Cleveland City Council schedules new public hearing July 7 after notice failed to run

The Cleveland City Council voted to reestablish a public hearing on draft land-use assumptions and the city's capital improvement plan after an advertisement failed to run within the legally required notice period.

Blake Barringer, the city engineer, told the council the notice did not appear in the newspaper because of "miscommunication amongst myself and the newspaper," and that state notice rules require the advertisement to run in the paper for 30 days before the hearing. "So what we're doing tonight is just reestablishing a new public hearing date, which I believe is for July 7, which, again, will be the day of the EDC meeting," Barringer said.

A council member moved to approve the resolution to set the hearing date; the presiding officer recorded the motion as made by Mr. Buckley and seconded by Mr. Mac Waters. The chair announced the motion carried 6 to 0.

When a council member asked which outlets would carry the notice, Barringer said the only required publication is the locally distributed paper, identifying it as The Vindicator, but added the city could advertise in additional outlets "if that would be the city's desire" provided staff is notified in advance.

A council member urged extra outreach to ensure local residents are informed, saying, "So even if we just share on social media." Barringer responded that staff can arrange additional advertising if the council directs it.

The council completed the item and adjourned the meeting later in the session.

What happens next: the council has set the public hearing for July 7; the city must ensure the required notice runs in the newspaper for the legally prescribed period before that date, and any additional advertising will require advance coordination with staff.