Cleveland City Council Meeting Summary 2025-12-01
Cleveland City Council Meeting Summary 2025-12-01
This final meeting of the 2025 council term featured extensive public testimony on city symbolism, mental health crisis response, and surveillance technology, alongside the passage of numerous ordinances related to infrastructure, development, and the Browns stadium relocation. The session concluded with emotional farewells from four departing council members (Spencer, Moore, Kelly, and Harrison), who offered final reflections, transition memos, and calls for systemic reform.
Consent Calendar
- Journal Approval: The reading of the minutes from the last meeting was dispensed with by motion of Councilmember Kelly and seconded by Councilmember Moore.
- Comms Approved: Notices of employment extensions, grant acceptances ($5,000 from George Gunn Foundation), plat dedications, and multiple liquor license applications/transfers were noted and approved without objection.
- Condolences: A resolution of condolence was held out for David Cope (father of Mike Hope) to be included on behalf of all council members; recognition resolutions were issued for Edna Orasco and Wilma May Wilburn (held out for introduction).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Ben Heidi (Ward 11): Expressed support for creating positive public spaces on the lakefront and urged the council to respect Cleveland's original civic flag symbols. He positioned himself against the "Cleveland Flag Project" founder, stating the project is a "mirage," and proposed variations of the original flag to represent diverse communities year-round.
- Stephanie Ash (National Association of Social Workers, Ohio): Expressed enthusiastic support for "Tanisha's Law." She argued that mental health crisis response must be separate from the Department of Public Safety and police, advocating for a new Department of Community Crisis Response staffed by licensed clinicians rather than police officers.
- Bobby Rytale (Ward 15): Offered deep gratitude to outgoing Councilmember Jenny Spencer for her dedication, noting her work on traffic calming, affordable housing, and community representation.
- Dale Snyder (representing Road Gold Inc.): Argued that the city suffers from an outdated process that impedes initiatives, despite having many good ideas. He expressed optimism about Cleveland's historical innovation and urged the city to "get our swag back."
- Abby DeMaio (Ward 15): Offered farewell to Councilmember Spencer, praising her work on affordable housing, safer streets, and public comment initiatives.
- Matthew Thomas (Ward 15 Democratic Club): Expressed deep gratitude and admiration for Councilmember Spencer's work ethic, integrity, and role as a model for public service.
- Terry Wang (Tremont): Expressed strong opposition to the Flock surveillance system. She argued the system is insecure, costs taxpayers too much, and creates a liability where surveillance data could eventually be used against the council members themselves. She cautioned that expanding state surveillance without guardrails will lead to public counter-surveillance.
- Kayla Pinkis (Tremont): Expressed strong dissent regarding police oversight and the administration's handling of the case involving Marcus Perez. She characterized the response to the assault allegation as a "trauma response called fawning" and criticized the Mayor for aligning with forces harming the public. She stated, "Cleveland is living that trauma dynamic out before our eyes."
- Farewells (Spencer, Moore, Kelly, Welch, Starr, Conwell):
- Councilmember Jenny Spencer: Expressed gratitude to colleagues and the public, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability among public servants and the need for stronger coalitions. She released a 40-page transition memo.
- Councilmember Rebecca Moore: Expressed a commitment to "bottom-up power" and criticized the top-down approach exemplified by recent ward maps. She called for an Office of Inspector General, independent redistricting maps, and getting money out of politics. She criticized the administration for walking away from federal funds for the Harvard landfill solar project.
- Councilmember Danny Kelly: Expressed gratitude for the service and specifically thanked the unions and workers who "sweat for a living." He emphasized that his heart and community connection matter most.
- Councilmember Lauren Welch: Expressed it was an honor to serve alongside passionate colleagues and thanked mentor Stephanie Herbeck. She reaffirmed her commitment to advocating for Cleveland.
- Councilmember Richard Starr: Honored colleague Anthony Harrison as a brother and friend, emphasizing that elections define legacy only by the impact made.
- Councilmember Kevin Conwell: Praised the outgoing members for their community roots, particularly their connections with children and students, and praised Spencer's preparedness and Moore's advocacy on lead issues.
Discussion Items
- Browns Stadium Relocation (Ordinance 1325-2025): Councilmember Casey voiced strong opposition before the vote. He argued the deal was a "bad deal" for the city, stating he was not convinced the stadium needed to be demolished based on an independent report indicating it was in good condition. He opposed the transfer of "recycling rights" for the stadium to the team and noted the lease extension terms were financially unfavorable for the city (less than the cost of ownership bills). He also raised concerns about the cumulative effect of bad deals on city assets.
- Flock License Plate Scanner (Public Comment): The council was warned regarding the security risks and democratic implications of the Flock surveillance system by Terry Wang, who noted the system's vulnerabilities and the potential for its data to be used publicly against the council.
- Systemic Reform Proposals: Councilmembers Moore and Spencer outlined structural challenges, including the need for an Office of Inspector General, independent redistricting, and improved council operations to rebuild resident trust.
Key Outcomes
- Ordinance 1325-2025 (Browns Relocation): Passed with a roll call vote of 13 Yes, 2 Nays (Councilmen Casey and Polencick). Councilmember Spencer recused herself from the related lease matter (1512).
- Ordinance 1512-2025 (Lakefront Parks Lease Amendment): Passed with a roll call vote of 14 Yes, 1 Nay (Councilmember Polencick). Councilmember Spencer recused herself.
- Ordinance 1456-2025 (Downtown Cleveland Agreement): Passed with a roll call vote of 14 Yes, 1 Nay (Councilmember Polencick).
- Other Legislation: All other second-reading emergency ordinances (including zoning changes, property acquisitions for TICs, park projects, and utility contracts) and resolutions (including the Mount Carmel Road vacate) were passed unanimously by roll call.
- Recusals: Councilmember Spencer recused herself from Ordinance 1512, and Councilmember Polencick voted Nay on ordinances 1325, 1456, and 1512.
- Next Meeting: Scheduled for January 5, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
Well, all council members take your seat. Madam Clerk, please call the role. Griffin. Here. Bishop. Great. Kirston. Harsh. House Jones. Jones. Casey. Kelly. Moore. Polentick. Santana. Slife. Spencer. Star. Welch. You have poor Mr. President. Thank you. Will everyone please rise for a moment of silence, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance? One nation. Liberty and Justice.04 of the codified ordinances. Under section 605.04 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 605.04. Anyone who disrupts this lawful meeting in violation of the codified ordinances, commits misdemeanors and is subject to prosecution. The following is the first and only warning. If this meeting is disrupted, I will gavel a halt to the proceedings and direct the assembled officers to escort any person participating in the disruption out of the chamber. Once persons participating in the disruption are outside of the chambers, the officers will close the doors and the disruptors will be handled as directed by the Director of Public Safety. The council proceedings will not begin again until those that participated in the disruption have left the chamber and the chamber doors are closed. Disruptors will not be allowed back in the chamber after the meeting resumes. Again, this is the first and only warning. Madam Clerk, please dispense with the journal. By Councilmember Kelly that the reading of the minutes of the last meeting be dispensed with the journal approved. Seconded by Councilmember Moore. Thank you. We'll now move to public comment. I'll ask all of the uh speakers to remember to uh recognize your time when you see the yellow light, that means to wrap it up. When you see the red, that means to abruptly stop. Uh and the chair will call the meeting to order if you go past your time. I'd ask all the council members to turn around and acknowledge the speakers if they could. Thank you. First, we have Ben Heidi from Ward 11 to talk about Cadell, the lakefront, city symbolism. He's not representing anyone, and not being paid by anyone. Ben, you had the floor. Good evening.
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