Several residents and a council member used Akron’s public comment period to press the council for clearer regulation and stronger enforcement of short‑term rentals.

Joe Rusek, a West Akron resident, urged the council to finish previously considered legislation that would prohibit short‑term rentals in residential neighborhoods, saying such rentals “turn homes into hotels,” contribute to noise and parking congestion and reduce the supply of long‑term housing. Rusek said investors sometimes convert homes into short‑term rentals advertised on VRBO and Airbnb and that such activity can undermine neighborhood cohesion.

Later in the meeting Councilman Bolden referenced a recent tragedy at an Airbnb in Bath — ‘‘one person was killed, nine were injured’’ — and noted City Code Article 37 and section 1 11 6 20 as governing short‑term rental activity. Bolden asked who is responsible for monitoring and reporting violations, whether police and fire dispatchers know the locations of short‑term rentals when responding to calls, and whether the city is collecting bed tax revenue on known rentals. He urged a coordinated review involving housing, zoning, licensing and taxation staff to ensure enforcement before a similar tragedy occurs in Akron.

The council placed several other items on the consent agenda during the meeting but did not take floor action on short‑term rental legislation during this session. No council vote or formal referral on new short‑term rental limits was recorded on the broadcasted record.