University Heights

Bigger, better and more eclectic than ever, the University Heights Summer Concert Series returns to Walter Stinson Community Park on Thursday, June 15, at 7 p.m., and runs weekly through Aug. 17.

June 15 - Rubix Groove. Last seen at The Walt last summer, Rubix Groove returns to play songs from a new EP, “Live from Akron Recording Company.” An eight-member band led by lead singer Shannon Hogarth, Rubix Groove plays funk and blues.                            

June 22 - The Ladies Night. The original all-male tribute to pop divas, The Ladies Night will make its University Heights debut this summer. These five dudes aren’t afraid to wear their love for Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, or Lady Gaga on their pink glittery sleeves.

Last summer, University Heights City Council passed an ordinance to create a Charter Review Commission (CRC) for only the third time since the city’s founding in 1941. Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan chose four CRC members, and each council member chose one, bringing the total to 11 commissioners. The CRC, which met twice a month for 10 months, proposes the following 10 charter amendments:

Gender Neutrality: The CRC recommends a charter amendment that would replace gendered terms and language throughout the city’s charter with gender-neutral and gender-inclusive terms and language. This proposed amendment would correct the charter's long-standing sexist, androcentric language and replace it with language that communicates and promotes a more inclusive city and government. 

Eliminating Term Limits: CRC recommends an amendment to eliminate term limits for elected officers of University Heights. Currently, the charter limits elected officials to serve no more than three consecutive four-year terms, or 14 consecutive years whether elected or appointed. This [term-limit] provision was approved by voters in 1995, when the national movement in favor of term limits reached its peak. However, since the 1990s, term limits have proven to be detrimental—rather than beneficial—to good government.

MAY 1, 2023 regular meeting

• Public comments
• YouTube streaming
• Committee reports
• Council actions

Present were Vice-Mayor Michelle Weiss and Council Members Barbara Blankfeld, Brian King, and Sheri Sax. Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan and Council Members Christopher Cooney and John P. Rach were not present. Also present were Kelly Thomas, clerk of council; Luke McConville, law director; Dennis Kennedy, finance director; and Joseph Ciuni, city engineer. The public meeting ran 87 minutes.

APRIL 17, 2023 regular meeting

• Mayor’s report
• City council reports
• NOPEC
• Actions
• Staff reports
• Committee reports

Present were Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan, Vice Mayor Michelle Weiss, and Council Members Barbara Blankfeld, Christopher Cooney, Justin Gould, Brian J. King, and John P. Rach. Sheri Sax was not present. Also present were Kelly Thomas, clerk of council; Luke McConville, law director; Dennis Kennedy, finance director; and Joseph Ciuni, city engineer. The public meeting ran about two and one half hours.

University Heights Council Member Justin Gould resigned from council at its April 17 meeting.

Elected to a four-year term which commenced Jan. 1, 2020, Gould chaired council's Safety Committee and served on its Finance, Service and Utilities, and Economic Development committees (serving on the latter as an alternate).

An April 18 press release, posted at www.universityheights.com, invites University Heights residents interested in filling the council vacancy to submit a letter of interest and résumé by Friday, April 28, 4:30 p.m.

The University Heights Memorial Day parade has traditionally been the biggest and best parade of its kind in Northeast Ohio. But that doesn’t mean planners will coast on its reputation. This year’s parade will have additions—big additions.

“I’ve always loved the artistry and creativity of Parade the Circle, and ever since I took office, I wanted to bring that vibe to our parade,” said University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan. “The giant puppets, the costumes, the whimsical spirit.”

Instead of trying to figure out how Parade the Circle created that spirit, Brennan went straight to the source—its founder, Robin VanLear.

For the first time, VanLear is working with the University Heights Parade Committee. She will be responsible for coordinating with community groups, and—yes—bringing giant puppets to the city's parade.

In the television acting system, an appearance on "Law & Order: SVU" is considered a prime gig for up-and-coming thespians. In University Heights, we are especially proud of hometown actor Gabriel Sidney Brown for his performance on a recent episode. This is his story . . .

