Finance, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee: General Fund Budget Hearing, Day 1, Afternoon Session

Cleveland City Council

Development

Environment

Health

Housing

Labor

Libraries

Parks

Transportation

Criminal Justice

Utilities

Finance

Politics

Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024
1:00 p.m. — 5:00 p.m. EST

View meeting details

Add to iCal

Add to Google Calendar

601 Lakeside Ave Cleveland, OH 44114 (Directions)

Cleveland City Hall, Mercedes Cotner Room 217 (or watch on YouTube)

It is budget season in Cleveland! We’re going to document it!

We do not expect you to be a budget expert. Honestly, we don’t know many people who are. We want you to lead with your curiosity. Document the process as you see it. Ask questions about what you don’t understand. And of course, follow the money.

NOTE: This assignment is for the afternoon session of day 1 of General Fund Budget hearings. This assignment is scheduled from council’s return to session after lunch until approximately 5 p.m. Lunch break is expected at noon, but it may come earlier or later. The Cleveland Documenters team will be monitoring the hearing, and will let you know when the lunch break is expected to end. However, you may still need to monitor the YouTube feed (if watching remotely) at least 15 minutes before the afternoon session is scheduled to begin.

Also, be sure to let us know what’s the best way to reach you while on assignment: phone call, text, or email?

Pay: For budget assignments, we treat each session (AM or PM) as a four-hour meeting, even if it runs shorter.

Minimum pay if watching remotely: $108
Minimum pay if watching in-person: $144

More pay is added for sessions that run longer than 4 hrs & 15 min.

Documenters covering this should be prepared for the session to last up to four hours. If the session lasts longer than four hours and you cannot continue, let the Documenters team know and note where you leave off in your meetings notes or live-tweet thread.

Live tweeters: Because we are trying to make information from these budget hearings available for residents as quickly as possible, please only accept this assignment if you can live tweet this meeting WHILE the meeting is ongoing.

Notetakers: We know officials cover a lot in these sessions. You’ll have 48 hours to submit budget notes rather than the typical 24 (note: You’ll still receive an automated email to submit assignments within 24 hours).

On the agenda for this meeting: During these hearings, City Council will ask questions of every city department, division, and office regarding their proposed 2024 budgets. When we know which sections are set to be covered in your session, we’ll update this spot and also send you the information, including relevant page numbers in the Mayor’s Estimate.

2024 budget hearing resources:

The 2024 Mayor’s Estimate. Council members will refer to this document in the meeting. It has all the proposed budget numbers. Note: The original PDF might be easier to navigate. To access it from the Document Cloud link, click or tap the button in the top right corner. Then click or tap “Original Document (PDF).”
Video: 5 quick tips for navigating the 2024 Mayor’s Estimate document: https://youtu.be/TrHO1kFhfdw
Cleveland’s budget process: How does it work? (Guide) Note: This is from last year, but the process is the same.
Review past Documenters’ budget hearing coverage.

Watching remotely?

Find livestreams of this meeting:

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ClevelandCityCouncil/streams

On TV20: http://www.tv20cleveland.com/watch-now/

Attending in person? Be sure to bring a photo ID. There is paid parking connected to City Hall at the Willard Parking Garage, located at 601 Lakeside Ave.

Finance Committee members:

Blaine Griffin, chair (Ward 6)
Kerry McCormack, vice chair (Ward 3)
Kevin Bishop (Ward 2)
Kevin Conwell (Ward 9)
Anthony Hairston (Ward 10)
Brian Kazy (Ward 16)
Michael Polensek (Ward 18)
Jasmin Santana (Ward 14)
Jenny Spencer (Ward 15)

Other council members:

Joe Jones (Ward 1)
Deborah Gray (Ward 4)
Richard Starr (Ward 5)
Stephanie Howse-Jones (Ward 7)
Danny Kelly (Ward 11)
Rebecca Maurer (Ward 12)
Kris Harsh (Ward 13)
Charles Slife (Ward 17)

Note: The relevant page numbers in the Mayor’s Estimate will have the names of some administration officials.

For more information go to Cleveland City Council’s website: https://www.clevelandcitycouncil.org.

