City Council Committees Meeting Summary (Finance, Diversity, and Equity and Inclusion; Public Works; Parks & Recreation; Planning; Public Health) - October 27, 2025
City Council Committees Meeting Summary - October 27, 2025
The Finance, Diversity, and Equity and Inclusion, Public Works, Parks and Recreation, City Planning, and Public Health committees convened on October 27, 2025, to consider a series of emergency ordinances and resolutions. Key agenda items included authorization for sewer and public improvement contracts, bond refinancing to save costs, nuisance abatement programs, ADA ramp updates, temporary labor contracts, a private donation for tennis court improvements, and the expansion of child care scholarship funds amid concerns over the federal government shutdown. The meeting also featured extensive deliberation on traffic calming measures and a park renaming initiative.
Consent Calendar
- Ordinance 1212-2025: Approved without objection; authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to contract for emergency sewer repairs and replacements.
- Ordinance 1219-2025: Approved without objection; authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to contract for capital sewer replacement programs on Solbaisky Avenue and other areas.
- Ordinance 1210-2025: Approved without objection; amends the 2016 Water Pollution Control bond ordinance to allow refinancing opportunities with the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA).
- Ordinance 1211-2025: Approved without objection; authorizes the cooperative agreement with OWDA to refund 2016 water pollution control bonds, projected to save $4.3 million over 20 years at 3.2% interest.
- Ordinance 1222-2025: Approved without objection; authorizes contracting for nuisance abatement services to oversee cutting and cleaning of vacant occupied structures.
- Ordinance 1299-2025: Approved without objection; authorizes contracting for the repair and construction of ADA compliant structures (curb ramps) to be managed directly by Public Works rather than MOCAP.
- Ordinance 1221-2025: Approved without objection; authorizes contracting with temporary employment agencies to supply seasonal personnel for Parks, Public Works, and the Project Clean Program.
- Ordinance 1307-2025: Approved without objection (with added co-sponsors); resolves to rename Herman Park to Judge Raymond Pianca Park upon completion of future renovations.
- Ordinance 1072-2025: Approved as amended; amends the contract with Osborne Engineering Company regarding the North Coast Connector Project, increasing the authorized amount to not exceed $5 million.
- Ordinance 1370-2025: Approved without objection; changes the entity name of Go Beyond Inc. to Go Beyond LLC for the "Mom's First" program.
- Ordinance 1374-2025: Approved without objection; ratifies the collective bargaining agreement with the Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council (CBCTC) for city employees.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Councilman Polenzik: Expressed full support for the park renaming to Judge Raymond Pianca Park, citing the Judge's community involvement and knowledge. Requested clarification on the funding mechanisms for traffic calming devices (delineators/bollards) to ensure equitable treatment across wards. Expressed deep concern regarding the federal government shutdown, noting that federal workers are now seeking food assistance at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, which has also faced funding cuts.
- Councilman Casey: Expressed frustration that while the administration secures large sums for lakefront projects, families cannot afford child care. Supported the child care amendment but raised concerns that increasing the subsidy from 50% to 75% of costs might disqualify lower-needs families who could have been served under the previous model. Questioned if a sliding scale was being used.
- Councilman Slide: Expressed skepticism about state-level solutions (like the 333 program) relying on employer willingness to pay. Expressed concern that state legislators view child care as an "urban issue" and do not understand the scale of the problem. Requested collaboration on lobbying efforts.
- Councilwoman Spencer: Expressed support for the Lake Avenue speed limit reduction and the addition of co-sponsors for the Judge Pianca Park renaming, calling the Judge an "outstanding member of the court."
- Starting Point Representatives (Chief Prior Jones and Vice President Kara Porter): Stated that the proposed funding is critical to prevent 23 children from 18 families from losing child care immediately. Expressed support for increased state-level eligibility for child care vouchers but noted that current programs are expiring with no horizon for continuation. Offered to provide data on waitlisted families by ward and discussed the high cost of care for infants and toddlers.
- Chief Sonia (Public Health): Highlighted the immediate threat of SNAP benefits being cut to $38 million, affecting families and federal workers, and called for coordination with food banks and businesses to expand capacity.
Discussion Items
- Sewer and Utility Contracts (O. 1212-2025, 1219-2025): Director of Public Utilities explained the contracts cover emergency repairs, rehabilitation, and connection maintenance. Councilman Casey inquired about localized flooding in Ward 17, specifically regarding Melgrave Avenue. The Director confirmed the projects will alleviate flooding issues.
- Bond Refinancing (O. 1210-2025, 1211-2025): Director Barrett presented data showing a potential $4.3 million savings in interest over 20 years by refinancing 2016 bonds through the OWDA. Councilman Casey requested a formal, official written request for appraisals of Burke Lakefront Airport and Cleveland Browns Stadium, which the Commissioner of Administration agreed to facilitate.
- Nuisance Abatement (O. 1222-2025): Councilman Polenzik asked for clarification on the number of contractors (six total working on abandoned homes), the assessment process for unpaid work, and verification of service delivery. The Director confirmed city staff (Michael Ingram, Temisha Chris Mond, Jose Rodriguez) and unit leaders verify the work and that lists of contractors and properties will be provided.
- ADA Ramps (O. 1299-2025): Commissioner Sheldon Coleman explained the shift to a dedicated public works contract for ADA ramps to improve efficiency and scheduling compared to using MOCAP. Councilman Polenzik clarified that funds come from the resurfacing program, not ward allocations, and remained concerned about the separate "grinding program" for sidewalks; the Director clarified the grinding program is for tree damage and handles sidewalks two inches and under, while over two inches involves panel replacement.
