Finance, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee

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This meeting will be live-streamed on @CleCityCouncil’s YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@ClevelandCityCouncil

For anyone already watching, is the music right now not INFINITELY better? If Paramore ever releases a jazz fusion album, this is what it sounds like. Good work over there, @CleCityCouncil Music Maestro! https://t.co/kciN4rayuC

Here’s the agenda for today. Starting with the Port of Control, contracting asphalt services. https://t.co/9EIRJzvsUK

Its not just you guys @KerryMcCormack1, the volume on the YouTube feed is a bit low as well. https://t.co/FAgNS7De8l

The asphalt contract was approved. Moving on to the contract with TurnDev, this is the company that will manage the new police headquarters. https://t.co/azoO5re10w

@CityofCleveland Manager of Architecture and Site Development, Carter Edman, is giving a presentation on the police headquarters project.

Here’s some very preliminary renderings of what the building may look like. https://t.co/6lvPGnxsTZ

https://t.co/Y7R8tZtkyZ

This is a repeat slide from the last presentation that shows the cost differences with the Opportunity Corridor site vs. Superior Avenue. https://t.co/iTCtkh1FRr

This is the info that goes over my head so any of you finance experts want to chime in, have at it. https://t.co/5ZDoGwebj5

Another one for you finance experts. https://t.co/wLORzDXkqu

Managing Partner at TurnDev, Jon Pinney, who attended last week’s Joint Committee to discuss the new HQ deal, is back and reviewing the slides of all the guidelines they expect to meet in this project: https://t.co/5g4ab84PFv

Carter Edman bringing back the bow-tie one Finance meeting at a time. Someone get this man a Pocket Protector! https://t.co/BXNXEBE0CF

Chair @Griff4CLE6 is asking about design features in the older ArtCraft building, specifically the columns and concrete, and the chances they may interfere with the police department’s functionality. https://t.co/imFseyZ58M

Edman explains the columns take the place of walls, so the area and workspaces will be quite open and collaborative.

The City says once this HQ deal is finalised, they’ll put up the former Opportunity Corridor location for development.

Griffin says he still has his concerns about cost overruns and that he supported constructing a new building rather than rehabbing an older building.

Ward 8 Council Member Mike Polensek, who owes me twenty-five cents, who has previously said Council was mislead by the City in the Opportunity Corridor proposal about the departments being housed there, is asking for clarification on similar related to the ArtCraft deal.

Emergency Operations, SWAT, and the Real-Time Crime Center will all be in separate buildings, not in the ArtCraft building for strategic reasons.

Polensek says he was not aware of this and wants to know if there’s anything else the City neglected to tell. He says ArtCraft was “not my first choice” of new HQ location.

City Controller Jim Gentile is reviewing details of the funds and any additional money leftover with Polensek. https://t.co/XiTtfvyZJT

Polensek wants a guarantee on the location lasting for 50 years, and guarantees on the diversity aspects of hiring in development & construction. They’re discussing adding this to the legislation to include it. https://t.co/LzJ5hBuCUI

Ward 16 Council Member @kazy_brian wants to know what the repercussions are should these guarantees not be met. https://t.co/qk29ts9lTp

‘Pink and purple unicorns operating cranes’ you say, Kazy?!
Allow me… https://t.co/3CwqyIkGtW

Pinney says they are “obligated by contract” on diversity & reporting to OEO, & the use of @clepublicpower in this deal. He says they are not “good faith” agreements, there is language to show they are requirements.

“CBO” is Community-Based Organisation.

Polensek made a motion to amend the legislation to require reporting on the project, and to require accountability measures of the involved teams. https://t.co/P78zS4HEsF

Kazy brought back the Prince-album-cover tie.
👍🏻 https://t.co/xUzQFzDMrz

@kazy_brian asks about safety, the building is right on the street, no bollards or added protection (I’ve had this thought as well). Police Chief Wayne Drummond says he is comfortable with the safety of the location. https://t.co/2ivwIH64dp

This ordinance is approved, so the City can move forward with its development of the ArtCraft building.