Check the source website for additional information

Reporting

Edited and summarized by the Cleveland - OH Documenters Team

Note-taking by Michaylah Burch

City of Cleveland's finances on solid ground, official says

View notes

Live reporting by Christina Easter

Council reviews proposed 2024 budgets for Departments of Aging, Law

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments

Good afternoon Cleveland and beyond! I will be live tweeting the afternoon session of Day 1 of the Finance, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee: General Fund Budget Hearing. #CLEDocumenters @signalcleveland @cledocumenters
Watch at

12:45 PM Feb 20, 2024 CST

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 2/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Here we go! Blaine Griffin, (Ward 6) chair of the Finance, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee opens the meeting.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 3/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Griffin reads the Emergency Ordinance 160-2024 which provides for the daily operation of a municipal department. Mayor Justin Bibb gives opening remarks.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 4/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters The Mayoral Priorities for 2024 include Southeast Side, Public Safety and Violence Initiative, and Shore to Core to Shore.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 5/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 6/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Long-Term Financial Plan cont'd

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 7/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Long-Term Financial Plan cont'd.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 8/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Ahmed Abonamah, Director, Department of Finance leads the afternoon session starting Feb. 16 presentation which is a breakdown of expenses by department.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 9/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Abonamah gives overview of the General Fund.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 10/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters General Fund cont'd.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 11/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters General Fund cont'd.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 12/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters General Fund cont'd.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 13/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters New items for 2024 Budget include organizational chart, letter from the Director of the Department Finance, vacancy pool, community budgetary priorities, and oversight hearings for various committees.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 14/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Abonamah discussing staffing - police, firefighters, and paramedics expect to hire 180 officers, 40 fire personnel, and 30 in paramedics.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 15/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Griffin asks how much does the city plan to issue in bonds and Abonamah states around $63m which is around the same from last year.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 16/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Next questions from council members starting with Chris Harsh (Ward 13) who asks about staffing, excluding uniformed personnel - 125 vacancy pools and whether these are all executives.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 17/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Abonamah confirms Harsh's inquiry that 174 vacancies + 125 vacancy pool = the 299 executive vacancies.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 18/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Next is council member Joseph Jones (Ward 1) who inquires about the effect of using bond proceeds vs. monies in the general fund.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 19/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Abonaham explains how monies in the general fund are used to pay debt service on bond issuances.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 20/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Next, Michael Polensek (Ward 18) who states the income tax collections are understated and s/b closer to $3.5b. Abonamah confirms that after 2028 the debt on the Browns Stadium will be paid and the city will be debt free.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 21/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Polensek inquires about: future repairs for the Browns Stadium and this information will be provided later; hiring an additional 67 officers will not be sufficient and that ramping up the police department is critical b/c we are around 1915 levels and asks Abonamah what he thinks

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 22/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Abonamah states ultimately there are two goals make due with what the city currently has and going to 12 hours shifts which dramatically relieves the burden of staffing all shifts all the time. That officers left to go to other cities due to pay.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 23/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Polensek states the city projects 181 vacancies now and only 21 officers were hired, 165 retired, and unless there is a full court press the city will not come close to filling vacancies; and he has not seen any improvement in police on the streets, traffic enforcement, etc.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 24/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Next Kerry McCormack (Ward 3) who inquires about capital repairs because there is no real way to account for amounts encumbered vs. actual spending. Griffin to add this to the follow-up list.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 25/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Next Jenny Spencer (15) who asks for clarification on what SLITs are and Abonamah replies subordinate lean income tax bonds which are bonds that are subordinated to the city's general obligation bonds.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 26/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Spencer next asks when are SLITs issued and Abonamah replies it depends on how much debt the city and overlapping city entities may issue and the last SLIT was issued in 2021 - and this is in the Budget Book. Abonamah confirms that the city does not plan to issue bonds this year

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 27/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Spencer states she appreciates the Mayor's office doing the people's budget public meetings because these are important - Abonamah states the city anticipates continuing these this year.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 28/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Abonamah states the department will try to hold meetings at locations where people are and the city will work on geographical proximity and having more meetings.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 29/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Spencer asks whether there are public safety positions within the vacancy pool that are not uniformed and Abonamah replies yes.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 30/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Next Rebecca Mauer (Ward 12) inquires about what rescue fund policy (in the introductory language of the Budget Book) refers to and Abonamah replies ensuring that these funds are not used to support day-to-day operations (he believes).

