LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS / Cleveland Heights City Council meeting highlights [online 5-2-2016]

MAY 2, 2016

  • Public comments
  • Water service
  • Zoning variances
  • Regional dispatch center
  • Economic Development Advisory Committee
  • Citizen appointments
  • Bike proclamations
  • National Preservation Month


All council members were present.

Public comments

Forest Hills projects: Resident Leslie Jones, representing the Forest Hills Home Owners Association, updated council on projects his group is working on, especially in the past 18 months. With a goal of maintaining a pristine and historic area, they are reaching out to banks and other owners of foreclosed and vacant homes regarding upkeep. They are encouraging exterior maintenance and [putting] properties on the market. They are working with the housing departments of both Cleveland Heights and East Cleveland, urging those cities to get more aggressive and pay attention to inspection staffing and follow-up. The association is trying to market the area as a destination, especially to nearby University Circle institutions. They are developing an “aging in place” program to provide service links for older residents, and sponsoring clean up days. The association wants CH to consider a plan to allow non-resident benefits for East Cleveland Forest Hills homeowners at the Cleveland Heights Community Center. Mayor Cheryl Stephens asked that Jones work with the Planning and Development Committee.

Noble Neighbors: Resident Larry Shaw, representing Noble Neighbors, spoke about the May 13–15 Noble Neighborhood Community Home and Yard Sale. Information about this event can be found at www.nobleneighbors.com, which promotes the area and involves many arts organizations, churches and businesses. The mayor spoke in support and noted that planters are being installed on Noble Road to help [beautify] the area.

Scout observers: Acting Scout Master Chris Harris introduced Boy Scout Troop 403, which meets at Forest Hills Presbyterian Church. The troop is visiting city hall and observing the council meeting as part of a merit badge.

Water service

Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the city and its residents to receive water and water-related service directly from the City of Cleveland and to terminate the City of Cleveland Heights’ master meter agreement with Cleveland. Legislation to make this change in water service was approved unanimously.

Zoning variances

Council granted zoning variances to:

  • Don Kimble, 2540 Fairmount Blvd., to permit three 45-inch-tall garden gates, two 69-inch-tall masonry columns, and one 39-inch-tall fence in the front yard.
  • Michael and Sharlene Warner, 2592 Princeton Road, to permit a rebuilt garage to be located 18 inches from the side property line.


Regional dispatch center

Council approved the agreement to create a regional council of governments to establish and operate a joint communications system for the dispatch of police, fire, and emergency medical services in and for the cities of Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights, South Euclid, and University Heights, and other communities that may join the dispatch center at a later time.

Economic Development Advisory Committee

Council established an Economic Development Advisory Committee and prescribed its composition, duration, purpose and duties. The purpose of this committee shall be to advise council about economic development matters. It shall be composed of one member of council and seven residents appointed by council. Unless otherwise authorized by council, the committee shall exist for a term of six months from the date of the appointment of all members. Gary Benjamin will be committee chair.

Citizen appointments

Council approved the appointments of Lisa Wolf to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a term ending Dec. 31, 2018, and Katura Simmons to the Citizens Advisory Committee for a term ending Dec. 31, 2016.

Bike proclamations

For the City of CH, council proclaimed May 2016 as Bike Month; May 4 as Bike to School Day; and May 20 as Bike to Work Day.

National Preservation Month

Council declared May 2016 to be National Preservation Month, co-sponsored by the city and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The city, Cleveland Heights Landmark Commission, Cleveland Heights Historical Society, Heights Public Libraries, and Noble Neighbors are co-sponsoring the following events, which are free but require registration:

  • Looking Back, Looking Forward: Coventry Village through the Decades, May 4 at 7 p.m., Coventry Village Library.
  • Porches: History, Design and Construction, May 12 at 7 p.m., Lee Road Library.
  • Mayfield Heights Historic District Walking Tour, May 14 at 10 a.m.
  • History of Cleveland Heights’ and University Heights’ Libraries, Schools and Civic Buildings, May 18 at 7 p.m., Lee Road Library.
  • Cleveland Heights Rocks & Waters 2016: Nine Mile Creek, May 21, 10 a.m., Oxford Elementary School, 939 Quilliams Road.


LWV Observer: Blanche B. Valancy.

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.

League of Women Voters

Observer Corps editor for the Heights Chapter of the League of Women Voters of Greater Cleveland

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Volume 9, Issue 6, Posted 12:23 PM, 05.18.2016