Committee of the Whole [MORNING SESSION]
Cleveland City Council
Development
Environment
Health
Housing
Labor
Libraries
Parks
Transportation
Criminal Justice
Utilities
Finance
Politics
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
9:00 a.m. — 1:00 p.m. EDT
601 Lakeside Ave Cleveland, OH 44114 (Directions)
Cleveland City Hall, Mercedes Cotner Room 217 (or watch on YouTube)
Cleveland City Council’s Committee of the Whole allows all 17 council members to meet and act as a committee. Essentially, it serves as an extra step in the process of vetting legislation before City Council officially votes on legislation.
NOTE for Documenters: This assignment is for the morning session of this Committee of the Whole meeting. This assignment is scheduled from 9 a.m. until council takes a lunch break. We are not sure exactly when council will take a break, but we are paying based on each session being a four-hour meeting (in this case going until 1 p.m., even if it runs shorter). The break may come earlier or later. If the session goes longer and you need to split, just let us know and note where you left off in your coverage.
If you can, please contact us at (216) 202- 4383 (call or text) or at cledocumenters@gmail.com to let us know when they will return from lunch and begin the afternoon session.
This meeting comes ahead of council’s first summer meeting. Not everything on the agenda will be covered in this morning session and they may jump around out of order of the agenda. If council members discuss legislation that isn’t on the agenda, feel free to include that in your coverage.
Council members:
- Joe Jones
- Kevin Bishop
- Kerry McCormack
- Deborah Gray
- Richard Starr
- Blaine Griffin, council president
- Stephanie Howse-Jones
- Michael Polensek
- Kevin Conwell
- Anthony Hairston
- Danny Kelly
- Rebecca Maurer
- Kris Harsh
- Jasmin Santana
- Jenny Spencer
- Brian Kazy
- Charles Slife
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Check the source website for additional information
Reporting
Edited and summarized by the Cleveland - OH Documenters Team
Live reporting by
Emma Sedlak
Council members make moves to spend budget surplus on Public Safety dispatch
Emma Sedlak
@eesedla
Good Morning! I’ll be live tweeting the morning session of today's Cleveland City Council Committee of the Whole that was scheduled to begin at 9 AM. #CLEDocumenters
@cledocumenters
@signalcleveland
⛅️🥐☕️
@cledocumenters
@signalcleveland
⛅️🥐☕️
08:16 AM Jul 10, 2024 CDT
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland The broadcast started a little late, but a live stream and recording of the meeting can be viewed using this link:
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland The livestream started with Tania Menesse, the city’s Director of Community Development, speaking about investments in Dave’s Supermarket on Shaker Square. She emphasized the importance of keeping Dave’s in the neighborhood.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Menesse invited David Saltzman, the Vice President of Operations, Finance, and Strategy for Dave’s Supermarkets, to speak.
Saltzman mentioned that their lease is set to expire in December of this year.
Saltzman mentioned that their lease is set to expire in December of this year.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Saltzman said they are grateful for recent improvements in the space and hopeful that further investments will drive foot traffic to the square.
With the money being discussed today, they are looking to make improvements to the customer experience in the supermarket.
With the money being discussed today, they are looking to make improvements to the customer experience in the supermarket.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Saltzman mentioned that they are prioritizing replacing the flooring, upgrading signage, expanding the prepared food section, putting in new cases throughout the store, and adding the Dave’s Sub Shop program.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland An unnamed director explained that the agreement with Daves is part of the Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) with Shaker Square.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland A Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) is a contract between a developer and community-based organizations representing residents’ interests. This agreement lists the developer’s commitments to the community and to residents if they support the project.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland These commitments often include the hiring of local people, giving contracts to local businesses, or the inclusion of affordable housing options.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland The unnamed director explained that in the CBA, Shaker Square agreed to 20% Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), 10% Female Business Enterprises (FBE), and 10% Cleveland Area Small Businesses (CSB).
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Shaker Square also committed to following the Fannie Lewis Law, which requires that city residents make up at least 20 percent of the workforce on a construction project where there is a city contract above $100,000.
“They are well on their way of obtaining that goal,” he said.
