Public Meetings - Cleveland, Ohio

The Cleveland City Council Safety Committee, chaired by Councilman Michael Polinsick, convened at approximately 4:54 PM on October 29, 2026, for an operational review of four key police accountability and oversight bodies: the Community Police Commission (CPC), the Community Relations Board (CRB), the Police Accountability Team (PAT), and the Civilian Police Review Board/Office of Professional Standards (CPRB/OPS). The presentations detailed progress, challenges, and budget requests ahead of the 2027 budget process. Staffing, consent decree compliance, community engagement, and the conflict between the City Charter and the police union contract were recurring themes. The meeting adjourned after 6:00 PM. Community Police Commission (CPC) - Executive Director Shalina Williams reported rebuilding the office from one employee in January 2026 to a fully staffed team of eight. She highlighted the clearance of policy and grant backlogs, the first commander promotion interviews in two years, and technical progress on records access. - Assistant Director Timothy Scott described aligning each current and requested position to specific consent decree and charter duties. He noted that Detroit’s police oversight board operates with 43 employees and a $4.7 million budget, and requested additions including a compliance officer, an investigator, a second community engagement coordinator, and policy fellows. - Grants Administrator Lisa Johnson stated that the 2023–2024 grant backlog fell from $388,000 to $57,261 (over 80% resolved), and $508,147 has been disbursed. The 2026–2028 cycle will award $1.2 million through a three‑tier structure (grassroots $25,000, building momentum $47,000, high impact $75,000) to 20 organizations. - Community Engagement Coordinator Wally Sharif reported participating in 30 meetings and reaching over 350 individuals in his first month, covering 60% of Cleveland wards. - Marketing Manager Sean Shapiro reported 50 YouTube uploads, 13 press releases, and 75,000 Facebook views year‑to‑date. - Councilman Richard Starr challenged the lack of Cleveland residents on the CPC’s paid staff; Director Williams acknowledged the gap and committed to a written recruitment plan. Councilman Starr also requested that the CPC coordinate with the safety committee on ALPR policy. - Councilman Charlie Slife questioned the effectiveness of spreading grant dollars among many small organizations and asked about outcome monitoring. The CPC described new internal controls including site visits and mandatory in‑person check pickup. - Councilwoman Stephanie House Jones proposed quarterly joint meetings between the Safety Committee and the CPC; Chairman Polinsick indicated openness. - The CPC has not conducted any disciplinary hearings due to a conflict between the City Charter and the police union contract (CBA). Director Williams reported that negotiations are ongoing, and the commission hopes to gain earlier involvement in the discipline process. - Two commissioners (Adriano Rodriguez and Luther Roddy) are chronically absent; both terms are expiring. Seven of 13 commissioners are rotating off; only one requested reappointment. - The commission lacks direct access to full police disciplinary case files; it currently receives only pre‑disciplinary and final discipline letters automatically. Community Relations Board (CRB) - Executive Director Angela Shu Woodson stated the CRB operates with 19 staff and five vacancies (four currently posted). The 2027 budget requests a 2% increase ($60,000) mainly for cost‑of‑living adjustments, with a realignment from contractual services to materials and supplies for community outreach. - Fiscal Manager Raymond McDaniel noted unfavorable variances in separation payments (369% over budget), travel (122% over), and property rental (over 100% due to off‑site space). He is conducting a deeper analysis to verify charges. - The CRB oversees district representatives, outreach specialists, cultural liaisons, and youth diversion. The PAST police‑diversion pilot received 18 referrals since January 2026, primarily from the third (8) and fourth (5) districts. - The office engaged 2,219 youth and conducted 1,002 one‑on‑one interventions; high school fights in CRB‑staffed schools decreased 40%. - Councilman Kevin Conwell urged the CRB to require grant recipients to report individual outcomes and to increase presence at ward meetings. He also suggested stationing CRB staff in recreation centers. - Councilwoman House Jones called for a dedicated downtown liaison, noting the burden on current district representatives. The director agreed but said resources are insufficient. Police Accountability Team (PAT) - Executive Director Dr. Lee Anderson and Performance Auditor Hannah Rose provided an update on consent decree compliance. The 19th semi‑annual report (January–June 2026) awarded 11 upgrades. - Use of Force Assessment (filed February 4, 2026): 75 upgrades, 4 downgrades; 97% of reviewed incidents were deemed necessary, proportional, and reasonably objective. - Inspector General Assessment (September 2026): 6 upgrades. - Data Collection & Analysis Assessment (October 15, 2026): 3 upgrades. - Discipline Assessment (filed October 25, 2026): 9 upgrades, achieving the highest level of compliance for all nine city‑assigned paragraphs. - According to Dr. Anderson, only 22 of the 343 operational consent decree paragraphs remain in non‑compliance. Councilman Slife requested a complete inventory distinguishing non‑compliance from not‑yet‑assessed areas. - PAT is partnering with Kent State University on a community trust survey (501 residents started, 6 of 10 focus groups completed) and has secured no‑cost technical assistance for supervisory training and coordination among oversight agencies. Civilian Police Review Board (CPRB) & Office of Professional Standards (OPS) - Chair Brandon Brown and Administrator Jeff Weninger (former LAPD lieutenant) presented operational data and a planned reorganization. - OPS has 16 staff, including 8 investigators (budgeted for 10) and 1 senior investigator (budgeted for 3). Five staff reside in Cleveland. - The office is on track for 277 complaints in 2026 (up from 242 in 2025). 409 cases are active, 19 are in referred status, and approximately 100 await board adjudication. - Average investigation length is 295 days; discipline implementation averages 133 days. - Of 124 bias policing allegations (2022–2026), only one was sustained (the officer resigned). The most common allegation categories are lack of service, unprofessional behavior, and improper procedure. Allegations of excessive force and bias policing have declined since 2024. - Board activity increased 40% year‑over‑year, with 560 allegations heard across 144 cases. - Administrator Weninger is restructuring OPS into three units (preliminary, primary, and review) to enhance quality control and efficiency. He has also changed policy to continue investigations even when officers separate from employment. - A significant barrier is timely records access from the division; OPS is exploring embedding an investigator in police records. - Chairman Polinsick requested a ward‑level breakdown of allegations and clear definitions of allegation categories. Key Outcomes - No formal votes were cast; the operational reviews were informational in preparation for the 2027 budget hearings. - Directives issued during the meeting: - CPC must provide a written plan to recruit and retain Cleveland residents on staff (Councilman Starr). - CRB must submit a list of contracted violence prevention organizations, funding amounts, and the neighborhoods they serve (Chairman Polinsick). - PAT must supply a complete list of consent decree paragraphs in non‑compliance, with a clear indication of which have been assessed (Councilman Slife). - CPRB/OPS must break down complaints by ward and explain allegation categories (Chairman Polinsick). - Other next steps: - The Safety Committee and CPC are expected to establish a joint quarterly meeting schedule, as proposed by Councilwoman House Jones. - CPC will continue negotiations with the police division, law department, and union to resolve the charter–CBA conflict and achieve direct records access. - The federal consent decree remains in place; the monitoring team is projected to remain for at least two more years. The PAT will present a compliance update to council.

