Committee approves Bloomberg-funded innovation team for Cleveland to tackle energy burden and lead poisoning

The City of Cleveland Utilities Committee on Thursday approved Ordinance 13212024, an emergency measure authorizing the director of finance, on behalf of the Office of Sustainability, to accept three in-kind staff positions and $120,000 in non-personnel support from the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities program administered by Johns Hopkins University.

The measure, introduced by council members Casey and Griffin at the committee meeting, will place a three-person innovation team in the mayor’s office and provide non-personnel funds for equipment, graphics, travel and training. “This is a $1,500,000 value in kind for personnel for 3 years,” the director of sustainability told committee members. The director added that “The $120,000 is a fund for, equipment and, graphics, design, any sort of printing or travel or training for this 3 person team.”

Committee members said the initiative is intended to accelerate city efforts addressing two…