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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Cleveland Utilities Committee Meeting – September 17, 2026

City Council Meetings — Thursday, September 17, 2026

BodyCleveland, Ohio

SessionCity Council Meetings

DateThursday, September 17, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 56:40

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

3:42

Good morning.

3:43

Today is what is today.

3:47

Thursday, the seventeenth of September, calling the utilities committee to order.

3:52

Madam Clerk, can you please call the role?

4:02

Present.

4:10

So we got seven pieces today.

4:15

And we're going to go right in numeric numeric order.

4:43

If you do need another copy of what streets are going to be done, let me know and we'll resend it.

4:50

But Director.

5:01

Are the secondary arteries of Cleveland Water distribution system?

5:04

And there's approximately 1,300 miles that exist in the city proper.

5:08

Renewing and replacing existing mains in the city is a required reinvestment in the distribution system.

5:14

We currently, or Cleveland Water currently, by way of public improvement contract, it replaces approximately 10 million dollars worth of water mains.

5:23

As you stated, Chairman, these the five-year water main replacement program for the city of Cleveland is sent out every January to each member of council individually.

5:33

We again anticipate $10 million per year.

5:36

This is for years 2027 and 2028.

5:42

And thank you.

5:44

Anyone have any questions on water main replacement?

5:48

Seeing none, 758 2026 stands approved.

5:53

Please sign up.

6:08

Ordinance 903, 2022, 2026 by council members uh Casey and Griffin by departmental request, an emergency ordinance authorizing the director of public utilities to enter into one or more requirement contracts without competitive bidding with business Inc.

6:25

for the purchase of various proprietary love that word now that I can say it equipment and services to maintain and replace existing components of various drinking water systems for the division of water, department of public utilities for a term of two years.

6:43

So you want to explain to us why we should be a direct award instead of going out for RFP?

6:50

Thank you.

6:50

Um Chairman, so another recurring piece of legislation for consideration.

7:02

This includes various valve parts, process scale parts, sensors, pump parts, chemical feed equipment, and proprietary computerized hardware training and firmware updates.

7:12

The list of the manufacturers is in the executive summary.

7:17

So any part that we use that's manufactured by one of those vendors, their local distributor in Northeast Ohio is business.

7:25

So if we were to say go out to bid for a NET valve, right, that we need specifically for a part, then anybody who bid on it would have to get the part from business, right?

7:41

So therefore, hopefully business would bid on it, but then anybody else would have the markup because they have to buy the part from business, which is why it is proprietary.

7:51

It is part of a bigger distribution system.

7:54

There's a number of them once we commit to a product through the plant enhancement program through any capital improvement.

8:02

Typically, we're stuck with components, parts, computer parts that are specific to that uh that piece of the distribution network.

8:13

So this ordinance would allow us to continue that relationship with those proprietary parts to maintain the distribution system of Cleveland Water.

8:22

We do budget approximately six hundred thousand dollars a year.

8:25

You will probably notice on the third page of the executive summary, the contract that currently expires in September of next year.

8:33

We budgeted a significantly bigger number because we knew we needed to replace the Alum tank liners at Morgan, which were about $800,000 a piece.

8:43

That work is going on now, but we talked about it two years ago under this ordinance with business.

8:50

So whether it's us or or a third party, they still got a purchase from business, so it'd be less expensive for us just to buy direct as opposed to using the third party.

8:59

That's correct, Chairman.

9:00

All right, any questions on 903 2026?

9:03

Councilwoman Hudson.

9:04

Thank you, Mr.

9:05

Chair.

9:05

Through the chair, how long have we been in a relationship with the um the provider that requires us to buy parts from business?

9:16

So through the chairman to the council member, business has been around as the sole distributor in Northeast Ohio for a number of years, but before them it was somebody else that just compiles all of these manufacturers and their associated equipment, and they get by agreement with these individual vendors the distribution rights.

9:39

So the the pieces and parts kind of fluctuates, but we've been in a relationship with business for a number of years, and I know the commissioner can provide any additional context that you desire.

9:51

Um yes, thank you, Director.

9:54

Um, I would say that the plant enhancement program where we added a lot of this new equipment, um, completed maybe 10 years ago.

10:04

So and we started maybe 15, 18 years ago.

10:08

So I would say it's in that time frame when we started doing heavy business with business, if you will.

10:14

That's when we got a lot of these pieces and parts in place.

10:17

Because of this, and through the chair, um you know, as you described, we're you know locked into to buying their parts, and I understand um the reasoning for that.

