Meeting summary:

  • City council members take rental crimes seriously. 
  • Tenants knowing their rights are important. 
  • City council members do not support ICE in any unlawful activity or behavior. 

Documenter’s follow-up question:

  • How many tenants have experienced some form of rental scam or criminal activity? What actions can the council take to better protect residents? 
  • What steps can citizens take to protect themselves from unlawful acts at the hands of ICE agents? 

Notes

Scene

The regular meeting of Cincinnati City Council took place at City Hall, 801 Plum St., in downtown Cincinnati. The following officials were in attendance:

  • Aftab Pureval, mayor
  • Meeka Owens, council member
  • Seth Walsh, council member
  • Anna Albi, council member
  • Ryan James, council member
  • Mark Jeffreys, council member
  • Scotty Johnson, president pro tem
  • Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney, vice mayor
  • Evan Nolan, council member

Notes 

CMHA Rental Scam Allegations

During public comment, several Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA)  residents spoke about their experiences with Property Manager Dion Crockett. They said their rental payments had been stolen over time.  [ Editors note: Dion Crockett has not been charged.]

Shane C. White, a 12-year resident, tearfully expressed his frustration with his interactions with Crockett, saying Crockett encouraged him to bring his payments directly to him instead of other formal rent payment methods. 

Marvin Barnes, a resident of Touchstone Properties in Evanston,  said he noticed Crockett’s name on money orders, not Touchstone or CMHA.

Mayor Aftab Pureval apologized to both tenants for how they have been treated and agreed there appears to be “wrongdoing.” Pureval encouraged both residents to share contact information with council staff to receive additional support on this matter.

President Pro Tem Scotty Johnson said other citizens have expressed similar concerns to the council, adding that this appears to be a “criminal matter” that he will make the Cincinnati Police Department aware of.

Denouncement of ICE shooting

Council Member Anna Albi submitted a resolution that, according to Albi, “articulates Cincinnati’s requirements and expectations around members of law enforcement wearing masks, clear identification and body cams.” 

The resolution “strongly encourages all other law enforcement, including ICE, to adhere to all local policies,” Albi added. She also wanted community members to be aware that Cincinnati police do not assist ICE with federal immigration enforcement. 

Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney stressed the council’s expectations of compliance, adding, “We not only ask ICE to follow the rules, we demand it.”

Albi expressed feeling “heartbroken and outraged by the way this presidential administration is weaponizing ICE against local communities. 

“We should all be horrified by what happened and what we witnessed in that video,” Albi said in reference to video recording of Renee Good being killed by an ICE agent in Minnesota.

Kearney said if people are experiencing unlawful acts by ICE, they should contact the Immigration and Refugee Law Center at 513-825-0577.

Martin Luther King Day Celebrations

Kearney shared information about celebrations in downtown Cincinnati for Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday.

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center will hold its annual breakfast beginning at 8 a.m. A march from the Freedom Center to Washington Park will begin at 10 a.m. The MLK Coalition’s service will take place at noon at Memorial Hall. Own Cincy will also hold a homeownership workshop from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Freedom Center.

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.