University Heights

On March 7, the city of University Heights held its first public meeting about the proposed gateway development of the Cedar-Taylor intersection.

This was the first of what is expected to be several meetings to gather public input. Beautification elements such as lighting, public art and plantings, and practical features such as benches, are all being considered as part of the plan.

Mayor Infeld noted at the meeting, “The historic Cedar-Taylor gateway, once the terminus of an electric trolley that stopped operating in the 1950s, deserves a statement entrance into University Heights.”

On March 7, a dozen University Heights residents joined Mayor Susan Infeld at University Heights City Hall as she introduced the city’s first Public Art Listening Session. The purpose of the community meeting was to present grant-eligible projects aimed at improving and beautifying various public spaces around the city. Infeld said she felt it was critical to the city's process to engage with the community in order to explore creative uses for the city’s public spaces.

The city recently applied for an Art Start grant, offered through the Ohio Arts Council. The grant awards recipients up to $5,000 with a one-to-one match.

This meeting focused on the intersection of Cedar and Taylor roads, and the adjoining business district. Specifically, the mayor and her staff are looking to improve the intersection’s northeast corner, the site of a building that was once home to a long-defunct Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant.

MARCH 6, 2017

• Public comments
• Mayor’s report
• Garbage truck purchase
• Bids for 2017 road program
• Small cell towers
• Sanctuary cities
• Cedar Road project
  
  

Present were Mayor Susan Infeld, vice mayor Susan Pardee, and council members Pamela Cameron, John Rach, Steven Sims and Mark Wiseman. Councilman Philip Ertel and Councilwoman Michele Weiss were absent. Also present were Law Director Luke McConnell and Clerk of Council Kelly Thomas.

The meeting was held from 7:10 to 8:53 p.m.

FEBRUARY 21, 2017

• Public comments
• Mayor’s report
• State of the City Address
• Street beautification
   

Present were Mayor Susan Infeld, Vice Mayor Susan Pardee, and council members Pamela Cameron (arrived after roll call), Phil Ertel, John Rach, Steven Sims and Mark Wiseman. Also present were Law Director Luke McConnell and Clerk of Council Kelly Thomas.

The meeting was held from 7:05 to 8:15 p.m.

JANUARY 17, 2017

• Public comments
• Board of zoning appeals meeting
• Judge reports on bail reform
• Update on 3505 Tullamore Road
• Bids for janitorial services
• Ordinance to amend advertising for bids
• Finance director search
• Ladder truck repairs complete
• Black History Month speaker

 FEBRUARY 6, 2017

• Black History Month speaker
• Public comments
• Mayor’s report
• Mikvah on South Green Road
• 3505 Tullamore Road demolition
• Home address signs
• Amendment for advertising for bids
• Service credit resolution passed
• Amended vehicle trespass ordinance
• MOUs for EPA services

JANUARY 3, 2017

• Public comments
• Synagogue sponsors food drive
• Candlelight vigil at JCU
• Cuyahoga Land Bank to acquire 3505 Tullamore
• Heights-Hillcrest technical rescue team
• Home address signs
• Engineering services rate increase
• Pension contribution for union employees
  
  

Mayor Susan Infeld and council members Susan Pardee (vice mayor), Pamela Cameron, Phillip Ertel, John Rach, Steven Sims, Michele Weiss and Mark Wiseman were present. Also present were Luke McConnell, law director, and Kelly Thomas, clerk of council.

The meeting was held from 7:05 to 9:10 p.m.

DECEMBER 19, 2016

• Jerry Jacobson named citizen of the year
• Application for lot split, consolidation
• Ordinances for 2016 expenses amended
• City budget for 2017
• Cedar-Taylor streetscape
• Refuse vehicles purchased
• Update on 3505 Tullamore Road
• Fire truck repair
• Finance director
  
  

Mayor Susan Infeld and council members Susan Pardee (vice mayor), Pamela Cameron, Phillip Ertel, John Rach, Steven Sims, Michele Weiss and Mark Wiseman were present. Also present were Luke McConnell, law director; Larry Heiser, finance director; and Kelly Thomas, clerk of council.

The meeting was held from 7:05 to 9:35 p.m.

