[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6198920,"mediaKeyId","3841964-79e4f9fa11717fd8eba96c6d3b82c161","parentId",3841964,"title","Council committee advances first contracts under $7.5 million Lehi Safe Akron HUD grant","audioSeconds",801,"startMs",1711000,"endMs",2512000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3841964-79e4f9fa11717fd8eba96c6d3b82c161&start=1711&end=2512","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3841964-79e4f9fa11717fd8eba96c6d3b82c161/thumbnail_1711000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6198920/Akron/Summit-County/Ohio/Council-committee-advances-first-contracts-under-75-million-Lehi-Safe-Akron-HUD-grant","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198920-5a8d66cb77e7464fdebedd5618b1f221/orig.mp4?Expires=1775280327&Signature=UyVfFonvFjCmdzNv~p70AIUVn6Z9IKmWmxXEdgw81P~7XXZJI0U-BWWXa4a4mCkwA~KD1ZxmQkbtbFF2H1nwsTS0LVmdYCkuUlRHawLyANazKo77av-g0cOxo3dWVFAPt-7cieusnp5eoI4XkC2eTFOtdcbEzp0QSOY5UNy3s1ab3MpN61vzgh2FTyUFii9j4Xk1YlExBMLJ9O8mgWWGIAllpZ7o~hJlB9SdUWSTr8GUjXfmGlXvbbWg-MI0OR9Yn1v8F1bXHwPScDh5AcdyRJW5UtThgWw8qtDPnxdMfWe9GFm1nJGrxuYk6fv4fI7ZEdsgRM9vMmvml9xTXNH66Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Akron, OH ","date","2025-06-16T18:01:49Z","article","The Health & Social Services Committee approved forwarding contracts to the consent agenda that implement the first installment of the Lehi Safe Akron program, a $7.5 million grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Mr. Lash, presenting the item, said the $7,500,000 HUD award funds the program. Doug Taylor of the city’s Housing and Community Services division explained the set of contractors the city will use: two established contractors (a renewal of Your Con Construction Company and Ace It Construction Company), a new Hispanic‑owned contractor listed as Reales Casa LLC (a one‑year, $600,000 probationary contract), and Rick Dale Construction LLC (a two‑year, $1,000,000 contract). Taylor said three of the contracts are for two years at $1,000,000 each and one is for one year at $600,000 — the one‑year term is intended as a probationary period for a new contractor with less experience in larger rehabilitation work.

The committee also discussed a four‑year, $117,000 contract with Pillar to Post to provide radon testing required under the grant. Mr. Lash and Taylor described operational oversight: contractors must be licensed, insured and registered; staff will monitor workmanship and terminate underperforming contractors. Taylor said the program has used multiple minority contractors over the years and that the city is willing to work with organizations such as the Urban League to identify and support minority contractors. He noted that some minority contractors previously engaged had to be removed for performance reasons, and staff described a coaching approach: assign smaller jobs initially, monitor performance and expand work if standards are met.

Council members asked about geographic concentration and scale of need. Staff said the program is citywide and targets older housing stock (properties built before 1978 are at risk for lead paint). Taylor said the department has completed roughly 1,500 homes in recent years and that the current HUD grant is the most recent in a multi‑grant history for lead abatement and housing remediation.

The chair called for a motion and the committee voted to place the contracts on the consent agenda; members answered \"Aye.\" No roll‑call award was made in committee; formal contract execution will proceed after council action and purchasing procedures. Staff emphasized that the one‑year contract is a probationary approach and that staff will terminate contractors who fail to perform warranty or quality work, citing previous terminations for missed warranty work.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Akron Committee Council Meetings - 06.16.2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Health & Social Services Committee approved moving contracts to the consent agenda for housing rehabilitation and lead‑abatement work under a $7.5 million HUD grant, including one‑year probationary and multi‑year contracts and a four‑year radon testing agreement.","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},6198925,"Committee recommends contract award for Fire Station 13 kitchen and day‑room modernization",88,517000,605000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3841964-79e4f9fa11717fd8eba96c6d3b82c161&start=517&end=605","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3841964-79e4f9fa11717fd8eba96c6d3b82c161/thumbnail_517000.jpg","/articles/6198925/Akron/Summit-County/Ohio/Committee-recommends-contract-award-for-Fire-Station-13-kitchen-and-dayroom-modernization","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198925-1ac8a336f662adaca616b0c5b2d200e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775280327&Signature=HT3abOTBVRlg5yjatLGNJ8GdaFZgHkz3BhSFjnnQ~QNyMsKPouxdi8qa0OEWRV5tdR7JtrsY6L8F3KjuSgGd78v8rhBySN1Sgt7lmooVyF0jDJEDyOKybQupjGR28phhy96HX3XGvSMFe6ElP-3KRuFpQRgor6lDn6tq9fb7ZqjDTKHBgkj526KyAiuJlrVQtmA~1nMeYczbe801ScPx65ikem1C2PlE-mx-73hEYrXfM3-HWIlh0cfjUS20ckMXDL9FaFd2JB211F-JThHVXp3oqCEX1M4lGXvdfe9is72FgAgqtV8QHDbk9qv1t9a4lQs6tlMyg-81WCsAqfnQsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Public Service Committee moved to suspend the rules and gave a favorable report on an ordinance to award contracts for kitchen and day‑room renovations at Fire Station 13 in Firestone Park.

