Finance, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee

The Cleveland City Council Finance, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee meeting will be broadcast live on:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ClevelandCityCouncil
• Cleveland TV Channel 20 (Spectrum Cable TV)
• TV 20 Livestream online: http://www.tv20cleveland.com/watch-now/

Today the @CleCityCouncil Finance, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee has a robust 5-page agenda.

https://cityofcleveland.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1002638&GUID=87994910-0B11-450B-867A-A554E68F5D87&G=2EB18EF1-2C21-4D1D-85C9-B38100AB8FFD https://t.co/oNvfh2atFC

Agenda pages 2 & 3 https://t.co/1SrUrOt9b0

Agenda pages 4 & 5 https://t.co/L2v0pe3s0i

Committee members:
Chair: Council President Blaine A. Griffin — Ward 6
Vice Chair: Kerry McCormack – Ward 3
Ward 2 Kevin Bishop, Ward 14 Kevin Conwell, Ward 10 Anthony Hairston, Ward 16 Brian Kazy, Ward 8 Michael D. Polensek, Ward 14 Jasmin Santana & Ward 15 Jenny Spencer https://t.co/ylBB0e9yXF

The @CleCityCouncil Finance, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee researches, investigates, develops & implements public policy & advocates for the financial stability & operations of the @CityofCleveland.
https://www.clevelandcitycouncil.org/council/committees/finance-diversity-equity-inclusion

The Finance, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee also oversees the Departments of Finance & Law & the Office of Equal Opportunity, & any processes & policies that impact the City’s financial stability & operations.

Watch it here:👇

The meeting started late. Clerk calls the roll.
Committee members present:
Chair: Council President Blaine Griffin & Vice Chair: Kerry McCormack
Council Members: Kevin Bishop, Anthony Hairston, Brian Kazy, Jasmin Santana & Jenny Spencer
Absent: Kevin Conwell & Michael Polensek

Committee Chair Blaine Griffin starts the meeting & says he wants to call up a few guests: The Director of Economic Development & reps from the Meijer grocery store. Chief Integrated Development Officer Jeff Epstein & Ms. Brown (1st name not given) are representing the Dept. https://t.co/WusDjNh1Va

The reps are from Fairmount Properties — General Counsel Rebecca Molyneaux & Director of Finance Jeff Steck are there to discuss Emergency Ord. #891-2022 for construction of the Meijer grocery store to be located at East 105th Street & Cedar Avenue. Estimated cost: $1.5 million. https://t.co/PI3n2uW7zL

The ordinance would allow the Director of Economic Development to enter into a “UDAG loan” with Fairmount Properties. UDAG means Urban Development Action Grant Program. Ms. Brown calls public-private partnership “a great project.”

The grocery store will be 40,000 square feet & located in the Fairfax neighborhood. Partners are City of Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic, Meijer, Fairfax Renaissance Development Corporation & Fairmount. About the project: https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2021/12/14/community-partners-break-ground-on-52-8-million-grocery-market-and-apartment-complex-in-cleveland-innovation-district/

City Chief Integrated Development Officer Jeff Epstein says the city is very excited about the project. He says they’ve been dealing with inflation across the board & “the team” reached out to the city for extra help. https://t.co/HOXZQOeCPg

Committee Chair Griffin asks if supply chain issues are responsible for assistance being needed for the project. Fairmount Properties General Counsel Rebecca Molyneaux says the construction world has changed due to supply chain issues.

Even thought the project is not in his ward, Committee Vice Chair Kerry McCormack says this is an important project for the city to assist to get it over the “finish line.” He fully supports it. The grocery store will be located in Ward 6.

Councilman Brian Kazy says he echoes Councilman McCormack’s remarks. He has 1 question: who is the energy supplier? Chief Epstein says it’s Cleveland Public Power. Kazy says “Great job. That’s even better.” Councilman Bishop asks if there is a drawing of the project.

Ms. Brown says she has a rendering of the project & hands out copies. Chair Griffin says he needs an electronic copy, so he can “blow it up.” Councilman Polensek thanks @MayorBibb’s administration for its “out off the box thinking.”

