DOWNTOWN AKRON — Some members of Summit County Council said during the March 31 meeting they would like Sheriff Drew Alexander to come to a future meeting to discuss plans for his department to work with the Akron Police Department.

Tim Crawford (D-District 7), Nick Kostandaras (D-District 1) and John Schmidt (D-District 2) commented they were disappointed they heard about the two law enforcement organizations’ plans much the way many residents did  — from the local media.

The 18-month trial collaboration period was announced March 28 during a press conference with Alexander and Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic [see Page 1 for more on the announcement].

At the conference, Plusquellic announced Larry Givens, retired Summit County assistant sheriff and former Akron police chief, would become Akron’s deputy mayor of public safety. He will work under Alexander for 18 months to determine how the two organizations can work together more collaboratively.

Crawford was the first to comment about the development. He said he would like Alexander to come to a future meeting to explain how the sheriff’s department will participate, as well as to give periodic updates.

Council President Kostandaras said he has concerns about liability, both financial and legal, with what has been proposed.

“The sheriff’s budget was around $41 million this year,” Kostandaras said. “I don’t want to be looking at $50 million next year.”

Pete Crossland (D-at large) said he, too, found out about the proposed collaboration through local media. He said he sees the recent announcement in a different way.

“This is a period where they’re going to look at areas for collaboration,” Crossland said. “My impression is that they haven’t made any decisions.”

During the meeting, Council adopted motions confirming the appointments to two new task forces.

Council members Louise Heydorn (R-District 3) and Ilene Shapiro (D-at large), Alexander, Sheriff’s Department Chief Steven Finical and County Engineer Greg Bachman were appointed to the Summit County Green Policy Task Force.

Twelve people were appointed to the Summit County Methamphetamine Property Awareness Task Force: Council member Jon Poda (D-at large); Alexander; Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh; Clerk of Courts Dan Horrigan; Fiscal Officer John Donofrio; County Executive Russ Pry; Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board Executive Director Don Davies; Consumer Affairs Office Director Cynthia Sich; Summit County Health District Commissioner Gene Nixon; Summit County Department of Development Director Patrick D’Andrea; Barberton Health District Commissioner Paulette Kline; and Akron Health Department Housing Administrator Duane Groeger.

Members of both task forces were appointed for six-month terms.

Council also adopted routine legislation unanimously agreed to by committee, including:

• a resolution allowing the county to accept a Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Grant, awarded by the Mahoning County Board of Commissioners, for $180,000;
• a resolution authorizing the advertisement of bids for the Summit County Courthouse Renovation Project to provide courtrooms for two new judges starting in January 2009, at a cost estimated to be $270,000;
• a resolution appropriating $60,000 in the Veterans Monument Fund, established by the Veterans Service Commission to maintain or purchase monuments/memorials in the county;
• a resolution authorizing a grant for $25,000 for Keep Akron Beautiful for 2008 for planning, planting and maintenance of flowers at five county-owned sites; and
• a resolution renaming the Sheriff’s Training Facility in Green to the Sheriff Robert D. Campbell Training Facility in honor of the late retired sheriff Campbell.

Also Monday, Heydorn presented plaques and cash awards to two students as part of the “Go Green” initiative for their award-winning science fair projects. One of them was Clara Dorfi, of West Akron, a seventh-grade student at Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts. Clara, the daughter of Maria Zanetta and Hans Dorfi, gave a brief presentation to Council on her science fair project, which compared compact fluorescent and incandescent light bulbs.

Council will meet for committee meetings April 7 at 4:30 p.m. in Council Chambers on the seventh floor of the Ohio Building, 175 S. Main St.