University Heights

Thanks to Clare Dolan, 13, and Jackson Lovato, 9, the University Heights chicken has a name.

Of all the swag items bearing the University Heights logo for sale at UH City Hall, the most popular by far is the plush chicken. Inspired by the recent local ordinance allowing residents to keep chickens, the chicken proudly models the new city logo on his dark blue T-shirt.

In a few short months, the chicken has become the unofficial city mascot; but, the chicken needed a name. Thus, city officials invited local kids to “name that chicken.”

Due to the federal government shutdown, U.S. Coast Guard families are among those not receiving paychecks. The USO of Northern Ohio is teaming up with local governments, including University Heights, to collect specific items during the shutdown, to assist local Coast Guard families.

University Heights City Hall is now a drop-off location. During regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), you may assist Coast Guard families by dropping off the following items: non-perishable foods, personal hygiene products, household cleaning items, laundry soap and supplies, baby diapers, paper products, grocery gift cards and gas cards.

DECEMBER 17, 2018

• Public comments
• Mayor’s comments
• Guide Studio proposal
• Council assignments changes
• Ladder truck financing
• Supplemental appropriations and expenditures
• Community improvement updates
• Contract with Solon jail
• Delinquent property taxes
• Movement to amend the U.S. Constitution

Present were Mayor Michael D. Brennan, Vice mayor Susan Pardee, Pamela Cameron, John Rach, Michelle Weiss and Mark Wiseman. Also present were Law Director Luke McConville and Clerk of Council Kelly Thomas. The meeting was held from 7 to 8:42 p.m.

University Heights city officials recently approved the order for a new ladder truck.

“We’ve been living on borrowed time, and the increasing risk was unacceptable,” UH Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan said. “The new truck will help our fire department with their life-saving mission.”

At a UH City Council meeting on Dec. 3, Fire Chief Robert Perko explained how a tragedy was narrowly averted at a recent Tullamore Road fire.

In that fire, a resident was on the third floor of her home, when fire broke out on the second floor. “When the woman ran down the stairs to escape, she quickly decided to go back to the third floor and await the fire department, because the fire blocked her path,” Perko said.

NOVEMBER 19, 2018

• Mayor’s comments
• Storefront renovation grant
• Current financial reports
• Fund transfers
• Department of Housing and Community Development
• Call to amend the US Constitution
• Electronic parking permission process

Present were Mayor Michael D. Brennan, Vice Mayor Susan Pardee, Pamela Cameron, Phil Ertel, Steven Sims, John Rach and Mark Wiseman. Also present were Law Director Luke McConville, Finance Director James Goffe and Clerk of Council Kelly Thomas. The meeting was held from 7 to 9:40 p.m., at which time council went to executive session.

University Heights native Gabriel Sidney Brown is back in Northeast Ohio, and he’s brought the cast of “Les Misérables” with him.

The Broadway Series production of “Les Misérables” will run at the Palace Theater in Playhouse Square (www.playhousesquare.org) through Nov. 18.  Brown will perform as Feuilly, and he is the understudy for Marius.

On Nov. 1, Brown stopped by University Heights City Hall, where he was presented with a proclamation from Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan.

OCTOBER 15, 2018

• Public comments
• New city logo
• Fund transfers
• Releasing University Square for development
• City hall chair lift
• Executive session for real estate matters
• Director reports

Present were Mayor Michael D. Brennan, Vice Mayor Susan Pardee, Phil Ertel, John Rach, Steven Sims, Michele Weiss and Mark Wiseman. Also present were Law Director Luke McConville, Finance Director James Goffe, and Clerk of Council Kelly Thomas. The meeting was held from 7 to 8:45 p.m. at which time council went to executive session.

OCTOBER 3, 2018

• Public comments
• Releasing University Square for development
• Finalizing the CIC
• Fund transfers
• Software Solutions contract
• Change to the city’s CRA
• Tree pruning/removal and planting
• Cleveland Jewish Publication Company contract

Present were Mayor Michael D. Brennan, Pamela Cameron, Phil Ertel, Steven Sims, Michele Weiss and Mark Wiseman. Vice Mayor Sue Pardee was absent. Also present were Law Director Luke McConville, Finance Director James Goffe and Clerk of Council Kelly Thomas. The meeting was held from 7 to 10 p.m. at which time council went to executive session.

After a decade-long absence, the University Heights Civic Awards returned on Nov. 14. An overflow crowd packed the Jardine Room at John Carroll University (JCU) for an evening of awards, live jazz, dinner and a comedic performance from local teacher and emcee Maggie McPhee.

