[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6301922,"mediaKeyId","2483225-90ecd7df5e4c6b5ccbec09085e90b734","parentId",2483225,"title","Committee approves waterfront authority, budget amendments and a package of routine ordinances; votes at a glance","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",7035000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2483225-90ecd7df5e4c6b5ccbec09085e90b734&start=7035&end=7035","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2483225-90ecd7df5e4c6b5ccbec09085e90b734/thumbnail_7035000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6301922/Cleveland/Cuyahoga-County/Ohio/Committee-approves-waterfront-authority-budget-amendments-and-a-package-of-routine-ordinances-votes-at-a-glance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301922-7091c1a814abcfa851bdee48aaa51ae2/orig.mp4?Expires=1774938521&Signature=Ni5v6iQf7bUVzBt3Jqmn3agirgOK5aPunzOvuUpMK56ZoR4s6s6D-r5a24g8HFyQD1xXSri9UiZsjFin-uSC0HuaQ84N1DBg43gUgqKmRAVOO~9ODu-tRuvcU1FjM8Xh0e0pZIcrrvdTLUpgpljCwXAKehNg2b6M0~X7-zNix~z1jDazyOxcjXBzkmmdoJaVZABDtQKM4FHdYStR00Cgyr8Agb-W8RekHCSPTOh~ur0AEIgepLOgwTkcO-J~xruqhZfPTMhbNUp4GZYOCKXjQzN7SbDtzF-cdD5GQAcWLpW3p2OC74~o84Af0P84ANnwg38Z6YfgVzyNPh0PPbtLoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Cleveland OH","date","2025-03-04T09:33:29Z","article","At its March committee meeting the Finance, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee approved the amended 2025 appropriation ordinance (Ordinance 156-2025) that includes the $4.6 million transfer to the Neighborhood Equity Fund and approved Ordinance 1061-2024 to create the North Coast Waterfront New Community Authority, as reported in separate articles.

In addition to those substantive items the committee approved the following ordinances, resolutions and routine items by voice vote or by committee consent. Most of these measures were reported out of their standing committees prior to the full committee vote.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 1173-2024 (Port Control submerged land leases): Approved. Authorizes the director of port control and public works to enter into submerged land leases with the state of Ohio and consent to subleases for waterfront parcels (term up to 99 years with renewal options). Presented by port staff (Dennis Kramer). Committee recommendation: approved.

- Ordinance 990-2024 (sale of East 100 and Fifth Street and Churchill Avenue parcel to NRP Group): Approved. Authorizes sale of city-owned parcel to NRP group for Phase 2 of the Davis low-income housing tax credit project (70 units). Presented by Commissioner Green.

- Ordinance 122-2025 (Ohio BWC firefighter glove grant): Approved. Authorizes application and acceptance of $15,000 grant with $3,000 match for turnout gloves.

- Ordinance 123-2025 (FY24 Assistance to Firefighters grant): Approved. Authorizes acceptance of $246,761.20 in AFG funding (with required match) to purchase three air compressors and 35 multi-gas meters for the Division of Fire (grant period 06/01/2025'05/31/2027).

- Ordinance 43-2025 (youth programming, recreation center consultants): Approved as amended. Authorizes up to $2,800,000 in short-term consultant agreements to support trauma-informed neighborhood resource and recreation center programming and summer activities; amendment revised contract term and added threshold requiring additional legislative authority for contracts over $50,000.

- Ordinance 117-2025 (purchase and expansion of Lucky Park; amend property adoption agreement): Approved. Authorizes purchase of a parcel between Starkweather and Professor Avenues to expand Lucky Park and amends the adoption agreement with Tremont West Development Corporation for maintenance (using ward funds).

- Ordinance 177-2025 (municipal court classification updates): Approved. Updates municipal court classification and compensation tables as requested by Municipal Court.

- Resolution 236-2025 (April 2025 Child Abuse Prevention Month): Committee added sponsors and recommended passage.

- Resolution 252-2025 (opposing Ohio Senate Bill 1 regarding DEI restrictions in higher education): Committee added sponsors and recommended passage.

- Ordinance 250-2025 (CRA tax abatement carve-out): Approved. Exempts a small set of parcels on the Cleveland'East Cleveland border (three streets adjacent to Lakeview Cemetery) from the strong-market area tax abatement rules so those parcels can receive full CRA benefits for neighborhood rehabilitation; presenters noted poverty and vacancy concerns for the specific blocks.

Administrative notes

Most votes were recorded as committee voice votes; the transcript records actions as \"stands approved\" and \"please sign on\". Several items were explicitly identified as having been vetted in prior committee hearings (e.g., port control submerged land lease, municipal services vetting for the Davis parcel and Lucky Park acquisitions).

