Oct. 18: Committee of the Whole, Cleveland City Council - Operational Review
Covered by Documenter Mildred Seward (notes)
78,000 Cleveland households enrolled in recycling program
Cleveland’s Division of Waste Collection and Disposal Commissioner Terrell Pruitt says 78,000 Cleveland households are now enrolled in the city’s opt-in recycling program.
Pruitt referred to the program as “a reflection of our residents,” adding Clevelanders “embraced” the new recycling initiative when it was re-started in 2022.
Pruitt shared the information at the first of many hearings or “operational reviews” where city departments share updates with City Council and answer questions in the lead-up to 2025 budget hearings.
Ward 2 Council Member Kevin Bishop brought up past concerns with the Waste Collection department not having enough bins for residents. Pruitt said Waste Collection has enough black bins, which are used for trash, but is out of the blue bins needed for recycling. He said he has asked City Council, through upcoming legislation, for authority to purchase additional recycling bins.
Ward 16 Council Member Brian Kazy pushed back on purchasing more blue carts, saying unused blue carts should be taken back. Director of Public Works Frank Williams said the city wants to educate and encourage more people to use them without pulling them back first.
Residents can enroll in Cleveland’s recycling program here.
Council hears from new Parks and Recreation director
City officials have been working with a consultant to develop a master plan for the new standalone Parks and Recreation department, said Alex Nichols, the newly hired director. Nichols said she has been reviewing the consultant’s reports “so I could familiarize myself with the needs assessment and the recommendation.”
The reorganized department will have four divisions: Recreation, Park Maintenance, Urban Forestry and Special Events.
These replace the Division of Recreation and Park Maintenance and Properties, along with the Office of Special Events and Marketing, which were eliminated in July following City Council’s approval.
Opportunity Corridor will be now maintained by city, not state
Public Works Director Frank Williams told members of council that the Department of Parks and Recreation is “in ownership of the maintenance” for the entirety of the Opportunity Corridor, taking over responsibility from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT).
Council members Kazy and Jenny Spencer, who represents Ward 15, expressed their surprise and asked for more details. Kazy asked how the decision came about. Assistant Director of Public Works John Laird explained that this is part of the original agreement with ODOT when the Opportunity Corridor was first built using state funds.
Read the notes from Documenter Mildred Seward
