University Heights City Council meeting highlights 6-17-2024
JUNE 17, 2024, regular meeting
- Public comment
- Mayor’s report
- City council committee reports
- Council actions
- Staff reports
- Police personnel
Present were Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan and council members Michele Weiss (vice mayor), Christopher Cooney, Brian J. King, Threse Marshall, John P. Rach, Sheri Sax, and Win Weizer. Also present were Clerk of Council Kelly Thomas, Law Director Bradric T. Bryan, Finance Director Dennis Kennedy, and City Engineer Brenda Mockbee. The meeting ran for three hours and 50 minutes.
Public comment
A resident from University Parkway thanked the city for its work on traffic control and trash collection in an area where there are many school children, but she will continue to advocate for the safety of children and work with the law director on issues such as the YADI purchase, University Square, and housing inspection.
A member of the Juneteenth Committee praised the city and the housing and community development director for the success of the celebration. A resident also commented on the success of the celebration.
Mayor’s report
The mayor commented about the success of the Juneteenth celebration. He went on to say he had been to Washington D.C. and that the plan to solicit funds from the federal government for city sewer upgrades was moving forward. He met with Rep. Shontel Brown and representatives of Sen. Sherrod Brown. Since the last meeting the mayor met with county officials regarding sustainable community efforts.
There will be a ceremony at Stinson Park to place a plaque for former Mayor Susan Infield on the gazebo when schedules are finalized.
City council committee reports
Vice Mayor Weiss summarized the year to date in council and commented on progress with the YADI purchase, the new recycling ordinance, a new IT contract, a new resolution for short-term rentals, and the establishment of labor contracts for city workers. She said county council withdrew its proposed resolution to divest from investment in Israel. She noted that the technology committee will resume with mayoral appointments.
Councilperson Weizer read letters from residents into the record regarding complaints about two loose pit bulls that attacked another dog on Edgerton causing its owner to be injured and the dog to have a leg amputated. The mayor said that an ordinance regarding vicious dogs would be superseded by existing Ohio law, but the owners of the dogs have been given citations, and City Prosecutor Mike Cicero was looking into possible criminal penalties and restitution. Information about the attack was also sent to Fire Chief Robert Perko and Police Chief Dustin Rogers. The Safety and Housing Committee will work on the issue of uncontrolled dogs over the summer.
Council actions
Council hired Roberta Rubin as assistant clerk of council.
Council passed ordinances to demolish houses on University Pkwy and Milton for new construction.
Council approved a contract with Pat Flowers for pavement marking and solicitation of bids for the 2024 street program.
With Weizer abstaining from the vote, council established the municipal complex project owner’s representative RFQ selection committee and its members. The committee will only obtain quotes for the municipal complex and will comprise William Eberhardt, as the citizen nominee to join the mayor; the fire and police chiefs; the service director; and one or more council members.
Council passed the alternative 2025 tax budget, as required by the state and county, to justify the city’s property tax, without any millage change.
Presented were two slightly different versions, designated as versions three and four, of an ordinance to create a CIC (Community Investment Corporation) for the University Square parking garage and the method for appointing its citizen members. Council tabled version three, with Rach and Sax voting no, and approved version four, but not on emergency, as there were three no votes by Sax, Rach, and Weizer. There was strong disagreement and a robust discussion about the appointment process, which basically involves appointment by the mayor and approval by council. The disagreement and the difference between the two versions largely involved the time for making and approving appointments. Before voting on the measure, council amended version four to include a 60-day cap for the time to make and approve appointments to the CIC.
With King and Weiss voting no, council voted to reconsider a previously tabled ordinance to amend the election of officers in the existing CIC, the University Heights City Beautiful Corporation, and then approved the legislation. Currently the ordinance specifies the mayor as president and the vice-mayor as vice-president. The change specifies that the CIC board would elect the president and vice-president.
Council authorized a change order to Fabrizi Trucking and Paving for work on a water main break at East Scarborough and Canterbury that was not related to the sewer work being done. Council also amended the ordinance for salaries of certain personnel and approved another ordinance on emergency to support first responder grants.
Council approved a summary memo, prepared by Finance Director Kennedy, authorizing mid-year appropriations to get caught up and obtain state permit fees.
Council approved regulation of short term rentals (e.g. Airbnb) after amending the legislation regarding required insurance.
With Councilperson Weiss voting no, council tabled an item specifying Oct. 15 as a deadline for the mayor to submit the budget to council. The legislation stemmed from dissatisfaction at last year’s budgeting process and schedule but was tabled as several council members and the finance director claimed that the legislation had insufficient discussion and transparency. Finance Director Kennedy said the Oct. 15 date was unrealistic.
An ordinance to amend a TIF (tax increment financing) agreement regarding University Square was presented on first reading with no vote because the school district has not yet responded. The amendment changes dates that had become stale during the pandemic and considers the change in University Square stakeholders.
Council approved a grant from the county solid waste district for purchase of recycling carts.
Staff reports
The finance director is continuing to finalize the tax budget for the county. A software migration is in progress to complete the process. The fire chief advised that hydrant flushing has concluded, and any issues has been referred to the water department. University Heights does not have a cooling center, but South Euclid has two.
Police personnel
Council’s promotion of Officer Joe Respondek to the rank of Lieutenant and the swearing in of new Officer Chad Goldberg occurred before all reports and comments.
The next regular council meeting will be Sep. 2. Special meetings may be called in July and August if needed.
LWV observer: Marilyn J. Singer
Meeting packets, legislation, and other information can be found on the city website at: https://www.universityheights.com/council/
Videos of council meetings can be viewed on the “City of University Heights” YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA82j5L_CkQxK9cXP_qrXvw/videos