City Council Meeting

Margo Sommerville, President Jeff Fusco, Vice-President Brad McKitrick, President Pro-Tem Members of Council: Jeff Fusco, At-Large Johnnie Hannah, Ward 5 Linda F. R. Omobien, At-Large Brad McKitrick, Ward 6 Eric D. Garrett, Sr., At-Large Donnie Kammer, Ward 7 Fran Wilson, Ward 1 Bruce Bolden, Ward 8 Phil Lombardo, Ward 2 Tina Boyes, Ward 9 Margo Sommerville, Ward 3 Sharon L. Connor, Ward 10 Jan Davis, Ward 4 www.akroncitycouncil.org Council Agenda for February 23, 2026 1:00 P.M. Planning & Economic 2:30 P.M. Health & Social Services Development 1:45 P.M. Parks & Recreation 3:00 P.M. Budget & Finance 2:00 P.M. Rules 3:30 P.M. Housing & Neighborhood Assistance 2:00 P.M. Public Service, Public 5:00 P.M. Special Meeting – Open Comment Public Utilities, & Green Hearings 2:15 P.M. Public Safety 6:30 P.M. Regular Council Meeting Regular Meeting held on February 9, 2026. All members were present, except Omobien. Minutes of the previous meeting approved. Ayes: 12, Nays: 0. CONSENT AGENDA 1 ORDINANCE authorizing a Conditional Use to rebuild a Taco Bell restaurant at 414 E. Exchange Street, Akron, Ohio 44304; and declaring an emergency. (Planning and Economic Development) (Pulled from Consent Agenda February 23, 2026) 2 ORDINANCE authorizing the Mayor or his designee to enter into a development agreement with Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, Inc. (the Developer) or its nominee providing for the sale and redevelopment of property located within the City of Akron at 929 Home Avenue, Akron, Ohio 44305; 1  finding such property is not needed for any public use; and declaring an emergency. (Planning and Economic Development) 3 ORDINANCE authorizing the Mayor or his designee to enter into a development agreement with Osborne Capital Group, LLC (the Developer) or its nominee, and Akron Initiative, LLC providing for the sale and redevelopment of property located within the City of Akron at 123 West Bartges Street, Akron, Ohio 44311; finding such property is not needed for any public use; and declaring an emergency. (Planning and Economic Development) 4 ORDINANCE authorizing the Director of the Department of Planning and Urban Development or his designee to enter into a contract or contracts with 123 West Bartges LLC, for the acquisition and redevelopment of multi-family apartment building at 123 West Bartges Street to carry out the intent and purpose of programs under the Consolidated Plan; authorizing payment therefor; and declaring an emergency. (Planning and Economic Development) 5 ORDINANCE authorizing the Director of Public Service or his designee to enter into a contract or contracts after publicly advertising for bids for construction at the Canal Place Parking Lot; and declaring an emergency. (Public Service, Public Utilities, & Green) 6 ORDINANCE authorizing the Director of Public Service or his designee to enter into a contract or contracts after publicly advertising for bids for the removal of a low-head dam on, and restoration of, the Little Cuyahoga River; and declaring an emergency. (Public Service, Public Utilities, & Green) 7 ORDINANCE authorizing the Mayor or his designee to accept, expend and enter into a contract or contracts with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funding to support the removal of a low-head dam on, and restoration of, the Little Cuyahoga River; and declaring an emergency. (Public Service, Public Utilities, & Green) 8 RESOLUTION declaring it necessary to improve Wendling Drive from Pelee Drive to East End, Pelee Drive 60 feet north of Wendling Drive and Arborway Drive 60 feet north of Wendling Drive by paving, grading, constructing and reconstructing curbs, concrete sidewalks, driveway approaches, storm sewers and sanitary sewers, installing roof drain pipes and planting trees, all together with the necessary appurtenances, and declaring an emergency. (Public Service, Public Utilities, & Green) 9 ORDINANCE authorizing the Director of Public Service or his designee to enter into a contract or contracts with Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. for a customer information system implementation support arrangement; and declaring an emergency. (Public Service, Public Utilities, & Green) 2  10 ORDINANCE authorizing the Director of Public Service or his designee to enter into a contract or contracts with Veolia Water Services North America, LLC to support services for the City of Akron Water Bureau; and declaring an emergency. (Public Service, Public Utilities, & Green) RULES (McKitrick, Chair) NO ITEMS BUDGET & FINANCE (Lombardo, Chair) NO ITEMS PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (Fusco, Chair) UP FOR PUBLIC HEARING FEBRUARY 23, 2026: 1 ORDINANCE authorizing a Conditional Use to construct an addition to a day care business center at 1264 Copley Road; and declaring an emergency. (02/02/26) TIME: 2 D-14 Petition of David Walker for a Conditional Use to Establish a Training Facility at 1928 Eastwood Avenue PC-2025-80-CU (02/02/26) 3 D-15 Petition of Ray of Hope International