By Observers AI

The Cleveland Observer is dedicated to informing residents about legislative activities under review. By reporting on ordinances and resolutions during their initial stages, the Observer enables community members to engage with their Council members, providing feedback or expressing support before final decisions are made.

As read May 2, 2025

Ord. No. 557-2025 (Contracts for tech upgrades under 2025 ITS Capital Plan)
Sponsor: Griffin (by departmental request)
Summary: Authorizes the Director of Innovation and Technology to enter into contracts and employ consultants for various projects under the 2025 ITS Capital Plan, including system upgrades, cybersecurity, AI tools, hardware purchases, and professional services.
Funding Amount: Fund No. 11 SF 006 and other approved funding sources

Ord. No. 558-2025 (Youth arts engagement with Karamu House)
Sponsors: Conwell and Griffin (by departmental request)
Summary: Authorizes the Director of Community Development to enter into a one-year contract with Karamu House, Inc. for Out-of-School-Time (OST) theater arts programming for youth, with two one-year renewal options.
Funding Amount: $60,008 from Fund No. 01 SF 001

Ord. No. 559-2025 (Marketing services for youth programs)
Sponsors: Conwell and Griffin (by departmental request)
Summary: Authorizes a contract with Rhonda Crowder & Associates for citywide OST youth marketing services, including outreach strategy and content creation, with two one-year renewal options.
Funding Amount: $98,200 from Fund No. 01 SF 001

Ord. No. 560-2025 (Lease of Fire Station 26 for community museum use)
Sponsors: Polensek and Griffin (by departmental request)
Summary: Authorizes a long-term lease of Fire Station 26 to the Vanguards of Cleveland for use as a public safety museum and community resource center.
Funding Amount: $1 a year nominal lease plus in-kind contributions

Ord. No. 561-2025 (Expansion of North Coast Waterfront NCA)
Sponsors: McCormack, Hairston, and Griffin (by departmental request)
Summary: Authorizes expansion of the North Coast Waterfront New Community Authority District to include additional parcels such as the Great Lakes Science Center and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame properties.
Funding Amount: Not specified

Ord. No. 565-2025 (Grant for narcotics task force operations)
Sponsors: Polensek and Griffin (by departmental request)
Summary: Authorizes acceptance of $102,216.40 in grant funding from the Recovery Ohio Law Enforcement Fund for the Cartel Gang Narcotics Laundering Task Force.
Funding Amount: $102,216.40

Ord. No. 566-2025 (Consultants for police and fire promotional exams)
Sponsors: Polensek and Griffin (by departmental request)
Summary: Authorizes the Director of Civil Service to enter into contracts for development, administration, and grading of civil service promotional exams for safety forces.
Funding Amount: From Fund No. 01-0108-6320

Ord. No. 568-2025 (Amends oversight rules for unbid service contracts)
Sponsors: Griffin (by departmental request)
Summary: Amends Section 121.10 of the Codified Ordinances to require Consultant Review Committee approval for all unbid service contracts over $25,000.
Funding Amount: Not applicable

Ord. No. 569-2025 (Right-of-way use for monument sign at MLK Jr. Library)
Sponsors: Conwell, Bishop, and Hairston (by departmental request)
Summary: Authorizes the Cleveland Public Library to install a monument sign at 1962 Stokes Boulevard in the public right-of-way, subject to conditions.
Funding Amount: Not specified 

First Reading Emergency Ordinances Referred

As read May 16, 2025

Ord. No. 598-2025 (Appropriates $18,688,000 across General and Internal Service Funds for multiple departments)
Sponsor: Griffin (by departmental request)
Summary: Appropriates funds for operations in Law, Finance, Public Safety, and other departments.
Funding Amount: $18,688,000

Ord. No. 599-2025 (Amends Section 185.41 of the Codified Ordinances regarding terms of payment)
Sponsor: Griffin (by departmental request)
Summary: Updates retainage and payment terms for public contracts.
Funding Amount: Not specified

Ord. No. 600-2025 (Amends agreement with Village of Highland Hills to expand development area)
Sponsors: Hairston and Griffin (by departmental request)
Summary: Includes former House of Corrections site in development zone.
Funding Amount: Not specified

Ord. No. 601-2025 (Changes lease use from Finance to Innovation & Technology at Erieview Plaza)
Sponsor: Griffin (by departmental request)
Summary: Reflects new tenant use of leased office space.
Funding Amount: Not specified

Ord. No. 602-2025 (Applies for grant to continue Cleveland Office of Minority Health operations)
Sponsors: Conwell and Griffin (by departmental request)
Summary: $52,500/year grant from Ohio Commission on Minority Health.
Funding Amount: $52,500/year

Ord. No. 603-2025 (Transfers parcels at Woodhill and Quincy to Economic Development Land Bank)
Sponsors: Hairston and Griffin (by departmental request)
Summary: Redevelopment use under City’s Industrial Land Reutilization Program.
Funding Amount: Not specified