Why it matters: The package keeps a mix of capital and operational items moving'from housing and parks to public safety grants and youth programming'while clearing procedural steps needed to pursue waterfront leases and development work on the lakefront.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Finance, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, March 3, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Finance Committee approved the budget amendment to the Neighborhood Equity Fund, adopted the North Coast Waterfront NCA ordinance and cleared a set of departmental and administrative ordinances, grants and property actions in a single session. This article lists approved items and key details.","taxTitle","Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio","taxId",2662,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6301926,"Council approves formation of North Coast Waterfront New Community Authority to finance lakefront development",4596,2443000,7039000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2483225-90ecd7df5e4c6b5ccbec09085e90b734&start=2443&end=7039","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2483225-90ecd7df5e4c6b5ccbec09085e90b734/thumbnail_2443000.jpg","/articles/6301926/Cleveland/Cuyahoga-County/Ohio/Council-approves-formation-of-North-Coast-Waterfront-New-Community-Authority-to-finance-lakefront-development","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301926-cbd826b06bfe00af51a76b221977080d/orig.mp4?Expires=1774938521&Signature=W0IottaiWh5EmJPnUBjb-B5B6-S4r8bo2xAuGC1j2kSTRVj2p4yTOvH2QztWXTy-qc2871iVigUbJknR2s6RLX6JGxCLiOIRLC1oXwMM5ewk2rW0~hDohD79YU8KIu7PSie4-hfjgwFSy6owicZj5u1hSI6fEQBXkn3SgA5bz3q0FnD~C6jwFyXw6Ew3bKwSHQ3mgFTLSRBJnJzTB3t2k1WKBxkep-u7vYNXbKqzMZmYIMmISlX1bJt7M1jRruKnqmeapm~~699QxXrmvjfK4OFc9fz6jBWSDhkkgJ1S68PZ7h1w9xgIZ7mI6nY8neIC-xqupP3oW5JxDcn8e2ycUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Finance Committee approved Ordinance 1061-2024, as amended, to form a North Coast Waterfront New Community Authority (NCA). The committee read a set of technical amendments into the record and approved the ordinance and initial appointments by voice vote.

The NCA is a state-authorized, quasi-governmental entity that can collect charges and fees from property owners and lessees within a narrowly defined geographic district and use those revenues only inside that district. The committee's ordinance creates an initial NCA boundary (land north of Cleveland Browns Brown Stadium and adjacent municipal lots and parkland) and appoints initial board members. Council and the developer (the city) will appoint board seats under the state statutory model; the chief corporate counsel read a set of names into the record as the initial appointees and noted some technical changes required because of conflicts related to serving on multiple boards.

Scott Skinner, executive director of the North Coast Waterfront Development Corporation, presented the plan and said the organization's priorities include advancing funding and project management for the North Coast Connector, building the organization's long-term sustainability, cultivating public-private partnerships, stakeholder engagement and near-term activation of publicly owned waterfront land. Skinner said the waterfront group has raised $150 million in grant funds for the Shoreway realignment and land bridge'$20 million from the state and $130 million in federal funding, including INFRA and Reconnecting Communities grants'and that federal funds require construction to start in 2027.

Skinner said the NCA is intended to be a financing and operating vehicle for shared infrastructure and public space on the lakefront and presented a conservative projection that existing users could generate about $800,000 annually through fees such as special-event parking charges; that figure could rise if new development participates and the district captures additional revenue sources. He described the NCA tool as \"a way to fund both operations and as a way to fund key public space and shared infrastructure.\" (paraphrase)

Chief corporate counsel Stephanie Melnick read into the record an amendment to the ordinance that sets specific initial citizen and developer appointees and clarified roles for local government representation. The amendment also identified that some appointments could not proceed immediately because of statutory limits on serving on multiple boards; those seats will be addressed in subsequent legislation.

Committee members asked detailed questions about: whether charges are mandatory (they are not; property owners/lessees must opt in), whether charges would be disclosed on receipts (yes), limits on geographic use of funds (funds may be spent only within the defined NCA), how the NCA interacts with other tools (TIF, SID, DORA can coexist), and whether the Browns, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame or other institutions could be asked to participate (they would need to opt in). Skinner said the North Coast Waterfront Development Corporation will manage NCA operations but that the NCA board makes spending and contractual decisions.

Council members who voiced support said the NCA is a tool to finance publicly accessible waterfront space without drawing on the general fund; some members expressed concerns about ceding authority to quasi-independent entities and asked for regular reporting and community benefits protections. The committee voted to approve the ordinance as amended; the approved document establishes the NCA, names initial board members and authorizes future petitions to expand the district to include submerged land and other lakefront parcels at a later date.

