DOWNTOWN AKRON — Akron City Council authorized a $20,000 commitment to an upcoming gun buyback program in the city. The amount is the same as was given at the 2007 gun buyback event.

The event will take place Nov. 21-22 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at two locations: Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church’s west location, 1225 Vernon Odom Blvd., and east location, 270 E. Wilbeth Road.

The 2007 buyback yielded more than 950 weapons.

Individuals turning in firearms will receive a $100 gift card for groceries.

Summit County Crimestoppers has set a goal of raising $125,000, enough to buy 1,300 guns, according to a letter from Crimestoppers President Paul Thomarios.

The goal of the program is to decrease accidental shootings and reduce injuries and deaths caused by firearms, according to the legislation.

Councilman John Conti (D-at large) wondered at the possibility of, instead of merely destroying the surrendered weapons, melting down the guns to make a piece of art, as he’s seen other police departments do.

“We actually talked about that, melting some down and making a plaque,” said Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Larry Givens.

Also at the meeting, Council requested time on a conditional-use permit request for an expansion of a Save-a-Lot grocery store on Copley Road in West Akron after a neighboring resident complained during the public hearing the store’s parking lot is noisy and crowded and disruptive to the neighborhood.

In other business, Council:

• appointed Joseph Horn and Jane Startzman, both of West Akron, to the Urban Design and Historic Preservation Commission for a term expiring Dec. 31, 2009;

• approved a resolution urging a “yes” vote on state Issue No. 5, the referendum on reform of “payday lending”;

• approved about $9.7 million in no-bid one-year contract purchases of miscellaneous supplies and repair parts and labor for machinery and equipment for various city departments; and

• is considering enacting legislation that would allow businesses in the vicinity of construction of public improvements to erect temporary signs, subject to the approval of the public service director.

During the afternoon Public Service Committee meeting, Public Works Bureau Manager Paul Barnett said city crews were ready to go on the 2008 leaf removal program, which began yesterday, Oct. 22, in South Akron. This time last year, he said, much of the leaves were still on the trees, which complicated the pickup, but this year looks like it will go more smoothly.

In the West Side Leader’s coverage area, leaves will be picked up: Oct. 25 and Nov. 15 in Ward 4; Oct. 28 and Nov. 21 in Ward 3; Oct. 29 and Nov. 24 in Ward 8; and Nov. 4 and Dec. 2 in Ward 1. (It takes city crews more than one day to pick up leaves in each ward.)

On their leaf collection day, residents should place leaves only in piles in the street not more than 2 feet from the curb.

This year, Barnett said, residents can bag their leaves in environmentally friendly, biodegradable paper leaf bags available at many local stores.

However, leaves cannot be put out with residents’ trash — only on leaf pickup day.

For more information, call 3-1-1 or (330) 375-2311 or visit www.akronleafpickup.org.

The next Council meeting is set for Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers on the third floor of the Akron Municipal Building, 166 S. High St. Committee meetings are scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. that afternoon, also in Council Chambers.