LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS / Cleveland Heights City Council meeting highlights

NOVEMBER 18, 2024, regular meeting

• Public comment
• Mayor’s report
• City administrator’s report
• Happy 5K, 10K, and Mile Run 
• Land conservancy
• Council actions
• Council member comments
• Committee of the whole (COW)
  
  

Present were Mayor Kahlil Seren and Council Members Tony Cuda (council president), Davida Russell (vice president), Craig Cobb, Gail Larson, Anthony Mattox, Jr., Jim Petras, and Jim Posch. Also present were Clerk of Council Addie Balester, Law Director William Hanna, and City Administrator Danny Williams. The meeting ran from 8:02 to 9:23 p.m.

Public comment

A resident noted the Transgender Day of Remembrance at the Cleveland Heights Community Center on Nov. 20.

Four speakers spoke about the police shooting of Christian Thomas in August. The victim’s aunt, herself a professional social worker, emphasized the social and emotional cost to her family and the community. She noted that no staff trained in mental health crisis was in evidence when her nephew was killed. She spoke about bias, militarized policing, callous and unethical disregard for human life, and the need for oversight from a civilian review board. Three others spoke, including a representative of the Stolen Lives Project. Chalana Freed, Executive Director of Strong Hands United (http://www.stronghandsunited.org/) offered the agency’s program “Lifelines 216” to address violence prevention with at-risk youth in Cleveland Heights. 

A resident questioned the accuracy of some Western Reserve Land Conservancy report ratings on properties in the city, asserting that many properties on Grandview and Bellfield were much worse than their ratings. 

A speaker requested a longer public comment period to consider the 134 page Climate Action and Resilience Plan. The mayor responded that he would try to get the time extended but noted the draft had been released in early November.

Chris Brace of the Technical Advisory Committee to Safe Streets for All (https://www.safestreets4ch.com/about) noted that the streets were not safe, adding that while grants can help traffic calming measures, hiring a full-time city engineer, rather than engineering firms for individual projects, could build city capability.

At the conclusion of public comments, President Cuda spoke about Christian Thomas and to his family, noting that the comment period is a time for council to listen, not to respond, and that there will be a report of the investigation from the State of Ohio.

Mayor’s report

Mayor Seren announced bids accepted and requested permission to bid for various water and sewer projects. He invited the public to comment on the Climate Action and Resilience Plan. He announced a recent $800,000 grant from the U.S. Transportation Department for Safe Streets and Roads, with a $200,000 city match. The mayor spoke about two recent “deaths of despair,” i.e., residents taking their own lives, and urged people in need of help to call 988.

City administrator’s report

Mr. Williams noted that this is his last meeting as city administrator. He expressed his profound gratitude for the opportunity, noting that much has been accomplished, but the city is not at its full potential.

Happy 5K, 10K, and Mile Run 

Representatives of the Happy 5K, 10K, and Mile Run, held Oct. 6 to support youth scholarships for sports participants, presented a $20,000 check. Participating were 665 runners, many on teams and many from outside Cleveland Heights. Next year’s event is scheduled for Oct. 5, 2025.

Land conservancy

The Western Reserve Land Conservancy presented a brief review of results for the study of all properties in Cleveland Heights. More information is at https://neocando.case.edu/.

Council actions

Council awarded two contracts, to A&J Cement Contractors and Romanin Concrete Inc., for the Concrete Driveways, Aprons, Sidewalks, & Pathways Program, to be funded with $500,000 ARPA Funds 

Council purchased two used Chevy Bolt Electric Vehicles, at $21,885 each from Lavery Automotive Sales and Service, LLC, for the Planning and Development Department. 

Council awarded $198,518 in ARPA funds to GPD Group for engineering services for the replacement of the existing sanitary sewer along Lamberton Rd. from Scarborough Rd. to Fairmount Blvd.

