Thread by @DocumenterK

Hi! I'm Keith and I will be live-tweeting today's Wednesday, August 18, 2021 Cleveland City Council's Committee of the Whole *CotW" Meeting starting at 9:00 AM for @cledocumenters #CLEdocumenters & @NeighborUpCle.

This meeting will be held in-person in Mercedes Commitee Room 217 with limited seating due to COVID-19.

This will be two live broadcasts.

One will be via @TV20Cleveland's youtube channel and Cable Channel,

tv20cleveland.com/watch-now/

I will be joining remotely by the other option, a stream via youtube.

youtube.com/user/Cleveland…

Public Notice of the CotW meeting.

cityofcleveland.legistar.com/LegislationDet…

Before the stream starts review the Agenda for the meeting. Committee of the Whole will review 29 emergency ordinances.

Access today's CotW's Agenda in PDF form here,
cityofcleveland.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&…

Today's CotW's Agenda, pages 1-4

Today's CotW's Agenda, pages 5-8

Use Cleveland City Council's Legistar to access many of the documents (Public Notice, Agenda, Emergency Ordinances, Executive Summaries, Amendments) referenced in the meeting.

cityofcleveland.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

Here is direct link to today's Committee of the Whole Legistar page,

cityofcleveland.legistar.com/DepartmentDeta…

To access the documents referenced in this meeting,

Select Meeting Details > New page will load
Select from File # Column on the left > New page will load
Select from Attachments > document will load

Direct Link to Meeting Details
cityofcleveland.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.…

I will return again around 9:00 AM with a direct link to the youtube stream for Committee of the Whole Meeting.

Join us and watch here,

Council has roll called in members. We can see the new stream via their youtube which is being streamed by @TV20Cleveland .

The audio is terrible. One can hear multiple people talking at once and a loud electronic buzz.

Turns out it was Council President Kevin Kelly and forgot t use the microphone. He has stated that they will keep the room limited to 23 people and under.

Nora Kelly is talking and a resident of Ward 17. "I've been fortunate to helping and form Clevelanders For Public Comments. ... I want to provide a little window to our coalition."

Nora Kelly, "Despite multiple requests to President Kelly he has refused to meet with our group and has refused to acknowledge our groups."

@Jesstrivisonno, a resident, is present and now talking, "It is flawed because it asks the Clerk to take on political decisions about the policy of public comment."

@Jesstrivisonno "That flaw can be addressed with a simple amendment. She reads the amendment. "Giving oversight to Council is important and protects the Clerk of Council...We have waited over 100 years for public comment and should waiting for a couple more months is worth it."

Diane Morgan, a resident, is present and is also a member of Clevelanders for Public Comment. She shares a story about a conversation with another resident who was shocked that we do not have public comments.

Morgan, "We need to have a clear, crystal procedure for citizens to come to Council meetings, have our testimonies recorded, submitted and presented. A good example is Akron. ... It is holding back citizens and engagement in our Government."

Morgan, "I'm asking we go back and look at the legislation we put together."

Rosemary Palmer of Ward 12 says a member of Councli told her that we don't need public comment because they are often in the community. She recommends it

Michelle Jackson of Ward 4 is present and states, "As the proposed rule stands, no one should be taking a victory lap yet. From the begging we were advised that real policy happens in committee."

Mrs. Jackson, "A real rule change versus of a campaign talking point would prioritize public comment at committee meetings. Instead of Democratic Reform we have a reaffirmation of status quo. ... This body has the rare moment to do the transformative thing."

Randy Cunnigham of Ward 11 is present and here in favor of CoPC proposal instead of Council's.

"The appearance of Democracy is what is valued in our society but real democracy confronts a blizzard of little things so that appearances do not become a reality.

Cunnigham, "Little things with big consequences....The tyranny of little things has asserted itself. ... We have been petition City Hall fora public comment for most of the year. We have been told the proposed ordinance needs more research and vetting."

Cunnigham, "Now there is a proposal to allow public comment as a rule change. It is however a pale and pathetic proposal."

Cunnigham advocates for a petition drive to push the ordinance through without Council if they fail to take corrective action.

David Brock of Ward 16, "Those of us supporting public comment recognize this is no panacea for the issues facing Clevelanders today. There are two primary reasons to issue a clear and consistent policy: PRACTICALITY and SYMBOLISM."

