Thread by @DocumenterK

Hi! I'm Keith and I will be live-tweeting today, Monday, January 31, 2022, Cleveland City Council's Caucus Meeting ("CM") that starts at 12:00 PM for @cledocumenters #CLEdocumenters & @NeighborUpCle.

CM Meeting Notice for Monday, January 31, 2022.
Notice was released three (3) days ago on Friday, January 28, 2022.

CM Agenda for Monday, January 31, 2022.

This agenda does not inform us of anything.

Meanwhile, review @cledocumenters Legislative Workflow Guide,

cleveland.documenters.org/documents/legi…

CM should be streaming soon via the Council's youtube page,

youtube.com/user/Cleveland…

Or access via @TV20Cleveland,

tv20cleveland.com/watch-now/

CM is live,

Ward 6 and Council President Blaine Griffin does not believe he needs to call the roll. He informs that the usual room they hold the CM is under construction.

"The purpose of the Caucus is to touch base on the Council to deliberate on issues that they need to have further discussion about and to understand. As well as to make sure there are political conversations in this setting. We also utilize this opportunity for presentations."

W3 & Majority Leader Kerry McCormack speaks.

W3 CM McCormack shares his thoughts on the Caucus meeting,

"We heard it loud and clear, these will be on a regular basis."

W8 CM Mike Polensek speaks.

W8 CM Mike Polensek shares his history with Caucus Meeting.

"I wholeheartedly support the Caucus process and applaud you for bringing this historic process back."

W6 CM & CP Griffin informs the general public about Caucus Meetings going forward.

"On the fourth Monday, if there are civic groups, political groups, or oher organizations that would like to present to Council, please put forth. This does not replace committee members.

W6 CM Griffin, "We are not voting in this setting, but we did decide to @TV20Cleveland is that we want to be transparent as a Council."

He reminds Council Members,

"Tomorrow for some of the newer member, will be getting your budget book. Please, be on the lookout."

Griffin, "Budget meetings are very intense and move fast. I am not moving on much legislation until after the budget meetings. ... It's a month of intense analyzation."

W6 CM Griffin outlines the Month of February,

"W10 CM Anthony Hairston CBDG budget from Feb 8-10. Budget retreat in near future.
On February 22, we will start budget deliberations for Council."

W6 CM Griffin on why Council does the budget in February.

Summary: It's the law of Ohio.

W3 CM McCormack, "Budget is an excellent opportunity to learn about the City Departments. ... Good opportunity to see the City makeup. To put names and faces to Directors. Take some time with the book, mark it up. ... Be comfortable asking questions. Dig in. Ask other members."

W8 CM Polensek shares his hopes about the Bibb Administration and how they will handle the budget.

"I hope this year will be a peoples budget. I hope the Administration will come well prepared."

W8 CM Polensek continues, "I want an honest assessment of the condition of the Departments."

W1 CM Joe Jones wants to talk as does W9 CM Kevin Conwell.

W9 Conwell reflects on an accurate assessment of departments by having strategic plans.

He states, "You will never get that."

W11 Brian Mooney chimes in before W1 Jones gets to speak.

W11 Mooney suggest implementing on a selective basis his thoughts, "

W6 Griffin cautions on Mooney's proposal,

"One, we do not negotiate contracts. ... I want to respect management rights and not get in sticky situation while negotiating."

W9 Conwell reflects on Mooney's proposal before W1 Jones gets to speak. He informs Mooney there should be motor vehicle reports.

W1 Joe Jones reflects on Caucus Meetings, suggests a miscellaneous portion, points out the mistreatment of Council by the Jackson Administration, and calls for staff evaluations of city departments.

W6 Griffin responds to Jones, "our committees are set up to do that. It's our opportunity to do reconciliation."

W13 Kris Harsh asks about the budget process and how Council's process. Griffin answers and McCormack chimes in.

Do we go through based on Committees? Yes.

It is a M-T-W, or Th & Fr? From Tuesday, until finished.

McCormack, "Block whole days until after 5pm"

W8 Polensek, "There is nothing to stop the collective bargaining units from coming to council budget meetings. The last thing we need is some type of adversarial relationship. We are here to hear the budget."

W2 CM Kevin Bishop ask about the length of the budget process.

W8 Griffin responds it's about 10 days, but he anticipates it will be longer due to new Administration and new Council Members.

On Ward 2 Council Member Kevin L. Bishop.

W8 CM & CP Griffin transitions to State Capitol Budget discussion. He shares that he is talking to consultants, who he has kept on through 2022, about the State Capitol Budget. It is for big and small projects that Cleveland seeks to accomplish.

W8 CM Griffin reminds them that, "These are usually for 'Last dollar in that is needed. Projects that are already done and need last dollar in. It is also for big ticket projects. One that comes to mind is Irish Town Bend, which has a 5 million dollar request."

