Council Meeting Highlights

Apr 14, 2025

City Council held a regular in-person meeting in Council Chambers today, which was also live-streamed. Council's next meeting is on April 21st. Here are tonight’s highlights:

Legislation Over Tobacco Sales and Smoke Shops: Council approved four pieces of legislation that enact changes to the City's laws over tobacco and smoke shops. The first piece of legislation simply updates the language in the Codified Ordinances of Cleveland to match the Ohio Revised Code. Ord. No. 186-2025

Retail Licenses Required for Tobacco Sales: City Council approved a second piece of legislation establishing a Cleveland tobacco retail licensing regulation. It supplements the Codified Ordinances related to tobacco sales and updates provisions on the unlawful distribution of cigarettes, tobacco products, and alternative nicotine products.
Under the new rules, all Tobacco Retailers must obtain a retail license for each location where tobacco products are sold in the city. The license application must include the applicant’s full name, business and personal contact information, the business name, a valid Ohio Department of Taxation vendor’s license, and other required documents such as a City-issued certificate of occupancy.
The annual license fee will be based on a cost-recovery model, similar to fees for food operators and pool facilities. Retailers will also be subject to routine and complaint-based health inspections. Ord. No. 187-2025

Limitations on Smoke Shop Store Locations: Council approved legislation that amends Cleveland’s Codified Ordinances to give the City authority to regulate the placement of Smoke Shops, aiming to prevent the negative secondary effects that can result from clustering these businesses in neighborhoods. “Smoke Shop” means any retail establishment at which 20% or more of floor, shelf, and/or display area(s), individually or in the aggregate, is used for the sale of Smoke Shop Products.
Key provisions of the new law include:
•    No Smoke Shop may be established within 10,560 feet (two miles) of another existing Smoke Shop.
•    Smoke Shops may not be located in the same building or on the same lot.
•    Smoke Shops are prohibited within 500 feet of any church, public library, school, public park, or playground.
 

These regulations are intended to reduce over-concentration and preserve the character and well-being of surrounding communities. This law will go into effect immediately after being signed by the Mayor. Ord. No.188-2025

Window Signage Regulations: Council passed legislation authorizing the City to amend the Codified Ordinances of Cleveland by adding a new section regulating total window sign coverage. In all zoning districts—except Residential and Residence-Office Districts—window signs may not cover more than 25% of the total window area, regardless of use type. The law will go into effect immediately after being signed by the Mayor. Ord. No. 189-2025

Land Swap Between City and CMSD: City Council passed legislation authorizing the Directors of Parks and Recreation and Community Development to enter into a property exchange agreement with the Cleveland Municipal School District (CMSD). The agreement facilitates a mutually beneficial swap of properties to support public projects, including the construction of a new JFK High School Athletic Stadium near the new JFK High School and the City-owned JFK Recreation Center.

The City would transfer properties at 777 Parkwood Drive, 773 Parkwood Drive, and 3172 West 44th Street to CMSD - while CMSD would transfer the old JFK High School site at 17100 Harvard Avenue to the City. 
The new stadium will feature an artificial turf field, track, grandstand, field house, and other amenities. In exchange, the City will acquire the former JFK High School property.
The City has committed up to $2.1 million to support CMSD’s construction of the stadium. Additionally, CMSD and the City will enter into a shared-use agreement for the facility. Ord. No. 246-2025

Presentation and Council Passage: City Council approved a resolution, sponsored by Councilwoman Stephanie Howse-Jones, recognizing April 11–17, 2025, as National Black Maternal Health Week in the City of Cleveland. The resolution honors Black-led organizations leading systemic change in maternal health and affirms the City’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote equity, healing, and thriving communities. Councilwoman Howse-Jones is looking to bring more awareness to this issue while also recognizing organizations that work in the space to reduce the Black infant mortality rate. Those organizations are Birthing Beautiful Communities, the Village of Healing, and Pregnant with Possibilities. Councilwoman Howse-Jones presented them with resolutions to acknowledge their work during a special presentation at the start of the Council meeting. Res. No. 469-2025

Introductions and Notice

N.B. Ordinance 791-2024, a zoning change, was slated for a vote at the Council Meeting tonight but was removed from the agenda to allow for more deliberation and discussion.
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Legislation was introduced to enact a moratorium on issuing any use permits, building permits, certificates of occupancy, sign permits, tobacco retail sales licenses, or other licenses and permits for smoke shops. A “Smoke Shop” is defined as any retail establishment where 20% or more of the floor, shelf, or display space—individually or collectively—is dedicated to the sale of smoke shop products. Ord. No. 504-2025
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Legislation was introduced to authorize contracts with Downtown Cleveland Alliance, The Centers for Families and Children, and other homeless services partners to support the continuation of the “A Home for Every Neighbor: A Vision for Housing Our Unsheltered Community” initiative. The initial contract term is one year for $1.92 million, with an option to renew for an additional year. Ord. No. 502-2025
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Legislation has been introduced to provide matching funds to Cleveland Metroparks for the construction of four trail projects across the city.
The Metroparks secured approximately $1.59 million in planning funds and $19.5 million in construction funds through the federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program. These funds will support the Slavic Village Downtown Connector Trail, the Morgana Run/Booth Avenue Extension, the Euclid Creek Project/Greenway Extension, and the Opportunity Corridor Connector—collectively known as the “RAISE Projects.”
Previously, City Council authorized up to $500,000 in City funds for design, pre-engineering, and other studies related to the Euclid Creek Project/Greenway Extension. An additional $315,000 is now needed—$190,000 for a feasibility study for the Euclid Creek component and $125,000 to complete the detailed design for the Morgana Run/Booth Avenue Extension. Ord. No. 496-2025