The event was more than just a great party, said University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan.

“The Civic Awards did a lot to bring the community together,” Brennan said.  “It was a celebration of great people who work hard to make University Heights a great place to live, work and raise a family.”

Brennan said it was important to him to shine a spotlight on the “good neighbors” in University Heights, including people who are well known as well as those who may not have received as much attention.

In the summer of 1993, John Carroll University student Rachel Mullen found herself with more free time than she could handle. She needed something to do.

At the time, Mullen lived in a duplex across the street from University Heights City Hall. She walked across Warrensville Center Road, marched up the steps to city hall and asked the first person she saw if there were any internships available.

Community Coordinator Walter Stinson told her nobody had asked to intern before. “Mr. Stinson said the city couldn’t pay me,” Mullen said, “but they could use the help.”

So, in the summer of 1993, Mullen began her first tour of duty with University Heights as the first-ever intern to Mayor Beryl Rothschild. Now, 25 years later, she’s returned to UH City Hall as executive assistant and special projects coordinator for Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan. Her first day back was Oct. 15.

Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish has appointed University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan to the County Planning Commission. Brennan will represent the Heights Region, which comprises University Heights, Cleveland Heights, East Cleveland and Shaker Heights.

In his application letter, Brennan explained to Budish that, as mayor of University Heights, he is aware “the success of our community is tied to the success of the surrounding communities,” and that he “will represent the interests of the several Heights cities in addition to my own city.”

University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan expected to learn more about the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District at its Convocation Day back in August. What he didn’t expect, however, was to be entertained.

“I figured there’d be some speeches and a presentation or two,” Brennan said. “I didn’t count on there being an emcee who’d be putting on a performance like Tina Fey or Amy Poehler hosting the Golden Globes.”

Brennan knew then he had found his emcee for the upcoming University Heights Civic Awards.

The school event’s emcee was Maggie McPhee, a Spanish teacher at Fairfax Elementary School. In addition to her education training, McPhee has a background in dance, musical theater, sketch comedy and improv.

University Heights has been granted a Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) designation by the Ohio Department of Development. “This designation will provide the city of University Heights another tool to promote economic development,” Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan said. “It will encourage reinvestment in current housing stock, and promote new construction in the city.”

All of University Heights has been designated as a CRA, except for University Square, as the University Square parcels will be addressed separately for redevelopment.

After months of research and planning, University Heights has a new logo.

“University Heights will always be ‘the City of Beautiful Homes,’” said Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan. “But University Heights is so much more than home. Our new logo and branding will reflect this.”

The shapes in the new four-color logo form a U and H for University Heights; but the shapes aren’t random—they’re pulled straight from a map of the city. Just west of Warrensville Center Road and north of Fairmount Boulevard are several streets that form an H inside a U.

“We wanted our new logo to represent many things. We wanted it to be colorful, to represent a diverse mosaic. We wanted the logo to represent safe, established neighborhoods,” Brennan explained.

The University Heights Police Department (UHPD) is looking to build relationships with residents—one cup of coffee at a time.

On Oct. 3—National Coffee With a Cop Day—members of the UHPD will meet residents at Jack’s Deli and Restaurant, 14490 Cedar Road, 10–11:30 a.m. The agenda is no agenda; the event will be relaxed, informal and open for discussions about local issues of concern to everyone in University Heights.

Through one-on-one conversations with and between citizens, Police Chief Dustin Rogers said he hopes to encourage positive interactions between his department and the public.

In celebration of National Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 7–13, the University Heights Fire Department (UHFD) will host an open house on Sunday, Oct. 7, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the fire station (3980 Silsby Road).

The open house will feature fire safety presentations, plus station and vehicle tours. For the kids, there will be a bounce slide and a coloring contest.

University Hospitals will provide health screenings and food, including kosher options, while the American Red Cross will distribute fire detector batteries.

University Heights City Hall is becoming more social.

The city recently created an Instagram account and is adding short-form videos to its existing Facebook and Twitter pages.

The “City of Beautiful Homes” is now sharing beautiful photographs on Instagram. So far, content includes pictures from weddings at UH City Hall, close up photos of lunches at restaurants in University Heights, and, of course, plenty of beautiful homes.

UH resident Rebecca Postupack-Slifer recently met with city hall staff and encouraged them to add short-form videos to social media response.

