Editor’s note:
This Cleveland Ward 7 community meeting was originally scheduled for 5:30 p.m., but actually began at 4 p.m. The Documenter assigned to write notes of this meeting was not present when the meeting began. However, Documenter Stesia Swain was early for her audio assignment, and agreed to write up partial notes of this meeting. Documenter Devon Marti picked up the later part of the meeting.
This Ward 7 community meeting was hosted by Ward 7 Cleveland City Council Member Stephanie Howse-Jones, and was held at the Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s Daniel E. Morgan School, 8912 Morris Court.
As the published start time of the meeting was incorrect, these notes begin at 4 p.m. and end when my audio portion begins.
First to speak was Cleveland Police Officer Malcom Sutton-Nicholson, who is the community engagement officer of the Cleveland Police 3rd District, accompanied by Tiffany McClay, the 3rd District community relations representative.
Sutton-Nicholson announced a new unit named the STANCE Unit (Street and Nuisance Crime Enforcement). The STANCE Unit part of the Cleveland Division of Police’s (CDP) continuing commitment to keeping local neighborhoods safe and holding offenders accountable for property-related offenses, he said.
Sutton-Nicholson also announced the Community & Problem Oriented Policing (CPOP) initiative. A deeper dive into the purpose of this initiative is displayed on the Cleveland Community Police Commission site, which reads: “CDP will develop and implement a comprehensive and integrated community and problem-oriented policing model in order to promote and strengthen partnerships within the community, engage constructively with the community to ensure collaborative problem-solving, and increasing community confidence in CDP. CDP will consult with the Commission regarding this model as appropriate.” Sutton-Nicholson described the CPOP as a “multifaceted approach at policing.”
Wade Park Avenue Rehabilitation Project from East 66th to 118th streets
Next to speak were James D. DeRosa, director of the Mayor’s Office of Capital Projects and Richard J. Switalski, administrative manager in the Cleveland Division Of Engineering and Construction.
DeRosa and Switalski discussed the Wade Park Avenue Rehabilitation Project for East 66th Street through East 118th Street. They discussed designs, provided the community with more details and information, and asked for residents’ opinions. The estimated construction cost for this project is $11.3 million. Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2027 and to be completed in July 2028. The proposed improvements include:
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- Full and partial depth pavement repairs as needed and complete asphalt resurfacing.
- New sidewalk, ADA-compliant curb ramps and drive aprons as necessary.
- Traffic signal removals and roundabout installation
- Curb extensions, signal upgrades and street greening
- Pavement removal on Ansel Road from Crawford Road to Wade Park Avenue.
- Signing and pavement marking upgrades, including bike lanes throughout the corridor.
Positions open for Cleveland residents
Next to speak were two representatives with Neighborhood Connections. I was unable to get their names. They shared that the purpose in their work is creating a greater sense of interdependence and maximizing opportunity. They spoke on grassroots grant making. This program has existed for over 20 years, its purpose being to establish an equitable model for developing and funding neighborhood projects that aligns climate action with the assets, concerns and priorities of Cleveland residents.
They briefly shared that two new positions are open to become either a new grant-making committee member or a new network leader. They did not give much detail as to what these positions consist of, but they did say these positions represent a great opportunity to get involved in these initiatives. They welcomed community members to apply!
Holiday cooking and winter fire safety
Firefighter Nantambu Nafasi, with the Cleveland Fire Department’s Education Division, also spoke. Unfortunately, he said, the division has run out of free carbon monoxide detectors, after giving out more than 70,000 to community members since the program started. The department is working on a grant and with local businesses. For now, he said, the Western Reserve Fire Museum may be able to provide more detectors.
Nafasi briefly covered cooking safety and provided a few safety tips for the upcoming holiday season. He said some people fry turkeys inside their homes. He said that this is unsafe and that the safest place to do this is always outside.
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Nafasi also discussed space heaters. He said there are fire-safe space heaters and advised residents to look for these specifically.
Nafasi also recommended that everyone develop a fire safety plan for their home that includes an emergency escape plan.
My audio of the meeting then picks up after this topic!
These notes are by Documenter Stésià Swain. [Editor’s note: Read additional notes on this meeting from Documenter Devon Marti.]
If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@signalcleveland.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.