LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS / University Heights City Council meeting highlights
NOVEMBER 18, 2024, regular meeting
- Public comment
- Mayor’s report
- Council member response
- Directors’ reports
- Censure resolution
- Other council action
- Council committee reports
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 a little more than two and one half hours.
Public comment
Fifteen people addressed Mayor Brennan’s Facebook post regarding two precincts in University Heights that had majority Republican vote tallies in the November General election. Citing recent anti-Semitic violence, some commenters said they felt unsafe, because the mayor’s post addressed precincts with large numbers of religiously observant homes. Other commenters claimed his post was divisive and inappropriate political speech on a Facebook page dedicated to his position as mayor. The mayor was criticized for singling out Vice-Mayor Weiss and Councilmember Saks in his post. Others said he embarrassed the city and was turning city government into a battlefield. Two speakers called for his resignation. Several spoke in favor of the censure motion on the meeting’s agenda. One individual, a member of the civil service commission, spoke against the censure motion and said he found the mayor’s post informational.
One speaker thanked the mayor for appointing him to the citizens advisory committee on sustainability and announced a Nov. 20 public forum.
A resident noted the planning commission’s approval of the new Aldi store, adding that he would like to see solar panels on the building. He also advocated for more bike racks.
A student athlete asked council to create a community basketball court. He has to walk to places in Cleveland Heights to play.
Mayor’s report
Prior to the public comments, the mayor presented a proclamation congratulating Gesu’s eighth grade varsity football team for being the 2024 Diocesan Champions and winning back-to-back CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) championships; he declared Nov. 18 as Gesu Football Championship Day in University Heights.
The mayor presented the University Heights Civic Awards for, among other things, beautiful homes, educator of the year, public servant of the year, good neighbor, employee of the year, and city employee of the year. He presented the first Better Tomorrow Awards to John Carroll University and Bell Tower Center and recognized the Sustainability Committee as citizens of the year. He acknowledged the creators of Superman as individuals who had resided in University Heights.
Following his prepared remarks, the mayor said he had not received notice of the proposed censure motion until the last minute. He said as an elected official and private citizen he does not check his opinions at the door of city hall. He supports the rule of law and equal justice under law. He took down the comment on his campaign page but said political disagreement does not violate his oath of office. The accomplishments of his administration stand for themselves. He protects and serves all citizen and said that accusations in the proposed censure resolution contained false statements. He said he has an obligation to speak out in support of democracy and that council has a right to use their free speech to criticize him for exercising his.
Council member response
Council member Saks responded to the public comments. She stated it is an honor to be on council; she takes her oath of office seriously and will continue to work with all elected officials.
Directors’ reports
Finance Director Kennedy reported the receipt of funds, which had not been expected until next year, from the State of Ohio for manholes.
Service Director Alan Pennington reported a fourth pass through the city for leaf collection to be continued through Dec. as weather permits.
City Engineer Mockbee reported continuing street and sewer repairs and ongoing curb replacement.
Economic Development Director Susan Drucker announced a Nov. 21 open house for the town home project at South Taylor Place. She confirmed that only one home has been sold.
Censure resolution
Vice Mayor Weiss introduced a resolution to censure the mayor for his inappropriate and divisive Facebook posts directed at residents of the City of University Heights. The resolution further stated that the mayor failed to uphold his oath and serve all citizens. Council unanimously supported the resolution.
Weizer said the mayor was putting party ahead of the city, creating divisions among the residents, and making political comments intended to intimidate possible opponents. King stated he did not take the resolution lightly but said the mayor’s comments were a distraction to positive changes in the city.
Saks said that regardless of his intent, dozens of citizens, including herself, don’t feel safe and that the mayor is out of touch.
Rach said the headlines about the city are negative and embarrassing.
The mayor maintained that he had not violated his oath.
Other council action
Council approved a contract with Starfish IT to broadcast council meetings. King took over the negotiations from Director of Communications Mike Cook to reach an agreement. Ms. Saks voted nay; she did not explain her vote, but during the discussion she expressed a preference to have seen the Starfish system in operation somewhere.
An ordinance to amend the salaries for the offices of mayor and director of public safety was presented on first reading with no vote. Weizer noted that past mayors Beryl Rothschild and Susan Infeld held both positions. Weiss said the finance committee reviewed the ordinance, and that the mayor was asked to review it but didn’t respond. This ordinance would only apply to future mayors. Cooney asked how other cities of comparable size handled this issue and if it was common for one person to hold both positions with compensation for each. No council member responded. Weizer suggested that separating the positions would create more flexibility for full or part-time and might encourage others to run for office. Mayor Brennan said he knew of no other city where the salaries of both offices were paid to the mayor who had taken on both positions. He criticized council for not doing research on how to compensate the positions. He urged referring the issue back to committee and claimed this change in compensation had been discussed surreptitiously.
Council authorized additional funds for paving the pickleball and tennis courts. Engineer Mockbee said an additional one percent grade, which required more asphalt, was needed to avoid puddling.
Council approved Aldi’s plan to build a store on the site of the current Waterstone Medical Building with variances for the site plan and demolition of the current structure. The Aldi team has been working with the city for the proposed construction of a 20,000 foot store and improvement of the 2.15 acre site. They listened to feedback from the planning commission and made changes based on city code and values, including an agreement to conceal their loading dock.
Council approved additional bike racks and bike fix-it stations and waived the need for competitive bidding. King recused himself from the discussion and vote because he sits on the Bike Cleveland board, which bid on the fix-it stations.
Council went into executive session to discuss legal proceedings.
Council committee reports
Building and Housing and Service and Utilities will hold a joint meeting on Nov. 20 to discuss trees, sidewalks, shrubs, and efficiencies for maintenance.
The Development Committee is continuing to work on the zoning code.
The Finance Committee expects to have meetings Dec. 3 and11 to discuss the proposed budget.
The Recreation Committee met Nov. 7 to discuss the budget for the pool including the ice machine and safety equipment.
The Committee of the Whole will meet Nov. 20 to discuss strategy for the next three years.
LWV observer: Marilyn 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