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 31/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Next Griffin states they will try to get through Landmarks, Board and Buildings Houses Standards, Board of Zoning Appeals, City Planning Commission, Aging and Law - starting with reading of Office of the Mayor.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 32/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Office of the Mayor.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 33/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Griffin states $500,000 from last year was not spent and asks how these amounts were reallocated and Abohamah, Director, Department of Finance states he is not sure.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 34/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Next questions from council members starting with Brian Kazy (Ward 16) who inquires about full-time permanent jobs increased by almost $800k but the budget is for four less people - Abonamah replies it's for 5 positions, the 27 pay periods this year, and 2% pay increase.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 35/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Next Polensek who inquires about positions on the Org. Chart that doesn't give detailed information on why employees are working in the Mayor's office and Kazy states there are 31 positions on the Org Chart but 27 are budgeted for and asks for an explanation.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 36/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Abonamah replies an employee can be split between to orgs but show up in one place; some positions are grant funded versus the general fund; the Org. Chart doesn't line up because it is intended as a snapshot of the organization and not for budget purposes.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 37/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Polensek asks whether city council can be provided who is working in the Mayor's office and paid for by another division and Abonamah replies he can't but knows that Austin Davis is split between the mayor's office and law.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 38/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Polensek states they used to be able to see the salary range, how many people were assigned the staff specific title and now you can't tell who is working well and what they're making.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 39/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Next Anthony Hairston (Ward 10) agrees w/olensek and states "we should not get this again like this" then inquires about the $10k increase in travel and Abonamah replies expected travel to D.C. to bring resources to the city and the Mayor is chair of U.S. Conference of mayors.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 40/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Hairston requests a breakdown of the travel expense and who the amounts are attributed too.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 41/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Hairston inquires about the increase in professional services which Abonamah replies its due to a communications contract with Collective for $35k for communications support in the Mayor's office which does ad hoc media productions (i.e. state of the city).

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 42/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Abonaham states the city did not exceed its appropriations for 2023 - and a discussion begins on whether the mayor exceeded the budget.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 43/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Hairston states that the a line item method should be used rather than shifting things around on the back-end without input from counsel, then inquires about the increase in supplies and what revenue source is used to pay for special event supplies.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 44/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Abonamah replies the general fund is used; signage and other supplies that will be needed for events the mayor hosts. Hairston asks for additional information on what this expense category is increasing from $4,100 to $16,000.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 45/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Hairston asks about the four part-time positions the and Abonamah replies special assistant to the mayor which will support government relations, communications, and the mayor's Southeast side efforts.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 46/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Hairston inquires about and Abonamah confirms that anyone in the mayor's office who is not an executive is a special assistant.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 47/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Griffin inquires about why dues are just not being paid we've always been a part of the Mayors and Manager's Association and Abonamah replies the expense used to be paid out of non-departmental and now it's paid out of the mayor's office.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 48/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Hairston asks why the change in report the Association dues and Abonamah replies he can't recall. Griffin reiterates that the almost quadruple increase in special events needs to be justified.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 49/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Next is City Council budget.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 50/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Patricia Britt, Clerk of City Council gives opening remarks.

clevelandcitycouncil.org/council/clerk-…

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 51/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Britt states staff of Council is categorized into clusters and not departments because it is small; there are 26 current employees; the budget has 2 open part-time positions and 8 summer intern positions (May 1 - Aug. 31); and the CFO will have to answer more specific questions.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 52/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Hairston states the staff of city council members needs to be increased because they are making "peanuts" compared to what others are making and they work being done.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 53/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Richard Starr (Ward 5) agrees with Hairston stating when you look at the Mayor's staff "our staff find themselves having to do that work" and he would like to see one additional full-time position added to each council member's office.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 54/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Starr continues that Council will be going down to 15 seats which will add more residents and work.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 55/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Council member Jones states the cost of his Ward office has increased and if he went somewhere else he could not go because of the cost; and the fund for an expense account was created 36 years ago and there has not been an increase in over 30 years.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 56/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Jones says to Britt that he would like to see the pay of council member executive assistances increased to $60k and the market for the position is $85k to $90k, this year or next year. Britt replies they are happy to bring this to the Operations Committee.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 57/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Council member Kevin Conwell (Ward 9) states there are 4 elements to the budget: people, supplies, equipment, and money and for all of these budgets 68 - 70% of it is people and you can't add this up because you don't have how much they're making.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 58/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Abonamah states it was not intended to take critical information away from Council as it reviews the budget; that the appropriation ordinance provides a set dollar amount for each division to spend on personnel which is up to the commissioner/director to determine how to spend.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 59/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Abonamah also states it's his job to make sure the departments have what they need to do their job but the Finance Department has no say in how the money is spent.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 60/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Next Landmarks Commission general budget.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 61/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Council member Deborah Gray (Ward 4) states it's been a great experience serving the Landmarks Commission.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 62/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Spencer asks about the increase in professional services and Abonamah states it's due to fees and there will be an AmeriCorp. volunteer this year.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 63/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Next Board of Building Standards and Appeals.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 64/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters There was minimal discussion on the Board of Building Standards and Appeals, particularly related to Residents First. Next is Board of Zoning Appeals