The Cleveland City Council Utilities Committee met on October 29, 2026, with a recorded start time of 13:50. The committee approved two emergency ordinances, received Cleveland Public Power's strategic plan overview, and heard the Phase Two cost-of-service rate study for 2027-2029. Council members repeatedly asked for more concrete timelines, clearer rate-impact information, and a defined list of improvements before supporting new rates. Consent Calendar - Ordinance 1172-2026: Emergency ordinance authorizing the Director of Public Utilities to amend CPP's lease contract for the East Service Center at 14100 Darley Avenue, substituting the lessor from City Rose Ltd to Darley Holdings Group LLC and extending the term to seven years with one five-year renewal option. The Director told the committee the monthly rent obligation would remain the same. Ward 9 Councilman Conwell was notified; the committee approved the ordinance without objection. - Ordinance 1229-2026: Emergency ordinance amending the Bright City street-lighting platform contract with ST Engineering Telematic Wireless Limited, adding approximately $50,000 for professional services and raising the three-year contract amount from $89,781 to $139,781. The committee approved the ordinance without objection. Public Comments & Testimony - Lou (last name not provided) said residents still do not see how rate-study data translates into daily reliability, questioned data-center power use in residential areas, and urged council to provide proper oversight. - Craig Eckler, a Ward 6 resident, Energy Democracy Organizer with Cleveland Owns, and member owner of Cleveland Solar Cooperative, opposed the net-metering changes passed in July 2026, stating they hurt local solar development, local installers, and working families. He urged the committee to restore the previous policy. - Roger Sykes, a Ward 12 resident with Solar United Neighbors, said the net billing credit reduces the value of rooftop solar energy in CPP territory by at least 25% and likely more, making rooftop solar harder for CPP residents. He asked the committee to reverse the policy and work on next steps. Discussion Items Cleveland Public Power Strategic Plan Overview - The Director described the strategic plan as the start of a living conversation, not a finished document. Its pillars are reliability and reputation, internal fundamentals, and growth and financial health. Major programs include smart-grid enhancements, substation rebuilds, targeted sectionalization, reliability-centered maintenance, the airport interconnection, and local renewable generation with battery storage. - The Director said a project management office would be forward-looking and could launch within about 18 months, depending on hiring. The plan had been shared internally with CPP staff and some community members, with further engagement planned. - Council members raised concerns about the lack of concrete timelines and deliverables. Councilman Davis asked for analyses of underground cable condition and lessons from the July 2026 outages; the Director said those were not yet in the plan but could be addressed. Councilman Shah said Ward 12 residents expect a plan with goals and timelines, not just conversation; he also asked about expansion of CPP coverage, clean-energy benchmarks, language access, and whether CPP is a top administration priority. Councilman Polonzic said the previous rate increase produced few visible improvements and demanded an exact list of what a new rate increase would fund and when; he also questioned whether the administration's push for solar has cost the system and driven the rate increase. Councilwoman Hudson asked about vegetation management, FERC/PUCO jurisdiction, and outage causes; the Director said vegetation management is contracted, coordinated with the city forestry division, and is very important to reliability. Councilwoman Gray asked how residents would see improvements; the Director said they would see more efficient service, timely outage response, and proactive communications. Cost of Service Rate Study – Phase Two (2027-2029) - CFO Catherine Troy presented the Phase Two rate study. CPP has about 74,000 customers, including roughly 66,000 residential customers; the city of Cleveland is its largest customer at about 20% of sales, and the next 30 largest customers make up about 24% of sales. Commodity costs have risen sharply, including a 141% increase in transformers from 2018 to 2024, a 51% increase in wire over six years, a 71% increase in wood poles over six years, and an 82% increase in bucket trucks over 12 years. - The revenue requirement is projected to be $90 million in 2027, $97 million in 2028, and $102 million in 2029. The proposed rates would raise about $6 million in 2027, $7 million in 2028, and $5 million in 2029, and would support a planned $30 million bond issuance in 2028. CPP's cash reserves remain below the 150-day target, and its debt-service coverage target is 1.5 times versus the 1.25 minimum. - The proposed residential rate design is an inclining block usage charge plus a fixed charge of $2 per month in 2027, $4 in 2028, and $5 in 2029. The power supply recovery charge and kilowatt-hour tax would not change under this ordinance. The CFO noted that the 2025 PUCO comparison at 750 kWh shows CPP below CEI and major Ohio cities. - Council members requested a simplified chart showing charges by usage level for a typical residential customer in 2026-2029, and a rough comparison with FirstEnergy's projected rates. Councilman Polonzic asked exactly what a $30 million bond would be spent on. Councilman Davis asked why the bond amount was not larger; CFO Troy said larger debt service could not be supported and customer impact must be managed. Councilwoman Gray asked for clarity that the state power supply recovery and supplier charges are separate from CPP's proposed delivery charges. The Chairman noted that if rates do not pass, CPP would continue cutting a lean 2027 budget while trying to maintain service. Key Outcomes - The committee approved Ordinance 1172-2026 and Ordinance 1229-2026 without objection. - The committee did not vote on the proposed 2027-2029 rates. Chairman Casey said the rate legislation would be heard at the next utilities committee meeting, with a 30-day hold required before any new rates could take effect. - The Director and CFO were asked to return with: a simplified residential rate chart by usage tier, a rough FirstEnergy/competitive comparison, consumption data for Brown Stadium and Burke Airport, vegetation-management outage data, underground cable analysis related to the July 2026 outages, and a clear list of capital projects for the proposed bond issuance. - Public commenters urged restoration of the previous net-metering policy; no formal action was taken on that request at this meeting.

