AKRON, Ohio – Akron residents are invited to a series of public meetings this month about the future of the city’s snow removal. The meetings lead up to March 1, when the newly-appointed snow and ice task force is expected to issue recommendations.

City Hall received a barrage of complaints from residents who said Akron failed to sufficiently clear about 15 inches of snow left in the wake of Winter Storm Harper in mid-January.

“During the last snow event, I received numerous calls and emails about this basic service,” said Ward 8 Councilwoman Marilyn Keith. “I heard primarily from Ward 8 residents during the event but want to be sure that I offered a number of opportunities for all residents to share.”

Keith, chair of the public service committee and member of the snow and ice task force, organized the forums to involve members of the public in the discussion.

Information gathered at the forums will go back to the snow and ice task force, which will issue a full report on the city’s weather event plan moving forward, Keith said.

The meetings will be held at community centers throughout the city:

Tuesday, Feb. 12, 6-7:30 p.m. at Lawton Community Center, 1225 Lawton Street

Wednesday, Feb. 13, 10-11:30 a.m. at Ellet Community Center, 2449 Wedgewood Drive

Wednesday, Feb. 13, 6-7:30 p.m. at Kenmore Community Center, 880 Kenmore Blvd.

Thursday, Feb. 14, 10-11:30 a.m. at Firestone Park Community Center, 1480 Girard Street

Thursday, Feb. 21, 10-11:30 a.m. at Patterson Park Community Center, 800 Patterson Ave.

Tuesday, Feb. 26, 10-11:30 a.m. at Northwest Community Center, 1730 Shatto Ave.

Anyone unable to attend a public forum can email Keith at ward8@akronohio.gov.

In its apology for the slow snow removal, the city did not indicate how it fell behind. The city said all resources were dedicated to plowing and salting roads and that it had hired seven additional contractors.

City Council President Margo Sommerville established the task force earlier this month. The last time the city review and revised its procedures for snow and ice control was in 2005, Sommerville said in a press release.

“The task force will take a deep dive into procedurally what occurred and find ways to improve that,” City Council Vice President and chair of the task force Jeff Fusco said previously. “The administration recognizes that we’re all in this together, so let’s figure out ways we can improve.”