[{"_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",6098009,"mediaKeyId","2825985-65f62d47e27e17eafb867c552338318f","parentId",2825985,"title","Akron public service committee approves vehicle purchases, recycling grant and depot generator; discusses electric rate spike","audioSeconds",206,"startMs",1483000,"endMs",1689000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2825985-65f62d47e27e17eafb867c552338318f&start=1483&end=1689","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2825985-65f62d47e27e17eafb867c552338318f/thumbnail_1483000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6098009/Akron/Summit-County/Ohio/Akron-public-service-committee-approves-vehicle-purchases-recycling-grant-and-depot-generator-discusses-electric-rate-spike","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6098009-03a292e49f3b2447732b89ce2f6f1d88/orig.mp4?Expires=1775771454&Signature=oRcDnNEWLrBGW3yGJitFPul2nCOityKmNRKQuR24dofAwQsVGuFJtXwfhXF~LH0QyQ6i-8Fl4bLg-laR4EDIpSoLxsAQjfa7EnAitw5bJEnJEzVzenZjCLhAUY3WHsMGcY-my87FPVib7WCINQjO1RR~yVZ0tfgqBOIQu2H~1nOKr5mR0kU24Uhbh7gBY3boWBG~cW7SvYCLTDD~PloslvFUdJinTGptZ0mnPY-rp~PYrwmhRKG7C4mr9Dbk8gQvT3YfCZnM3GRo4r4uIRPs2z-ND964ykjTIhvv49osUi0tkuPb4NR~cKOs4FKWL5XvC3nat57IvXJsz39tYctjAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Akron, OH ","date","2025-03-31T19:21:32.73Z","article","At a meeting of the Akron City Council Public Service Committee, members approved three emergency ordinances authorizing the purchase or lease of vehicles and equipment, application for a community recycling access grant, and installation of a backup generator and brine system at the city’s Copley Road (West) depot. Service Director Chris Slottle described the measures and staff outlined steps the city took this month to lock a community choice aggregation rate to limit short‑term exposure to rising electricity prices.

The measures matter because they fund core city operations and short‑term consumer protections. The equipment legislation covers annual fleet replacements and upfits across multiple divisions; the recycling grant provides roughly $196,570 for curbside, drop‑off and education work; and the depot project installs backup power and an expanded brine system to keep snow‑and‑ice and fueling operations running during outages.

“This is for our annual equipment replacement program,” Service Director Chris Slottle said, describing a package that he said totals “just under $5,000,000” and will include the upfit of 23 public works vehicles with snow‑and‑ice equipment, replacement of 10 marked police cruisers, two SUVs for the fire department, two fire‑maintenance vehicles and various mowers, loaders and tractors across divisions.

Slottle said the community recycling access grant is funded by a landfill surcharge; the city expects $196,570 this year and plans to continue the program that includes curbside education and summer “recycling right” inspections. “About 40,000 of these total funds will go to KAB to let them manage that program in the summer,” he said.

On the depot work, Slottle told the committee the city will bid to install a permanently wired backup generator so staff can run the brine system and the fuel station during extended power outages. He said the depot’s generator will be exercised automatically — typically once a week — to ensure it starts and transfers power when needed. Slottle explained the brine system reduces salt scatter on treated roads because brine sticks to pavement better than dry rock salt.

Committee members placed the three ordinances on the consent agenda and approved them by voice vote; the meeting record shows unanimous “aye” responses but does not list individual roll‑call tallies.

Staff also briefed the committee on the city’s decision this month to lock a 13‑month community choice aggregation contract at a citywide procurement rate of about 9.24 cents per kilowatt‑hour. Slottle said the rate was chosen to protect residents from rapid market increases and that the contract will be carbon‑free, supplied primarily by nuclear and hydroelectric sources in the supplier’s portfolio. “It locks us in for the next 13 months at this rate,” Slottle said.

Slottle and Tom Smith, a longtime public utilities manager, explained the recent spike in the PJM capacity charge drove much of the market movement. Staff advised residents who receive opt‑out letters to read contracts carefully for monthly fees and early termination penalties before switching suppliers; residents may opt out and shop independently.

Casey Shevlin told the committee the city will begin a fleet analysis through technical assistance available via Empower Clean Future Ohio and the Electrification Coalition to evaluate potential electric vehicle deployments where they are cost‑effective.

Committee Chair Councilman Kammer asked about consent and exercise of the generator; staff said the generator will be tested regularly. The committee approved the consent agenda and the items will move to full council with favorable reports.

