6/7/2012 - South Side Leader
     

DOWNTOWN AKRON — At its June 4 meeting, Summit County Council moved forward on creating a land bank, putting a renewal levy on the ballot for Summit County Children Services (SCCS) and instituting a new policy that will require companies using heavy equipment on county roads to help maintain the roadways.

Council adopted a resolution establishing the Summit County Land Reutilization Corporation and authorizing the Summit County Fiscal Office to file its articles of incorporation. Also at the meeting, a resolution was introduced that designates the corporation as the agent for the reclamation, rehabilitation and reutilization of vacant, abandoned, tax-foreclosed and other real property in the county.

County officials have said land banks acquire property that is abandoned, vacant or foreclosed and demolishes run-down structures to improve neighborhoods. Summit County is the last urban county in Ohio to establish an entity for this purpose, they added.

Also Monday, Council adopted a resolution declaring it necessary to renew the SCCS’ 2.25-mill levy. The resolution is the first of two pieces of legislation Council must approve to get the levy on the Nov. 6 General Election ballot.

The second piece of legislation, which allows the levy to be placed on the ballot, was introduced during the meeting.

In other news, Council adopted an ordinance that would require businesses that use county roadways with heavy machinery, trucks and equipment to execute a Roadway Use and Maintenance Agreement with the county.

According to the Engineer’s Office, the agreement will protect county roads from damage that leads to costly repairs due to excessive and overweight vehicle use, especially with the increases in hydraulic fracturing activity.

Companies signing the agreement will be responsible for bringing roads up to the standards necessary for hauling heavy and/or oversized equipment frequently. The agreement calls for the widening and other improvements to such roads, including upgrades to culverts, bridges and road shoulders, according to the Engineer’s Office.

Also Monday, Council heard a first reading of two pieces of new legislation dealing with panhandling. The first would establish a registration procedure for those wishing to panhandle in the county’s townships. As proposed, it would require a $10 registration fee with the application and government-issued identification that shows the applicant is at least 18 years old.

The other ordinance specified what is considered unlawful panhandling and defines rules for when and where panhandling is allowed.

Both ordinances will be discussed during the next Rules Committee meeting.

Also, Council heard first reading of an ordinance regarding the cleanup of clandestine drug labs in the county. The ordinance proposes passing the costs of cleanup along to property owners. The Public Safety Committee will discuss the proposed ordinance in its next meeting.

Council will meet for committee meetings June 11 at 4:30 p.m. in Council Chambers on the seventh floor of the Ohio Building, 175 S. Main St.

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