Cleveland Finance, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee Meeting - September 15, 2025
Cleveland Finance, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee Meeting
Date: September 15, 2025 | Time: 2:00 p.m. (ET) | Location: City Hall, Cleveland, OH
The Committee on Finance, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion convened to consider a series of ordinances related to park leases, recreation grants, tree pruning, road projects, salt purchasing, claim payments, and collective bargaining. The meeting also included a discussion on the cost of new signage at City Hall. All ordinances were approved for full council consideration.
Consent Calendar
- All items were approved without separate voting; each ordinance was moved forward after discussion.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public testimony was recorded.
Discussion Items
- Ordinance 8035-2025 (Lease Amendment with Cleveland Metro Parks): Authorized a third amendment to add city-owned property on the western edge of Columbus Road Peninsula to the existing 99-year lease for Burke Gate Park, to allow construction of a trail connecting Burke Park, Heritage Park, and Settlers Lake. Council members expressed support for waterfront access and encouraged further leasing of city parcels to Metro Parks.
- Ordinance 990-2025 (Baseball/Softball Grant): Authorized the Director of Parks and Recreation to apply for an $8,000 grant from the Cleveland Guardians for equipment and supplies. Council members discussed field maintenance, heat policy communications, and challenges in reviving youth baseball. Councilman Mike Lisson requested a future budget discussion on staffing and equipment needs.
- Ordinance 991-2025 (Urban Forestry Grant): Authorized applying for a $96,000 ODNR urban forestry resilient grant (with $48,000 city match) to prune young trees across the city. Council members asked about contracting versus in-house work and the education component. A follow-up on costs was requested.
- Ordinance 964-2025 (ODOT Interchange Project): Granted assent to ODOT for the I-480/Ridge Road interchange reconstruction, a $2.3 million project with no city funds. Council members discussed a missing park sign and ODOT responsibility for ramp maintenance.
- Ordinance 970-2025 (Rock Salt Supplemental Appropriation): Authorized a $1.8 million transfer to cover a price increase for rock salt from $49.97 to $63.99 per ton under a state cooperative contract. Council members questioned the justification for the increase, explored options for direct contracting, and expressed concern about staffing vacancies and salt dome repairs. The total salt budget for the year was estimated at $4 million.
- Ordinance 971-2025 (Transfer of Funds for Salt): Implemented the $1.8 million transfer from public works savings ($1.3 million) and finance department personnel savings ($500,000) to the salt account. Council members emphasized the need to fill vacant positions.
- Ordinance 979-2025 (Moral Claims): Authorized payment of $2,497.15 in moral claims: $800 for a damaged headstone, $297.15 for vehicle damage, $100 for a tree limb deductible, $800 for another headstone, and $500 for a water break-related vehicle damage. Council members educated the public on reporting hazards to 311.
- Ordinance 996-2025 (Land Bank Contract Amendment): Amended prior ordinances to allow 24 of 54 homes to be rehabilitated citywide (previously restricted to Wards 5, 10, and 14) and to permit new construction in partnership with nonprofits like Habitat for Humanity. The project uses ARPA funds. Council members expressed support but questioned the pace of land bank property turnover.
- Ordinance 1070-2025 (Collective Bargaining - CWA): Ratified a collective bargaining agreement with the Communications Workers of America for EMT supervisors (16 employees), with base wage increases of 2.89%, 2.96%, and 2.89% over three years.
- Ordinance 1087-2025 (Salary Classification Amendments): Amended salary ranges for chief architect (up to $170,000) and created administrative manager series (entry-level $65,000–$80,000; senior $80,000–$170,000) and expanded project manager II classification citywide.
- Miscellaneous - City Hall Signage Cost: Councilman Casey raised concerns about new signage at City Hall reportedly costing $658,000 from Fegali Brothers, noting that contracts over $50,000 require council approval. He requested documentation of the funding source and any legislation authorizing the expenditure, and also asked for an update on the exterior renovation of City Hall.
Key Outcomes
- All ordinances (8035, 990, 991, 964, 970, 971, 979, 996, 1070, 1087) were approved by the committee and referred to the full City Council for final passage at the 7:00 p.m. meeting.
- The committee directed staff to provide follow-up information on: the rock salt price increase justification, the City Hall signage costs and related legislation, and the status of exterior renovation of City Hall.
- Council members stressed the importance of filling vacant positions in public works and recreation, and of proactive maintenance of city assets.
Meeting Transcript
Wow, what country was it? Text me and let me know which uh we're gonna have to use the let me know that I gotta jump on this. Okay, when is this name and it's talking about the end? Um record. What is it? Yeah, that's the same. Yeah. So is it on the agenda? Is there a chair? Yes. Okay. Are you calling it? Oh, so I'm sorry. So yeah, I know today is Monday, September 15th, 2 p.m. This committee uh five diversity equity and inclusion is called order. Mr. Clerk? Oh, Madam Clerk, please call the board. Here's it up here, PC. Present. Mr. Chairman, you're on the call. Thank you. We're gonna call up uh the public parks. I believe this porch commissioner ports is one of represent uh because uh directing people is on the thing. So this is ordinance number April 3025, Council members informed the commissioner by parking over the board is authorizing the directors of parts and recommendation and port controls to an amendment to the existing lease agreement with the board of park commissioner for the Cleveland Metropolitan Park Ministry for River Gates Park to add additional city owned property to the least director and see. Um I'm sorry, we can we've been having some technical issues, so I do want to let our council members know channel twenty is uh one we have the camera here because there are some technical issues uh with our feet that go directly from here. So that's why the camera is here. Okay. Uh Commissioner Horse, do you want to please? Sure. Good morning, Council members. Um I have something about the say here. She's not speaking on the speech. Okay. Thank you. Um I'm Susan Disney Proposition for the state, and I have with me Sean Dermitt, the chief planning design officer from Cleveland Parks to answer any questions. Um the ordinance authorizes a lease amendment to the recording park release with Cleveland Metro Parks to add city property in the westerly edge of the Columbus Road Peninsula for construction and maintenance of a policy purpose path and other improvements including signage and speaking. Burger Gate Park is a 2.8 acre park on the Kuiper River at the southern end of the Clemens Road Peninsula. It's west of the bridge, west of Park Green Park and nearly. So back in 2014, the city entrance was lease with metro parks for 99 years to uh for the city portion. The lease was amended twice, once in July of 2015, and once in February 2016 to add additional land and to add a trail connection to the Lake Lake Trail, which is nearby. And then this third amendment would add land on the western edge of the peninsula, which will connect Burke Park of Heritage Park and Settlers Lake. Alright. And we must address this is in uh municipal services, council admission. Thank you. Council of the corner, this is a uh thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh first one appreciate the team to work here for work on this. Um another step chair to bring people to their waterfront.
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