The Cleveland City Council Safety Committee met on Oct. 28, 2026 (timestamped 17:06:39 UTC) to review operations and 2027 budget plans for the Division of Animal Care and Control and the Department of Public Safety Administration. No agenda or minutes were available; all material in this summary comes from the meeting transcript. Animal Care and Control Operations - Public Safety Assistant Director Chris Weiland, appearing for Director Drummond, introduced Animal Care and Control Manager Bruce Campbell and Chief Animal Control Officer Rachel Bryant. Staff were credited with managing 140 to 150 dogs daily, about 40 dogs in foster care at any time, and 254 volunteers donating more than 12,000 hours so far in 2026. - Through the third quarter of 2026, the division reported an 80 percent live release rate, a 5 percent increase; 890 dogs reunited with owners; 677 dogs adopted; and 1,040 animals pulled by rescues, including farm animals. Adoptions rose 2.2 percent over the same period after a plateau. - The division reported 675 spay/neuter surgeries, 30 heartworm treatments funded by Friends of City Dogs, which spent over $10,000, and five microchip/vaccine clinics with the APL providing free microchips and initial vaccines to the first 100 residents at each clinic. - Enforcement statistics included 243 new cases, a 62 percent increase in violations cited and prosecuted, 569 citations, and seven felony animal neglect/abuse prosecutions. - Staffing was reported as 32 full-time and 3 part-time employees in one presentation segment, then as 33 full-time in a later exchange; the division is budgeted for 38 full-time and 4 part-time positions in 2027. Openings include one animal control officer, three animal care workers, one chief clerk, one registered vet tech, and one part-time volunteer adoption coordinator. A councilmember stressed that all critical positions must be filled before next year. - Workforce demographics were described as 68.5 percent female and 31 percent male, with racial demographics reported as 74.28 percent white, 17.14 percent Black, and 8.5 percent Hispanic; the Black share was said to have nearly doubled from 9 percent in 2025. - The kennel capacity is about 155 dogs and is at or near capacity. A councilmember estimated about 90 percent of the dogs were pit bulldogs and called for stronger action against backyard breeders. - A councilmember cited prior live release rates of about 90 percent pre-pandemic, 70 percent at the post-pandemic low, and 75 percent last year; staff said they could not confirm the pre-pandemic figure and argued open-intake urban shelters should not be judged on that metric because they cannot refuse animals. - The fleet consists of eight vehicles, with five on the road and three in repair; the city took delivery of a 2024 Ford Transit van and decommissioned a 2016 vehicle this year. - Staff said a package of animal legislation is being finalized with the Law Department and could come to council in January, covering dog limits, outdoor kenneling, breeding permits, some breed prohibitions, and neglect standards. Nuisance Wildlife Program - The city's previous in-house wildlife removal program was described as a misallocation of animal control officers, a legal liability for unmonitored traps, and scientifically counterproductive. Staff argued that removing healthy wildlife creates a vacuum effect, drawing in more animals, and that urban wildlife should be managed through education, deterrence, and cohabitation. - After an RFP process, Freeman was the only bidder and was awarded the pilot contract. Freeman had serviced nearly 700 properties in 2026, removed 1,566 animals, including 707 groundhogs, and completed single-point repairs at 142 homes through Oct. 16. The 2026 contract cost $212,000; the 2027 proposal was $384,000 without repairs or $418,000 with repairs at the same pace. - The $65 complaint was explained as Freeman's private-side charge for residents who did not qualify for the program or did not want to wait for a scheduled zone, roughly half the typical market rate; Freeman also provided one free removal to help residents transition. - Program eligibility rules excluding gardens, wildlife feeding, unsecured trash, and properties adjacent to wooded areas were longstanding; staff said garden critter-proofing could be added in 2027. - The chair described a constituent experience in which a resident with a garden and flowers was denied a trap, bought his own trap, and was told healthy wildlife would not be picked up. The chair said the program cannot simply be eliminated because councilmembers would face intense public pressure, but acknowledged staff's statement that the present approach is not working. - Councilmembers directed staff to develop a cohabitation and education campaign, with one councilmember offering $10,000 to $20,000 for materials, and another requesting quantified alternatives for the budget. Staff said the 2027 pilot funding request would move forward in parallel with such a campaign. - A councilmember noted that Cleveland Metro Parks wildlife ecologist John Seepek will be invited to present to council and the Urban Forestry Commission on urban wildlife, and that the Office of Sustainability is helping plan the presentation. - The current nuisance wildlife trapping season was scheduled to end 'this Saturday' relative to the Oct. 28 meeting date. Public Safety Administration and DOJ Budget - The Department of Public Safety Administration provides oversight, policy, fiscal, technology, emergency management, internal affairs, and legislative support for police, fire, EMS, animal control, and corrections. The DOJ budget lines were created in 2015 for federal consent decree monitoring and are police budget lines, not a separate staff unit. - Staffing in Public Safety Administration is 36 of 39 authorized positions; two offers were out and the third vacancy was expected to be filled by year-end. The 2027 budget will fund 39 positions. Staffing demographics were reported as 50/50 by gender and race. - The Drone First Responder pilot, operating with one drone hive, has flown more than 300 flights since June 2026 and assisted with locating an overturned kayaker, identifying multiple freeway crash sites, and finding a transformer fire using thermal imaging. - The city replaced the Code Red mass notification system, worked with Risk Management on attenuator and blocker trucks, and transitioned the ambassador program to a fire and EMS Explorers program with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District to create a hiring pipeline. - The monitoring team's disciplinary assessment found that police and public safety disciplinary processes are meeting compliance goals. - Under the nuisance abatement ordinance, the city reviews about 238 properties per month. Current data included 47 nuisance properties citywide, 175 violations, 32 abatement plans since May, 16 properties declared nuisances since May, 20 properties with more than three violations, 41 closed properties, 35 LLC-owned properties, and 12 properties with liquor licenses. Fines escalate from $500 to $750 to $1,000 and are attached to property tax bills; $100-per-day fines apply for failure to submit an abatement plan. Key Outcomes - No formal votes were recorded in the transcript; the committee adjourned after directing several follow-ups. - City staff will provide the committee with nuisance abatement data, promotional material for Friends of City Dogs, and information on filling animal control vacancies. - The chair said a wildlife proposal must be ready by Feb. 1, 2027, with council discussion between Feb. 1 and Apr. 1; one councilmember offered seed money for an education campaign. - The safety committee expects the animal control legislation package in January and asked for a drone demonstration plus tours of the five renovated police districts once the Leopardo refresh is complete. - Public Safety Administration will continue pursuing its three hires and will support the 2027 budget request for the wildlife pilot and a parallel education campaign.

