LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS / Cleveland Heights City Council meeting highlights

MAY 20, 2024 regular meeting

• Public comment
• Mayor’s report
• City administrator’s report
• Public works
• Council actions
• Council member comments
• Committee of the whole
  
  

Present were Mayor Kahlil Seren, Tony Cuda (council president), Davida Russell (vice president), Craig Cobb, Gail Larson, Anthony Mattox, Jr., Jim Petras, and Jim Posch. Also present were Law Director William Hanna and City Administrator Danny Williams. Clerk of Council Addie Balester was not present. The meeting ran for two and one quarter hours.

Public comment

Fifteen residents opposed the proposed TWG Nobility Court apartments, citing additional traffic, absence of data supporting the need for additional apartments, preference for investing in existing Nobel Road apartment buildings, and the project’s likely negative impact on safety and property values of nearby homes. One resident spoke to the need for affordable housing, without stating a position on the TWG project. Two residents supported the project, citing the robust community engagement process, the need for affordable housing, and the significant improvements to the building design since the initial proposal. Jimmie Hicks III, representing Start Right Community Development Corporation, outlined the community participation process led by Start Right and challenged assertions made in an anonymous postcard recently mailed to nearby residents.

A resident spoke in support of the proposed Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA).

A resident criticized the emergency designation of the street lighting and street improvement assessments.

Two residents expressed concerns about the impact of the proposed Blanche Road extension on their nearby neighborhood and criticized the city for insufficient communication with neighbors.

Mayor’s report

Sealed bids have been received for the 2024 road program, and the Ronyak Paving bid of $1,349,588.55 has been selected. Sealed bids have also been received for the Compton pocket park for which the Protect-A-Cote bid of $13,636.67 has been selected. 

A chief building official has been hired, an important step in bringing important building functions back in-house after several years of outsourcing. 

Cleveland Heights will join neighboring cities in an expanded Shaker Heights program that embeds mental health professionals with police to respond to mental health crisis calls. 

The Noble-Warrensville-Mayfield Triangle area has been selected as the project for the mayor’s participation in the Mayors’ Institute on City Design sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts, New York University, and the U.S. Council of Mayors. 

As part of the mayor’s process improvement efforts, an organizational performance coordinator has been hired. She, along with other city staff, will attend the Lean Ohio Bootcamp, which applies Lean Six Sigma concepts to the public sector.

City administrator’s report

Mr. Williams described the Lean Ohio program as an adaptation of Lean Six Sigma, intended to make city processes faster, better, simpler, and less costly. He briefly outlined the topics to be included in his first mid-year report to be submitted to council by June 27.

Public works

Collette Clinkscale, director of public works, described the road program including criteria used to determine repaving projects; instructions on how to report potholes; and upcoming projects for street striping, water mains, and sewers. She said bids for the Lennox Road garage will be opened June 7. She described inappropriate material in yard waste bags and its impact on the city’s refuse program. She outlined the rules and warned that bags violating those rules would not be picked up. A traffic survey of Cedar Glen Parkway has been completed as part of the traffic calming effort.

Council actions

In the absence of Clerk of Council Balester, council appointed Mr. Cobb temporary clerk.

Law Director William Hanna issued the oath of office to new council member Jim Posch.

On first reading and on emergency, council authorized an agreement with Shaker Heights, Richmond Heights, South Euclid, and University Heights to establish and participate in First CALL (Crisis Assistance and Local Link), a mental health crisis assistance program. Licensed mental health professionals and peer support specialists will assist police and fire departments by responding to mental health crisis calls and providing follow-up services. The program will be initially funded by grants from the Department of Justice COPS office ($399,846), Cuyahoga County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board ($523,131), the George Gund Foundation ($200,000), and Cuyahoga County ($75,000). During the first year, each participating city will contribute $14,782. The second year Cleveland Heights’s estimated contribution will be $16,888.

On first reading and on emergency, council authorized two-year special assessments for a portion of the expenses of street lighting, street improvements, sweeping and snow removal, and the planting and maintenance of shade trees.

On second reading and on emergency, council approved the 2024 Cain Park entertainment programs.

