East Cleveland wants to keep red lights cameras if city merges with Cleveland

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EAST CLEVELAND, OH (WOIO) - There has been serious consideration by East Cleveland to merge with Cleveland.

Before those talks begin, East Cleveland has put together a document with a list of 16 desires, if a merger happens.

Here is the City of East Cleveland City Council Ordinance 4-16 which talks about the Annexation of East Cleveland into a City of Cleveland ward that they want called the "Ward of East Cleveland" and their merger demands, which includes keeping red light traffic cameras, which were banned in the City of Cleveland.

#1 – The City of East Cleveland, OH plus portions of the University Circle area will become the new ward to be named "East Cleveland"

#2 - The initial ward of East Cleveland Councilperson will be elected from an election of standing elected government officials and thereafter will stand for election with current Cleveland City Council Members

#3 – Residents of the Ward of East Cleveland and (b) employees working in the Ward of East Cleveland that are subject to City of Cleveland Income Tax will be eligible for a city income tax credit resulting in an effective rate of 1.0%. State of Ohio shall reimburse the City of Cleveland the amount the difference between the City of Cleveland rate (currently 2.0%) and the effective Ward of East Cleveland rate (projected at 1%)

#4 – An annual merger incentive payment in the amount of $10 million from the State of Ohio to the City of Cleveland is earmarked for East Cleveland debts, street improvements and capital improvements (including police and fire equipment) in the Ward of East Cleveland.

#5- Ward of East Cleveland will be designated as a Police and Fire District within the City of Cleveland.

#6- State of Ohio to grant the Cuyahoga County Land Bank $20 million for a revolving loan fund for rehabilitation of housing in the Ward of East Cleveland. Rehabilitation loans will be approved by East Cleveland Community Development Corporation (ECCDC) and jointly administered by ECCDC and the Cuyahoga County Land Bank.

#7 – The East Cleveland Municipal Court will continue as a municipal court for the Ward of East Cleveland. The Judge shall be elected by residents of the Ward of East Cleveland.

#8 – Maintenance of the East Cleveland Parks (Forest Hill, Superior Hill, Pattison, Holly and Mann shall be transferred to the Cleveland Metro Park System. Local management and control will remain with East Cleveland Park Association

#9 – The Community Development Corporation for the Ward of East Cleveland shall be named the "East Cleveland Community Development Corporation"

#10 – Current members of East Cleveland City Council will transition to "East Cleveland Advisory Council" and will continue to be elected and compensated at the same level of compensation as current East Cleveland City Council Members. "East Cleveland Advisory Council" members will be voting members of the "East Cleveland Community Development Corporation." The members of the East Cleveland Advisory Council (5) shall be a majority of the voting members of the ECCDC

#11 – The ECCDC shall be the sole development corporation for the Ward of East Cleveland

#12- The City of East Cleveland shall transfer all current city owned property and all property currently owned by the Cuyahoga County Land Bank on behalf of the City of East Cleveland to ECCDC, including all properties involved in agreements or memorandum of understanding.

#13- A portion of the RCCDC annual operating funding shall be set through the merger agreement and may be funded with the federal community development block grant funds and grant donations from area foundations.

#14 – The voting boundaries will be defined as the Ward of East Cleveland and remain unchanged for a minimum of ten years.

#15 – That all appointed commissioners shall acknowledge receipt of this Memorandum of Understanding.

#16 – The Ward of East Cleveland shall remain able to enforce through its' police and court; Red Light Camera Ticketing.

Cleveland Council President Kelley says he remains open to discussions regarding a merger between Cleveland and East Cleveland, but added, "Our Council will take no action under the conditions proposed by the East Cleveland City Council."

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