Cleveland Heights continues to explore water options

The City of Cleveland Heights announced May 27 that no action will be taken at this time on the Letter of Intent (LOI) regarding a proposed partnership with Aqua Ohio to manage the city's water utility. It made this announcement following a public forum held on May 26 at the Cleveland Heights Community Center, which more than 200 residents attended.

The city had sponsored the forum to enable residents to learn more about the state of the water system and respond to the possibility of a public-private partnership with Aqua Ohio, Inc.

"At the public forum held last night with our residents, many questions and concerns were expressed" said Mayor Dennis Wilcox. "We are committed to doing what is best for the future of our community and will seek more information and the possibility of additional options regarding our Water Department. There will be no legislation regarding a letter of intent with Aqua at the June 1 council meeting." 

"We will continue to explore all options regarding our water utility," said City Manager Tanisha Briley. "After a long history of operating losses, increasing levels of non-revenue water and deferred maintenance, the city's water utility is in need of critical changes. Those changes will directly affect the community, and we will seek additional input as we tackle this significant challenge."

The May 26 forum will air on the city’s cable channel, Channel 20, at 2 p.m. on May 29, and will air daily for two weeks at 2 and 7 p.m. A video of the forum will also be available on the city’s YouTube channel, http://www.youtube.com/user/ClevelandHeightsOH, beginning May 29. A memo from the city manager, fact sheet and a copy of the proposed LOI is posted on the city’s website, www.clevelandheights.com.

Deanna Bremer Fisher

Deanna Bremer Fisher is executive director of FutureHeights and publisher of the Heights Observer.

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Volume 8, Issue 7, Posted 5:10 PM, 05.27.2015