On second reading and on emergency, council authorized application and acceptance of Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council 2024 Energized Community grants.

Council amended the purchase agreement with TWG Development LLC for 2228 Noble Road as an emergency measure. The amendment redefines the property by excluding certain permanent parcels, adjusts the sale price to $216,000, and extends the closing date to 60 days after execution of a mutually acceptable development agreement.

With Ms. Russell voting no, council authorized, on second reading and on emergency, a development agreement with TWG Development LLC for construction of a 52-unit affordable residential building at 2228 Noble Road, to be known as Nobility Court Apartments. Ms. Russell explained her vote saying that another apartment building on Noble Road is not needed and would create transient residents without a stake in the community. Instead, there should be opportunities for home ownership to create generational wealth and stability. Ms. Larson said her reasons for supporting the project included resident engagement opportunities, design improvements and amenities, and the results of a traffic analysis. Mr. Mattox commended Start Right and TWG for engaging the community in a transparent process. Mr. Cuda explained that council listened to the residents by voting against the initial project. He described the subsequent community engagement process, improved design, and the Planning Commission and Architectural Board of Review approvals of the project. He thanked those who led and participated in the process. In his view, the project is not perfect but will help start good things in Noble. Mr. Posch said the $15 million investment could be transformational and build momentum in the neighborhood. Ms. Larson, Mr. Cuda, and Mr. Posch encouraged residents to stay engaged and continue to advocate for code enforcement of existing apartments, traffic enforcement, and economic development. Residents repeatedly shouted comments, interrupting council members’ explanations of their votes.

Several items were offered on first reading only (no vote) include:

• A resolution cancelling council’s July 1 and 15 regular meetings and establishing July 2024 as a month of recess.
• An ordinance amending the city code to provide for licensing adult-use, medical, and dual-use marijuana businesses.
• A resolution amending the city code to notify persons elected to council but not yet sworn in of all regular and special council and council committee meetings.
   

Several items were offered on second reading only (no vote) include:

• An ordinance to establish a Cedar-Lee Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA). Businesses holding liquor permits may sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on their premises and within the DORA. Boundaries, hours of operation, sanitation and safety plans, containers, and signage requirements are described. Council will review the DORA in five years and may, at any time, amend or dissolve all or part of the DORA. 
• An ordinance establishing procedures for review and creation of legislation by city council.
  
  

Council declared June to be LGBTQ+ Pride Month and June 7 to be National Gun Violence Awareness Day in Cleveland Heights.

Council member comments

Mr. Mattox, in response to some of the TWG public comments, said Cleveland Heights welcomes both renters and homeowners regardless of income level. The Community Relations and Recreation committee’s May 28 meeting will include a public hearing on the DORA legislation. 

Mr. Petras said the Housing and Building committee heard about the Cleveland Residents First program and ideas from the Racial Justice Task Force. The short-term rental legislation has been returned to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.

Ms. Larson said the Municipal Services and Environmental Sustainability committee heard a presentation from Rust Belt Riders about its composting program. The Climate and Environmental Sustainability committee will hold its first meeting May 23 and the Transportation and Mobility committee needs additional members.

Ms. Russell announced a hearing on proposed dog park legislation to be held May 29 at 6 p.m. Another Landlord-Tenant law session will be held June 29, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Noble Road Library.

Mr. Cobb announced a vacancy on the Landmark Commission and encouraged those with knowledge of real estate, architecture, or preservation to apply.

Mr. Cuda welcomed Mr. Posch to council and announced Mr. Posch’s council committee assignments: Public Safety and Health (chair), Municipal Services and Environmental Sustainability (vice chair), and Finance (member). 

Committee of the whole

Two executive sessions were held: the first to discuss the appointment of a public official and the second to discuss the purchase of property for a public purpose and request for economic development incentives.

Council members discussed the council economic development process draft and decided not to vote at this meeting on the resolution for establishing review and creation of legislation procedures.

LWV observer: Jill Tatem

Meeting packets, legislation, and other information can be found on the city website at: https://www.clevelandheights.gov/1625/City-Council-Agendas-and-Minutes

Videos of council meetings can be viewed on the “City of Cleveland Heights, OH” YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/ClevelandHeightsOH