DECEMBER 5, 2016

• Tribute to Beryl Rothschild
• Public comments
• JCU football team
• Gesu girls’ soccer and cross-country teams
• Cedar Taylor Development Association presentation
• Fund transfers
• Discussion of current expenses and other expenditures
• Cuyahoga County Board of Health services
• Crime in University Heights
• Leaf collection, tree planting
• The next meeting
  
  

Mayor Susan Infeld and council members Susan Pardee (vice mayor), Pamela Cameron, Phillip Ertel, John Rach and Michele Weiss were present. Councilman Steven Sims was absent.

Also present were Luke McConnell, law director; Larry Heiser, finance director; and Kelly Thomas, clerk of council.

The meeting took place 7:05–9:45 p.m.

NOVEMBER 21, 2016

• Congratulations to John Carroll University football
• Update on NOPEC agreement
• Information bags distributed to households
• Transfer of funds
• Cedar Taylor shopping district revitalization
• Purchase of carpeting for the fire station
• New budget funds proposed
• Requested improvement to city parks
• Status on accepting credit card payments
• Update on building department commissioner
• Agreement reached with Chagrin Valley Dispatch
• The next meeting
  
  

Mayor Susan Infeld and council members Susan Pardee (vice mayor), Pamela Cameron, Phillip Ertel, John Rach and Michele Weiss were present. Councilmen Mark Wiseman and Steven Sims were absent.

Also present were Luke McConnell, law director; Larry Heiser, finance director; and Kelly Thomas, clerk of council.

The meeting took place 7–8:28 p.m.

As 2016 drew to a close, the city of University Heights honored two individuals for their service to the city and the community.

At the Dec. 19 city council meeting, UH Mayor Susan Infeld presented Jerome (Jerry) Jacobson, a 60-plus-year resident, with the city’s 2016 Citizen of the Year award, in honor of his 40 years of service as a member of the UH Police Auxiliary Unit.

The city also recognized Patricia Meehan, administrative assistant for the UH Police Department, as its 2016 Employee of the Year.

Meehan joined the department in 2014. Announcing the honor, Mayor Infeld said, “Patti has been nominated by her peers for her outstanding commitment and service to the department and the community. Her dedication and kindness are felt by all. I have received many compliments from residents about Patti’s kindness and help when they call or visit the police department.”

UH Police Chief Steven Hammett said of Jacobson, “Jerry’s long service to the community and mentorship to his fellow auxiliary members has been invaluable to the smooth functioning of the Police Auxiliary Unit.”

Beryl E. Rothschild (née Shapiro), who served as mayor of University Heights from 1978 to 2009, died on Friday, Nov. 25.

According to University Heights Mayor Susan Infeld, Rothschild “had not been in good health of late and was recently in hospice.” The former mayor’s husband, Edmund Rothschild, pre-deceased her in 2015.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 10 a.m., at the Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel, 1985 S. Taylor Road in Cleveland Heights. Following the funeral, mourners will process through University Heights, en route to Mayfield Cemetery, where Rothschild will be interred.

The family will receive friends at Geraci’s (2266 Warrensville Center Road, University Heights) immediately following the service, and then at O’Rielly’s Pub (13149 Cedar Road, University Heights) later that evening, 7–9 p.m. More information on the funeral procession route, and additional calling times and locations, can be found on the Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz website.

NOVEMBER 7, 2016

• Public comments
• Volunteer opportunity at Gearity
• Traffic study
• Cuyahoga County Board of Health
• Purchase of a dump truck
• Purchase of two Kubota scooters
• Subpoenas from RITA
• Community Park winterization
• Tree planting commences
• The next meeting
  
  

Councilman Phillip Ertel was absent.

OCTOBER 19, 2016

• Public comments
• Arborist report
• Water service transfer
• Halloween, leaf pickup and paper shredding
• Police body cameras and server
• Video surveillance
• Sale of vehicles
• Roadwork
• New building commissioner hired
• Fire training

OCTOBER 5, 2016

• Sgt. Donald Epstein
• Conservation, recycling
• CH-UH City Schools proposed levy
• Credit card payments to the city
• Tree maintenance and planting
• County health services
• Executive session
• Self-insurance
• Next meeting

SEPTEMBER 19, 2016

• Joint dispatch center
• Park construction
• Municipal land bank
• Fund transfers
• Employee compensations
• Budget commission
• Street paving

University Heights continues its free summer concert series on Thursday evenings on the Hamlin Quad at John Carroll University (between Dolan Science Center and the Grasselli Clock Tower).

