Council Meeting Highlights (10/10/22)

Oct 10, 2022

Cleveland (Oct. 10, 2022) – City Council held its regular Monday meeting tonight, both in person in Council Chambers and through live streaming.  The next regular meeting will be Monday Oct. 17th. Here are tonight’s highlights:

Conversion Therapy on Minors Prohibited: Council passed legislation that prohibits the practice of conversion therapy by mental health professionals on minors and sets penalties for violation of the new section (667.06) in the codified ordinances.

Practices that seek to change or alter a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression have been widely condemned by expert bodies, such as the American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, as harmful to mental health. Councilman Brian Mooney initially sponsored the legislation but was joined by Council Members Kerry McCormack, Jenny Spencer, Rebecca Maurer, Stephanie Howse, Kevin Conwell, Deborah Gray, Jasmin Santana, Brian Kazy and Blaine Griffin.

Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland Heights, as well as other Ohio and national cities, have enacted similar ordinances. This Council wants to protect the health and well-being of Cleveland residents, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender residents by prohibiting the practice of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression change efforts on minors. Ord. No. 696-2022

Gun Fire Detection Technology Expands: In 2019, a grant allowed the city of Cleveland to establish ShotSpotter in a 3-square mile radius in the Fourth Police District that touched several Wards, including 1, 2, 4 and 6. Council approved using nearly $2.8 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to expand the technology to 13-square miles (10 extra miles) out of a city of about 82.4-square miles.

The technology will be added to neighborhoods that have experienced a disproportionate rate of gun violence. Councilman Kevin Conwell began advocating for ShotSpotter or other similar technology more than six years ago.

The legislation was amended to require an independent review of at least two years of the gunshot detection technology services provided, and also directed the Director of Public Safety to provide bi-annual reports on the service for no more than  $150,000. Ord. No. 909-2022

Zaclon River Landing Project: Council passed a resolution supporting West Creek Conservancy’s Clean Ohio Fund Greenspace Conservation Program application for the Zaclon River Landing Project in the City of Cleveland. The Zaclon River Landing Project will provide an opportunity to perpetually protect an approximately 3-acre parcel on the east side of the Cuyahoga River near I-490 and Independence Road, with the intent to restore, enhance and create an equitable access point on the Cuyahoga River Water Trail. Res. No. 1010-2022