- Seasonal Labor (O. 1221-2025): Director of Parks clarified funding sources (General Fund, CDBG, ward allocations) and confirmed the program allows for hiring both private contractors and ward-recommended labor. Discussed the typical crew size (2-3 people) and the specific need for labor in vacant property cutting.
- Tennis Court Donation (R. 1068-2025): Commissioner De Chirico presented a $30,000 donation from the nonprofit "Changeover" to resurface tennis courts at Harmony Park, including a private logo for Rocket Mortgage LLC. Councilwoman Maurer expressed enthusiastic support, noting her office's role in coordinating the project and its value to the Old Brooklyn community.
- Child Care Funding (O. 1315-2025): The committee discussed a request to expend an additional $120,000 to support 18 high-risk families (25 children) who cannot access other programs. Councilman Polenzik and Councilwoman House Jones emphasized the urgency due to the potential SNAP cutoff and federal worker layoffs. Councilman Casey questioned the 75% subsidy threshold. Starting Point representatives confirmed the funds are for the remaining high-risk group and offered to advocate for state-level policy changes.
- Speed Limit Reduction (Res. 1097-2025): Vision Zero Coordinator Cameron Roberts requested ODOT approval to lower the speed limit on Lake Avenue from 35 mph to 30 mph, citing data showing average speeds of 29.3 mph, a 3-year crash history (64 crashes, 15 injuries), and consistency with the neighboring city of Lakewood. Councilman Slayed discussed the complexity of Ohio's state laws regarding speed limits and the need for local control.
- Park Renaming (O. 1307-2025): Councilwoman Spencer proposed renaming Herman Park to Judge Raymond Pianca Park, noting the renaming will occur only after improvements are funded. Multiple council members expressed support and requested to be added as co-sponsors.
Key Outcomes
- Unanimous Approval: Five ordinances (1219, 1211, 1222, 1299, 1221, 1068, 1307, 1370, 1374) and one resolution (1097) were approved without objection.
- Amended Approval: Ordinance 1072-2025 was approved with an amendment increasing the contract cap to $5 million.
- Directives: The Committee instructed staff to prepare bullet points for a potential resolution regarding the child care program's advocacy at the state level. The Commissioner of Administration agreed to locate and provide official appraisals for Burke Lakefront Airport and Browns Stadium upon formal request from Councilman Casey.
- Next Steps: The Committee agreed to adjourn with a follow-up meeting scheduled for November 10, 2025. Staff will provide ward-specific data on child care waitlists and lists of contractors for the nuisance abatement program to Councilman Polenzik.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon, everyone. Um the finance, diversity, and equity and inclusion committees call to order. Madam Clerk, call the roll. Present. Present. Present. Thank you, Madam Clerk. We're gonna start with utilities. Come up. Okay. Ordinance number twenty twelve nineteen dash twenty twenty-five by council members Casey and Griffin by departmental request, an emergency ordinance determining the method of making the public improvement of constructing and installing replacement sewers and repairing and rehab my god, this is wrong. Um rehab rehabilitating, sorry, it's just my Spanish kicks in existing sewers and sewer connections, religion sewers and constructing and repairing catch basins and manholes at various locations throughout the city on an as-needed basis, and authorizing the director of public utilities to enter into one or more public improvement requirements, contracts for the making of the improvement, and authorizing gifts, grants, or loans for a term of one or two years. Legislation for the division of water pollution control typically uh results in four distinct contracts that are publicly procured for construction and installing replacement sewers and repairing rehabilitation of existing, which is our emergency sewer repair contract, rehabilitating and relining sewers, approximately two million dollars per year, rehabilit rehabilitating and repairing sewer connections, five hundred thousand dollars per year in constructing and repairing catch basins and manholes, approximately five hundred thousand dollars per year. Due to the timing of these four contracts, we do have one of them that is expiring in January of twenty twenty-six, but we are working to work towards getting all four um awarded and expiring in approximately the same time as you'll notice in the executive summary. Um kind of lapse on our part. We are going to try to get those more aligned. But this is a standard biennial uh request for us to go out and get these contract assistance and for an as-needed basis and also for emergency sewer repairs. Um, Councilman Casey, this is heard in utilities. Any other questions from my colleagues? So move. Solbaisky Avenue. And Area Sewer Replacement and Approving Projects Authorizing Director of Public Utilities to enter into one or more public improvements contracts authorizing the director to employ one or more professional consultants necessary to design the improvement and authorizing the director to apply for and asset any loans or grants from any public or private entity. Thank you, Madam Chair. These do this ordinance does give us the authority to proceed on the capital sewer replacement programs for the division of water pollution control as outlined in the five-year capital uh plan that we regularly share and was requested and should be on its way to you from the utilities committee. The division does identify these projects based on a number of criteria, and then we come and get the um requisite legislative authority to then proceed with its design and construction. The funds associated with these projects are from any available, but primarily from bond uh proceeds. Uh the division did go out um within the last 18 months and did borrow those funds, so we do need to get them identified to a project and spent in a timely manner, and this is our effort to continue in that regard. Thank you, Director. How do you say that street? So by the way, so BSP. Okay, Avenue. Um Councilman Casey? Any questions from my colleagues? Okay. I do have a question. Thank you. Oh, okay, Councilman Slaife. I did um through the chair to the commissioner. There, as you know, there's been some localized flooding issues in Ward 17 around some of these streets. I would presume and hope that this resolves some of that because Melgrave Avenue was paved not too long ago. So hopefully, hopefully this is controlling for the flooding issue, and therefore I think would be really beneficial. Do the chair chair council, yes. That will alleviate some of the flooding issues that have been going on. All right, thank you. No objections. Okay. Um any other questions? So move. Okay. Ordinance number.
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