“I hope I get it.” Brown was no stranger to the show’s casting director. “I auditioned for 'Law & Order: SVU' several times and also numerous other shows within the Dick Wolf Productions’ world previously,” Brown said.

“'Law & Order: SVU,' 'FBI: Most Wanted' and even 'Chicago Med, P.D., and Fire' all exist in the same universe and can have crossover in plot line,” explained Brown.

APRIL 3, 2023, regular meeting

• Public comments
• Mayor’s report
• Council actions
• Contracting procedures
• Loose recycling services
• Home rule for gun safety
• Staff reports
• Committee reports

Present were Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan, Vice Mayor Michelle Weiss, and Council Members Barbara Blankfeld, Christopher Cooney, Brian J. King, John P. Rach, and Sheri Sax. Also present were Kelly Thomas, clerk of council; Luke McConville, law director; and Dennis Kennedy, finance director. Council Member Justin Gould was not present. The meeting lasted for about two and one quarter hours, with 17 minutes of that in executive session to discuss labor negotiations.

MARCH 20, 2023 regular meeting

• Mayor’s report
• Council actions
• Staff reports
• Committee reports

Present were Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan, Vice Mayor Michelle Weiss, and Council Members Barbara Blankfeld, Christopher Cooney, Brian J. King, John P. Rach, and Sheri Sax. Justin Gould was not present. Also present were Kelly Thomas, clerk of council; Luke McConville, law director; and Dennis Kennedy, finance director. The public meeting ran one hour and 12 minutes. Council also convened in executive session to discuss litigation.

Invoking the lyrics of soul singer James Brown, University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan is urging University Heights residents to “get up, get into it, get involved.”

The city has revamped its volunteer page, www.universityheights.com/volunteer. “If you are interested in serving your community,” Brennan said, “this is a great place to start.”

University Heights City Council recently renewed its contract with Senior Transportation Connection (STC), enabling the service to continue to be available to adult city residents who are 60 or older, or disabled.

All clients or personal care attendants must be registered to use the service. Call 216-265-1489 to request an STC registration be sent, or download it from the STC website, ridestc.org.

MARCH 8, 2023, regular meeting

• SB 1 resolution removal from agenda
• Public comment
• Mayor’s report
• City council reports
• Council actions
• Staff reports
• Committee reports

Present were Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan, Vice Mayor Michelle Weiss, and Council Members Justin Gould, Brian J. King, John P. Rach, and Sheri Sax. Barbara Blankfeld and Christopher Cooney were not present. Also present were Kelly Thomas, clerk of council; Luke McConville, law director; and Joseph Ciuni, city engineer. The meeting ran a little over one hour.

FEBRUARY 21, 2023, regular meeting

• Agenda changes
• Mayor’s report
• Recycling ordinance
• Other council action
• City council reports
• Staff reports
• Committee reports

Present were Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan, Vice Mayor Michelle Weiss, and Council Members Christopher Cooney, Justin Gould, Brian J. King, John P. Rach, and Sheri Sax. Ms. Blankfeld was excused early. Also present were Kelly Thomas, clerk of council; Luke McConville, law director; Dennis Kennedy, finance director; and Joseph Ciuni, city engineer. The meeting ran a little less under one and one half hours.

After implementing a new brand and logo back in 2018, University Heights will finally see the corresponding signs installed across the city this year.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan said. “But the prototypes look amazing, and I’m confident residents will feel the signs were worth the wait.”

Partial prototypes of the signs were delivered to UH City Hall last month. The signs for the city's major gateways will feature the four-color University Heights logo, built with transparent colored acrylic. The stained glass and mosaic effect will make the signs unique compared to any other municipal signs in Northeast Ohio.

At his fifth State of the City address, University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan reported the state of University Heights is strong. “And to remain strong," he said, "we must keep moving forward. To do that, it depends on all of us.”

In five years, said Brennan, residents, city employees, business owners and educators have teamed up to accomplish much. “But we’ve only just begun,” he said. “We will not let University Heights fall behind.”

