Cleveland Heights City Council meeting highlights 10-2-2017
OCTOBER 2, 2017
- Public comments
- Zoning code updates
- Civil immigration enforcement
- Small business grant program
- Mayor Stephens' report
Present were Mayor Cheryl Stephens, Vice Mayor Jason Stein, and council members Mary Dunbar, Carol Roe, Kahil Seren, Michael Ungar and Melissa Yasinow. The meeting lasted from 7:55 to 8:25 p.m.
Public comments
Coventry P.E.A.C.E. project: Residents Amy Rosenbluth, Paul Volpe and Frank Lewis all reported on positive community input regarding the Coventry P.E.A.C.E. project and asked for a meeting with the city to define how to proceed. [They noted that] city support is critical and the time frame for action is limited.
Student safety walking to school: Two people expressed concern about the safety of students as they walk to school, and asked for a collaborative solution among city, schools and community.
Neighborhood disruptions: Two residents asked for help with disruptive children, troublesome neighbors, and motorcycle noise on Noble Road.
Request for tree lawn assistance: A resident asked for help with sidewalk and driveway violations caused by the roots of a tree on her tree lawn.
Zoning code revisions
Council Member Dunbar presented a first reading of updates to the existing zoning code. They follow an exhaustive review by the planning department.
Civil immigration enforcement
Council Member Seren presented a first reading of an amendment to Chapter 525 of the Law Enforcement Public Office ordinance. The proposed legislation provides guidelines for how public servants in Cleveland Heights interact with federal immigration agents in order to prevent city employees from being conscripted into federal activities that are not their responsibility. A hearing will be held for public comment.
Small business grant program
Council approved a grant agreement with Cuyahoga County to establish and fund the Cleveland Heights-SBA Small Business Performance Grant Program. The city will be able to make grants to local businesses using a $200,000 fund created with $50,000 from the city and $150,000 from Cuyahoga County.
Mayor Stephens’ report
As each council member gave their reports they commented on their support for the Coventry project, their grief related to the mass shooting in Las Vegas, and concern[s about] for gun violence. Mayor Stephens directed the city manager to set up a meeting with Coventry P.E.A.C.E. to develop a framework for moving forward on the [conversion] of the school to an arts park. She also called for a moment of silence in honor of those who died in Las Vegas.
LWV Observer: Susie Kaeser.
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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.