Akron.com

Akron taking steps to prevent COVID-19 spread



DOWNTOWN AKRON — Akron City Council held a meeting March 16 with no public or media present in the audience, as the city is taking steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Only seven of the 13 Council members were present at the meeting and they practiced social distancing by spreading out in Council chambers.
Council Clerk Robert Keith released a notice March 13, stating all Akron City Council meetings will occur without the physical presence of members of the public for the time being. The notice encourages members of the public to watch the livesteam broadcasts on the Akron City Council website, akroncitycouncil.org.
Members of the public wishing to engage in the public comment portion can send their comments to publiccoment@akronohio.gov. Keith said in the notice if the comments are timely received in advance of the City Council meeting, and consistent with Council rules, these comments will be read aloud during the meeting.
Akron Mayor Daniel Horrigan released a statement March 15 regarding COVID-19 and the city’s response.
“Like cities across the nation, Akron is in the midst of a state of emergency with ever-changing circumstances, due to the COVID-19 virus,” Horrigan said. “Almost daily, the state of Ohio is taking aggressive measures to control the impact of this pandemic here in Ohio.”
Horrigan said he fully supports Gov. Mike DeWine’s efforts, including the March 15 mandate to close restaurants and bars across the state with the exception of takeout and delivery food.
“As we enforce this mandate, I have asked our public safety forces to be prepared to increase their focus on crowd control and protection of property for the safety of all our citizens,” Horrigan said. “With that said, it is imperative that we still support those businesses that have carryout, delivery and drive-thru options.”
Horrigan said the city is working to maintain city services and if any changes arise, they will be communicated to the public.
“As we move forward in the days ahead, I am asking every Akron citizen to change your daily behaviors in order to combat this pandemic, knowing that even more disruptions may occur in the days and weeks ahead,” Horrigan said. “Please heed the warning of our local, state and federal health officials. Doing so is the ultimate socially generous act and the most selfless of community gestures. Your responsible actions now can help save lives.”
Council President Margo Sommerville (D-Ward 3) thanked the staff that keeps Council Chambers clean and sanitized. She said members of City Council would be notified if there were changes to how meetings will be conducted moving forward.
In other business, Council referred the following to remain on the consent agenda:
• a contract with the Akron Public Schools Board of Education for the community learning centers’ Akron After School Program;
• a resolution to improve South Hawkins Avenue between Iona and Mull avenues, with 3.5 miles of road resurfaced at a total cost of approximately $1.4 million; and
• an ordinance repealing parts of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Akron dealing with petting zoos in the city. The city would no longer regulate petting zoos, as Summit County Public Health would take this over.
Council also agreed to move the following to the consent agenda, which is a list of routine legislation that does not require discussion and can be acted on at one time under a single motion:
√ a resolution expressing appreciation to recently retired and former University of Akron (UA) interim president John Green, Ph.D., for his long career at UA. Councilman Jeff Fusco (D-at large) said Green, who was a political science professor and director of the Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics, has been an asset to the community for years;
√ an ordinance accepting various interests in real property for certain properties to complete the Canton Road and East Market Street project. Deputy Mayor for Integrated Development James Hardy said three properties near the intersection would be purchased;
√ an ordinance to advertise for bids and enter into a contract for the construction of the foundation and landscaping for the South Main Street bronze rubber-worker statue. Service Director Chris Ludle said the city decided to remove the fountain portion of the project because it could only be used a certain number of months of the year. He also said the fountain would have cost an additional $400,000;
√ an ordinance to submit an application and enter into an agreement with ReWorks for a Community Recycling Access Grant. Ludle said the grant is for $199,110 and is used to offset the cost of the city’s recycling program and to educate residents about recycling;
√ three ordinances relating to the 2020 resurfacing program. Ludle said the city would not be taking on any new debt with resurfacing this year, as the resurfacing program will be funded using money from the state gas tax and Issue 4, a 0.25 percent income tax increase approved by voters in 2017 to provide funds for safety services and street improvements. Ludle said the city plans to resurface 54 miles of roads this year;
√ an ordinance to authorize for bids and enter into a contract for the demolition and removal of the trailer park located at Eckert Ditch, including trailers, houses, a barn and associated appurtenances. The city plans to restore the property to its natural state; and
√ an ordinance to enter into a contract with Watson-Marlow for $35,812 to purchase four chemical transfer pumps for the Akron Water Plant.
Council will meet next March 23 at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers on the third floor of the Akron Municipal Building, located at 166 S. High St. Committee meetings are set to begin at 1 p.m. that day, also in Council Chambers.