What’s next: the ordinances were forwarded to all council for final consideration at the next full council meeting; staff said an RFP process for next‑year aggregation options will be launched later this summer or early fall.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Akron Council Committee Meetings - 3.31.25","oneSentenceSummary","At a meeting of the Akron City Council Public Service Committee, members approved three emergency ordinances authorizing vehicle and equipment replacement, a recycling grant application, and installation of a backup generator and brine system at the city’s Copley Road (West) depot, and heard a briefing on recent electricity price movement and the city’s 13‑month community choice aggregation contract.","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},6097999,"Public Safety Committee approves application for Ohio violent crime reduction grant of about $351,000",77,3155000,3232000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2825985-65f62d47e27e17eafb867c552338318f&start=3155&end=3232","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2825985-65f62d47e27e17eafb867c552338318f/thumbnail_3155000.jpg","/articles/6097999/Akron/Summit-County/Ohio/Public-Safety-Committee-approves-application-for-Ohio-violent-crime-reduction-grant-of-about-351000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097999-1830c447a5f07fcf68fb484e44cd8694/orig.mp4?Expires=1775771454&Signature=Bprw9okuqVFq3EVUfrzNTm8VBkmpZm-F9vnlRG2LxqpWBekqmFTlK~TCh0tyUERCAFV~UkiG2QjtaVQg5R0Sz-8MnlDubol0Iy~SRdsKqANRlNs6rygoYw9ZeC51Di6NmnlmCxmQsx82mnhArDIl6VLMel8xXdrviVPhvCxNd4khdE-SYyNOTRACiPrhFo0QpJJdLYfQhFxqmxootpiYj78UfRRFKTm2D6ME~L3dFoGN4TVQneIBqAN4oYgD74ZyDF~z2MPHk07apTkef8051T2Y68XMLKSsz-ywEJwIRDdjmdAz3LlBlWpD18vNq4qvcFCLoCyhc6wJfJM9iAfkUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Akron City Council Public Safety Committee approved an ordinance authorizing the mayor or designee to apply for, and accept if awarded, funding from the Ohio Violent Crime Reduction grant program. Chief Makosi presented the application and said the proposed request totals “just a little bit over 351,000.”

The grant application seeks to fund a multifaceted plan that Chief Makosi said would support enforcement and investigations, purchase some new equipment, and fund partnerships with community organizations to expand outreach. “The application that we put together comes to just a little bit over 351,000, and that will fund a multifaceted approach to our activities this year, for both the enforcement and investigations, as well as some of our community engagement activities,” Chief Makosi said.

When asked by Councilman Hannah which community organizations were included, Chief Makosi identified Fallen Fathers and Students with a Goal as the two community partners who would receive collaboration contracts to expand existing programs.

Committee members placed the ordinance on the consent agenda and approved it by voice vote; the meeting record shows unanimous “aye” responses but does not list a roll‑call tally.

Next steps: the ordinance will be placed on the full council consent agenda; if the city receives the OCJS award, staff said the grant would fund contracts and equipment as described in the application.

","The Akron City Council Public Safety Committee approved an ordinance authorizing the mayor or designee to apply for (and accept, if awarded) roughly $351,000 from the Ohio Violent Crime Reduction grant program to fund enforcement, investigations, community engagement and partner contracts.",{"_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},6098005,"Rules Committee honors Michelle Bronowski with resolution; suspension of rules approved",659,199000,858000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2825985-65f62d47e27e17eafb867c552338318f&start=199&end=858","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2825985-65f62d47e27e17eafb867c552338318f/thumbnail_199000.jpg","/articles/6098005/Akron/Summit-County/Ohio/Rules-Committee-honors-Michelle-Bronowski-with-resolution-suspension-of-rules-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6098005-d2234ef6f89f86596a0f85f21301f0f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775771454&Signature=aflPt73QtPs9bmWdrrJ499ZAMSWDviBQEKPoLmCEgHmu6g5LFkEgzyJoSWfd0ELCjLFZdENhrBU5ro~5efdBHb1afQLhXoFdnXBjEsNVNMcuSagipmP~-krV1hZriSKe3rBzijDGGkJsPjlLYDCQXpWgp781Ca4t0Hp15Z199gtOokx2oLQUjbLD0njDdq4JFPzZeOCkRiqQFzjzqhInkBPCuuqmtk6PtGjAI5ZJcmKlHev8T5ZZlYxuv4mYSodaeV71es6axCa-BnW4p0w51Hpp-X01RMOEdSzMoscSnfCr-a60WI4LPR6iPVLW5ULlDfMaeYH1Nicc8EqmaWzmMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Akron City Council Rules Committee approved a resolution recognizing Michelle Bronowski’s 22 years of service to the city and forwarded the measure to the full council with a favorable report.

Committee Chair Court Davianna read the resolution and opened the floor to colleagues for remarks thanking Bronowski for her service. Council members described Bronowski as knowledgeable and hardworking across several city offices; multiple members said they will miss her assistance and wished her well in her next role.

“I’ve known Michelle for quite some time in the city,” Court Davianna said as he read the resolution, and later described her as “nothing but total class act and very, very, very well versed at what she’s done in every position she’s been in the city.”

Several council members offered brief tributes. One member thanked Bronowski for drafting letters and assisting with constituent work; another called her a “class act” and said she will be hard to replace. Jeff Bernowski and Sarah Viviani also offered remarks in support.

The committee voted to suspend the rules with a favorable report and approved the resolution by voice vote; the meeting record shows unanimous “aye” responses. Committee Chair Davianna said the resolution will be presented to the full council that evening.

Bronowski addressed the committee and audience, calling her time in city service “humbling” and noting she remains an Akron resident. “I’m still a resident and still so passionate about the city of Akron,” she said.

","Akron City Council’s Rules Committee unanimously approved a resolution thanking Michelle Bronowski for 22 years of city service, declared an emergency and suspended the rules to forward the measure to full council.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Akron public service committee approves vehicle purchases, recycling grant and depot generator; discusses electric rate spike

Public Safety Committee approves application for Ohio violent crime reduction grant of about $351,000

Rules Committee honors Michelle Bronowski with resolution; suspension of rules approved