Finance, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee

Cleveland City Council
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Monday, May 22, 2023
2:00 p.m. — 4:00 p.m. EDT

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The Finance, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee of Cleveland City Council reviews and discusses legislation related to the Finance and Law Departments and the Office of Equal Opportunity and policies that affect the city’s financial stability and operations. It reviews much of the legislation that goes through council, typically as a final stop in the committee stage to decide whether to send legislation to the full council for a future vote on passage or another public reading. Legislation reviewed by this committee often pertains to finances, taxation, the standardization of salaries and wages, union agreements, civil service, pensions and sale, lease or purchase of real estate, changes to the city’s codified ordinances and charter amendments, items related to courts, items relating to licenses and those imposing fines, penalties, forfeitures or imprisonment, printing and advertising, monitoring compliance with community benefit agreements, policies and procedures, and the city’s efforts on diversity, equity and inclusion.

Find live streams of this meeting:

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ClevelandCityCouncil/streams

On TV20: http://www.tv20cleveland.com/watch-now/

For more information go to Cleveland City Council’s website: https://www.clevelandcitycouncil.org.

Check the source website for additional information

Reporting

Edited and summarized by the Cleveland - OH Documenters Team

Note-taking by Barbara Phipps

City looking to sell $7 million in bonds to buy vehicles, equipment

Live reporting by Gennifer Harding-Gosnell

City Council committee approves proposal to prep land for development

Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_
Cash Rules Everything Around Me: I’m live-tweeting today’s @CleCityCouncil Finance, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee meeting starting at 2 for @cledocumenters & @signalcleveland. #CLEDocumenters https://t.co/ddYOQhMvbm

12:58 PM May 22, 2023 CDT

Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 2/42
There is a full boatload of ordinances waiting on the agenda:
cleveland.documenters.org/documents/agen…
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 3/42
Think we got something wrong? Send any enquiries on the meeting or these tweets to @cledocumenters or email us at cledocumenters@gmail.com
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 4/42
This meeting will be live-streamed on @CleCityCouncil’s YouTube channel:
@ClevelandCityCouncil/featured' target='_blank'>youtube.com/@ClevelandCity

And here's the link to watch on @TV20Cleveland:

tv20cleveland.com/watch-now/
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 5/42
Ward 3 Council Member @KerryMcCormack1 is chairing this meeting and apologizes to us "poor souls" that are "stuck with me" for this meeting. Don't mess it up, McCormack! 😂

youtube.com/watch?v=9UZGU4…
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 6/42
The first ordinance is passed, approving a sister-city relationship between Cleveland and Novi Sad, Serbia.
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 7/42
Next, an ordinance to provide funding for this organization - a network of doulas, birth experts who support women with pregnancies at high-risk for infant mortality with a variety of pre-natal services. I have a friend who is a doula, she loves it. birthingbeautiful.org
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 8/42
Representatives of Birthing Beautiful explain the wraparound services provided by the doulas in their network, and it includes post-partum services. McCormack & Ward 9 Councilman @kevinconwell216 ask to be added as co-sponsors to the legislation. https://t.co/51HV4BvAhN
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 9/42
Carnival barker @KerryMcCormack1 is handing over the next legislation's discussion to Ward 14 Council Member @jsantanaward14, it's on the CentroVilla 25 development. https://t.co/E7LdtkJ6g1
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 10/42
We're watching an animated tour of what the CentroVilla25 space will look like, and it's quite lively Latin musical accompaniment. https://t.co/o7sfYWAGj5
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 11/42
@jsantanaward14 explained, just what I suspected, CentroVilla25 is a mercado!! I love indoor markets, they're cozy but highly social, the goods are authentic and will directly support members of our Latino community right here in Cleveland. https://t.co/EZ5YONBCWh
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 12/42
Ordinance No. 487-2023 provides funding for Site Readiness that would have city land clean & ready for companies to develop job facilities here. https://t.co/6k721laFix
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 13/42
More from the city's presentation: https://t.co/KY3LdFHort
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 14/42
Here's how this project would staffed for decision-making and management. https://t.co/yyJ2YGI3it
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 15/42
@KerryMcCormack1 says it's a "tangible, meat-and-potatoes" way of getting jobs back into the city & wants to see cooperation from @GCRTA making each of the new sites accessible for city-based workers. https://t.co/kKeCo6qXUt
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 16/42
Ward 8 Council Member Mike Polensek, who still owes me twenty-five cents, gives us a history lesson on NAFTA, & has concerns about tensions with property owners on issues like delinquent taxes & EPA standards. https://t.co/xydGsZFmsz
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 17/42
Polensek says he wants to make sure these sites aren't near wealthier neighbourhoods & used by developers to build expensive housing.
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 18/42
I googled Cuyahoga Land Bank President Gus Frangos to make sure he wasn't a @ProFootballHOF member wearin' his gold jacket to a City Council meeting. https://t.co/LEmrCammsO
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 19/42
@CityofCleveland Chief Financial Officer Ahmed Abonamah says they are hesitant to disclose the locations of selected sites because it will instantly drive up prices around that and surround land. That's kinda scary that it happens so quickly & easily. 😳
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 20/42
The goal is to prepare at least 1,000 acres total across the city for investment, over approx. the next ten years.
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 21/42
WOW. Ward 10's Anthony Hairston just said he's had people call him looking for space wanting to bring jobs to Cleveland & he's had to tell them no. I have lots of questions....😳 https://t.co/i1Jmd7gnjR
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 22/42
Hairston is now explaining several amendments to the legislation, starting with financial returns being split at least 50% in the site fund and neighborhood development.
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 23/42
Hairston explains another amendment that would give @CleCityCouncil more power over the selection of advisory board meetings.
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 24/42
Hairston's doing the formal reading of the proposed amendents now. https://t.co/bKSXHziQTj
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 25/42
The ordinance will be held while the amendments are pending. The next ordinance is for funding that provides more trauma-informed programs & neighbourhood resources at the city's rec center.
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 26/42
This legislation on trauma-informed programming at rec centers was approved last week in Council's Safety Committee meeting before being moved on to this committee:
youtube.com/watch?v=4ILf2Z…
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 27/42
This ordinance is approved. Moving on to ordinances that will fund air-quality sampling & monitoring equipment, featuring Director of @CleDPH @DaveMargo! https://t.co/88rScMlmUc
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 28/42
City of Cleveland Lead Auctioneer @KerryMcCormack1 races through the reading of the Waterfront Fund and lakefront development legislation with $3M of #ARPA dollars.

