Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Committee of Finance, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion met on Monday, October 5, 2026, beginning at approximately 5:51 p.m. The committee considered multiple ordinances related to infrastructure, public safety, airport development, land exchanges, and personnel compensation. Committee members voted to approve most items, with one council member registering a formal 'no' vote on a land-exchange ordinance.
Ordinance 1166-2026 – Summer Sprout Program Funding
The committee discussed moving the Summer Sprout program from grant funding to the general fund. Ms. Zaynab Pixler explained that the allocated funds became active April 1, 2026, and that a full assessment has been completed. The contract will begin January 1, 2027, making the city ahead of schedule for the growing season.
Ordinance 902-2026 – PMG Executive Program Management Contract (CLEvolution Program)
Director of Port Control presented a request to exercise the second option to renew a contract with PMG at up to $10 million annually for up to nine years, supporting the $1.6 billion terminal redevelopment program at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Councilman Jones raised concerns about workforce diversity and local hiring, noting that only two of PMG's six Cleveland employees reside in the city. He pressed for stronger measures to ensure Clevelanders benefit from the project. The director stated that PMG's local service investment is projected to rise from 10% to 20% and that larger local opportunities will come in subsequent procurement phases. The ordinance was approved.
Ordinance 927-2026 – Land Exchange with Cleveland Metropolitan School District
This ordinance authorized an exchange of properties: the city would receive the Walton School (potential fire station) and the Newton D. Baker School (future redevelopment), and CMSD would receive the J. Glenn Health Center site and three land bank parcels. Councilwoman Santana noted the plan was vetted in multiple committees. Councilman Polinsick strongly opposed the closure of J. Glenn Health Center and cited broader disinvestment on the east side, including school closures. He asked for his name to be removed from the legislation and declared he would vote no. Councilman Conwill also expressed concerns about health care equity in Glenville and requested community meetings. Despite the opposition, the ordinance was approved; the chair noted the removal of Councilman Polinsick’s name and his 'no' vote.
Ordinance 1204-2026 – Electrical Inspector Classification and Compensation
Director Cole presented a consolidation of electrical safety inspector positions into three classifications (trainee, interim, inspector) with a new pay band. The changes aim to make the city more competitive with surrounding suburbs. The new maximum hourly rate (Step 3) is approximately $42/hour, or about $85,000 annually. The committee recommended the ordinance for passage by the full council.
Good afternoon. Today is Monday, October the 5th. This committee of finance, diversity, equity, and inclusion is called the order. Madam Clerk, call the role. Here. Present. Thank you. Uh we'll start off with utilities. And this is ordinance number. 758-2026 by Council members Casey Bishop and Griffin by departmental request. An emergency ordinance determining the method of making the public improvement of renewing, repairing, and replacing various water mains in two thousand and twenty-seven and two thousand and twenty-eight, and authorizing the director of public utilities to enter into one or more public improvement contracts for the making of the improvement. Director. Next we have public health. Yes. What's your name and number again? Uh my name is Zaynab Z-A-I N-A-B. Pixler P I X L E R. And the best way to reach me is my cell phone number, which is 216 857472. Okay, the Pratt Street Garden Club probably be reaching out to you uh with a young lady by the name of Tamra Chappelle. And uh of course they got an earful about the summer sprout program. But if I'm understanding, this is what we are now not waiting for it to be grant funded. We're actually moving it to the general fund, right? Correct. Okay. And just out of curiosity, why did we just now execute the contract when we actually did this in reconciliation back in like February? Through the chair, the money you all allocated went to uh the budget that went active April 1st. And so the CDBG funds were already set aside for the last growing season 2026. And over the last six months, say now Pixler has been doing a uh full assessment of what's needed, what's the best plan, speaking to different stakeholders and the farmers and the gardeners? Um, and so we're able to now get this authorization from you and enter in a contract that will start January 1 for the 27 growing season. So it'll be the first time that we're ahead of this going forward. Great, thank you. Councilman Conwill, this is heard in public health. Oh, yes, yes, yes. Moving forward, we'll vote to our colleagues as to uh move it. Thank you very much. Thank you. Any other questions regarding ordinance 1166-2026? Seeing no other questions, ordinance number 1166-2026 stands approved. Please sign on. Thank you. All right. Public safety. This is ordinance number 1035-2026 by Council Members Polinsic and Griffin by Departmental Request. An emergency ordinance authorizing the director of public safety to cause payment to Cuyahoga County for services rendered through the county medical examiner's office to reimburse the county for the city's share of costs for maintaining and use of automated fingerprint identification system. Uh good afternoon. Uh council president and uh committee members. Yes, this ordinance, as you stated, which is uh 1035 2026.