The Cleveland City Council Public Safety Committee met on Oct. 28, 2026, to continue its operations review of the Department of Public Safety in advance of the upcoming budget. Department and division officials presented on the Division of Police and Division of Fire, answered council questions, and received multiple follow-up requests. The chair emphasized that council provides funding but does not hire, fire, deploy, or administer safety forces. No formal votes were taken. The committee recessed for lunch and planned to reconvene at 1:15 p.m. Division of Police Operations - Deputy Chief Jared Schlott outlined the division’s mission, values, and three operational branches: administrative operations, field operations, and special investigations such as homicide, sex crimes, domestic violence, SWAT, gang, and narcotics units. - Reported accomplishments included 184 upgrades in the 18th and 19th consent decree semiannual reports, transition to all-white marked zone cars for visibility, a new police headquarters nearing move-in, and the STANCE unit writing close to 1,800 citations since the beginning of the year. - Since September 2024, the expedited hiring process has brought 1,797 candidates to testing and 250 recruits through the police academy. In 2026, 82 recruits started; 63 graduated and are on the street in field training. A recent hiring event issued 101 conditional letters of employment, with the next academy class expected in the first quarter of 2027. - Staffing: the division is budgeted for 1,350 sworn, 216 civilian, and 373 part-time members. Current numbers are 1,233 sworn, 176 civilian, and 184 part-time. The chair noted council budgeted for 180 officers this year and contrasted that with 63 currently on the street. - In 2026, 77 members separated: 52 through retirement processes, 17 resignations, and 8 terminations. The deputy chief stated recruit classes are 64% minority. - Crime-fighting statistics included about 1,800 guns tested by the Crime Gun Intelligence Center, 3,733 CIT forms completed, and use of force in less than half of one percent of those contacts. Violent crime was reported down. - Third-quarter budget concerns: tuition and registration was 176% over budget, professional dues and subscriptions 157% over, other contracted services 146% over, and other supplies 132% over. Assistant Director Christopher Vinland said some police expenditures were misattributed to the Department of Justice budget and would be reconciled by year-end. He also noted a reimbursable federal task-force component in police overtime. - Fleet: reported a 40% decrease this year in vehicles taken out of service, 8–9 operational drones, repaired/upgraded helicopters with two part-time and one full-time pilot, and a police boat harbored behind the science center. - Councilmembers pressed for visible traffic enforcement. Police responded that every officer can enforce traffic law, the traffic unit rotates through districts, and the STANCE unit targets nuisance crimes. Council requested district-level traffic citation data and quarterly updates. - Multiple councilmembers said information about critical incidents is insufficient and sometimes less complete than in the past. The administration acknowledged the concern and committed to an internal meeting on improving communication with council and the public. - Other police items discussed included the new benchmark analytics performance system, requests for recruit residency and diversity data, school crossing guard vacancies, protocols for squatters and unhoused encampments, auxiliary police support, and the $10,000 per district commander funding for neighborhood events. Division of Fire Operations - Acting Chief Vince Teodoro introduced his team and presented the fire division’s budget and operations. The fire budget is about $123.5 million. Overtime is projected to exceed budget by 25%; utilities are about 14% over; other budget lines are largely in line. - Daily staffing is 163 firefighters, operating 23 engines, 11 ladders, 2 rescue squads, 5 battalions, 2 fire investigators, and 6 dispatchers. An anticipated pumper may arrive by the end of the year. - The division has 736 uniform members against a budgeted strength of 759. Demographics presented included 18 female members, 558 white males, 95 Black males, 62 Hispanic males, and 3 other males. There was no 2026 fire academy class; a 40-person class is planned for the first quarter of 2027 using an extended 2025 test list. - Facilities: all 24 fire stations are slated for repairs, 12 for renewal, and 9 for replacement. The administration said a Leopardo-style facility repair and renewal program for fire stations is being proposed. Station 28 is undergoing roof, HVAC, window, and tuck-pointing repairs; Station 26 is newly built. - Apparatus: SCBA purchases were moved from capital to operating budget. Fire apparatus lead times are often about two years nationwide. Spare engines and ladders are in fair-to-poor condition, though the division has purchased used equipment to supplement spares. - Recruitment and diversity were major concerns. Councilman Richard Starr reviewed the federal consent decree history and argued the current demographics show continuing discrimination in fire hiring and promotions. He requested applicant data by race, gender, and Cleveland residency since 2018 and since 2020, and called for a hearing involving civil service, human resources, public safety, and the fire division. Councilwoman House Jones noted the public recruitment phone number listed on the city website is outdated and questioned whether the recruitment process is adequate. Councilman Slife questioned the two-year gap between testing and hiring and the use of the National Testing Network if the goal is local hiring. - Fire inspections: fire prevention was described as fully staffed. High-rise inspections are handled by the state fire marshal and, according to the acting chief, should be yearly; not all apartment buildings are inspected annually because of manpower and legal requirements. The chair requested a written inspection protocol and a comparison with other Northeast Ohio cities. - Rescue and EMS responses totaled 33,026 incidents, far exceeding other call types. The acting chief acknowledged responder burnout and described the department’s EAP program. Councilwoman Hudson asked about educating facilities that call 911 for non-emergency transport, tracking the new blocker trucks, and obtaining the Deccan score analysis for fire station placement. - The chair demanded that no hazing, harassment, or discrimination occur in the fire academy. Assistant Director Vinland said the department considers such behavior reprehensible and terminal, and that anyone found responsible would face discipline and removal from the city. Connect and Protect Grant and Contracting Concerns - Councilwoman House Jones asked for an update on the Connect and Protect grant. Assistant Director Vinland said the three grant components — call-type data analysis, mental health dispatchers, and community engagement — have finalized RFPs and selected vendors. The call-type analysis contract is signed; the other contracts are still in process. - Councilwoman House Jones noted the grant was awarded in 2023, was originally scheduled to end September 30, 2026, and the mental health dispatchers have not started. She called the delay embarrassing, said the city must stop making excuses, and urged accountability and contract-process reform before 2027. Key Outcomes - No formal votes were taken. - Staff was directed to send all follow-up requests to the administration in writing. - Council requested district-level police traffic enforcement data and quarterly updates on citations. - Council requested written protocols on removing squatters from vacant properties and on handling encampments or unhoused individuals near businesses. - Council requested information on auxiliary police numbers, units, mileage reimbursements, and funding, as well as school crossing guard vacancies, pay, and hours. - Council requested fire applicant and hiring data by race, gender, and Cleveland residency from 2018 and from 2020 onward, plus a hearing on the fire hiring process. - Councilwoman House Jones asked the committee chairs to review the final fire chief candidates’ applications and records for any discriminatory or xenophobic conduct. - Council requested updated fire recruitment contact information, a written apartment and high-rise inspection protocol, and an assessment of whether annual inspections should be required for apartment buildings. - Council supported further review of Connect and Protect grant implementation and broader city contracting delays.

