Finance, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee October 19, 2026

Cleveland City Council’s Finance, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee met October 19, 2026, and approved several spending and contracting items. It approved an ordinance authorizing Parks and Recreation to contract with Ohio City, Inc. for family and youth programming; no contract amount was stated. It also approved acceptance of a Cleveland Guardians Charities grant of up to $80,000 for the city’s summer baseball and softball program, with no city cash match. As amended, the ordinance requires written notice to the clerk detailing purchases made through the cooperative process. The committee approved a one-year extension, with a one-year renewal option, of the Cleveland Police Commission’s lease with Mid City Ltd.; the lease covers about $14,487 in annual rent, plus utilities and trash, and formally removes space the commission no longer uses. It also approved a one-year forensic-services agreement with Cuyahoga County, capped at $500,000 for 2026, with a 2027 renewal option capped at $522,500, and approved renewal of the city’s vehicle impound and storage contract with TMT Consolidated LLC (Cleveland Vehicle Detention Center); no renewal amount was stated.

The committee also approved an amendment to the IX Center lease arrangement with Industrial Commercial Properties (ICP) to incorporate payroll-based rent credits. The broader proposal discussed a 49-year lease term from execution, subject to fair-market-value requirements, and credits of 10%, 15% or 20% as building payroll reaches specified thresholds; officials said the incentives are intended to attract higher-wage employers while increasing city revenue. The discussion cited current annual rent of about $2.7 million and a $650,000 annual payment to Brook Park under the settlement agreement. No tenant was selected or guaranteed, and members emphasized protecting city interests, including parking and continued event use. The committee also approved a temporary extension of the moratorium on new or expanded data-center permits while zoning regulations are developed, through the earlier of new regulations taking effect or January 29, 2027. Separately, it approved an expansion of eligible partners for EMS training agreements and a resolution opposing proposed federal census changes.