Committee moves $5,000 sponsorship request from Case Western Reserve to second reading

Committee members voted to move Resolution 20250071 to the full council for a second reading after officials from Case Western Reserve University described the recent 'Protecting Your Crown' conference and requested $5,000 to cover speaker fees and related expenses.

Julian Rogers, associate vice president for local government and community at Case Western Reserve, said the Protecting Your Crown conference expanded this year from an internal campus event to include participants from the broader Cleveland area; organizers reported growing attendance from about 50 to roughly 150 people. Evelyn Nunez Rodriguez, the program manager, said the university used its student center for the event and charged external attendees a registration fee; she said departments pay rental fees for setup and that detailed itemized facility costs are available from the event lead.

Council members asked whether the university's office for diversity, equity and inclusive engagement had encountered federal compliance issues; university staff said they had not. The committee moved the resolution forward for a second reading by voice vote. Councilmembers in attendance added their names as sponsors.

The committee did not authorize final payment; the item was advanced to the full council for formal action and appropriation.