“They are well on their way of obtaining that goal,” he said.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Shaker Square also agreed to mentor two smaller contracting organizations and committed to giving first consideration to hiring applicants from Ohio Means Jobs.
“We are happy with the Community Benefits Agreement,” he concluded.
“We are happy with the Community Benefits Agreement,” he concluded.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Councilpeople Anthony Hairston, who heads the community development committee, and Deborah Gray, who represents Ward 4, both expressed support for the agreement.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Councilman Michael Polensek said he wants to be supportive but expressed major disappointment about Dave’s decision to leave other areas of the city, including Collinwood, Payne Ave, and Central.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland “As I am sitting here, we are losing rite aids. We are losing cvs. We are about to lose Walgreens in the city. We have food deserts throughout the east side,” said Polensek.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Polensek said he hopes to hear a game plan so that communities do not rely on corner stores and dollar stores for groceries.
There's a much bigger problem, and only the “trendy neighborhoods get the support,” he said.
There's a much bigger problem, and only the “trendy neighborhoods get the support,” he said.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Councilman Kerry McCormack clarified that Dave’s left Collinwood due to a “terrible landlord,” and someone from the project responded that issues with grocery stores are certainly a priority for the administration. She said she'll get back to him with more details.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Director Menesse spoke about how the city is focussing on strengthening main streets and concentrating on individual neighborhoods. She mentioned that the city cannot rely on large chains to respond to the needs of the city’s communities.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland “Building up and supporting our local grocers like Dave’s and others like Constantino's is really the key to the vibrancy of our neighborhoods,” she said.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Council Kevin Conwell asked why Dave’s pulled out of Harbor Park in Central because it really hurt the community.
Saltzman responded that they left Harbor Park and Payne Ave to invest in their location in Midtown. He added that the location in Central lost money for many years.
Saltzman responded that they left Harbor Park and Payne Ave to invest in their location in Midtown. He added that the location in Central lost money for many years.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Saltzman reemphasized that it's a challenging business, and several of their stores are down in revenue by double digits. He said his business is second to ensuring Cleveland families can put food on the table, but these stores need a lot of volume to work economically.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Conwell also asked whether there are diversity goals for supply and equipment contracts.
The speaker previously identified in this thread as an “unnamed director,” was recognized as Tyson Mitchell, the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Equal Opportunity.
The speaker previously identified in this thread as an “unnamed director,” was recognized as Tyson Mitchell, the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Equal Opportunity.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Mitchell said there are too few minority and female-led supply and equipment companies to set diversity goals. Saltzman added that the needed equipment and supplies are highly specific.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Councilman Brian Kazy asked if the CBA is specific to Dave’s or to Shaker Square.
Mitchell said that Dave’s agreement is an addendum to the CBA with Shaker Square.
Mitchell said that Dave’s agreement is an addendum to the CBA with Shaker Square.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Councilman Richard Starr asked about the plan to address food deserts. “Daves left my neighborhood in 2019,” he said. People in his neighborhood can’t get to the Dave’s in Midtown.
Starr asked if the sales at the other Dave’s locations are different from the ones they closed.
Starr asked if the sales at the other Dave’s locations are different from the ones they closed.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Menesse reemphasized that it is very difficult to finance grocery projects in cities and said that there is no city that doesn’t deal with food deserts.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Menesse spoke about different ideas the city is exploring, including subsidizing corner stores to provide groceries. She also acknowledged that the Shaker Square location is losing money, but they hope this investment will change that.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland “We ain’t got no plan,” Starr responded. He said that saying other cities have the same issue is a “poor man’s excuse.” Starr asked why they all work 40 hours a week and have no plan.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Starr emphasized that the city did not subsidize the locations in Collinwood and Central that had to close and added that his constituents don't have the means to drive to grocery stores outside their neighborhood.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland “I know what it feels like to not have nobody to take your mama to the grocery store, so you gotta walk with all those bags from 40th up to 66th and Woodland,” Starr said.
He emphasized that acknowledging the problem is not a solution to the problem.
