Connecting and Belonging Commission

Tuesday, June 16, 2026 Connecting and Belonging Commission Connecting and Belonging Commission Tuesday, June 16, 2026 6:00 PM via Zoom https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82070661307?pwd=MshJAbiGXMA2lFNbhnaGPQlIbduooo.1 Meeting ID: 820 7066 1307 Passcode: 563006 Page A. PUBLIC NOTICE 3 06162026 Public Notice - Connecting and Belonging Committee.pdf B. CALL TO ORDER C. MINUTES APPROVAL 1. Approval of Minutes from May 19, 2026 4 05-19-2026 CandB Meeting Minutes.docx 2. Approval of Minutes from April 22, 2026 6 04-22-2026 CandB Meeting Minutes DRAFT.pdf 3. Approval of Minutes from March 24, 2026 7 03-24-2026 CandB Meeting Minutes DRAFT.pdf D. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. E-Bikes and Safety Initiatives 2. School Partnership 3. Community Engagement Survey Page 1 of 8  4. Future Events E. NEW BUSINESS F. MISCELLANEOUS G. ADJOURNMENT Page 2 of 8 June 8, 2026 PUBLIC NOTICE Please be advised that there will be a meeting of the Connecting and Belonging Committee on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. VIA ZOOM: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82070661307?pwd=MshJAbiGXMA2lFNbhnaGPQlIbduooo.1 Meeting ID: 820 7066 1307 Passcode: 563006 Michelle Bronowski Clerk of Council POSTED: 6/8/2026 MEDIA NOTIFIED: 6/8/2026 Brooklyn City Hall Cleveland.com Brooklyn Public Library Brooklyn Recreation Center Also: Brooklyn Board of Education www.brooklynohio.gov Brooklyn Community-Senior Center MOVING FORWARD. TOGETHER. CITY OF BROOKLYN 8000 Memphis Avenue, Brooklyn, OH 44144 216-351-2133 brooklynohio.gov Page 3 of 8  Connecting and Belonging Commission Meeting Minutes May 19, 2026 Members Present: Dana Acy (Chair), Ginger Marshall (Vice Chair), James Brown, Steven Coyle, Kendall Lewis (Student Ambassador), Kim Stark, Rachel Jakubiec, Michelle Bronowski, Pastor Luis Vizcarrondo Jr. There was no approval of the previous meetings minutes as the minutes were not available. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: • E-Bikes and Safety Initiatives: Recap of previous meeting held with the YES Committee regarding e-bikes and safety. The Committee is interested in helping distribute information regarding safety. Bronowski will share proposed legislation once available. • School Partnership: Discussion regarding concerns about the relationship with the high school principal following his departure. It was noted that Mr. Larson is now the Director of Career Development and Innovation. • Resident Feedback: Acy shared feedback received from prior discussions, indicating that participants would like to hear more from professionals at future events, ie: paralegals. NEW BUSINESS: • Future Events: o Lewis stated she will inquire amongst students about career development opportunities they would like to learn more about. o Marshall suggested inviting talent acquisition professionals to speak with students. o Acy stated that she can coordinate legal professionals. o CPR Training was suggested. • Committee Structure: The Committee provided background information regarding its purpose, current initiatives, operational structure, and goals moving forward. • Community Engagement: Discussion held on how residents would prefer to receive information about upcoming events and programming. Members discussed developing a community survey to gather feedback. Survey Monkey and use of a QR code were discussed as possible tools. Discussion was held on potential survey questions. Marshall and Acy agreed to work on questions. • Pride Events: Upcoming events were discussed, including Brooklyn Area Pride and Pride on Pearl. Marshall invited all to visit the MetroHealth booth at Pride in the CLE. Additional information for all upcoming events can be found on Facebook. Page 4 of 8 Connecting and Belonging Commission Meeting Minutes May 19, 2026 Page 2 The next scheduled meeting is June 16, 2026, via Zoom. No further business, motion by Marshall to adjourn, seconded by Coyle. