Finance, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee & Committee of the Whole

601 Lakeside Ave E Cleveland, OH 44114 (Directions)

Cleveland City Hall, Mercedes Cotner Room 217 (or watch on YouTube)

Remote Event Link

Note: Council has a Finance, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee scheduled at 2 p.m. and a Committee of the Whole meeting scheduled at 3 p.m. in the same room. We opened this as one assignment. The first meeting may seamlessly transition into the next, and together they may run a little longer than usual. If they do, just keep us posted on your availability. The Committee of the Whole is an operational review on the Mayor’s Office, Department of Finance, Department of Law, and Department of Innovation and Technology. City Council has held operational reviews in advanced of 2025 budget hearings to learn about different city departments and offices.

The Finance, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee of Cleveland City Council reviews and discusses legislation related to the Finance and Law Departments and the Office of Equal Opportunity and policies that affect the city’s financial stability and operations. It reviews much of the legislation that goes through council, typically as a final stop in the committee stage to decide whether to send legislation to the full council for a future vote on passage or another public reading. Legislation reviewed by this committee often pertains to finances, taxation, the standardization of salaries and wages, union agreements, civil service, pensions and sale, lease or purchase of real estate, changes to the city’s codified ordinances and charter amendments, items related to courts, items relating to licenses and those imposing fines, penalties, forfeitures or imprisonment, printing and advertising, monitoring compliance with community benefit agreements, policies and procedures, and the city’s efforts on diversity, equity and inclusion.

Committee members:

• Blaine Griffin, chair
• Kerry McCormack, vice chair
• Kevin Bishop
• Kevin Conwell
• Anthony Hairston
• Brian Kazy
• Michael Polensek
• Jasmin Santana
• Jenny Spencer

Cleveland City Council’s Committee of the Whole gives all 17 council members the chance to meet and act as a committee. Essentially, it serves as an extra step in the process of discussing topics or vetting legislation before the City Council officially votes on legislation.

Remaining council members (not on FDEI):

• Joe Jones
• Deborah Gray
• Richard Starr
• Stephanie Howse-Jones
• Danny Kelly
• Rebecca Maurer
• Kris Harsh
• Charles Slife

Watching remotely?

The meetings are streamed on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ClevelandCityCouncil/streams

You may also catch livestreams on TV2O’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ClevelandTV20/live_videos

Also TV20’s website: https://www.clevelandohio.gov/city-hall/office-mayor/tv20

Attending in person?

Documenters: Two additional hours ($36) will be added to your paid assignment hours. Be sure to bring your photo ID. There is paid parking connected to City Hall at the Willard Parking Garage, located at 601 Lakeside Ave.

Find Documenters coverage of past City Council meetings here: https://cleveland.documenters.org/reporting/?agency=181

For more information go to Cleveland City Council’s website: https://www.clevelandcitycouncil.org.

Check the source website for additional information