Delete WardNov 14, 2023
Cleveland (Nov. 13, 2023) - City Council held its regular meeting tonight, both in person in Council Chambers and live streamed. The next meeting is Monday, Nov. 20th. Here are today’s highlights
Blanket Mills Moves Forward: Council approved providing a $1 million economic development grant to LG Blanket Mill Main, to partially finance the Northern Ohio Blanket Mill mixed-use project located on W. 33 Street in the Clark-Fulton neighborhood. The legislation, initially sponsored by Councilwoman Jasmin Santana, will help complete renovations of this long vacant building which had stalled because of increased costs. Councilwoman Santana, who’s worked to make this project a reality for more than 5 years, advocated for affordable apartments and worked with Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority, and all are open for Section 8 residents. There will be 60 one to three-bedroom apartments included in the project. Various non-profits that offer support and services will also move into the renovated building. The grant is coming from revenue recovery funds the city received from the American Rescue Plan Act fund. Ord. No. 1153-2023
West Side Market Under New Management: After years of discussion about needed improvements to the West Side Market, Council approved legislation turning over the management of the iconic market to a new non-profit, Cleveland Public Market Corporation. Councilman Kerry McCormack had advocated for this change for several years. The agreements with the Cleveland Public Market Corporation also give them management control of the West Side Market Parking Lot and the Hicks Parking Lot. It will fall to the new organization to provide professional services to manage, operate, and improve these properties and assist with capital improvement fundraising and funding from available tax credits for the improvement of West Side Market. Council also approved providing $200,000 in operating support. The Mayor’s administration estimated that the city would have to provide $700,000 a year to support market operations for the foreseeable future. Moving it to nonprofit management should enable the organization to raise private funds for capital improvements and operating support as well as going after $10 to $13 million in tax credits. Ord. No. 1093-3023
Oasis in the City: Council approved providing a $300,000 grant to provide economic assistance to partially finance renovations for the Jordan Community Residential Center dba Jordan Community Resource Center’s renovation of its health and wellness facility known as “The Oasis in the City.” Councilwoman Deborah Gray initially sponsored the legislation for the facility which is relocating into Ward 4. Ord. No. 1156-2023
New Sister Cities: Council approved legislation creating three new “sister cities.” Cleveland and Cape Town, South Africa, as well as Cleveland and Kigali, Rwanda and finally Cleveland and Tema, Ghana were all approved to establish sister city relationships. Res. Nos. 1017, 1018, 1019-2023
Introductions:
Police and Fire Trainee Age Increased: Legislation was introduced that would increase the age people can apply to be police officers or firefighters from 40 to up to 55 years of age. The legislation will go to the Directors of Public Safety, Finance, and Law before coming to Council Committees of Safety, and Finance Diversity Equity and Inclusion before a full vote of Council. Ord. No. 1298-2023
Increased pay for Police Patrol Officers and Police Supervisors: Two pieces of legislation were introduced to increase the top pay for both Police Supervisors, as well as Patrol Officers and a higher hourly wage for Trainees as well as a $5,000 signing bonus payable over the first year of employment. These pieces of legislation will go to the Directors of Human Resources, Finance, and Law before coming to Council Committees of Safety, and Finance Diversity Equity and Inclusion before a full vote of Council. Ord. Nos 1302 and 1303-2023.