Local impact

Public commenters urged council to pass a resolution in support of a ceasefire, sharing about the impact of Israel’s war on Gaza in their lives and locally in Cleveland.

Members of Cleveland’s Palestinian community–Basma Hamid and Jacob Saliba with the Arab American Voter Project–talked about how Israel’s actions over the past decades have displaced families living in Gaza.

Cleveland Heights resident Ayat Amin shared her experience helping Afghan and Ukrainian families who were displaced in the past few years and told council members that they should expect a similar influx of Palestinian refugees fleeing violence in Gaza.

Ward 3 resident Milo Schumann–in response to council members’ past comments that Israel’s war on Gaza is not a local issue so they can’t take action–shared examples of resolutions that City Council has passed over the past few years:

• Condemning Russia’s attacks on Ukraine
• Supporting the 2021 Women’s March
• A day of celebration for the band Kiss
  

New security measures

Documenter Kellie Morris, who attended the meeting in-person, wrote that during the council meeting there were “restrictions placed on seating to create more space between the council/administration and the public attending the meeting.”

Commenters referenced the new space placed between themselves and council members, with Juan Collado of Ward 11 saying there was “no justification” for it. Public commenters normally speak at a podium directly behind where council members sit.

In addition to the physical changes to the space, City Council is considering changing public comment rules to be more restrictive. Ward 17 resident Nora Kelley told council members, “Limiting voices will fuel mistrust and demonstrate contempt for the process.”

Chicken enterprise

Legislation was introduced to create an “enterprise zone agreement” for International Food Solutions’ redevelopment of the former Goodwill on East 55th Street in Cleveland’s Central neighborhood. The company intends to turn the building into a chicken-processing plant.

The new legislation would give the company a 10-year property tax abatement on improvements made to the property, with some limits. The abatement will be reviewed annually.

Residents spoke in opposition to the plant during a February Zoning, Development, and Sustainability Committee meeting. Proponents have said it will bring jobs to the neighborhood.

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 Kellie Morris: