University Heights City Council meeting highlights

Monday, APRIL 20, 2009

Councilman Steven Sims excused.

Charter review concerns

Rick Adante, a member of Concerned Citizens for University Heights who has attended the charter review meetings, challenged the need and cost of the proposed city administrator. Councilman Frank Consolo responded that he felt a skilled administration shouldn’t be left to electoral chance. He wanted the change to be made in the charter, rather than through an ordinance, so that the mayor wouldn’t have sole control over the administrator. The cost would be lower than a comparable position in Shaker Heights or Cleveland Heights because University Heights is smaller. Councilman Frankie Goldberg also responded and noted that it had been 30 years since the last charter review and that Mayor Rothschild would be stepping down this year.

*Charter review citizen input

Mr. Smith of Bushnell Road said that although he had attended the CRC meetings and expressed his concerns, he had not received any response and felt his input wasn’t being considered. Mayor Rothschild noted that input was allowed at the end of the meetings, which sometimes were quite long.

University Parkway

Jeff Soclof told council that the deteriorating condition of University Parkway was unacceptable. He thanked council for the water line repairs that had eliminated the repeated flooding, but that now portions of the street were impassable due to large potholes and buckling. City Engineer Joseph Ciuni explained the cost to replace the street had risen to $1 million (earlier quotes were for only a portion of the street) and that the bed had to be completely replaced due to damage caused by the repeated flooding. Congresswoman Marcia Fudge was trying to have this project covered by stimulus funding. Also, the mayor would see if any county funds were available. If neither of these options were available, the city would have to secure a loan. Councilman Frank Consolo noted that he had voted against street repairs on Silsby and Edgerton in March because University Parkway was in urgent need of repair.

Additional funding for Charter Review Commission

Council allocated an additional $897 for the Charter Review Commission, to cover the cost of an educational citywide bulk mailing. Vice-Mayor Adele Zucker voted no because she felt the additional costs could have been avoided by using a self-mailer, eliminating the cost of envelopes and stuffing.

*Concession stand monies

Finance Director Arman Ochoa reported the concession stand at Purvis Park netted the city $1,910.83 in 2008 and $2,214.75 in 2007.

Grant application denied

Building Commissioner Menn reported that the city’s grant application to the First Suburbs Development Council for maintenance of foreclosed properties was denied. All of the funds available went to South Euclid.

LWV observer: Wendy Deuring.

Monday, MAY 4, 2009

All council members present

*Remembering city residents

There was a moment of silence in respect for the passing of Sabina Berman, a previous honoree as Citizen of the Year; and for Donald and Virginia Myers, who died in a fire on Tyndall Road.

2603 Ashurst Road

In response to Mark Jones’ request, Law Director Ken Fisher reported that the large judgment lien filed against the property at 2603 Ashurst Road had been satisfied and that the $6,600 owed in property taxes should be resolved within two weeks. This would enable council to accept the property through a quitclaim deed. The building commissioner would decide if the house were to be renovated or torn down.

Carolyn Solls, another Ashurst Road resident, reported that people had taken measurements of the house and property, and said they planned to renovate the façade of the house and turn the remainder into parking. Mayor Rothschild asked Ms. Solls to report such activities to City Hall or the police.

*Cost of Charter Review Commission

Kate Uhlir asked council why $41,000 was spent on the Charter Review Commission, the efficiency study, and the garbage study when the purpose was to save money.

*Request to delay Charter Review vote

In a prepared statement, residents Nathaniel and Sarah Wilder asked council to vote to postpone putting the charter review issues on the ballot until 2010 or 2011 in order to allow more time for residents to understand the issues and costs of the proposed changes.

Fire Department praised

Resident Susan Infeld and Councilmen Peter Bernardo and Steven Sims praised the Fire Department for courage and prompt and professional response to the intense fire on Tyndall Road. Fire Chief Pitchler reported that there was a 4:45-minute response time to the fire. A second alarm brought backup assistance from Shaker Heights, Cleveland Heights, Lyndhurst, South Euclid and Beachwood. It had been more than 30 years since the last fatal fire University Heights.

*Shula Stadium site for St. Ignatious game

Council approved the use of John Carroll University’s Shula Stadium for a game between St. Ignatious and Cincinnati’s St. Xavier on Saturday, Oct. 24. The lights will be left on until 9:30 p.m. to allow for a postponed women’s soccer game. Provisions will be made for parking. The University will pay for police officers for the event. Councilman Peter Bernardo [a JCU employee] abstained.

Upgrade of fire department software

Council approved $9,127 to upgrade the software for the Fire Department’s heart monitors/defibrillators.

Bid for University Parkway

Council approved a motion to advertise for bids for the University Parkway Roadway Reconstruction.

Waterline replacement

After reviewing nine bids, council awarded Fabrizi Trucking & Paving the contract to replace the water lines on Groveland and Saybrook roads. The City of Cleveland Water Department will pay the cost of $842,051.90. Eight-inch lines will replace the six-inch lines, therefore increasing water pressure and reducing the chance for water-line breaks.

Increase in fees

Several ordinances were presented on first reading that would increase fees as follows: filing fees on BZA applications from $40 to $50; contractor registration fees from $75 to $100; additional fee of $100 for re-inspection after the second visit; point-of-sale inspection fees from $75 to $100 for a single, $125 to $150 for a double house, and $150 to $175 for a three-family home.

*Identity theft policy

An identity theft policy was presented on first reading. The federal government required this and the deadline was extended from May 1 to August 1. The policy was a model provided by the federal government and applied primarily to city employees. Councilman Peter Bernardo asked if the policy would also apply to people presenting checks to get a permit. Finance Director Arman Ochoa was not sure. Council tabled the resolution to study the details and ensure that the city would be ready to comply.

*New stores

Building Commissioner David Menn reported that a small kosher grocery store will be opening in University Corners, and Radio Shack and Dollar Tree will open at Cedar Center.

*Wally the Water Drop

Service Director Chris Vild noted that Wally the Water Drop would be at the Memorial Day parade.

LWV observer: Wendy Deuring.

*These sections not published in the printed Heights Observer

These meeting summaries are abstracted from LWV observers’ written reports. The summaries have been edited and prepared by Charlene Morse, Marilyn McLaughlin and Maryann Barnes. To receive email postings of full reports, send an email to mbarnes9515@gmail.com or join through google groups using “lwv-chuh observer reports” as a search phrase.

These reports contain member observation and selected highlights of public meetings and are not official statements of the League of Women Voters-Cuyahoga Area, Heights Chapter. This disclaimer must accompany any redistribution of these reports.

Read More on University Heights
Volume 2, Issue 6, Posted 10:05 PM, 05.19.2009