University Heights City Council meeting highlights [4-18; 5-2-2011 print]
APRIL 18, 2011
Councilman Phillip Ertel was excused.
Piggyback tax
The Regional Income Tax Agency (RITA) informed the city that a suggestion was made during discussion of the state biennial budget that the state should collect municipal income tax through a piggyback tax on the State of Ohio tax return.
McDonald’s traffic study
URS engineers have completed the McDonald’s traffic study. Copies will be delivered to council and will also be available for public viewing. A work session to be held on April 26 will involve council, department directors, URS, city engineers and others.
Vital statistics for the city
Previously, the finance department provided the vital statistics function for the city. In the interest of regionalism, this function has been transferred to the City of Cleveland, which will lessen the burden on the finance department. Councilman Bullock asked if there were any fees attached to providing this function, and the finance director stated that there were none. Funeral directors need to be notified of this change since they often stop at the finance department for certification on their way to a funeral.
Business revolving loan program
Joe Jenkins of State Treasurer Mandel’s office indicated that the state is offering a revolving loan program for businesses called Grow Ohio that is similar to the home repair loan program. It can be found on the treasurer’s website.
Rain garden
The rain garden at 2603 Ashurst is functioning. Plants sowed last fall have survived and the spice ash is starting to bloom. The garden has mitigated the flooding problem caused by the Doan and Dugway Brooks. More plants will be sown this spring.
“Make a Difference Day”
Governmental Affairs Chairman Sue Pardee reported that Oct. 22 will be “Make a Difference Day” when residents will have the opportunity to do service learning projects. The first meeting to discuss the project will be in late May.
LWV Observer: Lana Cowell.
MAY 2, 2011
Vice Mayor Frankie Goldberg and council members Susan Pardee and Steven Sims were excused.
Pool passes
Mayor Infeld reminded residents that they can now purchase pool passes online or buy them at city hall beginning one week before the pool opens.
Cedar/Taylor merchants
Cedar/Taylor merchants are meeting with the goal of devising ways to distinctively brand the shopping district.
Police retirees honored
Police Chief Gary Stehlik was honored his retirement after 37 years of service to the city, the last 14years of which was as police chief. Deputy Police Chief James Rohal was also honored for his 41 years of service to the city. Both were made honorary citizens of the city and each received personalized plaques.
McDonald’s development plans
The planning commission recommended that council approve the final proposed development plans from McDonald’s Corporation for 2216-2234 Warrensville Center Road. A special meeting was held on May 9 in council chambers. The proposal is on the city’s website.
Votes delayed due to lack of quorum
Several ordinances were either tabled or switched from “emergency” to “first reading” status due to the lack of a quorum. These include an amendment agreement with the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority and the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District relating to a cooperative agreement, a tax increment financing (TIF) agreement, and a memorandum of understanding related to the University Square parking garage; two changes in the city code dealing with fireworks; and a bid award (jointly with the cities of Shaker Heights and Cleveland Heights) to Karvo Paving Company for the 2011 street resurfacing program.
Resurfacing program
The first reading of an ordinance to award the 2011 street resurfacing program to Karvo Paving Company jointly with Shaker Heights and Cleveland Heights was presented. City Engineer Joseph Ciuni said four bids were received and Karvo came in under budget at $97,600. Theirs was the lowest and best bid, and Karvo had previously successfully completed projects for the city.
Emergency operations plan
The first reading of the Cuyahoga County Emergency Operations Plan was presented.
Yard waste
Rob Jamieson, Public Service Director, informed city residents that all yard waste must now be bagged or tied into manageable bundles for pickup.
Pool and slide
Mayor Infeld stated that due to all the wet weather, the pool would not be painted until fall, but hopes to havethe water slide painted before summer use.
Intersections narrowed
Councilman Steven Bullock reported that the intersection of Belvoir and Washington Boulevards would be narrowed to enhance pedestrian safety and that the intersection at Miramar and Washington are in the funding queue for the same treatment, but would not take place this year.
LWV Observers: Carol Gibson and Pat Solomon.
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These meeting summaries are abstracted from LWV observers’ written reports. The summaries have been edited and prepared by Anne McFarland, Charlene Morse 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.