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Council reappoints two Community Relations Board members after broad questioning on strategic goals and measurement
Summary
The committee approved reappointments of Yasir Hamdala and Stephanie Morrison Herbeck to the Community Relations Board while members pressed nominees about whether the board has a written strategic plan, how it measures outcomes, and outreach plans for immigrant and marginalized communities.
The Cleveland mayor's appointments committee approved reappointments of Yasir Hamdala and Stephanie Morrison Herbeck to the Community Relations Board after a wide-ranging discussion about the board's mission, oversight of departmental staff and how the board measures the effectiveness of its programs.
Both nominees described long-standing neighborhood involvement: Stephanie Morrison Herbeck said she has lived on the Near West Side since 1979 and has been active on the Community Relations Board and in neighborhood arts and restorative-justice efforts; Yasir Hamdala said he has lived decades in the Stockyards area and has served on the board for more than 20 years, describing himself as "a bridge to city hall" for residents and small-business owners.
Council members repeatedly asked whether the board or the Community Relations Department has a written strategic plan and concrete performance measures. Nominees and other board members said staff produce monthly written reports and that programmatic work (for example, youth outreach, school-based diversion and district committees) follows a practical blueprint, but several council members urged clearer, measurable goals that would show how outreach reduces violence or improves intergroup relations.
Members also discussed community-specific outreach plans such as bringing city staff and law enforcement representatives to mosques and other community centers to discuss concerns, including immigration enforcement (ICE). Yasir Hamdala described plans to convene meetings at Cleveland-area mosques with the department's command staff to explain available services and rights.
The committee recorded unanimous committee-level support for both reappointments and advanced them. Council members said they expected the board to return with clearer performance metrics and stronger coordination with the Office of Equal Opportunity.
Provenance: Community Relations Board introductions and Q&A begin at SEG 1560 and the roll call finishes at SEG 2567.
