University Heights debates removing office of mayor

With the upcoming retirement of long time Mayor Beryl Rothschild, University Heights is debating a significant change to its political structure: shifting from a mayor to a city manager.

Voters could vote on the change, which requires amending the city charter, at the next election.

Currently the mayor holds most of the city's administrative power. If University Heights adopts a city manager structure, the city council would hold most of the power, including overseeing the city manager. 

The manager would have the daily job of running the city.  The single biggest change would be that the mayor would no longer appoint and supervise the various department heads in the city.

The proposal is controversial, however. The city financial director, Arman Ochoa, notes that a city manager would require a staff, which, considering the city's financial situation, could require cuts in other areas.

Harvey Morrison, who heads the Charter Review Commission said the city would benefit by having a mayor subject to term limits. 

“The issue came to the forefront because the mayor has been with us for 30 years, "Morrison said. "A term-limited mayor might do things differently in the future and right now the group is in a learning process regarding all their options.”

Morrison predicted a some kind of proposal for a new form of government will be on the next ballot.

Besides the political structure of the city, the meetings have also discussed the finances, and possible benefits of regionalism. Both the mayor and the finance director agree that sharing resources with other cities is a growing trend that will save the city money. One possible regional resource is a garage service, where repairs to the vehicles of many cities would be shared. The city already has an agreement on fire services.

Whatever decision the CRC makes, citizen input is welcome. Until March 24, the CRC will meet on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in council chambers, 2300 Warrensville Center Road. Meetings are open to the public with time set aside for public comment.

Bill Kushner, formerly of Los Angeles, CA, has lived in Cleveland Heights with his wife and six children for the last 20 years.