Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin kicked off the meeting by reminding people that although everyone was welcome to attend, this meeting would not be used for community feedback.
Griffin said he is concerned about how contentious and disruptive public comment has been during the last few City Council meetings. That includes repeated protests from residents in the wake of Israel’s war on Gaza, though some council members have also expressed concerns about non-Cleveland residents giving public comment.
Griffin shared a draft of the proposed public comment changes with everyone in the meeting. One example: Public comment would be limited to “one item currently under consideration by City Council.” That was defined as an item that has been introduced, is pending, or is being discussed by all or part of the council. Proposed rules could also limit comments that are “frivolous, repetitive or harassing in nature.” Those terms were not defined in the draft.
Although the First Amendment applies to public comment, speech may be restricted, according to Rachel Nigro Scalish, a lawyer representing City Council. Unlike a street corner where free speech isn’t supposed to be restricted, the government can choose to limit public comment because it is not a true public forum.
Public Comment Pushback: Council members Rebecca Maurer of Ward 12, and Brian Kazy of Ward 16 opposed new restrictions on public comment. Maurer shared concerns that the changes to public comment seem punitive. Kazy suggested moving public comment to the end of City Council meetings.
Griffin and Ward 1 Council Member Joe Jones cited safety concerns and decorum as reasons for revisiting the rules of public comment. Maurer challenged them by saying that the changes make it seem as though City Council is afraid of residents and what they have to say. The council didn’t vote on the new rules.
Residents Speak About Israel’s War on Gaza; Affordable Apartments Coming to Clark-Fulton:
Byline: Anastazia Vanisko and Cleveland Documenters Tucker Handley and Christina Easter
Sarah Gammone Popivker makes a public comment at Cleveland City Council. (Credit: Cleveland City Council YouTube)
Back At the Mic: Public comments on Mayor Justin Bibb’s Oct. 7 statement in support of Israel continued at the latest Cleveland City Council meeting.
Members of Greater Cleveland’s Palestinian community, which includes more than 25,000 people, criticized Bibb for his continued silence. Rasmia Alnadi of Medina said Bibb had not responded to the facts and stories Palestinian community members had shared in past meetings. “We have presented fact upon fact, so you leave me with no choice but to appeal to your pathos, to your emotion, to your humanity, human to human,” she said. Lucas Waggoner of Mentor said that Bibb has been silent despite the past three meetings filled with public comments criticizing his statement.
One commenter asked that City Council take a harsher stance against pro-Palestine organizations. Sarah Gammone Popivker of Cleveland Heights said that pro-Palestine groups were using phrases at rallies that she felt were antisemitic. She asked City Council and the mayor to take action to “stop these groups from polluting our youth” and said that other places have taken similar measures.
Affordable housing for Clark-Fulton: City Council approved legislation to provide a $1 million grant for the Northern Ohio Blanket Mills Project, a mixed-use development in Clark-Fulton in one of the largest vacant properties in the neighborhood. Council Member Jasmin Santana thanked her colleagues and said the project would create 60 affordable apartments.
Plan To Develop Affordable Housing in Vacant Lots Approved:
Byline: Anastazia Vanisko and Cleveland Documenters Michaylah Burch and Marvetta Rutherford
Cleveland Board of Control illustration. (Credit: John G., Shiner Comics)
Drawings in Exchange for Houses: Cleveland’s Department of Community Development is trying to make it easier to build affordable homes on vacant lots. The Board of Control approved contracts with four organizations to provide architectural drawings for the city. Director Alyssa Hernandez said the department will use the drawings as pre-approved plans for developing on vacant land.
Hernandez said that Rebuild Cleveland, one of the partners named in the contract, will offer architectural drawings for free in exchange for being allowed to develop 10 new homes. The total cost of the other three contracts is $116,500.
Southeast Side Loans: The board approved a partnership with Cleveland Neighborhood Progress to implement the city’s Southeast Side commercial border strategy. A representative of the Economic Development Department said the contract will allow the city to provide loans and grants to minority small business owners based on the Southeast Side.
The representative said that this program will invest money into the communities around Lee and Kinsman roads and Harvard and Miles avenues. Financial details of the agreement weren’t specified.
New Electric Sign Approved for Orchard STEM School in Ohio City:
Dakotah Kennedy and Documenters Marcy Clark and Prerna Agarwal
November 13: Board of Zoning Appeals
Lighting The Way: Orchard STEM School, located in Ohio City, requested approval for a new electric sign to share community information. The board expressed some concern about the lighted sign’s impact on surrounding neighbors. The board approved the sign with the understanding that it would only be lit Monday-Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Group Homes Approved: The board approved new zoning for a group home serving people over the age of 55 on East 146th Street in Ward 10. The project plans to house up to 16 people and focus on those with Alzheimer’s and mental health needs.
The board also approved a group home for older veterans on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Ward 4. The home would operate like an assisted living facility providing care for up to five senior veterans.
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