Councilman Polensek talks of the importance of retail grocery stores & hopes for more projects like this in the future to address food deserts. Chair Griffin says this is the 1st time the city has gotten the Cleveland Clinic to invest in a project like this.

Chair Griffin says “We’ve been at this for 5 years” through 2 city administrations & several CEOs. There are no other questions. Ord. # 891-2022 is approved. I noted earlier that Councilman Polensek was absent during roll call. I’m not sure when he arrived.

Next Chair Griffin says they’ll be discussing “companion pieces.” Assistant Director of Community Development Michiel Wackers is there because the dept director is traveling today. First they’ll discuss Ord. # 900-2022. https://t.co/DyY3Yl2pgH

Emergency Ord. # 900-2022 will direct a portion of the city’s #COVID Recovery Fund to finance affordable housing & to address vacant or abandoned properties. It’s part of Mayor Bibb’s new Housing for All initiative. #ARPA #HousingForAll https://t.co/iUowWDF9Q2

Assistant Director Wackers also addresses Ord. # 755-2022 which will allow the city to apply for & accept the HOME-ARPA Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD). #ARPA #HousingForAll https://t.co/mIZqjOL8vP

Wackers talks about having projects that are aligned with what council members envisioned. He says $35 million would create about 900 affordable housing units & about 1,200 market rate units. #ARPA #HousingForAll

Wackers says the proposal would make a $140 million direct investment. The city is proposing to “leverage” funds through public-partnerships. He says there a 2 amendment items that might need to be discussed. He refers a PowerPoint presentation council members received last week.

This is confusing. Initially Wackers said the city’s $35 million investment would leverage $700 million in partnership funding. Chair Griffin asks for clarification. Wackers mentions a figure in the $600 million range. I don’t have the exact #. He finally settles on $680 million.

Chair Griffin asks Councilman Hairston to walk them through the amendments. He says they only need to make 1 amendment. Council wants to ensure the administration sends projects back as a slate & not individually. That’s already in the ordinance.

Councilman Hairston says they need to “strike” section 5 in its entirety. It talks about forbearance agreements. The law dept has prepared the amendment & it’s part of their packet. With no questions, members unanimously approve the amendment to emergency ord. #700-2022.

Councilmen Polensek & Kazy want to speak. Polensek says that during a previous meeting they were told the projects listed are not guaranteed. He asks Wackers if that’s correct & he says it is. Polensek asks how additional projects can be submitted.

Wackers says the administration wants to work with council to create a framework with eligibility criteria so developers can submit projects. Polensek asks if they’re submitted to council staff or the administration. Wackers says they’ll go to the Dept. of Community Development.

This is a link to the 2022-2026 #ARPA & HOME-ARP #Housing Gap Investments presentation that Assistant Director of Community Development Michiel Wackers referred to:
https://cityofcleveland.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=11279326&GUID=A3448BB9-FDD2-40A4-927C-1C5EFFF960EE #HousingForAll https://t.co/hiyax0J9Oh

Councilman Polensek has repeatedly referred to projects in the “pipeline.” The projects are listed on 2 slides. Note in the lower right hand corner it says CONFIDENTIAL even though the city has publicly released this presentation. Slide #1👇 https://t.co/t2vZtdmZQI

This is Slide #2 of the project pipeline.👇 https://t.co/CwzCHGQ0EY

In various meetings, Councilman Polensek has continuously raised concerns about the need to create single family homes, not just multi-family units. He’s continuing with this line of questioning. He was previously told that ward-specific projects would not be “entertained.”

He clarifies that when he refers to multi-family units, he’s not referring to housing for seniors because they have special needs. Councilman Polensek mentions the number of vacant lot & asks why they aren’t placing a greater emphasis on “in-fill housing” & single family housing.

FYI: Infill development is the process of developing vacant or under-utilized parcels within existing urban areas that are already largely developed. As a reminder, @MayorBibb’s new initiative is called Housing for All. #HousingForAll #UrbanPlanning

Wackers says the city invests in single family homes. Those projects won’t be restricted from this #ARPA proposal. Polensek refers to community development during Mayor Jackson’s administration. He says “the verdict is still out on you folks” referring to the Bibb administration.

