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Record of Proceedings

Cleveland City Council Finance Committee Meeting - October 12, 2026

City Council Meetings — Monday, October 12, 2026
BodyCleveland, Ohio
SessionCity Council Meetings
DateMonday, October 12, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:01:25

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

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

6:44

Good afternoon.

6:47

Today is Monday, October 12th.

6:49

This committee of finance development, equity, and inclusion is called the order.

6:53

Madam Clerk called a role.

6:56

Here.

7:08

Thank you.

7:09

Uh first ordinance that we have.

7:12

We have guests.

7:13

Um I always start out with guests, so I'm going to bring up for ordinance number nine two three-twenty twenty six as amended by Councilmember Santana, Bishop, and Griffin by departmental request, an emergency ordinance authorizing the directors of development andor finance to apply for and accept the grant from the U.S.

7:31

Department of Transportation for the Regional Infrastructure Accelerator Program and authorizing the director to enter into one or more professional services contracts to implement the grant.

7:41

And the amendment states there is no legal objection to this legislation if amended as follows.

7:48

One, in section four, in the second paragraph, starting at line seven, strike director of development and assert directors of development and or finance.

Speaker 2

8:26

Great.

Speaker 1

8:26

Yes.

8:32

But we're going to go ahead since we already started doing that.

Speaker 2

8:35

I wasn't going to contradict you, Chair.

8:36

So

Speaker 3

8:38

thank you.

Unassigned speaker

10:00

Uh and so this slide shows what uh the the scope of the grant um really what this uh the funding can be uh applied toward uh for the uh project that I just mentioned and the request for legislation is authorizing uh the directors of development andor finance to apply for and accept the RIA grant uh in addition to employing by contract uh one or more uh consultants or consultant firms for the purposes of sub supplementing the regularly employed City of Cleveland staff uh in order to provide professional services necessary to implement the scope of the grant uh happy to entertain any any questions.

Speaker 1

10:22

All right, thank you.

10:24

Uh this was heard in DPS, Councilwell Ms.

10:26

Antana.

Speaker 4

10:27

Yes, Council President, we heard it in DPS and recommended for passage.

Speaker 1

10:31

Thank you.

10:32

Do we have any questions from our colleagues?

10:33

Councilman Brian Casey.

Speaker 5

10:35

Thank you, Mr.

10:35

Chairman, Mr.

10:36

Chairman to the Chief.

10:38

Have you guys already received the money?

Speaker 2

10:40

Um to the councilman through the chair, we've received an award letter.

10:44

We're not able to accept the dollars until we pass this legislation.

Speaker 5

10:47

So, Mr.

10:48

Chairman to the chief, so you already applied for, right?

Speaker 2

10:50

We applied for under previous authorization, uh legislative authority.

10:54

We just added the apply for language back in for

Speaker 5

10:57

and do we know exactly how the 1.15 is going to be spent?

Speaker 2

11:01

Yeah, so over the 36 months, uh as part of our grant application, we did include a budget.

11:06

That budget is uh changeable over the 36 months if needs change broadly, uh it'll be used for financial advisor analysis, um, doing some credit analysis on our shorter quarter shore TIFF, so determining how credit worthy that TIFF is, um some work with project bundling and phasing, some engagement work, um legal assistance we can use this grant to pay for, so um the complicated legal documents as it relates to public improvements um and then uh some of the program management work.

Speaker 5

11:36

So, Mr.

11:36

Chairman to the chief, do we know yet what exactly um the administration wants to do with with the the core to shorter core short a quarter shore?

11:49

Yeah,

Speaker 2

11:50

I know it's with

Speaker 5

11:51

the project.

11:52

Do we know do we know yet?

11:54

And does this constitute just the TIPT area?

Speaker 2

11:58

So the the um RA grant uh is a grant for technical assistance again, 1.15 million dollars, no match that we can use to hire technical advisors, those technical advisors will then help us understand how to best leverage the TIFF.

12:15

So when we pass the shorter quarter short TIFF, uh we talked about using it on public improvements, including improvements at the lakefront, riverfront, but throughout the city.

12:23

Really, the goal of these dollars is to bring in technical advisors to help us figure out how to stretch those dollars further and bring projects forward sooner.

Speaker 5

12:32

If we're you if we're getting this and we're using this for that, Mr.

12:36

Chairman to the to the chief, what is the North Shore or the new community authority doing?

Speaker 2

12:42

So the the North Coast Waterfront Development Corporation and then the new community authority, two separate entities.

12:49

Um the uh North Coast Waterfront New Community Authority is a quasi-governmental body uh that is enabling uh the redevelopment of the lakefront.

12:59

So that includes pre-construction that can include paying for things like district parking uh down the line.

