[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6664488,"mediaKeyId","2381139-9f7b867dba49d9a927729494242f8bfa","parentId",2381139,"title","Public Service committee places facility repairs, water-main reimbursement and park lighting projects on consent agenda","audioSeconds",634,"startMs",22000,"endMs",656000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2381139-9f7b867dba49d9a927729494242f8bfa&start=22&end=656","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2381139-9f7b867dba49d9a927729494242f8bfa/thumbnail_22000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6664488/Akron/Summit-County/Ohio/Public-Service-committee-places-facility-repairs-water-main-reimbursement-and-park-lighting-projects-on-consent-agenda","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664488-482a68ca35f93240cff1083e4efcfdf9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775453351&Signature=kqbyTjiyLiAyRpstAh23YG8pTcAUM-gKM1HvEyk8n5mhUiIHupmIE4arg30IVvuRrMpUyiC3tNHCKUt4GI~pNziKjW3D0ONkzwkC-UEqF84j9Vs3qp9rXEVYa7DrOGTdZY-~Liq1k8nAOf-mPx9xy3MD-K~JaLQe7lo47a5UtZbzUMB7mXyWlkFQckC5P2Ko0GWNg9gIct7w7lKVmk2C9HudDeuSLDbf1BmFPyu1b0wt9u64gfmSzIPQjkoeLLcRUYF4iHwTq8iIr578~gPZHsc~HwRkR6BowM7EwgQd7uleaZYpx8WdIfkOyI~EogX~JS9H1pSCkdLes610~zStMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Akron OH","date","2025-02-24T18:31:17Z","article","The Public Service Committee placed four ordinances on the consent agenda and approved them by voice vote. The items covered emergency reimbursement for water-main relocation and repair connected to the ODOT Beltway project; a five-year plan authorizing contracting for interior repairs at community centers and downtown buildings to stop water damage; facility improvements at the municipal service center; and replacement of exterior park lighting with LED fixtures across multiple city-owned parks.

Chris Leto, the city's Director of Public Service, told the committee the water-main work reimbursed the city for a relocated 12-inch main near the East Avenue exit and a repaired 16-inch main near Summit Lake, work that was completed by the Beltway contractor.

Leto said the community-center ordinance is the first year of a five-year program to stop ongoing structural degradation and address interior repairs caused by prior roof leaks. \u00009cThis first one is for community centers and downtown buildings...we decided let's do a five-year plan,\u00009d he said, and noted last year's work included roof repairs and window replacements at Balch Street, Northwest Community Center, Forest Lodge, Ellet Community Center, Kenmore Community Center and Lawton Street Community Center.

On municipal service center work, Leto said last year's spending upgraded security for Building 1 and this year will focus on Buildings 2 and 3, adding card readers and addressing a failed heater used to produce park signage. For park lighting, Leto said the second year of the five-year program will replace aging metal-halide and high-pressure sodium fixtures with LED fixtures at multiple locations including Hines Hillcrest Park, Firestone Park parking lots, Erie Island Sports Complex, Patterson Park and Summit Lake Community Center walkways and courts.

Committee members raised no substantive objections and approved the package by unanimous voice vote.

Votes at a glance
- Emergency reimbursement for water-main relocation/repair related to ODOT Beltway project: placed on consent agenda and approved by voice vote (amount not specified in committee discussion).
- Ordinance authorizing contracting for community-center and downtown building repairs (five-year plan): placed on consent agenda and approved by voice vote.
- Ordinance authorizing contracting for municipal service center improvements (security, gates, card readers, heater replacement): placed on consent agenda and approved by voice vote.
- Ordinance authorizing replacement of exterior park lighting with LED fixtures at multiple city parks and facilities: placed on consent agenda and approved by voice vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Akron Council Committee Meetings - 2.24.25","oneSentenceSummary","The Public Service Committee placed four ordinances on the consent agenda and approved them by voice vote, covering emergency water-main reimbursement, a five-year facilities repair plan for community centers and downtown buildings, municipal service center upgrades, and LED lighting replacements at city parks.","taxTitle","Akron, Summit County, Ohio","taxId",2666,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6664492,"Public Safety committee gives adverse report to mayor's proposed use-of-force review contract",4431,872000,5303000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2381139-9f7b867dba49d9a927729494242f8bfa&start=872&end=5303","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2381139-9f7b867dba49d9a927729494242f8bfa/thumbnail_872000.jpg","/articles/6664492/Akron/Summit-County/Ohio/Public-Safety-committee-gives-adverse-report-to-mayors-proposed-use-of-force-review-contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664492-d1b7ff3bb8ae93f074e48cc227b8dab7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775453351&Signature=V5MRU-s8yxLvfX0taOPRk9NtopptDq39FHAwRYkIbiXQ6FD9dhzXfCbT8YEm41yof3jPd-ZLmPMgys0J5ojuxROBGnd3yjNfGmro61UnnTeeUIZ1ylvG6QKGbYKpy-flGXN6AYvbLnd2MfIfTNvMZetmViQzpp1Rrc~T5zNZYr6iMqwxF1Ll2fKpM4M2xNhS8r1MJ-rDEIgpz7M6D5eZFQZ8cNtNeeHl2eljcx9Ce5OK4ETtrxp7cEJoa5~b3xoq0NnZ8ZG3MVqnsKlGyXqCZLUXOekzkdc4SGTi7sGmusVElZ4Rvon2wmWUD3nZ54kz4LAAWjmMnMuiQ6qv2NJ36w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Public Safety Committee voted 4-1 on an adverse report for an ordinance authorizing the mayor's designee to enter a contract without public advertisement with Paul Wais, Rifkin Wharton & Garrison LLP (and related proposals cited) to conduct a comprehensive use-of-force and community engagement assessment for the Akron Police Department.