Mister Bridal, presenting for engineering, told the committee the station at Brown and Wilbeth was built in 1953 and that the renovation covers about 1,100 square feet. He listed the planned improvements: a new exhaust hood, stainless steel countertops, new cabinetry, a new suspended ceiling, upgraded LED lighting, luxury vinyl tile flooring (LVT), painting and new appliances. Bridal said the project price was favorable and allowed inclusion of additional addenda items in the budget.

The committee had no substantive questions from members and the chair called a motion to suspend the rules; members answered \"Aye\" and the item was forwarded to the consent agenda. Bridal noted that engineering is ready to award the contract pending council action.

The ordinance before committee would authorize the director of public service or his designee to advertise, bid and execute contracts for the modernization and declares an emergency. Committee discussion emphasized that the station is overdue for renovation and that firefighters were present to answer questions; no formal contract award occurred in committee.

Next steps are council consideration of the ordinance, the emergency declaration and the formal contract award by the appropriate city purchasing authority.","The Public Service Committee recommended suspension of rules and forwarded an ordinance authorizing construction contracts for a roughly 1,100‑square‑foot kitchen and day‑room renovation at Fire Station 13 in Firestone Park.",{"_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},6198928,"Akron committee backs demolition of Goodrich Middle School, will preserve urban farm corner",143,245000,388000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3841964-79e4f9fa11717fd8eba96c6d3b82c161&start=245&end=388","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3841964-79e4f9fa11717fd8eba96c6d3b82c161/thumbnail_245000.jpg","/articles/6198928/Akron/Summit-County/Ohio/Akron-committee-backs-demolition-of-Goodrich-Middle-School-will-preserve-urban-farm-corner","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198928-5975031c0d04c839dbb5ba61ec2f46df/orig.mp4?Expires=1775280327&Signature=nkESH4iu9x3Mkh974It9Fea-DZ63gS6RszXiQ5gKoIXbyx3to2CX6M4LfwOC-b5miu0wpX15nTE9sRSDyj8dH8j6eHJ2H3sEyC2FWi7pAlJmAocvjNVNDuJUqLv05pl0tMhOVfMT-wv13UhpRhnsZRY3RiZXhCD~29PUP2k8kHmQgYbp8WSY-dA0XeYSo4rRFlvACJNGRubj-n4OsarmIHfNWeYqoqcUFsT3vSg03UFXxsZ0eHs7xa-rrGQ6RO7l3s9r9h0gTt6bcgxWBggcuyk3051U0BryTJ0cWOqsXCNO~JnOeSgXdAESsu-Bv8J3cd~lS0Rn8a28jxPMlY6bnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Public Service Committee recommended suspension of the rules and gave a favorable report on an ordinance authorizing the director of public service to bid and contract for the demolition of Goodrich Middle School.

Chris, the city’s public service director, told the committee the project is in the capital budget and \"this will be a complete removal.\" He said the school was originally constructed in 1930 with additions in 1954 and 1964, and that environmental remediation, removal of asphalt and concrete, and sidewalks are part of the scope. He said the northeast corner currently occupied by an urban farm — identified in committee as Goodrich Farming — will be preserved and left accessible.

Councilman Johnny Hannah praised the move as \"a long time coming,\" asked to be a cosponsor and said neighbors will be \"exceedingly glad\" the demolition will occur this year. Committee members then moved to suspend the rules and recommended a favorable report; the chair called a voice vote and members answered \"Aye.\" No committee member registered opposition during this item.

