Meeting summary:

  • The LQBTQIA+ Commission attached to the mayor’s office is the first of its kind in the state of Ohio; inspired by Cincinnati, a similar such commission is being formed in Cleveland. This is an historic event for the mayoral office.
  • There is tremendous excitement about Opening Day for the Cincinnati Reds.
  • The two professionals honored at this meeting (Dr. Beaulieu and Dr. Posey) have contributed a great deal to the quality of education and arts in Cincinnati.

Documenter’s follow-up question:

  • The agenda indicated so many reports due from the city manager, as well as various ordinances and motions that went unaddressed. Why were so many of these on the agenda if they could not be addressed today? While Mayor Pureval’s absence was noted, City Manager Sheryl Long was meant to be speaking plentifully in this meeting and her absence was not observed or noted. Why was this the case?
  • The tone of the meeting was celebratory and cheerful, recognizing do-gooders and celebrating new appointees. However, the citizen forum preceding the meeting was highly critical, with some citizens voicing outrage. This dichotomy begs the question: is the council adequately listening to its constituents and responding to their concerns?

 Notes

  • Attendance:
    • Absent / Excused: Mayor Aftab Pureval, Council member Cramerding, Council member Nolan
    • All other council members present.
  • Citizens’ Forum – (Began before official meeting at 1:15pm- not all comments were seen by Documenter)
    • Several comments from youth about gun violence and a need to address it
    • Several disgruntled comments about city council needing to do their jobs and better respond to citizen needs and requests, including complaints of inappropriate behavior from police officers and inappropriate billing for city services
  • Appointments, submitted by Mayor Aftab Pureval – terms are specified in parentheticals after appointee name
    • Passed Unanimously – To the Cincinnati Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and other sexual and gender Identities (LGBTQIA+) Commission (this is the first LGBTQIA+ commission of its kind in the state of Ohio)
      • Reggie Harris (4)
      • Storm Boyd (4)
      • Carson Hartlage (4)
      • Jeniece Jones (2)
      • Joshua Petty Kayes (2)
      • Sarah Pickle (2)
      • Jeremy Jay Phillippi (4)
      • Karen Morgan (2)
      • Delia Sosa (4)
      • Jeremy Tyler (2)
      • Jonah Yokoyama (4)
      • Nicha Zingarelli (4)
  • Resolutions
    • Submitted by Council Member Anna Albi
      • Passed unanimously – Recognizing the 2026 Women’s Hi/story Month honoree,  Dr. Rebekah Beaulieu, for conspicuous contributions to the arts in Cincinnati
    • Submitted by Vice Mayor Kearney
      • Passed unanimously – Recognizing Dr. Monica J. Posey as a 2026 Women’s Health Month honoree
      • DEFERRED TO NEXT WEEK (to accommodate needs of the family, as Helen Rankin just recently passed and she is being honored at the Ohio State House) – Recognizing State Rep. Helen Rankin and expressing the appreciation of the Mayor and the Council of the City of Cincinnati for her lifetime of accomplishment and representation of the city of Cincinnati in the Ohio State House
  • Economic and Cultural Opportunity Committee
    • Passed Unanimously – Motion, submitted by Vice Mayor Kearney, to prepare a report on all City opportunities for workforce development including, but not limited to the Youth2Work Program, Career Pathways Initiative, Fire Cadets (youth), Police Cadets (youth), Buildings & Inspections Academy, internships with departments, and other opportunities.
  • Upcoming events

Reds Opening Day is tomorrow, March 26, and the parade starts at noon

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 here.