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Council approves emergency contracts for fire paramedic training, facility repairs and other consent items
Summary
Akron City Council approved a package of consent and emergency ordinances including payment to Summa Health for paramedic training for nine new firefighters, updates to fire department standard operating procedures, and forgiveness of a delinquent ground lease for Cascade Plaza.
Akron City Council on Tuesday approved multiple consent and emergency measures including funding for paramedic training for new firefighters, updates to the Akron Fire Department's standard operating procedures, and the forgiveness of a delinquent ground lease connected to Cascade Plaza.
The chamber unanimously passed an ordinance authorizing the mayor or his designee to enter into a contract with Summa Health to provide education and training required for nine firefighters to achieve paramedic certification. Council members said the trainees are already enrolled and that prompt payment will enable the training to proceed.
The council also unanimously approved a contract with Lexipol to update and revise the Akron Fire Department's standard operating procedures and guidelines. City staff told council that portions of the current procedures had not been updated for some time and that some items may be out of compliance with the Ohio Revised Code, prompting the request for expedited action.
Earlier in the meeting council voted to forgive a delinquent ground lease that had been outstanding since January 1, 2023; the action applies to a parcel used primarily for Cascade Plaza and passed 13–0. Council members said the forgiveness followed work by the land bank and development finance authority and that the city expects any future owner to renegotiate a new lease with the city.
Nut graf: The measures were presented as operational and administrative steps to keep public safety training on schedule, update department policies to ensure legal compliance, and address a long-running delinquent lease connected to downtown redevelopment efforts.
Other consent items placed on the agenda included multiple public-service authorization ordinances to repair water mains, prevent or repair water leaks in community centers and downtown buildings, replace exterior park lighting, and miscellaneous facility improvements at the municipal service center; those items were set for the consent calendar and passed as part of the routine business.
Ending: The actions clear the way for paramedic certification training to proceed immediately, direct the fire department to begin updating operating procedures, and remove a delinquent lease from the city's books while leaving open future renegotiation with a potential new owner of the Cascade Plaza parcel.