At the Aug. 27 joint meeting of University Heights City Council and the CH-UH Board of Education, UH Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan outlined the city’s fall legislative agenda:

• In housing, the city is revising its ordinance on rental property inspections and rental permit applications. It plans to hire up to two new inspectors and add another clerk to the office staff, establishing a more-robust building and housing program.
• The city has introduced legislation to create a CIC, a Community Investment Corporation, much as South Euclid and Lakewood have done, to provide an additional avenue for promoting residential development and redevelopment. This is in committee now, and should be up for a vote by mid-fall.
• The city will be implementing CitizenServe, a program piloted in South Euclid and Lakewood, to streamline building and housing services, among others, to residents. Transactions that previously required a special trip to the building department will soon be doable online by credit card.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2018

• Public comments
• Updates by Mayor Brennan
• IT package
• Fall temporary labor
• Cedar Green crosswalk project
• 3950 Silsby Road
• Fund transfers
• Streetlight, sewer and tree assessments
• Public safety grants
• Budget Commission tax certification
• Fingerprint ID
• Garbage collection purchase
• Sidewalk snow plow purchase
• Vehicle purchase
• Tree pruning and removal bids

Present were Mayor Michael D Brennan, Vice Mayor Susan Pardee, Pamela Cameron, John Rach, Steven Sims, Michele Weiss and Mark Wiseman. Also present were Acting Law Director Mike Cicero and Finance Director James Goffe. The meeting was held from 7 to 10 p.m. at which time council went to executive session.

University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan has made it official. Dustin Rogers and Robert Perko III can drop the word “interim” from their titles. They are now the police chief and fire chief, respectively, for the city. A swearing-in ceremony was held at the start of the Sept. 17 UH City Council meeting.

“Since making the announcement public [on Sept. 12], we have received nothing but congratulatory and laudatory support for their promotions to the permanent positions, coming from both within this city, and throughout the greater community,” Brennan said. “These gentlemen have the experience, leadership skills, work ethic and temperament to be successful leaders of their departments.”

A local man who pled guilty to making hateful and anti-Semitic calls to local synagogues was sentenced recently to six months in jail.

Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan said the defendant left threatening voicemails at East-side temples, including two voicemails here in University Heights. “The defendant got two six-month sentences, running concurrently, only the second sentence is suspended,” Brennan said. “That means he will be on community control to the court even after he serves time.”

It was all smiles at the University Heights Fire Department on Aug. 17, as Joshua Marshall met the heroes who teamed up with his wife to save his life earlier this summer. Marshall suffered a heart attack on June 2. His wife, Cathy Marshall (right), called 911, and Heights Hillcrest Communications Center (HHCC) dispatcher Lisa Sottosanti (left) coached her on performing CPR. Sottosanti’s coaching and Cathy’s performing of CPR saved Joshua’s life. Upon their arrival, members of the UH Fire Department assumed care of Marshall and provided advanced cardiac life support treatment. Marshall’s family, fire department staff, UH Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan and HHCC dispatch staff attended the Aug. 17 celebration.

JULY 23, 2018

• Tax abatements on new construction city-wide
• 2018 alternative tax budget
• Establishment of bike lanes
• Small cell facilities
• University Heights Community Improvement Corporation
• Community Development Block Grant Funds
• Bombardier sidewalk plow
• Grant for the Silsby Road Park project
• Video recording of council meetings

Present were Mayor Michael D Brennan, Vice Mayor Susan Pardee, Pamela Cameron, John Rach, Steven Sims, Michele Weiss and Mark Wiseman. Also present were Law Director Luke McConville and newly hired Finance Director James Goffe. The meeting was held from 7 to 9 p.m.

In an Aug. 14 news release, University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan announced that Mike Cook had been hired to be the city's first communications and civic engagement coordinator. In that role, Cook will be responsible for the city's media, outreach, and constituent services, and promoting the city's quality of life.

Brennan stated in the release: "Mike brings experience, as well as energy and creativity, to City Hall. He will be working closely with me, our city department, and city council to help us raise the overall responsiveness of city government to our residents, and with that, the quality of life in University Heights."

Prior to taking this new position, Cook worked for the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court; the Ohio General Assembly, where he was a legislative aid; and the American Red Cross, where he worked in communications and marketing.

In a July 31 press release, Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan announced that Susan Drucker, former two-term mayor of Solon, had accepted the position of economic development director for the city of University Heights.

During her tenure in Solon, Drucker facilitated the redevelopment on the Solon Village Shopping Center—including bringing the first Market District Giant Eagle to Cuyahoga County—and the expansion of the Nestle Global Research and Development Center. Drucker, along with Solon's city council, spearheaded the 2011 rezoning initiative that helped Nestle expand its research facility.

