Akron City Council approves emergency ordinances for police testing, bridge work, polygraph and permits cannabis dispensary

Akron City Council on an evening meeting passed a series of emergency ordinances and a resolution, approving contracts to support police recruitment and background checks, authorizing state transportation work on the All American Bridge, granting a dual-use cannabis dispensary permit, and adopting a resolution honoring the University of Akron men’s basketball team.

The measures were acted on under suspension of the rules and carried by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. Council members said committees had reported favorably on each item before floor votes.

The most substantive items included ordinances authorizing: (1) a human resources contract with Faust Psychological Services to administer psychological examinations and evaluations for safety personnel; (2) a contract with National Testing Network to conduct entry-level testing for police academy cadets; and (3) a contract with Poly Tech Associates Inc. to provide pre-employment polygraph services for police candidates. Council also approved legislation authorizing the Ohio Department of Transportation and its contractors to carry out improvements on State Route 261 related to the All American Bridge. Separately, the council approved a zoning/permits-related ordinance allowing a dual-use cannabis dispensary at 926 East Waterloo Road. The council also passed a resolution congratulating the University of Akron men’s basketball team on its 2025 Mid-American Conference championship.

Votes and key details

- Ordinance authorizing contracts with Faust Psychological Services (agenda item 1): committee recommendation favorable; rules suspended; motion carried with a recorded vote of 12 yes, 0 no, 1 abstention. The ordinance declares an emergency and authorizes the director of human resources or designee to enter the contract without publicly advertising for bids.

- Ordinance authorizing contract with National Testing Network (substitute offered; agenda item 1 substitute): committee recommendation favorable; rules suspended; passed 13 to 0. The ordinance authorizes the mayor or designee to contract with National Testing Network to conduct entry-level testing for police academy cadets and declares an emergency.

- Ordinance authorizing agreements with the Ohio Department of Transportation for improvements on State Route 261 / All American Bridge (agenda item 2): committee recommendation favorable; rules suspended; passed 13 to 0. The ordinance authorizes ODOT and its contractors to proceed with the improvements.

- Ordinance authorizing contract with Poly Tech Associates Inc. for pre-employment polygraph services for police division candidates (agenda item 3): committee recommendation favorable; rules suspended; passed 13 to 0.

- Ordinance approving dual-use cannabis dispensary at 926 East Waterloo Road (agenda item 10): committee report favorable; passed 13 to 0.

- Resolution congratulating the University of Akron men’s basketball team on winning the 2025 Mid-American Conference championship (agenda item 4): rules suspended; passed 13 to 0. Council members noted game results and praised the team’s season record.

Council procedure and timing

Council repeatedly used suspension of the rules to take immediate action on the ordinances and resolution. Several committee chairs reported favorable recommendations before the full votes. Where recorded, votes matched committee recommendations; one ordinance recording a single abstention was noted during the Faust Psychological Services item.

What the ordinances do (brief)

- Faust Psychological Services: authorizes HR to contract for psychological examinations/evaluations for safety personnel without formal public bidding; declares an emergency. (Passed 12–0 with 1 abstention.)

- National Testing Network: authorizes entry-level testing contract for police cadets; declares an emergency. (Passed 13–0.)

- ODOT / All American Bridge: authorizes ODOT and its contractors to proceed with bridge and related improvements on State Route 261; declares an emergency. (Passed 13–0.)

- Poly Tech Associates Inc.: authorizes contract for pre-employment polygraph services used previously by the city for police candidates; declares an emergency. (Passed 13–0.)

- Dual-use cannabis dispensary (926 E. Waterloo Rd.): committee recommended approval following a public hearing held Feb. 10; council approved the ordinance 13–0.

- University of Akron resolution: council honored the Zips for their MAC championship and noted their upcoming NCAA tournament game.

Next steps and implementation

Each ordinance that declares an emergency allows the city to execute contracts or permit work immediately; the items that authorize contracts direct the mayor or the named department directors or designees to execute necessary agreements. Specific contract terms, dollar amounts, start dates and vendors’ execution details were not specified on the council floor during the votes recorded in the transcript.

Ending

Council adjourned immediately after committee assignments were announced and no further floor debate was recorded. The approved ordinances and resolution will move to implementation steps handled by the mayor’s office and the respective city departments.