Cincinnati City Council meeting: May 21, 2025

Find the agenda and other materials for this meeting here.

The citizens forum took place before the meeting, a significant number of community members voiced concerns over the humanitarian crisis and violence in Gaza, with many calling for a ceasefire. 

Before the public comment section of the meeting was concluded, Council member Scotty Johnson made a brief statement condemning the possibility of 14,000 children being starved in the next 48 hours, stating  “May God Almighty have grace on our souls,” and added that if inaction contributes to children starving anywhere, “May god forgive the inaction…”

The business portion of the meeting began promptly at 2:19 p.m.

Roll call was taken followed by a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 All Cincinnati City Council members were present:

• Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney, vice mayor
• Victoria Parks, president pro tem 
• Anna Albi
• Jeff Cramerding
• Mark Jeffreys
• Evan Nolan
• Meeka Owens
• Scotty Johnson
• Seth Walsh

The minutes from the previous meeting were approved and filed without objection. 

Item 1 was as indicated. 

Item 2: Council member Owens, along with the Mayor and all council members, introduced Resolution 202501054 recognizing Darryl Haley for his transformative leadership and dedicated service to public transportation in Cincinnati. The resolution, submitted by the city solicitor, expresses the appreciation of the Mayor and city council for his contributions to improving transit and serving city residents. 

Council member Owens noted that the resolution honoring Darryl Haley would be formally presented later in the evening at 5:30 p.m. during his retirement celebration. She described Haley as a ‘beloved leader’ and highlighted his significant accomplishments both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vice Mayor Kearney added that Haley had testified before Congress on behalf of the transit industry in support of the largest federal investment in public transportation to date. Under his leadership, more than $317 million was invested through the Metro Transit Infrastructure Fund to improve roads, sidewalks, bridges, and other transit-related infrastructure. He also signed a labor agreement to strengthen workforce conditions.

Among his notable achievements, Vice Mayor Kearney noted that Haley implemented 24-hour service for the first time in Metro’s history and launched the MetroNow on-demand transit service. She expressed her gratitude and congratulated him on his accomplishments. 

Item 2 Passes. 

Item 3: Council member Nolan introduced Resolution 202501072 recognizing the Espinoza, Leon, and Jaime families as 2025 Small Business Month honorees. The resolution, submitted by the city solicitor, expresses the appreciation of the Mayor and council for the families’ outstanding contributions to the Hispanic business community, women business leadership, and the broader Cincinnati community.

Item 4: Council member Nolan also introduced Resolution 202501073 recognizing Maria Reyes as a 2025 Small Business Month honoree. The resolution honors her exceptional impact on the Hispanic business community and her service to the Cincinnati community at large.

Council member Nolan noted that both honors will be formally presented at the Hispanic Chamber’s Business Leaders Lunch in June. He highlighted the Espinoza, Leon, and Jaime families, founders of Mi Cozumel, a local restaurant chain that began as a single location. The business is expanding with a fifth location opening this year and plans to open five more in the near future. Currently, Mi Cozumel employs approximately 250 residents and anticipates growing its workforce to over 500 employees.

Items 3 and 4 were passed by the council.

Item 5: A resolution sponsored by Vice Mayor Kearney, President Pro Tem Parks, and several council members expressed the council’s support for the continued implementation of the Fair School Funding Plan. The resolution urges the Ohio Senate and Governor to include full funding for the plan in the FY 2026-2027 state budget.

Item 5 was discussed at length. 

Vice Mayor Kearney stated that the resolution has unanimous support from council. She explained that the Ohio Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled the state’s school funding system unconstitutional due to significant disparities between districts caused by differences in local property values. In response, the Ohio Legislature passed the bipartisan Fair School Funding Plan in 2021, which reduces reliance on property taxes and allocates funding based on district needs to ensure all students receive a thorough and efficient education regardless of their zip code. She noted that the plan has been in place for four years, but recent legislative efforts threaten to revert to the previous system, which would negatively impact public schools and students. The resolution supports Cincinnati Public Schools and local advocates working to maintain full implementation of the Fair School Funding Plan.

She stated that “We have to have fair funding for our students.”

Council member Albi emphasized the importance of education, stating, “Education is the bedrock of everything.” She expressed concern about ongoing challenges to public education not only at the state level but also federally. She referenced a current U.S. Supreme Court case that could potentially allow public education funds to be redirected to private religious schools, which she described as part of a broader effort to weaken the public school system. Albi stated that diverting funds to religious or charter schools undermines students, harms the state, and diminishes Cincinnati’s ability to attract residents and talent. She concluded by expressing strong support for the Fair School Funding resolution and urging state lawmakers to end what she described as a “constant assault” on public education.