The month of August features the final two performances of the 2016 series: Yiddishe Cup (Jewish folk and American swing), and an ice cream social, on Aug. 4, and the Chardon Polka Band (polka with an attitude) on Aug. 11.

The City of University Heights celebrated the grand opening of University Heights Community Park—the city’s newest and largest park—at a community celebration on Sunday, July 24.

The street festival began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the entrance to the park, at Fenwick and Northwood roads, with Mayor Susan Infeld, city council members, other city officials, and representatives from Braun & Steidl Architects (the park’s designer) cutting the ribbon.

Infeld thanked “the leadership of Fuchs Mizrachi School, specifically Mr. Morry Weiss, for sharing our vision to make a park and greenspace on the property.” The park is on the former site of the Fuchs Mizrachi School.

JUNE 20, 2016

• Moment of silence
• Public comments
• Anti-semitism pledge
• New park
• Library closing
• Council meeting start time
• 2017 budget
• Postage meter company
• Agenda request for Gay Pride Month

Councilwoman Michele Weiss was absent.

University Heights continues its free summer concert series on Thursday evenings on the Hamlin Quad at John Carroll University (between Dolan Science Center and the Grasselli Clock Tower).

The month of July features the Stratophonics (rock, soul, big band, and today’s music) on July 7; WIXY 1260 Band (music of the 1960s and '70s) and an ice cream social on July 14; Sloppy Joe’s (classic rock, blues, R&B hits) on July 21; and the University Heights Symphonic Band and another ice cream social on July 28.

May 23, 2016

• Special meeting to address water service transitions costs
• Public comments
• Response
• Result

All council members were present.

MAY 16, 2016

• Public comments
• Annual reports
• Dispatch center
• John Carroll University
• Water service transition costs
• Telecommunications network
• Storm water management
• Neighborhood park
• Ladder truck

All council members were present.

APRIL 18, 2016

All council members were present.

Public hearing on joint dispatch center

The council meeting opened with a public hearing to discuss the Regional Council of Governments (COG) agreement among the cities of University Heights, Cleveland Heights, South Euclid, and Shaker Heights for the purpose of forming and operating a joint dispatch center for police, fire and EMS (emergency medical services) response.

APRIL 4, 2016

• Purvis Park
• Annual base pay range
• Joint dispatch center
• CompManagement
• Street improvement
• State audit

Councilman Phillip Erterl was absent.

MARCH 21, 2016

• March 7 minutes
• Master planning survey
• Free tax preparation
• Water main break
• Tree trimming
• Payroll service
• Mayor’s spending limit
• Disposition of city property
• Purvis Park
• Library expansion
• Purchase of Ford Escapes
• Pavement marking
• Utility refuse vehicle
• Coyote sightings
• Senior recreation program
• Cedarbrook Road
• Summer camps

Councilman Steven Sims was absent.

MARCH 7, 2016

• Compensation range of specified staff positions
• Saybrook Road property
• Mayor’s expenditure limits
• Traffic signal replacement
• Consortium purchase
• Truck purchase
• Waterline replacement
• Cleveland Heights Senior Activity Center
• Land bank funding

All council members were present.

FEBRUARY 16, 2016

• Recorded comments
• Q & A sessions
• Plowing
• Reaching Heights spelling bee
• MLK Jr. speaker Kari Queen
• Compensation range
• Transfer of funds
• New vehicles
• Green Road traffic light

All council members were present.

FEBRUARY 1, 2016

• Park construction
• Employee compensation
• Conflict of interest
• Community survey
• Garbage scooter
• 2016 street repair
• Processing payroll

Vice Mayor Susan D. Pardee was absent.

JANUARY 19, 2016

• State of the city address
• City employee compensation
• Pedestrian safety and roadway improvements
• Bellefaire parking area
• Website
• Inspection fees

Councilman Phillip Ertel was absent.

