Finance, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters You can watch the meeting at Cleveland City Council’s YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/user/clevelandcitycouncil

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters A copy of today’s agenda can be obtained at https://cityofcleveland.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?LEGID=3212&GID=635&G=2EB18EF1-2C21-4D1D-85C9-B38100AB8FFD

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Roll was just taken and first up is Ordinance 1211-2022 authorizing the Director of Building and Housing to employ professional consultants to analyze and make recommendations on operation of the Division of Construction Permitting, Dept. o Building and Housing.

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Chairman of the Committee, Blain Griffin asks why this legislation is not part of the work that Ernest and Young will be doing to analyze efficiencies in the cities permitting process. Representatives for Building and Housing say this ordinance predates the city contract w/E&Y.

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Committee member Brian Kazy asks Sally Martin, Director of Building and Housing why the city needs to rely on an outside firm rather than use institutional knowledge and why there is no dollar amount for the contract with E&Y.

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Martin says the cost should not exceed $150,000 - Committee member Anthony Hairston says this amount can be included in the Ordinance. Kazy continues to express reservation that the ordinance is open with no time frame or dollar amount.

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Vice Chairman Kerry McCormack proposes an amendment that $200,000 be included in the ordinance and Griffin responds that a time frame should also be included.

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Depart of Build and Housing mission: assure that all existing/new structures are in a safe and habitable manner through enforcement of the Building and Zoning Codes. property.://www.clevelandohio.gov/CityofCleveland/Home/Government/CityAgencies/BuildingHousing

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Committee member Kevin Conwell tells Director Martin that before he approves $150,000 there needs to be a strategic plan with a strategy review every quarter to ensure the Department is meeting benchmarks and Martin responds this can be done.

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Kazy proposes that the cap be $175,000 and six month review be done after the consulting contract has been awarded. Ordinance 1211-2022 is approved by the Committee.

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Next is Ordinance 1212-2022 which is approved by the Committee.

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Next is Ordinance 1142-2022 to terminate any Tax Increment Financing Agreement with CC Superior Holding LLC passed on June 19, 2000.

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters This Ordinance affects property located between Payne and Superior Ave. and East 21s St. and East 22nd St. The Committee approved the ordinance.

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Next is Ordinance 1144-2022 for Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for city club apartments. Conwell tells the project developer that they will need to come back to the Committee to give information on Black and female contractors on the project.

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Tessa Jackson, Director of Department of Economic Development responds to Conwell that some parts of construction are done by bigger companies but she will make sure that Black contractors get work on the project.

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters The City of Cleveland Department of Economic Development provides technical assistance, creative financing and educational opportunities that will ensure a vibrant economic future for the region. Read more about with this city department does here:
https://www.clevelandohio.gov/CityofCleveland/Home/Government/CityAgencies/EconomicDevelopment

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Director Jackson says the apartments for this project will be for apartments in downtown Cleveland. Committee member Jenny Spencer asks for clarification of what the project developer/owner considers “affordable housing”.

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Committee member Jasmin Santana asks about rent increases because the money that we approve for these projects, many times, displace residents. Jackson responds that a 1-2% rent increases is generally included in developers’ proposal.

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters McCormack says a “housing for all” policy should be considered by everyone. The ordinance is approved by the Committee.

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Next is Ordinance 1144-2022 to authorize the Director of Capital Projects to apply to the District One Public Works Integrating Committee for state funding for constructing the Superior Midway separated by bikeways from Public Square East Roadway to East 55th.

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Kazy asks what’s the city total investment, does it come from capital projects, and whether we are being fiscally responsible when $150,000,000 is already allocated to this project.

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters The Director and other representatives of the city’s Office of Capital Projects respond to Kazy that the administration and community want safe and innovative ways of biking - like other cities are doing.

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters The Office of Capital Project is responsible for working collaboratively on planning, designing, construction, and preservation of city facilities and infrastructure that will lead to excellence in sustainable design, expertise, and quality construction.

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Learn more about Cleveland Office of Capital Projects by visiting: https://www.clevelandohio.gov/CityofCleveland/Home/Government/CityAgencies/PublicService

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Griffen believes these projects are important but a better job has to be done to explain to the community what is being done with these projects - Ole School people feel the city was built for cars (not bikes).

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Conwell says safe routes are need near E. 125th. The Ordinance is passed by the Committee.

