[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6159851,"mediaKeyId","5452479-d0bb7e91b5ce388eb1f7785f56c26321","parentId",5452479,"title","Public safety committees back a suite of federal grants, AEDs and an ambulance purchase","audioSeconds",1666,"startMs",3557000,"endMs",5223000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5452479-d0bb7e91b5ce388eb1f7785f56c26321&start=3557&end=5223","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5452479-d0bb7e91b5ce388eb1f7785f56c26321/thumbnail_3557000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6159851/Akron/Summit-County/Ohio/Public-safety-committees-back-a-suite-of-federal-grants-AEDs-and-an-ambulance-purchase","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6159851-80a294df947af7b02289be41d369b6e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775453613&Signature=DtIIq0vF0czVNOuT-zgDW~yHK-vhTy5RNeFoaz4q6AwVsFMkdblB8yM7O7IJMs0SwPTax36vk6pO5WvxGdyqvhGOGTmkgRLypsFSwBctwglKlcYVlJiMCl6750ZLZgyFJhkrZA-ZJhDnyT3GHw6SuN4dvj5Yf5dXzQZlsA7p32996hdq6IRetISDpElVYBWTrMfBFdWGir66iDQILJcAlh5g61X015Q8O8jBhkD~QNU1~4bMNtjAE2rnueZdNxVuUB5Mv3uKyoD9wB-gU7I8guHcUnDs5SH96JspQCyejDP4-qYPAoSUbd8D63WDXIp6bni6qt32PyC5ayeM56E7~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Akron, OH ","date","2025-07-22T07:27:27Z","article","The Public Safety Committee advanced a broad package of grant applications and a procurement to fund equipment and staffing for fire and police operations.

Fire and EMS

- Fire Chief Sergei Lash told the committee the department will apply for a FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety grant to replace a 19‑year‑old fire safety trailer; the request to FEMA would be roughly $237,797. He estimated a grant decision and procurement could take up to two years from application. The committee placed the measure on the consent agenda.

- The committee approved (by motion to suspend rules with a favorable report) a direct procurement without formal advertising to purchase one ambulance and required equipment from Penn Care Inc. The department said the vehicle will replace an aging alternative‑response vehicle used for low‑acuity calls; the quoted lead time from the vendor is about one to two months and the purchase was moved forward with a favorable report.

Police and grants

Police representatives briefed the committee on multiple U.S. Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant applications and one state Edward Byrne JAG application. The department requested permission to apply for and, if awarded, accept and expend grant funds for the following programs (committee recommended consent placement for all):
• COPS LE Safer grant for virtual reality (VR) training expansion and community VR outreach (presenter cited an approximate award request of $290,000).
• COPS ICAT grant for de‑escalation and integrated communications/tactics training (about $79,000 requested) required by the state.
• COPS accreditation grant to create an accreditation manager position (two‑year competitive grant; no local match required) to centralize and maintain accreditation work currently split across multiple staff.
• COPS hiring grant to fund hiring up to 10 police officers; the program limits reimbursement and is competitive.
• COPS explorers grant to support youth explorer programming (about $120,000 requested) and related overtime for officers to run activities.
• COPS Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) grant to expand wellness programming, fund a part‑time consultant for physical wellness, continue a wellness mobile app, and build a dedicated wellness/stretching space in the department’s gym.
• OCJS Edward Byrne JAG funds to purchase 12 bicycles and two e‑bikes for bike patrols, fund community outreach materials and overtime for bike detail and anti‑violence deployments; the request included a match of $25,000 on a roughly $101,000 package.

Additional equipment

Police and fire representatives also told the committee they will apply to the Gary Sinise Foundation for 25 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to place in frontline police cruisers; the foundation request was roughly $44,000.

