Aug. 7: Cleveland City Council meetings
Covered by Documenters Carolyn Cooper (notes) and Tina Scott (notes)
$3.8 million to cover ‘emergency repairs’ to Cleveland Browns Stadium
Amid a flurry of media reports and press releases casting uncertainty over the future site of Cleveland Browns home football games, Cleveland City Council made a move on the legislative gridiron: Reimbursing the Browns for about $3.8 million in capital repairs to the city-owned lakefront stadium.
James DeRosa, director of the Mayor’s Office of Capital Projects, said the city’s lease with the Browns – which expires in 2028 – lays out the process of making repairs to Browns stadium.
“We’ve really worked hard to pare this list down to specifically things that need to be done,” DeRosa said.
DeRosa listed the following “emergency repairs” covered by the legislation:
- $3.3 million for pedestrian ramp replacements
- $19,894 for gutter replacements
- $23,179 for pedestrian ramp curb repairs
- $352,000 for hot water tank replacement
- $64,000 for thermostatic mixing valve
The repairs are already complete, DeRosa said.
‘Tough decisions’ might be ahead for Browns stadium
Council Member Mike Polensek asked how much Cleveland spent last year on repairs at Cleveland Browns Stadium. DeRosa said the city spent about $3.45 million.
Since 2014, Cleveland has racked up $28 million in capital repair costs.
Noting the murky future of the lakefront stadium in light of the Browns’ vision for an enclosed home in Brook Park, Polensek said council needs to understand the city’s options.
“At some point, again, we might have to make some tough decisions here as to the future of Cleveland Browns Stadium,” he said. “And the body should have a full understanding as to the condition of the facility and what our options are with the facility, should the Browns choose to go elsewhere.”
Full council passed the legislation on Aug. 7.
Cleveland wants more security at rec centers
Cleveland is looking to re-tool its approach to security at its rec centers, pools and surrounding play areas.
Director of Public Works Frank Williams presented legislation that would let the city extend its existing contract with Safe Choice LLC for 90 days. The legislation would also let Cleveland put out fresh requests for proposals. The goal, Williams said, is to contract with multiple vendors and divy up the rec centers among them rather than tasking one vendor with staffing the city’s nearly two dozen facilities.
Council Member Anthony Hairston said the city should consider having community members – people that he said rec center attendees are familiar with and respect – work at the facilities in a supportive role.
Council also passed this legislation on Aug. 7.
$100,000 for assessing Cleveland co-responder program
Cleveland’s legislative body teed up several pieces of legislation for future discussion once it’s back in regular session in September. One piece of legislation would let Cleveland give up to $100,000 to Case Western Reserve University.The money would go to data collection and analysis of Cleveland’s co-responder program.
Under a co-response model, a police officer and a mental health expert team up to take calls involving a mental health crisis. Cleveland launched a pilot program in 2020.
Read the notes from Documenter Carolyn Cooper:
Read the notes from Documenter Tina Scott:
