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DOWNTOWN AKRON — Summit County Council Oct. 21 gave praise to METRO RTA for being named Outstanding Public Transportation System of the Year by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). Councilman Jeff Wilhite (D-District 4) presented a commendation to METRO officials and read a portion of the commendation to Council and audience members. “METRO enhances the quality of life for our community by providing innovative transportation solutions that are safe, dependable, cost effective and customer-focused,” said Wilhite, adding that APTA presents the award annually to transit systems that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efficiency, safety operations, customer service and community engagement. He noted that METRO was selected among public transportation systems across North America in the category of agencies with more than 3 million, but fewer than 15 million annual passenger trips. “This prestigious national award recognized METRO’s excellence in transit operations and is a testament to the hard work, innovation and commitment of its team members in providing safe, reliable and high-quality service to the community,” said Wilhite. METRO does more than just “move people back and forth,” he added, referencing its partnership with Forever R Children that transformed one of its buses into a mobile shower and laundry room that travels to communities in Akron and throughout Summit, Portage and Stark counties to provide showers for the area’s homeless population. “It is an extraordinary thing,” said Wilhite. During the Public Works Committee meeting, a public hearing was held regarding the proposed vacation of a portion of Wyoga Lake Road between Seasons and State roads in Boston Township that is owned by the county. Director of Administration for the Summit County Engineer’s Office Heidi Swindell said the City of Cuyahoga Falls approached the Engineer’s Office about vacating the 400-foot section of Wyoga Lake as they were working on a safety improvement project in the area, and eliminating the section would reduce the risk of car accidents by removing an unnecessary intersection. No one spoke in favor of or in opposition to the project. Council also discussed several pieces of legislation to be voted on next week, including: • a three-year, $675,000 contract with Apex Health Solutions to provide medical administration for Summa Care, Ohio Health and First Health Networks for employee benefits; • granting design preparations for Coventry Township’s Hinman Ditch Petitioned Drainage Improvement Project. Council previously held a public viewing July 28 and a public hearing Oct. 6, and legal notices were sent by certified mail to all owners named in the petition. After holding the public hearing and hearing evidence for and against the proposed improvement, Council has determined it is in the best interest of the county to authorize the preparation of a final report, plans and the construction schedules for the proposed improvement; • a $328,578 contract with Boak & Sons Inc. for the Women’s Community Based Correctional Facility (CBCF) Roof Replacement Project. According to documents, the existing roof on the CBCF Women’s Facility is “in extremely poor condition” and needs to be replaced. The project will be funded by a grant from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (ODRC) and will have a 20-year warranty. Joe Eckenrode, with the Executive’s Department of Administrative Services-Physical Plants, noted that Boak & Sons Inc. was the lowest responsive and responsible bidder coming in $70,000 under the engineer’s estimate; • a $137,000 contract with Avid Architects Inc. for the design phase of the Jail Pre-Intake and Sallyport Addition Project. According to the legislation, the scope of the project is to “expand and modernize the jail’s pre-intake, sallyport and booking functions, improving operational efficiency, security and access to mental health and substance abuse disorder services.” Eckenrode said the majority of the contract will be paid through an ODRC grant; • a five-year, $2.47 million contract with AXON Enterprise Inc. for the purchase of body cameras, Tasers, related supplies, a warranty and software for the Sheriff’s Office; • a contract renewal with Aramark Correctional Services LLC for food services at the Summit County Jail for a one-year term from Dec. 1 to Nov. 30, 2026, for $980,000; • a three-year, $208,251 contract with The Redesign Group for storage as a service for the Office of Information Technology; and • a $105,186 contract with Teletronics Services Inc. (TTX) for hardware replacement services for the Office of Information Technology. Following committee meetings, Council heard budget hearings from the Human Resource Commission, Veterans Service Commission and Internal Audit. Summit County Council will next meet Oct. 27 in the new Board of Elections facility, 1050 E. Tallmadge Ave. The meeting is also livestreamed on Council’s Facebook page.
