Council also moved several road projects forward and referred a $28.1 million federal housing package, while the Board of Control separately approved major utility and airport contracts.
CLEVELAND — Cleveland City Council rejected a proposed Browns stadium repair reimbursement, approved a major rewrite of the city’s lead-safe law and moved several transportation projects forward at its Oct. 26 meeting.
At the same time, some of the largest dollar figures in the Oct. 30 City Record are attached to proposals that have not yet passed — including up to $100 million to modernize Cleveland’s 26 Fire and EMS facilities and a $28.1 million federal housing and community development spending plan.
Thirteen council members participated in the Oct. 26 votes. Council Members Joseph Jones and Jasmin Santana were absent.
Browns stadium reimbursement rejected, 6-7
Council did not approve an agreement that would have allowed the city to reimburse the Cleveland Browns Stadium Company LLC for emergency repairs made at Huntington Bank Field.
The measure had cleared city departments and council committees before reaching the floor, but it failed 6-7.
Voting yes were Kevin Conwell, Austin Davis, Deborah Gray, Blaine Griffin, Kris Harsh and Charles Slife. Voting no were Kevin Bishop, Stephanie Howse-Jones, Nikki Hudson, Brian Kazy, Michael Polensek, Tanmay Shah and Richard Starr.
There is also a noteworthy recordkeeping issue: The City Record places Ordinance 931-2026 within its section titled “Second Reading Emergency Ordinances Passed,” even though the individual entry correctly states that the ordinance was not approved.
Why it matters: No reimbursement agreement was approved. The record also does not state a reimbursement amount in the council proceedings, leaving the potential financial exposure unclear from this edition alone.
Lead-safe law gets a major rewrite
Council unanimously passed an overhaul of Cleveland’s lead-safe certificate program, lead-safety rules and related civil penalties.
The legislation replaces or revises portions of Chapters 365 and 240 of the city code. Among the amendments, the Public Health director is authorized to establish rules governing qualifications, applications and terms for local lead inspection licenses. The law also allows disqualification of a license holder for submitting falsified or fabricated test results or violating lead-inspection requirements.
The effective-date language was also changed from Feb. 1 to March 1, 2027. Public Health and Building and Housing may adopt and publish rules before then, but those rules cannot take effect before March 1. Council passed the amended ordinance 13-0.
Why it matters: The rewrite changes the regulatory structure governing lead-safe certification and lead inspections. The Oct. 30 proceedings print the legislation’s title and amendments but do not reproduce the entire new certificate framework, making the complete final code important for explaining exactly what property owners must do.
Brookpark Road passes on a divided vote
Council approved an agreement with Brook Park and Parma to resurface a portion of Brookpark Road within Cleveland and authorize payment of Cleveland’s share of the work.
Unlike most of the transportation measures that evening, this one drew significant opposition.
The measure passed 8-5, with Howse-Jones, Hudson, Kazy, Polensek and Shah voting no. Because it did not receive enough votes to retain emergency status, it passed as a non-emergency measure.
The amendment also changed the referenced funding source to 2028 Road and Bridge bonds.
Why it matters: The road work itself was approved, but the split vote is significant. The City Record does not explain why five members opposed the measure.
Council also approved resurfacing of Wade Park Avenue from East 66th to East 118th streets. That measure passed 12-1, with Slife voting no.
Other transportation measures approved or advanced at the meeting involved Stokes Boulevard, St. Clair Avenue, Shaker Boulevard, State Road and the Warren Road bridge.
Up to $100 million for Fire and EMS facilities remains pending
One of the largest proposals in the record has not been approved.
Ordinance 1322-2026 would authorize modernization and energy-efficiency improvements at all 26 Cleveland Fire and EMS facilities. The proposed work includes heating and cooling systems, roofs, lighting, windows and doors, electrical and plumbing improvements, renewable-energy components, interior renovations and building additions.
The legislation would allow Cleveland to enter into a guaranteed energy-savings performance contract with Leopardo Energy LLC for a maximum price of $100 million.
Financing could include installment contracts, grants, gifts or other approved funds, including future bonds. The legislation also requires quarterly reports during construction and annual cost-savings reports after completion.
The proposal was referred to city departments and council committees. As of Oct. 30, no final Council vote has occurred.
Why it matters: This could become one of the city’s largest facilities investments. The ordinance says the anticipated cost is expected to be offset over time by energy, operating, maintenance and avoided capital costs, but the financing terms and facility-by-facility costs deserve close review before final passage.
$28.1 million housing and community development plan goes to committee
Council also referred legislation authorizing the city to spend $28,089,527 in 2026 federal housing and community development grants.
The final federal allocations include:
- $19,656,877 in Community Development Block Grant funds
- $4,151,355 in HOME funds
- $1,727,911 in Emergency Solutions Grant funds
- $2,553,384 in Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS funding
The spending plan includes home repair, homelessness prevention, demolition and board-up work, neighborhood public facilities, small-business assistance, senior transportation and housing programs.
