[{"_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",6681040,"mediaKeyId","2382904-25ed936224401fdb4ddc16c3a813924e","parentId",2382904,"title","Council approves emergency contracts for fire paramedic training, facility repairs and other consent items","audioSeconds",1720,"startMs",2749000,"endMs",4469000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2382904-25ed936224401fdb4ddc16c3a813924e&start=2749&end=4469","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2382904-25ed936224401fdb4ddc16c3a813924e/thumbnail_2749000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6681040/Akron/Summit-County/Ohio/Council-approves-emergency-contracts-for-fire-paramedic-training-facility-repairs-and-other-consent-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6681040-e559d3e04aab1c1a4a112ab28d43c3bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775453286&Signature=UQv3ojQOgU1Afxhpva2zxhkVJvQwMhLRZlaIYPkTJsQftz5L-0jwQWpiKrw~Rs0fcsY4qVBd--J~VufGpeHRCeXFgVe3EchSCoozGlGYxwydOO~C0L3X7lZUy6gYNOtlJMgHfMubCzNotWunB1IqZ~xnEhpLd1cZ51OC2HGp965LgUSC4wniGgQrCs5vkwzyS2Krm2yrMqDtQJTBHG3ug-1Gcgbm4sK9eh4Ca9ONPgmemBmNAQVdbQaheJrgBliNIAp~Ch63g24~zgWqhGvIYDZcDyYujlb~KQ-hFJo6vgcNKoNQo6d3bxGoegMHzcqZ~39MXatBm00RhKXI6l3SYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Akron OH","date","2025-02-25T04:39:30.07Z","article","Akron City Council on Tuesday approved multiple consent and emergency measures including funding for paramedic training for new firefighters, updates to the Akron Fire Department's standard operating procedures, and the forgiveness of a delinquent ground lease connected to Cascade Plaza.

The chamber unanimously passed an ordinance authorizing the mayor or his designee to enter into a contract with Summa Health to provide education and training required for nine firefighters to achieve paramedic certification. Council members said the trainees are already enrolled and that prompt payment will enable the training to proceed.

The council also unanimously approved a contract with Lexipol to update and revise the Akron Fire Department's standard operating procedures and guidelines. City staff told council that portions of the current procedures had not been updated for some time and that some items may be out of compliance with the Ohio Revised Code, prompting the request for expedited action.

Earlier in the meeting council voted to forgive a delinquent ground lease that had been outstanding since January 1, 2023; the action applies to a parcel used primarily for Cascade Plaza and passed 13–0. Council members said the forgiveness followed work by the land bank and development finance authority and that the city expects any future owner to renegotiate a new lease with the city.

Nut graf: The measures were presented as operational and administrative steps to keep public safety training on schedule, update department policies to ensure legal compliance, and address a long-running delinquent lease connected to downtown redevelopment efforts.

Other consent items placed on the agenda included multiple public-service authorization ordinances to repair water mains, prevent or repair water leaks in community centers and downtown buildings, replace exterior park lighting, and miscellaneous facility improvements at the municipal service center; those items were set for the consent calendar and passed as part of the routine business.

Ending: The actions clear the way for paramedic certification training to proceed immediately, direct the fire department to begin updating operating procedures, and remove a delinquent lease from the city's books while leaving open future renegotiation with a potential new owner of the Cascade Plaza parcel.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Akron Council Meeting - 2.24.25","oneSentenceSummary","Akron City Council approved a package of consent and emergency ordinances including payment to Summa Health for paramedic training for nine new firefighters, updates to fire department standard operating procedures, and forgiveness of a delinquent ground lease for Cascade Plaza.","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},6681045,"Council blocks plan to convert residential lot to commercial parking near Park Gate",121,2602000,2723000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2382904-25ed936224401fdb4ddc16c3a813924e&start=2602&end=2723","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2382904-25ed936224401fdb4ddc16c3a813924e/thumbnail_2602000.jpg","/articles/6681045/Akron/Summit-County/Ohio/Council-blocks-plan-to-convert-residential-lot-to-commercial-parking-near-Park-Gate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6681045-14d9dcc224c6f07c8aba78042881f0be/orig.mp4?Expires=1775453286&Signature=K8dTIq7l20M1wfOxo6~o1~V5~qmJBJJbj6w5XYNfEOr6GAEJ92Em~tmHTHH0r2SDjgfw~kWE6Ak97cEBPawGv6HMwsv6PgRFN4bw2cYAmfORth8tHdzJ0LutTgaExUJWtikXRnNmfmpds3CYPBAPS1vllN98Tk6VhP4NDjxaszAbz~MK9TsGho9zbJIFCg9NYds0dTT~AFtyOmc55Yz4EhDmlTnWcG097Rl6r5DMvc9zrPOqp6uCHciolcLblcX5H9XoTeg37VBsIr2BdU9OYdDq8UXJf-9CEauw~JwtMoHDd-1CBc1G0czymqEzPLxpNVa6c7QOcaQt7mcIAEKVrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Akron City Council voted to adopt an adverse committee report and deny a petition to convert a residential property into a commercial parking area near Park Gate, after members, including the ward representative, said neighbors opposed the proposal.

The committee report was presented after site visits by council members considering whether a residential lot could be repurposed for commercial parking. Councilwoman Jan Davis, who represents the ward where the site is located, told colleagues she met residents and reviewed materials showing that nine residents had signed in opposition. \"I don't see the justification for demolishing a neighborhood home to extend parking,\" Davis said, and announced she would vote no.

Nut graf: The committee's adverse report prevailed on a vote of 12 to 1, blocking the proposal; the council said the record showed sufficient on-street parking and neighborhood opposition to justify preserving the residential property.

