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Record of Proceedings

Cleveland City Council Meeting – October 6, 2025

City Council Meetings — Monday, October 6, 2025
BodyCleveland, Ohio
SessionCity Council Meetings
DateMonday, October 6, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:21:13

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
11:31

Amen.

11:32

Nothing trying to do that no more.

11:49

Yeah.

11:54

All right.

12:04

She said that she wasn't sure what you're gonna do, but that was her request.

12:14

I'm not sure what we're saying.

12:27

Yeah, and I took money out of the organization.

12:36

All right.

12:37

Okay.

12:39

We ready?

12:40

We ready, right?

12:42

Patty.

12:46

Madam Clerk, please call the rope.

12:48

Griffin.

12:49

Here.

12:50

Bishop.

12:51

Conwell.

12:52

Gray.

12:53

Hairston.

12:55

Harsh.

12:56

House Jones.

12:58

Jones.

12:59

Casey.

13:01

Kelly.

13:03

Moore.

13:04

Polensick.

13:06

Santana.

13:07

Slife.

13:09

Spencer.

13:10

Starr.

13:11

You have a core, Mr.

13:13

President.

13:13

Thank you.

13:13

Would everyone please rise for a moment of silence, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance?

13:26

A pledge of legend to the flag of the United States of America.

13:31

And to the Republic.

13:33

One nation under God.

13:40

I make the following statement.

13:42

This meeting of Cleveland City Council is a lawful meeting under Section Six O five dot oh four of the codified ordinances.

13:48

No person with purpose to prevent or disrupt a lawful meeting shall do any act which obstructs or interferes with the due conduct of such meeting.

13:57

Members of the public are invited to speak only under the rules set by this council.

14:02

Disruptions, including but not limited to speaking out of turn and making loud noises and loud utterances are in violation of the rules and interfere with the due conduct of this lawful meeting.

14:12

Such disruptions may constitute a misdemeanor and a violation of section six oh five dot oh four.

14:18

Anyone who disrupts this lawful meeting in violation of the codified ordinances, commits misdemeanors, and is subject to prosecution.

14:49

The council proceedings will not begin again until those that participated in the disruption have left the chamber and the chamber doors are closed.

15:01

Again, this is the first and only warning.

15:05

Madam Clerk, please dispense with the journal.

15:10

By Councilmember Santana that the reading of the minutes of the last meeting be dispensed with the journal approved, seconded by councilmember.

15:18

Thank you.

15:20

We will now move to public comment.

15:22

I'd ask all of the speakers to acknowledge your time.

15:27

So once again, you have three minutes.

15:29

When you see the yellow light, that means wrap it up.

15:31

And when you see uh the red light comes on, that means you abruptly have to stop, and I will call the meeting to order.

15:37

Uh I will ask all the council members to turn around and acknowledge the speakers and all of the speakers, please acknowledge your time.

15:44

First and foremost, we have Tian Lun Jun from Cleveland, the Chinese Communist Parties, transnation repression, representing Ohio, Fulan DAFA association, and not being paid by anyone.

15:59

You have the floor, sir.

16:03

There it is.

16:04

Oh, sorry.

16:05

Please speak into the mic.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████29%
Public Safety████████████████16%
Public Engagement██████████████14%
Community Engagement█████████9%
Racial Equity█████5%
Public School Closures█████5%
Procurement█████5%
Immigrant Rights████4%
Environmental Protection███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Cleveland City Council Meeting – October 6, 2025

The Cleveland City Council held a regular meeting on October 6, 2025, featuring extensive public comment, the resignation of Councilman Kerry McCormick and appointment of Lauren R. Welch to Ward 3, passage of multiple emergency ordinances, and a controversial announcement regarding the takeover of WCSB radio by Ideastream.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Tian Lun Jun (representing Ohio Falun Dafa Association) spoke about alleged Chinese Communist Party repression of Falun Gong in the U.S., citing the case of organ harvesting and expressing concern about CCP propaganda spending.
  • Michelle Hicks (from Garfield Heights, no representation) discussed diversity, equity, and inclusion, stating that Cleveland remains the worst city in America for black women despite a 2020 resolution declaring racism a public health crisis. She cited Project Noir data: 71% of black women passed over for promotions and 79% paid less than peers.
  • Crystal Sierra (Planning Director, Slavic Village Development) expressed frustration over the Harvard Refuse landfill solar project being jeopardized after Cleveland Public Power Commissioner Amon Danielson pulled out, citing engineering costs, land concerns, and grant issues. She noted the project received $129 million in federal grant money in 2024.
  • Astria Everson (New Era Cleveland / Love Project Movement) highlighted crime in the Buckeye area, human trafficking of minors, and lack of police response. She criticized the city for creating barriers instead of addressing community needs.
  • Chairman Fahim (New Era Cleveland) spoke about “Drapetomania” and the recent acquittal of his organization on 15 charges. He alleged police targeting of community activists and claimed missing surveillance footage in their case.
  • Dale Snyder (Road Gold Inc., from Sacred Heights) addressed recidivism and the need for preventative measures, emphasizing economic opportunity as a key to public safety.
  • David Hill (Ward 4, no representation) criticized Mayor Bibb for wrongfully blaming Play Barn Grill for a shooting in the Flats, stating the bar was boarded up despite no evidence linking it to the incident. He noted another shooting at the same location two weeks later with no mayoral response.
  • Juan Tilado Diaz (Inquisitor Media, Ward 11) spoke on Hispanic Heritage Month, decrying federal targeting of Latinos and calling on the council to pass an ordinance making Cleveland a sanctuary city.
  • Angela Davis (Ward 3, no representation) criticized Mayor Bibb for scheduling a State of the Schools address during work hours at the City Club, making it inaccessible to parents and students.
  • Bridget Smith Jackson (East Cleveland, no representation) demanded accountability for the June 23 explosion at Rainbow Terrace Apartments that killed Cordell Sheffield, injured two children, and displaced 44 families (150 residents). She highlighted prior warnings and called for a full public report and citywide emergency plan.