At its Oct. 27, 2026 committee meeting, the Cleveland City Council reviewed and unanimously approved five emergency ordinances: transferring city-owned parcels to the Industrial Commercial Land Bank, correcting two landmark designations, designating the former State Vocational Planning Center as a Cleveland landmark, and accepting a $1 million HUD grant for the Nora Village recovery housing project. No public testimony was heard. Land Bank Transfers – Ordinance 1039-2026 - Ordinance 1039-2026 authorizes the director of community development, public health, and public works to transfer various permanent parcels to the Department of Development's Industrial Commercial Land Bank (ICLB) for future redevelopment. An amendment was accepted adding permanent parcel numbers 002-18-009 through 002-18-036 to the transfer list. - Development staff explained that placing properties in the ICLB avoids property taxes while sites are prepared for redevelopment and provides flexibility to issue RFPs/RFQs, transfer with councilmember support, and negotiate price. They also clarified that the ICLB is distinct from the residential land bank under codified ordinance section 183.021. - Sites discussed included the former Water Lake School property (3.2 acres, zoned two-family, on Detroit Avenue, acquired from the Cleveland Metropolitan School District last month); a West 99th/Lorain parking lot adjacent to the Cleveland Food Bank's West Side facility; former Warner & Swasey parcels at Carnegie and East 55th no longer needed for Public Works parking; the former Huff Norwood family health care center at East 55th and Superior, demolished in 2020; and the former Grace Mount School site, acquired in 2020, with a contract awarded to APD Urban Planning and Management for housing plus a half-acre green space. - Councilman Bishop asked about the Grace Mount site. Staff confirmed the city owns it under community development and began accruing taxes after acquiring it from CMSD; the land bank transfer would stop further tax liability. Staff also noted a legal question about whether property could be transferred directly from CMSD into the land bank. - The ordinance was approved without objection. Landmark Ordinance Corrections – Ordinances 1163-2026 and 1164-2026 - Ordinance 1163-2026 corrects a single digit in a permanent parcel number in the St. Jerome Church, School, Convent, and Rectory landmark designation, needed for filing with the county fiscal office. Landmarks staff confirmed there is no cost. It was approved without objection. - Ordinance 1164-2026 amends the St. Mary of the Assumption (St. Mary's Collinwood) Church, School, Gymnasium, and Rectory landmark designation by removing two parking lot parcels that were included in the legal description but are outside the described boundaries. Staff said the change does not affect the landmark designation. It was approved without objection. State Vocational Planning Center Landmark Designation – Ordinance 1203-2026 - Cleveland Landmarks Commission staff Rachel Pierce presented the designation request, nominated by Kismet Investments to enable use of state historic tax credits for redevelopment. The property is at Superior and Ansel Roads in Ward 8. - The building first served as an automotive showroom after Pontiac Improvement Company purchased the site in 1923 and hired architect William Ferguson. It later became the State Vocational Planning Center in 1966, serving the Hough and Glenville neighborhoods in response to the Vocational Education Act of 1963 and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In 1967, 1,536 Clevelanders were placed in jobs or training programs, and the following year 60% of applicants were placed in jobs. - The center was firebombed the day after it opened and was attacked twice in 1967; no prosecution resulted, and the attacks prompted legislation on firebombs. The center closed in 1982. The Light of Liberty Church used the building from 1991 to 2015, and Kismet Investments purchased it this year with plans for commercial use. - Staff said the nomination meets five landmark categories. In response to questions, staff noted Kismet is also working on the Hough Bank project in Council President Griffin's ward, and the Ward 8 council member signed the consent form. The ordinance was approved without objection. Nora Village HUD Grant – Ordinance 1243-2026 - Director of Development staff and NORA President/CEO Anita Bradley presented Ordinance 1243-2026, authorizing the city to apply for and accept a $1 million Community Project Funding grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and to enter into a grant agreement with the Northern Ohio Recovery Association (NORA) or its designee. - The grant requires no local match and no city financial backstop; it is not comparable to a HUD 108 loan. The performance period is Feb. 3, 2026 through Aug. 31, 2034. - The funds support Nora Village Phase 2: four 1,300-square-foot recovery housing units in two buildings, each with three bedrooms. Costs include new construction, site work, architecture and engineering, consulting, administrative/legal contingency, and equipment. Phase 1 was previously funded by a $500,000 city appropriation for four additional units. - The project was applied for and recorded as being in Ward 10 but is now located in Ward 8 after redistricting. Bradley said NORA's facilities are full and clients will come from existing programs and other recovery centers or the community. - Councilman Slife said he was 'dismayed' that four units cost about $1 million, though he acknowledged it is grant funding. Councilwoman Gray congratulated the project and welcomed it to the neighborhood. - The ordinance was approved without objection. Key Outcomes - All five ordinances — 1039-2026, 1163-2026, 1164-2026, 1203-2026, and 1243-2026 — were approved without objection. - The land bank transfer list was amended to add permanent parcel numbers. - The two landmark corrections and the new State Vocational Planning Center landmark designation were adopted. - The city was authorized to accept the $1 million HUD grant and execute the Nora Village grant agreement with NORA.

The Cleveland City Council met on 2026-10-26. The meeting opened with roll call, a moment of silence, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a warning about disruptive conduct. Public comment covered housing, ward representation, the Browns stadium deal, AI/data centers, ALPR surveillance, and street safety. Council then acted on multiple ordinances and resolutions, including the failed Browns reimbursement ordinance and several passed road and safety measures. The next regular meeting is scheduled for November 9, 2026. Note: the raw transcript contains apparent transcription errors; names and titles are rendered as heard. Public Comments & Testimony - An unidentified speaker criticized city departments (HR, water, lights, law), called for resignations, and said he would pursue accountability through the constitution and charter against Marty Kane and Delante Spencer. - St. James Singleton (Ward 9) told a joke about campaign promises, urged council members to keep residents' trust and to let God lead their decision-making, and asked them to treat people with dignity. - Matthew Strazewski (Slavic Village) requested a broken seat be fixed and balconies opened, and advocated amending the charter to create 34 council seats — one per planning commission neighborhood — saying 25,000 residents per councilperson is too many and council members cannot cover their wards. - A housing advocate said families keep returning to council because otherwise they are forgotten; she cited the June 23, 2025 explosion as the worst-case outcome of negligence (a man dead, two children burned, families displaced), asked what the housing plan is, noted October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and said VAWA protections must become practice, not just paper. She also highlighted a mother waiting 16 months for an ADA-accessible unit for her disabled daughter. - Norm Plonski, owner of Major Hoopals (Ward 7), opposed Metro Parks' removal of 80% of parking near Irish Town Bend, proposed restoring Franklin Road street parking or making an empty lot permanent parking, and said streetlights on Franklin Road/Red Line Greenway Trail had been out for over a year and a half. - Jenna Thomas (Bike Cleveland, Ward 13) thanked council for safer streets investments, urged streets designed for non-drivers, cited average Ohio car payments of $504/month (used) and $716/month (new) and a 47% rise in car ownership costs since 2020, and said she supports sacrificing some driver convenience for safety. - Fauzi Badour (Ward 11) urged council to extend the moratorium on hyperscale data centers, citing a September 17 researcher resignation, statements by Sam Altman and Dario Amodei, President Trump's go-fast position, and a Bill Gates warning that a wrong AI drive could kill a billion people. - Brandon Totes (Flock No campaign, Ward 13) opposed the upcoming ALPR contract, arguing Motorola and Axon alternatives would expand ICE access, data monetization, and chilling effects; he cited Motorola's $22.8 million ICE contract and Trump's $5 million Axon stock purchase before a $220 million ICE taser contract. - Kate Burke (Ohio Social Prescribing Collaborative, Ward 3) thanked council for passing the arts and health resolution, said arts are a health practice, and called for collaboration across health and human services and workforce development. - Alex White (Ward 1) thanked his council member for a fast response after his basement flooded: contact on Sunday, a council reply by Tuesday, sewer department contact by Wednesday, and street surveying by Thursday/Friday. Communications and Routine Resolutions The clerk shared five Ohio Division of Liquor Control applications: File 1327-2026 (2175 Cornell Road, Ward 6), 1328-2026 (2821 Detroit Avenue, Ward 7), 