CHAPTER 137 – DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

137.01   Establishment

137.02   Duties of the Director of Community Development

137.021   Homesteading

137.022   Provision of Services for Fees

137.03   Office of Fair Housing and Consumer Affairs

137.04   Duties of the Manager of Fair Housing and Consumer Affairs

137.05   Reserved

137.06   Reserved

137.07   Division of Neighborhood Services – Repealed

137.08   Duties of Commissioner of Neighborhood Services – Repealed

137.09   Division of Neighborhood Development – Repealed

137.10   Duties of the Commissioner of Neighborhood Development – Repealed

137.11   Division of Administrative Services – Repealed

137.12   Duties of Commissioner of Administrative Services – Repealed

137.13   Housing Clinic

137.14   Function of the Housing Clinic

137.15   Housing Clinic Rules and Regulations

137.16   Demolition Bureau – Repealed

137.161   City Demolition Contracts – Repealed

137.17   Lease Agreements

137.18   Refreshments at Community Meetings and Workshops

   Note: Whenever any reference appears in the Codified Ordinances to the “Division of Neighborhood Development” or the “Commissioner of Neighborhood Development”, it is deemed to mean the “Division of Real Estate” and the “Commissioner of Real Estate”. (Ord. No. 1117-06, § 4. Passed 1-28-08)

Cross-reference:
   Advertisement for bids for redevelopment, CO 321.13 et seq.
   Authority to amend neighborhood conservation plan, CO 323.15
   Commissioner of Relocation and Property Management to deduct delinquent rent from relocation payments, CO 321.06
   Community Development Code, CO Ch. 311 et seq.
   Community Relations Board, CO Ch. 157
   Contents of community development plan, CO 313.03
   Contents of neighborhood conservation plan, CO 323.03
   Department designated local public agency for elimination of slums and blight, CO 321.01
   Director to apply for financial assistance for community development plan, CO 321.02
   Division of Relocation and Property Management to provide method for relocation of families displaced by community development, CO 313.07
   Evaluation of relocation payments, CO 321.05
   Neighborhood conservation area designation, CO 323.02
   Purpose of Housing Code, CO Ch. 361 et seq.
   Rehabilitation and relocation housing, CO 321.16
   Relocation of families displaced by neighborhood conservation plan, CO 323.07
   Zoning Code enforced by Division of Building and Housing, CO Ch. 325 et seq.

Statutory reference:
   Fair housing, RC Ch. 4112

§ 137.01 Establishment

   Pursuant to the authority of the Charter there is hereby established, a Department of Community Development, to be controlled and administered by a Director of Community Development subject to the provisions of the Charter and these Codified Ordinances, and to the direction of the Mayor.

(Ord. No. 1289-66. Passed 6-20-66, eff. 6-23-66) (BOC Res. No. 1025-66. Adopted 12-14-66)

§ 137.02 Duties of the Director of Community Development

   The Director of Community Development shall administer the Department of Community Development and supervise the work of the several divisions established in the Department; administer the laws and ordinances of the City relating to Community Development; coordinate the functioning of the several divisions of the Department with other departments, divisions and offices of the City, with Federal, State and County offices and agencies; supervise the carrying forward of the development, redevelopment, renewal, rehabilitation and conservation of the City in conformity with the General Plan of the City; manage and supervise all projects undertaken by the City for the redevelopment, renewal, rehabilitation or conservation of slum, blighted, deteriorating or deteriorated areas, including the relocation of occupants displaced by this or other governmental action; make application to the appropriate agencies of the Federal government and other public bodies on behalf of the City, the Local Public Agency, for financial assistance if it is determined that financial assistance is necessary; monitor and enforce the Cleveland Consumer Protection Code and educate consumers and service providers as to their rights and responsibilities under federal, state and local laws; and do and perform such other duties as may from time to time be required of him or her by the Mayor, or by ordinance of Council.

(Ord. No. 1329-10. Passed 12-6-10, eff. 12-6-10)

§ 137.021 Homesteading

   (a)   The Director of Community Development shall establish a Cleveland Homestead Program within the City.

