Here’s what happened last week in local public government meetings covered by Cleveland Documenters.
Cleveland Public Meetings Report – The week of April 17, 2023.
What happened: Public commenters commended council for supporting abortion access in Ohio. Residents Ellen Kubit, and Mary Ellen Arendas Szamborski voiced support for council Resolutions 446 and 447. One resolution condemns Ohio officials’ efforts to limit access to abortion medication. The other supports a ballot initiative to codify the right to an abortion in Ohio’s constitution. Council adopted both resolutions that evening.
Watch the full public comments or read transcripts edited by Documenter Gennifer Harding-Gosnell on the Public Comment CLE website created by Ohio City resident Angelo Trivisonno.
Land Conservancy program grading city lots from A to F
What happened: Western Reserve Land Conservancy (WRLC) is surveying 170,000 Cleveland properties. The surveyors graded properties on an A-to-F scale. Director of Building and Housing Sally Martin O’Toole, said houses that received an F will be prioritized for demolition. Isaac Robb, WRLC’s Vice President of Planning, said the survey is nearly finished. The survey data was collected by ward and owner type, and includes additional information. The general public will only have access to a “stagnant” map, while more detailed information will be available to people only if they have a .edu, .org or .gov email address, according to Robb.
Left wondering: Documenter Dan McLaughlin said, “The data from the city-wide property survey won’t be accessible to residents. Why not?”
City Council spent a few days discussing the Community Development Block Grant budget in February and March, and Documenters caught the whole thing! Get a refresher on the major takeaways.
Covered by Documenter Tina Scott
What happened: The Department of Public Safety is getting some new tech. The board approved a contract with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for a drone program costing no more than $255,030. Larry Jones II, a Deputy Commissioner focused on public safety and information technology, said the program would start with nine drones: one for each of the five police districts, one for special events, and three for training. Fire and Emergency Medical Services would also use the drones, he said. The board also approved a $250,000 contract with Flock Group, Inc. for automated license plate readers for police.
Marketing the Airports: Just as it did for work on the city’s website, Cleveland tapped local digital design group Recess Creative to provide marketing for the city’s airports. The board approved the contract, which includes two sub-consultants and is set for a maximum cost of $1.2 million.
Covered by Documenters Regina Samuels and Ayanna Watkins
What happened: The committee approved an extension of a contract with OhioGuidestone to prepare children who are leaving youth correctional facilities and returning to the community. The program is for youth at the Cuyahoga Hills and Indian River correctional facilities, located in Highland Hills and Massillon, respectively. It is a no-cost extension for 18 months, according to Cleveland official Sherry Ulery. The programming includes lessons in communication, and financial literacy. Pandemic-related lockdowns of the facilities limited the work in recent years. That also preserved the budgeted funds for the program, Ulery said. Full Council passed the legislation at its meeting later that night.
Angst over Ernst & Young: City Council also passed legislation that evening allowing the city to contract with strategic consulting firm Ernst & Young. But first, several council members expressed frustration with the administration’s request. Ernst & Young will assess several city departments’ processes and develop a 10-year improvement plan.
- Funding source: Some council members, including Ward 15’s Jenny Spencer, were concerned about using $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to pay for the work. A $550,000 grant from the Gund Foundation also supports the initiative. Council President Blaine Griffin said he considered this request because Mayor Justin Bibb adjusted other ARPA spending proposals. That shift leaves more money available for shared priorities such as housing, he said.
- University of St. Clair Avenue: Other council members, including Ward 10’s Anthony Hairston and Ward 8’s Mike Polensek, took issue with hiring outside consultants. They said department officials, Council members and city workers could better assess what City Hall needs. “I’m no Ph.D.,” Polensek said. “I got my degree in University of St. Clair Avenue, and I can tell you what needs to get done here.” All 16 Council members present at the evening meeting voted in favor of the legislation.
Curious about how council moves legislation? Check out our one-page guide to council’s legislative process.
On deck
Check out what local government meetings Documenters are set to cover this week.
April 24
- 2 p.m. – Finance, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, Cleveland City Council (livestream)
- 7 p.m. – Cleveland City Council (livestream)
- 9:30 a.m. – Board of Building Standards and Building Appeals (livestream)
- 10 a.m. – Safety Committee, Cleveland City Council (livestream)
- 3 p.m. – Cleveland Board of Control (livestream)
- 6 p.m. – Community Police Commission Public Meeting (livestream)