Council member Johnson voiced strong support for the resolution, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that Cincinnati’s youth have access to every opportunity and resource for success. He stated, “I am a proud product of Cincinnati Public Schools … it’s imperative we make sure that our children, our young people are getting everything, every opportunity, and every tool necessary for their success.”

Mayor Pureval said he wanted to hear from a Cincinnati Public School board member and American Federation of Teachers (AFT) representatives. He expressed concern about comments from earlier speakers who claimed the city is cutting funding to schools. He said there is disagreement on that point, especially since tax abatements were mentioned. He clarified that the only abatement this council has changed is for residential properties, and state law doesn’t allow capital payments for those. He asked if anything in the resolution goes against the city’s current funding policies.

Vice Mayor Kearney responded that the comments from the speakers are not part of the resolution and that it does not conflict with current city policy.

Item 5 is passed. 

Items 6-21 were as indicated.

Item 22: Jeremy Barnes was appointed as Deputy Clerk in the Office of the Clerk of Council, as recommended by the Clerk of Council under Article II, Section 5a of the City Charter.

Item 22 was passed.

Items 23-38 were as indicated.

Councilmember Johnson expressed he wanted to be added as a “yes” for Item 2

Item 39 was brought into suspension

Item 39: Council approved an emergency ordinance allowing the City Manager to provide up to $79,000 in one-time funding to Keep Cincinnati Beautiful to support the “Don’t Dump the Nati” program. The funds will come from the Office of Environment and Sustainability’s existing budget. The program aims to reduce illegal dumping and promote cleaner neighborhoods.

Item 39 was passed.  

Item 40 was brought into suspension,

[Editors note: This meant council suspended rules requiring readings on three separate meeting days. Instead, items may be passed on the first reading under an emergency ordinance.]

Item 40: Council approved an emergency ordinance allowing the City Manager to allocate up to $500,000 in one-time funding from the Office of Environment and Sustainability’s existing budget to Green Umbrella. The funding supports green workforce development initiatives in Cincinnati, aiming to grow job opportunities in sustainability-related fields.

Council member Owens highlighted the Green Cincinnati Plan, which projects 4,000 new green jobs by 2028 and notes a potential $11 billion economic impact from 44,000 green job opportunities. She emphasized this funding as a key step toward building the infrastructure needed to achieve these goals.

Item 40 was passed. 

Item 41 was brought into suspension: 

Item 41: Council approved an emergency ordinance authorizing the transfer of $15 million from the Water Works Fund’s unappropriated surplus to the Water Works Capital Improvement Fund. This funding will continue the current capital improvement program, which includes projects such as installing and replacing water mains, upgrading treatment plants, improving tanks and pumping stations, supporting private development, purchasing equipment, and other water system enhancements.

Item 41 was passed.

Item 42 was brought into suspension 

Item 42: Council approved an emergency ordinance authorizing the City Manager to accept and appropriate up to $194,990 in grant funding from the Ohio Public Works Commission’s Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program to acquire about one-third of an acre at Parkside Place and Martin Drive in Mount Adams. The funds will also support greenspace improvements such as trails, trees, and benches. Additionally, the ordinance establishes new capital accounts to manage the grant and a donation of up to $107,835 from the Cincinnati Parks Foundation for the acquisition and improvements. The City Manager is also authorized to accept an in-kind donation valued up to $35,000 from the property owner as part of a bargain sale.

Councilmember Cramerding explained that the ordinance does two things: it allows the city to accept a $195,000 grant and green space tied to that grant. The area, located at the corner of Parkside Place and Martin Drive, is a visible gateway to Mt. Adams and will be maintained by Cincinnati Parks.

Item 42 was passed. 

Item 43 was brought into suspension

Item 43: Council approved an emergency ordinance allowing the City Manager to apply for and accept a grant of up to $14,051 from the Ohio History Connection’s Ohio History Fund. The funding will support the restoration and installation of historic park signs in Cincinnati. A new capital improvement account will be created to manage these resources.

Item 43 was passed. 

Item 44 was brought into suspension.