Committee action and next steps

All grant applications were recommended for placement on the consent agenda; staff said many of the grants are competitive and, if awarded, will require grant agreements and related reporting. The ambulance purchase was advanced with a favorable report following a suspension of the rules. For competitive grants, departments will return with contract and budget details if awards are made.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Akron Council Committee Meeting - 07.21.2025","oneSentenceSummary","Public Safety recommended consent for multiple grant applications from FEMA, DOJ COPS and other funders to replace a fire safety trailer, expand police hiring and training programs, deploy AEDs and bike patrols, and to purchase a replacement ambulance and other equipment.","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},6159854,"City plans to allocate HUD ESG funds to eight homeless‑service providers; committee approves consent placement",233,1527000,1760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5452479-d0bb7e91b5ce388eb1f7785f56c26321&start=1527&end=1760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5452479-d0bb7e91b5ce388eb1f7785f56c26321/thumbnail_1527000.jpg","/articles/6159854/Akron/Summit-County/Ohio/City-plans-to-allocate-HUD-ESG-funds-to-eight-homelessservice-providers-committee-approves-consent-placement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6159854-5c820d1e12f80e048dcc82b58a86337c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775453613&Signature=KzgbsA0I5xzkZELlWBzw-59gEgLaStJKQD0wlZ2dXLOUTuPCunMLep-AdDH-oBe8xu7yYryjCHfk9uU~~gDSWz~h6o6Xknk4And42yTmy8R2PpuHk~7eU7Ahivg3GhzzzgflG9BSeylhYeb3kkOLlFDYDwi7j-ncc625srK~2ATwo-XGP1ZQZnBQCBsHs8xA8U1K1Cug56FhEtQlZvlvrnNGk5YooNWwiOXPQoD5qqXMXvDnwS9KJSFAcSsOpPQIso9pxtFy5P7dgSbWfog3QMlx6fB8MX7~oSZptJAFi2l4oBAKO3VDxAOv9yo5TmnpJx7VQNyXc6OW9bGBGt-iyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning and Economic Development Committee recommended sending to the consent agenda an ordinance authorizing the director of the Department of Planning and Urban Development to enter into agreements with local agencies to implement the 2025 Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program and to authorize payment of awards.

Planning Department staff said the city will receive approximately $514,137 from HUD’s 2025 ESG allocations. The department reported it received 10 applications requesting a larger total and recommended funding eight applicants: five emergency shelter providers, one transitional shelter provider, one agency to provide street outreach, and one to provide homeless prevention and rapid rehousing. Staff said funded shelter activities will serve youth, single women, women with children, and single‑ and two‑parent families and that applicants had demonstrated the ability to leverage matching funds.

Committee discussion and clarifications

Council members asked for historical award figures and outcome data; staff agreed to provide awards and service data for the prior three years and noted application materials include service counts. Members also asked about other funding sources. Planning Department staff said the city had used HOME‑ARP funds in the prior year (example cited: $250,000 to United Way as earlier council action) and that other state funding programs (Ohio Development HCRP) provide two‑year funding cycles and were currently level. Staff noted that federal ESG COVID funds previously used for homeless prevention have ended and that agencies are experiencing funding pressure.

