Joseph Kotsis addressed the Cleveland City Council Monday afternoon to announce the opening of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. He said, “The City of Cleveland is proud to be a partner once again with the Internal Revenue Service in offering free tax preparation service to citizens of Cleveland and Bradley County whose household income is $51,000 or below.”
“This is the sixth year we have offered these services. This year, we have four sites. Our main VITA satellite site will be at South Cleveland Community Center located at 1334 South Church Street N.E. Other satellite locations are Bradley Baptist Association, Kmart and Lee University. The opening date for free tax preparation at the South Cleveland Community Center site is Feb. 2. This year we have expanded our service and also outreached to help those at Whirlpool and Flowers Bakery. This program only works because of our volunteers.”
The free VITA tax preparation schedule is Tuesday, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
In other business, City Mayor Tom Rowland introduced the new City Planner, Corey Divel. Mr. Divel was formerly the planner for Bradley County for the past 7½ years.
The only item on the consent agenda was a resolution to accept a 2012 tax refund to Little Caesars ($404).
In New Business and Ordinances the following passed unanimously.
-Resolution No: 2013-07 - amending the Animal Shelter policies to include holding owner surrendered animals 72 hours.
-Zoning Ordinance No: 2013-02 - rezoning property at the corner of Foster Lane and 20th Street SE from R4 to R2 (Planning Commission: Approved 9:0).
-Zoning Ordinance No: 2013-03 – rezoning of 5673 and 5693 Mouse Creek Road NW from R2 to CN (Planning Commission: Approved 7:0; 1 member absent, 1 vacancy).
-Motion authorizing Life Safety Code memo.
-Motion authorizing Tim Passmore to apply for an energy grant for the South Cleveland Community Center roof.
-Motion honoring airport authority for a job well done.
The Cleveland City Council will hold its next voting session meeting on Monday, Feb. 11, at 3 p.m.