Utilities Committee

Cleveland City Council

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Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024
10:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m. EDT

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601 Lakeside Ave Cleveland, OH 44114 (Directions)

Cleveland City Hall, Mercedes Cotner Room 217 (or watch on YouTube)

The Utilities Committee of Cleveland City Council considers legislation relating to the city-owned Water Department, Cleveland Public Power and Water Pollution Control, which is responsible for managing the sanitary sewage and storm water drainage collection systems in Cleveland. The committee is tasked with ensuring that all utility services are being provided at a reasonable cost and examining any increase in service fees and rates when necessary, as well as exploring how physical infrastructure and distribution methods can improve information technology, digitalization and smart technology to enhance internal and external city operations.

Committee members:

Brian Kazy, chair
Jenny Spencer, vice chair
Kevin Bishop
Deborah Gray
Kris Harsh
Danny Kelly
Michael Polensek

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Reporting

Edited and summarized by the Cleveland - OH Documenters Team

Note-taking by Mildred Seward

Utility companies discuss August storms, utility poles

View notes

Live reporting by Marvetta Rutherford

August storms strike Cleveland Public Power with $1.3 million in recovery costs

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise

Today I am covering the @CleCityCouncil #utilitiescommittee For @cledocumenters #cledocumenters @signalcleveland

09:01 AM Sep 12, 2024 CDT

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 2/69

Cleveland public power and others are going to be answering questions about the storm of August 6th that impacted thousands Martin Keane and his team

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 3/69

Keane listed the many water sites that had issues as well. He spoke of trees and the removal Catch basin were in focus.

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 4/69

@kazy_brian said he didn't have 1call about lack of water.. Department heads spoke about Cleveland Public Power

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 5/69

@kazy_brian Attendance has improved and the explanation for the people who was working on restoration of power

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 6/69

@kazy_brian Secondary issues were discussed There are crews that address this problem

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 7/69

@kazy_brian Storm Communications

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 8/69

@kazy_brian 36k customers were impacted by this storm The director is very proud of the staff many of whom were already off work and returned. 200 hours were worked by many

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 9/69

@kazy_brian Many people were restored in two days. Contractor Services came to aid The department of the city. Out of town help arrived

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 10/69

@kazy_brian 95% restoration by 8/10

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 11/69

@kazy_brian They said they posted updates and manned 30k calls

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 12/69

Costs are over 1 million dollars

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 13/69

Regular recovery was dealt with as well during this period

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 14/69

Next up is @firstenergycorp David Turner is the presenter with additional staff He will be covering several topics Their area is much bigger than cpp

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 15/69

@firstenergycorp Several weather models were in focus

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 16/69

@firstenergycorp

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 17/69

@firstenergycorp

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 18/69

@firstenergycorp Overview of the project

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 19/69

@firstenergycorp Vegetative management

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 20/69

Post storm procedures are in place

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 21/69

Timeline

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 22/69

8200 workers were in place during this period in various areas

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 23/69

Public outreach was a great focus

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 24/69

Several recreational centers were affected

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 25/69

That is the presenting for the utility Next @ATT they appreciate the help from the other companies 40k were affected 16 offices lost power.. These are the presenters

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 26/69

@ATT They have to wait until the power companies clear up the areas before they can get started in restoring services to their customers

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 27/69

@ATT @GetSpectrum Sandra Williams is the presenter for them

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 28/69

@ATT @GetSpectrum She read the summary of the storm 5 tornadoes came through the city

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 29/69

@ATT @GetSpectrum Within the week the people were reconnected she said. Communication was in various ways. Kazy asked how many people were involved 230k was the answer

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 30/69

Cleveland is now doing the presenting Poles are the focus of @kazy_brian

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 31/69

@kazy_brian He asked the entities to come to the table

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 32/69

@kazy_brian His address about communications issues

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 33/69

@kazy_brian Make them....