Councilman Polensek says multi-family developments are “preserving poverty” because they don’t give families a chance to grow. “I’ve witnessed it in my time here.” He repeatedly says “We rebuild projects.” Yet they have an abundance of vacant lots. #housing #poverty

Councilman Polensek says he’s been told by “outside individuals” the city is subsidizing these multi-family units somewhere in excess of $200,000 per unit. He recently took several administration officials on a tour of Ward 8 & says other wards have 2-to-3 times more vacant lots.

He says these are “projects” that benefit developers & not families. The Bibb administration needs to come up with a “game plan” — an incentive plan for single family home development. Otherwise neighborhoods won’t stabilize.

Assistant Director of Community Development Michiel Wackers says there are 2 more rounds of #ARPA funding & they’re looking to expand #housing with the adoption of the 10-year housing plan. Councilman Polensek says the “proof will be in the pudding.”

Next Councilman Brian Kazy asks for definitions for affordable rate & market rate #housing. Then he asks if any of the proposed projects are “public housing.” Wackers says no. These are affordable housing units & they won’t be owned by the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority. https://t.co/iFdEiZ7D8T

Councilman @kazy_brian does not want new multi-family housing to look “institutional.” He refers to brick buildings & gated communities. He says he wants to “piggy back” on what Councilman Polensek said about building single family homes with yards. He agrees with his comments.

Chair Griffin says the proposed housing will “de-concentrate poverty” & it will create #housing diversity. Councilwoman Jenny Spencer thanks the Bibb administration for its proposal & says building affordable housing is the best way to spend #ARPA funds. https://t.co/jmc3oqNrJa

Councilwoman @jennyspencercle has “clarifying questions” & refers to the 10-year #housing study. She wants to make sure she appreciates the “scope of the challenge” of creating thousands of affordable housing units. This funding will “go out the door quickly.” #HousingForAll

Committee Chair @Griff4CLE6 commends Councilman Anthony @HairstonCCC10 for his work. He says it’s been a tedious process & they’re in uncharted waters. Ordinance #900-2022 is unanimously approved as amended. They move on to the “companion piece” — ordinance #755-2022.

Ordinance #755-2022 is the HOME-ARPA Grant from the U.S. Dept of Housing & Urban Development. Wackers says this pot of #ARPA funding was allocated by #Congress to address #homelessness. Unlike other ARPA money, this funding will be available until 2028.

This #ARPA proposal will create 250 affordable #housing units & 1 non-congregate #homeless shelter. Wackers says the @CityofCleveland wants to create a shelter using best practices rather than “warehousing” people. #HousingForAll https://t.co/2CmgVPTkAm

Wackers says the non-congregate #homeless shelter would be healthier & provide more dignity for individuals experiencing #homelessness. Councilman Anthony Hairston says a lot of questions were answered in a meeting last week. He asks Councilman Kerry McCormack for his thoughts.

Ward 3 Councilman Kerry McCormack says he believes the #homeless services in @CuyahogaCounty need to be “disrupted” because “they are failing in many ways.” @KerryMcCormack1 is a member of the Cuyahoga County Office of Homeless Services Advisory Board. https://t.co/I6qPrTgOaJ

Councilman McCormack wants to make sure @CityofCleveland is collaborating with @CuyahogaCounty & other partners so they can build a better system for the “unhoused” community. He asks Wackers if the city is committed to doing this.

Wackers assures the councilman the city has made a commitment to work with the #homeless Continuum of Care (CoC). #Homelessness is addressed with a “collaborative & comprehensive approach.” There’s an opportunity to come out of the #pandemic with a better system.

But it requires investment. Wackers says Cuyahoga County is undergoing a strategic planning process. They will re-examine how #homelessness is addressed with the city/county partnership. Councilman McCormack says this is the 1st time he’s heard about the county’s strategic plan.

