Covered by Documenters Sandra Bishop and Giorgiana Lascu

What happened: The board approved a contract with the MyCom Network of Greater Cleveland for a youth-driven research project on youth violence. The contract is for one year with an option for a one-year renewal. It is set to not cost more than $138,500 for each year. Youth researchers would focus on three different communities, likely including Hough and Central, an official said. Director of Community Development Alyssa Hernandez wondered about the city’s liability if kids were to be in dangerous environments, but an official explained that the project is largely based on academic work rather than field work. 

Website work widens: Recess Creative, a local digital design and marketing group, continues to overhaul the city’s website. The board passed an adjustment to the contract — which it initially approved in February 2021 — to cover additional services. The additional services include editing website copy for grammar, clarity and accuracy, an official said.

Diversity compliance questions: The board greenlit a contract with local urban planning firm City Architecture to establish and run a public engagement coordination program for the Mayor’s Office of Capital Projects. It is set to cost no more than $282,700. Discussion turned to the recognition of subconsultants’ compliance with the city’s diversity goals. Hernandez wondered why two businesses — one she said is Black-owned and another woman-owned — were not regarded as such. An official said those businesses need to register with Cleveland’s Office of Equal Opportunity to be considered diversity-compliant by the city.

Read the live-tweet thread from Documenter Giorgiana Lascu:

The Office of Equal Opportunity certifies Cleveland small businesses and those owned by minorities, women, veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and more. Check out the office’s certification webpage to register your business.

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