Cleveland Heights City Council meeting highlights 8-17-2015

AUGUST 17, 2015

  • Public comments
  • Cedar Lee Theatre liquor license
  • Recreation regulations for fall/winter
  • New parks and recreation director
  • Transportation committee appointment
  • Tele-Town Hall

All council members were present.

Public comments

Three residents spoke, including Beverly Wright, of Whitethorn Road, who introduced herself to council and stated that she is running for the Cleveland Heights-University Heights school board.

Cedar Lee Theatre liquor license

Council was notified that the Cedar Lee Theatre has applied for a liquor license.

Recreation regulations for fall/winter

Council approved amendments to the use regulations, admission rates, and other services for the Cleveland Heights Community Center and parks for the 2015–16 fall/winter season. There will be no rate increases this year, and the ordinance includes an expanded personal training program at the community center.

New parks and recreation director

The city has hired a new parks and recreation director, who will begin Sept. 28. Joe McRae will be coming to Cleveland Heights from Evanston, Ill., where he has been serving as both deputy city manager and director of parks, recreation and community services. Council Member Jeff Coryell reminded residents that this appointment does not increase the city’s budget but reflects a reorganization aimed at improving efficiency.

Coryell listed a variety of events happening in the city in the next few weeks, including the Heights Music Hop on Sept. 19, and the Happy 5k Race & 1 Mile Fun Run supporting the Cleveland Heights Youth Scholarship Fund on Oct. 4. Council Member Melissa Yasinow said that those registering in August for the Happy 5k Race & 1 Mile Fun Run will receive a discount. Register online at www.westernreserveracing.com/events/happy5k.

Transportation committee appointment

Council approved the appointment of Katherine Petrey to fill a vacancy on the Transportation Advisory Committee representing pedestrian interests. Petrey’s term will run through Dec. 31, 2016.

Tele-Town Hall

Mayor Dennis Wilcox urged city residents to participate in the second Tele-Town Hall on Aug. 25 at 6:30 p.m. to hear about and discuss important financial decisions facing the city, including the proposed 0.25 percent income tax levy. More than 900 people participated in the first Tele-Town Hall, which included Wilcox, City Manager Tanisha Briley, and Finance Director Tom Raguz. The second meeting will include the city’s police and fire chiefs as well as the director of public works. They will address how the city has been affected by declining state support and describe proposed cuts in services.

LWV Observer: Katherine Solender. 

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 of Greater Cleveland. This disclaimer must accompany any redistribution of these reports.

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Volume 8, Issue 10, Posted 6:21 PM, 09.09.2015