8/23/2012 - West Side Leader
     

DOWNTOWN AKRON — Summit County plans to change its animal control ordinances to reflect changes at the state level in how potentially dangerous dogs are classified.

During Summit County Council’s Rules Committee meeting Aug. 20, members recommended Council adopt the changes, which came about because of House Bill 14 regarding dangerous dogs.

Jason Dodson, chief of staff for County Executive Russ Pry, said the amended ordinance provides definitions of nuisance dogs, dangerous dogs and vicious dogs, and removed references to dogs by breed.

Also part of the amendment is the addition of the opportunity for owners to contest their dog being classified as nuisance, dangerous or vicious, Dodson said.

If a dog is classified as dangerous or vicious, there are several requirements the owner must meet to continue to keep the dog, such as maintaining liability insurance, keeping the dog in a locked pen or fenced-in area or on a leash and muzzled when in public, and obtaining a special dog tag that identifies the dog as dangerous or vicious at an annual fee of $50.

Also, according to Dodson, the ordinance would be amended to remove several sections that deal with exotic animals, since the state recently passed laws regarding those.

Also Monday, Council’s Public Safety Committee recommended Council adopt a resolution that will continue the current policy of not paying jurors for the first 10 days they serve but provide parking validation instead.

Summit County Common Pleas Court Administrator Andrew Bauer said Council originally approved the change four years ago, with legislation approved to be in effect for three years. That period ends this year.

Bauer said the change has been positive and asked that it be continued.

“This has been overwhelmingly supported,” he said. “They like that jurors are paid for parking every day and they don’t have to wait two weeks for a check.”

Bauer added that the county has also saved about $450,000 in the three years.

The legislation will maintain the current pay for jurors who serve in excess of 10 days at $15 per day.

Prior to committee meetings, Council heard about changes coming to the Veterans Service Commission (VSC).

Commissioner Mike Stith told Council the VSC is reorganizing and adjusting salaries. Its current director, George Baker, who retired and was then rehired last year, is planning to leave at the end of this year, so the VSC plans to hire an assistant director who can transition into the executive director job.

Stith added that Larry Moore, who has headed up the Richland County VSC for many years, would be offered the assistant director job.

Also Monday, the Public Works Committee heard from Mike Weant, of the Department of Environmental Services, about delinquent sewer accounts. He said the number of delinquencies was about the same this year as last year, after seeing large increases since 2005. He added that about $2.5 million in fees is past due.

Council also heard from a group of youths who participated in its Summer Youth Employment Program. Several of the teenagers shared how the program helped them learn financial skills.

“We have seen true transformation,” said Jane Bechtel, who worked with the students.

Council will next meet Aug. 27 at 5 p.m. for caucus and 5:05 p.m. for the regular meeting in Council Chambers on the seventh floor of the Ohio Building, located at 175 S. Main St.

• Akron Council addresses missing 19-year-old
• Old memories meet new era at Rotary Camp
• Falls Council OKs sale of State Road property
• Hindu temple welcomes public for opening celebrations
• Norton Council preparing opposition to Internet café bill
• Peninsula residents take Council to task for actions, behavior
• Boston still seeking sewer funding
• Richfield Village welcomes former mayor at meeting
• Granger fiscal officer retiring in July
• County Council OKs pay raises
• Seventh Neighbors Day Akron set for May 25
• Take Back Day a hit
• West Side News & Notes
• Green has new buyer for Belden Lodge
• Old memories meet new era at Rotary Camp
• Manchester Education Foundation formed
• Springfield officials hear passionate pleas about photos
• County Council OKs pay raises
• Coventry trustees move forward with demolitions
• Springfield applying for grants
• South Side News & Notes