In his one-hour address, the second-term mayor gave updates on future projects, while proposing new initiatives.

FEBRUARY 6, 2023, regular meeting

• Mayor’s report
• Facilities
• Lobbying firm
• Recycling
• Contracting procedures
• Other council actions
• Staff reports

Present were Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan, Vice Mayor Michelle Weiss, and Council Members Barbara Blankfeld, Christopher Cooney, Justin Gould, Brian J. King, John P. Rach, and Sheri Sax. Also present were Kelly Thomas, clerk of council; Luke McConville, law director; Dennis Kennedy, finance director; and Joseph Ciuni, city engineer. The meeting ran three hours.

JANUARY 17, 2023, regular meeting

• Public comments
• Mayor’s report
• Council actions
• Staff reports
• Committee reports

Present were Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan, Vice Mayor Michelle Weiss, and Council Members Barbara Blankfeld, Justin Gould, Brian J. King, and Sheri Sax. Not present were Christopher Cooney and John P. Rach. Also present were Clerk of Council Kelly Thomas, Asst. Law Director Michael Cicero, and City Engineer Joseph Ciuni. The meeting ran for one and three quarter hours.

University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan will deliver his annual State of the City address on Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 6 p.m., at the Dolan Science Center auditorium on the campus of John Carroll University (JCU).

In his fifth State of the City, Brennan will update the community on multiple projects, including new municipal facilities, updating the city’s zoning code, and the fieldhouse and South Gateway projects at JCU.

Brennan will discuss the city’s commitment to sustainability, and a partnership with Power a Clean Future Ohio. 

At the last University Heights City Council meeting of 2022, Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan announced the city will suspend use of its Twitter account, citing concern with the social media platform’s recent alarming changes.

“University Heights is a diverse and welcoming city,” Brennan reported to council. “And while we need not share all the same values and opinions to live together harmoniously, we do need to share the common value of mutual respect.

“Hate has no home in University Heights.”

JANUARY 3, 2023, regular meeting

• Staff reports
• Mayor’s report
• Council actions
• Moving back to City Hall
• Committee reports

Present were Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan, Vice Mayor Michelle Weiss, and Council Members Barbara Blankfeld, Christopher Cooney, Justin Gould, Brian J. King, John P. Rach, and Sheri Sax. Also present were Kelly Thomas, clerk of council; Luke McConville, law director; and Dennis Kennedy, finance director. The meeting ran for one hour and twenty minutes.

DECEMBER 19, 2022 - regular meeting

• Mayor’s report
• Finance committee
• Cleveland Kosher Food Pantry 
• University Square MOU
• CIC funding
• 2023 Budget
• Aleksander Shul lawsuits 
• Other council action
• Relocation of council meeting to its chambers
• Charter review commission

Present were Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan, Vice Mayor Michelle Weiss, and Council Members Barbara Blankfeld, Christopher Cooney, Justin Gould, Brian J. King, John P. Rach, and Sheri Sax. Also present were Kelly Thomas, clerk of council; Luke McConville, law director; and Dennis Kennedy, finance director. The meeting ran four hours and 15 minutes.

On Dec. 1, at a meeting of the University Heights Planning Commission, John Carroll University (JCU) outlined preliminary plans to redevelop its South Gateway at Fairmount Circle.
 
Once complete, the project will comprise new retail and commercial development that will include current businesses as well as new ones, plus student housing, and additional parking.
 
Phase 1 is a new parking garage. It will provide parking for this new, mixed-use development, and replace parking that will be lost with the construction of a new fieldhouse, planned for South Belvoir Boulevard.

Earlier this year, University Heights City Council unanimously voted to contribute $10,000 of federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. On Dec. 5, Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan and council members presented a check to Kimberly LoVano, the food bank’s director of advocacy and public education. A similar donation will be made to the Kosher Food Pantry.

