OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Cleveland Finance, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee Meeting - November 17, 2025

City Council Meetings — Monday, November 17, 2025
BodyCleveland, Ohio
SessionCity Council Meetings
DateMonday, November 17, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:19:32

Transcript — Verbatim
4:07

Good afternoon, everyone.

4:07

Today's November seventeenth, twenty twenty five.

4:10

Finance diversity and inclusion committees being called to order.

4:13

Madam Folk, please call the role.

4:27

We're gonna start with our guests, which is ordinance number thirteen twenty-two dash twenty twenty-five.

4:33

This is Public Health, Director of Public Health.

4:49

Any agreements needed to implement such programming for a period of two years.

5:00

This piece of legislation is more supportive program.

5:09

First year Cleveland was established in 2016 as a result of a resolution from Help to establish an organization to coordinate the work that was going on in the community relative to reducing infant mortality.

5:25

Push the button, thank you.

5:26

Just pull up closer.

5:27

All right.

5:28

As infant mortality is still an issue in our community.

5:32

I have brought with me Angela White.

5:34

She is the director of first year Cleveland to provide an overview and update of the program.

5:41

Thank you.

5:42

Um Vice Chair Santana.

5:44

Um, as Francis mentioned, I'm Angela Newman White Executive Director of First Year Cleveland.

5:48

Um, you know, the organization, as she mentioned, was formed in 2015 in response to the high infant mortality rate.

5:54

I have the privilege of participating on the original think tank to create first year Cleveland when I was in my former role at the health department.

6:02

The organization's primary primary purpose is to do policy advocacy and fundraising.

6:07

So, how do we make the jobs of our community-based organizations and health care providers easier?

6:12

And so we do that by kind of rebranded us as a connector, protector, and activator.

6:17

So we build capacity for local organizations to meet the needs of their families by providing training, capacity building, um, and direct funding.

6:26

Uh between the 2022 and 24, we invested over seven million dollars into local organizations uh providing services to pregnant and parenting women.

6:36

Um, that is you know comprised of different funding sources that we've raised through the Ohio Department of Medicaid through philanthropy, and also with the support of the city and county um budgets.

6:47

The flexibility of the city and county funding is vital for us because it allows us to be responsive.

6:53

Um, most funding coming from the federal and state government is very prescriptive with high fidelity models and not really responsive to what actually each unique community needs.

7:02

And so by us being able to provide community investment dollars as well as small mini grants, we can fill the gaps and provide the overall comprehensive services that our families need.

7:14

Um as we're housed at Case Western Reserve, we also um participate in applied and systems level research.

7:22

So, how are we providing an immediate benefit that's going to yield um the greatest or the best outcome for communities?

7:28

Doing things like newborn screenings, looking at systems um changes, but then also addressing housing through our healthy beginnings at home project with the intent to um justify or solidify pregnancy as a uh eligibility criteria to prioritize subsidies for housing.

7:45

And the last piece, which I'm most excited about, is around advocacy.

7:48

So we work with directly with um residents around civic engagement.

7:52

So, how do you not only advocate for yourself during your medical appointments but also for your community and your community's needs?

7:59

Um we lead the statewide infant vitality advocacy day effort.

8:03

Uh, this year was our third, and we had you know over 75 people from across the state there, and the governor DeWine did come and have conversations with us, but it's an opportunity to highlight key legislators and legislation that prioritizes families and thank those folks and also educate those um you know that need to kind of make sure that we're prioritizing the needs of families when we are putting forth legislation, not only with how it reads, but how do we actually operationalize it?

8:30

So if you have I'll stop there if you have any questions.

8:34

Yeah, chief, the 500,000 is that ARPA dollars?

8:38

No, that's that's from general funds, general fund dollars.

8:43

Okay, is Connell here?

8:45

And it's over a two-year period, it's 250 over two year period.

8:49

And the money would go towards go to first year Cleveland for the purpose of everything that she's done, like okay, programming.

8:57

Um, I do have a question.

8:58

I'm right, she's saying I do um pull it close.

9:03

We've talked about, I know it says here on the legislation that Cleveland are high and often impact high school college completions, family stability, but we're talking about pregnancy rates, um, are high in our area, and it's like I always constantly hear in articles that it's the other way around, like people are not having kids.

