May 6: Cleveland City Council
Covered by Documenters Ayanna Rose Banks (notes) and Regina Samuels (live-tweets)
Public commenters want to save Cudell Park
Cleveland City Council heard from six residents during public comment about saving Cudell Commons Park. The new Marion C. Seltzer Elementary School has the green light to begin construction, which would eliminate some green space and mature trees in Cudell Park.
Faouzi Baddour, a Ward 11 resident and member of the Friends of Cudell Commons Park, talked to council members about a meeting the advocacy group had recently. Cleveland Metropolitan School District CEO Dr. Warren Morgan, Cleveland Director of Capital Projects James DeRosa, and two members of City Council attended, Baddour said.
He suggested expanding the school in a different direction, away from the park. Baddour said officials told him that would cost about $4 million and require adjusting utility lines. Baddour asked council to find the money and said he wants city officials to work in “good faith.”
Enforcing the ‘Modell Law’ on the Haslams
Council approved an emergency ordinance allowing the city’s law director to fully enforce provisions of Ohio’s “Art Modell Law.” It comes as the Cleveland Browns are mulling leaving the city and moving to Brook Park after their lease for the Cleveland stadium expires in 2028.
The law took effect in 1996 following Modell moving the team to Baltimore. The state law requires team owners – in this case Jimmy and Dee Haslam – to obtain permission from the city to move or give the city or its residents the opportunity to buy the team.
Security officers at Cleveland rec centers
Cleveland City Council also approved legislation to bring professional security services to local pools, recreation centers and play areas.
Officers will be posted at all 21 rec centers. From June 8 through Aug. 18, officers will be posted at outdoor pools from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. On Mondays and Tuesdays, a security officer will be present if the temperature exceeds 85 degrees.
The cost is set to be no more than $2.4 million.
Watch the full public comments or read transcripts edited by Documenter Gennifer Harding-Gosnell on the Public Comment CLE website created by Ohio City resident Angelo Trivisonno.
Read more from Documenter Ayanna Rose Banks:
Read the live-tweet thread from Documenter Regina Samuels:
Suggested Reading
Cleveland Browns huddle with state lawmakers to show off Brook Park stadium plans
Though the team is still negotiating with the City of Cleveland about renovating the lakefront Browns Stadium, it pitched lawmakers on a domed stadium and entertainment development near the airport.