University Heights City Council meeting highlights for June 7
JUNE 7, 2010
- Senior services coordinator
- Ashurst Road vacant lot
- City Beautiful Commission
- McDonald’s restaurant
- ROTC office for John Carroll University
- City Hall hours
- John Carroll University green initiatives
- City Hall roof repair
- Four-wheel utility vehicle bid
- Yard nuisance abatement
- County land bank
- Intercity police services
- New fire pumper truck
Councilman Steven Bullock was excused.
Senior services coordinator
Three members of Concerned Citizens of University Heights urged council to appoint a senior services coordinator without further delay and recommended Walter Stinson, the former community coordinator, for the position.
Ashurst Road vacant lot
Sheila Hubman of Ashurst Road stated that she preferred using the vacant lot at 2603 Ashurst Road for building a new home, but her second-choice recommendation was to turn the lot into a pocket garden.
City Beautiful Commission
Former Councilman Steven Bennett, speaking for the City Beautiful Commission, announced that between May 31 and June 12 and with a special card, Bremec’s on the Heights Garden Center will donate a portion of the cardholder’s purchase price to the city commission.
City Beautiful Commission has established five categories for beautiful homes’ awards. They hope to finish selection before Labor Day, so the awards can be on display over the holiday.
McDonald’s restaurant
Citing traffic problems for Bushnell and Lansdale roads, two residents spoke against allowing McDonald’s to build a restaurant on Warrensville Center Road. On June 10 the Architectural Review Board will discuss the fate of McDonald’s request to build on Warrensville Center Road. If the proposal is accepted, it will then go to the Planning Commission, which will address traffic issues.
ROTC office for John Carroll University
A special zoning board meeting on June 16 and a community meeting on June 14 will address John Carroll University’s request to use a house located at 4070 Carroll Blvd., near the Pizzazz restaurant, as an ROTC office.
City Hall hours
Mayor Infeld reported that City Hall is now open until 7 p.m. on Wednesdays and will remain so until the fall time change. Building Commissioner David Menn clarified that there would be no permit inspections during Wednesday evening hours.
John Carroll University green initiatives
Carol Dietz, chair of the Sustainability Committee at John Carroll University, reported that the university’s removal of a temporary parking lot will increase green space by one and one-half acres and reduce runoff. The university is undertaking a number of other green initiatives.
City Hall roof repair
Council approved the hiring of Warren Roofing to repair the roof on City Hall.
Four-wheel utility vehicle bid
Council granted authorization of a bid of $14,000 to go toward the purchase of a four-wheel utility vehicle. Councilman Sims asked Service Director Chris Vild why there was only one bid, where they had sought bids, and whether the department kept a list of businesses they have worked with in the past. Vild said ads were placed in the Sun Press and on Cleveland.com, but only one bid was submitted. No list of businesses is presently being kept. Sims asked that such a list be created to alert potential bidders when a job is available and that the list include women and minority-owned businesses.
Yard nuisance abatement
Council accepted a bid from Creekside Landscaping for 2010 general yard nuisance abatement.
County land bank
Council authorized an agreement with the Cuyahoga County Land Reutilization Corporation for the latter to act as an agent of the city.
Intercity police services
Council authorized an agreement with the cities of South Euclid, Shaker Heights, and Euclid for the interchange of police personnel, equipment, and services. Police Chief Stehlik said the three cities have been meeting regularly for a year to discuss how they could work together to save money, especially for a S.W.A.T. team.
New fire pumper truck
Council authorized an agreement with Central States Fire Apparatus, L.L.C., a division of Rosenbauer America, for the purchase of a fire pumper truck. Fire Chief Pitchler said the city wouldn’t receive the truck until March 2011 because they first had to build it.
LWV observer: Carol Gibson.
These meeting summaries are abstracted from LWV observers’ written reports. The summaries have been edited and prepared by Anne McFarland, Charlene Morse, Marilyn McLaughlin and Maryann Barnes. To receive e-mail postings of full reports, send an e-mail 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.