9:20

I'm just curious to know like how are the numbers compared to like years ago where Chief, we were talking about this, right?

9:27

We had high mortality rates about a couple three years ago.

9:30

How are they now today?

9:33

Uh preliminarily, we have 24 data.

9:37

So the infant mortality rate is still relatively high.

9:40

It has it went down a little bit in 2021, then it rose back up and now it's rising again.

9:47

So, just in terms of hard numbers, when we talk about infant mortality rate, we're talking about the number of deaths per 100,000 births.

10:00

So right now, 2024 preliminary data, the overall infant mortality rate is 13.6.

10:05

The African American infant mortality rate is 19.7, and the Hispanic Latino infant mortality rate, which was very low several years ago, is creeping back up is 9.1.

10:19

And the white infant mortality rate is 5.8.

10:23

The goal, which is our standard based on healthy people, 2030 is 5.0.

10:29

So we're significantly over what the infant mortality rate, what would be called a reasonable infant mortality rate.

10:37

Now, in terms of births overall, in 2024, there were a little over 3,800 births in the city of Cleveland and over 12,000 births in the county.

10:47

So that's where we are in terms of numbers.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Airport Management██████████████████████████████30%
Community Engagement████████████████16%
Public Health Awareness██████████████14%
Parks and Recreation████████████12%
Land Use Planning█████5%
Technology and Innovation████4%
Environmental Protection████4%
Public Transportation████4%
Zoning And Land Use███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Cleveland Finance, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee Meeting - November 17, 2025

The Finance, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee convened on November 17, 2025, to review and approve a series of emergency ordinances focusing on public health initiatives, green space expansion, housing advocacy, technology upgrades, and extensive airport development projects under the Department of Port Control. The meeting featured presentations from community organizations regarding infant mortality rates and tree canopy management, alongside updates on terminal modernization, wetland mitigation, and airport debt financing. All proposed ordinances were reviewed thoroughly, with specific attention given to budget allocations, inter-organizational partnerships, and operational logistics before being approved unanimously.

Consent Calendar

  • Ordinance 1322-2025: Approved authorizing the Director of Public Health to enter a two-year agreement with First Year Cleveland to support infant health programming.
  • Ordinance 1431-2025: Approved authorizing an agreement with Western Reserve Land Conservancy (Thriving Communities Institute) for professional services regarding green space planning, vacant land restoration, and reforestation, with a budget not exceeding $150,000.
  • Ordinance 1421-2025: Approved authorizing an agreement with the Fair Housing Center for Rights and Research to manage the Vacant and Abandoned Property Action Council (VAPAC), transferring the function from Western Reserve Land Conservancy.
  • Ordinance 1445-2025: Approved authorizing an agreement with On-Tech Partners for professional computer technology services for Council operations.
  • Ordinance 1086-2025: Approved authorizing the Department of Port Control to enter requirement contracts for industrial and building supplies for facility maintenance.
  • Ordinance 1251-2025: Approved authorizing the Director of Port Control to employ an insurance brokerage firm for a seven-year Owner-Controlled Insurance Program (OCIP) for the terminal modernization development program.
  • Ordinance 1252-2025: Approved authorizing the Director of Port Control to employ consultants for wayfinding services to improve ticketing lobby operations at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.
  • Ordinance 1253-2025: Approved authorizing the Department of Port Control to contract for concrete services and structure maintenance for airport roadways, runways, and taxiways.
  • Ordinance 1304-2025: Approved authorizing an agreement with West Creek Conservancy for the design and implementation of wetland mitigation projects to relocate wetlands off the airfield to a site in Grafton, Ohio.
  • Ordinance 1317-2025: Approved authorizing the Director of Port Control to employ financial and accounting consultants for one year to assist with terminal modernization and airline negotiations.
  • Ordinance 1318-2025: Approved authorizing the Director of Port Control to employ consultants for on-call asset management services for one year.
  • Ordinance 1401-2025: Approved authorizing the Director of Finance to employ consultants for Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) implementation and advisory services with a cap of $50,000.
  • Ordinance 1408-2025: Approved amending the 2024 revolving line of credit and authorizing additional airport system indebtedness up to $476 million to fund terminal, parking garage, and RTA station improvements.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Councilman Palencik: Expressed concern regarding the lack of neighborhood connectivity for infant health outreach and questioned why resources were not utilized at existing community centers like the Collinwood Rec Center. He also expressed skepticism about the high infant mortality rates compared to birth rates and requested data by ward. He later expressed deep frustration regarding Port Control's failure to purchase 170 acres of land adjacent to the airport for future expansion, calling it a "major misstep" and a "lack of vision."
  • Councilman Bishop: Questioned the trend of city birth rates and requested data on infant mortality by ward to better understand community-specific impacts. He praised targeted work in the Lee-Harvest community that reduced local mortality rates.
  • Councilwoman Spencer: Expressed strong support for the Western Reserve Land Conservancy's "nimble" approach, highlighting the successful resolution of the Hermit Park Trail project which had been stalled for over a decade. She credited the organization's creativity and flexibility for achieving results that the city and other entities could not.
  • Councilman Casey: Expressed gratitude for the Port Control team's role in facilitating the installation of adult changing stations at the airport, a key feature for the Special Olympics. He requested clarification on the status of FAA and TSA operations following the federal government shutdown.
  • Western Reserve Land Conservancy (Matt): Clarified that the organization nurtures trees for five years post-planting, provided detailed statistics on tree planting numbers (over 1,000 in 2025 vs. 64 by the city), and outlined a framework for partnering with CMSD to manage school district tree inventory and maintenance.
  • Port Control (Director/Dennis Kramer): Explained that the new RTA station is a replacement for the existing station which is beneath the future terminal, not a new addition to the network outside the airport. He confirmed the airport is operating normally following the government shutdown and that FAA restrictions have been lifted.