Some background on all the proposed projects from @NeotransB:
neo-trans.blog/2023/05/05/cle…
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 29/42
Oh my, this is ultra-interesting! Something else I definitely want to know more details about. Some of this is over my head, not gonna lie. https://t.co/CVm1XgwHG7
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 30/42
Hairston has more proposed amendments, including increased reporting requirements to @CleCityCouncil. Santana seconds the amendments & they are approved by the full committee. https://t.co/14t1bOAAgA
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 31/42
McCormack & Polensek discuss the Cleveland Browns' involvement. City reps say the Waterfront Plan they are looking at is separate from what the Haslam Sports Group proposed but that they are expected to be involved in future discussions. https://t.co/kLzn3uHFn4
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 32/42
This ordinance is approved. The committee is moving on to an ordinance to explore new options for food service management at Hopkins Airport. Here is how the conversations on this legislation started last week:

signalcleveland.org/cleveland-city…
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 33/42
The committee approves a new lease with the @cleairshow at Burke.
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 34/42
@KerryMcCormack1 today. He's enjoying this way too much. 🙄😂 https://t.co/vxoSkqi8eg
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 35/42
The committee & airport execs are discussing several ordinances to fund equipment, de-icing, improvements & other airport maintenance systems. These are approved. https://t.co/snvHNullI3
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 36/42
Dept. of Public Utilities for the @CityofCleveland Martin Keane is there for his department's bi-annual request for funding to repair & maintain the city's sewer system. Utilities Committee chair @kazy_brian says this was approved in his committee, it is also approved here. https://t.co/UhwfLl5wPi
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 37/42
I know I'm old, but Abonamah shaves all his face hair off and looks like he's 12. Meanwhile @kazy_brian's beard, he's Abe Linkin Park. 🤘🏻😅 https://t.co/ANT1MZN5kI
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 38/42
Some background on the @SOPECenergy agreement. Council members Polensek, Harsh & Kazy all expressed their disapproval that the city did not attempt to implement this sooner. Polensek has concerns about how effective it will be.

cleveland.com/news/2023/05/n…
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 39/42
The Law Director is explaining the ordinance being reviewed is to allow the selling of bands to acquire millions of dollars to purchase Public Safety equipment & vehicles, not the actual purchase, those will come back as future legislation. https://t.co/lDn5TIl5cM
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 40/42
The committee is rolling through several recreation & development ordinances. Carnival barker Kerry McCormack has adjourned the meeting with just under 55 minutes to spare before the full @CleCityCouncil meeting starts.
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 41/42
Today is also #WorldGothDay!

I expect a Council that embraces diversity will have created a resolution for this evening’s @CleCityCouncil meeting to recognise all us black-clothed bad-ass Clevelanders, we gave you Nine Inch Nails & nightclubs in warehouses, you owe us. https://t.co/5p8Zuhcx7n
Gennifer Harding-Gosnell @GenniferwithaG_ 42/42
This concludes my coverage of today’s @CleCityCouncil’s Finance, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee meeting for @cledocumenters. Keep up with all local government happenings on our website at signalcleveland.org/governmentmeet….

Agency Information

Cleveland City Council

Cleveland City Council is the legislative branch of the government of the City of Cleveland in Ohio. There are 17 elected Cleveland City Council members representing the 17 wards of the City of Cleveland. Each ward has approximately 25,000 residents. Council Members are elected to serve a four-year term. Council members serve two roles in their duties: to draft and enact legislation for the city of Cleveland and act as ombudsmen for their constituents.

Find meetings streamed at: *online on TV20 at: http://www.tv20cleveland.com/watch-now/

*The meetings are also streamed on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ClevelandCityCouncil/

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