Note to readers:

The following item is a written record of the Akron City Council Ward 1 meeting from Feb. 4, compiled by Akron Documenter Britt Oliver. It is not a reported story.

Documenters are residents who are trained to observe and document local government meetings. Their notes are edited before publication for clarity and accuracy — unless quotation marks are used, all text is paraphrased.

If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@signalakron.org with "Correction Request" in the subject line.

Summary

  • Several resources can help Akron-area tenants better understand and even prevent the eviction process. According to Jasmine Oesterling, staff attorney for Community Legal Aid, there are a variety of reasons a landlord might initiate the eviction process — perhaps the biggest one is not paying rent when it is due. However, Community Legal Aid has guidelines for navigating the eviction process. They have also launched a new program called Right to Counsel, which offers qualifying tenants free legal assistance during the eviction process. Click here to apply.
  • Since 2019, Freedom BLOC has focused on housing with the initiative “Housing is a Human Right.” The organization offers support to help build tenant unions, develop land trusts and create policies to break down barriers in housing within our community. Join meetings every first Thursday of the month from 6 to 8 p.m. at 848 W. Exchange St. in Akron.
  • City Council approved a dual-use cannabis dispensary for the Merriman Valley, but some nearby residents are frustrated. Ward 1 Council Member Fran Wilson voted in favor of the new dispensary, saying it will be an asset for the neighborhood.

Documenter’s follow-up questions

  • With the rising cost of living, what measures is the city taking to create more affordable housing options to prevent Akron tenants from having to face eviction?
  • If Part 1 of the Highland Square Special Improvement District is approved, how quickly will the safety patrols start?

Understanding the eviction process

Community Legal Aid: Presenters Jasmine Oesterling, staff attorney; and Ryan Maxwell, managing attorney for the Neighborhood Law Project

  • New initiative: Right to Counsel in Evictions
    • RTC launched in Fall 2025.
    • Eight counties are currently utilizing the program.
    • The program provides free legal aid for qualifying residents facing eviction (review qualifications here).
    • Representatives are available Tuesdays and Thursdays to meet with residents from 9 to 11 a.m. at Akron Municipal Court.
  • If residents are facing eviction but do not meet qualifications, Community Legal Aid can offer resources to help negotiate an agreement with the landlord.
  • The eviction process
    • There are two notices: a 30-day (usually used for Section 8 tenants) and a three-day. 
    • The landlord will file the complaint, which is followed by a hearing.
    • The outcome from the hearing is the judgment.
    • If the judgment is in favor of the landlord, a bailiff will come to remove the tenant and their possessions from the property.
  • Tenants have rights, and Community Legal Aid offers a guide to help navigate the reasons for an eviction and the eviction process here.
  • The RTC program can represent tenants with the first cause, which is the legal action taken to remove the tenant from the property, and offer advice on the second cause, which is the claim from the landlord for monetary damages. They will also work to seal tenant eviction records to prevent future housing barriers.
  • From September 2025 to December 2025:
    • 19 tenants were supported by the program.
    • 16 had favorable outcomes for the tenant, resulting in dismissal or resolved issues.
    • 3 of the tenants’ trials resulted in a judgment favoring the landlord.
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Eviction process Q&A

  • A community member asked, “Who inspects commercial properties?”
    • Duane Groeger, the city’s housing administrator, said that the Housing Compliance Division only inspects vacant commercial buildings. Occupied commercial buildings are inspected by the fire department and a state inspector.
  • Another attendee asked, “What happens when a landlord doesn’t rectify health issues in their property and wants to sell it?”
    • Groeger said the person responsible would be the person who holds the title of the property. Once the property’s title is transferred to the new owner, they must resolve any lingering issues. It is the seller’s responsibility to disclose any property issues prior to the sale. 
    • Maxwell also said that tenants can file a civil complaint if the building is not properly maintained.
  • One audience member asked for data available on the number of evictions in Ward 1.
    • Maxwell said that eviction data is not broken down into wards, but he did say that there were 3,200 evictions in the last few years.
    • A representative from Freedom BLOC also said that they are working on software to extract eviction data, including how many evictions were filed, how many people were impacted. Down the line, they hope to break this data down to each ward.
Signal background

Akron Municipal Court housing program 

Presenter Vyrone Finney, specialist/facilitator.

  • The program works with landlords and tenants.
    • Landlords must register their properties with the City of Akron as well as with Summit County, and they must offer tenants a lease.
    • They are also responsible for maintaining the unit so that tenants are able to be healthy and safe. If they are unable to maintain the unit, tenants are able to enter into the escrow process. By following the detailed steps, tenants can submit rent to the Clerk of Courts until repairs are made.
  • For Section 8 housing, the eviction process requires a 30-day notice.
  • The cost to file for an eviction is $193. Three weeks after the eviction is filed, offiicals hold a hearing. If the judgment is granted, the bailiff will remove the tenant from the property.
  • For tenants facing eviction, the program can offer mediation services, provided there is ample notice.
  • Several organizations offer eviction prevention support. 
  • Tenants facing eviction can click here to see if they qualify for rental support.