   (b)   For the purpose of such program, the Director of Community Development is authorized to accept, as gifts, real property on which is situated a structure which may be rehabilitated, or an undeveloped parcel of land which is suitable for the construction of a residential structure.

   (c)   The Director of Community Development shall prepare qualifications for prospective recipients of the Homestead Program and an outline of the procedures to be followed in the program and forward the same to Council.

   (d)   Notwithstanding and as an exception to any conflicting ordinance of the City, the Director of Community Development may convey real property acquired under the Homestead Program to qualified recipients by way of a deed with conditions subsequent, such conveyance being on the conditions that the structure be rehabilitated to the Building and Housing Codes of the City and that the recipient reside in the structure.

   (e)   The Director of Community Development is authorized to enter into all necessary contracts for the purpose of securing professional real estate appraisal, re-use appraisal, title services and such other professional services he or she may deem necessary to receive services incidental to the receipts, donation, sale or transfer of real property pursuant to the Urban Homestead Program.

(Ord. No. 149-78. Passed 3-20-78, eff. 3-23-78)

§ 137.022 Provision of Services for Fees

   The Director of Community Development is authorized to enter into contracts with governmental agencies to provide said agencies with appraisal, relocation and cartography services, which contracts shall provide for the payment to the City of the cost of the services rendered.

(Ord. No. 1254-87. Passed 6-15-87, eff. 6-19-87)

§ 137.03 Office of Fair Housing and Consumer Affairs

   There is established in the Department of Community Development an Office of Fair Housing and Consumer Affairs to be administered and controlled by a Manager of Fair Housing and Consumer Affairs. The Office of Fair Housing and Consumer Affairs shall accept, investigate and process complaints regarding unlawful discriminatory housing practices; accept, investigate and process complaints from consumers regarding fraudulent, unfair, deceptive or unconscionable business practices; work cooperatively with consumer agencies, schools, media and community organizations to educate consumers and businesses about consumer issues; make recommendations for legislative action to strengthen consumer protection; and perform further duties as may from time to time be required by ordinance or by the Director of Community Development.

(Ord. No. 1329-10. Passed 12-6-10, eff. 12-6-10)

§ 137.04 Duties of the Manager of Fair Housing and Consumer Affairs

   The Manager of Fair Housing and Consumer Affairs under the supervision and direction of the Director of Community Development and subject to the Charter and ordinances of the City, shall have the authority to:

   (a)   Delegate personnel in the Office of Fair Housing and Consumer Affairs to aid and assist the Manager in the proper discharge of his or her duties and powers;

   (b)   Supervise the execution and enforcement of all laws, rules and regulations pertaining to fair housing and consumer affairs as provided in the Fair Housing and Consumer Protection Codes;

   (c)   Receive moneys and issue vouchers for the disbursement of moneys in accordance with the terms of any stipulated settlement agreement made pursuant to division (a) of Section 643.13 of these Codified Ordinances;

   (d)   Accept, investigate and, if necessary, adjudicate, in conjunction with the Law Department, complaints regarding violations of the Fair Housing and Consumer Protection codes;

   (e)   Make studies, conduct tests and establish programs to educate and inform consumers of practices and problems and represent the interest of consumers before administrative and regulatory agencies;

   (f)   Work with governmental agencies and private consumer groups to insure the protection of consumers and to coordinate activities for the common municipal good;

   (g)   Make a written annual report to the Mayor enumerating the activities and recommendations of the Office of Fair Housing and Consumer Affairs;

   (h)   Do any and all acts which may be necessary for the successful prosecution of the purposes of the Fair Housing and Consumer Protection Code and such other acts as may be specifically enumerated herein including, but not limited to requiring that certain classes of merchants be licensed by the Office of Consumer Affairs subject to approval by Council through the Commissioner of Assessments and Licenses when the Director determines such licensing to be in the public interest and necessary for the protection of consumers.

(Ord. No. 1329-10. Passed 12-6-10, eff. 12-6-10)

§ 137.05 Reserved

§ 137.06 Reserved