He emphasized that acknowledging the problem is not a solution to the problem.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Starr said he supports the ordinance, but they need a real solution to food access.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Councilman Joe Jones asked about the revenue loss at the Shaker Square location and whether they experience losses at all of their Cleveland locations.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Saltzman said Shaker Square is experiencing double-digit revenue losses. He added that each location's revenue situation is unique, but the federal cuts to the SNAP program have been a challenge at all of their locations.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Jones emphasized that robust and accessible local grocers are needed to move the city forward. McCormack agreed and invited Saltzman to develop a comprehensive plan for improving grocery access across the city.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Next, McCormack introduced an emergency ordinance to approve a special energy improvement project at Erieview Tower at 1301 East 9th Street.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland The legislation assists Erieview Tower with financing clean energy improvements to the property through a PACE Loan.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland A PACE loan, or Property Assessed Clean Energy loan, is a financing model that allows property owners to implement specific qualifying energy improvements without a large up-front cash payment. The property owners repay the improvement costs over a set time period.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Polensek expressed support for the development of Erieview Tower.
Kazy asked for more information about the project.
Kazy asked for more information about the project.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland A representative from the project explained that they are developing the property to include 300,000 square feet of office space, 227 luxury live-in units managed by Marriot, and a 210 key luxury hotel managed by W hotels, including a rooftop restaurant space.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland The project includes 133,000 square feet of commercial space in the Galleria, a ballroom, gym, and meeting spaces.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland A representative from the project explained that this legislation does not impact the city's budget. The money for the loan does not come from the city. The city’s approval is just necessary to complete the transaction.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland McCormack invited representatives from the Department of Finance to the table and introduced an ordinance to add $24.2 million to the General Fund.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Finance Director Ahmed Abonamah explained that $5.9 million of the additional funds would pay for services from the county’s medical examiner and taser maintenance for the police department. $18 million would be spent on new radios for public safety dispatchers.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland $150 thousand would be used for a TIF consultant, and another $150 thousand would be used to hire a short-term project coordinator for the Homelessness project.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Kazy asked where the money came from. Abonamah responded that it comes from surpluses from income taxes and other revenue sources.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Kazy also asked why the Homelessness project needs additional funding to hire a coordinator since the council recently gave them funding. Abonamah clarified that the funding the council already gave them cannot be used to hire personnel.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Polensek asked why they are hearing this during the summer session and said he wants more information on what these expenditures are for. “It’s a lot of money,” Polensek said.
Jones agreed with Polensek.
Jones agreed with Polensek.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Abonamah explained that there is some urgency as the radios are twenty years old and “beyond their useful life.”
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland McCormack asked why there is so much urgency that they need to skip the committee process.
Abonamah explained that the work extends into the summer, and this is the forum for summer meetings.
McCormack responded that there are committee meetings during the summer.
Abonamah explained that the work extends into the summer, and this is the forum for summer meetings.
McCormack responded that there are committee meetings during the summer.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Jones asked how much surplus they have and whether this ordinance would spend all of it.
Abonamah said he did not have the dollar amount, but the income tax revenue is about 2.25% higher than expected. He added that this does not spend all of the surplus.
Abonamah said he did not have the dollar amount, but the income tax revenue is about 2.25% higher than expected. He added that this does not spend all of the surplus.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Jones said he is worried about the city's future financial situation. He said spending $24 million during a summer session is unprecedented, especially because the expenditures are not broken down or explained.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland “The city has never been in a better cash position than it is today,” Abonamah responded. He added that even with this $24 million appropriation, the city will still have over $65 million of unencumbered cash in the General Fund.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland In addition, there is $155 million in reserve funds.
Abonmah said the city has taken appropriate steps to prepare for financial difficulties.
Abonmah said the city has taken appropriate steps to prepare for financial difficulties.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Councilman Kris Harsh asked why taser maintenance has not already been worked into the budget. Wayne Drummond, the director of public safety, responded that they are trying to create a longer-term contract to include it in the annual budget.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Harsh also asked how often officers use their tasers and whether it is frequently enough to justify $6 million of maintenance annually.
Drummond said they are encouraging officers to use non-lethal responses such as tasers over their guns.
