Mayor· 2026-01-05 to 2030-01 (took office Jan 5, 2026 per News5 and City News Update Jan 9, 2026, elected Nov 4, 2025; month-level end: January 2030; four-year term from the Nov 2025 election per Cleveland Jewish News, seating at a January council meeting as in Jan 5, 2026; charter text not read)
Jim Petras
Cleveland Heights
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 56
- Total speaking time
- 4:15:43
- Avg per meeting
- 4:34
- Segments
- 2976
Want every word Petras has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Petras said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (17)(Development)
Sale or lease of city-owned property
Lots sold at roughly $500 per lot with deed restrictions; the CDC brings $500,000 in state grant funds plus a $500,000 bank line of credit.
Community Improvement Corporation board restructuring and property disposition committee
Funds currently designated to the CIC will be reallocated, with details to come before council.
Severance Timeline
The city's ability to intervene financially depends on an undetermined bond rating and debt capacity.
Comprehensive Plan for Affordable Housing and Down Payment Assistance Program
Would require city acquisition or catalytic investment in specific properties, with costs partially recouped on sale to developers.
Council Committee Structure
Fewer separate meetings could save staff time and reduce evening meeting loads.
Infill housing and CRA tax abatement
The city would bear an upfront cost to hire an experienced architecture firm and develop the pattern book.
Housing and Business Maintenance Code amendments
$105,100, offset by already-budgeted funds, with an optional tech add-on possible later.
Park Synagogue development status
$250,639 in and out of city accounts — no net cost, since the city agreed to waive the fees last year.
Alcazar redevelopment 30-year tax abatement and TIF
30-year TIF with roughly 30% of incremental tax revenue going to the developer; net present value estimated near $490,000-$650,000.
Vacant lot sales and zoning update
Sale proceeds are modest, but new homes add to the tax base; over 150 vacant lots remain in the program.
Housing Needs Assessment findings
$15,500 addendum, with $5,750 from CDBG funds and $9,750 from the planning consultant budget.
Hillside Dairy Public Works Yard demolition
A budget amendment is anticipated to address a cost discrepancy; bids open May 7.
Artist housing and creative-sector space
Foundation funding is limited and the state's artist-focused ARCO funding has ended, so new financing tools like TIF districts may be needed.
Housing Council appointments
The Housing Council reviews tax incentives and CRAs, which affect city tax revenue.
Noble Road corridor plan
Noble Road neighborhood conditions
The city is investing just over $300,000 in the Noble business district through the NABA agreement.
Severance redevelopment partnership
Decisions during term (6)
Recorded while Petras was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.