Cleveland Heights City Council meeting highlights [5-16-11]

MAY 16, 2011

• Street paving
• Salt purchase
• Recycling, shredding day
• Easement granted
• NeuroWave Systems loan amended
• Nuisance properties
• Swimming pool announcements
• Mark Tumeo’s last meeting

Vice Mayor Phyllis L. Evans was absent.

Street paving

The two companies doing the paving and surfacing of the city’s streets this summer are Karvo Paving, who received a $823,485 contract, and Specialized Construction, who received a $487,124 contract. The work will start as soon as weather permits.

Salt purchase

Council authorized the city manager to enter into an agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation for participation in the department’s contract for the purchase of salt. This was being done now in order to take advantage of a good deal.

Recycling, shredding day

The city received $12,335.42 for April’s recycled materials. Community Shredding Day will be Saturday, June 4, in the City Hall parking lot.

Easement granted

Council authorized an agreement with the owners of property located at 2217 Tudor Drive for an easement on a portion of the city-owned property known as Nottinghill Lane.

NeuroWave Systems loan amended

Council amended the terms and security of a loan agreement with NeuroWave Systems, Inc. The forgivable loan was made under the city’s Commercial Revolving Loan Program to assist in the establishment of the medical technology business in Cleveland Heights. The amendment was made to help the business secure other financing.

Nuisance properties

Council declared four properties to be nuisances: three on Coventry Road (1633, 1655, and 1724) and one at 3563 Northcliffe Road. If no action is taken by the property owners, who have been notified, the properties will be demolished and the costs attached to a first lien.

Swimming pool announcements

Cumberland Pool will open Saturday, June 11. This year it will remain open through Labor Day weekend, with limited hours. The indoor pool at Heights High will close on June 9.

Mark Tumeo’s last meeting

This being Council Member Mark Tumeo’s last meeting, citizens and council members alike praised his service to council and the city. Resident Chris Johnson thanked Mr. Tumeo for always explaining issues clearly, and with care and concern. On behalf of the Millard Fillmore Society (a humorous reference), former Mayor Alan Rapoport expressed sorrow to see him go, but wished him well. Council members each expressed their appreciation, citing his energy and his expertise in engineering, technology, and administration. Mr. Wilcox noted some of Mr. Tumeo’s contributions to the city: increasing communication between citizens and police, working on the upgrade of the city’s computer and phone system, and chairing the finance committee during difficult financial times, achieving balanced budgets, and making changes like joining RITA to save money.

On behalf of the senior staff, City Manager Robert Downey thanked Mr. Tumeo for his support and work especially during these difficult financial times. Working with him to achieve a balanced budget was easier because he took the time to learn the details of the city’s budget.

Mr. Tumeo said that he was proud to have served with his fellow council members. He thanked the city’s staff, who worked hard and professionally, and noted that the citizens were welcoming, creative, and kind. He said it was the highest honor to have been elected by the “greatest people in the greatest city.”

LWV observers: Lisa Peters and Pat Solomon

These meeting summaries are abstracted from LWV observers’ written reports. The summaries have been edited and prepared by Anne McFarland, Charlene Morse, and Maryann Barnes. To receive email postings of full reports, send an email 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.