Cleveland Heights City Council Meeting - August 18, 2026

The Cleveland Heights City Council convened on August 18, 2026, at 7:50 PM for its first meeting after summer recess. The meeting featured proclamations honoring community leaders, updates on infrastructure projects and the Flock automated license plate reader system, passage of several legislative items, and extensive public comment—primarily on Flock surveillance and privacy concerns.

Proclamations and Honors

• Amy Rosenbluth: Recognized for 15 years as executive director of Lake Erie Inc., a literary arts organization serving youth and families in Northeast Ohio.
• Philly Whedon: Recognized for over 27 years of fitness coaching and community outreach through Voltage Training & Fitness Center, and his "Healing Our Villages Through Strength and Empowerment" foundation.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from June 1, June 15, June 22, June 26, and July 6, 2026. (Unanimous)
• Resolution 144-2026: Appointing Matt Alden to the Board of Zoning Appeals. (Unanimous)
• Resolution 145-2026: Consent to ODOT for Heights Regional Greenway Phase 1. (Unanimous)
• Resolution 146-2026 and Ordinance 147-2026: Approving and levying assessments for street lighting (first of their kind in 12 years; 3 objections found without basis). (Unanimous)
• Resolution 148-2026 and Ordinance 149-2026: Approving and levying assessments for street and parkway improvements. (Unanimous)
• Resolution 150-2026: Authorizing agreement with Verizon Wireless for cellular services. Council Member Cobb recused herself (employer conflict). (Passed, Cobb not voting)
• Resolution 156-2026: Approving a use variance for 2536 Noble Road per BZA Calendar 3659A. (Unanimous)
• Resolution 158-2026: Proclaiming September 2026 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. (Unanimous)
• Resolution 159-2026: Recognizing September 2026 as Suicide Prevention Month. A public commenter, Dustin Russell, spoke in support. (Unanimous)

Public Comments & Testimony

Legislative Public Comment

• Dustin Russell (2188 Demington) expressed strong support for the suicide prevention resolution, noting that men are nearly four times more likely to die by suicide and that community awareness saves lives.

General Public Comment (30 speakers, 2 minutes each)

• Flock Surveillance (majority opposed): Over 20 residents spoke against Flock cameras, citing privacy violations, ICE misuse, and insufficient guardrails. Key points:
  • Melody Joy Hart (Monmouth) thanked council for limiting agency access but argued the contract gives Flock a license to share data, and asked the city to look for alternatives.
  • Gary Benjamin (Monmouth) noted the contract allows Flock to share data under "good faith" and "reasonable necessity" clauses, and questioned how Flock handles non-judicial warrants.
  • Brin Adams (Cleveland resident) called Flock a surveillance tool designed to violate civil liberties, urging contract cancellation.
  • Suzanne Zilber (Edge Hill, Showing Up for Racial Justice) said the April safeguards do not close structural gaps; 130 agencies still have access and off-the-book searches remain possible.
  • Janine Gurry (Burlington) argued that safeguards cannot prevent informal data sharing; she cited Dayton and Coshocton County ending Flock contracts.
  • Lisa Vahy (Shaker Heights) shared data from Shaker Heights showing 1,700+ searches with vague terms even after rule changes.
  • Ruth Garwood (Yellowstone) cited a California study finding only 0.05% of license plate scans were relevant to active investigations.
  • Tom James (Hampshire) noted that $50,000/year could fund legal representation for immigrants facing deportation, instead of Flock.
  • Several speakers highlighted constitutional privacy rights (Fourth Amendment) and the risk of tracking for reproductive care and protests.
  • Speakers also mentioned connections between Flock's investors (Andreessen Horowitz, Founders Fund) and the Trump administration.
• Flock Supporters: Eileen Rammerman (Rutherford) supported the cameras, citing the Noble Food Deal homicide solved by Flock data. Jimmy Hicks Jr. (50-year resident) shared personal experiences of Amber alerts and crime solving with license plate data. Tyrone Jemison (967 Elbon) asked about a no-parking sign.
• Other concerns:
  • CJ Nash (Vandemar) showed photos of a construction staging area at Glenwood and Noble that he called a “dump” with hazardous material drums lacking secondary containment.
  • Geraldine Blair (Vandermar, 53-year resident) complained about unremoved tree stump and roots damaging her yard and Japanese maple tree; she had waited over a year for forestry to respond.
  • Mark Gattozi (Euclid Heights) raised questions about police drone usage; he said his technical questions went unanswered and questioned legality (Part 107 vs. COA).
  • Patricia Frostbrooks (Bainbridge) reported overgrown weeds on vacant lots (owned by city and Hebrew Academy) after multiple unanswered calls to MAC.
  • Alec Popivker (Cleveland) proposed a four-step plan to implement anti-Semitism resolution 100-2025, including a social justice committee, adoption of IHRA definition, funding for Jewish heritage programs, and preservation of Taylor Road Synagogue.
  • Others raised parking issues (John Mark Waznewski, Anastasia Kuralyuk) and opposition to Flock.