This is an interesting exchange because Councilman @KerryMcCormack1 & @CityofCleveland Assistant Director of Community Development Michiel Wackers are both members of the Cuyahoga County Office of Homeless Services Advisory Board. http://bc.cuyahogacounty.us/en-US/OHS-Advisory-Board.aspx

Councilman McCormack says he hopes @CuyahogaCounty would engage the largest city in the county on “this critical conversation.” He notes #Cleveland accounts for a third of the county’s population. Most of the unhoused population & #homeless shelters are in the city.

Councilman @KerryMcCormack1 says it would be easy to spend this money & not see any systemic change. “There’s nowhere for folks to go. It’s bad.” He says the current #homeless system is “fragmented.” #ARPA #homelessness

Finally, Councilman McCormack asks Wackers to make sure @CleCityCouncil has a seat at the table for @CuyahogaCounty’s strategic planning since council members deal with #homeless issues every day. He adds Councilwoman @jsantanaward14 is also interested in this topic.

Committee Chair Griffin reads an amendment & to make sure there are no objections. Councilman Kazy asks Wackers if he knows where the affordable #housing & non-congregate #homeless shelter will be located. Wackers says no. The city will release Requests for Proposals (RFPs).

Wackers mentions Norma Herr Women’s Center, a #homeless shelter, & North Point Transitional #Housing but says it depends on who applies. Results will come back to council so they “will have every opportunity to vet it.” Councilman Kazy says #homelessness is now a citywide issue.

Councilman @kazy_brian says there’s no place available for #homeless couples or a couple with a child. He supports the proposal but says council must “keep a keen eye on it” so they do what’s best for people living in tents & under bridges. #HousingForAll

Ordinance #755-2022 is unanimously approved. Chair Griffin moves on to another #ARPA proposal, Ordinance #895-2022. This would allow the city to create a Transformative Public #Art Projects Fund Program & enter into grant agreements.

Here’s the executive summary👇 https://t.co/b36hskJSto

Director of City Planning Joyce Huang is there to discuss the $3 million #ARPA transformative public art projects fund. She met with Councilman @CleKevinConwell earlier. Huang says artists think differently. They see beauty in things that others may not see. https://t.co/CnHw3nB00F

The city wants to bring art to neighborhoods. Artists will participate in the planning process & “shape” a place. To provide an example, Joyce Haung shows a 2-minute video about Cleveland Walls from her time working at MidTown Inc. https://midtowncleveland.org/clevelandwalls/ https://t.co/plcPlLustd

Councilman KevinConwell was not present during the roll call. But he’s there now. The city wants to strike an amendment to the proposed legislation to instead create a committee of artists to evaluate proposals. This will let the community decide.

Councilwoman Santana says she thinks there’s already an existing arts committee. It has a different purpose. Councilman Polensek wants clarification about requirements to include Cleveland-based artists & organizations. Joyce Huang says it’s an “investment in our neighborhoods.”

Councilman Conwell says the arts committee would have 1 council representative. Councilman Polensek wants art projects that are uplifting & “make us feel good.” He adds:“I’d hate to have to go out in the middle of the night with a paint brush” or “stock up on spray paint cans.” https://t.co/0lpJ2jpUEJ

There’s laughter at the table. A discussion ensues about the city’s outdoor works of art ordinance as well as the design review process. Councilman Hairston asks how the process can be streamlined. #ARPA #art https://t.co/ozHcnh8yJw

Councilwoman Spencer says visual arts is 1 element of art. She asks if other types of art will be considered later. The answer is yes. Joyce Huang says this is the “prelude.” There’s an overall acknowledgment that the local arts community is still recovering from the pandemic.

Councilman Conwell wants youth to be involved. He presents the amendment regarding the committee which will be formed within 60 days. Ordinance 895-2022 passes unanimously as amended. https://t.co/tyQ8zs4557

Next is Ordinance #978-2022 — the proposed UDAG grant agreement contract with Team NEO for economic development assistance to induce Aer Lingus to start & maintain daily direct flight service from #Cleveland to the Republic of #Ireland for 3 years. Estimated Cost: $600,000 https://t.co/ylR0Lk5r56

Again UDAG stands for Urban Development Action Grant Program. It provides development funds to states to assist physically & economically distressed cities & urban counties. I’m going to ask #CLEDocumenters to add UDAG to its glossary of terms.

