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The Meeting was called to order at 7pm followed by the usual Monday night routine: roll call and the pledge of allegiance. 🇺🇸👌 We jumped quickly into public comment, which is always my favorite part of Monday nights.

For context, most of the commenters tonight spoke on behalf of Jewish and LGBTQ+ communities, who were attacked by a commenter at last weeks city council meeting. I will try, in a moment, to get video of that comment.

The first commenter was attorney Adam Rosen @osuadamr, speaking in support of the Jewish community and it's long history in Cleveland.

@osuadamr Public commenter Adam Rosen on last weeks hate speech: “When cracks emerge that divide us, we must call out this hate for the future we are dreaming of.”

@osuadamr Our second commenter of the evening was Jenna Thomas @jennaincle , Advocacy & Policy Manager for Bike Cleveland. @Bike_CLE She spoke tonight about the organization's upcoming "week without driving".

@osuadamr @jennaincle @Bike_CLE She urged continued support for bike infrastructure. Jenna Thomas on the value of bike lanes: “A connected and accessible mobility network keeps our social support system strong”.

@osuadamr @jennaincle @Bike_CLE Our third commenter of the evening was Rabbi Scott Roland of Shaarey Tikvah speaking in support of the Jewish community.

@osuadamr @jennaincle @Bike_CLE Our final commenter of the evening was Phyllis Harris of the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland speaking in support of the LGBTQ+ community. "Equality means more than passing laws."

@osuadamr @jennaincle @Bike_CLE And for reference, here's an article that contains info on the drama during last weeks public comment: signalcleveland.org/opposition-to-…

@osuadamr @jennaincle @Bike_CLE Alright. We moved on to the legislative portion of the meeting. Communications were read, followed by several condolence resolutions.

@osuadamr @jennaincle @Bike_CLE All legislation was passed with 16 yays except for the following: 1142-2023- Nay from Ward 17's Slife 583-2023- Nay from Ward 14's Santana 908-2023- Nay from Ward 7's Howse-Jones and Ward 17's Slife See the legislation here: cleveland.documenters.org/documents/agen…

@osuadamr @jennaincle @Bike_CLE Council President Griffin introduced Tom McNair, the new Economic Development Director. Polensek spoke in support of 1142- (regarding helicopters for the CPD) and for the new curfew for minors.

@osuadamr @jennaincle @Bike_CLE Polensek also spoke on his difficulty getting police reports, saying they were all redacted. He directed his comments to Law Director & Chief Legal Counsel Mark Griffin.

@osuadamr @jennaincle @Bike_CLE Kerry McCormack spoke and thanked the public commenters that spoke up in support of the Jewish and LGBTQ+ community. This was followed by Joe Jones, talking on the problem of vacant lots in Ward 1.

@osuadamr @jennaincle @Bike_CLE Jenny Spencer spoke in support of public comment but noted that 2.5 years in, it may be time to look at the rules. President Griffin agreed with that, and said a preliminary conversation had been had in regards to updating the rules after last weeks hate comments... (1/2)

@osuadamr @jennaincle @Bike_CLE ...and that further deliberation as a body is needed. To paraphrase Griffin: The goal is to protect free speech and citizens ability to comment freely without allowing abusive or hateful speech to gain a podium. (2/2)

@osuadamr @jennaincle @Bike_CLE The meeting ended at 8pm. Until next time folks!

Quick correction folks… Council also referred some legislation to committees. You can see that legislation under the EMERGENCY ORDINANCES REFERRED section of this agenda: cityofcleveland.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&… https://twitter.com/DDutchCreative/status/1709003302606688346