The Cleveland Heights City Council convened on Monday, April 20, 2026 at 7:36 PM. All members were present. The meeting included a student report, presentations on immigration legal services, proclamations, reports on infrastructure and demolitions, legislative actions, and public comments.
Bailey Evans, a ninth grader at Heights High and member of the Superintendent’s Student Cadre, reported on recent school activities. Athletic achievements included the indoor track team’s state meet placements (4x200 boys 2nd place, 4x400 boys 6th, 400m boys 6th, 3200m girls 7th), two girls wrestling state placers (Tamaya Bowie 6th, Chelsea Gibson 8th), and the boys basketball team winning a district final over St. Ignatius. Upcoming events included the No Hate Tour (BMX assembly), a Holocaust course trip to Washington D.C., OST testing (April 9/10), the Creative Heights Art Show (April 14 – May 8), the High Tide Drama Club’s production of As You Like It (April 16–18), and spring concerts (April 30, May 1).
Representatives from Legal Aid of Cleveland and Catholic Charities addressed the council.
Lutheran East High School Basketball Team: The council issued a proclamation recognizing the team’s legacy of sustained excellence, noting Coach Sam Liggins’ leadership (9 consecutive regional and 11 consecutive district championships). Individual player awards highlighted included Dylan Ziegler (Division 5 Northeast Player of the Year), Chris Hill, Devontae Perkins, Ty Harrison, and freshman Bryce Irby. The team thanked the council for the recognition.
Mayor Petris led a moment of silence for a student who passed away during an athletics practice. He announced progress on road repairs, crediting the council for doubling the resurfacing budget to $5.1 million. Pothole crews have been increased from one to two full-time crews, with a third unionized contractor crew starting Wednesday. He promoted community events: a screening of the Greenprint documentary (April 21, Noble Library) and an Arbor Day ceremony (April 24, Cumberland Park).
Michael Reese provided updates on administrative operations and the Hillside Dairy Demolition Project (Mayfield/Noble intersection). The council passed a motion to bid the project. The tentative timeline includes opening bids on May 7, contract finalization in June, and abatement/demolition/securitization from June through August. A budget adjustment will be required.
Council members announced upcoming committee meetings:
Four residents addressed the council on non-agenda items:
Okay, I'd like to call this Cleveland Heights City Council meeting to order at 7:36 on Monday, April 20th, 2026. Acting Clerk Larson, would you please call the role? Happy to do so, President KUDA. Cohen here, Stone, Cobb, CUDA, Larson here, Posh, Duit Foy. Here. All right. Nobody's absent. We have no amendments to the agenda. We have no minutes to approve. We do we have a Cleveland Heights High School student here. Yay. Come on up. So when you come up, I I don't know your name, so you can say your name in that microphone and you can adjust it. And we're really glad you're here because we always want to know what's going on in the schools. And also when you tell us your name, what tell us what year you're in at school as well. Okay. Okay. Good evening, mayor and city council members. My name is Bailey Evans, and I am a ninth grader at Cleveland Heights High School. As a member of the superintendent student cadre, I am here to give a brief report about what's happening at Heights High. I am honored to be here. Thank you for this opportunity. First, I would like to tell you all about our athletic teams. Athletics wrapped up a successful winter season. Indoor track. The indoor track team had an impressive showing at the state meet. Four by 200 boys, second place, Aiden, Sirius, Marquise, and Diani. Four by 400 boys, 6th place, Aiden Sirius, Harrison, and Marquise. 400 meter boys, six sixth place, Aiden West. 3200 meter girls, seventh place, Cassie Thompson. Girls wrestling. The girls' wrestling had two representatives at the state tournament with both placing with both placing. Tamaya Bowie placed 6th and Chelsea Gibson placed 8th in their respective weight classes. Boys basketball. Boys basketball won a district final over St. Ignatius and advanced to the regional semifinals. This is their second district final in four years. Heights Athletics looks forward to a busy spring season. Here are a few important meet events happening at High Time. On March 6th, the No Hate Tour visited Heights High for a BMX style assembly where students saw award-winning BMX bikers perform tricks while learning about important the importance of kindness and positivity. Almost 410th through 12th grade students enrolled in the lessons of the Holocaust course traveled to Washington, D.C. before spring recess to visit the U.S. National Holocaust Museum, African American Museum, the Arlington National Cemetery, and tour various major monuments. The trip allowed students to connect up close with the artifacts and evidence they have learned about as they study the Holocaust and other genocides. Upcoming events in April. OST testing has been has started being administered in April, starting with ELA 2 tests on April 9th and 10th. In preparation for the OST testing, Heights held a pep rally to encourage students to do their best on their upcoming test and remind them, reminded them of effective test strategies through various games and activities. Heights High National Honor Society also held study sessions after school in the cafeteria before the OST test to help their peers feel prepared. The opening night of the Creative Heights District Art Show took place on April 14th at the Leero Library from 6 to 8 p.m. The annual showcase featured students' artwork from all seven elementary schools, both middle schools, and multiple art classes at Heights High.