Michael Hardy is present, "Public comment as a rule has limitations. If we want what is best for our City then public comment in the form of an ordinance is what we need. ... Public Comment should be viewed as an asset not as a burden."

Residents speaking on behalf of Clevelanders for Public Comments have ended. Council deliberates briefly.

Council introduces Emergency Ordinance "EO" 537-2021

EO 537-2021 text and Executive Summary

E0 537-2021 is approved.

EO 538-2021 is presented,

Sponsors B. Jones, Gray, Brancatelli and Kelley all support the EO.

EO 538-2021 is approved.

President Kelly, "Community Development now and Public Safety in a meeting."

EO 458-2021 is presented.

Text and Executive Summary.

"Essentially an amendment. ... We need to change the funding years of the grant. No changes to scope. We continue to do the repairs."

Ward 3's Council Member Kerry McCormack,

"This is a great investment for the City of Cleveland."

Kelly stops and asks if he should recuse as he is an ad hoc member of a committee for May Dugan. Kelly recuses.

EO 458-2021 is approved.

EO-531-2021 is presented.

Text and Legislative Summary

Ward 12's CM Brancatelli supports the legislation.

Ward 8 CM Michael Polensek states he does not see a number clause. Kelly states in the third where as clause.

W8 CM Polensek is seeking clarification about the processes of Council and the impact of the legislation,

"Anything over $50,000 has to be approved by Council...If we're going to give them any amount of money we have to pass an enabling resolution..."

W8 CM Polensek, "I want to know who is getting the funds and its impact on all of our wards."

W1 CM Joe Jones seconds Polensek and want to make sure there is accountability and Council has proper oversight.

W9 CM Kevin Conwell shares that many residents has not been able to access anyone associated with the Emergency Rental Assistance Program.

Conwell recommends bring in a Housing Court Judge and an individual from CMSD.

EO-531-2021 stands to be approved.

EO 459-2021

New Proposed Text

There is a 106 page application included that details the grant and goals for using the funds,

cityofcleveland.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&…

President Kelly inquires about the nature of the language change and why there have been no corrections concerning the legislation text, which was previously discussed in another meeting.

"Time sensitivity of this, if this was passed in September, would that be an issue?"

"Yes, the grant period started. ... We spoke to the Law Department, and the body of the text is correct."

EO 459-2021 is held until September.

EO 533-2021 is presented.

Text and Memorandum/Summary

E0533-2021 will address legal dumping by providing funds to the Environmental Crimes Task Force for these purposes,

$ 15,200 – Personnel – Detectives and supervisor overtime
$ 800 – Clothing for Task Force Officers
$ 3,120 – Contracts – Cell phone service
$ 19,120 – TOTAL

W3 CM McCormack advocates for installation of cameras in certain high dumping areas, Train Avenue.

W1 CM Jones also advocates for cameras in certain area in his ward, E143rd street and Lipton Avenue.

"Environmental Crimes Task force has a hot list of high dumping areas and interviews residents."

Discussion ensues about the number of people investigating this (two full time members in coordination with other departments) and camera usage.

W9 CM Conwell also seconds W3 and W1 Council Members.

EO 533-2021 stands to be approved.

A Chief returns to discuss EO 459-2021 and how overtime will be used to conduct sweeps.

~$24,000 in overtime will not be reimbursed if the EO is not approved today.

President Kelly asks for a change to the legislative text to be returned before they finished today.

EO 665-2021 is presented. It is not on the agenda.

EO authorizes "Director of Finance to enter into a multi-party Amended and Restated Agreement with Say Yes To Education, Inc. and various public entities..."

"The legislation updates and amends the governance agreement originally signed in 2019...More than 1100 students in Post-Secondary programs...Say Yes Nationals decided to streamline their organization and wind down their operations...On-the-ground it does not affect students."

W8 CM Polensek asks for an updated list of schools involved with the program and where "the greatest penetration rate in the city, where are they coming from that they can take advantage of the program?"

W1 CM Jones asks for clarifications on the changes.

Say Yes speaker, "Say Yes National will no longer actively be involved outside of providing initial seed money committed. Say Yes Cleveland needs approval."

"So, we're transitioning from the local to the national?" Yes.

Conversation continues about Say Yes! the National Program; the local Say Yes! Cleveland program; and related topics such as reason why some parents may not file FASFA.

