Cleveland City Council adopts multiple emergency ordinances and resolutions, including patrolmen's contract

Cleveland City Council on March 24, 2025, voted to suspend the rules and place multiple first- and second-reading emergency ordinances and resolutions on final passage, approving a package of departmental contracts, code amendments and policy resolutions including the collective bargaining agreement with the Cleveland Patrolmen's Association.

The council voted to suspend the rules on a block of first-reading emergency ordinances after the items were read into the record. Council Member Moore moved to suspend the rules; Council Member McCormack seconded. The clerk called the roll; most items passed unanimously with 15 yeas. The clerk recorded one item with a 14-1 vote on 03/05/2025 (the transcript identifies the tally but does not specify which ordinance received the single nay). The clerk read and the council adopted a second block of emergency ordinances and several resolutions later in the meeting, again using a motion to suspend rules moved by Council Member Moore and seconded by Council Member McCormack.

Votes at a glance (items read into the record and placed on final passage that evening): - Ordinance 378-2025 (parks youth football program contract with Cleveland Muni Football League) — first reading introduced and placed on final passage; outcome: adopted (vote recorded: 15 ayes when called on final passage). - Ordinance 379-2025 (purchase/rental authority for vehicles, equipment for Department of Port Control) — adopted (15 ayes). - Ordinance 383-2025 (Youth Opportunities Unlimited contract amendment to recruit additional youth and hire job coaches) — adopted (15 ayes). - Ordinance 384-2025 (proprietary parts/services contract with Kron Leibing Company for Gorman Rupp pump equipment) — adopted (15 ayes). - Ordinance 385-2025 (standard contracts for vehicles/equipment for Department of Port Control) — adopted (15 ayes). - Ordinance 386-2025 (amendment regarding agreements with Cleveland Cavaliers / Cleveland Charge events and parking) — adopted (15 ayes). - Ordinance 387-2025 (amendments to Air Pollution Control Code, new chapters on fugitive emissions, indoor air quality, penalties) — adopted (15 ayes). - Ordinance 377-2025 (North Coast Waterfront New Community Authority boundary and appointments amendment) — adopted (15 ayes). - Ordinance 388-2025 (acquire/reconvey properties at 7515 Cedar Avenue for African Town Plaza tax increment financing) — adopted (15 ayes). - Ordinance 389-2025 (approving the collective bargaining agreement with Cleveland Patrolmen's Association patrol officers; amending salary ordinance language) — adopted (15 ayes). - Multiple subsequent first- and second-reading emergency ordinances related to public works, public utilities, capital projects, waste collection and air monitoring equipment (listed in the meeting record as Ordinances 3/03/2025, 3/04/2025, 3/05/2025, 2/17/2025, 2/32/2025, 2/33/2025, 02/2025, 2/39/2025, 2/42/2025, 2/45/2025, and 3/06/2025) — adopted (vote tallies recorded as either 15 ayes or, for one entry, 14 yays and 1 nay; the transcript lists overall tallies but does not attach individual roll-call votes to each specific ordinance text in the record). - Resolution 380-2025 (Councilman Casey: objection to transfer of a C1/C2 liquor permit at 14939 Puritus Avenue) — read into the record (status: introduced). - Resolution 381-2025 (withdraw objection to new C1 permit at 16601 Euclid Avenue; repeal of prior resolution) — introduced/adopted as read. - Resolution 382-2025 (urging the U.S. federal government to relocate NASA headquarters to Cleveland) — adopted (the council added entire council as sponsors and carried the measure by voice/roll call unanimously when called for adoption). - Resolution supporting National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and a resolution encouraging the Cleveland Metropolitan School District to install school bus stop arm safety cameras were also placed on final passage and adopted that evening.

Motion and procedure notes: The transcript shows repeated motions "that the rules be suspended and the legislation just read be placed on final passage," each moved by Council Member Moore and seconded by Council Member McCormack. Roll-call lists shown on the record include Griffin, Bishop, Conwell, Gray, Hairston, Harrison, House Jones, Jones, Casey, Kelly, Moore, McCormack, Polensek, Santana, Slife, Spencer and Star; the clerk reported 15 ayes on most items and one 14-1 split on a March 5 entry noted in the file. The transcript does not attach individual yes/no votes to each ordinance text beyond the tallies read into the record.

Why it matters: The package included multiple city spending and procurement approvals, code amendments, public-works contracts and the collective bargaining agreement with the Patrolmen's Association — a contract that affects Cleveland’s police force and public-safety operations. Several items were moved on emergency passage the same night, limiting the typical time for committee review.

What the record does not show: The transcript records vote tallies and roll-call lists but does not attach an explicit, line-by-line roll for every ordinance text on the public record in the transcript excerpt. The clerk recorded one 14-1 result for a March 5 notation but did not specify which ordinance received the lone nay in the excerpt available.