Clerk’s office and council president outline outreach plans, summer intern and open professional roles

At the operating and maintenance budget hearing the council clerk reviewed the clerk’s office functions and staffing and Council President Margo Somerville highlighted recent council outreach and staffing needs.

The council clerk said the clerk’s office staffing will remain at three employees and described responsibilities including publishing legislation, maintaining searchable records, indexing passed legislation, and contributing to a weekly legislative spotlight. The clerk said the office expects to host a summer intern through a jobs program at no cost to the clerk’s office and is focusing on cross‑training to ensure operations continue if staff are absent.

Council President Margo Somerville reported that Akron City Council distributed 2,897 Ring doorbell cameras citywide last year and awarded 31 neighborhood partnership grants. Somerville said the council is preparing to launch a new Akron City Council social‑media page and that two open, budgeted full‑time positions remain unfilled: a legislative and public affairs coordinator (to help craft legislation and assist council members) and a communications liaison to manage day‑to‑day social‑media operations. Somerville asked council members for candidate referrals.

Why it matters: The clerk’s office helps make legislation and hearings accessible; the council’s planned outreach and open positions relate to constituent communication and legislative support. Staffing decisions and the social‑media launch could affect how residents receive council notices and hearings. No votes were taken during the presentation.