Overview:
Covered by Documenter Rick Bohan (notes)
Akron City Council’s first meeting of the year on Jan. 8 struck a positive note as members recognized two Akron Police officers for their efforts to save a man’s life.
Council members unanimously passed a resolution honoring officers Kyle Cunningham and Jason Sams for their roles in assisting a man who tried to jump off the Route 8 high-level bridge Dec. 22 in Akron. Their heroics were captured on video as reported here by WKYC.
“There are so many officers here that, in the same situation, they would do the same thing,” Cunningham said during the WKYC interview. “I was just fortunate enough to be there at the right time.”
Council leadership, committee assignments set
Members voted to re-elect Ward 3 Council Member Margo Sommerville to her role as council president. In addition, they brought back At-Large Council Member Jeff Fusco as vice president. To fill the position of president pro-tem, Ward 6 Council Member Brad McKitrick was tapped. This position was previously held by former Ward 9 Council Member Mike Freeman, who retired.
Council approved the following committee assignments:
- Rules Committee: McKitrick (chair), Fusco (co-chair), and members Linda Omobien, Sharon Connor and Jan Davis.
- Budget & Finance Committee: Phil Lombardo (chair), Omobien (co-chair), and members Fusco, Tina Boyes and James Hardy.
- Planning and Economic Development Committee: Fusco (chair), Donnie Kammer (co-chair), and members Connor, Boyes and Johnnie Hannah
- Public Service Committee: Kammer (chair), McKitrick (co-chair), and members Sommerville, Hardy and Lombardo. Sommerville is temporarily on this committee until a new Ward 1 council member is appointed following the resignation of Nancy Holland last week.
- Public Utilities and Greens Committee: This committee is being merged with the Public Service Committee. (See membership above.)
- Public Safety Committee: McKitrick (chair), Kammer (co-chair), and members Lombardo, Hannah and Davis
- Parks and Recreation Committee: Connor (chair), Lombardo (co-chair), and members Hardy, Hannah and Boyes.
- Housing and Neighborhood Assistance Committee: Fusco (chair), McKitrick (co-chair), and members Connor, Eric Garrett Sr. and Sommerville.
- Health and Social Services Committee: Omobien (chair), Davis (co-chair), and members Sommerville, Boyes and Garrett.
Committees meet on Mondays starting at 1 p.m. ahead of any regularly scheduled council meeting. For more information about City Council and its committees, go here. The next council meeting is Jan. 22 at 6:30 p.m.