Drucker served on the Cuyahoga County Economic Development Commission and the Mayors and Managers Economic Development Committee. Since leaving office, she has worked as a business management consultant and served on the county charter review commission.

JUNE 18, 2018

• Death of Councilman Steven Sims’ wife
• Honoring Walter Stinson
• Increase in rental permits
• Civil service commission appointment
• Meadowbrook home declared a nuisance
• Donation of animal oxygen masks
• Police and fire contracts with Lexipol
• Community Reinvestment Area designation
• Seasonal staffing for brush pickup, etc.
• Furniture and equipment for new annex
• Director reports

Present were Mayor Michael D Brennan, Pamela Cameron, Phil Ertel (who left at 8:45 pm), John Rach, Michele Weiss and Mark Wiseman. Excused were Vice Mayor Susan Pardee and Steven Sims. Also present were Law Director Luke McConville and Clerk of Council Kelly Thomas. The meeting was held from 7 to 9:50 p.m.

Walter Stinson, pictured here with his wife, Sara, celebrated his 90th birthday at the June 18 University Heights City Council meeting. UH City Council honored Stinson, who has been an employee with the city for more than 40 years, with a resolution recognizing his birthday and his many years of dedication to the city and its residents.

This summer, in addition to its annual free concert series, the city of University Heights is introducing new free events.

On Tuesday evenings through Aug. 15, 6:30–7:30 p.m., the city will host free yoga in Community Park, at 2301 Fenwick Road (off of Silsby Road).

JUNE 4, 2018

• Summer concert series
• Yoga at community park
• Property receivership process
• Codified ordinances update
• Pedestrian improvements
• Food trucks
• Rubbish scooter
• Line striking project
• Recycling best practices
• Bellefaire garage annex
• Rental program

Present were Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan, Vice Mayor Sue Pardee, and council members Pamela Cameron, John Rach, Michele Weiss and Mark Wiseman. Councilman Steven Sims was absent. Also present were Law Director Luke McConville and Clerk of Council Kelly Thomas. The meeting was held from 7 to 8:48 p.m.

MAY 22, 2018

• Home improvements in the city
• Rental permits
• Fund transfers for capital goods purchases
• Purchase of police vehicles and equipment
• Purchase of police radios
• Paving contract approval
• Emergency replacement of backup generators
• Silsby home ready for sale

Present were Mayor Michael D. Brennan, Vice Mayor Susan Pardee, Pamela Cameron, Phil Ertel, John Rach, Steven Sims, Michele Weiss and Mark Wiseman. Also present were Law Director Luke McConville, Interim Finance Director Michael Frederick and Clerk of Council Kelly Thomas. The meeting was held from 7 to 8:40 p.m.

MAY 7, 2018

• Public comments
• City audit extension
• Hiring continues
• Office space rental
• Pool opening
• Memorial Day parade
• Heritage home program
• Rain barrel workshop
• Fair housing commission
• Planning commission meetings
• Rental permits
• Capital improvements
• Community policing
• Leaf and brush pickup
• Firefighters contract
• Service department contract
• Executive session
  
  

Present were Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan, Vice Mayor Sue Pardee, and council members Pamela Cameron, John Rach, Steven Sims, Michele Weiss and Mark Wiseman. Councilman Philip Ertel was absent. Also present were Law Director Luke McConville, Finance Director William Sheehan, and Clerk of Council Kelly Thomas. The meeting was held from 7 to 8:50 p.m.

APRIL 16, 2018

• Public Comments
• Interim Finance Director
• Rental properties regulation
• New emergency rescue equipment
• Support of State Issue 1
• 2018 road improvement program
• Water main replacements
• New internet service plan
• “On emergency” rationale for zoning ordinance
• Tree pruning seminar
• Firehouse improvements
• House demolitions
• Rental permits
• Tax abatement
• Ice cream tricycle
• City hall elevators and chair lifts
• Executive session
  
  

Present were Mayor Michael D. Brennan, Vice Mayor Susan Pardee, Phil Ertel, John Rach, Steven Sims, Michele Weiss and Mark Wiseman. Pamela Cameron arrived after roll call. Also present were Law Director Luke McConville, Interim Finance Director Michael Frederick and Clerk of Council Kelly Thomas. The meeting was held from 7 to 8:50 p.m., at which time council moved to executive session.

Like their neighbors in Cleveland Heights, residents of University Heights can now keep chickens in their backyards, legally.

After considering the arguments of many proponents and opponents of backyard chicken keeping, University Heights City Council voted 5-2 on April 2 to approve regulations allowing up to 25 residents to keep up to four chickens in a backyard. Councilmen Steven Sims and Phillip Ertel voted against the ordinance.