All of the Council Members speak highly of the program.

NOTE: This should read from the NATIONAL to the LOCAL. Not what was originally typed.

The Speaker is Diane Downing who is the Executive Director of Say Yes Cleveland.

Council President Kelly wants to spread awareness of Say Yes as he states Cleveland is the only City in Ohio with this program.

Learn about Say Yes Cleveland,

sayyescleveland.org

CotW moves on Economic Development Emergency Ordinances. Ther are 4 ordinances for review.

David Ebersole is present. He is Cleveland's Director of Economic Development.

EO 548-2021 "Authorizing the Director of Economic Development to enter into a grant agreement with the Greater Cleveland Media Development Corporation dba Greater Cleveland Film Commission"

Text and Executive Summary

Greater Cleveland Film Commission President Bill Garvey is present and reflects on how they have to go out and lobby production companies to work in Cleveland.

"I'm going to leverage to bring more jobs here."

President Kelly asks about the effect of the Pandemic.

President Garvey shares he was prepping a Lions Gate film that was shutdown but there is currently a 100 million film shooting locally now and two more 50 million budgeted films set to shoot soon.

W8 CM Polensek, "I suppor tthe legislation but where is the money coming from?

Director Ebersole, "Economic Development funds."

Polensek, "You have a line item in your budget for this?"

Ebersole, "It is part of the overall funds."

EO 548-2021 stands to be approved.

EO 549-2021 is presented

EO allows the Dir of ED "into a nonforgivable loan agreement with 7501 Carnegie, LLC...to provide economic development assistance to partially finance the purchase of machinery and equipment for the Central Kitchen..."

Text and Development Summary

EO 549-2021 stands to be approved.

EO 550-2021 is presented.

Text and Summary

EO 550-2021 allows Director of ED to "enter into a grant agreement with The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission...to provide financial assistance to organize and administer programs for marketing

Cleveland as a venue for sporting events and to actively market the Public Auditorium as a premier site for the hosting of major events."

EO 550-2021 stands to be approved.

EO 556-2021 is presented.

Granted the Director of ED to "enter into a Tax Increment Financing Agreement with CC Superior Holding LLC, and/or its designee, to fund eligible project costs or project debt for the development of property for the Cross Country Mortgage"

"Services Project located between Payne and Superior Avenue and E. 21st and E. 22nd Streets; to provide for payments to the Cleveland Metropolitan School District; and to declare certain improvements to real property to be a public purpose."

EO 556-2021
Text, pages 1-4

EO 556-2021
Text, pages 5-6

EO 556-2021
Executive Summary

W16 CM Brian Kazy asked several questions about the TIF, particularly "Why 30 years?"; if the Director is speaking to the County about the TIF; and the amount of taxes lost over the 30 years.

School taxes of $45,000 per year for 30 years + $500,000 in additional taxes (presumably, over 30 years) revenue

versus

~$300,000 lost in additional taxes if TIF is approved

Note: Please, review this portion to make sure these numbers are accurate.

W16 CM Brian Kazy, "30 years is too long. Cross Country mortgage is one of the top mortgage companies in the country ... I don't understand why it has to be 30 years."

W8 CM Polensek follows up and asks for an explanation of the 30 year choice.

Director Ebersole "We do our analysis to make the determinations if the value is correct and efficient to make the project pencil out."

W8 CM Polensek, "Without the 30 year TIF, the project will not happen?"

Director of ED Ebersole, "Correct."

W1 CM @CleveJoeJones engages in a back and forth with Director Ebersole concerning taxes.

W11 CM Brain Mooney is talking without his microphone, make it hard to understand. The questions concern the TIF and when they start.

W1 CM @kazy_brian asks if the property has been purchased and if the project will continue without the TIF.

Dir of ED Ebersole, "Yes."

EO 556-2021 stands to be approved. Unclear if there will be any Nays.

Council moves to Capital Projects.

Director of Capital Projects Matthew L. Spronz is present.

EO 298-2021 is presented.

Text

EO 298-2021
Executive Summary

EO 298-2021 will redesign Franklin BLVD with mini roundabouts, asphalt resurfacing, & removal of signals to address the traffic concerns of citizens.

Source - Contributed Funds
City of Cleveland Road and Bridge Bonds - $657,360
NOACA Pavement Preservation Program - $2,629,440

W3 CM McCormack thanks residents for their time and contributions.

