At a glance: Akron council approves cybersecurity policy, Tallmadge water agreement and AMATS grant application

Akron City Council approved a series of ordinances and motions during its Nov. 28 meeting, most by unanimous voice vote after committee reports and requests to suspend the rules.

Key outcomes recorded in the meeting transcript:

- Cybersecurity program and policy adopted (Item 1, old business): Committee reported favorably and the rules were suspended; the ordinance was announced as passing 13 to 0. The ordinance authorizes the chief technology manager to take appropriate actions in the event of a cybersecurity or ransomware incident, including making required local and state disclosures and declares an emergency.

- Surplus water agreement with Tallmadge (Item 2, old business): Committee report favorable; suspension of rules granted and the ordinance was announced as passing 13 to 0. The ordinance authorizes the mayor or designee to enter into an agreement to provide surplus water service to the city of Tallmadge and declares an emergency.

- Planning and zoning petitions: Several items were discussed or withdrawn and several were placed on the consent agenda for later adoption. One petition noted as withdrawn by the petitioner.

- Public-safety committee item (Item 1): Committee report favorable; the rules were suspended and the ordinance was announced as passing 13 to 0. Time was continued on item 2.

- Grant application to Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (AMATS): An ordinance authorizing the mayor or designee to apply for and, if awarded, accept AMATS grant funding was presented; committee reported favorably, rules were suspended, and the ordinance was announced as passing 13 to 0.

Other items introduced included conditional-use petitions, an ordinance authorizing digital signage contracts, requests to designate downtown redevelopment property (159 South Main) as public purpose under Ohio Revised Code sections 5709.41–5709.43, and other development-related ordinances; several of those were placed on the consent agenda and slated for later action.

The transcript shows the council using suspension of rules repeatedly to consider items immediately and records voice tallies for passage but does not include full ordinance texts or subsequent administrative steps; specific implementation details and effective dates for ordinances are listed as 'not specified' in the transcript where not spoken aloud.