Cleveland City Council Meeting Summary - November 17, 2025
Cleveland City Council Meeting Summary - November 17, 2025
The Cleveland City Council convened on November 17, 2025, to address urgent community safety and infrastructure issues, honor the Transgender Day of Remembrance, and advance numerous legislative actions. The meeting was marked by significant public testimony regarding Tanisha's Law, systemic failures in the school system, and frustrations with the administration's responsiveness and funding allocation for lead remediation and crime prevention tools.
Consent Calendar
- Routine Approvals: The council unanimously approved several items including a $10,000 donation for adult changing tables at Cleveland Hopkins Airport, oath of office certifications for Planning Commission members (Anthony Whitfield, August Flucher) and Public Safety Directors (John Lair, Phil Jubert, Sydney Johnson), the dedication plat for Woodhill Homes, multiple liquor license applications, and various street vacatures (East 73rd, East 70th, East 71st, Ridman Avenue, West Third Street).
- Resolutions of Condolence: Adopted condolence resolutions for JC Boyland, John Patrick Lennihan, and Nellie Grace Glasgow.
- Resolutions of Congratulations/Recognition: Adopted resolutions honoring the 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Cameo (Lebanese Independence Day), and recipients of the Reading Ram Academy Youth Renaissance Empowerment Award (Karen Howard and Terrence Lewis).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Michael Anderson (Tanisha's Uncle): Expressed deep respect for the democracy and the city of Cleveland while advocating for the passage of Tanisha's Law. He described the night Tanisha died (32 degrees, handcuffed, stark-necked) and noted she was honored internationally (Time Magazine, Beyoncé concert), contrasting this with the city's lack of action. He expressed hope for a successful meeting next month.
- **Daryl Houston (Bedford Heights): Expressed strong frustration regarding the lack of cooperation between the Mayor and City Council, stating they represent taxpayers. He demanded the City "eradicate the lead in the city of Cleveland" for the sake of his granddaughter. He criticized the Kinsman Bridge operations as "terrible" and "not doing a good job." He directed severe criticism at Councilors Polenzic and Conwell, stating they "have done nothing for Glenville" and "Collinwood" regarding dilapidated schools and asserting they are "well beyond retirement." He expressed opposition to the Cleveland Browns' future on the land, suggesting manufacturing businesses should be used instead. He called for the return of the Fire Chief to work and criticized the use of tax dollars on a "six-figure salary with a guy sitting at home."
- **Brenda Bickerstaff (Citizens for Safe Cleveland): Expressed disagreement with state laws enacted by Governor Mike DeWine (Stand Your Ground, Open Carry). She stated these laws have made crime worse and set people up for death, particularly those with felony convictions who cannot legally carry without a court order. She asserted that Councilmembers Griffin and House Jones should have opposed or vetted these laws but instead passed them. She demanded the Consent Decree be retained until full compliance with police reforms is achieved, stating, "We want compliance before it leave."
- **Pete Van Lear (Ward 3): Cited models from Durham and Albuquerque to express full support for Tanisha's Law. He argued that integrating crisis response into 911 calls is more effective than the current pilot program limited to 988 calls. He proposed a specific financial directive: redirecting the over $900,000 spent annually on ShotSpotter to fund Tanisha's Law. He advocated for institutionalizing community safety departments with cabinet-level status.
- **Terry Wang (Ward 3): Expressed strong opposition to ShotSpotter and proposed replacement with Flock's "Raven" technology. He stated that nearly 30 years of research shows "up to 90% of shot spotter alerts yielded no evidence of a gun related crime." He argued these tools do not reduce gun violence and that the city lacks evidence that Flock performs better. He asserted that socioeconomic stability, not surveillance, makes communities safer. He noted that the city appears to have violated the consent decree and charter section 1155 regarding automatic license plate readers.
- **Jake Taylor (Ward 15): Described a two-year delay in receiving grant funds for lead remediation for his duplex. He expressed that as an educator, he cannot afford the high cost of replacing windows and remediation himself. He stated he has checked in every 90 days for over a year without resolution. He expressed a strong desire to fix the units for his tenants but feels unable to do so without funds.
Discussion Items
- Tanisha's Law & Crisis Response: Councilwoman House Jones expressed extreme frustration regarding the 371-day delay in receiving a formal response from the administration to a bill introduced on November 4, 2024. She stated, "I am so frustrated in this building... I am tired of fighting with y'all just to acknowledge basic humanity." She criticized the administration for not centering underserved people despite using those slogans to secure grants. Pete Van Lear supported the bill as a way to modernize the 911 system using proven models from other cities.
- School System & East Side Stability: Councilman Joe Jones and Councilwoman Brenda Bickerstaff discussed systemic issues in the Cleveland Municipal School District (CMSD). Councilman Jones stated the school board has squandered ARPA funds and closed 28 schools on the East Side, leading to a population exodus. He argued that families are fleeing due to the lack of schools and the stripping of programs (e.g., at Collinwood). Councilman Conwell expressed concern that if the administration continues to close schools (specifically mentioning plans to close four more), the city will "lose two more wards" due to redistricting. He stated, "Families talk with their feet," and warned that an exodus will destabilize the city. Councilman Polenzik emphasized that while Council controls no budget for schools, the political will must exist to reverse these decisions to prevent further loss of families.