DECEMBER 5, 2022, regular meeting

• Staff reports
• Mayor’s report
• Council member reports
• Food bank presentation
• Council actions
• Mayor and council comments

Present were Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan, Vice Mayor Michelle Weiss, and Council Members Barbara Blankfeld, Christopher Cooney, Justin Gould, Brian J. King, John P. Rach, and Sheri Sax. Also present were Kelly Thomas, clerk of council; Mike Cicero, asst. law director; and Dennis Kennedy, finance director. The meeting ran for a little over two hours.

NOVEMBER 7, 2022, regular meeting

• Mayor’s report
• City council reports
• JCU wellness facility plan
• Other council action 
• Staff reports
• Committee reports

Present were Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan, Vice Mayor Michelle Weiss, and Council Members Christopher Cooney, Justin Gould, Brian J. King, John P. Rach, and Sheri Sax. Barbara Blankfeld was not present. Also present were Kelly Thomas, clerk of council; Luke McConville, law director; Dennis Kennedy, finance director; and Joseph Ciuni, city engineer. The meeting ran for about two hours and twenty minutes.

Walter J. Stinson, 94, who served the city of University Heights for more than four decades as its community coordinator and senior services manager, died on Oct. 7. He is survived by Sara, his wife of 47 years, son Paul, and two grandchildren.

“Walter Stinson was a good man, and a great man. He loved this community, and he served this community like no other," said Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan. “He is an inspiration, and an example for us all.”

Stinson, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., moved to University Heights in 1973. Three years later, Mayor Irving Konigsberg hired him to become the city’s first community coordinator, where he promoted fair housing opportunities, welcomed new homeowners, encouraged neighborhood activities and planned senior citizen programs.

In an Oct. 14 ceremony, the city of University Heights and Knez Homes broke ground on the South Taylor Place townhomes.

When the project is completed, 30 new "luxury" townhomes will have been built, in clusters of three or four homes. Each will have a two-car garage, and some will feature rooftop decks with views of the Cleveland skyline.

“This progress has been a long time coming,” said University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan.

Were you wondering why Carlos Jones and the PLUS Band weren’t on the University Heights Summer Concert Series schedule this year? The legendary reggae band will be performing at Fall Fest, instead.

University Heights Fall Fest returns to Walter Stinson Community Park for a third year on Sunday, Oct. 2, from noon to 5 p.m.

Having grown up around fall festivals, Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan said it has always been his goal to bring such an event to University Heights. “Our first Fall Fest was in 2019, and that was a great success for an inaugural event," said the mayor. "2021 was big, and we anticipate this year’s edition will be bigger and better than ever.

“Fall Fest is just another way for us to come together as a community.”

The official “University Heights Residential Rubbish and Recycling Collection Survey” hit mailboxes last month. All households are encouraged to participate and let their voices be heard.

The deadline to complete the survey is Sept. 9. The survey is also available online via a link at www.universityheights.com.

The Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District, in partnership with Resource Recycling Systems, is surveying residents regarding collection services to assist the city of University Heights in future decisions pertaining to collection methods, costs, efficiency and safety.

Deanna Bremer Fisher, the former publisher of the Heights Observer, has joined the team at University Heights City Hall, and she’s bringing more than 20 years of public service experience with her.

Bremer Fisher began work in mid-August as the new Executive Assistant to the Mayor for Special Projects.

“I aimed high when I recruited Deanna for this position,” said University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan. “She has a ton of experience. Deanna works hard and gets things done, and I am thrilled she is on board.”

Recognizing there’s always room for improvement, a new University Heights Charter Commission will spend the rest of 2022 and the first three months of 2023 studying, reviewing, and eventually proposing changes to, the city charter. 

University Heights voters will be given the opportunity to vote on any proposed changes in the 2023 General Election.

A science-fiction concert and movie doubleheader, a renowned world music band, and a mashup of Klezmer and Motown will wrap up the 2022 University Heights Summer Concert Series this August.

Aug. 4 – Oregon Space Trail of Doom / "It Came from Outer Space": With a sound that can only be properly described as absolute psychedelic madness, Oregon Space Trail of Doom’s rock and jazz jams recall some of the most experimental of the genre.

After the band's 7 p.m. show at Walter Stinson Community Park, concertgoers are in invited to stick around for a showing of the science-fiction classic movie, "It Came from Outer Space."

