Live reporting by
Ayanna Rose Banks
Public Works presents its 2024 budget
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Hi, I'll be live-tweeting February 22nd’s Finance, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee: General Fund Budget Hearing, Day 3, Afternoon Session Meeting✨for #CLEdocumenters 📷@CLEdocumenters &
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11:33 AM Feb 22, 2024 CST
Regarding Public Works Division of Recreation, it was asked why there was such a big increase in spending and the answer was that they have new contracts to pay for such as the security contract they entered into last December
it was asked when we will have full time security in our rec centers and the answer was they would get back to them after talking to the division
It was asked how money would be spent if more money was given to the rec division, to understand how they are budgeting
The answer was that they are budgeting based on the reality of their needs
It was asked if Rec is a reasonable place to give funds that aren’t used by other departments
It was said that capital is one of the rec departments biggest issues
It was suggested that we limit the number of Rec centers so we can give more to the ones that are left
In regards to the $15 pay of recreational staff, “You get what you pay for”
It was said that the rec budget does not reflect the needs of the rec centers
In regards to the amount of rec centers there are, it was said, “ we have quantity but not quality”
The rec department responded that they have a plan to fix this issue and are developing long term solutions
They are cutting 13 positions from rec and moving them to pool
It was noted that the armed security in these facilities have been seen wearing black full face masks
It was said that they should make their programs easier to access
It was pointed out that the budget has more money going to security than programs for rec
It was noted that $16 million dollars will be cut from schools for after school programs
It was asked if the city of Cleveland pays to use the Public Auditorium?
It was then asked why the city doesn’t pay like they do for other services
The answer was that historically there is no reason. Sometimes city meetings are held there
It was noted that the city may be taking time slots from other events that could be making the venue a profit
In regards to the westside market, there was an issue in 2023 with attendance
There were no comments or questions regarding Cleveland stadium
There was a question of if there was an increase in revenue since they have started smart parking
The answer was that there was a slight increase. They expect a bigger increase once they set up kiosks
There was a transfer to Division of Parking for 1 million dollars that they did not need
Division of Property department has 5 vacancies that are going to the pool
There was a question about the budget and why it hasnt dropped when staffing has dropped
The answer was that the staffing is based off of seasonal hiring
It was noted that there has been a case where someone had to wait 2 years for a tree to be cut
It was questioned if they could get a more detail itemized budget of how they handle cutting vacant lots i.e. how much does the materials cost, the labor, etc.
The answer was that it cant be as easily listed because the money is broken down by department and category
It was asked that the council get a more itemized break down of funds
It was suggested that they hire their own staff rather than rely on their contract w/ Snider Blake. They said that the Snider Blake employees are not very reliable
There was many comments regarding a need to break down the parks division
It was noted that if they were able to fill their vacancies, they would not need to hire from Snider Blake and less of the budget would be going to Snider Blake
There was a question of what cemeteries are being maintained or not
There was a personal story from Kevin Conwell about the conditions of his mother’s grave site
There was a question of funds that were not asked for last year
The answer is that the state mandates that they have to set money aside incase they have to shut down
It was asked if they anticipate an increase in budget w/ the new 311 system
Division of Street Construction, Maintenance and Repair is next
The answer was that in 2022 we did not use all of our salt so last year we did not need to buy more. We used that all so this year we need to buy more
It was noted that Randy Scott and his team have been a great help to the Council
There was a policy against them so now that the policy is changed, they can make another request
Stephanie Hous-Jones emphasized that this is not a responsibility of the city. She asked if it was typical in other cities to have this division?
She asked that they look into if other cities have this division. Griffin added that they should also note what those cities commissions are doing in Boxing and Wrestling
It was noted by long time member Polensek, that Cleveland used to be a hot bed for professional fighters in the early 1900s, and that’s why the commission was created
The entire proposed 2024 spending budget from the city's General Fund is about $778.7 million
This was my first time inside of the Cleveland City Hall building 😂
This meeting is to make appropriations and provide current expenses for the daily operation of all municipal departments of the City of Cleveland for the fiscal year from January to December, 2024
Have questions? Think we got something wrong? Send any inquiries on the meeting or these tweets to
@cledocumenters
. Or email us at cledocumenters@gmail.com
@cledocumenters
. Or email us at cledocumenters@gmail.com