Group emphasizes housing as a human right

Freedom BLOC: Presenters Imokhai Okolo, attorney/organizer, and Parinita Singh, volunteer.

  • The organization offers resources connecting residents to housing opportunities, with the belief that housing is a human right.
  • Community members are invited to join meetings each first Thursday of the month from 6 to 8 p.m. at 848 W. Exchange St. in Akron.
  • They shared several visual aids, including a coloring book/guide to empowering the community and policy proposals supporting ballot initiatives to enhance housing access.
    • The coloring book is meant to serve as a guide to understanding the obstacles with the current housing model and poses questions in order to achieve solutions.
    • Policy proposal highlights included:
      • Reallocation of Existing Income Tax (Issue 4) Funds
      • Renter’s choice security deposit — pay in full or pay in monthly installments
      • Banning rental application fees
      • Mandatory landlord fair housing training 

City of Akron Housing Compliance Division: 

Presenter: Duane Groeger, housing administrator.

  • The Housing Compliance Division handles:
    • Complaint referrals
    • Rental registrations for landlords
    • Housing appeals
    • Vacant residential and commercial buildings
    • Inspections
  • The team consists of 16 people
    • Seven inspectors cover Akron’s 10 wards
    • People file 1,500 to 2,000 complaints annually
  • There were 2,115 active filings in 2025
    • 1,180 vacant properties
    • 264 owner-occupied properties
    • 669 occupied rental units
  • Enforcement steps
    • Complaint is received
    • Inspection
    • Order issued
    • Re-inspection
    • Hearing/warning
    • Compliance (end goal) or enforcement (punishment for non-compliance)
      • The goal is to protect the health and safety of residents.
      • Groeger said, “We can only punish property owners for what they don’t do.”
  • Penalties (increased in December of 2025)
    • Administrative penalties (300-400 processed annually)
      • First offense — $200 maximum
      • Second offense — $1,000 maximum
      • Third offense — $2,000 maximum
        • These fees can be added to the landlord’s property taxes
  • Criminal charges (25-35 landlords are charged annually)
    • $500 fine and 60 days in jail per violation

Ward 1 community events

  • West Hill Neighborhood Organization President Raina González-Homs requested volunteers and/or potential board of trustee members for 2026.
    • To get involved, click here to complete an interest form.
  • Akron Parks Collaborative update from Katie Carver-Reed, vice president of the board of trustees
    • Akron Parks Challenge 2026 is live
    • One Akron-area park will be awarded $150,00 for capital improvements
    • Ward 1 parks have never been selected
    • Use this link to register and nominate a park
Akron City Council Ward 1 Representative Fran Wilson during a meeting on Monday, Dec. 1.
Akron City Council Ward 1 Representative Fran Wilson during a meeting on Monday, Dec. 1. (Ryan Loew / Signal Akron)

Ward 1 community updates

  • Fran Wilson, Ward 1’s Akron City Council representative, said their main initiative is to develop an understanding of city departments in order to be effective.
  • Snow has been an obstacle this winter for Ward 1 residents.
    • Wilson asked residents to call 311 or submit a request online if they need their street to be plowed.
    • Snow removal Q & A
      • A community member said they submitted an online request and received notification that the issue was resolved, but it was not. They submitted a second online request. What more can they do?
      • Wilson said to let them know if issues aren’t being resolved.
      • A local tenant said their parking lot has snow removal issues. Who should they talk to?
      • Wilson suggested they speak with their neighbors to organize and then go to speak with the landlord. If the issue persists, Wilson offered to escalate the issue. 

Additional Ward 1 updates

  • The Board of Education for Woodridge Local Schools, which has students who live in Akron’s Ward 1, is accepting applications for a vacant seat.
  • Council approved a dual-use cannabis dispensary in the old CVS store in the Merriman Valley.
    • Wilson said, “Yes, I voted for it. I personally think it will be an asset for the neighborhood.”
    • An audience member asked why the dispensary couldn’t be placed in a more industrial area.
    • Wilson said the dispensary has a special use zoning designation to allow for it to exist in the retail space. Wilson understands that community members might not always agree with their decisions but aims to be compassionate and listen to constituents’ concerns.
  • City Council is working to get property owners in Highland Square along West Market Street a Special Improvement District designation.
    • This will create a budget for safety patrolling and facade repairs.
    • Council approved Part 1 of this measure on Feb. 9.

Community comments

  • An attendee wanted to extend gratitude for Wilson’s efforts, saying that within their first two to three months, Wilson has been more involved than other council representatives during their entire term. They thanked Wilson for immersing themself in the community.
    •  Wilson said, “I will continue to work hard, and take feedback. I welcome it.”

Akron Documenters trains and pays residents to document local government meetings with notes and live-tweet threads. We then make those meeting summaries available as a new public record.