Council approved two agreements with Wade Trim, Inc., for construction administration and resident observation services: 1) for the Hampshire Sanitary Sewer Overflow Control Project; using $231,280 in ARPA funds and 2) for the Yellowstone Road Storm Sewer, Sanitary Sewer, and Water Main Replacement Project, using $215,720 in ARPA funds.

Council amended fiscal year 2024 budget expenditures for an increase of $328,422 for lead safe contractors.

Council authorized an agreement with Frank Novak & Sons to furnish labor, material, and equipment for repairs to the Cumberland Park pool for $197,861. Weather permitting, the work will be done this year. The intention is to maintain the pool for 2025 with larger projects planned for 2026.

Council authorized a partnership agreement with the non-profit Friends of Mendelsohn to participate in the Environmental Protection Agency Community Change Grant program to fund projects on the former Park Synagogue campus and elsewhere in the city. 

Council authorized agreements with various professional audio, visual, and lighting service and equipment providers to upgrade Cain Park’s production capabilities, to be funded with $796,235.47 in ARPA funds. Mr. Cuda said this equipment will transform Cain Park and put it in the major leagues of concert venues.

Council extended a contract with Tanya R. Richardson to provide Community Center guests with personal training services until Dec. 31, 2026; total contract is not to exceed $140,000. Revenue from resident fees for personal training is split between the trainers and the city.

All of the above legislative items were approved on first reading.

Two items were presented on first reading only (no vote) including:

• Legislation for a non-school tax increment finance district (TIF) for the new Oak Tree Veterinary, 1794 Taylor Road, in order to generate additional future revenue to the city for infrastructure improvements that would benefit the property and larger Taylor Road corridor improvements.
• An expanded scope of work for the ARPA grant to Heights Arts Collaborative, Inc. This project would begin the re-branding of the Cedar-Lee de-facto arts district into a unified, vibrant destination and heighten awareness to solidify Cleveland Heights as Home to the Arts through partnerships with other districts and the greater community.
  
  

Council passed a consent agenda that recognized December as Universal Month for Human Rights, Dec. 10 as Human Rights Day, and Nov. 20 as Transgender Day of Remembrance.

Council member comments

Ms. Larson spoke about developments in the work of the Finance and Municipal Services and Environmental Sustainability Committees.

Mr. Petras announced that the Housing and Building Committee is looking at rules regarding commercial vehicle parking on residential property and landlord/tenant rights and responsibilities.

Ms. Russell stated her committee is working on a new dog park and an amendment to the funding of lifeguards for community use of the high school pool. She commented about how hard it was to listen and not respond to public comments, explaining that, as legislators, council members are not part of the administration and do not give orders. She sees a possible need to reactivate the Racial Justice Task Force. Her heart goes out to the family of Christian Thomas.

Mr. Cuda announced upcoming budget hearings and urged residents to watch them on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 10 a.m.

Committee of the whole (COW)

COW lasted overtime and included an executive session to consider the appointment of a public official. They met by Zoom with NEORSD representatives to discuss the design update the former Horseshoe Lake. Council viewed the presentation on video because they were unable to attend when it took place Oct. 21 with Shaker Heights Council in attendance. The video can be accessed from the Shaker Heights public events archive:

https://www.shakerheightsoh.gov/823/Public-Meetings-Events-Archive  

Brian Iorio, of the planning and development department, presented an update on ARPA progress. Staff is sorting out the last non-profit grants, other concrete projects, and Cain Park bathrooms, among other details. Council members praised the progress and requested a spreadsheet to better understand details. Mr. Petras inquired if there is any worry that all funds will not be encumbered by Dec. 31; Mr. Hanna assured him staff is trying to avoid that.

A non-school tax increment finance district (TIF) could be established for the new Oak Tree Veterinary building. Brian Anderson, assistant director of economic development, explained that the owners’ investment would significantly raise property tax evaluation. Money from the TIF (20 percent) would go to city infrastructure development in the immediate area around the hospital.

LWV observer: Blanche Valancy

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