Council Meeting Highlights (2/6/23)

Feb 06, 2023

Cleveland (Feb. 6, 2023) - City Council held its regular Monday meeting tonight, both in person in Council Chambers and through live streaming.  The next regular meeting is Feb. 13th, with budget hearings starting the day after on Feb. 14th . Here are tonight’s highlights:

E. 4th Street Makeover: Council approved using a $1.4 million balance of a TIF (tax increment financing) for the renovation and refresh of E. 4th street which is expected to cost about $1.65 million. The changes would also allow it to be the city's first Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, which would allow patrons and visitors to purchase alcoholic beverages from participating restaurants and have "open containers" as they walk around East 4th .

The proposal, which includes a re-imaging of restaurant patios and the installation of a pocket park, public art and updated lighting, is intended to create a more resident and visitor-oriented central business district. Ord. No. 1051-2022

Integrated Health Expands at CMSD Schools: Council approved using $3,746,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding to support the physical infrastructure to establish three new school-based health clinics at Cleveland Metropolitan School District schools as well as telehealth services. There is a pilot program at CMSD, available at four schools: John Adams College & Career Academy, the John Marshall School of Engineering, Orchard School of Science and Mary McLeod Bethune PreK-8. Parents, students and educators are all eligible to receive services at the clinic.

The funding will support additional health supplies, medical equipment and the telehealth infrastructure.  As part of this investment, there will be a community-wide health education campaign to make children and families aware of the health centers and the services provided and to encourage families to receive physical and mental healthcare available. Supporters are investigating avenues to ensure funding for the long-term, including enabling the centers to be able to bill Medicaid, which is currently not allowed. Ord. No. 94-2023

Brownfields to Useable Land -  Council approved using $3.5 million of American Rescue Plan Act funding to get matching funds from JobsOhio to remediate brownfields along the Opportunity Corridor, as well hiring a consultant to conduct land acquisition, relocation, redevelopment and related activities needed in connection with land assembly services for future economic opportunities on the corridor. Ord. No. 89-2023

Fare Evasion and Misconduct Change: Council approved legislation to reduce the penalties for people who evade paying for public transportation to be charged with a minor misdemeanor and be fined up to $25.  However, Cleveland laws do not have authority over the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, a separate state-created entity.

RTA transit police officers currently cite offenders for evading payment of fares under Ohio Revised Code Section 2917.41(A), a fourth-degree misdemeanor that carries a penalty of up to a $250 fine and/or up to 30 days in jail.

Cleveland can only encourage RTA to cite the new penalties after passage of the legislation. Currently, RTA routinely gives first-time adult offenders a warning, and second time adult offenders the option of paying a $25 administrative fee to avoid criminal charges. Juvenile offenders receive a written warning for the first offense, and a $25 administrative fee if received within 30 days of the second and subsequent offense. Ord. No. 399-2022