Council approves series of emergency ordinances, grants and funding transfers in unanimous votes

Cincinnati City Council on Jan. 15, 2025, unanimously passed a package of emergency ordinances, grant acceptances, payments and budget transfers covering environmental cleanup, pedestrian safety, workforce and program funding, and several one-time payments. The council also voted to hold a planning-fee item for 30 days pending a staff report.

The actions were taken as emergency measures or first readings and mostly passed on roll-call votes recorded as unanimous. Most items were introduced by city staff or council members and described briefly during the meeting before the votes.

Why it matters: The ordinances and grants provide immediate funding authority or program acceptance for projects ranging from community climate work to remediation of an industrial site along Mill Creek. Several items use state or philanthropic grant dollars; others authorize payments for outstanding vendor invoices and establish capital or project accounts.

Key actions and outcomes

- Motion (Item 43): Council member Denise Walsh moved that the administration provide a report within 30 days on the rationale and impacts of proposed planning-related fee adjustments before the fee changes are considered by council. The motion to request the report was adopted unanimously.

- AmeriCorps VISTA grant (Item 45): Emergency ordinance authorizing the city manager to apply for and accept in-kind services valued at up to $46,800 from the Ohio Community Development Corporation…