13:06

So that's what the new community authority does is it looks at various different amenities that would benefit all of the various different um partners down at the lakefront.

13:16

North Coast Waterfront Development Corporation is a 501c3, uh, and that entity is seeing forth the city's development um you know goals and lakefront goals.

13:27

So working with development partners, identifying developers from around the country who are interested in coming into uh the city to invest their dollars here.

13:36

All of these are interrelated pieces, but all kind of play their own separate part.

Speaker 5

13:40

And then Mr.

13:41

Chairman, to the chief.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Engagement██████████████14%
Council Funding██████████10%
Public Safety█████████9%
Grant Management████████8%
Community Engagement████████8%
Public Works████████8%
Procurement███████7%
Procedural███████7%
Personnel Matters█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Cleveland City Council Finance Committee Meeting - October 12, 2026

The Finance, Development, Equity, and Inclusion Committee of the Cleveland City Council met on October 12, 2026, to consider several ordinances and resolutions. Key actions included approval of a $1.15 million federal grant for regional infrastructure acceleration, funding for temporary seasonal workers, an increase in funding for the right-to-counsel eviction defense program, and a resolution declaring October 13 as Bernie Kozar Day. A significant debate occurred over proposed amendments to the use of casino revenue funds, with the item being held for further discussion.

Consent Calendar

  • No consent calendar items were identified; all items received discussion and individual votes.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments or testimony were recorded in the transcript.

Discussion Items

Ordinance 923-2026: Regional Infrastructure Accelerator (RIA) Grant

  • The committee considered an emergency ordinance authorizing the directors of development and/or finance to apply for and accept a $1.15 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Regional Infrastructure Accelerator Program. The grant requires no local match and is intended to hire technical advisors to assist the city in leveraging its Shorter Quarter Shore TIF (tax increment financing) district and other potential projects.
  • Councilman Brian Casey questioned whether the grant would pay consultants to advise the city on how to spend its own money, noting the city has not yet secured TIFIA or RIF loans. Other council members expressed concerns about transparency and the scope of the grant, with Councilman Polenzik requesting quarterly reports on consultant activities and fund usage. An amendment requiring quarterly reports to council was approved.
  • The ordinance was approved as amended.

Ordinance 1043-2026: Temporary Employment Agencies for Seasonal Personnel

  • The committee authorized contracts with temporary employment agencies for seasonal workers in Parks, Public Works, and Finance, primarily using Snyder Blake. Councilman Casey proposed an amendment requiring contracts to prohibit possession of weapons or illegal substances, with termination after two infractions.
  • Despite discussion about already-existing background checks and drug tests, the amendment passed. Councilman Jones questioned the long-term contract with Snyder Blake and requested information on the company's history and competition from other bidders.
  • The ordinance was approved with the amendment.

Ordinance 688-2026: Easements for Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (Big Creek Storage Tunnel)

  • The committee considered granting easements at Emory Park and Estherbrook Park for the Big Creek Storage Tunnel, part of Project Clean Lake. The sewer district will pay $670,400 for improvements at Emory Park and $56,400 at Estherbrook Park. Councilman Casey expressed dissatisfaction but supported the effort after securing restoration commitments.
  • Discussion included concerns about methane gas release, but officials noted modern tunneling methods prevent methane issues.
  • The ordinance was approved as amended.

Ordinance 1037-2026: Removal of Cap on Easement Acquisition Costs

  • The committee approved removing the cap on the amount the director of public utilities can pay for easements, as determined by the board of control. Approved.

Ordinance 1135-2026: Concession Agreement for Carl Stokes Building

  • Authorized the director of public utilities to enter into a concession agreement for food and beverage service at 1201 Lakeside. Approved.

Ordinance 1038-2026: Electrical Test Equipment for Cleveland Public Power

  • Authorized purchase of electrical test equipment for Cleveland Public Power for two years. Approved.

Ordinance 1137-2026: Vehicle Purchases for Department of Public Utilities Enterprise Funds

  • Authorized purchase of on-road vehicles, apparatus, and off-road equipment. Discussion included fleet condition and maintenance concerns, particularly regarding bucket trucks. The three-year lead time for bucket trucks was noted. Approved.

Ordinance 1031-2026: Legal Aid Eviction Defense Program (Right to Counsel)

  • The committee approved an increase from $750,000 to $1.25 million for the Legal Aid Society to provide legal services in eviction proceedings under Cleveland’s right-to-counsel ordinance. Discussion centered on program effectiveness and accessibility. Councilman Jones reported difficulty in obtaining assistance from Legal Aid; the council president arranged a meeting to improve intake processes. The ordinance was approved.