Discussion Items

  • First Year Cleveland & Infant Mortality: Director Angela White Newton and Public Health Director Francis Frank presented the organization's 10-year history and a $7 million investment strategy. Data was shared showing the 2024 preliminary infant mortality rate is 13.6 (African American: 19.7, Hispanic: 9.1, White: 5.8), significantly above the Healthy People 2030 goal of 5.0. While birth rates are declining, the mortality rate is rising. Council debated outreach strategies, with First Year Cleveland noting their "One Community" framework and resource app (First Year Connects) designed to reach families in specific zip codes through neighborhood centers.
  • Green Space & Vacant Land: Councilman Griffin introduced the Western Reserve Land Conservancy contract, highlighting a $30 million leveraged investment resulting in 2,500 trees planted over five years. The discussion included plans for the Store Avenue transformation, the Euclid Beach Transformation Project, and a new Thurgood Marshall Green Park. Councilmen expressed interest in expanding tree stewardship training and addressing dead trees on CMSD properties.
  • VAPAC Transition: Councilman Griffin clarified the transfer of VAPAC management from Western Reserve to the Fair Housing Center. Frank Ford confirmed VAPAC's role in leveraging county lawsuits and monitoring land transfers via the Northern Ohio Information Data System.
  • Airport Terminal Modernization: Director of Port Control presented a comprehensive package for airport improvements, including a new parking garage, RTA station replacement, and ground transportation center funded by a $476 million line of credit increase approved by airlines. Councilman Palencik questioned the lack of land acquisition plans next to the airport, citing the missed opportunity with the Browns' proposed site. Councilmen also sought clarity on the RTA station location, confirming it is a replacement on the existing footprint.
  • Wetland Mitigation: Assistant Director Dennis Kramer detailed the necessity of moving 8 acres of wetlands off the airfield to a site in Grafton, Ohio, to comply with EPA regulations and reduce wildlife hazards. The site in Grafton was identified as unique for satisfying mitigation requirements within the same watershed.
  • Ordinances 1489, 1490, 1491 (Street Vacations): These ordinances to vacate portions of Western Street were held for review. No committee members present in Finance were aware of the details, and no representatives from Planning Commission or the councilmembers who sponsored them (Welsh, Bishop, Harrison) were present to advocate for the measures.