During floor discussion, council members noted multiple daylight site visits and cited observed parking availability. Councilman Fusco, who requested the item be pulled for committee consideration, said he and others had visited the proposed site and read the recommendations endorsing approval; Davis countered that she found 13 to 18 parking spaces available during several midmorning visits.

The motion for the adverse report passed 12–1. The council provided no substitute approval or conditions for the petition; the ordinance or petition will be filed in accordance with council rules.

Ending: The council's action preserves the residential parcel for now; proponents may return with additional information or revisions in a future meeting, but tonight the body sided with neighborhood objections and the ward representative's recommendation.
","Council voted 12–1 to adopt an adverse committee report and deny a petition to convert a residential property to commercial parking after the Ward 3 council representative and several neighbors objected.",{"_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},6681047,"Akron council files proposed $642,000 use-of-force review after heated public comments and split vote",3462,724000,4186000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2382904-25ed936224401fdb4ddc16c3a813924e&start=724&end=4186","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2382904-25ed936224401fdb4ddc16c3a813924e/thumbnail_724000.jpg","/articles/6681047/Akron/Summit-County/Ohio/Akron-council-files-proposed-642000-use-of-force-review-after-heated-public-comments-and-split-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6681047-6fb4e36c35d559bc7bfe8e822353d56b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775453286&Signature=NVtK2yKgPPPcX9OMwkIidOMeecdXlgDVrMVCbCAkuKf3Ja3~s5G9xLt9Y6k9LEsu5jzzVBnWbUhONcl3MEmGbfB9uhY2eSlltfJTvMPx2xHd42zy--1oTNAJO2HfGjgb8TySbawuCzWCRzv2MK9XQHeEvaAnMNkdTrslCvbR~U2SZHtV5xGwzhZGDPO0vKXmg3MNoPr6crR0tT39kl-chUnjTDfLt4kbb6ndxGBjvM7XuzsaSGZrKZDq8~lB-LYTH~UcTgRH7TmBOE-dFlH602QYBrDXdl6FceZqD2PYwR0F-eu-8HAuUp03cEKqyd1dxBCVMLCv7ZM0OGt5S3CbTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Akron City Council on Tuesday voted to file a proposed contract to review the Akron Police Department's use-of-force policies after months of public pressure, heated testimony and an extended debate over the price and community engagement.

The filing — the result of a motion for an adverse report — means the ordinance authorizing the contract will be placed on file rather than approved tonight. The measure on the table called for the city to hire an outside firm to conduct a comprehensive review of use-of-force policies and recommend training and policy changes; council members and the mayor repeatedly discussed a price in the neighborhood of $642,000 during the session.

Council members and the mayor framed the issue as a community and public-safety priority, while opponents cited cost and raised questions about procurement and whether cheaper, locally based alternatives had been fully explored.

\"Spending nearly a million dollars on redundant studies or providing real resources for safety in our community,\" said Brian Lucey, president of Akron Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7, at the start of public comment. \"Is this truly going to make Akron safer?\"

Nut graf: The vote came after more than an hour of public comment and a long council discussion that exposed a clear divide: some members urged immediate action and prioritized an outside firm they described as highly experienced; others said the city should compare additional proposals, ensure broad community engagement and reserve funds to implement any recommendations.

Supporters said the review is necessary to update policies and reduce future legal costs. Mayor Malik told council members the review and the accompanying public process were recommended repeatedly by the police auditor and oversight bodies and that the selected vendor was \"the most qualified, competent, experienced entity we can find.\" Several council members noted the city has paid millions in settlements in recent years.

Opponents centered their remarks on cost and procurement. Councilman (last name) Hannah said the mayor provided no price comparisons for other vendors and urged the city to find a firm that could deliver the same results for less. \"If you could find a dozen eggs for $2 and on the other side of the city, there were 12, which would you take?\" Hannah said, urging a price comparison.

Other council members framed the vote as a call to improve public safety while also holding the city fiscally accountable. Councilwoman Jan Davis and Councilwoman Boyce told the chamber they support review in principle but wanted clearer evidence that the selected approach represented the best value and would include community input and implementation funding.

Multiple public speakers urged action to address police killings and use-of-force incidents. Dr. Richard Montgomery told council members the ordinance restricting public comment had effectively \"stripped the people of Akron of their right to be heard\" and demanded repeal; other speakers recounted local deaths and called for substantive reform rather than delay.

Several speakers asked the city to consider alternative options: Joyce Penfield, founder of Peacebuilders Academy, said she initially opposed the ordinance because of cost but urged council members to \"do something\" and to ensure a clear scope of services, measurable outcomes and accountability if the city proceeds.

The motion for an adverse report passed by roll call, 9 to 4; the ordinance was filed. Council members did not adopt the contract or appropriate funds for implementation tonight.

Council members and staff repeatedly said they expect further work on the issue: requests for additional vendor proposals, expanded community engagement, and clearer implementation budgeting were raised repeatedly during the debate. The mayor announced a public forum on crowd control and public order policy the next evening at the Garfield CLC.

Ending: With the ordinance filed, the next steps remain procedural: council members who support a comprehensive, externally led review can pursue reintroduction with additional procurement documentation and budgetary details; others said they will press for alternative approaches that cost less and foreground community participation.
","After extensive public comment and a split council debate over cost and community involvement, Akron City Council voted to file (adverse report) a $642,000 contract to review police use-of-force policy, effectively pausing immediate approval.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves emergency contracts for fire paramedic training, facility repairs and other consent items

Council blocks plan to convert residential lot to commercial parking near Park Gate

Akron council files proposed $642,000 use-of-force review after heated public comments and split vote