10:27

Is that taken into consideration when we do the initial contracting?

10:33

Chairman of the council member, we definitely do, but unfortunately that's typical in the industry that you when you get a certain technology or you commit to a certain improvement or a new technology, then you're stuck with it.

10:47

And it's unfortunate.

10:48

But Commissioner, if you have any questions, yeah, certainly in the initial procurement councilwoman, we do competitively bid these items.

10:55

And if the contractor picks one of these items, that's what then locks us in with this provider of maintenance and repair and replacement parts.

11:05

And then final question.

11:06

Um how long will we be locked in to using these parts?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Public Utilities█████████████████████████████████████████████49%

Procurement█████████████████18%

Public Engagement████████████13%

Environmental Protection██████7%

Technology and Innovation██████7%

Public Works███3%

Procedural███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Cleveland Utilities Committee Meeting – September 17, 2026

The Cleveland City Council Utilities Committee met on September 17, 2026, to consider seven pieces of legislation related to water main replacement, proprietary equipment, codified ordinance corrections, water quality monitoring buoys, electrical distribution system maintenance, SCADA and plant control systems, and underwater diving inspection services. The committee also heard public comments regarding Cleveland Public Power reliability and announced upcoming public hearings on data centers.

Public Comments & Testimony

Craig Eckler, a Ward 6 resident and energy democracy organizer for Cleveland Owns (representing the RCBP coalition), spoke about the July 4th extreme heat and storms that left the near West Side without power. He described the costs to residents (food waste, lost wages, medical concerns) and the emotional toll on a family with a newborn. He commended Cleveland Public Power (CPP), the administration, and council for their response and transparency, but urged continued focus on long-term strategic planning. He left a petition with 140 signatures.
Divia, a Cleveland resident and CPP customer (member of an unnamed community group), spoke in support of CPP, praising linemen for their work and improved messaging since summer. She requested more proactive notice of committee meetings and shared survey results: of 57 respondents, over 50% had lost power for more than 48 hours. She offered to share the data with council members.

Discussion Items

Water Main Replacement (Ordinance 758‑2026): The Director of Public Utilities explained that Cleveland Water replaces approximately $10 million worth of water mains annually via public improvement contracts. This ordinance covers the five‑year program for 2027–2028. Approved without further debate.
Proprietary Equipment Contract (Ordinance 903‑2026): The Director justified a direct award to Business Inc. (the sole regional distributor) for proprietary parts used in water treatment and distribution systems. Councilmembers Hudson and Shaw questioned the lock‑in and pricing. The Director noted that the two‑year term allows adjustments for market changes and that competitive bidding would only add a third‑party markup. Approved.
Codified Ordinance Renumbering (Ordinance 913‑2026): A technical correction to fix duplicate section numbers for the suburban water main renewal program and the gifts/awards section. During discussion, the Commissioner reported that about 40 of 60 direct‑service suburbs have signed up for the renewal program. Councilmember Fluence clarified the anti‑poaching agreement (five‑year revenue sharing). The Director agreed to provide a list of participating and non‑participating suburbs. Approved.
Water Quality Buoys (Ordinance 929‑2026): The Director described a four‑year contract with the Cleveland Water Alliance for four buoys that monitor water quality parameters (e.g., oxygen, temperature) in Lake Erie, providing 6–8 hours of advance warning for events like hypoxia or algae blooms. Councilmember Davis expressed support and asked about data sharing (public dashboard exists). Councilmember Palency asked about the “blob” in the lake; the Commissioner stated tests showed zero movement. Councilmember Hudson asked about intake depths and beach water quality; the Commissioner explained that beach testing is separate. Councilmember Shaw asked about long‑term algae prevention; the Director noted treatment capabilities and advocacy through trade associations. Councilmember Gray asked for buoy locations; the Director declined citing security. Approved.
Electrical Transmission Distribution Systems (Ordinance 932‑2026): A two‑year requirement contract for materials, equipment, labor, and services to install, maintain, and repair CPP’s electrical systems. The Director noted it supports staff augmentation for LED streetlight conversion (remaining 4,000 lights) and emergency storm response. The contract will be publicly bid. Approved.
SCADA and PCCS Systems (Ordinance 933‑2026): A two‑year contract for proprietary components (Hawk, RexL, HSQ) and non‑proprietary parts for the Division of Water and CPP. The Director explained that multiple contracts with staggered expiration dates would be consolidated to align terms. Councilmember Davis asked about cybersecurity; the Commissioner confirmed that operational technology (OT) is physically segregated from the internet. Approved.
Underwater Diving Inspection Services (Ordinance 934‑2026): A two‑year requirement contract for inspection, cleaning, debris removal, and minor repairs of submerged water facilities. The Director stated that local vendor Underwater Marine has performed well; response time is a key evaluation criterion. Councilmember Hudson asked about vendor pool size (a handful of responses). Councilmember Palency asked about zebra mussels; the Commissioner said populations have stabilized but shell debris remains a cleaning task. Approved.