W8 CM Griffin, "My goal is to align the big projects with the Mayoral Administration, Greater Cleveland Partnership, and the County Executive. I am taking that approach is that I've been told that a joint ask as a region will likely be funded. In the past, we worked in silos."

Ward 7 Council Member Stephanie Howse talks on the budget process.

W7 Stephanie D. Howse reflects and articulates knowing the target amount is important when requesting for funds from the State.

W6 Griffin responds, "I don't know what the target is."

W8 Polensek asks "It is a dollar per category or County?"

W7 Howse, "It usually is regions. Not a science, there's a give and take."

Ward 16 Brian Kazy is up next to comment.

W16 Kazy asks who the consultants are and how the communication process works with other entities.

Griffin, "The ? Group."
Note: I heard Balk Chowder, which is probably wrong.

W16 Kazy who sounds concern about time, "It would behoove the city to start this process sooner."

He asks W7 Howse about deadlines. She reminds her peers that due to redistricting it may be different this year.

W16 Kazy recommends working together. W6 Griffin acknowledges his comment.

W1 Jones, "What is actual deadline date?"

W6 Griffin responds that by February the 9th for our consultants but March begins State deliberations.

Note: abstract art emerges

W1 Jones requests for a list of information concerning the lobbyist and former projects Council has had input on.

W1 Jones continues and asks how often this happens.

W6 Griffin, "Every two years."

W1 Jones follows up about who will

W8 Polensek, "So Greater Cleveland partnership will not put in their own list?" and encourages a partnership with GCP.

W6 Griffin essentially responds on that he doesn't know but they are trying to work together. He says he made the partnership notion clear to GCP.

W9 Conwell enquires about the Governor's money. W7 Howse shares it is the State's money and they have a similar process to budgeting as Cities do.

W6 Griffin shares the Bibb Administration is working on ARPA dollars and he, McCormack, and Spencer have been working together on it.

W8 Polensek, "Who is the point person when Council approves funding that makes sure it carries through and we understand all the implications?"

W6 Griffin responds, sharing that ARPA has strict guidelines, and the Bibb Administration is working with Bricker and Eckler Law Firm on this.

W13 Harsh asks about Council discussing ARPA funding in April and whether the annual budget should factor in ARPA dollars.

W6 Griffin, "On the heels of Budget" and no, ARPA should not factor into annual budget.

W6 Griffin shares the Bibb Administration is also focused on legislation concerning the Huntington Entrepeneur in Residence, which with 11 nonprofits, will focus on Southeast part of Cleveland small businesses of 1 million dollars or less with R&D and back-office support.

Rad more here,

clevelandnp.org/wp-content/upl…

Or here,

finance.yahoo.com/news/huntingto…

W10 Councilman Hairston comments that he did receive a phone call before the rollout by the Bibb Administration but, "There is some discussion that needs to be had."

W6 Griffin responds "It does have to come before us for legislation.

W1 Jones shares some thoughts about ARPA dollars and the failure of former Council President Kelley to arrange any meaningful guidelines for ARPA.

Note: ARPA guidelines were released last year and are available to the public to read.

Note: some interesting images emerge whenever the camera is on Jones. The reflections of Harsh in the mirrors while Joe talks could make for neat cinematography.

Ward 14 Jasmin Santana reflects her opinion the priorities of her peer Council Members and articulating them so everyone is aware.

W14 Santana reflections.

W6 Griffin responds to her call for priority awareness, "How many on Council that we have a civitism (sp?) document? There's actually a document that last council had that outlined priorities."

W1 Jones comments on Huntington Bank's project and issues with the Southeast side.

W1 Jones on Housing development and the alleged devastation on the neighborhoods. He calls for more involvement from non-profits and engagement with Huntingtion.

W8 Polensek concurs with Jones and Griffin on basic respect for any project being promoted by the Mayoral Bibb Administration. He suggests that perhaps it was a misstep. He asks about whose money is involved with the project.

W6 Griffin responds, "It is Huntington's money."
He shares that the Bibb Administration did contact him, and all acknowledged it was problematic that no political figures on the Southeast side was involved.

W8 Polensek highlights the issues with banks disinvesting in neighborhoods and hopes Huntington actions will set a new tone and shift the nature of the bank relationships with Cleveland residents. Community Reinvestment Act.

W1 Jones agrees with Polensek and argues that there are two Clevelands, one with investment and one without. He briefly reflects on history and mentions past work he and other members have attempted.

W1 Jones continues, suggesting a committee be established "to bring financial instructions to the table and to partner with them." He calls for a return to Mayor White days.

W6 Griffin responds that there is a committee that already does this. He moves on to pending legislation, "LEAD Safe allocation funds are being vetted as we speak."

Ward 15, Jenny Spencer speaks next on source of income legislation such as housing choice vouchers in relation to discrimination.