The ordinance, which was amended 13 times in response to issues raised in the discussions, requires any resident seeking to keep chickens to apply for a special use permit from the city’s building department. The permit must be renewed each year, following an inspection by the city’s building department.

APRIL 2, 2018

• Public comments
• Planning commission
• Rain barrel workshop
• Backyard composting
• Coop ordinances pass
• General fund transfer
• Rental property taxes
• Economic development director
• School board resolutions
• Demolition funding
• Ambulance purchase
• Road salt
• Yard waste disposal
• Silsby Road resurfacing
• Executive session

Present were Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan, Vice Mayor Sue Pardee, and council members Pamela Cameron, Philip Ertel, John Rach, Steven Sims, Michele Weiss and Mark Wiseman. Also present were Law Director Luke McConville, Finance Director William Sheehan, and Clerk of Council Kelly Thomas. The meeting was held from 7 to 10:32 p.m.

MARCH 26, 2018

• 2018 budget
• Mayor’s spending limits

Present were Mayor Michael D Brennan, Vice Mayor Susan Pardee, Pamela Cameron, Phil Ertel, John Rach, Steven Sims, Michele Weiss and Mark Wiseman. Also present were Law Director Luke McConville, Finance Director William Sheehan, and Clerk of Council Kelly Thomas. The meeting was held from 7 to 7:15 p.m.

MARCH 19, 2018

• Public comments
• Rental property ordinance
• Faded pavement markings
• Concerns about spending
• Joint meetings with school board
• Bellefaire/JCB construction approved
• Rogers sworn in
• Coop ordinances tabled
• Mayor’s spending limit increased
• 2018 City budget
• Server project
• Silsby Road resurfacing
• Executive session

Present were Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan and council members Pamela Cameron, Philip Ertel, John Rach, Steven Sims, Michele Weiss and Mark Wiseman. Also present were Law Director Luke McConville, Finance Director William Sheehan, Clerk of Council Kelly Thomas. Vice Mayor Sue Pardee was absent. The meeting was held from 7 to 9:58 p.m.

University Heights Mayor and Safety Director Michael Dylan Brennan has formally named Sgt. Dustin Rogers as interim police chief for the city of University Heights. Rogers began his post on Friday, March 16, replacing now retired Police Chief Steven Hammett.

According to the University Heights mayor's office, Sgt. Rogers joined its police department in August 2005, and in 2007 was voted in as the department’s union director.

In the last 13 years, Rogers was promoted first to corporal, then sergeant. He also revised the department’s field training manual—a document adopted as a model by Northwestern University—and managed the department’s field training program. 

MARCH 5, 2018

• Public comments
• City budget
• Summer employment
• Parade committee
• Gun control
• Police chief honored
• Chicken coop ordinances
• Pool chemicals
• Point of sale ordinance
• Traffic box damaged
• Firehouse repairs
• John Carroll partnership
• Waterline valve leaks
• Silsby Road resurfacing
• Chairlift
• Executive session
  
  

Present were Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan, Vice Mayor Susan Pardee, and council members Pamela Cameron, Phillip Ertel, John Rach, Steven Sims, Michele Weiss and Mark Wiseman. Law Director Luke McConville, Finance Director William Sheehan and Clerk of Council Kelly Thomas were also present. The meeting was held from 7 to 9:04 p.m.

FEBRUARY 20, 2018

• Public comments
• Labor counsel recognized
• Fair housing and planning committees
• Solar United Neighbors
• Village in the Heights
• Medical marijuana
• Vacant buildings
• Chicken coops
• CCTV maintenance
• Video system improvements
• Computer server installation
• Uniform rental and laundry contract
• Silsby Road pocket park
• Nuisance properties
• Phone service updates
• Meeting with arborists
• Heritage Home program
  
  

Present were Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan and council members Pamela Cameron, Phillip Ertel, John Rach, Steven Sims, Michele Weiss and Mark Wiseman. Vice Mayor Susan Pardee was absent. Also present were Amy Hamilton, sitting in for Law Director Luke McConville, Finance Director William Sheehan and Clerk of Council Kelly Thomas. The meeting was held from 7 to 9:26 p.m.