He comments "Our passion for holding this legislation for months is not frivolous to make sure the final product is safe for our roads and families. We will continue to advocate for speed bumps."

W15 CM Jenny Spencer recognizes the Staff of Capital Projects with a specific shoutout to Administrative Bureau Manager Rick Spetowski (sp?)

EO 298-2021 stands to be approved.

EO 472-2021 is presented.

Text

EO 472-2021
Executive Summary

EO 472-2021 stands to be approved.

EO 554-2021 is presented.

Dominion East will be replacing gas pipelines. This is the 3rd year pf 20 of replacing pipelines. A $2,000,000,000 (2 billion) program.

Cleveland contributes no funds.

Text

Council shares about the lack of interaction and communication between Dominion East, their practices, and how their conducting their work.

W1 CM Jones shares DE has not engaged Council Members meaningfully.

Additionally, W1 CM Jones shares that contractors are being rude, shutting off water without notice, and generally dismissive of the Community. He calls for Community Forums to educate citizens.

W8 CM Polensek asks, "DE reimburses us for our inspection services?

Director Spronz, "That is correct."

Polensek, "These are full-time employees, correct?"

Dir Spronz, "No, we hire consultants."

Polensek, "So if a tree is damaged, they review it?"

Dir Spronz, "Yes,"

Polensek, "When they do work for the suburbs they (contractors) do it better and more professionally than when they do it for us in the City."

Polensek seeks to have better communication on repairs that are supposed to be conducted by DE when they damage a tree.

EO 554-2021 stands to be approved.

EO 555-2021 is presented.

This EO adds $800,000 in funds to rehabilitate East 105th Street from East Boulevard to Greenlawn Avenue. Total project costs now ~$8,736,012.

Text and Executive Summary

EO 555-2021 stands to be approved.

EO 712-2021 is presented. It was not on the agenda.

Text

EO 712-2021 will be reviewed by full Council.

EO 668-2021 is presented. It was not on the agenda.

Text and Executive Summary

EO 668-2021 stands to be approved.

Council moves on to Public Works Emergency Ordinances.

Director of Public Works Michael E. Cox is present.

EO 356-2021 is presented.

Dominion Energy seeks a utility easement to move a regulating station in an underground vault to above ground taking up a portion of Humphrey Park.

Text & Legislative Summary

W8 CM Polensek verifies the road will be concrete instead of gravel.

Director Cox confirms it is concrete.

EO 356-2021 stands to be approved.

EO 536-2021 is presented.

This EO is an amendment to a previous EO that accepted a $325,000 Grant from the Cleveland Foundation to build the African American Cultural Garden. It allows the Director to do more than accepting grants such as obtain marketing, hire architects, etc.

Executive Summary

Council Members reflect on the important of the garden and are urging to complete the 3,000,000 project as it has been in development for a long time - ~20 years.

President Kelly is focused on the length of the amendment and

EO 536-2021 stands to be approved.

EO 540-2021 is presented.

This EO will fund $4,744,000 to purchase vehicles for Public Works. To see the lists click one of the tables below.

Text and Executive Summary

Commissioner Brown is present.

EO 540-2021 stands to be approved.

EO 547-2021 is presented.

This is an annual general fund request for all vehicles. The total amount requested is $8,200,670.

Text

EO 547-2021
Executive Summary

Public Safey: Law Enforcement
Marked Patrol Car - 15 x 45,000 = $675,000
Marked SUV - 25 x 58,000 - $1,450,000
Total: $2,125,000

Public Safety: First Responders
EMS Ambulance - 2 x 345,000 = $690,000

Fire Aerial - 1 x 1,130,000 = 1,130,000
Fire Pumper - 2 x 535,000 = 1,070,000
Fire SUV - 1 x 65,000 = 65,000
Total: $2,265,000

W8 CM Polensek wonders why so few Patrol Cars. Director Cox states that is what Public Safety requested. Polensek comments about the condition of the patrol cars and seems frustrated. He makes an off comment about Director Cox talking with someone named Fred.

W16 CM Kazy asks about waste carts.

W11 CM Mooney still does not use his microphone (perhaps it is broken) and asks about fire trucks. His microphone starts working.

Mooney continues about the degraded conditions of our ambulances. He suggests using the Recovery Act money to purchase vehicles such as ambulances instead of general fund money and it will give more freedom to use general funds for other initiatives.

