Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Committee of Finance, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion convened on September 28, 2026, to deliberate and vote on a wide range of fiscal legislation, including municipal contracts, youth diversion programs, public safety grants, a major restructuring of the city's capital bond process, and compensation for city board members. Discussions highlighted tensions between the legislative and executive branches regarding communications and transparency in financial management.
Municipal Court Parking Ticket Vendor (Ordinance 930-2026) Councilman Brian Casey expressed concern that a new third-party vendor contract for parking ticket processing could contradict a recent council resolution urging the Clerk of Courts not to collect old red-light and speed camera tickets. The presenters stated the contract was for parking and waste collection tickets but could not immediately guarantee the vendor would not collect the older camera tickets. The ordinance was approved with a request for a follow-up answer.
Youth Pre-Arrest Support Services (PASS) Pilot Program (Ordinance 906-2026) A pilot program diverting youth from formal juvenile court for low-level offenses was presented. Councilman Joseph Jones argued for greater program flexibility to include youth with more serious prior offenses, suggesting these youth needed the services the most. Councilman Kevin Conwell stressed the importance of hiring male role models and ensuring the program has proper evaluation metrics. The program, funded by a $150,000 state grant, has 13 active families out of 15 referrals.
Vehicle and Equipment Purchases (Ordinance 1033-2026) Councilman Joseph Jones inquired about the city's vehicle purchasing strategies, urging cooperation with other municipalities to achieve bulk savings. Director Gentile responded that the city already utilizes various cooperative agreements and internal vetting to secure competitive pricing.
Public Safety Grants (Ordinances 907-2026 & 910-2026) Two grants were approved for public safety. One, a $1.031 million grant for 151 mobile radios for Police, Fire, and EMS. The second, a $17,579 grant for surveillance equipment to combat illegal dumping under the "Shine a Light on Dumpsters" program. Council members pushed for stronger enforcement and more camera deployment for illegal dumping.
Printing Division Succession Planning (Ordinance 1136-2026) A $115,000 one-year contract extension for consultant Scott Loomis sparked significant debate. Councilman Joseph Jones expressed deep frustration with what he perceived as the printing division's historic refusal to handle City Council newsletters and materials, citing past excuses regarding "political activity." He argued this forced council to incur costs with outside printers. Director Gentile denied the division purposefully avoided working with council and committed to having his team collaborate with Council's communications director to improve the process.
Armored Transport Services (Ordinance 1152-2026) A three-year contract renewal with Brinks Incorporated for armored transportation was approved.
Major Bond Issuance Restructuring (Ordinances 1143-1150) Director Gentile presented a new process for capital project financing where the general fund is used upfront for projects, and bonds are issued later to reimburse the fund. The goal is to reduce interest carrying costs and comply with IRS spend-down rules. Councilman Joseph Jones and Councilman Michael Polensick requested that detailed project lists be attached to all bond legislation to improve transparency. Councilman Slife requested that the budget book clearly break out funds involved in this reimbursement process to track savings. The total authorization is approximately $92 million ($65 million for projects already underway and $25 million contingent on getting contracts executed by end of October).
Fair Employment Wage Board Compensation (Ordinance 1044-2026) The ordinance to compensate Fair Employment Wage Board members through city code was approved. This is the first time the board members will be compensated; the chair receives $9,538 and other eligible members receive $8,963. Councilman Joseph Jones questioned the workload and specifics of the board's operations to justify the compensation.
Good afternoon. Today is Monday, September the 28th, 2026. This committee of finance diversity, equity, and inclusion is called to order. Madam Clerk, please call the row. Here. Present. Present. Thank you. We'll begin by Muni Court. If Muni Court can come to the table, is Muni Court here, Municipal Court. Please join us at the table. All right. This is ordinance number nine three zero dash twenty twenty six as amended by Councilmember Griffin by Department of Requests. An emergency ordinance authorizing the clerk of the Cleveland Municipal Court and the Director of Finance to employ one or more professional consultants to process and collect parking infraction tickets and other civil tickets for a term not to exceed three years with one two-year option to renew, exercisable by the clerk of Cleveland Municipal Court or the director of or the director of finance as appropriate. Yeah, just touch it. Is it June or May? The end of May of 2027. Thank you. So it's pretty routine contract. This is relieved by municipal services. John G. Director of the Parking Violation. Okay. Um any of these any of this other civil tickets, Mr. Chairman, to our presenters include the old red light camera tickets. So I'm just looking through the legislation, Mr. Chairman, and it I don't see that it doesn't include it's just respecting civil tickets issued under chapter 551. And I only ask Mr. Chairman to to our presenters because this council recently passed a resolution that I'm sure you're very familiar with. Um asking the clerk of courts not to uh collect old traffic and for or the the old speed speed tickets or what I forgot what we're calling them. So I want to make sure that this led that we're not sending a mixed message, right? That we're not saying don't collect them, and then we're giving you the ability to go out there and collect for them. Uh uh again, the this is only to allow it to enter into a new contract with with uh either the existing vendor or uh a new vendor for the parking tickets. Um anything that's on the database would still be collectible if the clerk decides to to go forward with that. So this says that's the entity is to provide services and processing and collecting parking parking and fract infraction tickets and judgments, correct? So that's all you would be and then your whereas um states the process and collecting services required for parking infractions is comparable to that needed with respect to waste disposal infractions. So is this just stating that you're just doing parking and waste? Correct. 551 refers specifically to waste collection. Okay. And then you're telling us that you're not collecting under this piece of legislation, whoever your third party vendor is that you're gonna select will not be going after old speed camera tickets. Uh I'm I I'm not I'm not able to answer that at this moment. All right. Well, Mr. Chairman, to to John, but with all due respect, do you know when you're gonna