Cleveland City Council Meeting – April 13, 2026

The Cleveland City Council met on April 13, 2026, for a regular legislative session. After roll call (13 members present, a quorum) and opening ceremonies, the council heard public comment on a range of issues, including a recall effort against Mayor Justin Bibb, chronic power outages, housing conditions, and city services. The council then approved multiple appointments, liquor license transfers, and emergency ordinances and resolutions, all by unanimous 13-0 votes. Announcements highlighted transportation hearings, school layoffs, and concerns over police technology contracts.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Adrian Freeman (lifelong Cleveland resident) discussed gathering signatures for a safety and energy retrofit initiative, a food desert elimination project, and repurposing old civic buildings. He urged priority for those most in need.
• Matthew Strazinski (Ward 2) criticized the absence of the mayor and his councilman, complained about code violations on Fleet Avenue (a junkyard-like gas station), and called for proper boarding of the Stellar Wall Center out of respect for his grandfather.
• Christina Hill (Ward 11, owner of Tiny Heroes Academy) described the closure of her child care center after a disputed inspection. She asked for an independent review of her case by someone outside the Department of Public Health and for policy changes to increase transparency and support for small businesses.
• Bridget Smith Jackson (East Cleveland) addressed systemic housing issues, sharing stories of a homeless woman, a tenant in a motorized wheelchair who faced retaliation, and a mother of three with disabilities. She argued that speaking up about unsafe conditions can cost residents their housing and called on the council to intervene.
• Sabrina Otis (Cleveland) raised three issues: the city’s charter ordinance unfairly penalizing renters with garbage tickets (while homeowners get relief), the lack of compensation for Cleveland Public Power outages (unlike FirstEnergy rebates), and poor street lighting and potholes that harm residents while the city builds for outsiders.
• Lauren Lawler (Cleveland) complained about uncollected trash and feces at an RTA stop on Neff Road, a water main break, and murders in her neighborhood. She urged more jobs and cleanup crews.
• Larry H. Gardner (Ward 3) opposed the recall of Mayor Bibb, calling it “bad comedy.” He noted that Bibb had an opponent in the last election, argued that a recall would waste taxpayer money, and urged people to vote instead.
• One C. Collado Diaz (Ward 12, Accountable Cleveland) supported the recall, announcing that 1,000 signatures had been submitted. He cited opposition to a data center (raising electric bills and harming Lake Erie), the ShotSpotter technology (installed without council approval), and the mayor’s policies. He stated the recall is not personal but aimed at the administration’s “horrible policies.”
• Ladonna Wheeler (Ward 9) criticized Councilman Casey’s previous remarks about praying during Easter power outages. She called his apology “half-hearted” and racially overtoned, and demanded that the city fix CPP infrastructure and compensate residents for lost food and damaged appliances.
• Greg Wheeler (Ward 9) detailed three power outages in the week of Good Friday, lasting up to 15 hours, damaging appliances, and risking his health (medical condition requiring electricity). He called Councilman Casey’s apology “the worst I’ve ever heard from a public official” and invited him to ward meetings for a different response. He demanded results, not further apologies.

Consent Calendar

• Appointments to the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority (Luis Cartagena, Glenn Shoemate) and Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (Anastasia Elder, Emily Harper, Jeffrey Sleesman) were approved without objection.
• Dedication plats for Woodhill Homes Development Project (Phases 5 & 6) – Blue Rock Road and Luna Park Avenue – were approved.

Discussion Items

• Councilman Michael Palensic criticized the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) for laying off approximately 410 teachers and administrators and for planning to sell Collinwood High School. He argued that the east side is being systematically dismantled, with programs stripped and students fleeing to charter schools. He accused CMSD of a lack of transparency and premeditated decimation.
• Councilman Christopher Harsh introduced Ordinance 469-2026, which would raise the admission tax exemption limit from 150 to 750 capacity for local clubs. He noted that 75% of local venues are losing money and that the change would cost the city less than $100,000 but provide significant relief to mom-and-pop venues.
• Councilman Kevin Conwell expressed full support for the admission tax exemption, emphasizing the importance of protecting local music venues that attract visitors and generate payroll tax.
• Councilman Richard Starr praised Director Sally Martin, Chief Sammy Morris, and others for monthly HUD troubled asset roundtables, which are helping address problem properties and creating accountability.
• Councilman Tamey Shaw expressed disappointment that the administration authorized contracts with ShotSpotter and Flock without council approval, noting concerns about data sharing with ICE. He also spoke in favor of Councilman Starr’s marijuana tax split resolution, arguing that too little spending goes to neighborhoods.
• Council President Griffin acknowledged the concern over the unauthorized contracts, stating that leadership has already begun discussions to ensure legislative protections. He cautioned against creating ward-specific funding mechanisms that could lead to inequity.
• Councilman Charles Slife announced a fourth hearing on the proposed closure of Burke Airport for Wednesday, April 14, and upcoming hearings on RTA service cuts, particularly routes 78, 86, and 10, which are critical to residents.
• Councilwoman Stephanie House Jones invited Ward 8 residents to the first Neighborhood Network Night on April 14.

Key Outcomes

• All appointments (Port Authority, RTA) and dedication plats were approved without objection.
• Emergency ordinances on first reading (Ordinances 464-471, 474-478, 481) and on second reading (Ordinances 359, 369) were passed unanimously (13-0).
• Emergency resolutions on first reading (Resolution 480) and on second reading (Resolution 459, 479, 507) were adopted unanimously (13-0).
• The council will continue discussions on the admission tax exemption, police technology contracts, CMSD school closures, and RTA service cuts.
• The next regular council meeting was scheduled for April 20, 2026.