Next steps

The committee placed the ordinance on the consent agenda; staff committed to follow up with three‑year award and service data for council.","City planning staff said Akron will receive about $514,137 in 2025 Emergency Solutions Grant funding from HUD and recommended funding eight of ten applicants for emergency shelter, transitional housing, outreach and prevention services.",{"_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},6159859,"Council committee advances contract to fund Akron Urban League small‑business assistance",378,1352000,1730000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5452479-d0bb7e91b5ce388eb1f7785f56c26321&start=1352&end=1730","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5452479-d0bb7e91b5ce388eb1f7785f56c26321/thumbnail_1352000.jpg","/articles/6159859/Akron/Summit-County/Ohio/Council-committee-advances-contract-to-fund-Akron-Urban-League-smallbusiness-assistance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6159859-50aade701c5db493aaae369f816fe1f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775453613&Signature=dt9aribMv7jszjgltlKGRO6fZ5nVrNmxQAXupW7ZDg1dvQh5YJmQ2Jn43N6n1zIT6KWjd1oDWVK2XpEfKmhf1huNWbnzOXk-nZ3CMQJ3rW-vPAk2bOjkR5D4q2YatyyYpilV7ArOYxb914BECvA~AwhjGqr6HMJwSuEfxg4JgNzrdrQYKydGwe1dwMzduRRkf7OIFzXaUadqXYW~czmgMrazShDuFuQty8dTAOZ4hD4CopK0OrmTX1aFESKoxaud1z-RZapicxJTJpTAb7HlAejUtV~kUbt~CjQOue5wRsW7XpyNxuPBDx3p3qCFOWO0WSKAYzrwTm3gL8cGqB5FOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning and Economic Development Committee placed on the consent agenda an ordinance authorizing contracts with Akron Community Service Center and the Akron Urban League (operating as Akron Urban League) to support the Akron Urban League’s Entrepreneur Empowerment Center and small‑business assistance programs.

Susie Moore, who spoke to the committee, described the Urban League’s business assistance offerings—technical assistance, guidance for securing capital, counseling, and training—and highlighted outcomes presented to the committee. She told the committee that, in 2024, local entrepreneurs who worked with Urban League programming realized $189,000 in loans and grants and $2,200,000 in contracts won; she also said 83 businesses earned certifications. Moore said the Urban League’s partnership with the Western Reserve Community Fund has produced additional contract activity and that the city has supported similar work historically.

Committee members reacted positively to the results and moved the item to suspend the rules and to place it on the consent agenda for council action.

Next steps

The ordinance was recommended for suspension of rules and approval on the consent agenda; staff said the contracts will outline program responsibilities and funding levels to support small‑business technical assistance and capital access programs.","The Planning and Economic Development Committee recommended consent for contracts with Akron Urban League and Akron Community Service Center to support an Entrepreneur Empowerment Center and small‑business assistance programming.",{"_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},6159865,"City staff backs UNDC plan to build up to eight moderate‑cost homes in Summit Lake",275,1228000,1503000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5452479-d0bb7e91b5ce388eb1f7785f56c26321&start=1228&end=1503","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5452479-d0bb7e91b5ce388eb1f7785f56c26321/thumbnail_1228000.jpg","/articles/6159865/Akron/Summit-County/Ohio/City-staff-backs-UNDC-plan-to-build-up-to-eight-moderatecost-homes-in-Summit-Lake","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6159865-fcbe794ef56a85edb022c137d3f8a773/orig.mp4?Expires=1775453613&Signature=BICRY2wkMXUXex4wVaLzxjJV7ojLU-99lXly~JCuXkigfIUm92Vth6DI7B8-rhKS6n0efJ1ZdmQGKd6abaK~9x84kTcLU-pkN95Bz-dXRm6-Q9QN14Ed0LFBKkfb~NFz1ydnC3Vz~CsmWGOLoNVqzHh2XYaNpmT-peY1DLGA0Eq0aLyZQZRxRSDfJhs5jq4ma4iT2vNKwHJHaLA~LAaMa30OHRdS7PO14HHMKZoPnx5bAxckrv0zlbHYo-f0mGIMLMCJl~~l3hCVfnq5h3InnrZsTwPlF53hcGe6U-eb1zlsJrQfHwlJTCoOFJCXvBtV1FRH7IYdCJPnThDm~ugyYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning and Economic Development Committee approved placing on the consent agenda an agreement authorizing the mayor or designee to contract with the Urban Neighborhood Development Corporation (UNDC) to construct and sell up to eight moderate‑cost single‑family homes in the Summit Lake neighborhood.

Helen (Planning Department) told the committee the UNDC is shifting focus from North Hill to Summit Lake and that the Planning Department supports the initiative. The department said the work would be funded using program income from the Neighborhood Stabilization Fund in the amount of $587,800 and that the city has a long relationship with UNDC, which it said has built hundreds of houses since the 1980s.