The inaugural University Heights Juneteenth Celebration will take place on Sunday, June 19, 1:30–8:30 p.m., at Walter Stinson Community Park.

Juneteenth is the holiday commemorating the end of slavery by marking the day enslaved people in Texas learned they were free.

Last year, after Juneteenth became a national holiday, Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan called for the establishment of a Citizens Committee to plan for an annual celebration. Geoff Englebrecht swerved out of his lane as the city’s director of Housing and Community Development to help organize the city’s celebration.

“For both visitors and residents, I am hoping they are both educated and entertained during the event,” Englebrecht said. “I believe the Juneteenth celebration will help showcase the city as a great place to visit, and will give residents something they will be able to enjoy and look forward to every year.”

The parade was wiped out in 2020 due to the pandemic. When the pandemic lingered into spring 2021, the parade was postponed until Independence Day.

With the return to normal, the annual University Heights parade will return to its proper place on the calendar, Memorial Day, and take place this year on Monday, May 30.

Beginning at 11 a.m., the parade will travel east on Silsby Road, then head south on South Belvoir Boulevard, before ending at John Carroll University.

This year’s parade will feature crowd favorites, including stilt walkers from Pickup Stix, the rocket car and Batmobile from Euclid Beach Rocket Car, musical entertainment from the Heights High Marching Band, and more.

In his fourth State of the City address, delivered Feb. 9, University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan played some greatest hits, before introducing songs from the new album. Or, rather, the newly re-elected mayor of University Heights offered new policy initiatives and events.

Brennan recapped some accomplishments of his first four years, including the creation of an Economic Development Department, the successes of the rebuilt Finance Department, and the new homes being constructed. Brennan said he’s especially proud of how the city “persevered through the pandemic,” while refocusing on racial and social justice.

“It is not a complete catalog,” Brennan said. “It speaks of greatest hits, and doesn’t even explore the deep tracks.”

University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan introduced his proposed 2022 budget—the “Putting People First” budget—on Jan. 10. It next moves to UH City Council, for consideration.

“My budget priorities are what University Heights residents have been asking for over the last few years,” said Brennan.

“Residents want us to do something about flooding. They deserve to have roads fixed. And they insist on a modern and sustainable approach to improved recycling. It’s also time to make new city facilities a reality.

“I’ve heard the residents, and their priorities are my priorities—indeed they are the City’s priorities”

The COVID-19 pandemic wiped out most city-sponsored activities in University Heights in 2020. Lingering public-health orders also canceled the city’s annual Memorial Day parade this year. But the city plans to make up for lost time and lost events by hosting its first-ever University Heights Fourth of July Parade.

The July 4 parade will begin at 11 a.m. Recently retired police lieutenant Dale Orians will serve as Grand Marshal.

The event will feature many returning participants from past parades in University Heights, including Judge Frankie Goldberg, the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Color Guard, Church of the Gesu members, Steve Ostrow’s Dixieland Band, City Dogs, CH-UH Board of Education members, the University Heights Library, Pickup-stix Stilt Walkers, members of UH City Council, and Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan.

Summer is back, and so is the University Heights Summer Concert Series. “We’re going to avenge the lost summer of 2020 with our greatest and most eclectic lineup in city history,” said University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan.

The 2021 season starts July 1 at John Carroll University, then moves to Walter Stinson Community Park for all remaining shows. All shows begin at 7 p.m.

July 1: University Heights Symphonic Band and “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” The holiday weekend starts on Thursday night with the University Heights Symphonic Band playing under the stars at the quad at John Carroll University. Fresh off its 50th anniversary, the band will perform patriotic favorites, plus movie soundtrack selections.

On Memorial Day, University Heights residents gathered at Walter Stinson Community Park to commemorate and remember those who have fallen in service to their country.

“Today we remember the men and women that made this nation possible,” said University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan in his opening remarks. “We remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, and sanctified with their blood the cause of freedom.”