1329-2026 (4058 St. Clair Avenue, Ward 8), 1330-2026 (6029 Superior Avenue, Ward 8), and 1331-2026 (1163 East 123rd Street, Ward 9). Condolence resolutions were offered for Renault Turner Sr., Wallace Baker, John William Bachman, Adiza Francesca Barnes, and Deacon Willie Seaborn Jr.; a congratulations resolution was offered for the Riddall Foundation, and a recognition resolution for Director Carnese McKenzie. Legislation and Votes - First-reading emergency ordinances, including Ordinance 1316-2026 (salary classification amendments) and a Ward 10 Casino Revenue Funds agreement for a regional convening project, were placed on final passage; the roll call recorded 12 yeas. - Ordinance 1326-2026 (form-based code amendments) was referred for administrative and committee review. - First-reading emergency resolutions 1312-2026 through 1315-2026, objecting to liquor license transfers at 5517 Memphis Avenue, 3022 West 25th Street, 3259 West 25th Street, and 3995 Jennings Road, were adopted by a 13-yea vote. - Second-reading emergency ordinance votes: - Ordinance 931-2026 (reimbursing the Cleveland Browns for emergency repairs to Huntington Bank Field) failed: 6 yeas, 7 nays. - Ordinance 1205-2026 (Brook Park Road resurfacing with Brook Park and Parma) passed: 8 yeas, 5 nays. - Ordinance 1175-2026 (Wade Park Avenue resurfacing) passed: 12 yeas, 1 nay. - All other second-reading emergency ordinances — including the West 9th Street encroachment permit, Warren Road Bridge/Stokes Boulevard consent, Fire Force FAA training, St. Clair Avenue target speed pilot, Shaker Boulevard resurfacing, lead safe certificate program, Roadworthy fleet workforce development, and signal support poles contracts — passed with 13 yeas. Discussion and Statements After the Votes - Councilman Slife said his ward's voting representation equals two-fifteenths of city voter turnout and property tax revenue; he argued that voting against a simple street resurfacing in his ward because of the Browns move would create problems for the ward. - Councilwoman House Jones explained her no vote on 1205, saying the legislative summary listed Ward 13 and Ward 15, and only Councilman Casey had approached her about it. - Councilman Shaw said his no vote on 1205 was about prioritizing limited state money for city road needs rather than the interests of billionaire Jimmy Haslam, and he regretted not checking with Slife. - The Council President noted the body cannot hold executive sessions unless the charter is changed, recommended putting that on the ballot, and challenged the administration to monitor spending and pending legal battles. - Councilman Polensek delivered an extended statement saying the Browns deal and stadium demolition were the worst deal in Cleveland history, that the city still owes just over $22 million on a building to be torn down, that downtown businesses predict financial harm, and that council members are frustrated by how hard it is to get basic repairs done. He said the 931 vote reflected frustration, not opposition to council leadership. Key Outcomes - Failed: Ordinance 931-2026 (Browns reimbursement), 6–7. - Passed: Ordinance 1205-2026 (Brook Park Road resurfacing), 8–5. - Passed: Ordinance 1175-2026 (Wade Park Avenue resurfacing), 12–1. - Passed: All other second-reading emergency ordinances, with 13 yeas. - Adopted: Liquor license objection resolutions 1312–1315, with 13 yeas. - Advanced: First-reading emergency ordinances on final passage; 1326 referred to committee. - Excused absences for Councilmembers Jones and Santana. - Adjourned to November 9, 2026; no meeting next week because of election day.

The committee met on Monday, October 26, 2026, to consider a range of ordinances including a major update to Cleveland's lead safe certificate law, several public works and capital projects, and a contentious $1.1 million reimbursement to the Cleveland Browns for emergency repairs at Huntington Bank Field. The meeting featured extensive debate on the city's contractual obligations and fiscal responsibility. Consent Calendar (Unanimously Approved) - Ordinance 1173-2026: Authorizing the director of port control to contract with Fire Force Inc. for annual FAA certification training for airport rescue and firefighting personnel (one year with three one-year renewal options). - Ordinance 1032-2026: Issuing an encroachment permit to 1293 West 9th Street LLC for an elevated concrete landing ramp and stairs at the former Tomo restaurant. - Ordinance 1168-2026: Consenting to ODOT to replace the deck of the Warren Road Bridge over I-90, 100% state-funded at $7,115,000. - Ordinance 1169-2026 (as amended): Consenting to ODOT to resurface Stokes Boulevard from MLK Jr. Drive to Chester Avenue; city share funded by road and bridge bonds. - Ordinance 1174-2026 (as amended): Consenting to ODOT for the target speed pilot project on St. Clair Avenue from E. 101st to E. 156th; includes road diet, separated bike lanes, raised crosswalks, and bus stop improvements. - Ordinance 1175-2026 (as amended): Consenting to ODOT to resurface Wade Park Avenue from E. 66th to E. 118th with traffic calming including mini-roundabouts and separated bike lanes. - Ordinance 1240-2026 (as amended): Consenting to ODOT to resurface Shaker Boulevard from Buckeye Road to the east corporation line; includes speed tables and separated bike lanes. - Ordinance 1241-2026 (as amended): Consenting to ODOT to resurface State Road from Burger Avenue to Hillcrest Avenue; city share $151,688. - Ordinance 1280-2026: Authorizing donation of retired city fleet vehicles to Roadworthy Inc. for a workforce development initiative providing transportation to Cleveland residents. - Ordinance 1281-2026 (as amended): Authorizing direct award to Sutfin Corporation for warranty repairs on a 2023 fire truck to maintain 10-year structural warranty. - Ordinance 1284-2026 (as amended): Authorizing requirement contracts for signal support poles and installation for traffic engineering. - Ordinance 1205-2026 (as amended): Authorizing resurfacing of Brook Park Road from west of Rocky River Drive to W. 130th; city's share $394,000 (9.2% of project). Passed on a divided vote with Councilmember Casey voting no. - Ordinance 1316-2026: Amending salary ordinances to add an Administrative Manager 3 position and adjust pay for administrative officers; to be heard on the floor. Discussion Items Lead Safe Certificate Update – Ordinance 1244-2026 - Former Councilwoman Moore presented amendments after Health & Human Services review. Key changes: clarified local lead license definitions, removed fee language, extended certificate cycles (March 1, 2027 effective date for new cycles), and corrected typographical errors. - Councilman Conwell praised Moore's community engagement and one-on-one meetings with committee members. - Director and Deputy Director Rebecca (from Building & Housing) answered questions: 31,000 units currently certified; roughly 70,000 remain. Enforcement is ramping up via civil tickets. The ordinance moves from clearance exams to mandatory lead risk assessments, codifying a previous executive order. - Council President emphasized the need to correlate lead exposure with historic redlining and health disparities. - The committee approved the amendments and then passed the ordinance unanimously. Browns Stadium Emergency Repairs – Ordinance 931-2026 - Director of Capital Projects explained that $1,122,824 in repairs (concrete, sewer ejector pumps, pipe insulation, overhead door, arc flash device, etc.) were completed by the Browns as emergency capital repairs under the lease. The city owns the stadium. - Law Director Griffin clarified the city's obligation under the second lease amendment (Dec. 2025): only repairs necessary for health/safety or essential building systems. The city has no liability for routine maintenance. - Finance Director Barrett noted a dedicated sin tax fund of $20 million that can only be used for stadium repairs. Not paying could harm the city's bond rating and willingness-to-pay credibility. - Councilmember Casey argued the Browns breached the lease by negotiating elsewhere and should not be reimbursed for completed work. He stated his residents would oppose giving money to the Haslam family (net worth $12.8 billion). - Councilmember Polensek called the mayor's stadium deal the worst in Cleveland history and said the Browns could afford the repairs themselves. - Councilmember Starr criticized the lease rent ($250,000/year) and questioned whether the repairs were truly capital vs. deferred maintenance. - Councilmember Harsh and Slife supported payment as a legal obligation; Harsh warned of cascading risks to bond markets and lawsuits if the city defaults. - The committee voted to forward the ordinance to the full council. Roll call: Casey (no), Polensek (no), Slife (yes), and other members (presumed yes) – the measure passed by a narrow margin. Other Public Works Items - Ordinance 591-2026 (waste collection citations) was held after a miscommunication about which committee had jurisdiction. - Councilman Polensek raised concerns about missing waste receptacles at bus shelters; the director agreed to survey and install additional cans. Key Outcomes - Ordinance 1244-2026 (Lead Safe): Passed unanimously as amended. - Ordinance 1280-2026 (Vehicle Donation): Passed unanimously. - Ordinance 1281-2026 (Fire Truck Repair): Passed as amended unanimously. - Ordinance 1284-2026 (Signal Poles): Passed as amended unanimously. - Ordinance 1032, 1168, 1169, 1174, 1175, 1240, 1241 (Capital Projects): All passed unanimously. - Ordinance 1205-2026 (Brook Park Road): Passed with Councilmember Casey voting no. - Ordinance 591-2026 (Waste Citations): Held. - Ordinance 1316-2026 (Salary Amendments): Forwarded to full council. - Ordinance 931-2026 (Browns Stadium Repairs): Forwarded to full council on a 2-2? vote (exact tally not recorded but committee leadership indicated it would proceed to the floor).

