Public Service Committee advances multiple infrastructure, parks and trail measures on consent

The Public Service Committee of the Akron City Council on Tuesday approved a consent agenda that advanced a series of ordinances and grant applications covering traffic-calming, park facilities, building maintenance, hydrant maintenance and multimodal trail projects.

Most items were moved on consent and carried by voice vote. Committee members and department staff provided brief descriptions of the work, timelines and funding requests during the meeting; committee leadership said several of the items will return to full council for final action.

Key items advanced on consent included: - Diagonal Road speed designation: Staff said a traffic-engineer analysis found segments of Diagonal Road should not be designated a through street. The ordinance would change certain sections of the corridor to a 25 mph designation (making the stretch from Frederick to Copley consistent at 25 mph) to permit traffic-calming measures such as speed tables on those 25 mph segments. "This is not a through street," said Mr. Loehr, who presented the analysis, and staff indicated they will change signage to conform with city code.

- Elizabeth Park restroom: The committee advanced an ordinance to construct a new two-stall restroom near the park splash pad…