Categories: DocumentersHealth

Fentanyl-Related Deaths Rising Among Black Residents

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

Here’s what happened last week in local public government meetings covered by Cleveland Documenters.

Cleveland Public Meetings Report – The week of April 10

Fentanyl deaths rising among Black residents in Cuyahoga County; city provides updates on public art fund

April 10 – Cleveland City Council

Covered by Documenters Gennifer Harding-Gosnell and Kathryn Johnson

Members of the City Council Health, Human Services, and the Arts Committee meet with officials about youth mental health and drug use in Cuyahoga County. (Credit: Documenter Gennifer Harding-Gosnell)

What happened: Black people accounted for 38% of deaths involving fentanyl in Cuyahoga County in March and 40% for the year. Beth Zietlow-DeJesus, from the county’s Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services Board, said overdoses were up among Black residents from 36% at the end of 2022 and from 14% just a few years ago. Officials discussed expanding naloxone access to convenience stores and rec centers as part of an update on drug use and youth mental health. The medication can reverse opioid overdoses.

Arts fund update: Director of City Planning Joyce Pan Huang gave a status update on the city’s Transformative Public Arts Fund. Council passed a law last October allowing the director to establish and run the fund, which will distribute up to $3 million of American Rescue Plan Act money to create public art programs. A city committee will review and recommend art proposals. The city is also hiring a senior strategist in arts, culture, and creative economy. The salary range is $75,000 to $105,000 per year. People can apply through Wednesday.

Easy Street: Ward 9 Council Member Kevin Conwell said the council needs to make it easier for street musicians to perform. Huang agreed, saying the current code severely limits street performers.

Recovery from addiction is possible. For help, please call the free and confidential treatment referral hotline (1-800-662-HELP), or visit findtreatment.gov.

Did you know five vending machines across Cleveland distribute naloxone for free? Signal Cleveland’s Candice Wilder has more.

Some Winton Manor residents considering rent strike; senior lawn care program gets funding

April 10 – Cleveland City Council

Covered by Documenter Kellie Morris

Brooklyn Centre resident, Christopher Hudson, speaks about poor living conditions at a downtown apartment building. Credit: Cleveland City Council YouTubeWhat happened: Some tenants at a downtown apartment building are preparing for a rent strike, according to Ward 12 resident Christopher Hudson. He took the public comment mic to voice concerns about living conditions at Winton Manor located at 1012 Prospect Ave E. A pipe burst in December, flooding several floors, Hudson said. He called on city officials to support residents and hold the property owner accountable, saying Chicago-based Evergreen Real Estate Group has not finished promised renovations. Cleveland 19 reported that some tenants were fed up with conditions last November.

Cleveland Tenants Organization resurgence? Ward 13 Council Member Kris Harsh said he would support the re-establishment of the Cleveland Tenants Organization. He said this advocacy group ceased to exist years ago. He listed several ways that the organization could help, including by providing emergency services and helping with code enforcement.

Grass-cutting program gets some green: Council passed legislation setting aside up to $65,000 for the Union-Miles Development Corp. to help run a senior lawn care program.

The city accepts applications each year for no-cost lawn cutting. Call 216-664-2833 to learn more.

Two public commenters encouraged the council to honor Glenville resident Hattie Holifield for 45 years of providing home daycare. 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.

RTA offers details on new rail cars for Red, Blue, and Green Lines

April 10 – Committee of the Whole, Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority

Covered by Documenter Sarah Tan

GCRTA Chief Operating Officer Floun’say Caver presents to the Board of Trustees. Credit: GCRTA YouTube

What happened: GCRTA is planning to replace its entire rail fleet in the next 10 years. The agency hopes to receive a $130 million Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) grant to complete the project. The new vehicles would allow GCRTA to create more routes that don’t require transferring at Tower City. That would more than double the existing number of routes. If GCRTA does not receive federal funding, officials said that they will buy the first few vehicles and then reapply. The board is set to review the proposal for approval at its meeting today.

ADA updates: GCRTA would also use IIJA funding to bring existing Green and Blue Line stops up to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility standards. GCRTA Board President Charles Lucas said only a few stops are ADA-accessible.

Left wondering: Documenter Sarah Tan asked, “What is happening with the old trains? Are any of them being repurposed or recycled?”

Bookmark our Meeting Briefs page for more short summaries, and visit Documenters.org for all Documenters coverage.

Civic Term of the Week

Want to brush up on local government lingo? Check out our Glossary of Civic Terms.

On deck
Check out what local government meetings Documenters are set to cover this week.

April 17

9:30 a.m. – Development, Planning, and Sustainability Committee, Cleveland City Council (livestream)
2 p.m. – Finance, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, Cleveland City Council (livestream)
7 p.m. – Cleveland City Council (livestream)

April 18