Community Development Assistant Director Michiel Wackers is revieiwng the next ordinance which supports federal funding for housing for low-income & vulnerable populations. https://t.co/2vUOASQAg0

Ward 10 Council Member Anthony Hairston said he’s been in multiple committee meetings working with the Department of Building & Housing on this. He says they’ll return with complete numbers once these grants have been approved. https://t.co/KtBrXQvhtl

This money will affect CDCs, Community Development Corporations. Griffin acknowledges some of the CDC leadership in attendance today. https://t.co/zYXLRFrGt0

McCormack says he has three amendments to this legislation. One is a procedural/language thing. The next is to lower a minimum amount required for funding from $5,000 to $2,000 to increase CDCs accomplishment numbers to include lower-cost repairs. https://t.co/wAZl56hOsl

The third amendment would prohibit the city from setting any minimum on housing repairs for funding through the CDCs, so just fixing steps on a property, installing a new sink, etc.

Council Member Hairston has seconded these motions. Kazy asks why the requirements existed in the first place if HUD (federal Housing & Urban Development agency) doesn’t have them. Wackers says the amounts are used to distinguish between types of services.

Wackers says the city works with the CDCs on this. Kazy says he’s concerned about CDCs having to seek out other funding & wants to see the requirement amounts streamlined, what qualifies as a “rehab” vs a “repair”.

McCormack explains his amendment that would decrease major project minimums to $2,000. Apparently some of these “accomplishments” the CDCs report cost too little to be counted.

This ordinance is approved with the amendments sponsored by McCormack and Hairston, who is printing out and handing the amendments to Council’s attorney now.

Public Works Director Frank Williams is explaining the reason for emergency ordinance 373-2023, which is not on the agenda. It’s a supplement for a previous ordinance to allow Public Works to work with a specific company without outside bidding. https://t.co/wntJov0SCK

Williams says if they don’t enter into contract with this company they will lose out on the opportunity to get this equipment because of supply chain issues around the country. He says his staff has expressed concerns about current equipment lasting the whole season.

Public Works was approved to purchase this equipment. Williams says this allows them to lease the equipment and purchase on the back end. He wants to move fast because other cities are taking the equipment.

Ward 2 Council Member Kevin Bishop is asking about why this wasn’t anticipated. Williams says he only came on last May. The money to purchase new vehicles & equipment was already approved as part of the budget, but leasing allows them to get the equipment sooner. https://t.co/zDaAkU0VDg

Polensek says he’s voting for this only because he trusts Streets Commissioner Randall Scott and Frank Williams. Williams says he only found out about this problem last week Thursday. https://t.co/l0BP1DQLMX

Williams is explaining to Bishop the difference between pothole repair vs. full spot resurfacing. This equipment allows them to do more resurfacing, which he says will prevent potholes. https://t.co/G5vumgLpKo

This ordinance is approved by the committee and will be up for full approval tonight at the full Council meeting.

The next ordinance is to approve funding to permanently install the broadcast system that shows and streams Council meetings on YouTube and @TV20Cleveland. https://t.co/1bmHo4yOhq

https://t.co/lZmejbcL5y

This ordinance is approved. Moving on to a resolution by @jennyspencercle asking for more legislation to protect Clevelanders regarding train safety, emergency preparedness, and HAZMAT management.

On to Resolution 370-2023. This asks the state to return to pre-recession funding levels of local government. Several Councillors are gong to Columbus Wednesday to speak to the state.
McCormach says they are de-funding local services & giving tax breaks to the richest Ohioans.

This resolution is approved and will also go to the full Council tonight. Griffin reads the next resolution, which also addresses loss of local government funding from the state. This bill lowers income taxes on top earners. Conwell says he’s going to Columbus with Spencer. https://t.co/QSjxlVr7Lk

The committee meeting is now adjourned. This concludes my coverage of @CleCityCouncil‘s Finance, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee meeting. For more on local government happenings, visit our website: https://signalcleveland.org/governmentmeetings/