Council Meeting Highlights (9/18/23)

Sep 18, 2023

Cleveland (Sept. 18, 2023) - City Council held its regular meeting tonight, both in person in Council Chambers and live streamed. Council has returned to its regular schedule. Here are today’s highlights:

Parking Meters and Parking Garages: Council approved legislation sought by the administration to increase the rates at various city-owned parking garages and lots, as well as parking meters. For example, the daily maximum for the Willard Park Garage behind City Hall goes from $15 to up to $20. The West Side Market lot reduces the free time during market hours from 90 minutes to 60 minutes. Special event parking at the Muni lot goes from $30 to up to $50. These are examples of some of the increases. Ord. No. 817-2023.

Cleveland Police Commission Space: Council approved renting space sought by the administration at 3631 Perkins Avenue for an additional year for use by the Cleveland Police Commission. The rent is $14,487 annually, plus utilities and trash removal. Ord. No. 893-2023.

Public Square Upkeep: Council approved the annual allocation for maintenance on Public Square. “The City will provide the Group Plan Commission with a contribution to support the Commission’s maintenance obligations on Public Square.” The allocation is for $500,000. Ord. No. 748-2023.

Introductions:

Support for the May Dugan Center: Legislation was introduced to provide economic development assistance to the May Dugan Center to compete their renovations and expansion. The assistance is $500,000. Ord. No. 1011-2023

Memphis and Pearl Roads Neighborhood Project: Legislation was introduced to provide the Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation economic development assistance ($2.5 million) to partially finance the Memphis and Pearl mixed-use neighborhood project located on Memphis and Pearl Roads. Ord. No. 1012-2023 

Henrietta Homes Project: Legislation was introduced to sell 39 parcels in the City’s residential land bank no longer needed for the City’s public use located on Lawnview Avenue to the Famicos Foundation, for purposes of developing the Henrietta Homes project. Henrietta Homes is a family lease/purchase project for low-moderate income renters in Cleveland’s Hough neighborhood. Ord. No. 1015-2023 

New Sister Cities: Legislation was introduced “declaring this Council’s desire” that Cleveland and Cape Town, South Africa establish a sister city relationship as well as Cleveland and Kigali, Rwanda and finally Cleveland and Tema, Ghana also establish a sister city relationship.  Ord. No. 1017, 1018, 1019-2023