Cleveland Heights City Council meeting highlights 2-17-2015

FEBRUARY 17, 2015

  • New council member
  • Public comments
  • Media correction on recreation rates
  • Nuisance residential properties
  • CAC appointments
  • Recreation programs and rates for 2015
  • St. Baldrick’s Foundation
  • State of the city

All council members were present.

New council member

After his nomination and a unanimous vote of approval, Kahlil Seren was sworn in as a member of council, filling the seat vacated by Janine Boyd. Later in the meeting, Mayor Dennis Wilcox announced that Seren would be chair of the Administrative Services Committee, vice chair for the Community Relations and Recreation Committee, and a member of the Municipal Services Committee.

Public comments

Resident Calvin Lampkin noted that today marks the 18th anniversary of the opening of the post office on Severance Circle, which he views as a continuing affront to neighboring residents.

Media correction on recreation rates

An article published in the Feb. 12 edition of the Sun Press incorrectly indicated that the city’s pending rate increases for Cumberland Pool and other recreation services were needed to fund Cedar Lee streetscape improvements. Northeast Ohio Media Group has assured the city manager that the mistake will be corrected.

Nuisance residential properties

Council declared three residential properties to be blighted and health and safety hazards warranting abatement by demolition:

  • 3347 Cedarbrook Road
  • 2406 Noble Road
  • 870 Selwyn Road

Council Member Mary Dunbar noted her sadness in making these decisions but [said she] was encouraged that, according to the building department’s annual report, many construction permits were issued in the last year.

CAC appointments

Council appointed Carol Ann Roe and Cory Farmer to the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) for the term ending Dec. 31, 2015.

Recreation programs and rates for 2015

Council heard, on first reading, recreation legislation for 2015. One ordinance would approve entertainment and recreation programs in Cain Park and other locations, and set rates and use regulations. A second ordinance would establish regulations and rates for admission for Cumberland Pool. Residents may review and comment on these ordinances before council’s March 2 meeting.

St. Baldrick’s Foundation

Council Member Jeff Coryell congratulated Krissy Dietrich Gallagher for her successful St. Baldrick’s Foundation kick-off fundraising event at Lopez on Feb. 16. He also announced another St. Baldrick’s event on March 15, noon to 4 p.m. at the Community Center. More information about this effort to raise funds to fight childhood cancer can be found at www.stbaldricks.org.

State of the city

Mayor Wilcox delivered his state of the city message. He reviewed the city’s 2014 accomplishments, offering highlights from each department, and noted overall strengths and challenges. He concluded by emphasizing that Cleveland Heights is a great city, and that council will work to keep it competitive and healthy.

LWV Observer: Katherine Solender.

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 e-mail 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 of Greater Cleveland. This disclaimer must accompany any redistribution of these reports.

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Volume 8, Issue 4, Posted 3:03 PM, 03.09.2015