Council panel approves pay for two City Planning Commission alternates

A Cleveland City Council Finance, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee on Sept. 29 approved an emergency ordinance to set compensation for two alternates to the City Planning Commission. Ordinance No. 984-2025 establishes pay for two alternates at $187 per official meeting attended, the committee heard. City Planning staff told the committee the alternates are intended to fill quorum gaps caused when regular commissioners have conflicts of interest or financial involvement in matters under review. The alternates would be “on call” and paid only for meetings they attend, rather than being required to attend every meeting. Assistant director for City Planning explained the $187 rate was chosen to mirror the Board of Building Standards’ alternate compensation. The committee discussed operational details including notice protocols and hybrid meeting participation: staff said they request attendance lists earlier in the week and can have alternates join remotely for single cases when needed. Council members asked about operational impacts and recruitment. City Planning said two people have already expressed interest and that the mayor would receive nominations as part of the appointment process. Action: Ordinance No. 984-2025 was advanced by the committee and “stands for approval” in the committee transcript; the record shows no roll-call vote in the committee discussion excerpt. The ordinance authorizes compensation for up to two alternates and does not change appointment authority under the city charter; recruitment and nomination remain an administrative process.