Drummond said they are encouraging officers to use non-lethal responses such as tasers over their guns.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Starr raised concerns about the procedures and expenditures. He asked why the council was not asked how this surplus money should be spent.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Abonamah clarified that this ordinance was introduced a month ago. During that time, council members could have asked questions or called a committee meeting. He added that he does not set the calendar; his job is just to deliver ordinances.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Maurer raised concerns about the TIF consultant. She explained that the TIF consultant would be choosing a philosophy for how the TIF funds should be spent, and it seems like they want to select that philosophy behind closed doors without consulting the council.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Abonamah said the TIF consultant would be more mathematical and economic than philosophical.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Hairston said he would happily draft an amendment requiring council approval to select a TIF consultant and Homelessness project coordinator.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Hairston asked why the Homelessness project needs to hire a coordinator. Abonamah responded that there is only one person running the project and it is too much work for one person.
Hairston also asked for clarity around the $5.9 million for taser maintenance.
Hairston also asked for clarity around the $5.9 million for taser maintenance.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Hairston concluded his comment by advocating for eliminating the $150,000 for the Homelessness project coordinator and allocating the work to existing positions in the mayor’s office.
He also read the proposed amendment that the TIF consultant should be approved by council.
He also read the proposed amendment that the TIF consultant should be approved by council.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Jones and McCormack spoke in support of the Homelessness project. Jones asked who he could work with directly to address the issue of homelessness in his ward. Abonamah referred Jones to the Department of Public Health.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Maurer thanked Emily Collins for her work on the Homelessness project. Maurer mentioned how overwhelmed Collins is with the work, emphasizing how crucial additional staff would be to the initiative's success.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland McCormack mentioned that Abonamah recently announced his resignation and thanked him for his contributions to the city.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Larry Jones, Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Public Safety, introduced a presentation about the proposed expenditures for new radios, CAD, and RMS.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Commissioner Jones explained that the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system is used to dispatch, assign, and monitor incidents from the time a 911 call is made until they are closed.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Records Management System (RMS) is used to report CAD incident outcomes. Both systems support emergency responders.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Commissioner Jones explained that the CAD and RMS applications are inefficient and at the end of their life. These inefficiencies reduce officer productivity and make data collection less effective and less helpful.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Commissioner Jones said the department has been conducting in-depth evaluations of the system and potential new applications since 2022.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Commissioner Jones explained that they explored the potential of a shared regional CAD system and recommend building a regional model by partnering with Chagrin Valley Dispatch through Motorola Solutions.
He shared potential benefits of the regional model.
He shared potential benefits of the regional model.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Next, Commissioner Jones explained that the city's portable radios are beyond their life cycles and are less reliable. Additionally, there is no longer any IT support for their radios, so they cannot be fixed or upgraded.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Commissioner Jones recommends that the city replace police, fire, bomb squad, and animal care and control radios.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Commissioner Jones explained that they are trying to make sure the new radios have a longer lifespan.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Commissioner Jones explained that the new CAD/RMS data collection will allow for the creation of an Officer Intervention Program that will monitor and evaluate Police officers to ensure their conduct aligns with constitutional policing standards and community expectations.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Polensek asked why this investment is time-sensitive. Jones responded that it is urgent to equip first responders, like the fire responders and bomb squad, with working radios. He also mentioned that this would ensure they are in compliance with the consent decree.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Polensek asked if the city has to pay Chagrin Valley. Commissioner Jones clarified that partnering with Chagrin Valley actually saves the city $4 million.
Polensek asked what Chagrin Valley is. Jones responded they are a shared governance committee of 35 regional municipalities.
Polensek asked what Chagrin Valley is. Jones responded they are a shared governance committee of 35 regional municipalities.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Polensek asked why the warranty is only for five years when the previous contract had a ten-year warranty.
Jones explained that the warranty on the box is five years but they will continue to offer warranty services beyond the five years.
Jones explained that the warranty on the box is five years but they will continue to offer warranty services beyond the five years.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Polensek asked how much each radio costs.
The intrinsically safe radios for the bomb squad and fire responders are $7,000 per unit. The radios for EMS, police, and animal control are $6,000 per unit.