The Municipal Service and Properties Committee met on Monday, October 26, 2026, to consider eight ordinances covering parks, public works, and capital projects. Key discussion items included an Olympic Torch Relay host agreement, a controversial proposal to purchase Miles School for Fire and EMS administration, and multiple road resurfacing projects. The committee held the Miles School project while advancing several other infrastructure items, though a split vote occurred over a joint road resurfacing project linked to the planned Browns stadium relocation. Discussion Items - Olympic Torch Relay Host Agreement (Ordinance 1176-2026): Director of Parks and Recreation presented a proposal to enter a host agreement with the Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The torch relay would be a single-day event in early May 2027, covering up to five miles in Cleveland. Council members Casey and Shaw expressed strong support, with Shaw suggesting a route through Rockefeller Park and the Cultural Gardens. - Signal Support Pole Requirements Contract (Ordinance 1284-2026): Public Works sought authorization for a two-year requirements contract to replace aging signal support poles (35 poles at $620k). Councilman Harsh successfully introduced two amendments requiring written notification for cooperative purchases and removing vague language on appropriation accounts. Commissioner Mavic confirmed the city can perform these replacements. - Fire Truck Collision Repair (Ordinance 1281-2026): An emergency ordinance authorizing a non-competitive repair contract ($301,379) for a fire engine damaged in a collision. The vehicle was under warranty, mandating repairs by the manufacturer. Councilman Casey questioned insurance status, confirming the city is self-insured and seeking full restitution from the at-fault driver. - Vehicle Donation for Workforce Development (Ordinance 1280-2026): Public Works will donate 2-3 retired city fleet vehicles annually for three years to Roadworthy Inc., a nonprofit providing transportation for workforce training. Councilman Starr described the program as supporting youth job access. Councilman Shaw requested the committee obtain the nonprofit's financial records (e.g., 990 form) before proceeding. - Miles School Purchase / Fire & EMS Admin Building (Ordinance 1242-2026): Capital Projects proposed a $4.5 million renovation of the former Miles School (purchased from CMSD for $975k via a sale-leaseback) to house fire and EMS administrative offices. This item generated the most opposition. Councilman Casey strongly opposed, calling it a potential "disaster project" reminiscent of the South High School renovation, citing distance from downtown and union opposition. Councilwoman Hudson questioned the EMS restocking plan and urged more direct union consultation. Councilman Shaw requested testimony from fire chiefs before a vote. The committee chair held the piece for further discussion. - Brook Park Road Resurfacing (Ordinance 1205-2026): A multi-city project with Brook Park and Parma to resurface Brook Park Road. Cleveland's share was $394,000. The discussion was highly political. Councilmen Casey and Shaw opposed the expenditure, viewing it as a subsidy for the Haslam Sports Group's planned stadium in Brook Park. Councilman Harsh supported it as necessary regional infrastructure upkeep separate from stadium politics. Councilwoman Gray supported it, deferring to the ward councilman. A motion to place the item on a path to approval was successful on a split voice vote (2-1). - Shaker Boulevard Resurfacing (Ordinance 1240-2026): A $10.6 million project addressing speeding (over 50% of drivers over the limit), crash safety (150 crashes in five years), and pedestrian/bike infrastructure. The project includes separated bike lanes and speed tables. Extensive community engagement (15 events, 300+ survey responses) was noted by the city and supported by council members Gray and Shaw. The item was approved as amended. - State Road Resurfacing (Ordinance 1241-2026): A $2.485 million project to resurface a critically deteriorated 0.46-mile stretch of State Road in Old Brooklyn. Councilman Harsh expressed strong support and reserved ward funds for traffic calming safety improvements to prevent speeding on the newly smoothed road. The item was approved as amended. Key Outcomes - Approved: Olympic Torch Relay Host Agreement (1176), Signal Support Pole Contract (1284), Fire Truck Repair (1281), Vehicle Donation (1280), Brook Park Road Resurfacing (1205), Shaker Boulevard Resurfacing (1240), State Road Resurfacing (1241). - Held: Miles School Project (1242) held by the committee chair for further consultation with fire leadership and union representatives. - Split Vote: The Brook Park Road project (1205) passed over documented opposition from Councilmen Casey and Shaw. - Directives: The administration was directed to provide financial transparency on the Roadworthy non-profit and to organize a meeting to discuss safety measures for the State Road project.

