LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS / University Heights City Council meeting highlights
MAY 5, 2025, regular meeting
- Mayor’s report
- City council reports
- Directors’ reports
- Agenda items
- Council committee reports
Present were council members Michele Weiss (vice mayor), Christopher Cooney, Brian J. King, Threse Marshall, John P. Rach, Sheri Sax, and Win Weizer. Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan was excused. 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 one hour and 45 minutes.
Mayor’s report
Mayor Brennan was in Montreal with a delegation of northeast Ohio mayors, so Deanna Bremer Fisher, assistant to the mayor, read his report.
The Sustainable Home Fair was a success. It and the Juneteenth celebration are among the legacy programs of this administration. In honor of Arbor Day, Canterbury School planted a Japanese lilac tree to acknowledge that the city will host the Tree City Award in 2028. On May 1, a ribbon cutting celebrated the city’s collaboration with Rust Belt Riders. Those wishing to participate in the free composting program may register on the city’s website. Postcards will be sent to residents regarding the program and 264 households have already registered. A resolution on today’s agenda recognizes Bike Month. On June 8, residents may join the mayors of University Heights, Cleveland Heights, and South Euclid for a Bike with the Mayor event. Since automated recycling began, the amount of recycled material collected has increased from 16.67 tons in Sept. 2024 to 43.07 tons in April 2025. Mayor Brennan and Ms. Bremer Fisher completed a course in government accounting at Cuyahoga Community College. Chuck Stiemle (sp?), a seventeen year member of the Service Department, was promoted to assistant director of that department. On April 30, 2025, Finance Director Dennis Kennedy retired but has been re-hired until a new director is in place. The mayor supports renewing the lease for Suite 105 at 2245 Warrensville Center Road, as it is the only ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant location where the city can hold a confidential meeting. Some city offices are there, and citizens advisory committees meet there.
City council reports
Vice Mayor Weiss announced that a Public Safety Committee meeting on May 8 will address whether fireworks should be allowed at John Carroll University (JCU).
Directors’ reports
Finance Director Kennedy reported that collections are running ahead of last year.
Vice Mayor Weiss questioned the Building Department director about the Bell Tower Development. No permits have yet been requested for the garage upgrades, but Urban Air has made a permit request. Exterior inspections of properties in University Heights began May 1 and will finish by the end of July.
City Engineer Mockbee reported that the new water main on Silsby has been installed, but the Cleveland Water Department must complete testing before the final connections occur.
Agenda items
Council approved the demolition of the house at 2530 Claver; the Architectural Review Board, Board of Zoning Appeals, and Planning Commission have approved the construction of a new home on the site.
Council approved an ordinance prohibiting the manufacture, distribution, storage, and sale of fireworks in University Heights. The Public Safety Committee will consider a separate ordinance to allow fireworks at JCU.
Council proclaimed May as Bike Month in University Heights. There will be a Ride to Silence on May 21 from JCU to University Hospitals to honor those killed or injured while riding bicycles.
Council approved a work order for the updated specifications and construction administration by Mannik & Smith for the Northcliff watermain project. Council approved the project last month and is awaiting Cleveland Water approval.
Council agreed to renew the lease for the space at 2245 Warrensville Center Road.
Council authorized a community reinvestment area with JCU relating to a portion of the Gateway North project. There will be a 50 percent tax abatement for the ground floor tenants and the retail parking lot. JCU is continuing to speak with the county regarding the configuration and the school board has been notified of the agreement.
After a robust discussion, council amended the traffic code related to parades, events, assemblages, processions, and races on public and city streets. The amendments had already been discussed and approved at a Committee of the Whole meeting and included requirements for entities to request permits 60 days before an event, but what was presented at this meeting changed the permitting requirement to 30 days for groups of 25 persons or less. Fire Chief Robert Perko and Police Chief Dustin Rogers spoke regarding the staffing and organization required regardless of the size of a group. Mr. Cooney noted the 30-day requirement was not agreed to in committee. Ms. Weizer said she did not favor a 60-day permit requirement for small groups. Vice Mayor Weiss acknowledged that agreement on the amendments was not unanimous at the committee level. As the needs of the police and fire department were clarified and recognition that the Director of Public Safety had some discretion, council kept the 60-day requirement for all groups in the ordinance.
Council approved purchase of a new rubbish truck on emergency.
Council approved changes to the traffic code regarding parking violations. Initial violations will now have a fine of $75, which increases to $150 if payment is not received after 60 days.
Council voted to accept the NOPEC community grant awarded for 2025.
Council rejected a yard abatement bid for 2025 from Liberatore Landscape, as it was almost three times as costly as last year’s yard abatement contract. Council directed Housing Director Markell Davis to open new bidding for yard abatement.
Council committee reports
The Recreation Committee reported that registration is now open for the 2025 season at Purvis Park
The Community Outreach Committee reported that Starfish is working on getting council meetings onto the city’s YouTube Channel.
The Economic Development Committee reported that the zoning code committee is continuing to work with the code consultant.
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