Council President & Ward 6 Blaine Griffin has adjourned the meeting. He has called upon the Commitee Chairs to start meetings on time, control their meetings, direct all comments through the chair.

“We all know it got a little heated last week with a couple of the meetings.” https://t.co/kJPhHrLikr

W6 CM Griffin advises to gavel meetings that start to fall apart. Either adjourn the meeting.

“Do no contribute the chaos, sometimes you need to walk away.”

W2 CM Kevin Bishop comments that additional talking during the meeting is distracting and is seeking to see sidebars reduced. https://t.co/xnzagNmQ6T

W6 Griffin notes that there are only 3 more meetings before Council adjourns for Summer Recess. He recommends to review deadlines for ordinances.

W6 Griffin provides an update on Finance Committee - Source of Income and Pay to Stay legislation has been introduced. He

W3 CM Kerry McCormack interjects that SOI has not been introduced yet, “More work needs to be done.” https://t.co/Hg9nyD9Rn5

W6 CM Griffin notes that he has advised policy to research and learn about Community Benefit Agreements and its legal language.

“We don’t have the ability to negotiate after the passage of legislation.”

W6 CM Griffin suggests that Council Members review a document concerning ARPA dollars. He shares that Mayor Bibb has 10 points that they’re focused on.

W1 CM Joe Jones asks to look at how they can use the funds to beef up police departments. He notes that President Biden has advised to use them in that manner.

“The issues is that right now we are in a state of emergency on the East Side of Cleveland.” https://t.co/zmTnUyK12D

W1 CM Jones, “I would encourage my colleagues to look at what we can do to protect the safety of our citizens.”

W3 CM McCormack has the floor. An update on Transportation Committee, Director Kennedy is moving on. “He is willing to stay on interim.”

He provides a 30 second update on the Green Streets Ordinance.

W3 CM McCormack shoots down a rumor that it cuts side street allocations, “It is false. What this legislation does is, we are all aware of speeding children hit by vehicles, public safety issues on roads in our community.”

W3 CM McCormack, “The City has failed historically to introduce proper traffic calming, It puts it on the front end and not the back end. … The crux of it is designing safer streets. … There is no price on this ordinance.”

W3 CM McCormack. “It is more about restructuring the city and how we look.” He invites them to Transporation meeting this Wednesday and invites them to send him questions.

W6 CM Griffin tells Joann that we need to message them and make sure we have 1 to 2 pager between the Policy Team and Council Members.

W8 CM Michael Polensek concurs with the commentary about addressing the perception of the Complete Green Streets Ordinance. https://t.co/qgWCnq6W0C

W12 CM Jones enquires about the funding of a program involving streets, it is 13 million dollars.
He comments on the condition of the asphalt that the City uses to patch the streets.

W6 CM Griffin cautions that there was proposed legislation about staffing at the airport and he has questions concerning what it means and the environment of the airport - this concerns the amendment of Ord 139.

W6 CM Griffin comments on a hotel that is valued at 12 million the City is interested in, it is part of the Master Plan, and he mentions private parties are also interested.

W7 CM Stephanie Howse provides an update on the WorkForce, Education Training, & Youth Development Committee. https://t.co/N3pCwTVTov

W7 CM Howse updates includes commentary on Y.O.U and youth development during the upcoming Summer.

Griffin notes that he has instructed all related material to be sent to the Workforce Committee.

W10 CM Anthony Hairston provides an update on Development, Planning Sustainability Committee meeting and Tax Abatement.

“This issue has been ongoing for many years. It has finally made its way for a hearing and Council.” https://t.co/sTnizoB6XS

He thanks Mrs. Brook and Joe Tritan. “They have done a great job with myself, members of the Committee, and the Public.”

He shares DPS is in talks with the Bibb Administratio concerning minor amendments. He doesn’t provide details concerning the amendments.

W10 CM Hairston notes that they have placed several calls for feedback and will continue to take those as they move through the process.

“Again we sent the email out several times now to seek feedback.”

Griffin notes that due to time constraints he doesn’t want to get deep into policy but enquires about how many amendments Hairston is interested in.

Hairston answers that 5 to 10, and will attempt to address concerns such as cap.

