An illustration by artist John G of the Cleveland Board of Control meeting in the Mayor's Red Room at Cleveland City Hall.
An illustration of Cleveland's Board of Control meeting in the Mayor's Red Room at Cleveland City Hall. Credit: John G / Shiner Comics

Covered by Documenter Tina Scott

What happened: The Department of Public Safety is getting some new tech. The board approved a contract with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for a drone program costing no more than $255,030. Larry Jones II, a deputy commissioner focused on public safety and information technology, said the program would start with nine drones: one for each of the five police districts, one for special events, and three for training. Fire and Emergency Medical Services would also use the drones, he said. The board also approved a $250,000 contract with Flock Group, Inc. for automated license plate readers for police.

Marketing the airports: Just as it did for work on the city’s website, Cleveland tapped local digital design group Recess Creative to provide marketing for the city’s airports. The board approved the contract, which includes two sub-consultants and is set for a maximum cost of $1.2 million.

Read more from Documenter Tina Scott

Cleveland Documenters pays and trains people to cover public meetings where government officials discuss important issues and decide how to spend taxpayer money.

Assignment Editor (he/him)
Doug, a Cleveland Documenter since 2020, has been a copy editor and reporter. His work includes: The Pace of Passage about how quickly Cleveland City Council passes legislation; a look at the challenges of the city’s Exterior Home Paint program; and University Circle Police Department’s complaint-review process. Doug has also written explainers and guides and launched #CLEDocsAnswers, which answers questions Documenters have about local government.