DOWNTOWN AKRON — At the June 24 council meeting, several residents spoke out in opposition to Summit County investments, specifically the State of Israel bonds currently held by the county.
Mariam Assar of Cuyahoga Falls said she thinks the County Council should adopt a bill banning the county from investing in foreign securities, bonds and debt.
“It’s an intuitive and common basic understanding of local government that county funds and resident tax dollars should be invested locally, or at least domestically, to support the prosperity of our residents and our economy,” Assar said. “It’s not the county’s job to invest in foreign countries, foreign militaries or foreign infrastructure. There are plenty of investment options that provide equal or even greater returns locally and domestically.”
Akron resident Sharon Aguilera also spoke, saying she believes tax money should be invested in the community.
“Our tax dollars should be spent in the Akron community. [be] “Don’t invest in foreign governments that violate international law,” she said. “Invest in Summit County. Invest in our communities. Invest in the people here. Don’t invest in genocide. Don’t invest in the murder of children. Don’t invest in Israel.”
After several residents voiced their concerns, Councilwoman Elizabeth Walters (Citywide) took a moment to respond to public comments.
“We’re listening to you and we’re discussing these issues that you’re raising,” Walters said, adding that the county has an Investment Review Committee that meets quarterly and is open to the public.
Walters also said the process for selling Israel bonds was difficult and required approval from the Israeli government.
“At this time, we are not in a position to dispose of these bonds,” she said. “After discussions internally, we have no plans to purchase State of Israel bonds in the future.”
Walters said he expects to have more information on legislation on the issue when the Legislature returns from recess in August.
The council also held a final public hearing on the county drainage improvement works petition for Wye Road in Bath Township. Engineer Project Manager David Koontz presented the council with the final plans and easement drawings associated with the project, as well as an easement assessment sheet. Later in the meeting, a resolution was approved for Phase II of the Wye Road Flood Mitigation and Improvement Project.
Parliament passed several bills before its one-month recess, including:
• A resolution authorizing the administration to apply for $455,000 in H2Ohio Wetlands Grant funding through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for the Idle Brook Bunkful Wetlands Project in Bath Township. The local contribution to the grant is $1.3 million and will be used along with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The project will construct additional wetlands along Idle Brook, Yellow Creek and the West Fork to improve water quality and reduce flooding.
• A contract ($83,701) to MAC Trailer Mfg. Inc. for a tri-axle dump trailer. The trailer will be used to haul sludge and transport materials during sewer line maintenance, repair and rehabilitation projects.
• Submit and contract a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership 2024 Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The County expects to receive $980,634 in CDBG funds and $362,324 in HOME funds in 2024. The CDBG and HOME programs serve low- to moderate-income individuals and neighborhoods in the County. Holly Miller, Deputy Director of Summit County Administrative Development, said all projects must meet eligible uses and national targets, such as septic system replacement, lead removal and Home Weatherization Assistance Program.
• A memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the city of Akron, the Summit County Land Reuse Authority, the Akron Chamber of Commerce and the GAR Foundation to establish the Greater Akron Site Development Fund. The document says there is a shortage of developable commercial and industrial land in the Akron area. The parties have received a $1 million grant from private donors, which will be increased by $300,000 for a total of $1.3 million in funding. Jason Dodson, a shareholder with Roetzel & Andres, said the county and city of Akron will each contribute $100,000, the GAR Foundation will contribute $50,000 and the Summit County Land Reuse Authority and the Akron Chamber of Commerce will each contribute $25,000.
• Developing term sheets between the Summit County Development Finance Authority, the Summit-Fairlawn Broadband Area Council of Governments and the City of Fairlawn related to the data center and high-speed fiber optic ring project. Miller said a meeting with all 31 communities will be held June 28 at the Fairlawn Community Center to confirm final plans for the construction of the 135-mile fiber optic ring, which is scheduled to begin no later than Sept. 17 and be completed by the end of 2026.
• Advertise for bids for $435,900 in multiple pieces of equipment for the Department of Public Safety’s Emergency Management Division’s various jurisdictions and special operations teams. Public Safety Director Lori Pesci said the bids include 60 body armor suits, night vision equipment for SWAT teams and a bomb robot for the Youngstown bomb squad.
• Obtaining the warranty deed and temporary easement necessary to install a 5-foot-wide sidewalk on the west side of Cleveland-Massillon Road from state Route 18 to the north side of Springside Drive for a negotiated amount of $2,600.
• A $485,311 annual contract was awarded to Tyler Technologies Inc. for the period July 1 to June 30, 2025, for maintenance services for the countywide computer-aided dispatch and records management system.
• A $322,492 contract was awarded to BeInCourt for annual maintenance of the Criminal Justice Virtual Courtroom Project.
• Awarded $886,084 in contracts to various providers of juvenile delinquent protection and custody grant services for the District Court Juvenile Division.
• Creation of the Summit County Regional Arts and Cultural District. This resolution signals the need for concerted, focused efforts and action to promote and encourage the development and preservation of arts and cultural heritage in the county, including literature, theater, music, dance, painting, sculpture, photography, film, architecture, history and natural sciences. Andrew Barry, attorney for the Summit County Executive’s office, said the council created the Regional Arts and Cultural District in 2005, which operated for nine years before dissolving in 2014. Summit County Executive Eileen Shapiro also voiced her support for the district. “The arts can be a driver on many levels,” Shapiro said. “The arts bring not only economic development, but quality of life.”
The council is in recess for July and will next meet on Aug. 5 in the council chambers on the seventh floor of the Ohio Building, 175 S. High St. The meeting will also be live-streamed on the council’s Facebook page.