Church, Inc., for a Conditional Use to Place a Shed Within the Required Setback at 844 E. Archwood Avenue PC-2025-83-CU (02/02/26) 4 D-16 Petition of Akron Zoological Park for a Conditional Use to Expand the Zoo on Property South of Diagonal Road and East of Auldfarm Road (Parcel Nos. 6701439 and 6761223) PC-2025-91-CU (02/02/26) 5 D-8 Petition of Shunnah Tyler for a Conditional Use to Expand a Day Care Business Center at 1264 Copley Road, and Sale of Adjacent City- Owned Land PC-2025-88-CU&S (01/12/26) 6 D-179 Petition of Taco Bell of America, LLC, for a Conditional Use to Rebuild a Taco Bell Restaurant at 414 E. Exchange Street PC-2025-61- CU (10/06/25) 7 D-132 Petition of Crasi Homes for a Conditional Use to Construct Two- Family Dwellings at 940 Pitkin Street and 953 Dayton Street PC-2025- 37-CU (6/30/25) 3 8 ORDINANCE amending/supplementing Title 15, Chapter 153, “Zoning Code”, Article 6 “Development and Area District Requirements”, Section 153.305 “Residence Requirements” and Section 4.3.3. “Walls and Fences” of the City of Akron Form-Based Code to amend fencing requirements; and declaring an emergency. (2/24/25) (To be scheduled for Public Hearing.) 9 ORDINANCE authorizing a Conditional Use to establish a Type A daycare home at 782 Bellevue Avenue; and declaring an emergency. (11/27/2023) (Public Hearing held 2/5/2024) 10 D-730 Petition of Keisha Burney for a Conditional Use to Establish a Type A Daycare Home at 782 Bellevue Avenue PC-2023-60-CU (11/06/2023) 11 ORDINANCE authorizing a Conditional Use to establish an auto dealership at 338 N. Arlington Street; and declaring an emergency. (11/28/2022) (Public Hearing was held 1/23/2023) 12 D-576 Petition of Abraham Zabay for a Conditional Use to Establish an auto dealership at 338 N. Arlington Street (PC-2022-52-CU) 13 ORDINANCE authorizing a Conditional Use to construct a parking lot at 921 Cordova Avenue for the Maple Valley Resource Center at 1474 Copley Road; and declaring an emergency. (9/18/2023) (Public Hearing held 9/25/2023) 14 ORDINANCE authorizing a Conditional Use to establish and construct an addition to a bed and breakfast at 814 Bloomfield Avenue; and declaring an emergency. (Public Hearing was held 9/13/21) 15 D-285 Petition of Louie Berrodin for a Conditional Use to establish a bed and breakfast and construct an addition at 814 Bloomfield Avenue (PC- 2021-30-CU) (7/12/21) 16 ORDINANCE authorizing a Conditional Use to construct a parking lot on the east side of W. Center Street (PN 6716587); and declaring an emergency. (Public Hearing was held October 21, 2019) 17 D-774 Petition of Community Action Agency for a Conditional Use to construct a parking lot and the sale of City-owned land on W. Center Street. (Parcel No. 6716587) (PC-2019-63-CU & S) (9/16/19) FILED: 18 D-225 Petition of OPC Cultivation, LLC, for a Conditional Use to 4  Establish a Dual-Use Marijuana Dispensary at 1140 W Portage Trail PC- 2025-76-CU (12/08/25) 19 D-201 Petition of Kenjoh Outdoor Advertising, LLC, for a Conditional Use to place a Digital Outdoor Advertising Display on McIntosh Avenue, Adjacent to Interstate 277 PC-2025-62-CU (11/3/25) PUBLIC SERVICE, PUBLIC UTILITIES, & GREEN (Kammer, Chair) NO ITEMS PUBLIC SAFETY (McKitrick, Chair) TIME: 1 ORDINANCE authorizing the Mayor, or his designee, to enter into a contract or contracts, without the formality of publicly advertising for bids, with Farber Specialty Vehicles for the purchase of a mobile command vehicle; and declaring an emergency. (10/28/2024) (Substitute offered as an amendment 11/4/2024) PARKS & RECREATION (Connor, Chair) NO ITEMS HOUSING & NEIGHBORHOOD ASSISTANCE (Bolden, Chair) NO ITEMS HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES (Davis, Chair) NO ITEMS FILED D-18 Notice of New Type C1 Liquor Permit to Babbu LLC 1027 S Main St Ward 3 D-19 Housing Appeals Board Meeting Minutes – January 22, 2026 D-20 Housing Appeals Board Meeting Agenda – February 19, 2026 D-21 Correspondence from Family & Community Services regarding the Thompson Family Foundation Veteran’s Village proposed development ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS PASSED AT PREVIOUS MEETING 5 ORDINANCE NO. 35-2026 authorizing the Director of Public Service, or his designee, to enter into a contract or contracts without the formality of publicly advertising for bids with EnviroTech Services LLC for the purchase of deicing agents for use during the snow and ice season; and declaring an emergency. Vote: 12-0. ORDINANCE NO. 36-2026 determining to proceed with the improvement of Home Avenue from 100 feet north of Independence Avenue to 950 feet south of Tallmadge Avenue by paving, grading, constructing and reconstructing curbs, concrete sidewalks and driveway approaches and installing roof drain pipes; and declaring an emergency. Vote: 12-0. ORDINANCE NO. 37-2026 authorizing the Mayor, or his designee to, if awarded, accept and expend an award from the State of Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services under the State of Ohio Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program; and