Chief Finance Officer Ahmed Abonamah is there to answer questions. The initial plan is for Aer Lingus to provide 4 non-stop roundtrips to Dublin each week. Flights will have approximately 184 seats & 8 business class seats. https://t.co/LzGS6CsuT1

This arrangement was “attractive” because Dublin is 1 of a few airports in the world that has U.S. customs “pre-clearance” in Dublin. Travelers go through customs at he Dubin airport & don’t have to go through customs again when they arrive in Cleveland.

Chief Abonamah says Europe is the #1 an unserved market for Cleveland travelers. There are about 320 travelers per day who depart from or arrive at Cleveland Hopkins with Europe as their destination. This will be the only direct flight from Cleveland to Europe.

He says it serves a “key market” for the city. Committee Chair Griffin asks about a benchmark regarding a minimum revenue per flight. If flights meet the benchmark, Aer Lingus won’t need to call on the proposed $600,000 funding. Members are excited about this opportunity.

Ordinance #978-2022 is unanimously approved. Next is Ordinance #858-2022. It’s is an agreement with Western Reserve Land Conservancy to perform professional services related to managing the City’s door-to-door property survey, compiling the data, & performing related services. https://t.co/yn1spOTyHM

Colleen Majewski is at the table. She’s the assistant director of the Dept. of Building & Housing. With her is former Councilman Matt Zone. He represented Ward 15 for 19 years & stepped down in 2020 to work at the Western Reserve Land Conservancy. https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2020/09/cleveland-city-councilman-matt-zone-resigning-taking-job-at-western-reserve-land-conservancys-thriving-communities-program.html

Before he left, Matt Zone chaired the City Council Safety Committee. Now he’s Senior Vice President & Director of Thriving Communities at the Western Reserve Land Conservancy. Jenny Spencer was appointed to fill the vacancy & currently represents Ward 15. https://www.wrlandconservancy.org/who-we-are/our-staff/matt-zone/ https://t.co/sYjvFN37fq

Assistant Director Colleen Majewski says the building & housing dept. is currently “very complaint driven.” This will help with systematic enforcement. This info is vital to the dept. The Western Reserve Land Conservancy did similar work for the city in 2015 & 2018.

The city still relies on that outdated data. This will make the dept more efficient. Chair Griffin welcomes back his former colleague. Matt Zone praises the members’ dedication & hard work. He says it’s “an honor to sit on this side of the table.” https://t.co/9s8FRlQbS8

He says this is “budget neutral” piece of legislation because it won’t cost the city any money. Western Reserve Land Conservancy (WRLC) got a grant to do this work. In 2015, the organization did a property inventory of almost 159,000 parcels. The vast majority were residential.

But they also looked as commercial & industrial parcels.The process will start in late October. Data will be captured on tablets. The work will be wrapped up in April or May 2023. A quality control component to ensures data is accurate. Councilman Hairston highlights key points.

Councilman Hairston says work will be done by city staff. He reiterated it will cost the city nothing. The city wants to be more proactive. Staff has an “aggressive timeline” & will work through the winter. Councilman asks if this will be done for the whole city.

Matt Zone says no area will be excluded. Polensek says he’s “on board.” Councilman Kazy has clarification questions about staffing & timelines. He asks if the city already has enough staff. He doesn’t want to “rob Peter to pay Paul” meaning he doesn’t want to shift resources. https://t.co/p30aVUmwmx

Councilman Kazy asks how much the grant is for. Matt Zone says there are 3 grants totaling $170,000.

$100,000 — Rocket Mortgage
$50,000 — Lisk ??? (unsure of spelling)
$20,000 — Cleveland Foundation

$170,000 TOTAL

Funding will buy electronic equipment, subscriptions, wireless data plans, etc… Councilman McCormack is excited about council members taking a “deep dive” into the new data when it’s available. He asks how can the city ensure quality housing inspections in every neighborhood?

