LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS / Cleveland Heights City Council meeting highlights
DECEMBER 16, 2024, regular meeting
- Public comment
- Mayor’s report
- Council actions
- Council member comments
- Accounting firm
- 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., Jim Petras, and Jim Posch. Also present were Clerk of Council Addie Balester and Law Director William Hanna. The meeting ran a little over two hours.
Public comment
A business owner/resident talked about the ongoing problem of vacant houses, the large numbers of city staff resignations, the 2025 budget process, and his disappointment in how the city is being run.
A 33-year resident expressed concern about the numbers of resignations and questioned the mayor about preventing council from communicating with the mayor and directors. The mayor responded that each resignation was for a specific reason, not an organizational problem.
Elizabeth Zak, supervising attorney of the Housing Practice Group of the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, spoke about her agency’s work in Cleveland Heights, encouraged more publicity of these services, and noted that Cleveland Heights residents have more housing rights than do those of many other cities.
A resident thanked council members for the time and commitment they bring to a difficult job. She cited her accounting background to say that the data currently available does not give enough data to close 2024 and pass a 2025 budget. She urged more time be committed to the task.
Another resident agreed that a temporary budget would give council more time to get answers to their questions regarding where money is going,
A resident bemoaned that council is being given incomplete information.
A resident attended the Committee of the Whole and expressed distaste. She criticized the mayor and asked how council can rely on him. She specifically addressed Council Member Mattox, who turned his back on her as she spoke.
A resident presented a mailer she received from the Akron/Cleveland Association of Realtors which advocated elimination of point-of-sale inspections. She countered that the city should strengthen all inspections, especially now that inspection is back in-house.
A frequent commenter pointed out, in reference to staff vacancies, that people seldom say why they really leave a job. She implored the mayor and council to work together for the city.
State Representative Juanita Brent (D-22) gave an update on current legislation in the Ohio General Assembly, specifically the need to pass House Bill (HB) 274 which authorizes enhanced homestead exemptions for certain property owners and to stop HB 315 because of its definition of antisemitism.
Mayor’s report
Mayor Seren reported on contract bids accepted for sanitary sewer pipe repair, East Fairfax water main repair, Coventry Garage rehabilitation, and the Cain Park stramp and seating. He requested and received permission to advertise for bids for the Cain Park building rehabilitation project. He invited council members to attend a work session on Wednesday.
He addressed the public with his opinion that developing the 2025 budget was an anomaly this year and expressed his willingness to work with council to achieve a full year budget for the security of the city and its employees.
Council actions
Council made several appointments, on first reading, including Chris Brace to the Transportation and Mobility Committee (for a vacated unexpired term), Austin Cummings and Stacy Hackel to of the Fair Practices Board, Leora Porter to the Fair Practices Board, and Markietta Stevenson to the Fair Practices Board as an alternate member.
Council authorized, on first reading, several purchases through the Ohio Department of Administrative Services Cooperative Purchasing Program including: 1) 40 desktop computers, 15 laptop computers with docking stations, and 12 computer monitors for $58,524.63 from Dell Technologies; 2) a 2024 Ford Transit Cargo Van for the Senior Center; and 3) one 2025 Ford Escape Hybrid and one 2024 Transit Cargo Van (along with the trade-in of a 2023 Ford Explorer) from Classic Ford of Madison for parks and recreation.
Council authorized, on first reading, several agreements for construction services with: 1) Brown and Caldwell for Sanitary Sewer Repair Projects – Phases I and II; 2) Wade Trim, Inc., for CH-30 SSO (sanitary sewer overflow) control*; 3) GPD Group (two agreements) for the East Fairfax water main replacement and the Cain Park stramp.
Council suspended enforcement of overnight parking prohibition on specified streets to provide for on-street overnight permit parking on portions of Kensington, Hillcrest, Belmar, Glenmont, and Eddington Roads for 2025. This legislation is passed annually.
