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Cincinnati City Council approves multiple emergency ordinances, grant applications and capital accounts; votes at a glance
Summary
Council passed a package of emergency ordinances and motions including grant applications, capital project accounts, CDBG transfers, DORA renewal and a historic designation; several budget and reserve items advanced after debate.
At its business session following public comment, Cincinnati City Council adopted a range of emergency ordinances, motions and funding actions. Highlights from roll calls and discussion recorded in the transcript include:
Votes at a glance
- Item 36 — Motion to begin the annual review of the city manager (adopted by roll call).
- Item 37 — Market analysis to review deputy clerk salary range (adopted).
- Item 38 — Emergency ordinance authorizing payment of $1,325.58 to Broadcast Music Inc. from the Cincinnati Recreation Commission fund (suspension and passage recorded).
- Item 39 — Emergency ordinance authorizing payment of $8,740 to United Title Services LLC for title services related to water main improvements (suspension and passage recorded).
- Item 40 — Ordinance authorizing the city manager to apply for and accept a U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance grant of up to $527,000 for bulletproof vests (passed).
- Item 41 — Established capital improvement account for Gilbert Avenue safety phase 1 with ODOT funding (passed).
- Item 42 — Established a capital account and accepted an Ohio Department of Natural Resources grant to extend the Little Miami Scenic Trail along Beechmont Avenue (passed).
- Item 43 — Emergency ordinance authorizing return/transfers of $3,100,184.29 in Community Development Block Grant funds to close/decrease existing projects (passed).
- Item 44 — Emergency ordinance authorizing a funding agreement with the Clifton Heights Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation to acquire 125 Calhoun Street (CUF). The clerk's readout in the transcript contains inconsistent dollar figures for the TIF expenditure; the recorded description is unclear and is flagged for confirmation (see audit).
- Item 47 — Ordinance establishing a "waterfall" policy for allocation of carryover/stabilization funds; passed after debate and recorded dissent on constraints for the final bucket.
- Item 48 — Motion to analyze effects of amending the 2026 waterfall reserve percentages (adopted to request a staff analysis).
- Item 50 — Emergency ordinance transferring $2,761,207 to increase the city's working capital reserve (passed).
- Item 51 — Ordinance authorizing a funding agreement to support the Mill Creek Valley Conservancy District (passed); see separate article.
- Item 52 — Motion directing the administration to design a 10‑year neighborhood planning cycle (adopted).
- Item 53 — Motion to create an Office of Strategic Growth inside the city manager's office (adopted).
- Item 54 — Motion directing a report on active lead tax abatements by March 1, 2026 (adopted).
- Item 55 — Emergency ordinance renewing the designated outdoor refreshment area (DORA At The Banks) for five years (passed).
- Item 56 — Emergency ordinance designating the Brinker Building at 4030 Glenway Avenue a local historic landmark (passed); proponents said the project will include roughly five residential units and retail space.
Council debate and context
Council discussion included a fiscal debate over the design of the carryover waterfall and whether the "final bucket" should be restricted; the vice mayor publicly opposed those restrictions but the ordinance passed. Several items were described as having federal or state grant backing (Gilbert Avenue/Odot, Little Miami trail/ODNR, BJA vests/DOJ). Public commenters urged attention to enforcement practices, snow removal at school crossings, and the Mill Creek Conservancy District.
Administrative notes and announcements
Council members announced a February 18 presentation by CMHA to the Housing & Growth committee and the city's new Metro discounted bus pass program for city employees. Council also announced the death of Steve Shukman, longtime director of planning.
Next steps: Many measures authorized the city manager or administration to execute agreements or prepare analyses; the transcript indicates follow‑up reports and implementation work will proceed with staff and partner organizations.