declaring an emergency. Vote: 12-0. RESOLUTION NO. 38-2026 requesting that the City of Akron be included in the City of Akron Highland Square Special Improvement District; approving the Petition for Creation of the City of Akron Highland Square Special Improvement District; and approving articles of incorporation for The City of Akron Highland Square Special Improvement District, Inc.; and declaring an emergency. Vote: 12-0. RESOLUTION NO. 39-2026 adopting the 2026 Capital Investment and Community Development Program, legally referred to as the Capital Investment Budget; and declaring an emergency. Vote: 12-0. ORDINANCE NO. 40-2026 amending Title 15, “Land Usage,” Chapter 153, “Zoning Code,” Article 8, “On-Premises Exterior Signs,” to add Section 153.347, “Signs in the downtown,” and supplement Sections 153.350, “Restricted and prohibited signs and locations,” and 153.360 “Permitted sign area;” amending Title 15, “Land Use,” Chapter 153, “Zoning Code,” Article 11 “Board of Zoning Appeals,” to supplement Section 153.409, “Additional jurisdiction of board—Applications;” and declaring an emergency. Vote: 12-0. ORDINANCE NO. 41-2026 authorizing a Conditional Use to place a digital outdoor advertising display on McIntosh Avenue, adjacent to Interstate 277; and declaring an emergency. Vote: 12-0. ORDINANCE NO. 42-2026 authorizing the Mayor or his designee to, if awarded, accept and expend funds from the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program through the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) for services supporting planning efforts and traffic studies concerning the Innerbelt; and declaring an emergency. Vote: 6 12-0. ORDINANCE NO. 43-2026 authorizing the Mayor or his designee to, if awarded, accept and expend funds from the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program through the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) for services supporting planning efforts and traffic studies concerning the Merriman Valley; and declaring an emergency. Vote: 12-0. ORDINANCE NO. 44-2026 authorizing the Mayor or his designee to enter into a contract or contracts without the formality of publicly advertising for bids with Sorrento Acquisition, LLC, doing business as Royce U.S. Protection (“Royce”), to provide security-related services with respect to the City of Akron Municipal Building; and declaring an emergency. Vote: 12-0. RESOLUTION NO. 45-2026 opposing the passage of Ohio General Assembly House of Representatives Bills 26, 42, and 281 and Senate Bill 172 which would require local law enforcement agencies and other entities to assist the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in its operations; and declaring an emergency. Vote: 12-0. NEW LEGISLATION BUDGET & FINANCE 1 ORDINANCE authorizing the Mayor, or his designee, to enter into a contract or contracts, without the formality of publicly advertising for bids, with Guidehouse, Inc. for post-production technical support services to support various functions within the Workday application; and declaring an emergency. PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 2 ORDINANCE authorizing a Conditional Use to establish a defense education training facility at 1928 Eastwood Avenue; and declaring an emergency. (Scheduled for Public Hearing March 9, 2026.) 3 ORDINANCE authorizing a Conditional Use to place a shed within the required setback at 844 E. Archwood Avenue; and declaring an emergency. (Scheduled for Public Hearing March 9, 2026.) 4 ORDINANCE authorizing a Conditional Use to expand the zoo on property south of Diagonal Road and east of Auldfarm Road 7  (Parcel Nos. 6701439 and 6761223); and declaring an emergency. (Scheduled for Public Hearing March 9, 2026.) 5 ORDINANCE authorizing the Mayor, or his designee, to enter into an agreement or agreements with PVC Cascade 1 LLC for the lease of office space for the City’s Income Tax Division; and declaring an emergency. 6 ORDINANCE authorizing the Director of Public Service, or his designee, to enter into an agreement or agreements with Akron Children’s Museum to extend the term of Akron Children’s Museum’s facility lease; and declaring an emergency. 7 RESOLUTION appointing Ward 1 Council Representative Fran Wilson as City Council’s representative on the Highland Square Special Improvement District, created by Resolution No. 36- 2026 and passed by City Council February 9, 2026; and in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code Section 1710.04(A), which requires a board of directors for a special improvement district to “include a person appointed by the legislative authority of each participating political subdivision”; and declaring an emergency. *** 8 RESOLUTION honoring the life and work of the Reverend Jesse Jackson; expressing condolences and sympathy to his family on his recent passing and recognizing his lasting impact on and civil rights advocacy in Akron and throughout Northeast Ohio; and declaring an emergency. 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