Cleveland City Council Meeting Summary - November 10, 2025

The Cleveland City Council convened on November 10, 2025, to address a range of contentious public safety and land use issues following the general election. Key discussions centered on expanding Flock surveillance technology, a proposed gas station at 1002 Madison Avenue, the reversal of an illegal land swap for Cadell Commons Park, and the delay of Tanisha's Law. The meeting also featured the approval of several collective bargaining agreements and routine ordinances, alongside community presentations recognizing veteran and civil rights efforts.

Consent Calendar

• No specific consent calendar items were read verbatim as a distinct block; however, a motion to suspend the rules and place the following legislation on final passage was adopted unanimously (16-0) for multiple ordinances and resolutions, including:
  • Approval of Collective Bargaining Agreements with SEIU Local 1, Laborers Local 860, and Teamsters Local 507 (Ordinances 1405, 1409, 1410, 1412).
  • Final passage of emergency ordinances regarding ATMs, property title consolidation, tax increment financing, and safety improvements (Ordinances 1396-1446).
  • Final passage of emergency resolutions withdrawing objections to D1, D2, and D3 liquor permits (Resolutions 1441-1443).
  • Second reading and final passage of ordinances regarding the Byrne Avenue sale, HUD grant amendments, vehicle procurement for Public Works, and landmark designations (Ordinances 1073-1369).
  • Tabling of Ordinance 1168-2025 regarding drinking water laboratory equipment maintenance (16-0).
• Oaths of office were received for interim Housing Officer Cecilia Rodriguez and several School Board members (Carolyn Peak, Charlene Jones, Midori Lebrin, Kate Warren).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Selena Vicario (Ward 15): Expressed strong disappointment and concern regarding the "illegal land swap" involving Cadell Commons Park. She argued that the city is failing to return the land to the public and is destroying mature tree canopy. She urged the council to reverse the swap and implement protections for existing mature trees to combat ecological devastation.
• Terrence Upchurch (Ward 10): Expressed opposition to House Bill 186 regarding property tax legislation. He characterized the bill as "smoking mirrors" that shifts the tax burden onto local schools by guaranteeing a 20 mil floor rather than providing actual relief. He encouraged council members to testify against HB 103, HB 143, and HB 156.
• Fauzi Badour (Ward 11): Expressed moral and ethical opposition to the gas station proposal at 1002 Madison Avenue. He criticized Councilman Danny Kelly for freezing the resolution until after the election and stated he views the proposal as "wrong morally and ethically" and opposed to community well-being.
• Susan Zimmerman (Ward 15): Expressed deep fear and opposition to the proposed gas station at the intersection of Madison Avenue and West Boulevard. She argued the site is dangerous for children walking to nearby schools and recreation centers and urged the council to halt the gas station plans permanently to build a new fire station instead.
• Matthew (Ward 3): Expressed strong opposition to expanding Flock surveillance technology. He argued Flock is "even worse" than ShotSpotter, citing inflated accuracy rates, the risk of algorithmic bias, privacy concerns regarding ICE access, and the fact that the tools do not prevent crime. He further questioned the role of former councilmember Kerry McCormack in suggesting Flock.
• Terry Wang (Tremont): Expressed concern and accusation regarding deliberate charter violations in the appointment of the Community Police Commission and Civilian Police Review Board. He stated the city knowingly appointed unqualified members, including an active police officer, and argued the city law department has delayed and lied to the court to disqualify his attorney. He emphasized the necessity of civilian oversight to ensure public safety serves the people.
• Stephanie Thomas (Ward 11): Expressed intense opposition to the gas station at 1002 Madison Avenue, citing her personal experience with human trafficking attempts in the area. She accused the gas station owner of attempting to traffic her and alleged that Councilman Danny Kelly's campaign received $6,000 from the owner. She demanded the legislation be tabled.
• Aisha Bell Hardaway (Outside Cleveland): Expressed disappointment that Tanisha's Law has not moved through administrative review within the required timeframe (375 days since filing). She asked the council what steps would be taken to ensure Tanisha Anderson did not die in vain and to provide Clevelanders with mental health care comparable to other cities.
  • Clarification: Council President Griffin noted that the delay was due to administrative review on the executive side, which was just returned to the council.
• Richard Pryor (Ward 3): Expressed a desire to welcome new council members and discussed political reform in New Jersey to illustrate the impact of redistricting, though no specific position on Cleveland property reform was taken other than acknowledging the Housing Finance Agency application for "Emeritus House."

Discussion Items

• Flock Surveillance: Councilwoman House Jones announced that the Safety Committee will hold a presentation on Flock and Automatic License Plate Readers on the upcoming Friday. She reiterated her past opposition to ShotSpotter, citing concerns over the surveillance of immigrants, pregnant people, and LGBTQ+ individuals, and the Fourth Amendment concerns. Councilman Polencick confirmed a special meeting is scheduled for Friday to hear the results of the ShotSpotter oversight.
• Gas Station Proposal (1002 Madison): Multiple speakers argued against the proposal, citing safety hazards near Marion Seltzer School and Cadell Commons Park, the proximity to a former CVS site, and the potential for increased danger to pedestrians. The proposal was noted as having been "frozen" by Councilman Kelly until after the election.
• Cadell Commons Park Land Swap: Community members demanded the reversal of the land swap involving the Waterson Lake property, arguing the current arrangement is illegal and results in the destruction of mature trees without public benefit.
• Tanisha's Law: Advocates urged the council to expedite the review of the legislation to ensure mental health crisis response teams are deployed similar to other models, noting the 375-day delay since the bill was filed.

Key Outcomes

• VOTE 16-0: Passed motion to suspend rules and approve/adopt all listed emergency ordinances and resolutions regarding collective bargaining, property titles, safety improvements, and liquor permits.
• VOTE 16-0: Passed motion to table Ordinance 1168-2025 regarding drinking water laboratory maintenance.
• VOTE 16-0: Second reading and final passage of emergency ordinances regarding property sales, HUD grants, vehicle procurement, and landmark designations.
• Scheduling: Safety Committee special meeting scheduled for Friday at 10:00 AM to discuss Flock and ShotSpotter oversight.
• Administrative Update: Tanisha's Law was returned to the council from administrative review after a delay on the executive side.