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m. Page 5 of 8 Connecting and Belonging Commission Meeting Minutes April 22, 2026 5:30 p.m. Members Present: Dana Acy (Chair), Ginger Marshall (Vice Chair), James Brown, Kent Cicerchi, Steven Coyle, Rachel Jakubiec There was no approval of the previous meetings minutes as the minutes were not available. The Connecting and Belonging Commission met jointly with the YES Committee. Discussion was held regarding current initiatives and projects being worked on by both groups. BUSINESS • Discussion was held regarding community safety and youth safety initiatives, including e-bikes, helmets, and related concerns. • Members discussed ways to better communicate safety laws and information to residents and students. • A community block party was discussed as a possible opportunity for outreach and education. • Lt. Eschweiler indicated her support for assisting the Commission with additional safety awareness meetings and initiatives. • Members discussed communication methods used by the Board of Education and school principals, including ParentSquare. • MetroHealth Partnership: Marshall discussed potentially partnering with MetroHealth and exploring statistics related to injuries involving e-bikes and similar safety concerns. • YES Committee: Discussion regarding a Community Art Show at Memorial Park or at the Senior Center during the June 27 grand opening of Veteran’s Memorial Park. It was noted that prizes were in the process of being procured. • Members discussed the possibility of a scholarship sponsored through City Council. The next scheduled meeting is May 19, 2026. No further business, meeting adjourned. Page 6 of 8 Connecting and Belonging Commission Meeting Minutes March 24, 2026 6:00 p.m. Members Present: Dana Acy (Chair), Ginger Marshall (Vice Chair), Kent Cicerchi, Kendall Lewis (Student Ambassador), Rachel Jakubiec, Kim Stark, Steven Coyle Motion by Ginger, second by Coyle to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. APPROVED. BUSINESS • CHN Housing Workshop: Discussion was held regarding the upcoming CHN Housing Workshop scheduled for March 26, 2026, at the Library from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. An additional workshop was confirmed for April 23, 2026. Lewis was asked to assist in sharing the event flyer. • Contact information was gathered from new Commission members. • Coyle provided an overview of Open Meetings laws and guidelines regarding communication between Commission members. • Discussion was held regarding the Dog Park event scheduled for May 16, 2026. Acy and Kent agreed to follow up with the Kennel Manager regarding event planning. Kent shared his experience with the Lakewood and Avon Lake dog parks and offered assistance with the project. The Parma Animal Shelter was also discussed as a potential resource. • Senator/Representative Event: Members discussed hosting an informational event at City Hall featuring elected officials. Potential dates in June were considered, with June 4 noted as the last day of school. Senator Patton and State Representative Glassburn were identified as potential participants. Acy emphasized the importance of ensuring strong attendance. • Senior Resource Initiative: Members discussed prioritizing outreach and programming for senior residents as a future focus of the Commission. Congresswoman Shontel Brown could not commit to visiting Brooklyn. Page 7 of 8 Connecting and Belonging Commission Meeting Minutes March 24, 2026 Page 2 • City-Wide Garage Sale: Discussion was held regarding the City-Wide Garage Sale scheduled for June 4 through June 7, 2026, as an opportunity to distribute information and engage residents. • Members discussed concerns that renters and new residents may not be receiving important City information. A welcome kit for new residents was discussed, as well as the need to ensure landlords provide tenants with information regarding City services and regulations. Discussion was also held regarding whether a new resident information section exists on the City's website. • YES Committee Collaboration: Members discussed opportunities to collaborate with the YES Committee and reach out to Councilman Mosley. Discussion focused on engaging younger residents and involving youth in identifying solutions to community concerns. • Meeting Schedule: Motion by Marshall, seconded by Acy, to approve the following meeting dates: August 18, September 15, October 20, November 17, and December 15, 2026. Motion passed. The next scheduled meetings are April 21, 2026, May 19, 2026, June 16, 2026, and July 21, 2026. Motion by Ginger, second by Acy to approve the following 2026 meeting dates: August 18, September 15, October 20, November 17, December 15. APPROVED. No further business, motion by Marshall to adjourn, seconded by Coyle. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned. Page 8 of 8