Committee members and the mayor debated the proposal\u00009s price, procurement process and where community engagement should sit in the review. Supporters said the city needs an outside, independent review with substantial community outreach; critics said the administration should solicit competing proposals or rely on in-state options such as the Ohio Collaborative before spending at the level proposed.

Mayor (unnamed) said the city had done additional vetting after the initial proposal and concluded the selected team\u00009s \u00009cqualifications of the Paul Weis and 21 CP team are unparalleled.\u00009d He warned the cost of not doing a review could be higher when accounting for litigation and settlements: \u00009cThe cost of not doing it is significant as well.\u00009d

Councilman Garrett, a supporter, said the review was urgent for neighborhoods that regularly interact with police and argued outside expertise was needed: \u00009cThis is so important ... this police department is overwhelmed with the culture that this police department has today.\u00009d Another backer, Councilman Marcus (mover of the motion to support the mayor's proposal earlier in discussion), urged colleagues to give the proposal a chance.

Several committee members opposed or expressed concerns. Councilwoman (name used in transcript) said her constituents questioned the price and process and asked for more options and clearer community engagement at the outset: \u00009cWe need to begin to put the community first. We can\u000099t have the plan, put it all together, and then throw it out and say, community, what do you think?\u00009d Councilman Fusco and others urged considering the Ohio Collaborative and other lower-cost or in-state alternatives.

After debate, Councilman Lombardo moved for an adverse report; the committee seconded the motion and took a roll call. McKittrick, Kammer, Lombardo and Hannah voted aye; Davis voted no. The motion for an adverse report passed 4 to 1.

The committee chair said members had \u00009cdeep conversations\u00009d and expressed hope the council would continue work on the issue, including other avenues for review and community engagement.

Votes at a glance
- Ordinance to permit contracting without advertisement for a comprehensive use-of-force and community engagement assessment (vendor cited in materials as Paul Wais / Paul Weis / 21CP and related teams): adverse report passed by the Public Safety Committee, 4\u000092to\u0000921 (McKittrick Aye; Kammer Aye; Lombardo Aye; Hannah Aye; Davis No).","Akron's Public Safety Committee voted 4-1 to give an adverse report to an ordinance that would have allowed the mayor to contract without public bidding for a comprehensive use-of-force and community engagement review for the Akron Police Department; council members split over cost, procurement process and community engagement priorities.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6664486,"Committee approves Summa paramedic training and Lexipol policy update for Akron Fire Department",194,3392000,3586000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2381139-9f7b867dba49d9a927729494242f8bfa&start=3392&end=3586","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2381139-9f7b867dba49d9a927729494242f8bfa/thumbnail_3392000.jpg","/articles/6664486/Akron/Summit-County/Ohio/Committee-approves-Summa-paramedic-training-and-Lexipol-policy-update-for-Akron-Fire-Department","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664486-92c3e62094289fac322fcfade9f19004/orig.mp4?Expires=1775453351&Signature=SQuE0YoZb2bXVrAijq64K8bt-1s6XL4a5Jg9O4kvUgXNqCxfY3HeSR-esJ92uNFXzZEfRzOylmDTdhRrh7U9~vHbvL7RZqqjjuPZkB9PjTvHz1f45k76O6NdzMWy1wRq54Zf9H7v3WyNWikdeGwWmt0~1SOM-Vuo1U3wCUsTPrNw1HOcyI-UCUe0UkjHMBAuxCFu3azAIJd7eUs~s~vl4lVM3NK0gmkMYPIY4M4ZbQ482Rl28moZPpbu~3aAyJq7agOEGYk1lhRa2VVmP6J~cnivYz8V8Kt1NNjiY-S7WwiFmru2p612amDCFBeTH1vZpdg4r~WzxyR9r7tP9Wcp0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Public Safety Committee approved two separate ordinances by suspension of the rules to support Akron Fire Department operations.

The first ordinance authorizes the mayor's designee to contract without public advertisement with Summa Health to provide paramedic education and training for nine Akron Fire Department employees. Deputy Chief Pascu told the committee the class began in January and the \u00009cnew total would be, 61,650 would be the total. That includes books, everything that Summa collects.\u00009d Committee members moved and seconded suspension of the rules and approved the ordinance by voice vote.

The second ordinance authorizes a contract with Lexipol to revise Akron Fire Department standard operating procedures and guidelines. Chief Pascu said the department's current guidelines are outdated in places and \u00009cnot fully aligned with the Ohio Revised Code and Ohio Administrative Code, which creates some legal risk, inefficiencies, and inconsistencies on how some of these policies are applied across the fire department.\u00009d He and committee members said updated, standardized policies should reduce liability and help the department compete for grants that require alignment with state codes.

Committee members asked a few clarifying questions about class timing and funding installments for the paramedic program; staff said the department typically pays in three installments and had already paid some book fees. Both ordinances were approved by suspension of rules with favorable committee reports and will be placed on the council agenda for final action.

Votes at a glance
- Summa Health contract for paramedic training (nine employees): suspension of rules with a favorable report approved by voice vote; total cited by staff $61,650 (includes books and program fees).
- Lexipol contract to update Akron Fire Department standard operating procedures and guidelines: suspension of rules with a favorable report approved by voice vote.","The Public Safety Committee approved two ordinances by suspension of the rules: a contract with Summa Health to deliver paramedic training for nine Akron Fire Department employees ($61,650 total) and a contract with Lexipol to update the department's standard operating guidelines to align with state codes and reduce legal risk.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public Service committee places facility repairs, water-main reimbursement and park lighting projects on consent agenda

Public Safety committee gives adverse report to mayor's proposed use-of-force review contract

Committee approves Summa paramedic training and Lexipol policy update for Akron Fire Department