Meeting summary:

  • Council is prepared to step in, when possible, when federal funding is limited/unavailable on behalf of the City of Cincinnati.
  • The City of Cincinnati is working towards reconnecting communities.
  • Community members still have the opportunity to provide input on the 2026-2027 city budget proposal.

Documenter’s follow-up question:

  • Why did Jeff Cramerding recuse himself prior to the reading/discussion regarding bridge loan program funding in Item 48 on this meeting’s agenda? 
  • How will the council further address the broader issue of housing availability and affordability in Item 48? How could the City of Cincinnati and Hamilton County partner to support these efforts?

 Notes


Meeting Agenda:

https://cincinnatioh.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1408246&GUID=D8D5931A-555D-4BDE-A6B3-59BF8DFCADFE

Meeting Attendees:

Mayor Aftab Pureval 

Vice-Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney

President Pro Tem Scotty Johnson 

Council Member Anna Albi

Council Member Jeff Cramerding

Council Member Ryan James 

Council Member Mark Jeffreys 

Council Member Evan Nolan

Council Member Meeka Owens

Council Member Seth Walsh

Final phase of Wasson Way project

According to Mark Jeffreys, this funding will support the final phase of the Wasson Way project, which will connect Blair Avenue to Reading Road, connecting “the entire east side and also open up to the west.” Jeffreys highlighted Wasson Way’s connection to hospitals and universities and called it “an important recreational and transportation asset.”

Mayor Aftab Pureval added: “This is a very big deal and a step forward in our plan to support vibrant and healthy neighborhoods and reconnect communities.”

Council passes resolution for street light assessments 

According to Jeff Cramerding, this multi-part project will assess street lighting in the “special district.”

Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney thanked Curtis Hines of Department of Transportation and Engineering (DOTE) for going “beyond the call of duty” regarding this matter. According to Kearney, when residents expressed lighting concerns, Hines went to these properties at 10 p.m. to address their issues. 

Council approves $3.2 million in funding for Bridge Loan Program in place of federal support 

The council passed a motion to reserve $3.2 million to support a bridge loan program funding Continuum of Care for the Homeless (CoC) should 2026-2027 federal funding not arrive by July 1, 2026. 

Council members thanked Josh Spring with Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition for bringing the matter to the council’s attention and Strategies to End Homelessness, which will administer the funding, according to Kearney.

Kearney added that 11 nonprofits with 48 programs that assist community members with housing services are at risk. According to Kearney, the funding from the federal government has already been promised and typically arrives a month late, adding that the council anticipates for this year’s funding to arrive five to six months late. 

Ryan James shared the following stats regarding the “severity of this issue” and what could happen as a result of funding delays: “Approximately 1,463 people could lose housing, 673 more could lose critical support services, nonprofits could face layoffs, rent payments tied to 927 homes could stop, and youth outreach services could be disrupted.” 

James added, “When the Trump administration continued this toxic gamesmanship with human lives we were able … in this time, on this occasion, we were able to step up and rise to the plate.”

Anna Albi, with  similar sentiments to James’, added, “What they do in D.C. is more than just political theater, it’s matters of life and death.”

Evan Nolan added, “We will have votes in the future regarding affordable housing developments.… People will show up and say this hurts my property value, don’t put this near me or if there is lower income housing in the neighborhood, you’re concentrating poverty. As a result, no matter where you try to put it, there is resistance.”

Scotty Johnson thanked the council “for choosing life over luxury in this particular matter.”

Honorary Street renaming for Marvin G. Butts III

Seth Walsh highlighted the community  efforts and impact of Marvin G. Butts, including holiday meals and annual toy drives that served thousands of Cincinnati residents, youth mentorship and free protection and escort services  for victims of domestic violence. 

According to Walsh, Butts also founded the Butts Family Foundation in 2006. It focuses on “cancer awareness and strengthening families.”

East 13th Street from Reading Road to Pendleton Street in the Pendleton neighborhood will receive the honorary, secondary name of “Marvin G. Butts Way” on June 8 (time TBA). 

Mayor Pureval comments on proposed 2027 city budget 

During the announcement portion of the meeting, Pureval  commented on the recently released proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Operating and Capital City Budget. According to Pureval, the budget, along with supporting documents, is available on the city’s website.

Pureval echoed Long’s description of the budget, referring to it as “especially lean by necessity.”

Pureval added that the budget was balanced “specifically and exclusively” due to the planning and reform systems implemented by the city’s administration. 

The budget process is “far from over,” according to Pureval, as community input and council reviews are still taking place. 

A public budget hearing will take place in Council Chambers on June 1 at 5:30 p.m. 

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.