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 household-level priorities: energy burden and lead poisoning. The director described the national program as a 25-city cohort funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, administered by the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University and supported by partner groups including PolicyLink, the Natural Resources Defense Council and Delivery Associates.

The initiative will be formalized through a nonbinding memorandum of understanding and will create a partnership table that includes cabinet-level city leaders, the three-person innovation team and three community-based organizations (named by the director as Black Environmental Leaders, Environmental Health Watch and Cleveland Neighborhood Progress). The director said the team will prototype solutions, develop metrics and targets under a results-based-accountability approach, and deliver twice-yearly reports to Bloomberg and to the city.

Council members pressed for clarity about the arrangement. Councilwoman Spencer asked whether the three-person team would be in place through April 2027; the director confirmed the team’s term and described the positions as an innovation team director (who will report to the chief of staff), a civic designer focused on community engagement and a third role to be determined by local need. Several council members asked how hiring would work; the director said Bloomberg will pay the staffers but the selection process includes local recruitment and city review and the mayor’s office will be their city supervisor.

The committee adopted an amendment requiring that “The director of sustainability shall provide biannual reports to council when provided to the initiative. All reports required herein will be delivered electronically to the clerk of council and entered into the record as a communication referencing this ordinance,” language read into the record by Councilwoman Spencer. The committee also directed staff to confirm whether the positions are subject to federal Hatch Act restrictions and said the matter may be held at Finance if legal advice indicates they would not be covered.

The ordinance, as amended, was approved by the Utilities Committee and will move forward for any remaining approvals and signatures.

Why it matters: The program brings in funded staff time and a modest city-directed operating fund to coordinate local climate-equity work across city departments and community partners. Committee members requested council copies of the biannual reports to ensure local oversight and to track whether the initiative translates into measurable reductions in household energy costs and lead exposures.

Additional details: The director said Cleveland is one of 25 cities in the cohort and one of five in Ohio. The initiative will produce a portfolio of ideas and targets, twice-yearly reporting to Bloomberg, and a final completion report at the end of the program.