Assistant Director Colleen Majewski says it’s a training issue. Building & housing also wants consistency. Councilman McCormack says he wants to sit in on that training as a “wallflower.” Matt Zone welcomes them to spend half day with a team when they work in members’ wards.

Councilman Kevin Bishop fully supports the legislation & looks forward to seeing data updates. With no other questions, Ordinance #858-2022 is unanimously approved. Members have been coming & going. Committee Chair Griffin reminds everyone they need to maintain a quorum. https://t.co/G16nbVDAMU

Committee Chair Griffin calls up Police Chief Dornat Drummond to discuss Ordinance #868-2022. It authorizes the Director of Public Safety to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives for reimbursement of overtime costs. https://t.co/5kJYPjAho2

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) is 6 pages. The ATF refers to it as a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). The city will be reimbursed for overtime when officers work with the ATF task force. https://cityofcleveland.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=11279061&GUID=76695244-E51B-4F5A-90F7-1251C1404114 https://t.co/O2BeJZybQO

The chief introduces Commander of Bureau of Homeland Services Ron Kauntz. He’s there to answer questions. The commander says this is a “standard process” used in major cities. CDP officers working with the ATF task force have already performed this work. https://t.co/lBJlY0eCfk

Commander Kauntz says the work involves gun confiscations, gun testing & “participating” in databases only available to the ATF. Currently 4 full-time officers are assigned — 2 are in the districts. They’re in the process of adding 1 more to the district.

There are no questions. Ordinance #868-2022 is unanimously approved. Next is Ordinance #983-2022. It authorizes the Director of Finance to accept a $500,000 grant from The George Gund Foundation for Mayor Justin Bibb’s Strategic Plans. This is a letter from the foundation.👇 https://t.co/O3zK1xVwBG

The legislation authorizes the city to employ consultants to develop several strategic plans.

• A plan for Mayor Bibb’s administration
• A plan to modernize City Hall operations & deliver high-quality constituent services
• A plan to revitalize the east side of Cleveland https://t.co/wDSOjVBMki

Chief Finance Officer Ahmed Abonamah is back & Chief Strategy Officer Bradford Davy is with him at the table. Committee Chair Griffin has no questions. Other members ask about a planned audit, timelines & when they will get updates. https://t.co/zG4Pg1LOJW

Chief Strategy Officer Davy reiterates that the planned audit is not a financial audit. It’s an audit of city processes & staffing. https://t.co/awWxu1dPEg

Councilman Kevin Conwell asks how often milestones will be reviewed. Chief Davey says the goal is to have the strategic plan “live” in the new office of urban analytics. Conwell says it will help with future budgets. He adds, “I get excited when I see strategic planning.” https://t.co/PNgaw5oPLj

Councilman Polensek says he doesn’t get excited with plans because he’s seen so many during his decades in council. “If I had 5 bucks for every one of them, I could spend about 2 weeks in Miami every year,” he says, referencing all the plans that have never been implemented. https://t.co/qnmmLepxaY

Councilman Polensek asks how this actually equates to the delivery of city services? He says nobody wants to talk to the “rank & file” employees doing the work. He mentions garbage truck operators, snow plow drivers, police officers patrolling streets, & people cutting grass.

Chief Finance Officer Abonamah says the audit will answer those questions. The strategic plan & audit will be completed either late next year or early 2024. Polensek says he supports this & will give the Bibb administration the benefit of the doubt.

Councilman Brian Kazy asks why now? Chief Davy says having a 3rd party help with an evaluation is a “best practice.” He adds, “Why now? Because we don’t have one.” When Mayor Bibb took office, he did not “inherit” a strategic plan. This will also help future administrations. https://t.co/lhX5w6f9n2

Ordinance #983-2022 is unanimously approved. Next is Ordinance 987-2022. It allows the city to employ consultants to assist in implementing the Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 87, Leases, dealing with lease accounting for 2022 financial statements. https://t.co/pm4mGD2liM

Chief Finance Officer Abonamah jokingly asks “Who’s ready for some excitement here?” He explains the government accounting standards board put out a new statement on leases are accounted for in financial statements. He’s referring to statement #87.