Discussion Items

• Mayor's Report:
  • Bids: For the 26-06 Brinkmore and Mount Laurel Water Main Replacement Project, three bids were received; lowest from Terrace Construction at $1,422,148.74 (other: Fabreezy Trucking $1,492,075.75). For the 26-05 Altamont Water Main Replacement Project, two bids; lowest also from Terrace Construction at $2,128,876.53 (other: Fabrizi Trucking $2,129,899.50).
  • Leaf removal: A third crew will be added, expected to increase street-clearing speed by 50%.
  • Parking lot lighting: City completed an audit identifying many non-functioning lights; a holistic repair plan is being developed.
  • Cumberland Pool renovation: Over 600 responses to the community survey (Seventh Hill called it unusually high); design/engineering firm hired before recess.
  • Flock ALPR updates: As of February 2026, the city reduced data-sharing agencies from over 2,600 to about 130 (a 95% reduction). Statewide and nationwide searches disabled; searches for immigration or reproductive care prohibited; case numbers required; audit log and proactive lockout features enabled. Council adopted additional safeguards in April (30-day data retention, prohibition on civil immigration enforcement). The vendor, Flock, recently announced a further reduction to 7-day retention. The mayor cited zero immigration-related searches by Cleveland Heights Police or outside agencies since February. He also gave examples of recent crimes solved with Flock, including a shooting on Dresden (near Caledonia Elementary), a shooting on Alpine leading to arrest within 2 hours at Pinecrest, and the Noble Food Deal homicide.
• City Administrator's Report: No oral report; a written report will be provided in the September 8 meeting packet.
• Public Works – Properties Report (Virginia Carter, Assistant Director): The properties division (transitioned from parks to public works in March 2026) manages city buildings and public lots. Priorities are “warm, safe, dry” (HVAC, lighting/fire safety/doors, roof leaks). Capital projects include demolition of Hillside Dairy and planned transfer station improvements. A contract for landscaping and gardening (Deluxe Outdoor Services) was awarded for 2027.
• Parks and Recreation Report (Andres Gonzalez, Director):
  • Denison splash pad: After delays (underground utilities, Cleveland Water permit), concrete work is complete. Fabrizi will return for final water line at end of week; splash pad installers will work Aug 24-26. Goal: operational by end of next week. The splash pad does not require lifeguards.
  • Top playground: Will be installed in September (no exact date), adjacent to the splash pad. No fencing planned for splash pad or playground.
  • Renovated tennis courts, pickleball courts, and soccer field are complete and looking good.
• Clerk of Council Report: Received notice of a D5 liquor permit transfer from TriCat LLC to High Key on Lee at 2279/2281 Lee Road; referred to police chief and mayor.
• Committee Reports and Future Meetings:
  • Finance Committee, Public Safety & Health Committee (deer management discussion), Housing & Building Committee (short-term rental legislation input session) will meet August 24 at 5 PM or later.
  • Climate & Sustainability Committee meets August 19 at 4 PM.
  • Transportation & Mobility Committee meets August 26 at 7 PM.
  • Council work session on zoning code update on August 31 at 5:30 PM.
  • Councilwoman Stone announced presentations on limiting plastic foodware and sustainability programs for the 2027 budget.
  • Councilwoman Cohen noted continued discussion on accessory dwelling units and new legislation for public input on significant park changes.
  • Councilman Posh also noted a million-dollar traffic safety demonstration grant to be presented.

Key Outcomes

• All first-reading legislative items passed unanimously (with Council Member Cobb recusing on Verizon contract).
• Second reading - Ordinance 123-2026 (TIF for a parcel with 30-year tax exemption, non-school district TIF) passed unanimously after discussion; the owner agreed to control rental increases for three years to protect long-term residents.
• Proclamations and honors adopted unanimously.
• No final action on Flock; the public debate was recorded but no council vote was taken. The mayor committed to continued vigilance.
• Next steps on constituent issues: The mayor and council members agreed to follow up on tree stump, parking sign, staging area dump, overgrown lots, and police drone inquiries.