- Lead Remediation Funding: Issues regarding the stagnation of lead remediation funds were raised by public testimony (Jake Taylor) and the frustration of Councilmembers who feel the administration is not moving quickly enough.
- Crime and Safety Tools: A debate emerged regarding ShotSpotter versus Flock. Terry Wang presented data showing ShotSpotter's low efficacy (90% no evidence) and raised concerns about Flock's implementation. Councilwoman Bickerstaff highlighted the negative impact of state legislation on local crime rates.
Key Outcomes
- Ordinances Passed: Passed 16 ordinances (Emergency and Regular) without objection or with 15 Yes/1 Nay votes (Ordinance 1304-2025). Key items included:
- Parking charge subfunds creation.
- Contracts for Municipal Court community service programs (Community Service, Cleveland Work Crew, Oriana House).
- Designation of the Cam's Corner Bank Building as a Cleveland Landmark.
- Grants for Greater Cleveland Media Development Corporation.
- Retrofit of a Division of Police command bus.
- Consolidation of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame lease.
- Urban forestry service contracts.
- Vacature approvals for multiple streets.
- Luke Easter Skate Park grant applications and development authorization.
- Airport system funding and maintenance contracts.
- Economic development grants for Warehouse District, Memphis/Pearl, Dales Barber Arbor Park, and Fairfax Neighborhood Technology Training Center.
- Resolutions Passed:
- Resolution 1469-2025: Recognized Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20, 2025, reaffirming commitment to transgender equality and anti-discrimination protections. Passed 16-0 with additions by Councilmember Gray.
- Several resolutions of condolence and recognition passed unanimously.
- Directives/Next Steps:
- Councilwoman House Jones vowed to continue fighting for Tanisha's Law in 2026, promising not to be silent regarding the administration's lack of responsiveness.
- Councilman Polenzik and Councilwoman House Jones called for the administration to provide a clear "game plan" for closing school buildings and integrating Glenville and Collinwood to prevent neighborhood destabilization.
- Councilman Jones urged the Council and Mayor to work together to secure adequate funding and leadership to transform the city's education and safety systems, likening the city's potential economic value to a "financial gold mine."
- Procedural Notes: Council was adjourned with the next meeting scheduled for November 24, 2025.
Meeting Transcript
Is that hard enough? Okay, star. Good evening, everyone. Madam Clerk, can you please call the role? Griffin, Bishop, Conwell, Gray, Hairston, Harsh, House Jones, Jones, Casey, Kelly, Moore, Polensic, Santana. Present. Welch. You have a quorum, Madam President. Thank you. Everyone rise for a moment of silence, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 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. Such disruption may constitute a misdemeanor and violation of section six zero five point zero four. Anyone who disrupts this lawful meeting is in violation of the codified ordinance, commits misdemeanor, and is subject to prosecution. Sorry, to the proceedings and direct the assembled officers to escort any person participating in disruption out of the chambers. Again, this is the first and only warning. Council members, if you could turn your chairs around to the speakers, and we're going to start with Michael Anderson from Ward Ten. Topic Tanisha's Law. Representing no one being paid by no one. Michael Anderson. Good evening. Thank you for allowing me to be here this evening. So I just want to say my name is Michael Anderson. I am Tanisha Anderson's uncle. And so we as a family, we do not believe that the two officers that came out that night actually came out with any intent to take Tanisha's life. For 11 years, we have presented ourselves with dignity and respect. So maybe in the beginning there were rallies and protesters, but emotions were very high, and understandably so. It was 32 degrees the night Tanisha passed. Faced and body smashed onto a slab of cold concrete. She passed stark-necked from the waist down, handcuffed, yet right before passing, she began reciting the Lord's Prayer. So you see, even in her passing, she left us with how she wanted this thing conducted. I believe in this democracy. As a Clevelander, born and raised, I've been very proud of the city. I believe in this city. However, there are family members who doesn't share my sentiments. Tanisha's mother was one of them. I wish this committee could have witnessed how her health deteriorated. She stopped talking, she stopped eating. Slowly but surely she left us. Slowly but surely she did leave us. Never knew something can get inside of your soul and rip it to threads. Did you know Tanisha is honored, celebrated, and remembered in other cities around the U.S. than our own. Tanisha's name has been on the front page of Time magazine. The third row of a jumbotron at Beyonce at a Beyonce concert. American singer songwriter Janelle Monet, Kimberly Crenshaw, who is the founder of the Say Her Name campaign, joined forces with Beyoncé, donating their time and their voices, and created a 17-minute video of people who lost their lives to either police brutality or police neglect. Tanisha's name is at the 11th minute, 20 second mark of that video. In no way is this name dropping. I'm just stating if she's being honored in more ways and manageable in places what's taken us so long as a city, her city, to follow suit. But until this law is amended and passed, she is still laying there. Just like just like she was on November, just like she was on November the 12th, 2014, 32 degrees on a frigid cold night, such as the one we're experiencing tonight.
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