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The Cleveland Observer is dedicated to keeping residents informed 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.
How You Tax Dollars are Being Spent
The Cleveland City Council introduced a series of ordinances and resolutions during its meetings on November 1, November 8, and November 15, 2024. These measures address a range of issues, including infrastructure improvements, public safety, community development, and economic growth. After their first readings, the legislation was referred to the appropriate city departments and committees for further scrutiny before advancing toward final passage.
The legislative process involves multiple steps to ensure transparency and accountability. Following the first reading, each ordinance or resolution undergoes detailed review by city departments and committees. This is followed by a second reading and additional discussion during the Council of the Whole meeting, where members debate and refine the proposals before a final vote.
November 1, 2024
Ordinance No. 1164-2024
Purpose: Amends Section 1 of Ordinance No. 432-2023 to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to extend contracts for materials and services required to maintain Cleveland Public Power’s electrical systems.
Sponsors: Council Members Kazy and Griffin.
Funding: Increased from $500,000 to $2,000,000.
Status: Referred to the Directors of Public Utilities and Finance; Committees on Utilities and Finance.
Ordinance No. 1165-2024
Purpose: Authorizes contracts with Ohio CAT for proprietary equipment parts and maintenance services for the Division of Water and Water Pollution Control.
Sponsors: Council Members Kazy and Griffin.
Funding: $1,500,000 from departmental funds.
Status: Referred to the Directors of Public Utilities and Finance; Committees on Utilities and Finance.
Ordinance No. 1166-2024
Purpose: Establishes a lease agreement for city-owned property to expand small business operations near East 105th Street.
Sponsors: Council Members Hairston and Gray.
Funding: Revenue of $12,000 annually.
Status: Referred to the Directors of Economic Development and Law; Committee on Economic Development.
Ordinance No. 1167-2024
Purpose: Allocates funding for stormwater infrastructure improvements on the city’s West Side.
Sponsors: Council Members Mooney and Slife.
Funding: $2,500,000 from the Water Pollution Control Fund.
Status: Referred to the Directors of Public Works and Finance; Committee on Utilities.
Ordinance No. 1168-2024
Purpose: Approves the establishment of a digital literacy program at Cleveland Public Libraries to enhance technology access for underserved communities.
Sponsors: Council Members McCormack and Griffin.
Funding: $750,000 from the General Fund.
Status: Referred to the Directors of Education and Finance; Committee on Education and Finance.
Ordinance No. 1169-2024
Purpose: Authorizes the Director of Public Safety to purchase body cameras and related equipment for the Division of Police.
Sponsors: Council Members Griffin and McCormack
Funding: $1,500,000 from the General Fund.
Status: Referred to the Directors of Public Safety and Finance; Committee on Safety and Finance.
Ordinance No. 1170-2024
Purpose: Provides funding for emergency repairs to city-owned recreational facilities.
Sponsors: Council Members Spencer and Polensek.
Funding: $1,000,000 from the Public Works Fund.
Status: Referred to the Directors of Public Works and Finance; Committees on Municipal Services and Finance.
Resolution No. 567-2024
Purpose: Designates November 15 as “Cleveland Small Business Day” to encourage economic growth and promote local entrepreneurs.
Sponsors: Mayor Justin Bibb and Council Member Deborah Gray.
Funding: Not applicable.
Status: Referred to the Committee on Economic Development.
Resolution No. 568-2024
Purpose: Proposes expanded city support programs for veterans, acknowledging their contributions.
Sponsors: Council Members Santana and Polensek.
Funding: Not applicable.
Status: Referred to the Committee on Community and Veterans Affairs.
November 8, 2024
Ordinance No. 1197-2024
Sponsors: Council Members Harsh and Griffin
Purpose: Authorizes the Director of Community Development to enter into a grant agreement with United Way of Greater Cleveland to administer a tenant resources and outreach program aimed at increasing housing stability. The program includes tenant education, emergency housing assistance, and legal mediation services.
Financial Impact: Up to $1,000,000 from Fund No. 10 SF 400.
Referred To: Directors of Community Development, Finance, and Law; Committees on Development Planning and Sustainability; and Finance, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Ordinance No. 1198-2024
Sponsors: Council Members Howse-Jones, Slife, and Maurer
Purpose: Establishes the Department of Community Crisis Response to provide tailored approaches to crisis management, including behavioral health responses and unarmed crisis intervention teams.
Financial Impact: Not specified.
Referred To: Directors of Public Safety, Finance, and Law; Committees on Safety; and Finance, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Ordinance No. 1199-2024
Sponsors: Council Members Polensek, Bishop, Hairston, and Griffin (by departmental request)
Purpose: Authorizes a three-year lease of city-owned property near Waterloo Road/Marginal Road to Meadow City, LLC for developing native seed garden plots.
Financial Impact: $900 per year lease revenue.
Referred To: Directors of Capital Projects, City Planning Commission, Finance, and Law; Committees on Municipal Services and Properties; Development Planning and Sustainability; and Finance, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Ordinance No. 1200-2024
Sponsors: Council Members McCormack, Bishop, Hairston, and Griffin (by departmental request)
Purpose: Leases property under the Superior Viaduct Arch Number 6 to John G. Johnson Construction Company for parking and material storage. The lease is for five years with a renewable option.
Financial Impact: $1,165 per year lease revenue.
Referred To: Directors of Capital Projects, City Planning Commission, Finance, and Law; Committees on Municipal Services and Properties; Development Planning and Sustainability; and Finance, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Ordinance No. 1201-2024
Sponsor: Council Member Griffin (by departmental request)
Purpose: Authorizes the Director of Finance to approve payments for moral claims totaling $500 related to park maintenance incidents.
