Cleveland City Council Meeting - July 15, 2026: Votes on Data Center Moratorium, License Plate Readers, and Multiple Emergency Ordinances
Cleveland City Council Meeting - July 15, 2026
The Cleveland City Council convened on July 15, 2026, to act on a wide range of emergency ordinances and resolutions. The council approved a moratorium on data center permits, authorized a contract for automated license plate readers despite significant opposition, and passed numerous other measures including tax increment financing agreements, public works contracts, and liquor permit actions. The meeting also included the reading of condolence and congratulatory resolutions, the swearing-in of new appointments, and announcements recognizing residents and council member birthdays.
Consent Calendar
- Routine approvals and unanimous actions included the adoption of a cooperative purchasing agreement for Samsung VXT displays, multiple IT procurement notices, appointments to boards such as the Steel Yard Commons TIF Advisory Board and the Cleveland Urban Forestry Commission, and oaths of office for several assistant directors and community relations board members.
- Condolence resolutions were read for over 30 individuals, including Arthur A. Beasley Jr. (father of Councilmember Tiffany Beasley) and Father Bob Cropak, with a moment of silence observed.
- Congratulatory resolutions recognized various community achievements, including the 100th birthday of Anna Leggan, the 20th anniversary of the Downtown Cleveland Clean and Safe Program, and others.
- All first-reading emergency ordinances and resolutions were adopted, with the exception of Ordinance 757-2026 (collective bargaining agreement with IATSE) which passed 14-1; all others received 15-0 votes.
Discussion Items
- Ordinance 556-2026 (Data Center Moratorium): Declared a moratorium on the review and issuance of zoning permits, certificates of occupancy, and other permits for data centers. Passed 14-1.
- Ordinance 683-2026 (Flock Safety Automatic License Plate Readers): Authorized a contract with Flock Group for license plate reader technology. Several council members expressed opposition: Councilmembers Starr, Shaw, Santana, Harsh, House Jones, and Davis all requested to be recorded as no votes. The ordinance passed 9-6.
- Ordinance 664-2026 (I-X Center Settlement Agreement): Authorized a first amendment to a settlement agreement between Cleveland and Brook Park relating to the I-X Center and Emerald Park JEDZ. Councilwoman House Jones voted no. Passed 12-3.
- Ordinance 686-2026 (Property Acquisition for TIF – East Ninth Scarlet LLC): Authorized property acquisition and reconveyance for tax increment financing. Councilman Starr voted no. Passed 13-2.
- Ordinance 695-2026 (TIF Agreement for Heller Keller Cone Project – RJL 2230): Authorized a TIF agreement for the Heller Keller Cone Project. Councilman Starr voted no. Passed 13-2.
- Ordinance 696-2026 (TIF Agreement for Heller Keller Cone Project – 2202 Superior): Another TIF agreement for the same project. Councilman Starr voted no. Passed 13-2.
- Ordinance 651-2026 (Software-Related Purchases Amendment): Amended codified ordinances relating to software purchases. Passed 14-1.
- Ordinance 666-2026 (City Hall and Public Auditorium Improvements): Authorized design and construction contracts for improvements. Passed 14-1.
- Ordinance 757-2026 (Collective Bargaining Agreement with IATSE): Approved the collective bargaining agreement with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. Passed 14-1.
- Resolution 883-2026 (Opposing Ohio House Bill 492): Expressed opposition to enacted HB 492, citing concerns about civil liberties and racial equity. Adopted unanimously (15-0).
- Other Second-Reading Ordinances: All other second-reading emergency ordinances, including those related to public utilities, water main renewals, street lighting, and the Oakwood Pump Station, were adopted unanimously (15-0).
Key Outcomes
- Data Center Moratorium: Passed (14-1).
- Flock Safety License Plate Reader Contract: Passed (9-6), with Councilmembers Starr, Shaw, Santana, Harsh, House Jones, and Davis voting no.
- I-X Center Settlement Amendment: Passed (12-3), with Councilwoman House Jones voting no.
- TIF Agreements for Heller Keller Cone Project: Passed (13-2) on both ordinances, with Councilman Starr voting no.
- First-Reading Emergency Ordinances and Resolutions: All but one (757-2026) passed 15-0; 757-2026 passed 14-1.
- All Second-Reading Emergency Resolutions: Passed unanimously (15-0).
- Liquor Permit Actions: Several objections were withdrawn or new objections filed, all passed as part of the consent agenda.
- Appointments and Oaths: Multiple appointments to boards and oaths of office were administered.
Announcements & Recognitions
- Councilwoman Deborah Gray's birthday was acknowledged, along with her twin sister Laura Gray.
- Councilwoman Nikki Hudson introduced Ward 11 resident Giovanni Reyes from Greenery's Lawn Care.
- Councilman Starr introduced Ward 8 resident Gregory Parker III, who shadowed him and was recognized as a young leader.
Meeting Transcript
I'm gonna ask all the council members to come to the will if all the council members can come to the will. All council members come to the well so that we can start the meeting. Davis Gray Harsh House Jones Hudson Jones Casey Polensic Santana Shaw Slife Star. You have a core, Mr. President. Thank you. Will everyone rise for a moment of silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. 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 a 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 gabble 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 by the direct 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. My councilmember Gray that the reading of the minutes of the last meeting be dispensed with the journal approved, seconded by councilmember Harsh. Thank you. Please share communications. File numbers 780 781 782 2026. From Larry Jones, the second commissioner, Department of Innovation and Technology. A cooperative purchasing agreement to purchase Samsung VXT quantity 160. Thank you. I'm not doing that. Notification of cooperative purchasing agreement to purchase Dell Pro Max Tower T2. Notification of utilization for cooperative purchasing agreement for Cisco Room Navigator. File numbers 783 848578 and 89. From Kimroy Wilson, Director of Innovation and Technologies. Purchasing agreement for equipment for the Acela Reimagined Program. Purchasing agreement for equipment for I'm sorry for residential engagement SC for purchasing agreement for the CGI Advantage Implement. Purchasing agreement for ADA compliance of public facing digital. Purchasing agreement for risk management or origami implementation seven. Purchasing agreement for risk management origami implementation eight. Purchasing agreement for ticketing system three. From Larry Jones, the second commissioner, Department of Innovation and Technology. Purchasing agreement for software for Microsoft License Renewal. Purchasing agreement for urban AI high-end laptop. Purchasing cooperative purchasing agreement for supplies for CDW. Purchasing agreement for BPS for IT Consultant 2. Purchasing agreement for CW CDW for the purchase of equipment for an HID card reader. Quantity 2. File number 794 2026 from Council President Blaine Griffin. Recommending approval of the appointment of Councilmember Austin Davis Ward 7 to Steel Yard Commons Tax Increment Financing Advisory Board. File number 795 2026. Oath of Office for Patrick Dugan, Assistant Director, Department of Public Works. File number 796 2026.
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