Cleveland — Newly sworn members of the Cleveland City Council on Jan. 5 elected Blaine A. Griffin as council president, confirmed Patricia J. Britt as clerk of council and adopted the council’s rules of order for 2026–2029.

Griffin was nominated and confirmed by his colleagues and then given the oath of office. “Be good to each other,” Griffin told council members in his remarks, calling on colleagues to assume good faith, work across differences and focus council decisions on neighborhoods and residents.

The clerk read File No. 42026, the rules of order governing council for 2026–2029. Councilwoman Jasmine Santana moved to adopt the rules and Councilman Chris Harsh seconded; the roll call recorded 14 yeas and 1 nay in the transcript, and the rules were declared adopted.

Patricia J. Britt was nominated and elected clerk of council and took the oath of office administered during the session.

Why it matters: The leadership votes and rules set the council’s internal procedures and influence how legislation and oversight will proceed in the coming term. Members used their inaugural remarks to flag policy priorities and governance issues that could shape the council’s early work.

What members said: In his opening remarks, Council President Griffin listed an agenda that included addressing poverty and health disparities, improving education outcomes, repairing infrastructure and confronting gun violence and mass incarceration. “We will always keep the people of Cleveland at the center of all of our decisions,” he said.

Several council members highlighted near-term fiscal and service challenges. Dean Michael D. Polincic warned the council to expect constrained outside funding, cited job losses tied to a county jail move and noted recent announcements about school closures. “Quality of life issues [must be] our number one priority,” Polincic said.

Councilman Brian Casey pressed for attention to the city charter and the balance of power between the administration and the governing body, proposing that the council consider whether the law director should be an elected position to secure clearer succession and accountability.

Councilman Richard Star raised charter-related concerns about staff hiring and the council’s role in selecting clerical personnel, saying the charter grants council authority in those areas and promising to formalize requests for more transparent hiring processes.

Ideas for budgeting and services also surfaced: Councilman Charles Slife proposed an “aspirational budget” to document the city’s ideal priorities even if resources are limited, arguing a long-term plan helps target spending when new revenue arrives.

New Ward 12 Councilmember Tanmay Shah closed his remarks with calls for solidarity that included a chant of “Free Palestine,” framing his comments as part of a broader commitment to nonviolence and to working-class priorities.

What’s next: The council adjourned and announced its next regular meeting for Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers. Members signaled early plans to prioritize constituent services, neighborhood development and oversight of administration hiring and policies.

Provenance: The key actions and quotes in this article are drawn from the council’s Jan. 5 inauguration ceremony and roll-call proceedings.