Cleveland City Council Meeting - March 9, 2026

The Cleveland City Council held a regular meeting on March 9, 2026, at 22:55 UTC. The meeting included public comments on a range of issues, the reading of communications and resolutions, a presentation honoring the Rhodes High School basketball champions, and the passage of multiple ordinances and resolutions. Council members also discussed the budget and made announcements regarding future actions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Matthew Sarasinski (Ward 2) spoke on public safety, commending two city employees (Brenda Nelson and Mr. Lucky) and Councilman Polensick, but criticized police dispatchers for disrespect, poor police management, and insufficient officer presence. He called for better training and accountability.
• Terry Wong (Ward 8) alleged a "conspiracy against the public interest" by the mayor and council, focusing on the premature end of the federal consent decree, overtime spending of $27 million by the police department, and financial mismanagement (e.g., $250,000 on Flock surveillance cameras versus $25,000 grocery grants). He warned of city collapse without reform.
• Heather Hall (Cleveland Liberation Center) urged the council to pass an anti-war resolution, citing the US bombing of Iran, rising gas prices, and the impact on Cleveland schools and families. She condemned the federal government as "fascist."
• James Lamb (Ward 7) criticized city finances, referencing a $58,000 expenditure on drapes and $2,200 chairs while children are homeless. He said no mayor has visited his neighborhood after a firefighter was injured, and accused the council of not stopping spending.
• Paige Zotowski (About Face Veterans Against the War) supported an anti-war resolution, noting the $1.5 trillion war budget versus unmet needs in Cleveland (homelessness, hunger, school closures). She said service members are dying in Iran.
• C. Calado Diaz (Accountable Cleveland Era) called for the removal of Mayor Bibb, citing a three-hour call to Cleveland Public Power, a year-long unaddressed blight complaint, and lack of transparency. He requested help starting a recall process.
• State Representative Darnell Brewer (Ward 4) urged the council to reconsider ending the consent decree, citing past police violence (Tamir Rice, Timothy Melissa) and personal experience of racial profiling. He asked for community meetings.
• Tinun Zhuan (Ward 11) continued his testimony on Chinese Communist Party transnational repression, alleging propaganda, media manipulation, and legal harassment of a Chinese cultural group (Sun Yuan).
• Dolores Gray (Ward 5) presented results of Ward 5 asset mapping, identifying strong community assets but also gaps in housing, safety, and infrastructure. She asked for transparency and a plan to use $100,000 from redevelopment for home repairs, emphasizing that the council works for the community.

Communications

• The clerk read multiple notices of intent to apply for Ohio Housing Finance Agency funding for housing developments: South Collinwood SFLP Homes (40 single-family homes, Ward 9), Lorraine Avenue Redevelopment Senior (72 units) and Family (62 units) (Ward 7), Woodhill Center North (82 units) and South (55 units) (Ward 6), Lorraine West (65 units, Ward 7), MLK Plaza Phase 1A (Ward 8), Coleman Court (33 units, Ward 7), Ironwood Flats (62 units, Ward 3), and Living at 55 (63 units, Ward 8). Also, mayor's nominations to Gateway Economic Development Corporation (Bradford Davy, Bonnie Twin Benita), oath of office for Aaron Miller Tate as Director of Community Development, and council appointments to Lead Safe Advisory Board (Council Member Nikki Hudson) and Cleveland Foundation Neighborhood Safety Fund Advisory Board (Council Member Tanme Tenmai Shaw).

Condolence Resolutions

• Resolutions were read for several individuals, including Chief Magistrate Gregory F. Clifford, Reverend Hilton Smith, and others. All council members were added to the resolution for Reverend Hilton Smith. A moment of silence was observed.

Recognition Resolutions

• Resolutions of congratulations for Quality Electrodynamics and recognition for Ramadan Iftar honorees were read.

Presentation: Rhodes High School Senate League Champions

• Councilman Christopher Harsh and the council honored the Rhodes Rams, 2025-2026 Senate League basketball champions. Coach Sean Spencer and team members were presented with scrolls. Coach Spencer thanked council members for their support.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinances passed (unanimous, 14-0): Emergency ordinances including contracts for software support (Bain T.), food service at City Hall and Rotunda, a phone/text messaging service for council (Buckeye Peach Group), and public improvement contracts for roadways and sidewalks. Also, resolutions for event permits (Hofburg House Run, Four Miles for Water), a subscription agreement (LexisNexus), and funding for the 2026 Cleveland Asian Expo and the annual safety series.
• Resolution passed (unanimous, 14-0): Withdrawing objection to a liquor permit at 6501 Denison Avenue.
• Second reading ordinances passed (unanimous, 14-0): Including the 2026 budget appropriations ordinance, a management training program, summer youth employment program (Youth Opportunities Unlimited), North Coast Harbor maintenance contract renewal, HVAC maintenance contract, credit transfer services amendment, and a contract with the Urban League of Greater Cleveland for addressing racism as a public health crisis.
• Council President Blaine Griffin announced that the budget ordinance had its second reading and that discussions with the mayor and director Margolis would continue on priority projects, with adjustments possible in June.
• Councilman Kevin Conwell announced a new program with Legal Aid to help seniors with wills, and a plan to use budget funds to hire young artists for training programs.
• Councilman Richard Starr proposed creating an annual award in honor of Reverend Hilton Smith for minority and women business enterprise opportunities.
• Next meeting: No meeting on March 16, 2026. The next meeting is scheduled for March 23, 2026.