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Council committee advances $453,000 increase for Neighborhood Leadership Institute programs
Summary
Committee approved an amended grant to increase Neighborhood Leadership Institute funding from $289,000 to $453,000 to cover higher school and facility costs for school‑based evening, summer tennis and leadership programming; Parks Commissioner and NLI director described the program and its neighborhood staffing model.
The Committee of the Whole advanced an emergency ordinance authorizing Parks & Recreation to enter into an agreement with the Neighborhood Leadership Institute (NLI) for expanded educational, recreational and leadership programs, including after‑hours school use, summer tennis and the Youth Leadership Cleveland pipeline.
Commissioner Sam Gissentaner and NLI director Travell Harp told the committee NLI hires neighborhood residents to deliver programs in schools that lack nearby recreation centers and that the program has operated for more than 15 years. The administration requested an increase from an original $289,000 allocation to $453,000 to cover higher costs for Cleveland State University space, extended school building use fees, custodial and security charges.
Council members said the program fills gaps in recreation access and asked for regular budget monitoring; Gissentaner said the municipal budget process should include a longer‑term line item. The committee approved the increase and asked staff to include the program in upcoming operational and budget oversight hearings to track results and local hire outcomes.