FEBRUARY 5, 2018

• Public comments
• Chief Hammett retires
• Rebuilding community relations
• Black History Month
• Guide Studio rebranding proposal
• Medical marijuana operations
• BZA appointments
• Kelly M Thomas, Clerk of Council
• Jeremy Iosue, Labor Counsel
• Joseph Ciuni, City Engineer
• Countywide All Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
• Medical marijuana applications moratorium
• Vacant buildings
• IT and phone systems upgrades
• Video recording of meetings
• Cleveland Community Mikvah extension
• Silsby Road resurfacing
• Stormwater management education program
• Dump truck replacement engine
• Computer maintenance
• Finance director report
• Fire chief report
• Service director report
• Housing demolition funding
• Executive session for real estate
  
  

Present were Mayor Michael D Brennan, and council members Vice Mayor Susan Pardee, Pamela Cameron, John Rach, Michele Weiss and Mark Wiseman. Councilman Steven Sims arrived after roll call. Councilman Philip Ertel was absent. Also present were Law Director Luke McConville, Finance Director William Sheehan, and Clerk of Council Kelly Thomas. The meeting was held from 7:05 to 9:50 p.m. when council moved to executive session.

JANUARY 16, 2018

• Cuyahoga County council member
• Swenson’s
• IT improvements
• City Hall improvements
• Housing ordinance review
• GPD Group agreement renewal
• Street sweeper replaced
• Law director re-appointed
• New prosecutor sworn in
• Interim fire chief’s civil service rank restored
• City receives energy-saving grant
• Police Department receives award
• Water main and valve leaks
• YouTube page
• Bellefaire renovations
  
  

Present were Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan and council members Vice Mayor Susan Pardee, Pamela Cameron, Philip Ertel, Steven Sims, and Mark Wiseman. Council members John Rach and Michele Weiss were absent. Also present were Law Director Luke McConville, Finance Director William Sheehan, and Clerk of Council Kelly Thomas. The meeting was held from 7 to 9:06 p.m.

DECEMBER 18, 2017

• Public comments
• Bellefaire/JCB request for demolition
• Hadleigh Road request for demolition
• Demolition permits
• County public health services
• Medical marijuana operations
• Medical marijuana applications moratorium
• BZA ordinance revisions
• Vacant buildings
• Customer parking at Swensons
• Resolution honoring Mayor Susan Infeld
  
  

Present were Vice Mayor Susan Pardee, and council members Pamela Cameron, Philip Ertel, John Rach, Michele Weiss and Mark Wiseman. Councilman Steven Sims arrived after roll call. Mayor Susan Infeld and Councilman Mark Wiseman were absent. Also present were Law Director Luke McConville, Finance Director William Sheehan, and Clerk of Council Kelly Thomas. The meeting was held from 7:03 to approximately 9:05 p.m.

At the Dec. 4 University Heights City Council meeting, Mayor Susan Infeld named Bonnye Klein and Sarah Staples, co-chairs of the City Beautiful Commission and its Beautiful Home Awards, Citizen of the Year.

Each year, the mayor of University Heights chooses a resident to honor as the city’s Citizen of the Year for his or her outstanding accomplishments and contributions to civic pride. As co-chairs of the City Beautiful Commission, Klein and Staples are charged with promoting civic pride and improving the appearance of the city and its homes. To help accomplish this, each year the commission recognizes residents’ home beautification efforts with awards in six categories: Curb Appeal, Best Front Door, Sit a Spell, Best Kept Secret, 2 in a Row, and 3 in a Row.

JANUARY 2, 2018

• Installation of officials
• Mayoral address
• Announcement of appointments
• Public comments
• BZA ruling on unrelated occupants
• Demolition permits
• Medical marijuana operations
• Medical marijuana applications moratorium
• BZA ordinance revisions
• Vacant buildings
• Maintenance of parking place and surroundings
• Catch basin and sewer cleaning
• Emergency sewer repairs
• Tree pruning and removal project
  
  

Present were Mayor Michael Brennan and council members: Vice Mayor Susan Pardee, Pamela Cameron, Philip Ertel, John Rach, Michele Weiss, and Mark Wiseman. Councilman Steven Sims was absent. Also present were acting Law Director Michael Cicero, Finance Director William Sheehan, and Clerk of Council Kelly Thomas. The meeting was held from 7:15 to 10:12 p.m.

DECEMBER 4, 2017

• Public comments
• Heights High concert and open house
• Property tax rates for low-income seniors
• Citizens of the Year
• Police contracts
• 90-day budget
• Building department software upgrade
• Catch basin cleaning and sewer and road repairs
• Tree pruning and removal
• Car thefts in University Heights
• Executive session
  
  

Present were Mayor Susan Infeld, Vice Mayor Susan Pardee, and council members Pamela Cameron, Phillip Ertel, John Rach, Steven Sims, Michele Weiss and Mark Wiseman. Also present were Law Director Luke McConville, Finance Director William Sheehan, and Clerk of Council Kelly Thomas. The meeting was held from 7 to 8:12 p.m.

