Legislation

During her tenure with City Council, Merlitti has sponsored legislation, and led or supported initiatives to make life better for residents of Akron and the 7th Ward, including:

• Downtown Hotel Co. Ltd. loan settlement: As chair of Council’s Budget and Finance Committee, Merlitti sponsored several pieces of legislation aimed at arriving at an acceptable loan settlement between the city and the owners of the Radisson Hotel Akron City Center. Merlitti and her committee successfully negotiated an acceptable payment of the $2.1 million remaining on an original $2.9 million loan to the hotel company.
• Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire LLC proposal: Councilwoman Merlitti was part of a team made up of officials from the city, county and state, as well as local public and private groups to present proposals to Bridgestone Firestone aimed at convincing the Akron-born tire maker to keep its technical center in Akron’s Ward 7. She and city officials also gave presentations about their proposal to the tire maker to residents at various ward meetings throughout the city.
• Akron Thermal legislation: As former chair of Council’s Public Utilities Committee, Merlitti offered an ordinance authorizing the city to hire Akron Energy Systems LLC to operate its steam plant while the current operator, Akron Thermal LP, underwent bankruptcy proceedings. The legislation passed by Council also would have allowed a transition of operations to Akron Energy Systems in case the city terminated the lease with Akron Thermal.
• Anti-Peddler legislation: Responding to complaints from residents in Ward 7 that door-to-door solicitors were selling home repair services that could not be guaranteed, Merlitti sponsored a new city ordinance requiring door-to-door peddlers to register with the city as legitimate solicitors of business, and that they honor any resident’s request not to be bothered or face fines as high as $1,500 and six months in jail.
• U-Verse legislation: As former chair of Council’s Public Utilities Committee, Merlitti helped clear the way for communications giant AT&T Inc. to offer its new U-verse high-speed Internet and video service in Akron.
• Expanded Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival: Councilwoman Merlitti urged the city to expand the newly formed Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival performances to include shows in Ward 7. The debut concert in the ward’s Firestone Park last summer was the most-attended of all four locations throughout the city.
• Firestone Park ball park nuisance: In a swift and decisive response to resident complaints of profanity, fights, litter and unruly crowds at Firestone Park’s basketball courts, Merlitti prompted the removal of the basketball rims from the city park.
• Senior housing in Ward 7:  Councilwoman Merlitti worked with Christian Senior Housing Foundation Inc. to secure zoning and City Council approval to build a much-needed four-story, 60-unit apartment building for senior citizens in Ward 7.
• Trick or Treat night resolution: In order to alleviate confusion and increase safety, Merlitti sponsored a resolution calling for a uniform, city-wide night for Halloween Trick-or-Treat activities.
• Chris Wells proclamation: Councilwoman Merlitti sponsored a resolution to honor Ward 7 resident and student athlete Chris Wells with an official City of Akron Proclamation. Merlitti wanted to recognize Wells, then a 17-year-old early graduate of Garfield High School, for his academic and athletic accomplishments upon being named a Parade All-American and the best high school running back in the country.