DECEMBER 21, 2015

• Farewell party
• Departing council members
• Geraci family honored
• Bronze medal winner
• Gesu cross country teams
• Law director
• Mutual aid agreement
• City engineer rates
• Cuyahoga County Planning Commission
• Sewer cleaning
• Emergency sewer repairs
• 3901 Silsby Road

All council members were present.

On Jan. 4, UH City Council voted to appoint John Rach to the city’s open council seat, which was left unfilled when only three candidates stood for four open seats in the November 2015 general election.

Earlier in the meeting, three council members took oaths of office: re-elected council members Pamela Cameron and Steven Sims, and newly elected Michele Weiss. Council also re-elected Sue Pardee as the city’s vice mayor.

Rach, 31, is a registered architect who has lived in University Heights since 2011. He has served the city in various capacities since 2012, as a member of the board of zoning appeals, a committee member for the new master plan (ongoing), a steering committee member for the NOACA Pedestrian and Bike Friendly Lane Project, and a steering committee member for the new zoning code commission.

University Heights honored three members of the Geraci family, owners of Geraci’s restaurant on Warrensville Center Road, as the University Heights 2015 Citizens of the Year at the city council meeting on Dec. 21. “Their restaurant has contributed tremendously to the charm of University Heights,” said Mayor Susan K. Infeld. “They are a very warm and generous family.”

“The restaurant will be celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2016, and it’s really a staple of our community,” noted Infeld.

Michael Geraci and his wife, Frances, opened the restaurant on July 2, 1956. Both worked at the restaurant until they were well into their 80s. Michael died in 2013, at the age of 94, and Frances died on July 26, 2015, at the age of 93.

Their three daughters—Martha Geraci Spoth, Frannie Geraci and Toni Leonetti—who currently run the restaurant, received the award. “All three daughters are continuing in their parents’ footsteps,” Infeld said.

DECEMBER 7, 2015

• Tree work
• Zoning appeal denied
• Finance proposals
• Fire department equipment
• Police vehicle purchase
• IT policies
• Finance disaster minimization
• City services
• Executive session

Councilwoman Adele Zucker was absent.

NOVEMBER 16, 2015

• Public comments
• Mayor’s appointment to the municipal league board
• Tax board appointments
• 3478 and 3509 Raymont Boulevard
• Purvis Pool
• Water and gas lines
• Vicious dog laws

All council members were present.

OCTOBER 19, 2015

• Leaf season
• Fenwick Road closed
• Municipal income tax
• County public health services
• Sewer camera system
• Dump truck purchases
• Payroll service
• Pool painting
• Sanitary and storm sewer systems
• Council committee meetings

All council members were present.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2015

• Public comments
• New park
• City’s website
• TIFF appointments
• Painting Purvis Pool
• Backyard camps
• Council seat
• Activity around Wiley
• Next meeting
  
  

Councilman Phil Ertel was absent.

On Nov. 5, University Heights City Council will begin accepting letters of interest and resumes to fill a vacancy on council that will occur on Jan. 1, 2016. University Heights has four city council seats open for the Nov. 3 election, for which only three candidates submitted petitions. Vice Mayor Susan D. Pardee has announced that residents of University Heights who wish to be considered for appointment to the open position are invited to send letters of interest and resumes to City Hall, c/o Clerk of Council Kelly M. Thomas, 2300 Warrensville Center Road, University Heights, Ohio, 44118, or by e-mail to kthomas@universityheights.com. Letters of interest and resumes will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 19.

The city charter gives council 30 days to fill the vacancy after Jan. 1, 2016; otherwise, the Mayor is responsible for the appointment. Because the vacancy is established following the results of the Nov. 3 election, city council will accept letters of interest and resumes between Nov. 5 and Nov. 19. City council will acknowledge each application and provide opportunity for interviews with selected candidates.