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 34/69

@kazy_brian Martin Keane spoke about poles

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 35/69

@firstenergycorp and @clepublicpower worked together during this period

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 36/69

This man spoke about collaboration , I don't know his name but his point of being better prepared is valid

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 37/69

2 or 3 different poles are not the Best way

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 38/69

@KrisHarsh is asking questions about the order of business

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 39/69

@KrisHarsh He asked about the answer of a couple of months... He spoke of the revenue vs expenses Low priorities are being discussed

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 40/69

@KrisHarsh The silence of the company's about the current priorities of the additional poles Williams said that she didn't have a concrete answer. Kazy asked about not having to pull permits to install poles

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@KrisHarsh Harsh made a great point in regard to the problem of too many poles. Att spoke about the @PUCOhio and the regulations involved

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 42/69

@KrisHarsh @PUCOhio Williams said she is working on getting the situation taken care of through Spectrum. Harsh said that the studies show more severe weather Is this the Best of the people at the table

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 43/69

Additional questions about the people of #Cleveland and how they were made whole.

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More discussion

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 45/69

Karsh spoke about the tree trimming issues

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 46/69

More discussion about trimming in the city vs suburbs

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@jennyspencercle asked about the situation her initial response was to spectrum and the telephone and internet service

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@jennyspencercle @ATT explained their own process however, they are not city wide. Spectrum has fiber phone lines the spokesperson said

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 49/69

@jennyspencercle @ATT Spencer spoke about Mr Collins and his service during this period. She spoke to Lost Revenue for the people in her Ward... She asks about relief from the First Energy She was advised that there are Grant's for different companies

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 50/69

More discussion from Spencer to CPP she extended her appreciation And asked about the support from out of the city

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How does this system work Spencer asked Keane responded She further questioned the outage maps

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Polensek said he was around in 1993 and this was way worse

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He asked about legislation passed last year and why the law was not implemented? Keane gave the answer that in June those 15 bids were thrown out ... the limit of the award is in question

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Polensek said the area behind Collinwood was out for almost 2 weeks.. many people were Trapped by the garage not opening up

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 55/69

There has to be a better way Polensek said! He described the water that came into city Hall

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 56/69

Gas and water lines were disrupted Polensek said Many of them were in the back yard.. Many of these yards have stuff around the poles..

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 57/69

Vines are a very valid point to the point of poison ivy growing up these poles Tree planting should make sense People have to help with this process

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 58/69

Polensek said he had residents who were without food and the @CleFoodBank did a great job helping others Forestry needs improvements Call centers need to be manned to answer the phone

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 59/69

@CleFoodBank Damage to the people and business was worth getting 2 additional days The pole issue is old .. Polensek spoke to the poles he said he reported YEARS AGO

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 60/69

Kazy said that both sides of the city was out regarding the company's... Gray #Ward4 spoke about her own experience and her people

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 61/69

Timeframes were an issue for the people in her Ward

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 62/69

She wants someone to come to the community Meeting and explain One resident spoke to her assistant for 3 hours

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 63/69

Large trees are down as well as wires hanging

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 64/69

The question was who is in charge of wooden spools with wires? Gray will send the pictures

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 65/69

Kelly is the next member asking questions

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He expressed his appreciation for the people associated with this issue! Kazy echoed that

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Kazy said there needs to be more collaboration about the #PoleIssue

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 68/69

Polensek asked about digital C issues Kazy said this is pretty historic Meeting adjourned

Denise A@cleDocumenter @CleDocuDenise 69/69

The gentleman from cle public power is Commissioner Ammon Danielson.. Have questions? Think we got something wrong? Send any inquiries on the meeting or these tweets to @cledocumenters Or email us at cledocumenters@gmail.com Until the next time, blessings

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Agency Information

Cleveland City Council

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www.clevelandcitycouncil.org

(216) 664-2840

@CleCityCouncil

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Cleveland City Council is the legislative branch of the government of the City of Cleveland in Ohio. There are 17 elected Cleveland City Council members representing the 17 wards of the City of Cleveland. Each ward has approximately 25,000 residents. Council Members are elected to serve a four-year term. Council members serve two roles in their duties: to draft and enact legislation for the city of Cleveland and act as ombudsmen for their constituents.

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