City OKs Youth-Driven Research on Violence; Council Lowers CDC Spending Requirements

Meeting coverage by Cleveland Documenters | Compiled by Signal Cleveland’s Doug Breehl-Pitorak and Anastazia Vanisko | Edited by Rachel Dissell and Mary Ellen Huesken

Public commenters oppose flavored tobacco products, urge action on stalled city commission

March 20 – Cleveland City Council

What happened: Dr. Kristin Englund, a board member of the Academy of Medicine of Cleveland and Northern Ohio, spoke about pending legislation that would ban the sale of flavored tobacco in Cleveland. Mayor Justin Bibb’s administration introduced the emergency ordinance to the council on Feb. 6 as an attempt to lower Cleveland’s high rate of smoking. A group of local retailers said the ban would harm their businesses. Council Member Kevin Conwell, who chairs the health committee, has expressed doubts about the proposal. Englund urged the council to pass the legislation. “As a physician, let me be incredibly clear: Nicotine is extremely harmful to children, whether it is used through smoking, vaping, or any other means.”

Something ‘out of nothing’: Detroit-Shoreway resident Akilah Porter spoke about the Commission on Black Women and Girls. Council established the commission—meant to advise on improving Black women and girls’ well-being—in June 2022. But the city has not yet appointed members. Porter, a board member of a firm that consulted with the city on the commission, said the delay indicates that the city doesn’t value Black women. She urged officials to finalize the commission. “Black people in Cleveland create community out of nothing every single day and have for generations since this country was born,” she said. “Without investment, we can’t build and sustain cultures, especially in Cleveland.”

And also: Council passed the 2023 city budget, which sets aside roughly $711 million to pay for city services. It also approved an emergency resolution urging the state and federal governments to take preventive actions regarding rail safety. Learn more from the council’s March 21 special hearing on rail safety from Documenter Tina Scott.

Want to catch up on all things budget? Documenters and Signal staff watched 60-plus hours of hearings in February. Here is what we learned.

Watch the full public comments or read transcripts edited by Documenter Carolyn Cooper on the Public Comment CLE website created by Ohio City resident Angelo Trivisonno.

Council members make changes to CDC home-repair requirements

March 20 – Finance, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, Cleveland City Council

Covered by Documenters Gennifer Harding Gosnell and Alfreda Williams

What happened: City Council members discussed legislation allowing the city to accept an estimated $34 million for community development from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The legislation, which the full council passed at its evening meeting, sets aside about $1.2 million for community development corporations (CDCs). CDCs — nonprofits working to revitalize neighborhoods — must report prior accomplishments such as home rehabilitation and minor repairs to receive the funding. The committee added an amendment proposed by Council Member Kerry McCormack that says the city cannot set a minimum spending requirement of more than $2,000 for CDC home rehab accomplishments, down from $5,000. The amendment allows CDCs to report lower-cost rehab projects as accomplishments, increasing their chances of receiving more funding. Council also removed any minimum for CDC spending on minor home repairs like installing a sink or fixing steps.

Police headquarters: Members of the Mayor’s Office of Capital Projects gave a final presentation on the new police headquarters. Manager of Architecture and Site Development, Carter Edman, discussed how the cost of the proposed $90 million purchase and redevelopment of the ArtCraft building compared to the original plan for new construction along the Opportunity Corridor. Council President Blaine Griffin questioned the cost-effectiveness of rehabbing the ArtCraft building instead of constructing a new building. He said he was worried about unforeseen expenses with an older structure. The committee advanced legislation allowing the city to buy the ArtCraft building, and the full council passed it that night.

Left wondering: Documenter Alfreda Williams asked, “What is the long-term impact of rehabbing a structure as opposed to building a new one?”

March 20 – Cleveland Board of Zoning Appeals

What happened: The Cleveland Board of Zoning Appeals denied a request from resident Ron O’Leary to “stay” — or temporarily suspend — its prior approval of zoning variances for a youth drop-in center in Ohio City. O’Leary, a former Housing Court judge who lives near the site, is appealing the board’s original decision in the Cuyahoga Court of Common Pleas. The center would support youth who are experiencing homelessness.

A proposed Ohio City drop-in center for youth experiencing homelessness. (Credit: Board of Zoning Appeals presentation)

Curious about youth homelessness in Cleveland? So was Documenter Sarah Tan, who asked about it after covering a discussion about supportive housing projects in a council committee meeting last November. Check out what we learned.

Board OKs project paying for kids to research youth violence 

March 22 – Cleveland Board of Control

What happened: The board approved a contract with the MyCom Network of Greater Cleveland for a youth-driven research project on youth violence. The contract is for one year with an option for a one-year renewal. It is set to not cost more than $138,500 each year. Youth researchers would focus on three different communities, likely including Hough and Central, an official said. Director of Community Development Alyssa Hernandez wondered about the city’s liability if kids were to be in dangerous environments, but an official explained that the project is largely based on academic work rather than fieldwork.

Spring break! Documenters aren’t covering any meetings this week. But we’re already eyeing meetings in April. Here are some that lie ahead.