Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley said Friday discussions are still taking place on the future of the city's parking system. He announced his plan earlier this week that would keep the city in charge, upgrade all meters and use the additional revenues for basic services.
Cranley said the first step in the process is dropping or revising the previous parking lease agreement with the Greater Cincinnati Port Authority.
“But decision about smartphone apps, hours and all that kind of stuff you know I think will be decided by City Council frankly in response to public hearings and public input,” Cranley said. “I would like to defer to that legislative process to find the right balance there.”
A council committee will likely discuss the parking lease on February 24th.
City Council must also make decisions about the city's troubled pension system. But Cranley said he does not expect that to happen soon.
“We don’t think it’s realistic to resolve it in the next couple weeks,” Cranley said. “But we believe that we have to identify a process by which we can resolve it over the next several months.”
The pension issue could be a concern when the city meets with bond ratings agencies next month to find out how much it will cost for the city to borrow money. Cranley is expecting a downgrade, which means higher interest rates.
Mayor Cranley also said he is trying to convince Catholic Health Partners to locate a development in Bond Hill that would include hundreds of jobs.
“If they decide it’s a good move for Catholic Health Partners it could be a catalytic, transformative investment in Bond Hill,” Cranley said. “And support all the other efforts that we’re trying to support in that area.”
Cranley made his comments Friday during what will become a weekly gathering with local reporters to discuss city issues.