Legislation & Appointments

  • Resignation and Appointment: Council accepted the resignation of Councilman Kerry McCormick (Ward 3), effective October 3, 2025. Lauren R. Welch was nominated by Councilmember Santana, seconded by Conwell, and elected with 13 votes. She was sworn in by her grandmother and gave brief remarks.
  • Mayor's Nominations: Appointments to the Greater Cleveland RTA (Chanel Smith Wigham) and Landmarks Commission (Michelle Anderson, Robert Strickland, Raymond Terasuk Jr., Julie Trott) were referred to committee.
  • Multiple Emergency Ordinances (first and second reading): Passed unanimously (13-0) after suspension of rules. Included ordinances on towing regulations (1252-2025), airport consulting (1253-2025), concrete work at Port Control (1254-2025), and casino revenue fund agreements for community programs (1255-2025, 1256-2025, etc.). Also passed street name change of East 159th Street to Euclid Beach Boulevard (1174-2025) and resolutions on liquor permit objections (1257-2025, 1258-2025, 1262-2025).

Miscellaneous Announcements & Remarks

  • Councilman Harsh delivered a lengthy statement on the takeover of WCSB (Cleveland State University radio) by Ideastream on October 3. He described the station’s history (50 years, 98 volunteer DJs, diverse cultural programming) and criticized the manner of the takeover, including student lockouts and police escort. He said CSU spent $40,000/year on the station while students raised $40,000–$50,000 annually. He called for Ideastream to return programming and noted a silent protest planned for October 7.
  • Councilman Polensek supported Harsh and requested Council President Griffin schedule a meeting with Ideastream at City Hall.
  • Councilwoman House Jones reported a community record: the “Wall of Love” collected over 17,000 pairs of socks in one hour on October 4, breaking the previous Guinness record of about 2,500.
  • Introductions: Councilmembers recognized AFSCME Local 100 members, local business owners, and Italian-American Heritage Day events.

Key Outcomes

  • Lauren R. Welch was appointed as the new Councilmember for Ward 3, effective October 6, 2025 (13 votes in favor).
  • All emergency ordinances and resolutions introduced were passed unanimously (13-0).
  • Resolutions of condolence were approved for Mamie Carroll Gaines, Robert Schwin, Angela Edwards, and Nasheim Lynch.
  • Resolutions of congratulations were approved for retiring Police Chief Clayton Harris, Coach Boom Solomon, USPS 250th anniversary, and Italian-American Heritage honorees.
  • Council adjourned to the call of the chair; next meeting scheduled for October 13, 2025.

Meeting Transcript

Amen. Nothing trying to do that no more. Yeah. All right. She said that she wasn't sure what you're gonna do, but that was her request. I'm not sure what we're saying. Yeah, and I took money out of the organization. All right. Okay. We ready? We ready, right? Patty. Madam Clerk, please call the rope. Griffin. Here. Bishop. Conwell. Gray. Hairston. Harsh. House Jones. Jones. Casey. Kelly. Moore. Polensick. Santana. Slife. Spencer. Starr. You have a core, Mr. President. Thank you. Would everyone please rise for a moment of silence, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance? A pledge of legend to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic. One nation under God. I make the following statement. This meeting of Cleveland City Council is a lawful meeting under Section Six O five dot oh four of the codified ordinances. No person with purpose to prevent or disrupt a lawful meeting shall do any act which obstructs or interferes with the due conduct of such meeting. Members of the public are invited to speak only under the rules set by this council. Disruptions, including but not limited to speaking out of turn and making loud noises and loud utterances are in violation of the rules and interfere with the due conduct of this lawful meeting. Such disruptions may constitute a misdemeanor and a violation of section six oh five dot oh four. Anyone who disrupts this lawful meeting in violation of the codified ordinances, commits misdemeanors, and is subject to prosecution. The council proceedings will not begin again until those that participated in the disruption have left the chamber and the chamber doors are closed. Again, this is the first and only warning. Madam Clerk, please dispense with the journal. By Councilmember Santana that the reading of the minutes of the last meeting be dispensed with the journal approved, seconded by councilmember. Thank you. We will now move to public comment.

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