Item 44: Council passed an emergency ordinance allowing the City Manager to apply for and accept a $97,085 grant from the Ohio EPA to support Cincinnati’s biochar facility. The funds will be used to purchase equipment that turns wood waste into biochar. A new capital improvement account will be created to manage the grant.

Item 44 was passed.

Item 45 was brought into suspension  

Item 45: Council approved an ordinance allowing the City Manager to accept an in-kind donation valued at up to $25,000 from the Devou Good Foundation. The donation includes 10 bike repair stations and 10 outdoor bike pumps to support bicycle transportation in Cincinnati.

Item 45 was passed.

Item 46 was brought into suspension. 

Item 46: Council approved an ordinance authorizing the City Manager to accept in-kind donations of plants for city parks and restoration services for the Black Brigade monument at Smale Riverfront Park, with a total estimated value of $77,845.75.

Item 46 was passed. 

Item 47 was brought into suspension. 

Item 47: Council approved an emergency ordinance authorizing the payment of $150,013.26 to Rack & Ballauer Excavating Company for past stormwater infrastructure repair services performed between May 2024 and April 2025.

Item 47 was passed. 

Item 48 was brought into suspension. 

 Item 48: Council approved an emergency ordinance establishing a capital improvement account for “Hillside Stairway Rehabilitation” to support inspection, rehabilitation, replacement, or removal of City-owned hillside stairways. The ordinance also authorizes the transfer and realignment of $436,000 from and to various capital improvement accounts to better align funding sources and uses, as outlined in Schedules A and B. 

Item 48 was passed. 

Item 49 was brought into suspension. 

Item 49: Council passed an emergency ordinance to honor Marvin Smith by designating Central Avenue at Liberty Street in the West End with the honorary, secondary name “Marvin Smith Way.” The recognition celebrates Smith’s contributions to the Cincinnati community, particularly as the proprietor of Ollie’s Trolley and a dedicated supporter of the city’s neighborhoods. Sponsored by Council member Walsh.

Council member Walsh explained that this ordinance reflects a request supported by both the executive board and the community council of the West End to rename Central Avenue at Liberty Street as “Marvin Smith Way.” The honorary designation recognizes Marvin Ollie Smith, founder of Ollie’s Trolley, which has been a presence in the neighborhood since 1973. Walsh emphasized that the restaurant has become a beloved staple of the West End, and this designation is a meaningful way to honor a long-standing business and its impact on the community.

Item 49 was passed. 

Item 50 was as indicated. 

Item 51 was brought into suspension. 

Item 51: The city approved a major update to the University Station development plan at 3701 Montgomery Road in the Evanston neighborhood. This update changes the rules to allow more types of businesses and activities, including small recreation and entertainment options, as well as all uses allowed in the nearby Commercial Neighborhood zone. This gives more flexibility for the area’s growth and community activities.

Item 51 was passed. 

Mayor Pureval concluded the business portion of the meeting and sought City Manager Long for announcements, there were none. 

Council member Walsh announced that the sign for the Ollie’s Trolley street renaming will be unveiled on June 4 at 11 a.m.. The event is open to the public.

He also shared two Cincinnati history facts:

• This year marks the 200th anniversary of Lafayette’s visit to Cincinnati. Prior to his visit, Lafayette’s ship sank in the Ohio River, and many of his belongings were lost.
  
• The first Taste of Cincinnati festival was held in 1979 as a one-day event at Piatt Park, with fewer than 5,000 attendees. Since then, it has grown into a major cultural event in the city.

Council member Nolan made two announcements. First, he thanked the African American Chamber for hosting their City Hall Day with members at City Hall. He also thanked Beck Fischer for organizing the event and his colleagues who attended and presented.

Second, he acknowledged that while everyone is fulfilling their official duties today, many would support the National Nurses United protest at the VA. They are protesting federal budget cuts to VA hospitals, which impact resources for frontline healthcare workers and deprive veterans of necessary healthcare. Councilmember Nolan expressed solidarity with their cause.

Council member Cramerding outlined the upcoming steps in the budget process for colleagues. The City Manager and Mayor will release their budget on May 27. The city manager will present the budget to the Budget and Finance Committee. On June 3, Council member Owens’ Climate, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee will present human services recommendations, an important part of the process. The final budget hearing will be held in council chambers on June 3, followed by several weeks of deliberation. The goal is to pass the final budget by Wednesday, June 18. 

Mayor Pureval adjourned the meeting.

If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@signalcincinnati.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.

Find more Documenters’ notes on Cincinnati City Council here.