OCTOBER 7, 2015

• JCU food drive
• NORMA insurance partnership
• Income tax code changes
• Payroll process outsourced
• Tennis court rehab
• Tree services
• Sidewalk plow
• Park construction
• Leaf collection, paper shredding
• Open council seat
  
  

Councilman Phil Ertel was absent.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2015

• Public comments
• Road repairs
• Housing crisis program
• Dunkin’ Donuts zoning appeal
• Backyard camps
• Charitable donation
• Kollel Yad Chem Mordechai
• Nuisance properties
• Recycling
• Solid waste disposal
• Sewer camera
• City trees
• Tennis courts
• Special assessments
• Solid waste services and recycling
• Appointments
  
  

All council members were present.

AUGUST 17, 2015  

• Community public park bid
• New equipment
• Hardware
• Computer-aided dispatch
• Medical examinations
• Bombardier sidewalk snowplow
  
  

Vice Mayor Susan D. Pardee and Adele Zucker were absent.

More than 120 curious neighbors, community members, retired teachers and Heights family members attended the Aug. 20 open house at the newly renovated, temporary Heights High on the Wiley campus in University Heights. University Heights City Council and UH Mayor Susan Infeld hosted the event, to give community members a chance to tour the renovated building and learn more about the school’s programming.

Mayor Infeld, Talisa Dixon, superintendent of Cleveland Heights-University Heights schools, and Zoraba Ross, Heights High’s administrative principal, spoke briefly to the attendees.

The race for four open seats on University Heights City Council is a bit of a yawn this year. Four of the seven council seats are up for election this year, including those of council members Pamela T. Cameron, Steven Sims, Nancy English and Adele Zucker, but only three candidates will be listed on November’s ballot: Cameron and Sims, who are both running for reelection, and newcomer Michele Weiss.

University Heights’s Beautiful Home Awards committee is currently seeking nominations for the city’s home award program, which recognizes the city’s homes and gardens. Nominations are due by the end of August for the 2016 awards.

"In my opinion, the beautiful home awards are a charming tradition highlighting the outstanding efforts of residents to maintain their properties," said University Heights Mayor Susan Infeld.

The annual awards comprise various categories, including: best front door, best backyard garden, best curb appeal and best "sit a spell"—i.e., seated gathering area in the front of the house.

JULY 13, 2015

• Heights Jewish Center (HJC)
• Kollel Yad Chai Mordechai
• Ciuni and the tennis court project
• Workers comp management
• Bonds issued
• Permit parking near Wiley
• Tower leases
• Tax budget
• Paving change order
• Public park
  
  

All council members were present. Councilwoman Pamela Cameron arrived after roll call so was officially listed as excused.

JUNE 15, 2015

• Public comments
• First Energy
• University Square
• City’s symphonic band
• Zoning variance
• Electronic signage
• Compmanagement contract
• Issuance and sale of bonds
• Resident permit parking near Wiley
• Street resurfacing
  
  

Councilman Phil Ertel was absent.

MAY 18, 2015

• All Geared Up bike event
• Gas line replacement
• Purvis Park
• Water department
• Clear Wireless
• Waste processing and disposal
• Anti-poaching
• New park
• Cuyahoga County Planning Commission
• LifeForce
• 2547 Ashurst Road
• Auditors
• University Square
• Police body cameras
• Fire department
  
  

Councilwoman Nancy English and Councilman Steven Sims were absent.

APRIL 20, 2015

• Announcements from the mayor
• Medical director
• Purvis Park
• Arborist
• City’s engineer
• Aspen Energy
• Authorized signatories
• Assistant finance director
• Council’s iPads
  
  

Susan D. Pardee, vice mayor, was absent.

Many University Heights residents have contacted city hall with questions about their polling location for Election Day voting on Tuesday, May 5. University Heights has three polling locations that will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m:

• John Carroll University, Dolan Science Building Reading Room. Enter the campus at the guardhouse gate nearest Fairmount Circle, at the intersection of John Carroll and Carroll boulevards. Parking is plentiful; follow the signs to access the voting location.
• Gearity Elementary School, 2323 Wrenford Road. Parking is available in the parking lots, on Groveland Road and on University Parkway.
• University Heights Library, 13866 Cedar Road. Parking is available in the parking lot and on Fenwick Road.
  
  

If you are unsure where to vote, visit the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections website at www.boe.cuyahogacounty.us and click on the Where Do I Vote link.