Council amended, on first reading, the city building code to revise and add fees for procedures and services pertaining to the administration and enforcement of the Building & Permitting Division. The planning and building departments worked together to craft these revisions.
Council authorized, on first reading, renewal of the city’s property, vehicle, law enforcement, general, employment practices, and public official liability coverage for the city and its employees with the Public Entities Pool of Ohio for 2025.
Council authorized, on first reading, a design-build contract with The AKA Team, Inc. for Cain Park restrooms renovation.
The temporary three-month city budget appropriations for current expenditures from Jan. 1 through Mar. 31, 2025 was presented on first reading only (no vote). An appendix must be developed before a vote on Dec. 19.
On second reading, council authorized a contract with OHM Advisors to prepare a Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan.
On second reading, council authorized an agreement with SCG Fields, LLC (“SCG”), through The Interlocal Purchasing System (“TIPS”), for the design, provision, installation, and related construction services for a new synthetic turf soccer field at Denison Park.
On second reading, council authorized an agreement with Farnham Equipment Company, through the Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Program for new seating at Cain Park’s Alma Theater and Evans Amphitheater.
Legislation for the “Tenants’ Rights and Responsibilities” code was presented on second reading only (no vote), as small changes in the legislation need to be made.
On third reading, council authorized an agreement with American Builders and Applicators, LLC, a certified lead abatement contractor, for the use of Lead Safe Ohio (LSO) grant funds in connection with the abatement of lead-based paint hazards at 1580 Oakwood Drive.
On third reading, council did not approve the full twelve-month budget appropriations for city expenditures for Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2025. Only Mr. Mattox voted yes. Council members and the mayor made the following comments. Mr. Mattox agreed with the mayor that council can collaborate, get the necessary information, and pass a budget without a pause. Mr. Posch said council does not have enough information to pass a full budget but needs a temporary budget to get work done. Mr. Petras is concerned about a possible deficit greater than a million dollars and by staff turnover in the finance department. Ms. Russell said this year’s budget process has met no established timelines and concluded that council should hire an outside professional to review the numbers. President Cuda said he cannot support this budget due to late and incomplete information, lack of a capital budget, needed lines for promised salary increases, finance department staff departures, and the resignation of the city administrator, who has specific budget responsibilities. He said a temporary budget would allow time to develop a full budget and get the city through the first quarter without interrupting services. Mayor Seren linked the full budget to stability in 2025 and beyond. He said a temporary budget is a practice to be avoided. He feels the administration has answered many of council’s 80-plus questions.
Council passed a consent agenda supporting the Ohio Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial, proclaiming Jan. 11, 2025 as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, and declaring January 2025 as National Poverty Awareness Month.
Council member comments
Mr. Mattox said he turned his chair when a resident was speaking during public comment as a protest; he said he is forced to deal with separate rules that other members are not and will not take disrespect.
Mr. Posch said that during public comment residents can say what they want to say.
Ms. Russell struck a “happy note,” thanking staff for the seasonal cheer of lights at the city hall and Community Center.
Mayor Seren credited the parks and recreation and communication departments for the lights. He appreciated Mr. Petras for taking vacation time from his day job to work on city business.
Mr. Cuda stated the majority of council spoke loud and clear on the budget but that does not mean council does not appreciate the hard work of the mayor and administration. He urged all to “lower the temperature” and move forward.
Accounting firm
Mr. Posch contacted two accounting organizations to get advice about the temporary budget and the 2023 state audit. Council approved his motion to direct the law department to hire a firm for 60 days for consulting services. Mr. Mattox voted no.
Committee of the Whole (CoW)
During the first hour of the CoW all council members and the mayor expressed their opinions about a full year versus a three-month budget. Mr. Mattox pointed out that the majority did not speak for him.
Council went through the customary legislative review, a plan to discuss 2025 goals at the Jan. 6 meeting, and the need to schedule a discussion of Charter Review Commission findings at a Saturday meeting in January.
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
*sanitary sewer overflow map is available at: https://www.clevelandheights.gov/557/Sanitary-Sewer-Overflow-Map-Page