Cleveland City Council Health, Human Services, and Arts Committee Meeting - April 13, 2026

The Health, Human Services, and Arts Committee of the Cleveland City Council met on April 13, 2026, to discuss three major items: a contract for indigent burial services, a presentation on epilepsy awareness and support, and an update on food systems initiatives. The meeting included voting on amendments to the indigent burial legislation and discussions on urban agriculture, land access, and community health.

Discussion Items

Indigent Burial Services Contract

• The committee considered legislation authorizing the purchase of one or more requirement contracts for indigent burial services (cremation), exercisable by the Director of Public Health. The contract had been approved by the Health Department on March 24, 2026, the Finance Department, and the Director of Law.
• Director of Vital Statistics Andrea Casanari explained that the city provides free cremation services for indigent residents. The previous contract with Bikon Brothers (now Sloan Funeral Home) had been in place for at least 12 years. The annual cost has been around $200,000; this year's contract is not to exceed $250,000.
• Councilman Conwell and others discussed issues where families request burial instead of cremation, and noted that some funeral homes work with families to raise funds. Councilman Conwell also noted that the city cannot turn away qualified indigent residents.
• The process: next of kin calls the health department, fills out an application, and the vendor checks for assets (e.g., GoFundMe, prepaid funeral, veteran status). If the body has been embalmed by another funeral home, it no longer qualifies. The city handles about 300 cremations per year out of about 400 applications. Cost per cremation is approximately $895–$900, with a reduced rate of $125 for infants.
• Councilman Austin Davis asked about the vendor selection process and whether green cremation methods (e.g., water cremation, renewable energy) could be considered. The director stated that the state of Ohio does not currently allow such methods, and renewable-energy-powered cremation is not readily available locally.
• Councilwoman Nikki Hudson clarified that the program covers only cremation and burial of ashes in Potter's Field at Highland Park Cemetery. Ashes are held for at least a year before burial; 10–12 urns are buried together on a shared gravestone.
• Three amendments were proposed and unanimously adopted: (1) replace all uses of "indignant" with "indigent"; (2) in Section 2, insert "not to exceed $250,000" and update the appropriation account number to 1-1-5-5-5-6-3-8-1; (3) in Section 3, add a requirement that the Director of Public Health provide written notice to the clerk of council for any purchases made through the cooperative process, including details.

Epilepsy Awareness and Support Presentation

• Raven Walker, founder of the nonprofit Living for Epilepsy, presented on the organization's mission to empower African Americans living with epilepsy through awareness, education, and support. She was joined by program manager Monique Chavis, who was her former teacher and witnessed her seizures in class.
• The presentation covered the five types of seizures: tonic-clonic, absence, focal aware, focal impaired awareness, and myoclonic. They emphasized the importance of seizure first aid training and the need for seizure action plans in schools and businesses.
• The organization offers seizure first aid training, CPR training, and the Resilient Bracelet Project, a hands-on workshop for building resilience. They have partnered with Cleveland EMS, received 70 CPR training equipment donations from Cuyahoga Community College, and are seeking funding for AEDs, CPR equipment, and educational posters.
• Upcoming events: Seizure First Aid training on June 12, 2026, for Frazeon Therapy; CPR training on August 22, 2026. They need space for trainings and are collaborating with organizations like Zelma George and Tri-C.
• Councilman Conwell offered to help secure space at University Hospital's community center in Glenville, and to provide a band for fundraising events. He also introduced Francis (director of minority health) to assist with connections.
• Councilwoman Hudson noted that seizure first aid is not commonly taught, and that schools and businesses lack preparedness. She offered to help connect with CMSD schools. Councilman Conwell agreed to call Dr. Warren G. Morgan (CMSD CEO) to facilitate access.
• The committee expressed support and pledged to provide a resolution on the council floor. Councilman Conwell also offered to introduce the organization to Matthew Cole, head of human resources for the city of Cleveland.

Food Systems Update

• Zaynab Pixler, Local Food System Strategies Coordinator for the Department of Public Health, presented an overview of food systems work. She has a supply chain degree and food studies minor, and previously worked at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and the Center for Good Food Purchasing.
• She conducted a listening tour and identified seven key insights: land and water access for urban agriculture, transparency in city processes, institutional food procurement, alternative food retail models, workforce development, food rescue and composting, and coalition building.
• Major projects include: working with the city's land bank to allow sale of land for urban agriculture (currently not permitted, only leases); developing a cooperatively-owned farm stop in Central-Kinsman; creating a Notion guide for farmers' markets; the Cultivating Cleveland's Next Generation workforce program; the Summer Sprout Community Gardening Program (shifting from CDBG to general fund); and managing the East Side Market after the lease with NEON ended.
• Councilwoman Hudson asked about incentives for new grocery stores. Pixler cited the Gardening for Greenbacks grant program and Department of Development grants for equipment, but no dedicated grocery store funding.
• Councilman Austin Davis asked about comparative urban agriculture progress. Pixler said Cleveland is historically progressive but other cities now offer land for sale, streamlined hydrant access, and transparent processes. The land bank's current pause on sales is a barrier.
• Councilman Chris Harsh raised concerns about the sustainability of community gardens, noting that many small groups fail to maintain them. He suggested partnering with established gardens like Ben Franklin to manage satellite locations. Pixler agreed and noted that Summer Sprout requires at least five unrelated applicants, and they are considering trial periods and training requirements for land sales.
• Councilman Conwell proposed using community gardens for youth education in project management, similar to the Wow U program.
• Councilman Shaw asked about the timeline for acquiring land through the land bank. Pixler said it is currently paused and can take over a year. She noted that the land bank's Trudy Andresky has been open to conversations about policy changes.
• Councilwoman Hudson highlighted the need for separate permitting processes for small events like farmers' markets versus large festivals. Pixler agreed and will draft a proposal. She also noted that hydrant access for urban farms outside Summer Sprout is opaque and has fees.

Key Outcomes

• Indigent Burial Contract: The committee approved the three amendments unanimously. The legislation itself was then passed (with a voice vote, all in favor). The contract will go out for bid after passage.
• Epilepsy Presentation: The committee expressed strong support and committed to providing a resolution on the council floor, connecting the organization with CMSD, city HR, and minority health resources. Councilman Conwell will facilitate a phone call with CMSD CEO Dr. Warren G. Morgan.
• Food Systems Update: The committee discussed multiple policy changes to support urban agriculture: land bank sales, streamlined hydrant access, simplified permitting for farmers' markets, and improved community garden management. Pixler will draft a proposal for simplified event permits. The committee will continue to work on these initiatives.