Griffin asks if developers have reached out to Hairston. “Midnight. I’ve been getting texts at midnight.” He shares they have been in contact.

Griffin tells Joan that Council needs to message Council’s position on Tax Abatement the right way.

W1 Jones shares taht Lee-Harvey hasn’t had any significant amount of investment in 20 years. “We were hurt by the fact that we did not have opportunity zones in Ward 1. We would like to receive 100% tax abatement for middle class neighborhoods.”

Griffin asks Jones to talk to Hairston in private.

Griffin, “This is a pretty big lift. Can you tell us what your expectations are [concerning tax abatement legislation]?”

Hairston, “Not trying to this in a rushed time but it has to be done by June 4.”

W10 CM Hairston provides additional commentary about Members input on legislation and the need for Council to make a decision. He cautions against conversing indefinitely about the topic.

W6 CM Griffin seconds this, “We don’t want to rehash this. Now is the time for Hairston and the Committee to count votes on this.”

Ward 2 Kevin Bishop provides an update on he shares that he has not had a conversation with the Bibb Administration on capital budget.

Bishop has generally heard positive feedback on grass cutting despite hearing criticisms from Polensek. https://t.co/Y7oCl3jmQe

Griffin also thinks the grass cutting is better in his Ward. He shares that Frank Williams is the new Director?

W8 CM Polensek shares Ordinance update on prohibiting fireworks, strengthening fire code.

He doesn’t have an update about dirt biking. “Allegedly they want it passed under suspension. That’s not acceptable. There has to be a hearing.”

Griffin shares that he has had a conversation with the Safety Director and that they want it in place before summer. He recommends Polensek call him to have another conversatoin.

Polensek shares that police is down 257 members. “In a 2 week period they lost 16 officers who either retired, quit, or move to other departments. The Administration is talking about brining on 25 officers.”

Polensek, “We are not even treading water. We do not have the deployment we need. We do not have the traffic officers we need. Some have a misconception. Council cannot hire, fire, deploy, or administer.”

Polensek criticizes the previous administration and chief failed to put a plan into action to address these issues and now everybody is dealing with the fallout.

W1 Jones says that “we can’t keep beating the same horse. I’ve talked about using ARPA funds. … It’s going to be a hot summer. We control the purse strings. I’m prepared to not pass another piece of legislation…”

Jones sounds frustrated about lackluster process on both branches.

W9 CM Kevin Conwell shares that it has been a tough weekend for him. He states that Mayor Bibb has the baton and now bears the burden of correcting these issues. https://t.co/AibDYtAHKE

W9 Conwell shares about criticisms from constituents that the Police tell them to call their Council Members about issues of safety and insufficient policing.

“Police are telling our constituents to call us.”

Griffin, “Talk to the commander and pull the tapes. … I’ve done this before. They will face discipline.”

Griffin moves on from the topic.

Griffin shares that there have been over 300 applicants for the Police Safety Commission. He believes by July 15 they can have their recommendations in place.

Safety Committee will review first before Council as whole.

Polensek seeks clarification if Council rejects an applicant, can the Bibb Administration still select a rejected candidate.

Griffin “We want very responsible people. I know there is a lot that want to be on this committee. We need to pick some good people. Not just fringe groups or biases.”

Polensek shares that he has heard if a candidate is anti-police they are not reviewed.

Several council members moan at Polensek comments.

W1 Jones vents that he is not a police member, he is a council representative of the constituents.

W16 CM Kazy is asked to give an update from Utilities about CPP, he states, “In the essence of time, the lights are still on.”

He provides an update about the legislation and what it addresses. https://t.co/7h8gqhx9Ib

Kazy notes that CPP is facing two lawsuits currently and cautions that he is very protective of CPP so everyone should be aware of what they say publicly.

Conwell provides an update from Health, Human Services, and the Arts about Racism as a Public Health Crisis, they met with the Urban League to discuss the issue. He notes that UL President noted a lot of her executive committee member have left.

Conwell reached out to Mayor Bibb about creating an Arts and Cultural Czar and a new commission on Arts and Culture.

Conwell and Griffin comment on Lead Safe. Griffin recommended Conwell meet with the Lead Czar.

Cleveland City Council’s Commitee Chairs Meeting adjourned at or around 2:00 PM.

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