Cleveland Heights City Council meeting highlights 7-16-2018
JULY 16, 2018
- Public comments
- Second quarter Master Plan update
- Community Center fitness equipment
- Immigration Task Force
- Barbara H. Boyd Park
- Small cell wireless facilities
- Community reinvestment area
- 2019 Tax Budget
- Cedar Fairmount SID
- Assessment equalization boards
- FutureHeights placemaking event
- Taylor-Superior “Stadium Square” historic district
- Mayor’s report
Council members present were Mayor Carol Roe, Mary Dunbar, Kahlil Seren, Jason Stein, Cheryl L. Stephens and Michael N. Ungar. Vice Mayor Melissa Yasinow was absent. The meeting lasted from 7:38 to 8:56 p.m. It was preceded by a public budget hearing at which City Manager Tanisha Briley presented final details of the proposed 2019 budget.
Public comments
Caledonia Park: State Representative Janine Boyd thanked council on behalf of her entire family for the resolution to rename Caledonia Park for her mother, Barbara H. Boyd. Former Representative and Cleveland Heights Mayor Boyd put together the agreement with East Cleveland that originally established the park in a vacant area in 1987. Ms. Boyd also spoke with pride of the kinship foster care navigator bill the state legislature passed this session, updating and improving a bill her mother initiated in the 1990’s.
Second quarter Master Plan update
Crediting city staff, City Manager Briley announced substantial progress on the Master Plan – a huge document with ten visions, 45 goals, and 157 actions. The public can access an executive summary developed through the use of Envisio, a strategy management and reporting software. The public dashboard is live at: http://performance.envisio.com/dashboard/clvhts.
Community Center fitness equipment
The council authorized a lease/purchase agreement with Lease Servicing Center of Alexandria, Minnesota, for fitness equipment, not to exceed $241,475.75.
Immigration Task Force
Mr. Seren announced that the task force has held two meetings and is discussing amending his proposed legislation and bias free policing. Future meetings are scheduled for July 26, August 9, September 6, and September 20 in council chambers.
Barbara H. Boyd Park
The resolution renaming the park in honor of Ms. Boyd and her history of community service, passed unanimously with praise from council members Stephens and Seren. New equipment will be installed this summer prior to a ceremony.
Small cell wireless facilities
This ordinance governing the “Use of Public Ways for Small Cell Wireless Facilities and Wireless Support Structures” passed unanimously.
Community reinvestment area
An ordinance to establish and describe the boundaries of a community reinvestment area (CRA) in the City of Cleveland Heights, designate a housing officer to administer the program, and create a community reinvestment housing council and a tax incentive review council received its third reading but was not voted on at this meeting. The purpose of a CRA is to promote the maintenance of existing structures and support new construction through the use of tax incentives.
2019 Tax Budget
The 2019 Tax Budget was adopted unanimously on second reading.
Cedar Fairmount SID
Both the public services plan and the necessary assessment for the Cedar Fairmount Special Improvement District (SID) passed unanimously.
Assessment equalization boards
These boards hear objections related to estimated assessments for improvement of streets and parkways and of street lighting within the city. Each board is composed of three citizens of Cuyahoga County who do not reside in Cleveland Heights (“disinterested freeholders”).
FutureHeights placemaking event
Ms. Dunbar announced a placemaking event being sponsored by FutureHeights as well as some family-oriented events sponsored by the Heights Bicycle Coalition.
Taylor-Superior “Stadium Square” historic district
A first reading of a resolution to apply for a grant through the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Pipeline Initiative to nominate a five-building historic district at Taylor Road and Superior Park Road, historically known as “Stadium Square,” engendered a great deal of discussion. Mr. Stein expressed concern that, because there is no special improvement district in this area, there is no way for business owners in the affected area to speak with a unified voice. He wants the city to facilitate a merchants meeting to discuss this before the resolution is voted on. This will be pursued. The goal is to facilitate redevelopment of vacant property in the future.
Mayor’s report
Mayor Roe attended a Cedar Taylor Merchants meeting. She commended city staff for the recently completed Cain Park Arts festival.
Council will meet July 30 and then recess for August. September meetings will be Tuesday, Sept. 4, and Wednesday, Sept. 12.
LWV Observer: Blanche Valancy.
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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.