Cleveland Heights City Council meeting highlights
Council Member Bonnie Caplan excused.
Citizen concern about police response
Kendra Reddick of Cummings Road complained about inadequate responses by city police to two calls concerning individuals disturbing the peace in her neighborhood. City Manager Robert Downey said that he and Police Chief Lentz would look into the matter. Ms. Reddick was thanked for her concern and asked to stay and speak with the city manager after the meeting.
Gas aggregation supply agreement amended
An amendment of the city’s gas aggregation supply agreement with Intergrys Energy Services was approved to reduce the “adder” and guarantee that the Variable Price Program rate will be at least ten cents less than the Dominion East Ohio-Energy Choice Program. Council Member Kenneth Montlack thanked Law Director John Gibbon for his work in negotiating this change to be in effect from November 2009 through October 2010.
University Hospitals training at Coventry School
Coventry School will be used by University Hospitals as a computer training center from January to June 2010. This use will not interfere with the planned use of the building by the Music Settlement.
Tree lawn trash penalized
An amended version of an ordinance enacting civil monetary penalties for violation of the city code specifying when trash may be put out on tree lawns was passed with one no vote. Council Member Montlack voted no because he believed that landlords who in good faith made sure their tenants were aware of the law should not be fined. Other citizens were concerned about being cited if someone else put trash on their tree lawns. Council members noted that this is a quality of life issue for residents. It is not meant to raise money but to change behavior and to encourage residents to be more accountable.
Health point of dispensing at Community Center
Council authorized the city manager to enter into an agreement with Cuyahoga County Board of Health to use the Community Center as a point of dispensing for mass clinics to conduct disease prevention and control activities.
Liquor permit reviewed
The Public Safety and Health Committee will be conducting a careful review of the application to the Ohio Department of Liquor for a C1 permit from Pitt, Inc., doing business as Mayfield Dollar.
Favorable FBI report
According to the FBI, Cleveland Heights is one of the safest cities in its size category, reported Mayor Ed Kelley.
Indoor swimming pool
Mayor Kelley noted that several options were being explored to give city residents access to an indoor swimming pool, possibly the indoor pool at the high school.
LWV observers: Lisa Peters and Katherine Solender.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2009
All council members present.
Bids and a public auction
Council authorized City Manager Robert Downey to advertise for bids for the purchase of fire hydrants, a solid waste disposal contract and a public auction for the disposal of obsolete city equipment and vehicles.
Stimulus funds for demolition
The city manager reported the use of stimulus funds to pay for the demolition of the house at 3655 Randolph Road and the purchase of the property at 3228-30 Sycamore Road, also to be demolished.
HOME Program contract extended
Council amended an agreement with the Cuyahoga County Board of Commissioners for funding through the Cuyahoga Housing Consortiums’ HOME Program for the city’s Deferred and No-Interest Loan Programs. The amendment extends the contract through December 31, 2010.
Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Study to be updated
An agreement was approved with Mull & Lonergan Associates for an updated Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Study, which is required every five years by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as a condition of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, which will pay for the study. Council Member Kenneth Montlack later offered some thoughts about ways impediments to fair housing could be addressed, such as “exclusionary” suburbs and exurbs becoming more integrated with more affordable housing or the state adequately funding education.
Targeted traffic enforcement grant
The city will enter into an agreement with the Ohio Department of Public Safety to participate in the High Visibility Enforcement Grant Program, which will provide targeted law enforcement to decrease the number of traffic accidents and increase the wearing of seatbelts. A grant of $41,485.99, distributed through University Hospitals, will enable the city to pay overtime to police officers who will enforce seatbelt, DUI, and speeding laws at six intersections throughout the city.
Liquor license applications
The Public Safety and Health Committee will review three applications with the Ohio Department of Liquor Control: 1) Turn it Up, LLC, requesting a new D3 permit, for 2573 Noble Road; 2) Walgreen Co. requesting new C1 and C2 permits for 3020 Mayfield Road; and 3) Clyde’s Tavern Inc. transfer of a D5I permit from Tsiliandisis Inc. for 1975 Lee Road.
Recreation Advisory Board appointment
Council approved the appointment of Edward Esborn to the city’s Recreation Advisory Board effective immediately through May 31, 2013. Council Member Dietrich noted that more African American residents are needed to fill positions on city boards and commissions. Those interested in sitting on a board can either call the clerk of council's office at 216-291-3925 for an application form or download the form from the city’s website.
Arts grant accepted
Council accepted a grant of $25,749 from Cuyahoga Arts and Culture to support the Cain Park Arts Festival.
CDBG application, plan
Council approved submission of the city’s CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) entitlement application for 2010 and the city’s five-year CDBG plan for the years 2010-2014. The target amount for this year is $1,757,000 to be divided among administrative, public service, housing, and economic development activities. The application closely reflects the recommendations of the Citizen’s Advisory Committee (CAC), which meets with all the prospective recipients of CDBG funds and then makes recommendations that meet federal guidelines.
Change order in sewer project
Council amended an agreement with the engineering firm of Michael Benza & Associates for the Demington/Fairmount Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project. The change covers $3,000 in additional services not included in the original contract, bringing the total to $36,000.
Leaf pick-up
Loose leaves will be picked up from tree lawns November 2 through December 4. Before and after this period, leaves will be collected only when placed in paper bags.
LWV observers: Katherine Solender.
This is an expanded version of the report published in the printed Heights Observer.
These meeting summaries are abstracted from LWV observers’ written reports. The summaries have been edited and prepared by Charlene Morse, Marilyn McLaughlin and Maryann Barnes. To receive email postings of full reports, send an e-mail to mbarnes9515@gmail.com or join through google groups using “lwv-chuh observer reports” as a search phrase.
These reports contain member observation and selected highlights of public meetings and are not official statements of the Heights Chapter of the League of Women Voters Cuyahoga Area. This disclaimer must accompany any redistribution of these reports.