President Kelly suggests approval does not mean we have to spend it.

W17 CM Slife follows up on the carts & asks about the blue recycling cans.

Director Cox indicates that currently the blue cans will be repurposed to those recycling.

W17 CM Slife, "What is done over time to standardize our vehicles?"

Commissioner Brown, "We evaluate vehicle models and makes with that particular division...We do try to standardize to the best of our ability."

EO 547-2021 stands to be approved.

EO 587-2021 is presented.

This EO will designate E.147th street from Aspinwall Avenue to Pepper Avenue with a secondary and honorary designation of “Pastor James Walden, Jr. Way”.

Text

EO 587-2021 stands to be approved.

CotW moves to Port Control emergency ordinances.

Directory of Port Control Robert W. Kennedy is present.

EO 535-2021 is presented.

This EO renews their contract with Recess Creative LLC for one more year while Port Control reviews their options.

Text and Executive Summary

EO 535-2021 stands to be approved

EO 541-2021 is presented.

This EO will renew a 2 year contract for 1 year in order to provide U.S.S. Cod a space to use 0.64 acres of land.

Text and Executive Summary

EO 541-2021 stands to be approved.

EO 542-2021 is presented.

This EO wil renew a contract with "C&K Industrial Services, Inc. to provide professional sewer inspection, operation, and reporting services for the Department of Port Control"

Text

EO 542-2021 stands to be approved.

EO 543-2021 is presented.

This EO seeks the first option to renew a contract with "Elite Line Services Inc., to provide for the upgrading, enhancing, refurbishing, and moving City-owned jet bridges at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport."

Text

EO 543-2021 stands to be approved.

EO 545-2021 is presented.

This EO seeks first option to renew a contract with "Nachurs Alpine Solutions, LLC to provide FAA-approved deicing chemicals."

EO 545-2021 stands to be approved.

EO 546-2021 is presented.

This EO will extend a lease for one year with Wargo Law, LLC for their space at Terminal Building at Burke Lakefront Airport for $3,115.00/year rent.

EO 546-2021 stands to be approved.

EO 551-2021 is presented.

This EO will enter into a new 5-year lease with USPS for space at the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

Text and Executive Summary

EO 551-2021 stands to be approved.

EO 553-2021 is presented.

This EO will "enter into a 20-year Lease Agreement with KCLE JETS INC. dba JETS FBO Network for use of an aircraft hangar and associated ramp parking space at 19601 Five Points Road for operation of a fixed-base operating business."

EO 553-2021 stands to be approved.

Resolution 586-2021 is presented.

This Resolution supports Ohio Senate Bills 159 and 192, which will protect long-term owner occupied homes from exorbitant property tax increases if the rate increases by reducing certain property taxes.

Text

Council Members are interested in these two Senate Bills and are all have asked to be added to sponsor this legislation and to be updated about its progress in State Congressional Committees.

Resolution 586-2021 stands to be approved.

EO 650-2021 is presented. It was not on the schedule.

President Kelly states they are obligated to pass this whether or not they agree with the bill.

The Text is a 16 page document (first page included).

Full document:
cityofcleveland.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&…

EO 650-2021 stands to be approved.

EO 664-2021 is presented. This EO is not on the schedule and was under suspension.

This EO will allow the Clerk to enter a contract with American Legal Publishing for the professional services necessary to provide on-line access for the Charter and the Codified Ordinances.

EO stands to be heard this afternoon in Full Council.

Council is stalling to vote to receive an update EO 459-2021 before voting on it.

President Kelly asks if there are objections to voting on the floor this afternoon if the updated EO is provided.

Some back and forth occurs about the "clerical error."

Today's, August 18. 2021 Cleveland City Council's Committee of the Whole has adjourned at or about ~12:40 PM.

Council will meet at 2:00 PM for a regular Council Meeting.

Check out @GenniferwithaG_ for the live-tweet session.

Remember to check out Mildred Seward's recorded notes of this meeting. They should be posted soon on the Cleveland Documenter's website, access past meetings here:

cleveland.documenters.org/meetings/?alt=…

To become involved and for more meeting coverage, check out documenters.org. Have questions? Think we got something wrong? Send any enquiries on the meeting or these tweets to @cledocumenters

Or email us at [e-mail]@cledocumenters

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