Cleveland Heights City Council meeting highlights 1-7-2019
JANUARY 7, 2019
- Public comments
- Council committee chairs
- HVAC maintenance
- Police salaries
- Council seat applications
- Democracy Day
- Speed limits
- Mayor’s report
Council members present were Mayor Carol Roe, Vice Mayor Melissa Yasinow, Mary Dunbar, Kahlil Seren, Jason Stein and Michael N. Ungar. The seventh seat is unoccupied. The meeting lasted from 7:35 to 8 p.m.
Public comment
Immigration Task Force report: Robin Koslen, a member of the Immigration Task Force, stated that the body listened to divergent opinions from police and community members and developed workable, livable solutions. She is concerned to see legislation voted on. Mayor Roe assured her that the report will be discussed at the committee of the whole on Jan. 14.
Top of the Hill: Joyce Rajke noted the effort dedicated to the Top of the Hill project last year and stated some meetings are not reported on the city website. City Manager Briley responded that they will be published as soon as the minutes are approved.
Trash and recycling: Jordan Davis, representing the Sustainable Heights Network, is interested in network members becoming involved in consideration of city refuse handling. Ungar announced that a trash and recycling task force will be formed soon to study, evaluate, and recommend an approach to refuse collection. The process will be transparent and public, the meetings recorded, and a portal for citizen input will be created. He suggested members of Sustainable Heights apply to participate.
Neighborhood safety: A resident of South Taylor Road discussed her concerns for neighborhood safety, prevention and security, and urged more cameras.
Council committee chairs
Due to the open seat, chairing council committees will be changing. Yasinow will chair the Safety and Municipal Services Committee, and Ungar will head Planning and Development.
HVAC maintenance
Council granted the city manager permission to issue a request for proposals for ongoing preventive maintenance of heating and cooling systems in city buildings.
Police salaries
Council unanimously passed an ordinance to incorporate the terms of the recent labor agreement with the Northern Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, covering the period of April 1, 2018 through March 31, 2021.
Council seat applications
Applications for appointment to the open council seat will close on January 15. There have been 24 filed so far. Stein also encouraged citizens to apply for positions on city boards and commissions.
Democracy Day
Yasinow announced that the sixth annual Democracy Day hearing will take place in council chambers on Thursday, Jan. 17, at 7 p.m.
Speed limits
Dunbar announced that the Housing and Transportation Committee will consider speed limits on city streets later this month.
Mayor’s report
Mayor Roe acknowledged the impending departure of Superintendent Talisa Dixon from the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District, expressing how much she has enjoyed working with Dixon. She added that council will present input into the search for a new superintendent. Roe also noted that the Ohio Mayors Alliance met with both candidates for governor last fall to express concerns about diminished state funding for cities.
The next regular meeting of council will be Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, at 7:30 p.m.
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.