Akron council hears public pleas for police reform and road safety, approves capital plan and grants

Akron City Council on the night recorded in the transcript heard sustained public comment pressing the council to speed police reform, improve winter road safety and take clearer positions on immigration enforcement before approving a slate of legislative items, including the capital investment program and several grant-authorizing ordinances.

Residents used the public-comment period to press the council on accountability. Allison Otterman, a Ward 8 resident, urged the council to revise the city’s snow-and-ice control plan, saying many level‑3 streets are not routinely plowed unless residents call 311 and that crashes often occur during refreeze periods up to 19 days after the last snowfall. "Road safety should not depend on individual requests," Otterman said.

Multiple speakers called for stronger police oversight. Tasha Mills told the council that a public stance against federal partnerships, such as with ICE, rings hollow if the city tolerates unchecked misconduct inside the Akron Police Department. "If the city claims it won't work with ICE because it undermines trust," Mills said, "then tolerating unchecked behavior within APD undermines that claim." Acacia Reynolds urged adoption of policies including bans on head strikes for low-level offenses and consistent enforcement of discipline.

After public comment, council approved the consent agenda and then took up a substitute resolution to adopt the 2026 capital investment and community development program. Councilman Fusco said the capital program is roughly $39,000,000 smaller than the 2025 budget and that about 70% of the investments come from federal and state sources and about 30% from local sources. The council suspended the rules where necessary and passed the capital resolution unanimously, recorded as 12 to 0.

Council also approved or placed on the consent agenda a set of development agreements and project ordinances, including authorizations related to 929 Home Avenue and 123 West Barges Street; an ordinance to accept potential BUILD grant funding (anticipated to exceed $2,000,000) for planning on the Inner Belt; and a separate BUILD request for Merriman Valley planning (approximately $550,000). An ordinance authorizing the removal of a low-head dam on the Little Cuyahoga River and acceptance of U.S. EPA Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding was approved, as were contract authorizations for security services at the municipal building and for Veolia Water Services to support the Water Bureau.

Councilperson Wilson, who sponsored a resolution opposing several pending Ohio bills that would require local entities to assist ICE, framed the resolution as a protection of Akron’s welcoming posture and local autonomy. Wilson urged residents to contact state legislators. Councilmembers including Fusco and Garrett argued the bills would impose costs and interfere with home-rule governance. The resolution against Ohio House Bills 26, 42, 81 and Senate Bill 172 passed 12 to 0.

On the Royce US Protection security contract, Wilson asked for clearer contract language on reporting use-of-force incidents and the process for review; staff said they would provide answers. Several council members noted topics they opposed in the capital plan — including $2,000,000 in debt toward a police headquarters and a long‑gun program — while supporting the broader package because of other priorities in the budget.

The council announced committee assignments and then adjourned. The transcript provided for this meeting does not include a calendar date; the record begins with roll call and ends with President Margo Somerville closing the session.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of meeting minutes — Passed, 12 to 0.
- Consent agenda — Passed, 12 to 0 (items include multiple development and procurement ordinances).
- Substitute resolution: 2026 Capital Investment and Community Development Program — Passed, 12 to 0 (council recorded the program as about $39,000,000 less than 2025; funding mix ~70% federal/state, ~30% local).
- Ordinance: BUILD grant request (Inner Belt planning) — Passed/placed on consent, 12 to 0 (grant expected > $2,000,000).
- Ordinance: BUILD grant request (Merriman Valley master plan) — Passed, 12 to 0 (approx. $550,000).
- Ordinance: Little Cuyahoga River low-head dam removal and EPA GLRI funding acceptance — Passed, 12 to 0.
- Ordinance: Contract with Royce US Protection for municipal building security — Passed, 12 to 0 (council requested clarification on use-of-force reporting).
- Ordinance: Contract with Veolia Water Services North America LLC for Water Bureau services — Passed, 12 to 0.
- Resolution opposing Ohio House Bills 26, 42, 81 and Senate Bill 172 (ICE-related) — Passed, 12 to 0.

What happens next

Council members noted several line items that will return for final allocations and discussion, including debt for a police headquarters and proposed equipment/policy items tied to public safety. Staff was asked to provide clarifications on the Royce security contract’s reporting procedures and any follow-up on snow-and-ice operations was suggested by community speakers.