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Meeting coverage by Cleveland Documenters | Compiled by Doug Breehl-Pitorak, Documenters Assignment Editor, Signal Cleveland
Here’s what happened last week in local public government meetings covered by Cleveland Documenters.
Cleveland Public Meetings Report – The week of October 31, 2022
Transit officials discuss Civilian Oversight Committee
Nov. 1 – Standing Committees, Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority
Covered by Documenters Najee Hall and Laura Marica
Highlights of the proposed operating procedures for the new Civilian Oversight Committee (screenshot from GCRTA’s presentation).
What happened: GCRTA continued planning for its Civilian Oversight Committee (COC). The GCRTA Board of Trustees voted Aug. 23 to establish the committee. In this meeting, the GCRTA Committee of the Whole reviewed and approved proposed COC operating procedures. The proposal says the COC would have seven members. One must be a retired member of law enforcement. GCRTA is aiming to appoint members before the end of the year. It would provide COC members a $100 monthly stipend. Board President Rev. Charles Lucas said he would like that number to increase. The Board of Trustees is set to vote on the proposed operating procedures at a future meeting. Read a draft of the full procedures on page 12 of the meeting packet.
New buses and uniforms: A GCRTA committee advanced a proposal for the purchase of 20 new buses. The cost would be about $13.4 million. A committee also approved a proposal to provide new uniform items to employees. The total cost of the proposal is not to exceed $2.5 million across five years. The contract would be with Workwear Outfitters, LLC. That company would partner with Schwarz Uniforms, a local company. GCRTA would provide supervisors and operators a yearly uniform allowance of $450 apiece. It would give customer service reps $250 apiece. Scott Ferraro, senior director of Labor and Employee Relations, said the $450 has been sufficient. He said employees could probably get a couple of pairs of pants and shirts, plus a jacket and shoes.
And also: Paratransit District Director Nick Davidson presented results from a public survey. Northern Ohioans for Budget Legislation Equality (NOBLE) conducted the survey from February 2020 to March 2021. Fifty-five people responded. People surveyed expressed concern with the difficulty and length of the paratransit application. GCRTA has since reduced the application from 17 pages to seven, Davidson said.
Did you know fare evasion on public transit is a criminal offense in Ohio that carries the possibility of a $250 fine and 30 days in jail? Find more facts on fare evasion from this Cleveland Documenters’ reporting.
Lincoln-West set to play ball at Jose Ramirez Field
Oct. 31 – Finance, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Cleveland City Council
Covered by Documenter Tina Scott
What happened: Lincoln-West School of Global Studies is closer to playing home baseball games at Jose Ramirez Field. The committee advanced legislation that would allow the city to accept the gift of a new field. It would come from the Cleveland Guardians and third baseman Jose Ramirez. The new facility would be constructed at Clark Field in Tremont.
Police co-responder expansion: The committee advanced legislation that would increase the city’s police co-responder teams from five to 10 to 12. The city’s co-responder teams consist of one police officer and a mental-health professional. They respond to individuals experiencing mental-health issues. The proposed law would also allow the Department of Public Health to employ a senior-level strategist. The strategist would work on the co-response expansion. They also could explore care response models. The city wants to use about $5 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for this work.
And also: The committee has given new life to legislation that council first read in December 2020. It advanced a proposed emergency ordinance that would allow the city to enter license agreements for installing solar panels on city buildings.
Curious about council’s legislative process? Check out our one-page guide.
Board prepares for general election
Nov. 3 – Cuyahoga County Board of Elections
Covered by Documenter Marvetta Rutherford
The board discusses its election-day preparedness (screenshot from video on YouTube).
What happened: Cuyahoga County Board of Elections Director Anthony Perlatti updated the board on in-person early voting. He said more people are making that choice than did during the 2018 midterm election. Through Nov. 3, about 12,300 had voted early in person. Perlatti said he expected 2,000 early in-person voters per day from Nov. 4 through Nov. 7.
Set on workers and security: The board also has enough poll workers, Perlatti said. He said the board is comfortable with security arrangements, too.
City extends contract with staffing firm to support Health Dept.
Nov. 2 – Cleveland Board of Control
Covered by Documenters Emma Sedlak and Kellie Morris
What happened: The board extended a contract with AB Staffing Solutions, LLC. The vendor will help staff the Department of Public Health, said Director Dr. David Margolius. The total cost of the contract is about $686,000.
Land sales: The board approved requests from the Department of Community Development to sell eight land parcels. Assistant Director of Community Development Michiel Wackers said the sales are part of Cleveland’s Land Reutilization Program. Four of the purchasers were listed on the agenda by first and last name. One was listed as Jascore 4 LLC. The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District purchased two parcels for about $2,500 total. The Western Reserve Land Conservancy also purchased parcels.
Documenter Teela Patterson wondered how folks could transform abandoned land parcels into environmentally rich “healing spaces.” Check out a documentary — created with Documenters Kevin Naughton and Courtney Green — that tracks what Teela learned. Teela also led a seminar about environmental justice at Case Western Reserve University on Sept. 27.
Civic Term of the Week:
Curious about more local-government lingo? Check out this glossary of terms from Signal Cleveland’s Paul Rochford.
What’s ahead?
A look at the meetings Documenters are set to cover the week of Nov. 7.
Nov. 7
- 7 p.m. – City Council (livestream)
Nov. 9
- 3 p.m. – Cleveland Board of Control (livestream)
Nov. 10
- 9 a.m. – Cleveland Landmarks Commission (livestream)