In the featured address, Commander Rick DeChant reminded the audience of the cost of freedom. “We who survive these heroes must always remember the price they paid,” he said, “and that freedom, indeed, is not free.”

Homebound residents have struggled to get out for their COVID-19 shots. Now, the vaccine is coming to them, courtesy of the University Heights Fire Department and Chief Robert Perko.

The UHFD is teaming up with the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging and local health departments to assist in the administration of the vaccine to homebound individuals in University Heights.

What looked at first to be a possible hate crime in University Heights turned out to be nothing more than a home-improvement project.

Last month, University Heights neighbors feared the worst when a gay-pride flag disappeared from a house on Edgerton Road. They were concerned the theft was a hate crime, and an attempt to intimidate and silence the LGBTQIA+ community.

Charlie Olivio turned to a Facebook discussion board to ask neighbors if they had any video surveillance of someone stealing the pride flag belonging to him and his husband, Tommy Chesnes. Olivio noted that the neighborhood has many homes that fly pride flags, and expressed concern that others may also have fallen victim to a thief.

Neighbors rallied to the couple’s defense, offering encouragement and shared frustration.

For decades, Pete Bernardo dedicated his life to his country, his community, and to John Carroll University (JCU). Bernardo died on May 14, at the age of 75. He is survived by his wife, JoAnne, and three sons.

“To describe the loss of Pete Bernardo and what he meant to this community is almost beyond words,” University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan said. “He was a model of service and dedication to our community and to our country. All of us who worked with him are honored to have done so.”

A decorated Vietnam War veteran, Bernardo was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross and three Purple Hearts for his heroic efforts in the line of duty for the U.S. Army. 

A University Heights group is standing together in an effort to end the COVID-19 pandemic once and for all. Their message? “Get vaccinated. Your arm has the power to lift us all up.”

A new public service announcement from University Heights City Hall begins with local nurse and University Heights resident Kat Sigel showing off her post-shot bandage. Also appearing in the PSA are University Heights Symphonic Band conductor Matthew Salvaggio; resident Joanna Homann; M-E Fenn of Odd Dog Coffee; resident Ketti Finneran;  school board member Jodi Sourini; Fire Chief Robert Perko and members of the fire department; resident Ron Collier; resident Giovanna Ventre; Libby Stineman from Milk & Cookies; Clerk of Council Kelly Thomas; and resident Gina Ventre.

For one year only, the annual University Heights parade will be held on the Fourth of July.

For decades, every year, University Heights has held Northeast Ohio’s biggest and best Memorial Day parade—and Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan said the city plans to bring back the Memorial Day Parade in 2022.

Due to current pandemic concerns, however, it is uncertain if it would be safe to throw a full-fledged Memorial Day parade this year. Chagrin Falls and other cities in Northeast Ohio have decided against holding a parade over Memorial Day weekend. University Heights will err on the side of caution and hold a parade later in the summer.

Despite detours in 2020 caused by the pandemic, University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan reported in his State of the City address that redevelopment is within sight, and more than $2.5 million in federal aid is on the way.

In his virtual address, delivered on March 18, Brennan announced, “Summer is back,” and outlined plans for a parade and summer concert series, and the reopening of the Purvis Park pool.

Brennan noted that the breakneck pace of progress in his first two years as mayor slowed in the third year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Our focus shifted nearly exclusively to crisis management, public safety, and survival,” Brennan said. “As a result, our work here is not finished.”

On Feb. 16, University Heights City Council approved the site plan for South Taylor Place Condominiums, a new development on Taylor Road in University Heights, just south and southeast of Deslisle Options Center.

The developer, Knez Homes, has proposed a 30-unit townhome development on the site, which it will market and sell to third-party buyers.

The site comprises seven parcels of land, of which three belonged to the city of University Heights, and four to the CH-UH City School District. At its April 7, 2020, meeting, the board of education (BOE) approved Resolution No. 20-04-033, transferring its four parcels to University Heights’ community investment corporation (CIC) at a price of $10.