Implementation is required for the fiscal year 2022 statement which will be the 2023 annual financial report. Historically there was a distinction between capital leases & operating leases. Chief Abonamah says, under the new standard, “leases are leases.”

The amount being requested is $75,000. The administration wants to hire a consultant to ensure the new accounting is correct. Polensek verifies that this does not include #ARPA funds. He’s skeptical it can be done at this cost. “That seems like such a good deal.”

Chief Abonamah says this work will be done “in house” by city employees. The consultant will double check their work. With no other questions, Ordinance #987-2022 is unanimously approved.

Next is Ordinance #993-2022. It makes additional appropriations of $11 million to the Major Enterprise Funds.

$4 million is for Division of Water
$7 million is for Cleveland Public Power

It’s unanimously approved. https://t.co/C008HDWAFJ

Next is Ordinance #994-2022. It transfers $1.9 million within the Major Enterprise Fund to the Dept. of Port Control. It’s unanimously approved. https://t.co/gJwdHjWUJN

Next is Ordinance #996-2022. It authorizes a contract with Safe Choice, LLC for unarmed, uniformed security guard services, for the various divisions of City government for 2 years, with an option to renew for a 1-year period, exercisable by the Director of Finance. https://t.co/rQln9kUWUd

Chief Finance Officer Abonamah is at the table with the Commissioner of Purchasing & Services Tiffany White Johnson. https://t.co/9N9pXJEBCK

Johnson says this applies to the following departments: Port Control, West Side Market, Division of Taxation Central Collection Agency (located at 205 West Saint Clair Ave), health dept, division of waste, economic development, & parking facilities.👇 https://t.co/99XqueTPQY

Committee Chair Griffin asks what type of training do unarmed security guards receive. He wants to ensure city employees are safe. The invitation to bid requires 120 hours of private police academy training. Griffin asks about diversity guidelines.

Johnson says the vendors list comes from the Office of Equal Opportunity. Councilman Polensek asks about the locations, how many unarmed guards are employed & if this came before committee. Johnson doesn’t have the exact number of guards.

Councilman Polensek says he’s confused because Hopkins Airport has armed police officers. He asks where guards are located. Answer: throughout the concourse. Polensek says he’s surprised unarmed security guards are in areas with “critical infrastructure.”

Councilman McCormack verifies that armed police officers are located at the airport at all times if there’s “a need to engage.” Yes, they are there 24/7. McCormack wants to make sure the public understands that.

Ordinance #996-2022 is unanimously approved. Next is ordinance #1015-2022. It authorizes the Director of Public Works to accept a grant from the Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources for the urban canopy restorative grant program. Committee Chair Griffin says this is time sensitive.

This is not on the agenda. Committee members say they fully support the city’s tree🌲 canopy program. Ordinance #1015-2022 is unanimously approved & will be heard for consideration at tonight’s council meeting.

The final legislation is Ordinance #991-2022. It strongly encourages Mayor Bibb’s Administration to investigate upgrading the current 9-1-1 emergency response system to a “Next Generation 9-1-1 System” with technology to provide faster & more reliable emergency assistance. https://t.co/N3pfHfoaoM

The ordinance was created after Councilman Kevin Conwell recently called 911 & was placed on hold. All 17 members council members are sponsoring it. https://t.co/nKSR10iy2q

Councilman Conwell explains how the updated technology works. He says the current system was created in 1963, adding that it was before some council members were born. He asks Safety Committee Chairman Mike Polensek to host a hearing about the city’s 911 system. https://t.co/SuaTbqkmiN

Councilman Polensek says council is always open to suggestions & ideas. He tells Councilman Conwell to submit info to council staff, so they can set it up.

Councilman Conwell says federal grant funding is available. He shared this information with Safety Director Karrie Howard. Committee Chair Griffin adjourns the meeting at about 5:30 p.m. This concludes the City Council Finance, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee meeting.

Have questions? Think we got something wrong? Send any inquiries on the meeting or these tweets to @cledocumenters or email us at cledocumenters@gmail.com.