The intrinsically safe radios for the bomb squad and fire responders are $7,000 per unit. The radios for EMS, police, and animal control are $6,000 per unit.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Commissioner Jones also said they haven’t picked a vendor yet and will approve one through the board of control. Polensek proposed an amendment to require the council to approve the contract, as it is a sizable $450 thousand contract.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Dr. Leigh Anderson, Director of the Police Accountability Team, said they are required by consent decree to move into an officer accountability program that can detect whether an officer needs assistance.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland According to Dr. Anderson, this ordinance will at least put them in partial compliance with 11 paragraphs in the consent decree. It will enhance officer performance and evaluate good from bad performances.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Polensek’s amendment to require the $450 thousand contract be approved by the council was approved.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Slife clarified that the bomb squad and fire responders use radios that are deemed “intrinsically safe,” meaning that they will not explode or cause injury in varying environments.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Slife emphasized that the investment in new radios is time-sensitive. Due to aged technology, a growing number of first responders are having to use radios that are not intrinsically safe. Slife asked for a timeline for the delivery of new radios.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Commissioner Jones answered that they are already communicating with vendors. As soon as the ordinance is passed, they plan to place an order and prioritize getting new radios to the city’s fire departments.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Councilman Jones asked about how information would be shared with regional municipalities.
Drummond responded that the regional relationship will allow officers to access dispatch information themselves instead of having to make calls to other municipalities' police departments.
Drummond responded that the regional relationship will allow officers to access dispatch information themselves instead of having to make calls to other municipalities' police departments.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Councilman Jones asked if this investment would set them up for 12 years. Commissioner Jones responded that with the refresh program, they will be better equipped to respond to needs more regularly rather than just waiting 12 years and requesting $16 million again.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Councilwoman Stephanie Howse-Jones asked that they highlight the 11 paragraphs in the consent decree.
Dr. Anderson responded that it is paragraphs 326-336.
Dr. Anderson responded that it is paragraphs 326-336.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Howse-Jones asked about the implementation of the consent decree. Dr. Anderson responded that the consent decree requires a system, policy, and plan for implementation.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Howse-Jones stated that they must meet and discuss the consent decree every month. Given the amount of investment, they need to be more intentional about information sharing for the planning implementation.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Dr. Anderson agreed and said that in the last few months, they have been going through each paragraph to see where they are not in compliance. She said she could provide information about where they are heading and apologized for not looping in council members sooner.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Howse-Jones emphasized that they have a shared responsibility to implement the consent decree, and they need to tighten the communication to ensure they can move forward.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland On Ord. 663-2024, Councilman Jones asked if they are getting a good deal on the bonds. Abonamah responded that they won't know for sure until later in the summer.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Hairston asked if there are water trucks to support beautification projects.
Abonamah said he would have to ask the Public Works Department.
Hairston emphasized that water trucks would offer important support to communities’ beautification projects.
Abonamah said he would have to ask the Public Works Department.
Hairston emphasized that water trucks would offer important support to communities’ beautification projects.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland On Ord. 664-2024, Polensek asked for a detailed list of vehicles.
McCormack responded that they requested a detailed list for all of the bonds.
McCormack responded that they requested a detailed list for all of the bonds.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Abonamah clarified that these ordinances authorize bond sales. Future ordinances will authorize purchases with the funds obtained from the bonds.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland On Ord. 666-2024, Councilman Jones asked how much all the bond totals combined.
Abonamah responded that the combined maximum is $67.5 million, which is consistent with past years.
Abonamah responded that the combined maximum is $67.5 million, which is consistent with past years.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Jones asked if these bonds are always approved during summer sessions.
Abonamah responded that last year they were approved during the june session. He clarified that they usually try to put the bonds on the market in July or August which is strategic timing.
Abonamah responded that last year they were approved during the june session. He clarified that they usually try to put the bonds on the market in July or August which is strategic timing.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Jones asked that they provide this information earlier in the future so they can go through them more prudently.
Ordinances 662-667 all stand approved with no opposition.