Key Outcomes

  • Unanimous Approval: All presented ordinances were approved by voice vote and instructed to be signed.
  • Budget Allocations Confirmed:
    • $500,000 for First Year Cleveland over two years (general funds).
    • $150,000 maximum for Western Reserve Land Conservancy professional services (2026 scope).
    • $150,000 maximum for VAPAC professional services.
    • $300,000 annually for Port Control industrial supplies.
    • $300,000 annually for Port Control concrete services.
    • Five-year budget for Port Control insurance brokerage (OCIP).
  • Strategic Directives: The Committee acknowledged the need to rework the Statement of Work (SOW) to potentially increase tree planting budgets and requested specific data on infant mortality and birth rates by ward from the Public Health department.
  • Next Steps: The Committee will revisit the street vacation ordinances (1489-1491) once Planning Commission details and sponsor advocacy are provided. Port Control is scheduled to proceed with the wetland mitigation project in Grafton and the terminal modernization financing.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon, everyone. Today's November seventeenth, twenty twenty five. Finance diversity and inclusion committees being called to order. Madam Folk, please call the role. We're gonna start with our guests, which is ordinance number thirteen twenty-two dash twenty twenty-five. This is Public Health, Director of Public Health. Any agreements needed to implement such programming for a period of two years. This piece of legislation is more supportive program. First year Cleveland was established in 2016 as a result of a resolution from Help to establish an organization to coordinate the work that was going on in the community relative to reducing infant mortality. Push the button, thank you. Just pull up closer. All right. As infant mortality is still an issue in our community. I have brought with me Angela White. She is the director of first year Cleveland to provide an overview and update of the program. Thank you. Um Vice Chair Santana. Um, as Francis mentioned, I'm Angela Newman White Executive Director of First Year Cleveland. Um, you know, the organization, as she mentioned, was formed in 2015 in response to the high infant mortality rate. I have the privilege of participating on the original think tank to create first year Cleveland when I was in my former role at the health department. The organization's primary primary purpose is to do policy advocacy and fundraising. So, how do we make the jobs of our community-based organizations and health care providers easier? And so we do that by kind of rebranded us as a connector, protector, and activator. So we build capacity for local organizations to meet the needs of their families by providing training, capacity building, um, and direct funding. Uh between the 2022 and 24, we invested over seven million dollars into local organizations uh providing services to pregnant and parenting women. Um, that is you know comprised of different funding sources that we've raised through the Ohio Department of Medicaid through philanthropy, and also with the support of the city and county um budgets. The flexibility of the city and county funding is vital for us because it allows us to be responsive. Um, most funding coming from the federal and state government is very prescriptive with high fidelity models and not really responsive to what actually each unique community needs. And so by us being able to provide community investment dollars as well as small mini grants, we can fill the gaps and provide the overall comprehensive services that our families need. Um as we're housed at Case Western Reserve, we also um participate in applied and systems level research. So, how are we providing an immediate benefit that's going to yield um the greatest or the best outcome for communities? Doing things like newborn screenings, looking at systems um changes, but then also addressing housing through our healthy beginnings at home project with the intent to um justify or solidify pregnancy as a uh eligibility criteria to prioritize subsidies for housing. And the last piece, which I'm most excited about, is around advocacy. So we work with directly with um residents around civic engagement. So, how do you not only advocate for yourself during your medical appointments but also for your community and your community's needs? Um we lead the statewide infant vitality advocacy day effort. Uh, this year was our third, and we had you know over 75 people from across the state there, and the governor DeWine did come and have conversations with us, but it's an opportunity to highlight key legislators and legislation that prioritizes families and thank those folks and also educate those um you know that need to kind of make sure that we're prioritizing the needs of families when we are putting forth legislation, not only with how it reads, but how do we actually operationalize it? So if you have I'll stop there if you have any questions. Yeah, chief, the 500,000 is that ARPA dollars? No, that's that's from general funds, general fund dollars. Okay, is Connell here? And it's over a two-year period, it's 250 over two year period. And the money would go towards go to first year Cleveland for the purpose of everything that she's done, like okay, programming. Um, I do have a question. I'm right, she's saying I do um pull it close. We've talked about, I know it says here on the legislation that Cleveland are high and often impact high school college completions, family stability, but we're talking about pregnancy rates, um, are high in our area, and it's like I always constantly hear in articles that it's the other way around, like people are not having kids. I'm just curious to know like how are the numbers compared to like years ago where Chief, we were talking about this, right? We had high mortality rates about a couple three years ago. How are they now today? Uh preliminarily, we have 24 data.

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