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 65/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Hairston asks for the reason for the increase in the full-time permanent pay when the positions stayed the same and Abonamah responded the 27 pay periods and rate pay increases.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 66/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Jones asks a question related to department heads not being present and Griffin asks Jones to limit his question to budget questions and concerns - Jones and Griffin have agreed to talk about his later.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 67/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Griffin apologizes for the Director of the Board of Zoning Appeals not being present.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 68/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Next City Planning Commission.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 69/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters City Planning Commission cont'd.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 70/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Hairston make several inquires regarding vacancies and pay the Finance Department will provide some information later.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 71/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Jones states it would be good to have a break down of what City Planning does; Jones and Abonamah discuss grants City Planning receives and Jones asks for the grants City Planning receives; Jones states he has requested certain information from City Planning since 2018.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 72/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Jones inquires as to whether the 3 vacancies will be filled and Abonamah states there are no vacancies but there is one vacant board position.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 73/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Moving on the Department of Aging.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 74/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Griffin asks Abonamah to provide information on what it costs for senior to have their grass cut.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 75/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Conwell states he is going to provide everyone a copy of the Strategic Plan; he also discusses the issue with lack of people having a will because the city has to cut the grass when a property is in probate.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 76/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Jones asks what other source of funds the Department Receives and Abonamah replies the CBDG and other programs.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 77/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Jones states there is a lot of money running through the Department of Aging and requests a breakdown as to where the money is coming from; he has a huge number of seniors who want services; he wants improved communication; and production needs to be improved for seniors.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 78/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Griffin asks Conwell, who is over the Department of Aging, to make sure there is better communication with the Director and Conwell says he will.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 79/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Abonamah states the unit cost for grass cutting is 1,300 homes on the list for this year which works out to about 7 grass cuts every week which is about $25 each.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 80/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Jones states senior need a better idea about snow plowing as well. Spencer inquires about other contractual services and professional services and Abonamah replies the bed bug and grass cutting programs.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 81/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Last for today is Department of Law.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 82/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Department of Law cont'd.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 83/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Griffin asks why the Law Department always goes over its budget and Abonamah replies part of it is judgment and claims the city has to pay out for settlements.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 84/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Conwell and Griffin discuss what information can be obtained to support damage due to pot holes on city streets.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 85/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Jones states that if anyone has any kind of moral claim, he believes in taking care of constituents, and he will sit with people because if the city is liable it should pay; that he wants to see some production from the more than 100 building and housing inspectors.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 86/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Jones wants more information on the number of tickets that are being written on residential and commercial property in all Wards, specifically in the Lee-Harvard Ward.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 87/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Jones asks how much is set aside for judgments and Abonamah replies $5.5m, then discusses the contract process including payment to contractors.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 88/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Polensek inquires about moral claims stating what is important is that if you have damage caused by city property/streets have documents, take pictures, and get other evidence in order to be reimbursed - that the city is self insured.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 89/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Polensek requests the number of people working on building code prosecutions; and that the Law Director was supposed to be working on better response to police reports and he has not heard back - therefore he requests this information again.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 90/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Spencer asks whether increases in staffing is related to Residents First and Abonamah replies no because Residents First did not exist at the time the budget was put together.
City of Cleveland Ohio (.gov)
› news › residents-first-housing reform ...

clevelandohio.gov

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 91/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Abonamah resplies to Gray's question that hearings are held May and November and it takes around 12 to get a response; Griffin states moral claims are private and public and Abonamah will provide information on this.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 92/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Kazy requests all of outside counsel names and amount of fees paid; number of cases that were brought forward but dismissed; and number of cases brought under Ordinance 98-2022.

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 93/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Abonamah states Rhonda Curtis in response to Jones question who is the chief corporate counselor for the city; chief counsel is Michelle Comer; chief trial counsel is Elena Boop; and Lee Anderson is executive assistant to the mayor from the law department who handles police acct

Coffee @CoffeeDocuments 94/94

@signalcleveland @cledocumenters That's it. Meeting adjourned! Have questions? Think we got something wrong? Send inquiries on the meeting or tweets to @cledocumenters or email us at cledocumenters@gmail.com.

View thread

Agency Information

Cleveland City Council

See meeting notes for details

www.clevelandcitycouncil.org

(216) 664-2840

@CleCityCouncil

Facebook page

See Documenters reporting

Cleveland City Council is the legislative branch of the government of the City of Cleveland in Ohio. There are 17 elected Cleveland City Council members representing the 17 wards of the City of Cleveland. Each ward has approximately 25,000 residents. Council Members are elected to serve a four-year term. Council members serve two roles in their duties: to draft and enact legislation for the city of Cleveland and act as ombudsmen for their constituents.

Find meetings streamed at: *online on TV20 at: http://www.tv20cleveland.com/watch-now/

*The meetings are also streamed on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ClevelandCityCouncil/