Being the victim of identity theft is aggravating, time-consuming, and expensive. The University Heights Police Department (UHPD) offers this simple tip to reduce the chances of becoming a victim:
 
If you carry your social security card in your wallet, UHPD urges you to take it out. Leave it at home in a safe place. There is no good reason to keep it with you on a regular basis. In the unfortunate event that your wallet is lost or stolen, by not carrying your social security card, you can limit the personal information you expose to others.

The University Heights Fire Department (UHFD) is urging residents to make 2021 a healthier and more fire-safe year.

The U.S. Fire Administration reports 83 percent of all fire deaths in the U.S. happen in homes. These preventable fires result in more than three-quarters of all fire deaths, and thousands of injuries.

The UHPD offers the following fire-safety suggestions:

Make sure that your home is protected by working smoke alarms. Smoke alarms can wake you up if there’s a fire. “Half of all home fire deaths happen at night, when people are sleeping,” said UH Fire Chief Robert Perko. “Install one on every level of your home, in every bedroom and outside all sleeping areas.”

University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan said residents are the winners in the new contract agreed to by teachers in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District. He said he hopes the agreement will lead to a renewed effort to fix Ohio’s system of funding schools.

At the school board meeting on Dec. 8, Brennan congratulated the teachers’ union and board of education on the new two-year contract. “Everyone at the bargaining table made their points and came away with wins, but the winners overall are the students and families of this district,” Brennan said. “In spite of everything stacked against this district, both sides were tenacious in asserting their valid and competing interests. Now, if we would, let us take that tenacity and join together and redirect it to Columbus.”

Brennan urged both sides to lobby state legislators on school funding.

The University Heights Memorial Day parade, summer concert series, and Fall Fest were canceled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. One annual event, however, will not be stopped by the virus, and that is Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan’s annual reading of the poem “The Night Before Christmas” to city hall interns.

The third annual reading will be conducted on Zoom and broadcast over the city’s social media accounts starting at noon on Christmas Eve.

Brennan will read the story to intern Daniel Roche and other special guests, including the city’s brand ambassador, Cooper the Chicken, and former interns.

2020 has been hard on just about everyone. Despite the pandemic and social unrest, Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan said there was plenty of good to be found in University Heights. “It’s like Mr. Rogers used to say, when things are scary, ‘look for the helpers.’”

Brennan said he chose to announce the recipients of the 2020 University Heights Civic Awards on Thanksgiving to give thanks for those people “who are helping.”

“Due to the pandemic, we couldn’t meet in person for a Civic Awards dinner this year. So, we chose to bring the awards to our residents via social media while they gathered to celebrate Thanksgiving with their families,” Brennan said.

The awards were announced on Thanksgiving via the city’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts.

Walter Stinson Community Park is a popular destination in University Heights. The playground attracts young children. The large open space draws dog walkers. Coffee seekers flock to the park every weekend. And, when we’re not in the middle of a pandemic, The Walt attracts large crowds for Fall Fest, concerts and movies.

The beautiful organic gardens at The Walt also attract all sorts of birds and butterflies. Unfortunately, the gardens also attract a wide variety of weeds.

The weeds have met their match in The Friends of The Walt, a newly created group of neighbors who have volunteered to help beautify the park. (They’re kind of like the Avengers, but without all the high-tech gadgets and elaborate costumes.)

The Friends of The Walt volunteer group formed organically (no pun intended), through the efforts of Eran Shiloh and Emma Shook, after the city organized volunteers to clean the park back in August.

On Sept. 18, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) made recommendations on how Ohioans can participate in trick-or-treating as safely as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic. The city of University Heights urges residents who choose to participate this year to follow ODH recommendations.

Pending any new orders from the state or county boards of health, Trick-or-Treat night in University Heights will take place on Halloween, Oct. 31, 6–8 p.m.

If COVID-19 conditions worsen in Cuyahoga County before Halloween, plans and guidelines may change. Updates will be posted on the city’s website, www.universityheights.com.

University Heights residents now can order, and pay for, special trash pickups online, at www.universityheights.com/special-pickups. “Special pickups” are defined as large, bulky items that cannot be collected as part of regular trash pickup.