For Neighborhood Development Activity funds tied to individual ward allocations, the Community Development director would need written approval from the council member whose ward funds the activity.
Why it matters: Unlike a general authorization, this proposal would determine how tens of millions of federal dollars are distributed across housing, homelessness, neighborhood and public-service programs.
The legislation refers to a separate file identifying contractors and program entities. That file is not reproduced in the City Record, so the complete list of proposed recipients cannot be determined from this edition alone.
Police headquarters lease could cost about $238,000 a month
Another pending proposal would extend Cleveland’s lease with Cuyahoga County for Police Division space in the Justice Center.
The proposed amendment would reduce the leased office area to about 122,057 square feet and parking to 23 spaces. The 14-month extension would begin Oct. 2, 2026, with an additional one-year renewal option.
The ordinance estimates monthly costs of up to $202,531.42 for rent, $2,875 for parking and approximately $33,000 for utilities — about $238,406.42 per month in total.
The measure has been referred and remains pending as of Oct. 30.
Citywide hunting and trapping ban proposed
Council Member Michael Polensek introduced legislation that would prohibit hunting or trapping animals or fowl within Cleveland unless authorized by the Director of Public Safety.
A violation would be a fourth-degree misdemeanor.
The proposal was referred to the Safety Committee and Finance, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and has not received final approval.
Board of Control approves major utility and airport spending
Separate from City Council’s Oct. 26 legislative actions, the Oct. 30 City Record also reports decisions made by Cleveland’s Board of Control on Oct. 28.
The board approved a two-year pavement-restoration requirement contract with Cook Paving & Construction Co. for the Department of Public Utilities. Based on estimated quantities, the contract would amount to approximately $6.05 million.
At Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, the board approved a $9.53 million increase to Shook Construction Co.’s design-build contract for a surface parking facility. The additional work includes asphalt, concrete, permanent fencing, electrical work, landscaping, shelters and site work. The increase brings the authorized contract total to $11.66 million.
The board also added $169,205.74 to an airport temporary-tenant-structure contract, bringing that contract to a maximum of about $2.56 million, and authorized an organizational-development services contract with MOD Network LLC of up to $100,000 annually for one year with three one-year renewal options.
Zoning to watch Nov. 9
The City Record schedules several Board of Zoning Appeals cases for 9:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 9.
Among the cases:
At 723 Thornhill Drive in Ward 9, applicants seek approval to operate a five-person, state-licensed residential facility in an existing single-family home. The property is within 1,000 feet of other residential facilities, requiring zoning relief.
At 3545 Ridge Road in Ward 11, an applicant wants to establish an events center in an existing building. The property requires relief from city spacing rules governing amusement and recreation uses near residential districts, schools, churches and similar uses.
At 10131 Elk Ave. in Ward 8, an applicant proposes a 75-foot, double-sided billboard facing Interstate 90, with an electronic LED display on one side and static advertising on the other. The proposal requires relief from several billboard restrictions, including spacing and electronic-message provisions.
The Nov. 9 hearing is scheduled as a hybrid in-person and virtual meeting. Residents who want to participate through WebEx must request the link from the Board of Zoning Appeals by noon Nov. 4.
Recent zoning decisions
The record also reports several Board of Zoning Appeals decisions from Oct. 19 that were recorded or adopted by Oct. 26.
Approved cases included:
- A two-dwelling-unit project at 9636 Silk Ave.
- An office-building addition and parking-lot improvements at 1967 West 45th St.
- Conversion of a two-family home to three-family use at 430 East 149th St.
- A detached garage and loft at 3575 West Blvd.
- Fencing projects for Judson Retirement Community on East 107th Street
Additional approvals adopted Oct. 26 included three proposed single-family homes on West 40th Place and vehicular-access modifications at 2621 West 25th St.
Questions that still need answers
Browns reimbursement: What amount would the city have reimbursed, and why did seven members oppose the agreement?
Brookpark Road: Why did five council members vote against the resurfacing agreement, and what is Cleveland’s final share of the project cost?
Fire and EMS modernization: What will each of the 26 facilities receive? What financing term and interest rate would apply to as much as $100 million in installment financing? What savings assumptions support the proposal?
Federal housing funds: Which organizations are proposed to receive contracts under File 1321-2026-A, and how much would each receive?
Airport parking: What is the full projected cost and completion schedule for the airport surface parking project after the $9.53 million contract increase?
What happens next
Cleveland City Council’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m.
Before then, several of the largest measures in this update — including the $100 million Fire/EMS modernization plan, the $28.1 million federal housing package, the Justice Center Police Division lease and the proposed hunting and trapping ban — remain under review and should not be described as approved unless Council takes further action.
The Board of Zoning Appeals is also scheduled to meet Nov. 9, with the deadline to request WebEx participation set for noon Nov. 4.
Source note: The Cleveland Observer based this report on the Oct. 30, 2026, edition of The City Record, the official publication of Cleveland City Council.
