Cincinnati City Council in session for the first time since Councilman Sittenfeld’s arrest. Tons on the agenda, but right now, a clash brewing in Over-the-Rhine over the administration’s plans for permanent outdoor dining facilities on streets/sidewalks.

Margy Waller: We’ve not heard anything from the city about why streets need to be permanently closed.

“They haven’t spoken to a single resident … on those streets."

Waller: Community would probably support an extended, temporary closure.

Waller also says that the expenditure of TIF money on the project without consulting the community is a “slap in the face."

3CDC’s Adam Gelter: There’s no plan to close any street that isn’t already closed. We’re already seeing the impact.

OTR Community Council VP Danny Klingler: “Our objection is to the process.”

It’s not a secret there’s a link between financial interests and City Council votes anymore. I’m not saying that’s happening here.

I think we’re going to hear this over and over again at council for at least the next year. Policy disagreements, particularly ones where stakeholders think there’s been lack of engagement (not unusual at City Hall), are going to lead to people pointing to the alleged corruption.

Bob Deck, 4EG, has six locations downtown. “The street closures and the parklets have been critical to our survival."

Deck: “It can make the difference between places staying open and closing."

Joe Lanni, co-owner of Thunderdome, Pepp, Eagle, CityBird: “We operate in nine other markets and Cincinnati was the fastest to take on some of these initiatives. Some of my restaurants could not have made it without this lifeline. People are really enjoying these spaces.”

Lanni: "These jobs just would have been lost.” In other markets, they’ve laid off hundreds of employees.

“Outdoor dining adds vibrancy."

Lanni: “We need approval on this quickly to have an effective rollout in the spring."

Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber COO Brendon Cull: It’s an opportunity to make this neighborhood even more pedestrian friendly.

Lindsay, owner of The Hub, is against the process. We’re confused at the reason 3CDC is involved in approving permits instead of just the city’s transportation department.

Mayor Cranley now at this hearing: “This is urgent. We will continue the trend of repopulation or will we go along with those other cities that have a reversal of fortune.”

Cranley: “This is our chance to seize a moment. We won’t have an option of saving the city if we lose all these restaurants and businesses.”

Cranley says the streets will remain public property. If the lanes or streets need to be taken back later, we can do so.

Cranley: We’re always interested in what community councils have to say.

“At the end of the day, the TIF money doesn’t belong to them. It belongs to the people of Cincinnati."

Cranley: “This is not a time to be held up on process."

Seelbach says he is abstaining from today’s vote but plans to vote “yes” on Wednesday as long as there is engagement with the OTR Council and the admin presents to it.

“I just think they deserve that respect,” Seelbach said.

Not clear, though, whether there is an OTR Council.

Councilwoman Kearney suggests a one-week delay.