Committee approves subfunds to route lakefront parking charges to new community authority amid business complaints
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Summary
The committee approved an emergency ordinance to create subfunds that will hold and remit New Community Authority (NCA) parking charges collected at specific lakefront lots; staff said about $200,000 was collected August–December 2025, and councilmembers raised concerns from downtown businesses about higher parking rates and suggested hearings on pickup/drop‑off zones and fee policy.
The Committee on Finance, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion on Feb. 9 approved Ordinance 14‑47‑2025 to establish internal subfunds so the city can separate and remit parking charges collected on behalf of the North Coast Waterfront New Community Authority (NCA).
Deputy Chief Trevosano told the committee the measure is “cleanup legislation” to create the administrative back end that allows the city to transfer NCA dollars to the NCA. He said the NCA has been assessing fees since August 2025 and that the city collected about $200,000 between August and December 2025 but has not yet remitted those funds.
The ordinance does not change the rates the council previously authorized; Trevosano said the council set a ceiling for fees (typically up to $5, with $5 for special events and some exemptions) and that the NCA commonly assesses $1 on weekdays, $3 on weekends and $5 for special events. He said any increase above the council‑approved ceiling would have to return to council for approval.
Several councilmembers pressed administration staff about the downtown economic impact. One member said business owners had told him customers were not returning and asked whether the city could designate pickup or drop‑off zones. Council President noted the Downtown Cleveland Alliance and the Downtown Cleveland Improvement District had advocated for parking rotation to encourage turnover but agreed that the council should hold a hearing to reconcile competing concerns.
Councilman Brian Casey asked whether the NCA or a related development corporation would operate using these funds. Trevosano clarified there are two distinct entities: the North Coast Waterfront New Community Authority (a quasi‑governmental body with a board appointed by council and the city as developer) and the North Coast Waterfront Development Corporation, led by Scott Skinner, which is currently funded primarily with ARPA dollars. Trevosano said the NCA has incurred few operational costs so far beyond legal setup fees and that once funds transfer the NCA board will have authority to pay those bills.
The committee approved the ordinance with no recorded roll‑call tally in the transcript; Council President instructed the clerk to sign the legislation. Councilmembers indicated they plan further hearings or budget discussions to address business concerns and possible adjustments to on‑street rules, pickup/drop‑off zones or fee exemptions.
The ordinance creates the accounting structure needed to pass through fees collected for lakefront development projects; next steps include administrative set‑up of the subfunds and future policy hearings on downtown parking rules.