University Heights City Council meeting highlights
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2009
Council member Steven D. Bullock excused.
Removal of debris
Linda Johnson of Ashurst Road asked for the city’s plan to remove debris after the planned demolition of a house in her neighborhood, and for notification to neighbors as to when the demolition is scheduled to occur. Although such notification is not normally done, the council agreed to honor her request. Johnson also advocated the development of an ongoing way of engaging residents in neighborhood revitalization.
Empty beer cans on Charney
Paul Miller of Charney Road expressed concern about the constant presence of empty beer cans near his home. Mayor Rothschild said the city would look into the problem and asked Mr. Miller to give Building Commissioner David Menn the addresses.
Committee of the Whole meeting
Mayor Rothschild reported her plans to schedule a Committee of the Whole meeting to consider the rubbish report presented Sept. 18. She also announced completion of the exception study.
Report from the superintendent of schools
Superintendent Douglas Heuer reported that 94 percent of the 2009 Heights High class graduated. Other student achievements included four National Merit semifinalists and $8 million awarded in scholarships. Also, five Heights High students, plus two alternates, were chosen for the Ohio State Choir.
To be fiscally responsible, the district has cut $2.4 million from the budget, aggressively sought and removed students who are not legal residents, and implemented a thorough study of facilities with the goal of developing a 10-year plan for improvement and maintenance.
With the help of a $400,000 grant for language enrichment, Mandarin Chinese is now offered to elementary students. As one of 14 programs in the country and in partnership with China, the study-program Confucius Classroom is offered at the high school.
Superintendent Heuer introduced Dr. Octavia Reed, principal of Wiley Middle School, and Ms. Sherry Miller, principal of Gearity Elementary. Included in their remarks were descriptions of their various coordinated programs and they invited the community to see the schools in action.
Compensation for the mayor and city council
Council approved compensation of $43,750 for the mayor for the term beginning Jan. 1, 2010 and ending Dec. 31, 2013.
Council approved compensation for council members for the term beginning Jan. 1, 2010 at $8,700 and $8,900 for years 2011-2013.
Storage and towing
Council approved two ordinances increasing storage and towing charges, one for private tow-away zones and the second for all other areas.
Street rehabilitation program
Council approved an emergency resolution to seek financial assistance from the Ohio Public Works Commission to fund the Street Rehabilitation Program. As recommended by City Engineer Joseph Ciuni, the consensus was to apply for the funds to defray the $1.6 million in estimated costs.
Firemen’s pension fund
Council authorized the transfer of money from the general fund to the firemen’s pension fund.
Workers Compensation Group Rating Program
Council authorized participation in the Ohio Association of Public Treasurers Workers Compensation Group Rating Program recommended by Finance Director Anthony Ianiro. Ianiro explained that the city saves $44,000 in premium payments through this plan.
Thank you to Joseph Ciuni
Council member Frankie Goldberg thanked City Engineer Joseph Ciuni for completing the work on University Parkway in time to have it walkable before Rosh Hashanah.
Estate taxes
Finance Director Anthony Ianiro reported collection of $42,000 for University Heights from estate taxes.
Stimulus funds
Chief of Police Gary Stehlik reported receiving $100,000 of federal stimulus funds through Cleveland.
Watch directors trained
Fire Chief John Pitchler reported that all city watch directors have been trained.
Senior Transit system
Community Coordinator Walter Stinson reported that most trips taken on the Senior Transit system were for medical reasons.
Community Block Grants
Building Commissioner David Menn expressed concern about competing with larger cities for Community Block Grants.
Exception Analysis report
Council Member Steven Sims requested that the exception analysis report be made public at the same time as the rubbish report.
John Carroll University
Council Member Frank Consolo reported there would be a meeting on Sept. 30 at John Carroll University to continue discussing John Carroll’s list of campus development priorities.
LWV observer: Carol Gibson
MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2009
Councilman Kevin Patrick Murphy excused.
Lack of African-American firefighters
Stanley Bagley of Traymore asked the council why there has not been a single African-American firefighter over the last 40 years during which he has been a resident, and when would there be some. He asked council to set a time limit for this to occur.
In response, Mayor Rothschild noted that this was a civil service issue, and the next exam would be in about two years. Currently, there is a list of qualified applicants to draw from. All applicants must already have a paramedic degree. Law Director Ken Fisher promised to examine the city’s rulings to see what affirmative action rulings have been recorded.
Council Member Steven Sims stated that the mayor had asked him two years ago to try to bring in qualified African-American individuals for job openings, but that nobody has been hired in that time. Sims also said he had previously worked with the Urban League and promised to continue to follow-up with Bagley. Bagley said he knew of one man who was eligible. He also said that he had ties to a clergy group that was addressing issues of employment and discrimination, which would help locate candidates.
Flooded basement
Adrienne Schaffer of Saybrook Road told council her basement had been flooded when contractors failed to turn off a spigot after disconnecting water lines from the street. To address this problem she had met with the contractor and an inspector, and had written a letter to the mayor, all to no avail. City Engineer Joseph Ciuni replied that the inspector was from his office and that Schaffer now had to submit bills and/or estimates to the contractor who in turn would file a claim with their insurance company. He also offered to help her with the claims process.
Election forums
Mayor Rothschild announced that three election forums would be held at John Carroll University: Oct. 12 for the charter amendments, Oct. 21 for the council race, and Oct. 28 for the mayoral race. All will be at 7:30 p.m. in the D. J. Lombardo Student Center.
John Carroll postponed appeal
John Carroll again postponed its appeal of the Board of Zoning Appeals’ decision to refer its request to the University Heights Planning Commission. The university wants to use a house at 4070 Carroll Blvd. as office space for ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps).
Patrol car video system
Council approved the purchase, through the State Purchasing Program, of an in-car patrol vehicle video system with wireless server. Federal stimulus grant money would pay the $55,000 cost. The city departments came together to decide what their most pressing needs were and received $100,000 to upgrade safety forces. The money, kept in a separate interest-bearing account, must be spent in full by a given date. Police Chief Gary Stehlik has and continues to evaluate what upgrades are needed but would be too expensive for the city’s budget.
Jail video surveillance system
Council approved advertising for bids for a police station and jail video surveillance system. Mr. Stehlik would like to use the remaining $45,000 of stimulus money for this, but bids are needed since this option isn’t available in the State Purchasing Program. The current system of a hodge-podge of equipment was created 18 years ago. Since the city continues to house prisoners, the new equipment would provide visual surveillance of the prisoners, the door and public areas.
House on Ashurst
City Enginner Joseph Ciuni reported that demolition of the house on Ashurst has been delayed due to rain. If the current contractor cannot complete the work, the city would contact the next highest bidder to ensure that the job is completed.
Recently paved Edgerton torn up
Council Member Sims asked why the recently pave portion of Edgerton was being torn up again. Chris Veld explained that multiple water main breaks occurred after the paving was completed. The Cleveland Water Department is repairing the lines and will pay to replace the pavement.
LWV observer: Wendy Deuring.
This is an expanded version of the report 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 e-mail 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 Heights Chapter of the League of Women Voters Cuyahoga Area. This disclaimer must accompany any redistribution of these reports.