Council passes multiple routine ordinances, approves appointments and grant acceptances; BRT loitering ordinance referred back to committee

Cincinnati City Council voted on a slate of routine and emergency measures during its March session, approving grant acceptances, administrative salary adjustments and honorary street namings. Most measures passed by unanimous roll call. One proposed change to streets-and-sidewalks rules affecting bus rapid transit (BRT) stations was referred back to committee after council members raised concerns about misdemeanor penalties.

Appointments and confirmations: The council confirmed the city manager’s appointment of Emmy Schroeder to the Environmental Advisory Board by roll call vote (confirmed). The council also adopted a ceremonial resolution recognizing Hope Harvey Dudley as a 2025 Black History Month honoree.

Grants and transit measures: The council authorized acceptance of a grant of up to $298,869 from the Ohio Department of Health for the “Get Vaccinated Ohio” public health initiative and accepted up to $250,000 in Federal Transit Administration funds to support the streetcar (both measures approved). Council members also approved a smaller federal grant to support real-time displays for the streetcar system, and adopted an updated public transportation agency safety plan for the Connector/streetcar.

Personnel and salary schedule adjustments: The council approved emergency ordinances updating salary schedules and classification titles for new or revised positions, including behavioral health specialist and supervising behavioral health specialist positions, the director of finance salary alignment, environmental services director, and new zoning technician/senior zoning planning examiner classifications (all approved by roll call).

Honorary namings: The council approved honorary secondary street names for Ray Street and Liberty Street in Over-the-Rhine as Jim Scott Way and Realistic Avenue at Dana Avenue in Evanston as Beverly Kinney Way (both approved). The council also authorized other routine technical and regulatory amendments, many on emergency suspension with unanimous yes votes.

Streets-and-sidewalks/BRT ordinance referred: Council debated an ordinance that would apply streetcar platform restrictions to future BRT stations, making loitering or using a BRT platform for purposes other than boarding or disembarking a fourth-degree misdemeanor. Several members expressed concern that a fourth-degree misdemeanor (fine up to $250 and up to 30 days in jail) was too punitive; some members proposed aligning the offense with a lesser classification. After discussion, Council member Krammerding moved to send the ordinance back to committee; the motion to refer passed by roll call.

Votes at a glance (selected actions): - Appointment: Emmy Schroeder to Environmental Advisory Board — confirmed by roll call (yes votes recorded). - Item 61: Emergency ordinance amending Chapter 402 (airport use fees) — adopted (roll call yes). - Item 62: Ordinance authorizing acceptance of up to $298,869 from Ohio Department of Health — adopted (roll call yes). - Item 63: Emergency ordinance accepting up to $250,000 from the Federal Transit Administration for streetcar services — adopted (roll call yes). - Item 64: Emergency ordinance approving revised public transportation agency safety plan for the Connector/streetcar — adopted (roll call yes). - Item 65: Ordinance modifying Chapter 723 (streets and sidewalks use regulations) as applied to BRT stations — referred back to committee (motion to refer passed by roll call). - Item 66: Emergency ordinance establishing salary schedules for behavioral health specialist and supervising behavioral health specialist — adopted (roll call yes). - Item 67: Emergency ordinance updating director of finance classification/salary — adopted (roll call yes). - Item 68: Emergency ordinance updating environmental services director salary schedule — adopted (roll call yes). - Item 69: Emergency ordinance establishing zoning technician and senior planning examiner titles/salary — adopted (roll call yes). - Item 70: Emergency ordinance declaring honorary secondary name Jim Scott Way at Ray and Liberty — adopted (roll call yes). - Item 72: Emergency ordinance declaring honorary secondary name Beverly Kinney Way at Realistic and Dana in Evanston — adopted (roll call yes).

Except where noted, measures were approved by unanimous roll call. The streets-and-sidewalks item (65) was the only substantive item the council sent back for additional review.