Council’s plans for University Heights

Last November, University Heights residents, in large numbers, became actively engaged in the political process during a heated mayoral race and in reaction to proposed changes to the city charter. Residents elected the first new mayor in 32 years and voted "no" on ballot issues that would have made a city administer the CEO of the city.

Last month we asked Mayor Infeld about her plans for the city. This month we talked with members of City Council about their plans for University Heights. Impromptu answers were given on Jan. 11 and Jan. 18 by all council members, except Councilman Bullock, who agreed to respond with a prepared statement. Notes in parentheses are mine, for clarification purposes.

"What one thing do you want to see this Council accomplish in its first six months?"

Steven D. Bullock, Chairman, Safety Committee. I would like us to create and implement a community-wide vision supported by a plan designed to sustain our city into the future.

Frank Consolo, Chairman, Civic Information Committee. I would like to see the budget balanced with enough carry-over to be able to fund long overdue capital improvements. We have about $600,000 in requested capital improvements from city departments that we have not been able to fund.

Phillip Ertel, Chairman, Service-Utilities Committee. Foreclosures—it is a problem of historic proportions and I want to make sure families can stay in their homes. There is more the city can be doing. Rather than wait for homes to be foreclosed the Building Committee (Vice Mayor Goldberg chairs this committee), working with the Building Department, can be more preemptive in identifying those at risk before they are foreclosed. The Building Department can advocate on their behalf with the banks, in addition to other actions.

Frankie B. Goldberg, Vice Mayor and Chairman, Building Committee. I want to make city government and city services more accessible to our residents by improving IT capabilities, so people can be better informed of city activities and services and be able to pay bills online. I want more interactive IT capabilities. Accessibility also includes expanded City Hall hours.

Kevin Patrick Murphy, Chairman, Recreation Committee. I’d like us to utilize the report that will be presented to Council on Jan. 19. To incorporate the findings of the report into the budget process. (Northeast Ohio Sourcing Office Exception Analysis, for which University Heights paid $25,000, is available at City Hall.)

Susan D. Pardee, Chairman, Governmental Affairs. I would like to see a commitment to, and start planning for, a community-wide survey to see what residents are interested in, what are the priorities, and begin the process of engagement on a large scale and also begin the process of a more comprehensive planning process, similar to a process I worked on as a commissioner on the Charter Review Commission in Santa Clara, California.

Steve Sims, Chairman, Finance Committee. One thing is to develop a budget that makes sense for the city of University Heights. If we can do this, we’ll be miles ahead.

Send your comments and suggestions for future topics to Anita Kazarian at AnitaKazarian@gmail.com.