Ordinance 1034-2026: Lease of Five Points Building to Famicos Foundation

  • Authorized leasing the Collinwood Community Center (Five Points Building) to Famicos Foundation for two years with two renewal options. Councilman Polenzik requested to review the final lease before signing, and Councilman Conwell’s name was added as a co-sponsor. Approved.

Resolution 1235-2026: Bernie Kozar Day

  • Declared October 13 as Bernie Kozar Day in Cleveland, honoring the former Browns quarterback. Approved unanimously with all council members added as sponsors.

Ordinance 950-2026: Casino Revenue Amendments (Held)

  • This item generated extensive debate. Councilwoman House Jones proposed amendments to strike language requiring council staff and the law department to determine whether projects constitute a proper public purpose, arguing that under case law, only the legislative body should make that determination. She cited past denials of professional development and other uses.
  • Councilman Slife and others argued that removing law department oversight could expose council members and staff to legal liability and that guardrails are necessary to prevent improper spending.
  • Council President Griffin held the item for further discussion and to include the law director and additional input.
  • The committee approved clerical amendments to fix errors in the ordinance but held the substantive changes.

Key Outcomes

  • Ordinances 923, 1043, 688, 1037, 1135, 1038, 1137, 1031, and 1034 were approved.
  • Resolution 1235 was approved.
  • Ordinance 950 (casino revenue) was held for further discussion.
  • An ordinance (1042-2026) was held for further notice at the start.
  • Councilman Polenzik’s request for quarterly reports on the RIA grant was adopted as an amendment.
  • Councilman Casey’s amendment to seasonal worker contracts regarding weapons and substances was adopted.
  • A request for information on Burke Airport lobbying was noted.
  • The committee agreed to schedule a future hearing on proper public purpose and ethics.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon. Today is Monday, October 12th. This committee of finance development, equity, and inclusion is called the order. Madam Clerk called a role. Here. Thank you. Uh first ordinance that we have. We have guests. Um I always start out with guests, so I'm going to bring up for ordinance number nine two three-twenty twenty six as amended by Councilmember Santana, Bishop, and Griffin by departmental request, an emergency ordinance authorizing the directors of development andor finance to apply for and accept the grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the Regional Infrastructure Accelerator Program and authorizing the director to enter into one or more professional services contracts to implement the grant. And the amendment states there is no legal objection to this legislation if amended as follows. One, in section four, in the second paragraph, starting at line seven, strike director of development and assert directors of development and or finance. Great. Yes. But we're going to go ahead since we already started doing that. I wasn't going to contradict you, Chair. So thank you. Uh and so this slide shows what uh the the scope of the grant um really what this uh the funding can be uh applied toward uh for the uh project that I just mentioned and the request for legislation is authorizing uh the directors of development andor finance to apply for and accept the RIA grant uh in addition to employing by contract uh one or more uh consultants or consultant firms for the purposes of sub supplementing the regularly employed City of Cleveland staff uh in order to provide professional services necessary to implement the scope of the grant uh happy to entertain any any questions. All right, thank you. Uh this was heard in DPS, Councilwell Ms. Antana. Yes, Council President, we heard it in DPS and recommended for passage. Thank you. Do we have any questions from our colleagues? Councilman Brian Casey. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Mr. Chairman to the Chief. Have you guys already received the money? Um to the councilman through the chair, we've received an award letter. We're not able to accept the dollars until we pass this legislation. So, Mr. Chairman to the chief, so you already applied for, right? We applied for under previous authorization, uh legislative authority. We just added the apply for language back in for and do we know exactly how the 1.15 is going to be spent? Yeah, so over the 36 months, uh as part of our grant application, we did include a budget. That budget is uh changeable over the 36 months if needs change broadly, uh it'll be used for financial advisor analysis, um, doing some credit analysis on our shorter quarter shore TIFF, so determining how credit worthy that TIFF is, um some work with project bundling and phasing, some engagement work, um legal assistance we can use this grant to pay for, so um the complicated legal documents as it relates to public improvements um and then uh some of the program management work. So, Mr. Chairman to the chief, do we know yet what exactly um the administration wants to do with with the the core to shorter core short a quarter shore? Yeah, I know it's with the project. Do we know do we know yet? And does this constitute just the TIPT area? So the the um RA grant uh is a grant for technical assistance again, 1.15 million dollars, no match that we can use to hire technical advisors, those technical advisors will then help us understand how to best leverage the TIFF. So when we pass the shorter quarter short TIFF, uh we talked about using it on public improvements, including improvements at the lakefront, riverfront, but throughout the city. Really, the goal of these dollars is to bring in technical advisors to help us figure out how to stretch those dollars further and bring projects forward sooner. If we're you if we're getting this and we're using this for that, Mr.

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