The Development Planning Sustainability Committee continued part two of day two of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) hearings on October 23, 2026. No agenda or minutes were included in the available record; this summary is drawn from the raw transcript. The committee reviewed home repair programs, Community Development Corporation (CDC) funding, public services and community engagement, the proposed CDBG/general fund swap, and HUD compliance issues. Home Repair Programs - The department presented home repair programs including Model Block exterior repair along commercial corridors, the Senior Home Assistance Program (SHAP), Repair-A-Home (RAW) loans, and furnace/hot water tank repair and replacement. In 2025, 375 homes received one of these services. - Model Block currently has 24 projects in production and is funded through decertified CDBG dollars. SHAP serves seniors and disabled owner-occupants below 35% AMI with one critical health/safety repair every 10 years. RAW provides loans at 0-3% interest to owner-occupants who usually cannot access traditional financing. - Councilman Bishop asked for the 375 repaired homes broken down by ward, repair category, and dollar amount; the department agreed to provide that data. - Councilman Slay asked for AMI figures and raised concerns that home repair programs reach a limited audience in a majority-renter city. He requested analysis of the qualifying population and its distribution across the city. The director said the department is working on a home repair gap analysis and is coordinating with the Mayor's innovation team and CDCs. - The department confirmed AMI thresholds: 50% AMI is $52,500 for a family of four and $36,750 for an individual; 80% AMI is $84,000 for a family of four and $58,800 for an individual. - Councilman Slay asked whether rental properties could be served. The department stated lead grants already serve rental properties based on renter income, and furnace/hot water tank repair also serves renters. SHAP and RAW are currently limited to homeowners, but department leadership indicated changes are planned. - Councilman Jones raised concerns about long waiting lists, contractor shortages, and seniors waiting so long that they pass away before receiving service. The department reported that an implementation vendor completed 71 units in the last year across four programs, including lead grants, Healthy Homes Production, and SHAP. That was an improvement over past production of roughly 20 units, but it came with challenges from relying on a single contractor. - Councilwoman Gray said SHAP has become backlogged beyond nine months to a year, that applications have been stopped, and that seniors are not always told about alternatives like Cleveland Housing Solutions. The director acknowledged communication failures and said the department is rebuilding the programs. - Councilman Jones proposed allocating $10 million to community development to expand these programs and argued for setting AMI eligibility at the highest level permitted. The director said CDBG dollars are capped at 80% AMI; general fund dollars could be used to serve higher-income households. The chair explained that AMI is set by HUD for the Cleveland-Lorain metropolitan statistical area. CDC Administration and Funding - The department said it plans to fund 15 CDCs in 2026 with about $7.35 million. In 2025, CDCs completed 58 substantial rehabilitations, provided technical assistance to 342 small businesses, and completed 581 public services. - Six CDCs were close to $100,000 short after ward redistricting; the department supplemented those funds to help preserve CDC staff. - The department proposed a more proactive funding model: CDCs would submit proposals, and the city and council would develop a collective CDC funding plan. The long-discussed 'swap' would move CDC and council neighborhood development support to general fund dollars while using CDBG for eligible projects, reducing HUD compliance burdens. - The chair provided historical context: Cleveland has funded hyperlocal CDCs since 1975, but HUD has long questioned the arrangement. The swap concept grew out of Councilman McCormick's framework. - Councilman Jones criticized slow contracts and reimbursements, saying CDCs are being starved out. The department said average payment time is about 45-60 days and that slower payment alone is not the full problem. The director said no specific timeline is set, but more political will exists, and the department has a meeting scheduled with CDCs on October 29 to introduce new processes. - Councilwoman Hudson asked how council NDA allocations would work under the new process. The department said council members would still choose how to use their allocated funds, subject to procurement and eligibility requirements, depending on whether the money comes from CDBG or general funds. - The chair used a hypothetical $20 million CDBG illustration: roughly 20% for administration, 40% for council/NDA redistribution, and 40% for department-run programs, while noting actual allocations are set through the budget process. - Councilwoman Gray and Councilman Davis expressed concerns about CDC capacity, particularly in Black communities and less-resourced neighborhoods. Gray said one of her CDCs is in trouble and cannot be allowed to shut down. Davis said his wards' six CDCs faced arbitrary six-figure cuts because of redistricting, threatening four jobs, and he asked how CDC goals are established. - Staff explained that consolidated plan goals are tied to HUD's five-year planning categories. For small-business technical assistance, the 2025 CDC goal was 335 and actual reported performance was 377; the 2026 forecast is 350, while the 2027 goal of 100 is a HUD planning artifact rather than a realistic annual target. - Councilman Fisher noted that the presentation showed $19 million in total CDBG funds, with $3.9 million, about 21%, for planning and administration. He asked about acceptable CDC administrative costs and was told the CDC indirect cost rate is less than 20%. Public Services and Community Engagement - The department outlined 19 public services contracts for 2026 plus 10 anticipated citywide contracts focused on home repair, housing counseling, housing-related financial education, and senior transportation. In 2025, public services grants provided emergency food to more than 15,000 people, and citywide grants provided housing counseling and support to about 2,300 homeowners and renters. - For 2027, the department plans competitive procurement and closer alignment with the consolidated plan, including attention to social determinants of work such as transportation and potentially child care. - New work from the Bureau of Community Programming includes a middle neighborhoods specialist, housing innovation district work, a financial empowerment blueprint and resource directory, neighborhood financial needs assessments, youth financial empowerment programming, and 10 community and institutional partnerships with Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, Cleveland Housing Solutions, the County Land Bank, and CDCs. - The community engagement team has five staff members. In 2025, the team attended about 103 events and engaged about 606 residents, connecting them with home repair, utility assistance, rental assistance, and land bank application information. The team also supports Southeast Side work and consolidated plan workshops. NDA, HUD Compliance, and Administrative Follow-ups - The department said NDA is not a project and cannot be submitted to HUD as a lump-sum dollar amount in the CDBG plan. A HUD representative has called the NDA line item a slush fund. Council members pushed back, saying council has budget authority and will continue deciding NDA allocations. The director said the department is not trying to take council funds but needs projects listed individually to satisfy HUD; the proposed swap is intended to resolve that problem. - The department said previous HUD findings about exceeding the administrative cap have been resolved, and no funds are currently at risk of being clawed back. - Outstanding follow-up items include RAW and SHAP carryover balances, fair housing outreach broken down by ward, a report on CRA depository banks expected in roughly two months, and a list of CDCs reporting home repair accomplishments. Environmental Review - The department said every federal dollar requires an environmental review; even exempt projects require documentation. CD has two environmental review technicians and one compliance manager, and CD also performs environmental reviews for CMHA under a memorandum of understanding. - Councilman Davis requested a citywide count of people trained to perform environmental reviews. Councilwoman Gray said CDCs previously blamed environmental review delays for unmet deliverables; the department said that backlog has passed. Key Outcomes - No formal votes were taken; the hearing was adjourned until the call of the chair. - The committee requested home repair data by ward, category, and dollar amount. - The committee requested analysis of the eligible home repair population, including owner-occupancy, renter eligibility, and AMI distribution. - Councilman Jones proposed a $10 million investment in community development and discussion of raising AMI eligibility caps; CDBG is capped at 80% AMI, while general fund dollars could reach higher-income households. - The department committed to providing RAW/SHAP carryover data, fair housing outreach by ward, the CRA depository bank report, and CDC home repair accomplishment data. - The department scheduled a meeting with CDCs on October 29 to discuss new processes. - Further negotiations on NDA funding and the CDBG/general-fund swap remain open ahead of spring budget decisions.