NOVEMBER 20, 2017

• Message from Mayor Infeld
• Recommendations for University Square
• Police and dispatch contracts
• Cuyahoga County project grant
• Protective clothing for firefighters
• Budget appropriation for 2018
• New software for the building department
• Transition report
• Road and waterline projects
• Housing committee update
  
  

Present were Mayor Susan Infeld, Vice Mayor Susan Pardee, and council members Phillip Ertel, John Rach,  Michele Weiss and Mark Wiseman. Councilman Steven Sims was absent; Councilwoman Pamela Cameron arrived just after roll call. Also present were Law Director Luke McConville, Finance Director William Sheehan, and Clerk of Council Kelly Thomas. The meeting was held from 7 to 9:05 p.m.

NOVEMBER 6, 2017

• Election mailer
• Prisoner housing
• County project grant
• Protective clothing for firefighters
• Ambulance purchase
• Temporary worker costs
• South Taylor commercial property
• Pocket park on Silsby Road
  
  

Present were Mayor Susan Infeld, Vice Mayor Susan Pardee, and council members Pamela Cameron, Philip Ertel, John Rach, Steven Sims, Michele Weiss and Mark Wiseman. Also present were Law Director Luke McConville, Finance Director William Sheehan, and Clerk of Council Kelly Thomas. The meeting was held from 7 to 8:45 p.m.

OCTOBER 16, 2017

• New dispatch center
• University Square
• Prisoner housing services with Solon
• Regulations of rental properties
• Medical marijuana dispensaries
  
  

Present were Mayor Susan Infeld, Vice Mayor Susan Pardee, and council members Philip Ertel, Steven Sims, Michele Weiss and Mark Wiseman. Councilman John Rach was absent, and Councilman Philip Ertel arrived just after roll call. Also present were Law Director Luke McConville, Finance Director William Sheehan, and Clerk of Council Kelly Thomas, clerk of council. The meeting was held from 7 p.m. to approximately 8:20 p.m.

A day after he defeated University Heights' two-term incumbent, Mayor-elect Michael D. Brennan put forward a vision of an innovative entertainment and nightlife scene where the moribund University Square shopping center stands at the intersection of Cedar and Warrensville Center roads.

A lawyer in private practice, for whom the mayoral election was a first step into politics, Brennan will take office on Jan. 2, having won a close election with an unofficial winning margin of less than 60 votes (1,546 to 1,492) in a city of approximately 13,000 residents.

Brennan said he did not see a common thread in the decision by University Heights voters to replace an incumbent (UH Mayor Susan Infeld ran without opposition for reelection four years ago) and the election loss by six-term incumbent Mayor Merle Gordon, in neighboring Beachwood. "I think each city has its unique issues," commented Brennan. "For University Heights, our election was about the power of good ideas and the power of collaboration as a way of going about government."

John Carroll University (JCU) will host a University Heights mayoral candidates forum, co-sponsored by the University Heights Democratic Club and the University Heights Republican Club, on Thursday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m.

JCU students will be moderators for the event, in which Susan Infeld, the incumbent University Heights mayor, and Michael Dylan Brennan, the challenger for the office, will discuss issues important to the city’s voters and participate in a question-and-answer session with the audience.

The forum will take place at the university’s Dolan Center for Science and Technology.

OCTOBER 2, 2017

• Public comments
• Gearity needs volunteers
• Concerns about Swenson’s
• Cedar-Taylor gateway
• Signal pole project
• Special permit denied
• Self-insurance pool
• Public works grant
• Joint project approved
• Leaf collection
  
  

Present were Mayor Susan Infeld and council members Pamela Cameron, Philip Ertel, John Rach, Steven Sims, Michele Weiss and Mark Wiseman. Vice mayor Susan Pardee was absent. Also present were Luke McConville, law director; William Sheehan, finance director; and Kelly Thomas, clerk of council. The meeting was held from 7 to 9:45 p.m.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

• Public comments
• Cleveland Heights Community Center
• Road improvements delayed
• Firehouse renovations
• Adding agenda items
• Amending definitions
• Planning commission meetings
• Tax levies
• Road improvements
• Nuisance property
• All Geared Up
  
  

Present were Mayor Susan Infeld, Vice Mayor Susan Pardee, and council members Pamela Cameron, John Rach, Steven Sims, Michele Weiss and Mark Wiseman. Councilman Philip Ertel was absent. Also present were Luke McConville, law director; William Sheehan, finance director; and Kelly Thomas, clerk of council. The meeting was held from 7 to 9 p.m.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2017

