Cleveland City Council Finance, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Meeting – September 14, 2026

The committee met on September 14, 2026, at approximately 6:24 PM EDT to consider several ordinances and a resolution. Key items included a supplemental appropriation for rock salt, refunding of bond anticipation notes, a vision zero funding update, and a resolution urging the USPS to improve mail access for seniors. All agenda items were approved.

Discussion Items

• Vision Zero Funding and Ordinance 926-2026 (as amended): Council discussed the status of the Vision Zero program, which was initiated by council. A total of $84,000 remains in the general fund Vision Zero pot. Starting this year, the administration proposed allocating $500,000 annually for spot treatments, with the goal of achieving Vision Zero by 2032. Councilman Michael Palletti requested additional details on planned infrastructure (e.g., "Mavic Islands" delineators) for specific locations (Lakeshore, Shore Acres, and 162 Waterloo). The ordinance was approved after discussion.
• Rock Salt Supplemental – Ordinance 904-2026: The administration requested an additional $1,064,980 to purchase 14,000 tons of rock salt, citing a depleted inventory (currently 15,000–16,000 tons on hand, needing 30,000 tons by year-end) and rising prices ($12/ton increase). Funding would come from an anticipated overage in EMS billing revenue (budgeted $18 million; $16.7 million collected as of August, with four months remaining). Councilman Brian Casey questioned the timing and reliability of EMS collections, but the director stated it was very unlikely to fall short. The purchase would bring inventory to 30,000 tons by December 31, and new salt domes (four refurbished, one new) would increase storage capacity. The ordinance was approved.
• Bond Refunding Ordinances (916-920 2026): Five ordinances authorized the issuance and sale of bonds to retire outstanding bond anticipation notes (BANs) issued earlier to fund capital projects. Amounts ranged from $1,385,000 (heavy-duty trucks) to $13,975,000 (street improvements). No new borrowing was involved; these were refunding actions to lock in rates. Councilman Michael Palletti asked about interest rate trends, and the director noted that rates are likely rising despite federal pressures. Councilman Casey requested a cost-savings analysis comparing the old borrowing method to the new strategy. All five ordinances were approved.
• Resolution 956-2026 (Councilmember Starr): An emergency resolution urging the United States Postal Service to establish an age-friendly mail access working committee. Councilmember Starr highlighted that 95 senior apartment buildings exist in Cleveland; many seniors face difficulty sending outgoing mail (bills, medical records) due to lack of accessible mailboxes or outgoing slots. The resolution calls for collaboration between USPS, Cleveland City Council, the Department of Aging, CMHA, and housing providers to restore blue mailboxes or install outgoing slots at senior facilities. The resolution was approved.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance 926-2026 (as amended) – Vision zero funding approval.
• Ordinance 904-2026 – Rock salt supplemental appropriation approval.
• Ordinances 916-2026, 917-2026, 918-2026, 919-2026, 920-2026 – Bond refunding approvals.
• Resolution 956-2026 – Urging USPS age-friendly mail access initiative; approved.

The meeting adjourned after concluding the committee's business.