LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS / Cleveland Heights City Council meeting highlights
OCTOBER 21, 2024, regular meeting
- Public comment
- Mayor’s report
- City administrator’s report
- Doan Brook restoration
- Council actions
- Council member comments
- Committee of the Whole
Present were Mayor Kahlil Seren and Council Members Tony Cuda (council president), Davida Russell (vice president), Craig Cobb, Gail Larson, Anthony Mattox, Jr., and Jim Petras. Jim Posch was excused. Also present were Clerk of Council Addie Balester and City Administrator Danny Williams. The meeting ran for 2.5 hours.
Public comment
Four residents expressed support for the resolution proclaiming Cleveland Heights a safe haven for gender-affirming health care.
Fourteen residents, advocates, and family members of Christian Thomas expressed grief and outrage about his fatal shooting by Cleveland Heights police on Aug. 30 and described what they experienced that night. Accompanied by a large and vocal group of supporters, they demanded release of all body camera footage and police reports. They asked council to enact policies to prevent future similar tragedies and to conduct its own investigation into the shooting. Mayor Seren’s attempts to answer numerous questions addressed to him were impeded by attendees shouting comments.
Mayor’s report
Mayor Seren announced receipt of bids for project 2408 sanitary sewer pipe repair phase 1 and the selection of Febrizi Trucking and Paving’s bid of $2,044,599.21. He also announced near completion of the study of wages and salaries of non-bargaining unit employees.
City administrator’s report
Mr. Williams explained that upgrades, replacements, and additions to the city’s camera system are underway, with 75 of 200 installations complete. A proposal for the Coventry garage elevator and renovation has been received. Repairs on the Surrey-Lennox garage have started and should be completed by the end of the year. Quotes have been received for Cedar-Lee garage elevator repair and regular maintenance. Work should be completed by the end of the year.
Doan Brook restoration
A Zoom meeting with Shaker Heights City Council to view an update on the NEORSD (Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District) Doan Brook restoration project design was suspended 13 minutes into the presentation to hear additional public comments regarding Christian Thomas.
Council actions
On first reading as an emergency measure, Council extended the scope of an agreement with Wade Trim, Inc. for design and engineering services for sanitary sewer overflows CH-13 (Hampshire at Euclid Heights) and CH-61 (Hampshire) and illicit Hampshire Road connections to include areas between Kenilworth and Mayfield Roads. Compensation is not to exceed $136,933.
On first reading and on emergency, council, amended a previously authorized expenditure of $18 million in ARPA funds for sewer infrastructure improvements to use some of those funds for water infrastructure improvements.
On first reading and on emergency, council accepted the amounts and tax rates as determined by the Cuyahoga County Budget Commission, authorized the necessary tax levies, and certified them to the county fiscal officer.
On first reading and on emergency, council requested the county fiscal officer to advance 2024 tax proceeds.
On second reading, council enacted Section 331.46 of the city code, entitled “Driving while texting” with substantially the same provisions as state law effective April 4, 2023.
On second reading, council increased the clerk of council annual compensation by 3 percent to $67,100, effective January 1, 2025.
Presented on first reading only (no vote) were:
- Two resolutions for purchases for the public works refuse and recycling division, including two 2024 Ford F-350 one-ton regular cab trucks at a cost of $98,496 from Classic Ford of Madison and two 7.5 yard 50/50 split body easy dump – direct truck mounts from MACQUEEN Equipment, LLC at a cost of $81,500.
- A resolution proclaiming Cleveland Heights a safe haven for gender-affirming health care.
With a consent agenda and as emergency measures, council recognized October 24 as International Climate Action Day; October 2024 as National Community Planning Month; and November 30 as Small Business Saturday.
Council member comments
All council members thanked those who offered public comments, expressed their condolences to the family and friends of Christian Thomas, and indicated that much of the information shared tonight was new to them.
Mr. Cobb announced that the Administrative Services Committee will meet Oct. 28 to consider appointments. Beginning at 6 p.m., the chairs of boards and commissions will discuss their concerns, needs, and issues.
Ms. Larson reported that the Municipal Services and Environmental Sustainability Committee had heard from the Heights Bicycle Coalition about initiatives designed to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety. The committee will explore ways to improve recycling by businesses.
Ms. Russell announced that a public hearing on the proposed dog park will be held Nov. 6 at 6 p.m.
Committee of the whole
The ARPA update provided a timeline for issuance of requests for quotes and requests for proposals. There was discussion of reallocating funds previously intended for shipping containers, tiny homes, street lighting, and a housing study
The ARPA update provided a timeline for issuance of requests for quotes and requests for proposals. The committee discussed reallocation of funds previously intended for shipping containers, tiny homes, street lighting, and a housing study.
Mayor Seren updated the initial Request for Expression of Interest (RFEI) in rehabbing or replacing 18 city-owned residential properties.
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