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Next Ordinance, 1201-2022 authorizing the Director of Capital Projects to apply for and accept funding for rehab of Lorain Ave. from West 65th St. to West 20th St.

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Representatives for the Office of Capital Project state that the bike lane will not be in the middle of the street but along the north side of the street and cost around $30,000,000.

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Griffin asks where is the connection of the bike lane to downtown Cleveland and the reps respond that they are working with the chiefs and mayors of affected cities to connect bike lanes to downtown and the waterfront.

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Are you a biker or considering biking around Northeast Ohio? Then check out the Biking in Cleveland Guide here: https://www.bikecleveland.org/resources/getting-around-bike/

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Ordinance 1201-2022🚴‍♀️🚴‍♂️🚵🚵‍♂️ vs. 🚗🚙🚕🚘🚖

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Ordinance 1201-2022 is approved.

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Next up is Participatory Budgeting. https://t.co/OSRElyK9qB

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Participatory budgeting is about residents generating good ideas in the community then bringing them to the Council. https://t.co/1z0LgE46nc

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Participatory budgeting or the “People’s Budget” (PB) will allow residents to propose ideas, vote on the idea, and be involved in implementation - PB will allow youths to have an on-ramp to civic engagement.

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Learn more about PB by visiting https://www.pbcle.com/

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters PB is not new. A coalition of people have been organizing to give people in the community a voice in city matters because people can’t always attend council meetings do to work and family commitments.

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Griffin clarifies that PB is asking for $510,000 to set up and admits that he has concerns about PB with the primary one being there are numerous competing interests that does similar work and they do not receive any funding.

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Griffin does an extensive talk on civic engagement then listens to PB reps. https://t.co/PcGEhc9L18

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Sponsors of PB - Stephanie Howse (7), Rebecca Maurer (12), and Jenny Spencer (15).

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Documenter Abbey Marshall has an article on PB which can be read at https://signalcleveland.org/could-residents-have-a-say-on-how-some-of-the-cleveland-budget-is-spent/

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Council member Stephanie Howse asks how much was spent on last November’s senate race? It was a lot of millions! 💰💰💰💵💵

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Kevin Cronin, an attorney in Mid-town speaks on the “hard task” council face in deciding how to allocate $5,000,000 of the city’s $40,000,000 American Rescue Plan act money. Cronin has extensive government experience on the idea proposed by PB.
http://kevincronin.us/

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Do you agree with Griffin that other council presidents may not have allowed PB to present to City Council? Yes or No and Comment

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Polensek asks is PB about budgeting or voting and states there are 22+ organizations in his neighborhood and none of them receive pay or funding from the city.

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Residents, tell us whether Participatory (People’s) Budget is about voting, budgeting, both, or something else?

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters There are various passionate thoughts, ideas, and opinions on PB. Watch the full discussion by going to

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Word of the day “emotional intelligence” by Council President Griffin.

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Quote of the day “there’s a certain amount of emptiness in a dream deferred” (Langston Hughes) mentioned by Councilman Conwell during discussion on PB.

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Committee member Jasmin Santana asks for specifics on the budget presented by PB and asks whether each ward can decide to fund or not fund the project.

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Committee member Hairston asks, how will people stay engaged if this is one-time funding. Other committee and council members share this concern.

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters For PB to receive any portion of the $510,000 in ARPA funding, they will have to convince city council that residents should be paid to become civically engaged when thousands of residents have done, and continue to do, this for free, including council members.

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters The Committee has to vote on one more piece of legislation after discussion on PB ends.

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Griffin concludes the discussion on PB with: we want civic engagement with young people; there is a difference between civic engagement and politics; and disagreement is not disrespect.

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Last item for the evening is Ordinance 118-2023 on Pay Ban. There were no questions or comments so the ordinance will be heard for consideration tonight at 7:00 during the City Council meeting. With that the meeting is adjourned.

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters 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. DEUCES!

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Correction - the city hasn’t allocated $150,000,000 to the bike lane project but official estimates that $115,000,000 will be needed for other capital projects.
https://twitter.com/CoffeeDocuments/status/1617615997816680448?s=20&t=FYwmtNAAC_A6ZqkbmXmVnQ

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Correction - Cleveland received about $512,000,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act money.

https://twitter.com/CoffeeDocuments/status/1617637711283879936?s=20&t=FYwmtNAAC_A6ZqkbmXmVnQ