Rules Committee refers omnibus amendment to council for further review
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Summary
Akron's Rules Committee reviewed a broad package of proposed amendments to council procedure (resolution 373-2023) including logo use, virtual-meeting rules and gender-neutral language; members asked for clarifications and the committee voted 5-0 to refer the item and prepare a substitute for the evening meeting.
The Rules Committee of Akron City Council reviewed an omnibus resolution to amend council rules and voted to refer the item while staff prepares a substitute for consideration at the evening meeting.
President Somerville introduced the package as an update ahead of 2026, saying it includes new rules on official use of the Akron City Council logo, revisions to standing committee procedures, rules for virtual meetings and removal of gendered pronouns from the code. "As we begin to approach 2026, we did want to submit some implementing of some new council rules, but also making some amendments to some of our existing council rules," Somerville said.
Council members pressed for specifics. One councilwoman asked why the committee-of-committees had been removed, whether "video conference technology" referred to present devices or new systems and why the rules would shift from "his/her" to "their." Somerville responded that the changes were intended to modernize language and remove gendered titles such as "councilman" and "councilwoman," while other speakers said clerks and legal staff would confirm historical edits to committee structures.
Members also asked procedural clarifications: whether a call for the question should be seconded (Rule 4.8), whether a chair can call informational meetings when no legislation is pending (Rule 3.7) and why vacancy timelines were changing (Rule 7.3). The clerk explained that fixed short deadlines (for example, a seven-day application window) previously left too little time for staff and selection committees to assemble candidates.
After discussion, the committee moved and seconded a motion to refer the resolution for amendment and to provide a substitute for the evening session. Clerk roll call recorded the five committee members McKittrick, Fusco, Amobian, Connor and Davis voting "Aye"; the motion passed 5 to 0.
The referral means council members will have additional time to review the proposed language and for staff to prepare a revised (substitute) document that separates procedural changes from ceremonial items where members recommended doing so.