Why it matters: The NCA creation is an early step in a multipart financing approach that includes federal and state grants, potential federal TIFIA loans and private participation; council supporters said it can fund public space and shared infrastructure while protecting the city's general revenue.","The committee approved Ordinance 1061-2024 (as amended) to create a North Coast Waterfront New Community Authority (NCA), set initial board appointments and authorize a geographically constrained financing tool intended to fund lakefront infrastructure and public space.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6301931,"Cleveland council amends 2025 budget to add $4.6 million for neighborhood equity fund",1710,424000,2134000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2483225-90ecd7df5e4c6b5ccbec09085e90b734&start=424&end=2134","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2483225-90ecd7df5e4c6b5ccbec09085e90b734/thumbnail_424000.jpg","/articles/6301931/Cleveland/Cuyahoga-County/Ohio/Cleveland-council-amends-2025-budget-to-add-46-million-for-neighborhood-equity-fund","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301931-a7743ecc91849dd53fb161731d4bcb70/orig.mp4?Expires=1774938521&Signature=heW8WggPuCrpN~JqubV1R73WVUn7x~z1SYZu5q9mLNihCxL~GodPu3twV2NZ9nTOO7Gl8GQHrdc0JvJ3Pf~htgwSvkU9lcsP34UlLji3zQ8UpX2RM0Y6-b0swobM2ZcWFPTBptI15umaXpI91vx9KuksGkAFsFOMgtcoD0tasYMmfpUGR6Rd1QX1lfi1TfONKzN55mb3bjfLKCV--b-Gi20QcyG57g8pscfrl7y6kSu-owBpoqpJ8r8EPZsu19T5lK0jAlymIlc-59FLjWjA~XchQ67uW6a2n62g9diW2Jplbbmh-KE5g-b1LdnVMjO1dlzAxsWCVPXx19XImwfEBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members on the Finance, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee voted to amend Ordinance 156-2025 and approved an additional $4,600,000 transfer from the city's unencumbered cash balance to the Neighborhood Equity Fund, increasing the fund total to $10,200,000.

The amendment was presented verbally and read into the record by committee staff; it was moved by the committee chair and seconded by Councilman Carey McCormick. After discussion, the committee approved the amendment by voice vote.

The amendment directs that the additional $4.6 million be taken from the city's unencumbered cash balance (carryover) and specifies several targeted appropriations in section 2 of the ordinance. The text read into the record lists line-item additions including $100,000 for auxiliary police; $650,000 for additional recreation instructors; $67,500 for a full-time small business mentor-prot\u0000e9g\u0000e9 position; $49,000 for carbon monoxide and smoke detectors; $63,750 for a translation liaison; $63,750 for an LGBTQIA+ liaison; $10,200,000 to the Neighborhood Equity Fund; $113,000 for schools-as-neighborhood-resources; an increase of 11 EMS headcount positions; and $500,000 for Youth Opportunity Unlimited programming. The amendment also includes standard language about unencumbered balances at year-end and references sections 39 and 41 of the city charter to govern transfers and the mayor's control of the expenditure budget.

Councilman Carey McCormick, who seconded the initial transfer amendment, framed the change as a direct investment in neighborhood priorities: \"These are additional dollars to neighborhood investment fund. These dollars go directly into neighborhood projects like playgrounds, parks, roads, neighborhood safety cameras, speed tables,\" he said.

Finance Director Gentile cautioned that moving $4.6 million from carryover creates a structural change and raises risks for the year ahead: \"This will make the budget structurally unbalanced,\" he said, citing potential increases to pension contributions, changes to bond tax status that would raise borrowing costs, possible reductions in federal grants and ongoing union negotiations that could increase personnel costs over multiple years.

Council members debated the tradeoff between reserves and neighborhood investments. Councilman Mike Polinsic emphasized the council's fiscal restraint and defended the amendment's one-time use of carryover, saying the council's adjustments were made with an eye toward both reserves and neighborhood needs. Councilman Kevin Conwell and other members urged the administration and the council to ensure the funds are deployed quickly and equitably.

Following committee discussion the ordinance as amended was approved and will be forwarded for full Council consideration and signatures.

Votes at the committee were taken by voice; the committee chair called for those in favor and'the \"ayes have it.\" No roll-call tally was read into the committee record.

Why it matters: The transfer directs capital to neighborhood-level projects and services that council members said residents requested in block-club and ward meetings. Finance staff warned that the use of large unencumbered carryover reduces the cushion available for unforeseen fiscal risks later in 2025.","The City Council committee approved amendments to Ordinance 156-2025 to transfer an additional $4.6 million from unencumbered carryover to the Neighborhood Equity Fund and to codify a set of targeted appropriations, with officials debating fiscal risk and neighborhood need.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves waterfront authority, budget amendments and a package of routine ordinances; votes at a glance

Council approves formation of North Coast Waterfront New Community Authority to finance lakefront development

Cleveland council amends 2025 budget to add $4.6 million for neighborhood equity fund