contract, Veteran Parking Tribute, Youth Success Summit

RELATED: Starting a Business in Akron Ohio: Local Resources
RELATED: Fire: Barberton Apartment Fire, Mutual Aid, Investigation

Akron City Council Meeting Highlights Firefighters’ Contract, Veteran Parking, Youth Programs

AKRON, Ohio – The latest Akron City Council meeting opened with prayer from a retired Akron police lieutenant now serving as chaplain for the local FOP lodge and Furnace Street Mission, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and approval of previous meeting minutes.

All 13 council members were present: President Margo Sommerville, Vice President Jeff Fusco, President Pro‑Tem Brad McKitrick, Ward representatives Fran Wilson, Phil Lombardo, Jan Davis, Johnnie Hannah, Donnie Kammer, Bruce Bolden, Tina Boyes, Sharon L. Connor, and At‑Large members Eric D. Garrett Sr., Linda F. R. Omobien, and Jeff Fusco.

Public Comment: Criticism of Police Conduct and Council Culture

During the public comment period, speakers used their three minutes to sharply criticize city policing and council decision‑making.

One speaker condemned Akron police pay raises in light of recent officer‑involved shootings and alleged racial bias in law enforcement. Another accused Akron City Council of “rubber‑stamping” administration proposals without genuine debate, arguing that voters have lost confidence in a body that rarely bucks the status quo.

A remote commenter warned that recent election results in Ward 1 should serve as a wake‑up call for council, particularly on police accountability and proposed limits on who can speak during public comment. A pastor from Ward 8 described decades of watching families grieve after police use of force and urged the city to emphasize de‑escalation over escalation, saying he was “tired” of comforting families shattered by violence.

None of the commenters’ names are being used in this report at their request.

Firefighters’ Contract: Council Approves Funding With One Abstention

On the regular agenda, Akron City Council approved funding to implement negotiated agreements between the Akron Firefighters Association, Local 330, the Civil Service Personnel Association, and the City of Akron. The ordinance covers adjustments in compensation and health care benefits while emphasizing the goal of “economically utilizing taxpayer dollars to provide quality services to Akron’s citizens.”

The legislation passed with 12 yes votes and one abstention. The abstaining council member explained on the record that the contracts were only provided on the preceding Friday, leaving little time for review of two large budget‑related agreements bundled into one piece of legislation. The member also raised concern about the pace at which the vote was being pushed through compared to how major budget items are typically handled.

The remainder of council, led by Budget & Finance Chair Phil Lombardo, supported the deal, underscoring the administration’s priority to finalize contracts with public‑safety bargaining units.

Honoring Veterans: Recognizing Lawrence Williams and Adding Veteran‑Only Parking

A major theme of the evening was honoring veterans—especially the late Lawrence Williams, a U.S. Army veteran and two‑time Purple Heart awardee.

Council first passed a resolution recognizing the courage, sacrifice, and service of Akron veterans and celebrating Williams’ tireless advocacy. Williams was known for pushing local stores to create designated veteran parking spaces and for raising awareness around prostate cancer in the veteran community.

Later, a companion resolution encouraged the City of Akron to adopt and implement veteran‑only parking spaces at certain city‑owned facilities specifically “in order to honor Lawrence Williams, a two‑time Purple Heart awardee, who worked tirelessly to secure veteran‑designated placards at local stores to ensure veterans felt seen and appreciated throughout Akron.”

At‑Large Council Member Eric D. Garrett Sr., who sponsored the veteran resolutions, recounted how Williams “nearly died for this country” and then came home and continued to fight for his fellow veterans—whether through specialized parking spaces or health advocacy. Garrett emphasized that the tribute ensures veterans in every ward see tangible recognition of Williams’ legacy.

Williams’ widow and sons attended the meeting, thanking Akron City Council for remembering his work and noting that he lived long enough to see at least one store install the special parking he had pushed for.

Council passed the veteran parking resolution unanimously.

Youth Success Summit Partnership: Investing in Akron’s Youth

Council also approved an ordinance authorizing the city to contract with Youth Success Summit, a countywide network focused on after‑school and summer programs.

The legislation supports Youth Success Summit’s operations and tasks the organization with:

• coordinating activities among after‑school and summer program providers,
• and delivering technical assistance and coaching to programs serving youth in Akron.

Youth Success Summit is led by Executive Director Rachel Tecca, whose role and spelling are confirmed by the organization’s own site Youth Success Summit – Contact. The group describes itself as a 100‑plus‑member network of community‑based nonprofits dedicated to equity‑based, high‑quality after‑school and summer opportunities for youth across Greater Akron.

