University Heights City Council: Highlights of June 2008 meetings

June 2 Meeting

(Frank Consolo excused)

Privacy concerns for public statements

A University Heights resident, introducing herself as 'Jane Doe', cited privacy concerns with including citizens’ names and addresses in council minutes published on the internet. She had protected her privacy with an unlisted phone number and a P.O. Box. After testifying at University Heights City Council meetings where audience members are asked to begin their statements with their name and address, she received a package from someone who found her address through the internet minutes. Councilmembers were visibly sympathetic, but Councilwoman Frankie Goldberg pointed out that “We’re a public entity…a public forum.”

Water main replacements

Council authorized solicitation of bids for water main replacements on Silsby, Bushnell, and Charney roads. The Cleveland Water Department will reimburse University Heights for the estimated $1.14 million project cost and up to an additional ten percent in overruns.

Salt storage agreement with CH

Council approved a salt storage agreement with the city of Cleveland Heights.

Reverse 911

Council approved a software licensing agreement with CityWatch. The software would provide reverse 911 to enable the city to communicate with residents in an emergency.

University Square garage

Councilwoman Frankie Goldberg expressed disappointment that Inland, the company responsible for the University Square parking garage, had declined to attend tonight’s meeting to report on progress of garage repairs. Law Director Ken Fisher commented that Inland was waiting for an increase in the bond market before reissuing bonds for renovations, which are scheduled to begin in 2009. Finance Director Arman Ochoa and City Engineer Joseph Ciuni pointed out that garage beam repairs, which are separate from overall garage renovation, should be done by the beginning of July.

LWV Observer: Susan D. Pardee

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June 16 Meeting

(Kevin Patrick Murphy excused)

Bellefaire to demolish building

Council approved a demolition permit for Bellefaire Jewish Children’s Bureau to raze Building “I” on its campus. The two-story building, built in 1928 and used originally as a dormitory for the orphanage, has been vacant for ten years.

Diving boards and insurance

Mike Bentley of Brookson Stafford Company presented a bid for a Public Officials, Law Enforcement Liability, Umbrella Excess, and Package Policy from Traveler’s Insurance. No other company was willing to provide coverage because the swimming pool has diving boards. All except Vice-Mayor Adele Zucker voted to table the ordinance, pending more information on costs if the diving boards were removed. Last year’s policy will be continued on a pro-rated monthly basis.

Cyber insurance

Councilmember Frankie Goldberg strongly urged consideration of adding cyber coverage (for liabilities related to the city’s website), an optional addition for $703 per year.

Assessment increases

Council approved assessment increases for:

• Street lights, from 60 to 70 cents per front foot.
• Tree maintenance, from 40 to 80 cents per front foot. (Shaker Heights assesses one dollar per front foot.) The city is preparing to address the threat of the emerald ash borer. The Tree Fund has been operating at a deficit for several years.
• Sewer maintenance (supplementary), from $58 to $78 per year. The city will use these funds to videotape and clean 20% of the sewer lines each year. Fees were last raised in 1998.

Water line replacement

Council awarded a contract to Noce Enterprises, Inc. to replace the water line under University Parkway. The cost of $418,000 will be reimbursed by the city of Cleveland Water Department. The project will take four months to complete and will require digging only a five-foot wide trench, not the entire street. The city will notify residents.

Wynn Road house to be demolished

Council authorized purchase of a foreclosed property at 2099 Wynn Road for $45,000. The property is adjacent to the former Ohr Chodesh property where the city had planned to build a salt storage facility. The house had been in a fire. Demolition will cost $7,000.

Sewer repairs

Council voted to authorize solicitation of bids for various sewer repairs. Several locations at Traymore, Eaton, and University Boulevard have chronic sewer problems.

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Summaries edited by Maryann Barnes.

These summaries of the LWV Cuyahoga Area-Heights Chapter report of University Heights City Council meetings contain member observations and selected highlights; they are not official statements by the League of Women Voters. This disclaimer must accompany any redistribution of this report.

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