Cincinnati City Councilmember Mark Jeffreys joins Meyerside Chats for a grounded, wide-ranging conversation on how cities actually govern during moments of national tension.

Drawing on his background as a Procter & Gamble executive, entrepreneur, and public servant, Jeffreys explains how local governments balance housing shortages, public safety, federal immigration enforcement, media narratives, and community trust — all while operating within real political and legal limits.

This episode covers housing supply, federal-local power dynamics, data-driven governance, political narratives, AI in government, and how cities can remain pragmatic in an increasingly polarized environment.

🎧 Available on YouTube and all major podcast platforms.

⏱️ Chapters / Timestamps

00:00 – Intro: Local leadership in national moments
01:05 – What’s top of mind for Cincinnati residents right now
03:30 – Minneapolis, ICE, and local government anxiety
06:00 – Separating public safety facts from political narratives
09:00 – Data vs headlines: how cities assess risk
11:30 – Procter & Gamble, brands, and political narratives
14:45 – KPIs, bureaucracy, and governing by metrics
18:20 – Housing supply, zoning, and neighborhood resistance
22:00 – Why housing has become so polarized
26:10 – Comparing Cincinnati and California housing policy
30:00 – Why developers won’t build at 3% returns
33:30 – AI, automation, and the future of city government
37:30 – One-party cities, red states, and balance of power
41:45 – How to restore healthy debate without culture wars
46:00 – What real federal-local collaboration should look like
48:00 – Closing thoughts on trust, safety, and governance

 🎧 Also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/GR_TnZGjZ28

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About Evan Meyer

Tech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.
He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.