Committee action

The committee recommended moving this item to the consent agenda; no objections were recorded. Staff said construction is planned within the next two years and that UNDC will continue acting as developer and seller under an agreement with the city.

Next steps

The ordinance was placed on the consent agenda for full council action; the agreement will authorize the mayor or designee to enter into the contract and to authorize payment from the Neighborhood Stabilization Fund.","The Planning and Economic Development Committee supported a contract with the Urban Neighborhood Development Corporation to build up to eight single‑family homes in Summit Lake, funded with neighborhood stabilization program income.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6159870,"Akron planning committee sets public hearings for dispensaries, vape shops and smoke‑shop zoning changes",483,1009000,1492000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5452479-d0bb7e91b5ce388eb1f7785f56c26321&start=1009&end=1492","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5452479-d0bb7e91b5ce388eb1f7785f56c26321/thumbnail_1009000.jpg","/articles/6159870/Akron/Summit-County/Ohio/Akron-planning-committee-sets-public-hearings-for-dispensaries-vape-shops-and-smokeshop-zoning-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6159870-2974e9fc831ed92a80d785bf5cc947f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775453613&Signature=nVQgQfS~PHkGQtW29DKEd9mPviE-En9MqXu4hJgsz4eVpZ-ej1WMkTjByD5iHxIUGg2g1x76XShYxRAq2cqvlk7BWxynxdbdJsgvMhOq0sNcIbtC8egiqPsoZRWlcROnBnerShaRdm4fXST6loPsto~7iPS0Y5irbzGlxWjy18MPHkS8FCwQ1rTw-FEsfVyfpGEz6bsKIcjU73F4AuyVfQVwT~DfQUBE5tYoSbI~TrzXFx2rfLMpLTvHbsVeONHFOHjlsksHGR~Zou9Tfb1jdeza8U546wjBSJwp18ajbRLUNgmF9U-A1ojRQiowoZNocuSEBncgfkcOwbPJmlc4zA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning and Economic Development Committee on first reading scheduled public hearings on multiple conditional‑use ordinances for marijuana dispensaries, a vape shop and freestanding signs and advanced a zoning text amendment that would add rules for smoke shops and remove vape shops from the conditional‑use list.

Committee chair read the new legislation into the record and directed items be advertised for public hearings. Items set for public hearing include conditional‑use requests to establish dual‑use marijuana dispensaries at 1956 West Market Street and 2010 East Waterloo Road, a vape shop at 2517 Mogador Road, and an ordinance to permit freestanding signs in setbacks at 676 South Broadway Street. The committee also introduced an amendment to Title 15 (Land Usage), Chapter 153 (Zoning Code) to add definitions and development requirements for smoke shops, and to remove vape shops from the conditional‑use list; that text amendment was scheduled for a public hearing as well.

The items were handled on first reading during the committee meeting; city staff instructed the clerk to advertise public hearings (one hearing was noted for July 28). No substantive debate or staff presentations about neighborhood impacts, buffers, distance requirements, or proposed operating conditions were recorded in the committee discussion during the meeting.

What happens next

Each ordinance was scheduled for a public hearing, where the Planning Department and applicants are expected to present detail and where neighbors may comment. Any formal votes to approve or deny conditional uses or to adopt the zoning amendment will happen after those hearings.","The Planning and Economic Development Committee scheduled public hearings and advanced several conditional‑use ordinances and a zoning text amendment that would change how vape and smoke shops are regulated in Akron.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public safety committees back a suite of federal grants, AEDs and an ambulance purchase

City plans to allocate HUD ESG funds to eight homeless‑service providers; committee approves consent placement

Council committee advances contract to fund Akron Urban League small‑business assistance

City staff backs UNDC plan to build up to eight moderate‑cost homes in Summit Lake

Akron planning committee sets public hearings for dispensaries, vape shops and smoke‑shop zoning changes