Council Meeting Highlights

Sep 22, 2025

City Council convened its regular in-person meeting in Council Chambers, which was also live-streamed. The next meeting is Sept. 29th. Below are the highlights from today's meeting:

City To Sell Bonds for Parks, Recreation Facilities, Streets and City Buildings: Council approved several pieces of legislation, which were amended,  that allow the city to go out for bond issues:
•    Authorizing the issuance and sale of bonds in the maximum principal amount of $3 million to acquire vehicles and equipment for performing functions of the City's departments, including the Department of Public Works and Department of Public Safety. Ord. No. 673-2025
•    Authorizing the issuance and sale of bonds in the maximum principal amount of $2 million to acquire heavy duty trucks and equipment for performing functions of the City's Department of Public Works and Department of Public Safety, including the Division of Fire. Ord. No. 675-2025. 
•    Authorizing the issuance and sale of bonds in the maximum principal amount of $7 million to improve municipal parks and recreation facilities. Ord. No. 676-2025
•    Authorizing the issuance and sale of bonds in the maximum principal amount of $14 million to improve buildings and structures, and providing for the discharge of governmental functions and services otherwise benefiting the public safety, health, and welfare, and for the provision of necessary fixtures, furnishings, equipment, technology, appurtenances, utilities, and site improvements. Ord. No. 677-2025
•    Authorizing the issuance and sale of bonds in the maximum principal amount of $14 million to improve the municipal street system and related facilities and related matters. Ord. No. 678-2025

Helping Affordable Housing in the City: Council has approved legislation authorizing a loan agreement with Gateway 66 Limited Partnership to help finance the development of 80 residential housing units in Ward 7. These units will be affordable to households earning up to 80% of the area median income. The loan, which will not exceed $2 million, will also cover related redevelopment costs. The total project investment is estimated at more than $26 million. Ord. No. 1170-2025

Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy: Council has adopted a resolution, sponsored by Council President Blaine A. Griffin, declaring October 2025 as Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) Awareness Month in the City of Cleveland. The purpose is to promote greater awareness and prevention of SUDEP.
At the state level, the Ohio House has designated October 26 each year as Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) Awareness Day, also known as Brenna’s Law, in memory of Brenna Brossard of North Olmsted, who tragically passed away from SUDEP on January 30, 2022.
What is SUDEP?
SUDEP is the sudden, unexplained death of a person with epilepsy who is otherwise healthy, with no other cause of death identified, such as trauma or drowning. It most often occurs during or after a generalized seizure, typically at night, and is frequently unwitnessed. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 1,000 people with epilepsy die from SUDEP each year. Res. No. 1176-2025 
Prevention and Risk Reduction
Patients who are informed about SUDEP can take steps to reduce their risk. These include:
•    Taking prescribed anti-epileptic medications as directed
•    Maintaining consistent and adequate sleep
•    Keeping regular doctor visits
•    Avoiding alcohol and recreational drugs
•    Identifying and avoiding seizure triggers
•    Using seizure detection and alert devices

Introductions

Legislation was introduced to accept a grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for financial assistance for the operation of the Division of Air for $2,725,620. Ord. No.1167-2025