Ord. No. 604-2025 (Authorizes design and construction of surface parking at Hopkins Airport)
Sponsors: McCormack and Griffin (by departmental request)
Summary: Design-build contract for parking to support airport logistics.
Funding Amount: Not specified

Ord. No. 605-2025 (Contracts for employee insurance and voluntary benefits administration)
Sponsor: Griffin (by departmental request)
Summary: Coverage includes medical, dental, vision, life, and more.
Funding Amount: Not specified

Ord. No. 606-2025 (Authorizes computer purchase for Council and Clerk via State Term Contract)
Sponsor: Griffin
Summary: $72,754.50 computer purchase from Dell for Council and Clerk.
Funding Amount: $72,754.50

Ord. No. 607-2025 (Amends Section 551.112 to revise dumpster and compactor rental fees)
Sponsors: Bishop and Griffin (by departmental request)
Summary: Revises waste container rental fee schedule.
Funding Amount: Not specified

Ord. No. 612-2025 (Accepts $12,000 from Cuyahoga County Solid Waste for Environmental Crimes Task Force)
Sponsors: Polensek and Griffin (by departmental request)
Summary: Funds training and equipment to combat illegal dumping.
Funding Amount: Up to $12,000

Ord. No. 613-2025 (Applies for Public Health Emergency Preparedness Grant)
Sponsors: Conwell and Griffin (by departmental request)
Summary: Grant up to $300,000/year from Ohio Department of Health.
Funding Amount: $300,000/year

Ord. No. 614-2025 (Donates easements to Garfield Heights for sewer separation project)
Sponsors: Bishop and Griffin (by departmental request)
Summary: Grants three sewer easements in Crawford Park.
Funding Amount: Not specified

Ord. No. 615-2025 (Contracts for financial planning strategy and implementation)
Sponsor: Griffin (by departmental request)
Summary: City-wide fiscal policy strategy via consultants.
Funding Amount: Not to exceed $60,000

Ord. No. 621-2025 (Designs and constructs transit facilities at Hopkins Airport)
Sponsors: McCormack and Griffin (by departmental request)
Summary: Includes garage, transport center, and RTA station via design-build.
Funding Amount: Not specified

Ord. No. 622-2025 (Sells City-owned land on Millcreek Blvd. to DBL Millcreek LLC)
Sponsors: Hairston and Griffin (by departmental request)
Summary: Industrial redevelopment of City surplus land.
Funding Amount: Sale price not less than $800,000

Ord. No. 623-2025 (Contracts with Scott Loomis for succession planning and consulting)
Sponsor: Griffin (by departmental request)
Summary: Printing Division advisory services post-retirement.
Funding Amount: Not to exceed $115,000

Ord. No. 624-2025 (Contracts to run 2025-2026 Pre-Arrest Support Services Program)
Sponsors: Polensek and Griffin (by departmental request)
Summary: Juvenile diversion program with Common Pleas Court.
Funding Amount: Up to $150,000

Ord. No. 625-2025 (Program management consultant contracts for Port Control)
Sponsors: McCormack and Griffin (by departmental request)
Summary: Two-year contract with two three-year renewals.
Funding Amount: Not specified

Ord. No. 626-2025 (Purchase of ambulance and aircraft firefighting vehicle for Hopkins Airport)
Sponsors: McCormack and Griffin (by departmental request)
Summary: Emergency response vehicle procurement.
Funding Amount: Not specified

Ord. No. 627-2025 (Amends airport restroom contract with Ozanne Construction)
Sponsors: McCormack and Griffin (by departmental request)
Summary: Adds $1.25 million to expand restrooms and ancillary spaces.
Funding Amount: $1,250,000

Ord. No. 632-2025 (Creates Community Engagement Healthy Home Initiative)
Sponsors: Hairston and Griffin (by departmental request)
Summary: CDC contracts, software, and training to improve housing quality.
Funding Amount: $1,060,000

Ord. No. 633-2025 (Amends nuisance abatement provisions and adds Section 203.11)
Sponsors: Conwell, Hairston and Griffin (by departmental request)
Summary: Strengthens legal authority and enforcement of public nuisances.
Funding Amount: Not specified

Ord. No. 634-2025 (Applies for $49,320 Recycle Ohio grant and establishes Keep Cleveland Beautiful Chapter)
Sponsors: Bishop and Griffin (by departmental request)
Summary: Waste reduction and beautification initiative.
Funding Amount: $49,320 grant + $12,330 match

Ord. No. 635-2025 (Co-sponsors ODNR grant and accepts donation of Hough Community Green Space)
Sponsors: Howse-Jones, Bishop and Griffin (by departmental request)
Summary: Park development at former John Raper School site.
Funding Amount: $200,000 grant

Ord. No. 636-2025 (Constructs improvements at Rockefeller Park under “Back to Basics” Program)
Sponsors: Conwell, Bishop and Griffin (by departmental request)
Summary: Includes restrooms, playground, and tennis court upgrades.
Funding Amount: $2,100,000

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Ron Calhoun is the Founder and President of the Cleveland Observer and a retired IT professional with 15 years of experience. With a strong background in information technology, he is passionate about...

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