Financial Impact: $500 from Department of Public Works funds.
Referred To: Directors of Finance and Law; Committee on Finance, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Ordinance No. 1202-2024
Sponsors: Council Members McCormack and Griffin (by departmental request)
Purpose: Authorizes the Director of Port Control to hire professional consultants to conduct an economic impact study of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.
Financial Impact: Funded from Fund No. 60 SF 001.
Referred To: Directors of Port Control, Finance, and Law; Committees on Transportation and Mobility; and Finance, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Ordinance No. 1215-2024
Sponsors: Council Members Bishop and Griffin (by departmental request)
Purpose: Allows the Director of Public Works to apply for and accept a $150,000 “Talent for Tomorrow: Digital Equity Challenge Grant” and other grants for the REC-N-TEC Initiative. The initiative aims to advance digital equity and technology training.
Financial Impact: $150,000 grant, plus up to $50,000 from additional grants.
Referred To: Directors of Public Works, Finance, and Law; Committees on Municipal Services and Properties; and Finance, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Ordinance No. 1217-2024
Sponsor: Council Member Griffin (by departmental request)
Purpose: Updates salaries for various city classifications, reflecting recent amendments to Ordinance No. 194-2021.
Financial Impact: Not specified.
Referred To: Directors of Human Resources, Civil Service Commission, Finance, and Law; Committee on Finance, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Ordinance No. 1219-2024
Sponsors: Mayor Bibb and Council Member Griffin
Purpose: Allocates $20,000,000 to Gateway Economic Development Corporation for major and minor repairs to Progressive Field and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Financial Impact: $20,000,000 allocation.
Referred To: Directors of Finance and Law; Committee on Finance, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
November 15, 2024
Board of Control Resolutions:
Resolution No. 575-24:
Recipient: J.W. Didado Electric received approval to employ Safeguard Associates (CSB/MBE) for labor and material services related to maintaining substation equipment for Cleveland Public Power. The subcontract cost is $96,566.84, representing 1.6% of the project.
Resolution No. 576-24:
Recipient: Catts Construction, Inc. secured a $995,251.40 contract, including a 10% contingency, for the East 115th Street Sewer Project under the Division of Water Pollution Control. Approved subcontractors include LTC Trucking, Trafftech, Inc., and Cook Paving & Construction.
Resolution No. 577-24:
Recipient: RS&H Ohio, Inc. was selected to provide construction administration services for Cleveland Hopkins International Airport’s Membrane RTA Tunnel project. The contract totals $664,437. Sub-consultants include G&T Associates and Somat Engineering.
Resolution No. 578-24:
Recipient: Northeast Ohio Trenching Service’s contract for Ridge Road Transfer Station Site Drainage Improvements was amended to $721,721, correcting a prior clerical error.
Resolution No. 579-24:
Recipient: Mott MacDonald, LLC was chosen for the Carnegie Avenue Rehabilitation Project. The $915,867 contract includes sub-consultants Chagrin Valley Engineering, Pro Geotech, and Surveying and Mapping, LLC.
Resolution No. 580-24:
The Board rejected all bids for the Tree Damaged Sidewalk Recovery Project due to non-compliance with expectations under Ordinance No. 1023-2023.
Resolution No. 581-24:
Recipient: The Land Reutilization Program authorized the sale of a parcel at 3211 West 35th Street to Berardi Properties for yard expansion, valued at $1,533.
Resolution No. 582-24:
Recipient: Melonie Carlton received approval to purchase 855 Rondel Road for yard expansion under the Land Reutilization Program for $200.
Resolution No. 583-24:
Recipient: Karl Thomas Clark was approved to buy 2298 East 85th Street for yard expansion under the same program, priced at $200.
Resolution No. 584-24:
Recipient: Karen Taylor-Davis and Sanders Davis were authorized to purchase 8117 Bellevue Avenue for $200 for yard expansion purposes.
Resolution No. 585-24:
Recipient: Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity obtained parcels on Elwell Avenue and East 100th Street for $1,000, designated for single-family construction projects.
Resolution No. 586-24:
Recipient: Beverly L. Perry received approval to purchase 13714 Benwood Avenue for $200 for yard expansion.
Resolution No. 587-24:
Recipient: Amendments to CaremarkPCS Health’s contract for group prescription insurance for city employees clarified the use of its May 10, 2024, proposal.
Resolution No. 588-24:
Recipient: Surplus parking equipment at Gateway Garage East was sold to the Cleveland Guardians Baseball Company for $50,789.72.
(November 11, 2024)
Zoning Appeals Decisions
Approved Appeals:
1089 Lakeview Road: B3M Resident Care Facilities LLC was approved to operate a residential facility for five occupants in a B1 Two-Family Residential District.
Denied Appeals:
4703 State Road: Willow Park Properties’ request to establish a mental health center for substance abuse treatment in a C1 Local Retail Business District was denied.
Withdrawn Appeals:
10936 Drexel Avenue and 1147 Parkwood Drive: Proposals to establish residential facilities for five occupants in B1 Two-Family Residential Districts were withdrawn.
Postponed Appeals:
13405 St. Clair Avenue: Family Love Enterprise LLC’s hearing was rescheduled for January 6, 2025.
Adopted Decisions (November 4, 2024):
7413 Lockyear Avenue: Approved as a Type “A” home daycare for up to 12 children.
3851 West 39th Street: Fence installation approved in a B1 Two-Family Residential District.
1348 West 78th Street: Construction of a three-story frame residence with a detached garage approved in a B3 Semi-Industry District.
These summaries provide a comprehensive overview of the City Council’s ongoing legislative efforts, ensuring residents have the information needed to engage in the democratic process and advocate for their communities.