There is legislation proposed that "will prohibit landlords from not renting if they are housing choice vouchers holders"

Ward 13, Rebecca Maurer speaks next.

W13, Maurer suggests that this legislation reflects Racism-as-a-public-health Crisis and mentions a list of players involved. She also comments the legislation will allow Cleveland to enact pay-to-stay and eviction processes.

W6 Griffin notes the County has brought forth legislation, but Cleveland can choose to opt out, and he recommends that "we do our own thing". He also opens the discussion to opposing views.

W13, Harsh offers his perspective as a realtor. He cautions against legally forcing Landlords to accept Section 8 and make sure the City has a response to criticisms of the proposed legislation.

W2 Kevin Bishop also cautions against legislating a human relationship and shares about his experience as a landlord.

W2 Bishop agrees that City legislation on the upkeep of a community but doesn't agree with forcing landlords to pay feeds; on eviction "When a landlord cut his losses, it is a decision that is made well in advance before the tenant shows up with money."

W8 Polensek shares his thoughts about not passing draconian legislation on landlords/tenants/Section 8 and "to keep drilling on this one to make sure that we do the right thing."

W13 Harsh follows up that he agrees with Polensek and often calls Section 8 "government welfare for landlords." He iterates the difference between housing and stores.

Harsh states that he "doesn't know how to tell Landlords that they have to, after signing a contract, that they are contractually obligated to an inspection".

Note: Here's a random article from the Ohio State Law Journal by Klaus M. Ziermaier on the retroactive application of law in Ohio.

kb.osu.edu/bitstream/hand…

W13 Maurer replies "this is helping us catch up to the standards of lots of Cities in Ohio and other states." She notes that the system has to help Mom and Pop's landlords but alleges that isn't the majority of landlords in Cleveland. "It's about creating a balance here."

W1 Jones has the final reflection on this conversation, commenting on the disappointment of Building and Housing. In the time he has been Council, his Ward went from 80% home ownership to 60% rental.

W1 Jones states we need to find out how many properties are rental homes.

W1 Jones, "We are the hottest market in the world for rental homes." He shares a story about how it was basically impossible to have an out-of-state owner remove a tree limb or repair a property.

W1 Jones, "As an elected official, I had to eat crow. ... We have a code enforcement department that did nothing."

W6, Griffin recommends reading a "very good" @ClevelandScene article written by Mark Oprea on the current state of Cleveland's real estate market. He makes a couple jokes about his relationship with the Scene.

Mark Oprea's "Holton-Wise, a Flood of Covert LLCs and Out-of-State Investors Have Radically Changed the Local Housing Market. Is There Anything Cleveland Can Do to Fight Back?"

clevescene.com/scene-and-hear…

McCormack responds, "No person based on their economic status or voucher status is less than others. ... As we move forward, we can focus on policy, but renters are just as valuable as homeowners."

Ward 5, Richard Starr reflects on the state of poverty in his ward with a median income of $13,000 dollars and how City allocates funds into the Wards.

Starr continues commenting on the previous topic.

W6 Griffin cautions that "every ward has significant pockets of poverty but some wards are having more challenges than others."

W1 Jones agrees with Starr.

W8 Polensek asks if the Guardians has agreed to a $15/hour minimum wage. He then complains that no one from City Council is indicated in the Guardians' Monitors Participation page.

"For the amount of money the City is on the hook for we need direct input."

W6 Griffin informs the public that the Housing Court will take rent in escrow if disputes exist between landlord and tenants. He then shares a huge snowstorm may arrive Wednesday.

W12, Maurer shares about the inundation of phone calls concerning the snowplow situation in Cleveland; asks if Council members are interested in becoming more involved with the Mayoral Administration for a centralized message over the next few days, & filtering complaints.

W8, Polensek responds, "All of us were bombarded with phone calls."

He complained that at last year's budget hearing they were told by the City everything was fine with the amount of equipment.

Polensek shared this complaint (being told one thing but reality being different) with new Chief Operating Officer Bonnie Teeuwen as he wants to end that kind of relationship and wants an accurate assessment.

There were over 1,000 phone calls not answered & transferred to elevator muzak.

Polensek then called snowbird himself and was transferred to Streets, which informed him they are not sharing the new snowbird number. He has indicated this issue with Bonnie and others.

He concludes, "I'm not going to be a pin cushion about a service that I can't control." He then gives W1 Jones a brief moment to reflect.

W1 Jones, "I represent a Senior Citizen population and they say 'We know when the storm is going to come so why aren't we prepared?'"

Jones and Howse offers another comment before the meeting closed.

Cleveland City Council's Caucus Meeting on Monday, January 31, 2022 adjourned around 1:54PM.

Remember to check out recorded notes and live-tweets for other governance meetings. They are posted 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

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