Cleveland Heights City Council meeting highlights
All council members present.
New Poet Laureate
The fourth Poet Laureate of Cleveland Heights is Gail Bellamy. Bellamy, who was introduced by her predecessor Mary E. Weems, read a poem in praise of Cleveland Heights, titled “The Meat in a History Sandwich.”
Storefront Renovation Program
Council renewed a one-year agreement with the consulting team of Tim Barrett, Franklin Piccirillo, Catherine Sabolik and Carolyn R. Smith for design and services related to the Cleveland Heights Storefront Renovation Program. The positive results of this program are visible, for example, at Cleveland Violins, 2917 Mayfield Road. Later in the meeting, a resolution authorizing the reprogramming and reallocation of Community Development Block Grant funds to support this program received its first reading.
Properties declared hazards
Two bank-owned properties, at 1528 Crest Road and at 2929 Edgehill Road, were declared health and safety hazards. These actions are intended to put the banks on notice that they must respond to notifications from the city to bring such properties up to code or to raze them.
Stimulus funds sought for city projects
The city is aggressively pursuing federal stimulus money to be allocated to Ohio cities. A list of projects that Cleveland Heights has submitted for consideration, and links to other relevant programs, are on the city’s Web site, www.clevelandheights.com, under “What’s New.”
Suburbs’ sharing/merger discussion
Councilman Mark Tumeo, who has been receiving media attention for his call to consider a merger of Cleveland Heights and University Heights, stated that response has been positive to the idea of working together to explore sharing services and revenues.
Monticello Boulevard repair project
Council approved an agreement initiating the process of cooperation between Cleveland Heights and Cuyahoga County for rehabilitation of Monticello Boulevard between Mayfield and Taylor roads beginning in 2011. The city will finance 20 percent of the cost, the county 80 percent. Funding is still being sought for work East of Taylor Road.
Summer news
There will be Coventry Street Fairs on Thursday evenings, June 18 and July 16. Tickets are on sale for the Cain Park summer season.
LWV observers: Katie Solender and Carol Gibson.
Monday, MAY 4, 2009All Council members present.
Nancy Dietrich to retire
With assurances that there were “no negative overtones to this decision,” Council Member Nancy Dietrich announced she will retire from council when her term ends December 2009. Mayor Ed Kelley and other council members thanked her for her 12 years of service and noted that she “exemplifies the true spirit of Cleveland Heights.”
CDBG funds reallocated
The reprogramming and reallocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDGB) funds to areas of need was authorized. The changes are: 1) $40,000 from Storefront Loans Low or Moderate Income (LMI) Program to the program consultants [see previous meeting report]; 2) $50,000 from the Storefront Loans LMI Program to the Storefront Grants LMI Program; 3) $15,000 from the Community Revolving Loan Fund to the Section 8 Interest Expense Fund; 4) $67,000 from the Community Revolving Loan Fund to the Section 8 Principal Expense Fund.
New recycling magnet
The new “Cleveland Heights Recycles” refrigerator magnet is a quick reference guide for what materials can and cannot be recycled. Residents can pick them up at City Hall or call the Community Relations office at 216-291-2323.
Homeless prevention and re-housing
As an outgrowth of the 2009 federal economic stimulus package, council authorized the city manager to submit a Substantial Amendment to the Consolidated 2008 Action Plan for the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program. Cleveland Heights will apply for $715,677 over three years, coordinating the administration of these funds with the Cleveland/Cuyahoga County Continuum of Care. This is a network of agencies that plans, organizes and delivers housing and services to prevent homelessness and to assist people as they move into stable housing.
Announcements for residents
Citizens who have concerns about their street or neighborhood should call the Community Relations Office for help in discussing and addressing issues. In light of cutbacks in staffing, residents were urged to help out by picking up litter and mowing the lawns of vacant houses. Cumberland Pool will be open daily June 6-September 7.
LWV observers: Katie Solender and Lisa Peters.
These meeting summaries are abstracted from LWV observers’ written reports. The summaries have been edited and prepared by Charlene Morse, Marilyn McLaughlin and Maryann Barnes. To receive e-mail postings of full reports, send an email 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 League of Women Voters-Cuyahoga Area, Heights Chapter. This disclaimer must accompany any redistribution of these reports.