The city described the project as a full demolition intended to remove a long‑standing blighted structure in the neighborhood and to leave a small northeast corner to maintain public access to the existing community urban farm. The ordinance as read declares an emergency and would authorize the director of public service or a designee to advertise, bid and execute contracts for the demolition. Committee members did not vote to award demolition contracts in committee; the item was forwarded to the consent agenda after the suspension and favorable recommendation.

Questions from committee included whether other vacant school sites (such as Firestone Park Elementary) were under separate oversight; staff said Firestone remains owned by Akron Public Schools, is being cleared of contents and that economic development has scheduled a site tour with APS. The committee did not discuss detailed contractor pricing in this session.","The Public Service Committee recommended suspension of rules and a favorable report for an ordinance to demolish Goodrich Middle School, preserving a corner used as an urban farm and noting the project was in the capital budget and recently bid.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6198931,"Akron committee approves placing three-year green infrastructure maintenance contract on consent agenda",133,77000,210000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3841964-79e4f9fa11717fd8eba96c6d3b82c161&start=77&end=210","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3841964-79e4f9fa11717fd8eba96c6d3b82c161/thumbnail_77000.jpg","/articles/6198931/Akron/Summit-County/Ohio/Akron-committee-approves-placing-three-year-green-infrastructure-maintenance-contract-on-consent-agenda","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198931-74355a55930559a6377f2704ebf9cb63/orig.mp4?Expires=1775280327&Signature=n72nq9-xU0BaKOW2iOBaPnmLgSXyayWY5ZX6~nf25fv5X9zEhQ3s7gCNwMDoPC-fy9nN1PdVs0-vqYwNWDjVA2U3kLExQ3bPSUwjryO9o7UMmOi2jRBYc8yOfN4ICwzE9mwiw9C76m~KKuQd0ztDpiGxtxOrBFUyTd75i8svgTJkdiSQ2PkQz6r4CTgQW-PgASiPdGA5lCL5HVgRuOHgzkX3BLP8JC0sMNXkt5wB28niPq7j3-MB14IJSNaUK~jEZgRVIJ0lIXQmmZWT5JvpQxZ20ZHNE7y~dAvdnRECvdA1x09dXCOfR7Dwww6o8girvNCq4ff8tmCqeudcRzMVjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Public Service Committee on an administrative voice vote placed a three‑year maintenance contract for Akron’s green infrastructure stormwater sites on the consent agenda.

The measure, described by Chris, the city’s public service director, \"This legislation will allow us to bid and award the green, infrastructure sites, maintenance moving forward.\" The committee was told the work covers above‑ground landscaping upkeep and cleaning of underground stormwater structures at several sites, including Kelly Green on Biddicker Street, two sites on Kelly at Chittenden and Weeks, the Merriman site on Merriman Road, and a green infrastructure area near Fire Station 2 called Middlebury Green.

The nut of the measure is that the city will contract annual maintenance for three years at $80,000 per year. Committee staff said there will be two types of contractors: one for mowing, weeding and above‑ground landscape management, and another to clean and service the underground holding structures. Chris said the watershed staff will manage and provide oversight and that \"for the next 3 years, we're gonna manage it within house staff, and then the work will be performed by contractors.\" He also said the watershed team is expanding duties and working with staff (Jessica Glocheski and Emily Collins) to possibly take over maintenance in the future.

Committee members had no substantive objections during the item and the chair called the voice vote; members answered \"Aye\" and the item was placed on the consent agenda for the next council session. No formal roll‑call votes or contract awards occurred in committee; the ordinance as read would authorize the director of public service or a designee to publicly advertise, bid and enter contracts and declares an emergency.

The discussion distinguished short‑term contracting for operations from a longer plan to bring maintenance in‑house: staff said contractors will perform work while city watershed personnel provide oversight and evaluate taking over the work after the three‑year term.

Details in committee included the list of sites to be maintained, the contract length and annual budget, and the city’s intention to preserve oversight authority while evaluating a staff takeover. The committee did not amend the ordinance; it recommended placement on the consent agenda for council action.","The Public Service Committee agreed to place a three-year, $80,000-per-year maintenance contract for city green‑infrastructure stormwater sites on the consent agenda and discussed in-house oversight and future staff transition.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council committee advances first contracts under $7.5 million Lehi Safe Akron HUD grant

Committee recommends contract award for Fire Station 13 kitchen and day‑room modernization

Akron committee backs demolition of Goodrich Middle School, will preserve urban farm corner

Akron committee approves placing three-year green infrastructure maintenance contract on consent agenda