Council members spoke about the importance of expanding out‑of‑school time opportunities, praising both Tecca’s leadership and the involvement of a city youth strategist, Denico Buckley‑Knight, who works closely with YSS. One council member said they saw “multiple pairs of passionate eyes” during the committee presentation and believes the partnership will “go a long way in furthering the development of Akron’s youth.”

Website Accessibility: Contract With Revize Software Systems

In another unanimous vote, Akron City Council authorized a contract with Revize Software Systems, LLC to provide support and maintenance for the city’s website. The contract runs through 2029 and focuses on website content availability and guidelines compliance, indicating a continued push to make online information more accessible to residents.

Budget & Finance Chair Phil Lombardo noted the importance of keeping the city’s website up to date and compliant with evolving standards as more residents rely on digital tools to monitor government activity and services.

Economic Development, Demolition, and Infrastructure

Several items were placed on the consent agenda, including:

• Glaus, Pyle, Schomer, Burns, & DeHaven, Inc., dba GPD Group, Inc. – Council moved a measure with this firm to support redevelopment and operational expansion work.
• Sale of Vacant City‑Owned Property on Manchester Road – Council advanced an ordinance authorizing the sale of a vacant parcel on Manchester Road to a private entity, determining the land is not needed for public use.
• Demolition of 71 Condemned Residential Structures – An ordinance authorized the Director of Public Service to contract for the emergency demolition of condemned homes across the city.
• Akron Fulton Airport Projects – Multiple ordinances authorized applications for Ohio Department of Transportation grants for:
  • taxiway rehabilitation and snow removal equipment, and
  • design and replacement of the airport’s fuel farm.
• High Main Viaduct Rehabilitation – Council authorized seeking bids for design and/or management of rehabilitation of the High Main Viaduct, a significant infrastructure project.
• East Cuyahoga Falls Avenue Traffic Calming – A measure green‑lit bidding for safety and traffic‑calming improvements along East Cuyahoga Falls Avenue.

Together, these items reflect a mix of economic development, neighborhood stabilization, and infrastructure work aimed at long‑term quality of life improvements.

Violence Intervention Pilot: Minority Behavioral Health Group

Under Public Safety, council referred an ordinance authorizing a contract with Akron Community Development Association, doing business as Minority Behavioral Health Group, to implement Akron’s Hospital‑Linked Violence Intervention Program pilot.

The program will connect victims of violence treated in hospital settings with community‑based support to reduce the risk of retaliation and future harm. Council members indicated they would take more time to review the details in committee before final passage, but the referral signals ongoing interest in public health‑oriented approaches to violence reduction.

Fire Division Vehicles and Other Public Safety Business

Council also approved an ordinance allowing the city to purchase vehicles for the fire division without formal public bidding, noting the need to replace frontline supervisory units under state bid pricing and the time‑sensitive nature of end‑of‑year procurement.

A separate, earlier public‑safety item regarding a mobile command vehicle remains in “time” status, awaiting future action.

Internal Rules and Public Comment Changes Under Review

A substantial portion of the Akron City Council agenda dealt with proposed changes to council’s own Rules of Procedure, beginning with amendments to Resolution No. 373‑2023, which governs how council operates.

New resolutions introduced would modify:

• Rule 2.5 – committee‑related procedures,
• Rule 3.3 and Rule 3.4 – leadership and term‑related rules,
• Rule 5.3 – additional rule language regarding council operations.

These were all referred to the Rules Committee, chaired by Brad McKitrick, for further debate.

During the Good & Welfare segment, one council member urged residents to review the rule‑change proposals, noting that they touch on leadership structure, term limits for leadership positions, and potential changes to the public comment rules—including how often and under what conditions the public may speak at meetings.

That invitation aligns with concerns voiced earlier in public comment about limits on who may address council and how frequently.

New Legislative Policy Coordinator Introduced

Before adjourning, Council President Margo Sommerville introduced Steven Dyer as Akron City Council’s new legislative policy coordinator. Dyer’s first day on the job coincided with the meeting, and council members welcomed him as an additional resource for policy research, drafting, and analysis as they navigate a busy legislative calendar.

Good & Welfare: Bicentennial, Neighborhood Events, and Youth

In closing remarks, members reflected on Akron’s bicentennial year, praising recent events, including a city‑themed concert that highlighted local history and talent. Another member spotlighted a neighborhood holiday event that drew about 300 children for games, books, and a visit with Santa, thanking local organizations and volunteers for creating positive experiences for families.

With no further business, Akron City Council adjourned until its next regular meeting.