Previously, residents had to arrange for special pickups in person, at the city’s building department.

Special pickups are designed for the collection of bulk items that will not fit into the hopper of a rubbish scooter, and large quantities of items. There is a $10 fee for each special pick-up load (the pick-up truck is 0.75 tons or 5 feet by 8 feet), and a two-load maximum per each six-month period. Any rubbish cans left in a special pick-up load will be discarded, with no exceptions.

The kids of University Heights are making their voices heard. Will the Cleveland Indians listen?

Cooper the Chicken, the city’s brand ambassador (please don’t call him a mascot), usually spends his summer at concerts in the park, at parades, at the pool, and even at lemonade stands.

The cornonavirus pandemic ended all of the activities Cooper loves so much. So, when the Cleveland Indians announced its cardboard-fan-cutout program, University Heights employees chipped in $100 so that Cooper could be represented at the baseball games.

For almost a year, Odd Dog Coffee has set up shop at Walter Stinson Community Park on summer and fall Saturdays. Starting in September, it will be at "The Walt" on Sundays as well.

Mary-Elizabeth Fenn and Michael Hancock will offer their usual menu of products out of their mobile trailer, at the entrance of the park, off Fenwick Road. The couple plans to add espresso to the menu, and also sell hand-thrown ceramic merchandise.

Odd Dog Coffee is a sponsor of University Heights City Hall’s “Masks on University Heights” campaign. To promote safety during the Covid-19 pandemic, residents are encouraged to send mask selfies to info@universityheights.com.

Despite the pandemic, the University Heights housing market remains strong. The median housing price in the city made a significant jump in the second quarter of 2020, compared to both the first quarter of 2020, and the comparable second quarter of 2019.

The overall median sale price in University Heights increased by approximately $30,000 between the first and second quarter of 2020.

In the city’s central census tract, the median price increased by roughly $50,000 in the second quarter.

While there were fewer sales in the second quarter of 2020 than in the second quarter of 2019, median prices across University Heights have increased by around $20,000 citywide. Each of the city’s four census tracts have seen increases.

Between July 21 and July 26, there were multiple incidents of graffiti being spray-painted on businesses on South Green Road in the early morning hours.

The graffiti included a swastika and several other offensive images that were painted on multiple buildings, including some owned and frequented by the University Heights' Jewish community. 

The University Heights Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying the male in the photo to the right of this article. He appears to be an approximately 5-foot-11-inch to 6-foot-1-inch Caucasian male in his early- to mid-20s.

Anyone who has information on the crime, or the identification of the suspect, is asked to  contact the University Heights detective bureau at 216-932-8799, or on the non-emergency line, 216-932-1800.

University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan and Council Member Saundra Berry have appointed the following residents to the city’s Citizen Advisory Committee on Policing Policies:

O’Dasha Blue, Patti Carlyle, Ronald Collier, Indira Gatlin, C.P. “Neil” Gould III, Adrian Hardin, Kate Holzheimer, Joanna Homann, Sheila Hubman, Joshua Hunt, Constance Jefferson, Tyler “Aliah” Lawson, Thekla Long, Paul Miller, Roger Osgood, Crystal Pickus, Sheri Sax, Mike Sears, Vincent Stokes, Priscilla Tate, and Sean Weiss.

Brennan, Berry, UH Police Department Chief Dustin Rogers, UHPD Lt. Mark McArtor, City Prosecutor Stephanie Scalise, and all UH City Council members will serve as ex officio members.

For members of University Heights City Council and Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan, enacting an anti-discrimination law pertaining to sexual orientation wasn’t just important. It was personal.

At the June 1 council meeting, Council Member John Rach said he hopes to see other cities follow the lead of University Heights. “I hope this resonates across the country,” Rach said, “so that I, too, one day can work anywhere in the country and not feel the pressure of one day losing my job because of who I am.

“I can tell you as a gay man, in most places across the country, I can be fired for who I am, and that will not be the case in University Heights with this ordinance.”