Cleveland City Council to Hold Rail Safety Informational Hearing with Representatives from the Office of Senator Sherrod Brown and the Office of Congresswoman Shontel Brown

Cleveland, OH (March 20, 2024) - With human, environmental, and economic safety top of mind, Cleveland City Council will hold a rail safety informational hearing with a representative from the Office of U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, and a representative from the Office of Congresswoman Shontel Brown on Tuesday, March 21. Councilwoman Jenny Spencer of Ward 15 will chair the hearing. Her ward has one of the highest concentrations of railway traffic in Cleveland.  

In advance of the informational hearing, on Monday Council members participated in a virtual briefing with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to learn more about their roles in overseeing rail traffic and keeping Cleveland safe.  

Rail safety concerns are not new for council members. Council passed Resolution No. 465-2020 in June of 2020 when alerted that freight cars carrying toxic materials were increasingly being rerouted through Cleveland. Council’s renewed rail safety focus stems from the East Palestine train derailment on February 3, 2023.  

Councilwoman Jenny Spencer stated, “As a legacy city, Cleveland has significant freight rail infrastructure which passes through our densely populated neighborhoods. Council has three goals with this informational hearing. First, we want to understand the regulatory environment regarding freight safety, and second, be briefed on the Railway Safety Act being co-sponsored by Senators Sherrod Brown and J.D. Vance and advocate for its passage. Finally, we will take a deep dive into emergency preparedness and operations here in the City of Cleveland.”    

Council President Blaine A. Griffin (Ward 6) shared, “Councilwoman Spencer’s leadership role in informing Council about freight safety and organizing the informational hearing must be commended. People are our priority. Her actions here demonstrate our commitment to the people of this great city.”  

Council is expected to pass another resolution related to rail safety, Resolution No. 340-2023, at its March 20, 7:00 pm regular meeting. That meeting can be viewed at www.tv20cleveland.com or www.youtube.com/clevelandcitycouncil.  

Who: Cleveland City Council & representatives from the Office of U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown and the Office of Congresswoman Shontel Brown 

What: Informational Hearing re: Rail Safety 

When: Tuesday, March 21, 2023, 9:30 am  

Where: Cleveland City Hall, Mercedes Cotner Committee Room 

How to watch: In-person at Cleveland City Hall or virtually at www.tv20cleveland.com or www.youtube.com/clevelandcitycouncil 

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