• Public comments
• Heights High Pool
• Sidewalk repair
• Home demolition application
• Fund transfer
• Firehouse renovations
• Adding agenda items
• Amending definitions
• Planning commission meetings
• University Square property
• Special assessments and fees
• Yard service fines
• Tax levies
• Bids accepted
• Library reopens in October
• Swenson’s breaks ground
  
  

Present were Mayor Susan Infeld and Vice Mayor Susan Pardee, and council members Pamela Cameron, Philip Ertel, John Rach, Michele Weiss and Mark Wiseman. Also present were Amy Hamilton, sitting in for Law Director Luke McConville; William Sheehan, finance director; and Kelly Thomas, clerk of council. The meeting was held from 7:02 to 11:04 p.m.

JULY 19, 2017

• 2018 tax budget
• Home-based business complaint
• Fall tree-planting project
• NEORSD grant for street sweeper
• Service revolvers trade-in
• Executive session to discuss University Square
  
  

Present were Mayor Susan Infeld, Vice Mayor Susan Pardee, and council members Pamela Cameron, Philip Ertel, John Rach, Steven Sims and Michele Weiss. Mark Wiseman was absent. Also present were Law Director Luke McConville and Finance Director William Sheehan. Kelly Thomas, clerk of council, was excused, and Mayor Infeld carried out the clerk’s duties. The meeting was held from 8–9:23 p.m., at which time council went to executive session. Because this was a special meeting, there were no public comments nor director reports.

JUNE 19, 2017

• Public comments
• Building Commissioner sworn in
• Swensons Restaurant
• NOACA grant request
• Storm water management
• 3886 Silsby Road
• Purchase of two new pickup trucks
• Special permit for chickens
• Variance for a rear addition
• Discussion of firefighter concerns
  
  

Present were Mayor Susan Infeld, Vice Mayor Susan Pardee, and council members Pamela Cameron, Philip Ertel, John Rach, Michele Weiss and Mark Wiseman. Steven Sims arrived after roll call and Philip Ertel left during public comments. Also present were Law Director Luke McConville, Finance Director William Sheehan, and Clerk of Council Kelly Thomas, clerk of council.

The meeting was held from 7 p.m. to approximately 12:15 a.m.

In a June 20 press release, the city of University Heights announced that work would commence on June 21 on Warrensville Center Road and the north side of Fairmount Circle, to install a pedestrian island. The press release states:

"Traffic will be reduced to one lane of traffic in each direction during construction. Please use caution when driving, walking, and biking through the work zone.

This pedestrian safety improvement is part of the 2017 University Heights Road Program. More information about this year’s repaving and pedestrian safety projects can be found at www.universityheights.com/projects/.

JUNE 5, 2017

• Public comments
• NOACA grant request
• Nuisance property on Silsby
• Silsby Road project
• New dumping hours
• Executive session
  
  

Present were council members Susan Pardee (vice mayor), Pamela Cameron, Phil Ertel, John Rach, Michele Weiss and Mark Wiseman. Mayor Susan Infeld and Councilman Steven Sims were absent. Also present were Law Director Luke McConville, Finance Director William Sheehan and Clerk of Council Kelly Thomas. The meeting was held from 7 to 8 p.m.

MAY 15, 2017

• Expedited variance requested
• Approval for variances for group home
• Converting Wiley from high school to middle school
• Ohio’s medical marijuana law
• Resurfacing Silsby Road
• Door to door solicitors
• Public comments

Present were Mayor Susan Infeld and council members Susan Pardee (vice mayor), Philip Ertel, John Rach, Steven Sims, Michele Weiss and Mark Wiseman. Councilwoman Pamela Cameron was absent. Also present were Law Director Luke McConville, Finance Director William Sheehan and Clerk of Council Kelly Thomas. The meeting was held from 7 to 9:45 p.m.

MAY 1, 2017

• Public comments
• Geraci’s gives back
• Cavs support housing
• Annual reports
• Memorial Day parade
• JCU president honored
• Minority Health Month
• Local executive honored
• Proposed HUD cuts
• Medical marijuana
• Hydrant flushing
• Repaving project
• Finance committee
• Executive session

APRIL 19, 2017

• Geraci’s receives award
• Cedar-Taylor gateway proposal
• Arbor Day at Mitchell’s Ice Cream
• Carroll Fest
• New finance director
• ODOT contract
• Fair Housing Month
• RITA tax rate
• Road repairs