Ordinances 662-667 all stand approved with no opposition.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland McCormack introduced an ordinance to provide a grant agreement to partially finance costs associated with renovating the vacant Variety Theater building.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Kelly Flamos told the story of buying and developing Mahall’s in Lakewood. Flamos said she plans to renovate the Variety Theater similarly to how she developed Mahall’s.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Flamos stated that the Variety Theater was originally a vaudeville theater and, for most of its life, was a movie theater. She said she plans to create a live entertainment venue in the space.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland “There is a strong community focus,” she said. They will be partnering with performing arts organizations and CMSD schools.
She added that there will be five storefronts for retail space with a focus on food and beverage.
She added that there will be five storefronts for retail space with a focus on food and beverage.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Conwell asked where the theater is located and what students would benefit from it. Flamos responded that the theater is at Lorain Ave and 118th Street. She added that they have already been in contact with the three CMSD schools in the ward to offer the space for their use.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland She also said that the Variety’s student programming can be an opportunity for kids to learn about potential jobs.
“Cleveland has the potential to be a music city like Austin or Nashville,” Flamos said, and there are so many jobs associated with live entertainment.
“Cleveland has the potential to be a music city like Austin or Nashville,” Flamos said, and there are so many jobs associated with live entertainment.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Kazy said this is the third time the Variety Theater project has asked the council for funding. He wondered if that funding is still available.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Melissa Ferchill, the owner of MCM Company, said that they used some of the money, and much of it expired. She clarified that they are unable to access those funds, so they are starting from scratch with this $100,000 grant request.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Alyssa Hernandez, Director of Community Development, introduced a presentation about an ordinance that passed in June 2024, authorizing financial assistance to projects providing affordable housing in Cleveland.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland The representative also said the ordinance being discussed today would allow projects that were originally rejected but were re-evaluated and recommended to move forward.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Kazy and Councilwoman Jenny Spencer clarified that Habitat for Humanity should be removed from the list as it was funded through a separate ordinance. They asked if there are any other projects that should be removed.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Next, McCormack introduced an ordinance that would allow the Director of Community Development to acquire nine parcels from Cleveland Neighborhood Progress by swapping 17 parcels owned by the city.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Cleveland Neighborhood Progress would use the 17 parcels to build single-family homes and townhouses. They would be in a 5-year option agreement. If no development occurs on the parcels after five years, the city retains ownership.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Commissioner James Greene introduced a few changes in the parcels relevant to the ordinance. McCormack clarified that those changes were added to an amendment.
Polensek introduced the amendment and the council approved it.
Polensek introduced the amendment and the council approved it.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Kazy said five years is too long and asked if Cleveland Neighborhood Progress could just sell the parcels for a profit.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Greene clarified that the city retains ownership of the properties until Cleveland Neighborhood Progress develops them into homes. If another developer has plans for the parcels, Cleveland Neighborhood Progress cannot stand in the way.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Kazy also expressed concern that the parcel on 130th is around large and expensive homes. He said the community will have a lot to say about potential development.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Kazy asked that they keep all council people in the loop. He expressed disappointment that there was no communication with him.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Hairston expressed concern that they may promise land parcels to different organizations, as they have in the past. Hernandez said the department has been working on this issue to ensure they have an effective system so human errors don’t happen in the future.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland With no further questions on the ordinance, McCormack adjourned the meeting for a thirty-minute lunch break around 1:30 PM.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Have questions? Think we got something wrong? Send any inquiries on the meeting or these tweets to @cledocumenters. Or email us at cledocumenters@gmail.com
Agency Information
Cleveland City Council
See meeting notes for details
Cleveland City Council is the legislative branch of the government of the City of Cleveland in Ohio. There are 17 elected Cleveland City Council members representing the 17 wards of the City of Cleveland. Each ward has approximately 25,000 residents. Council Members are elected to serve a four-year term. Council members serve two roles in their duties: to draft and enact legislation for the city of Cleveland and act as ombudsmen for their constituents.
Find meetings streamed at: *online on TV20 at: http://www.tv20cleveland.com/watch-now/
*The meetings are also streamed on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ClevelandCityCouncil/
Documents
7/10/2024
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