Public commenters spoke to Cleveland City Council about menthol cigarettes being targeted at the Black community, about barriers to accessible housing for seniors and about why the city’s law banning large balloon releases is not being enforced.
The Public Comment CLE website has all of the week’s comments and transcripts, edited by Cleveland Documenter Gennifer Harding-Gosnell.
Register to make a public comment or learn more about the process in our guide to public comment at Cleveland City Council.
Accessible senior housing
Joe Gauntner, of Ward 3, proposed several legislative changes that he said would improve the chances for older adults to stay in the areas of the city where they live, including changing building codes to allow construction of one-floor homes and requiring developers who receive tax abatements from the city to offer accessible, first-floor housing.
Where do you want to live when you get older? And perhaps begin to experience some mobility problems? Do you want your family members and constituents to be able to live in the city when they get older? “
Joe Gauntner, Ward 3
Menthol cigarette dangers
Waverly Willis, the owner of Urban Kutz barbershops, gave a personal account of watching his parents suffer the effects of cigarette smoking and asked council to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products, including menthol.
Some people have questioned whether to end selling flavored tobacco, as it could hurt small business… But as small businesses have done over the years, they will adapt.”
Waverly Willis, owner of Urban Kutz
Balloon releases
Juan Collado, of Ward 11, asked for clarification and enforcement of the rules for balloon releases in the City of Cleveland. Collado said he was told by police they can’t do anything unless it is happening at that very moment and police are there. Collado said he has video evidence of balloon releases and wants to see the legislation enforced.
I know there’s laws being passed for this, and we just want to know what can council do to reinforce them, because if they’re there, we don’t want them to … just look pretty in everybody’s political resume, but we want them to be there to be enforced.”
Juan Collado, Ward 11
CentroVilla25
Juan Molina Crespo, of Ward 12, thanked Jasmin Santana and other members of council for their support of the new CentroVilla25 project, which will bring a marketplace and business center to the Clark-Fulton neighborhood. The market will feature kiosk-style spaces for retail, a commercial kitchen, office space for Latino and neighborhood organizations, a restaurant, and a community gathering area.
The legislation that you’re going to vote upon this evening…will provide $1.5 million dollars to make a dream come true that’s been almost 40 years in the making. This is a historic moment in this history of the city. It’s a historic moment in the history of our communities”
Juan Molina Crespo, Ward 12