Edmund Rothschild, the husband of former UH Mayor Beryl Rothschild, passed away after eight days of hospice care. His funeral is 11 a.m. tomorrow, May 1, at the Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel, 1985 S. Taylor Road in Cleveland Heights.

Mayor Rothschild and family will be receiving friends tomorrow from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Fairmount Temple, located at the corner of Fairmount Boulevard and Buckhurst Drive in Beachwood.

MARCH 16, 2015

NOTE: No LWV observer was available to cover the March 16 city council meeting.

APRIL 6, 2015

• Mayor’s report
• Medical director
• Purvis Park
• Staffing contracts
• Braun & Steidl Architects
• Cedar Road resurfacing
• Playground project
• New police vehicles
• Pavement marking contract
• Garage doors
• Meritech
  
  

All council members were present.

FEBRUARY 17, 2015

• Cuyahoga Harbor dredging
• Law director
• Funds
• Home inspections
• Ford Fusion
• Community park
• Resurfacing program
• Four bay doors
• Sale of rubbish truck
• SWAT team
• Police cars
• Senior transportation
• Council iPads to reduce waste
  
  

All council members were present.

The Heights Chapter of the League of Women Voters (LWV) of Greater Cleveland has a shortage of observers to cover the University Heights City Council. Unfortunately, this shortage will prevent full coverage of all University Heights City Council meetings. If you appreciate these reports, perhaps you would like to help LWV continue this service to the community by volunteering for its Observer Corps. Observers of University Heights City Council do not have to be University Heights residents, but they must be impartial and unaffiliated with any of the council members’ or mayor’s campaigns. Observers do not participate in public comments unless authorized to do so by the League board.  

JANUARY 20, 2015

• Jim Price
• WOW! upgrade
• Citizen committees
• The mayor’s state of the city address
• City jail medical director
• Community engagement committee
• Senior transportation
• Demolition project
• Street striping
• Sale for scrap
• Tree pruning and removal
  
  

All council members were present.

JANUARY 5, 2015

• Grants
• Deer
• Gas rates
• Demolition on Cedar and Fenway
• Home demolition through the Land Bank
• City engineer
• Council committee appointments
• Sinkhole
  
  

Vice Mayor Susan D. Pardee was absent.

DECEMBER 15, 2014

• RFQ for park design
• East Cleveland
• Dispatch consolidation plan
• Rick Jackson honored
• Gesu cross-country champions
• Budget legislation
• Distribution of council documents
• Committee appointment authority
• Council compensation
• Patrolmen’s contract
• Resolutions
• Community engagement committee
• Property split
• Sewer study
  
  

Councilman Phil Ertel was absent.

On Dec. 11, the City of University Heights posted the job of city law director as an open position on its website. Anthony Coyne, current law director, has held the position since Nov. 1, 2012.

The job posting states that applicants must be duly admitted to the practice of law in Ohio. It requires that applicants have experience in municipal law, with a preference for those also experienced in zoning and planning. The annual salary for the part-time position is $40,000–$50,000. A full position description can be found on the city’s website, www.universityheights.com.

Applications are due Monday, Jan. 12, at 4 p.m. Applicants should submit a resume to Kelly Thomas, Clerk of Council, City of University Heights, 2300 Warrensville Center Road, University Heights, 44118.

DECEMBER 1, 2014

• Public comments
• Wiley construction
• Wheel loader purchase
• Ladder truck repair
• Equipment sale
• Debt policy
• Tax collection
• Budget legislation
• Cedar Road sidewalk work
• Paperless council
• Community engagement committee
  
  

Councilman Steven Sims was absent.

NOVEMBER 17, 2014

• Debate on executive session
• Workers’ compensation administration
• Budget amendment
• Park fund
• Debt policy
• Public health services
• Police video maintenance
• Sale of property
• New park
  
  

All council members were present.

NOVEMBER 3, 2014

• Mayor’s vote questioned
• Workers’ compensation administration
• Vendor contracts
• Tree planting and maintenance
• Road salt
  
  

All council members were present.

OCTOBER 20, 2014

• Public comments
• Zoning changes
• 2240 Jackson Blvd.
• Grant approval policy
• Approval of written contracts
• Law enforcement hiring
• Ebola training
  
  

Vice Mayor Susan D. Pardee was absent.