Key Outcomes

All seven ordinances (758‑2026, 903‑2026, 913‑2026, 929‑2026, 932‑2026, 933‑2026, 934‑2026) were approved by the committee.
The Chair announced three upcoming public hearings on data centers: September 28 at Collinwood Rec Center (6–8 p.m., sign‑up for comment at 5:30), September 29 at Cleveland City Hall (5–8 p.m., rolling public comment only), and October 6 at Gunning Rec Center (6–8 p.m., sign‑up at 5:30). The Chair will present educational material; no final findings will be presented at these sessions.

Meeting Transcript

Good morning. Today is what is today. Thursday, the seventeenth of September, calling the utilities committee to order. Madam Clerk, can you please call the role? Present. So we got seven pieces today. And we're going to go right in numeric numeric order. If you do need another copy of what streets are going to be done, let me know and we'll resend it. But Director. Are the secondary arteries of Cleveland Water distribution system? And there's approximately 1,300 miles that exist in the city proper. Renewing and replacing existing mains in the city is a required reinvestment in the distribution system. We currently, or Cleveland Water currently, by way of public improvement contract, it replaces approximately 10 million dollars worth of water mains. As you stated, Chairman, these the five-year water main replacement program for the city of Cleveland is sent out every January to each member of council individually. We again anticipate $10 million per year. This is for years 2027 and 2028. And thank you. Anyone have any questions on water main replacement? Seeing none, 758 2026 stands approved. Please sign up. Ordinance 903, 2022, 2026 by council members uh Casey and Griffin by departmental request, an emergency ordinance authorizing the director of public utilities to enter into one or more requirement contracts without competitive bidding with business Inc. for the purchase of various proprietary love that word now that I can say it equipment and services to maintain and replace existing components of various drinking water systems for the division of water, department of public utilities for a term of two years. So you want to explain to us why we should be a direct award instead of going out for RFP? Thank you. Um Chairman, so another recurring piece of legislation for consideration. This includes various valve parts, process scale parts, sensors, pump parts, chemical feed equipment, and proprietary computerized hardware training and firmware updates. The list of the manufacturers is in the executive summary. So any part that we use that's manufactured by one of those vendors, their local distributor in Northeast Ohio is business. So if we were to say go out to bid for a NET valve, right, that we need specifically for a part, then anybody who bid on it would have to get the part from business, right? So therefore, hopefully business would bid on it, but then anybody else would have the markup because they have to buy the part from business, which is why it is proprietary. It is part of a bigger distribution system. There's a number of them once we commit to a product through the plant enhancement program through any capital improvement. Typically, we're stuck with components, parts, computer parts that are specific to that uh that piece of the distribution network. So this ordinance would allow us to continue that relationship with those proprietary parts to maintain the distribution system of Cleveland Water. We do budget approximately six hundred thousand dollars a year. You will probably notice on the third page of the executive summary, the contract that currently expires in September of next year. We budgeted a significantly bigger number because we knew we needed to replace the Alum tank liners at Morgan, which were about $800,000 a piece. That work is going on now, but we talked about it two years ago under this ordinance with business. So whether it's us or or a third party, they still got a purchase from business, so it'd be less expensive for us just to buy direct as opposed to using the third party. That's correct, Chairman. All right, any questions on 903 2026? Councilwoman Hudson. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Through the chair, how long have we been in a relationship with the um the provider that requires us to buy parts from business? So through the chairman to the council member, business has been around as the sole distributor in Northeast Ohio for a number of years, but before them it was somebody else that just compiles all of these manufacturers and their associated equipment, and they get by agreement with these individual vendors the distribution rights. So the the pieces and parts kind of fluctuates, but we've been in a relationship with business for a number of years, and I know the commissioner can provide any additional context that you desire. Um yes, thank you, Director. Um, I would say that the plant enhancement program where we added a lot of this new equipment, um, completed maybe 10 years ago. So and we started maybe 15, 18 years ago.

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