University Heights City Council - Highlights of January/February meetings
January 20, 2009
Councilman Steven Bullock was excused.
Sewer work contracting
Council passed two motions: one to advertise for bids for the 2009 catch basin, inlet, and main line sewer cleaning and filming; and another to advertise for bids for contractor services for emergency sewer repairs in 2009. The second motion would ensure that someone would be on hand if emergencies occurred during weekends or when the city’s crew was already busy.
University Square
Gary Mehl, building commissioner, reported that some stores were moving out of the shopping center, but that property managers were working to bring in new businesses and were optimistic that the spaces would be filled.
Rental signs
Councilman Peter Bernardo reported that the Building Committee was considering changes in rules regarding rental signs to allow them to be posted in front yards, but they must be standardized.
JCU’s five-year plan
Councilman Frank Consolo reported that the University Affairs Committee would be posting John Carroll University’s five-year plan on the University Heights Web site.
Operational regionalism
Councilman Kevin Patrick Murphy announced that the Governmental Affairs Committee was working on submitting a joint application along with Shaker Heights, Cleveland Heights, and related school boards to the Fund for Our Economic Future. This proposal would be a step toward operational regionalism and could be replicated in other communities.
New areas of responsibility
Mayor Rothschild reported that the committee of the whole would evaluate both the needs assessment study regarding the City Hall complex prepared by architect David Siebold of Herman, Gibans, Fedor, Inc. and the proposal presented by David B. Hartt of David B. Hartt, Inc. to update the city’s zoning code.
LWV observer: Wendy Deuring.
February 2, 2009
Councilmen Steve Bullock and Kevin Patrick Murphy were excused.
International soccer event at JCU
Council approved a request from the Cleveland Sports Commission to hold the AC Milan Continental Cup at John Carroll University including fireworks. This will be the third year for this event; last year 96 teams participated. The fireworks will be held July 2. Fire Chief Pitchler has approved this. Doors will open at 7 p.m. and admission is free.
The request to hold the World School Games at JCU was tabled because the date of July 17 for fireworks and show conflicted with observance of the Jewish Sabbath.
Road improvements
Council authorized joint bidding with Shaker Heights for 2009 road improvements. Shaker has a $1 million road program and has allowed University Heights to bid with them for a cost savings. The city will bid to improve Edgerton Road between Silsby and Washington roads and Silsby Road between Edgerton and Fenwick roads for an estimated cost of $58,000 per street.
Council also approved joint bidding with Cleveland Heights to resurface South Taylor Road at a cost of $54,000. University Heights’ portion will extend from Cedar Road to Silsby Road.
LWV observer: Sue Pardee.
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.
Meeting summaries have been edited and prepared by Marilyn McLaughlin, Charlene Morse, and Maryann Barnes.