OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Cleveland Heights City Council Meeting - September 9, 2026

City Council Meetings — Wednesday, September 9, 2026
BodyCleveland Heights, Ohio
SessionCity Council Meetings
DateWednesday, September 9, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:13:19

Transcript — Verbatim
0:10

Okay, let me call this Cleveland Heights City Council meeting to order.

0:14

It is 737.

0:16

Andy, would you please call the role?

0:18

Stone.

0:20

Do it for you.

0:21

Here.

0:21

Posh.

0:22

Here.

0:22

Huda.

0:23

Here.

0:23

Larson.

0:25

This is Gail Larson.

0:27

I'm just telling you for everybody that doesn't know I had an accident that has me homebound for at least a month and possibly two.

0:34

So I will be on Zoom for a while, but I'm still working hard for everybody.

0:38

So thanks for understanding.

0:40

Cohen.

0:41

Here.

0:44

All right.

0:45

So we don't actually have any minutes and any amendments to the agenda.

0:50

So we'll move right to communication from the mayor.

0:54

Thank you, Mr.

0:55

President.

0:55

I'd like to begin by reading into the record that on August 14th, 2026, the City of Cleveland Heights received a bid for Project 26 07 transfer station repair project.

1:07

And the only bid came from JADCO construction services for $1,147,000.

1:14

The design engineer GPD has reviewed the bid and determined that JADCO is a responsible bidder and submitted a bid in conformance with the contract documents.

1:22

Therefore, they are recommending that JADCO construction be award the contract.

1:28

And I'd just like to beyond that, um remind people that the Denison splash pad, which our city administrator will talk more about in his report, is now open.

1:38

Very grateful for the hard work of the public works department, or I'm sorry, of the Parks and Rec department.

1:44

And we are having a small opening event at 11 a.m.

1:47

on Saturday.

1:48

So if you're interested in available, we'd love for you to join us.

1:51

Well, let's hope it's a big event.

1:52

Yeah, and I'd like to also um acknowledge that we just completed the 100th season at Cumberland Pool.

1:59

And so I'd like to thank all the staff for their hard work.

2:03

Uh there were a lot of really great improvements this season, and we're all very excited for the next chapter of Cumberland, but it's exciting to also celebrate that we just completed the 100th season.

2:12

That's the end of my report for you.

2:14

Thank you, Mr.

2:15

Mayor.

2:16

All right.

2:16

Uh next, the city administrators report, also known as the Reese Report.

2:22

And I understand this is a big one today.

2:25

This is the big one.

2:28

So uh Mayor Petris, President CUDA, Vice President Larson.

2:33

I am here to give you an extended version of the Reese report.

2:36

And um, so just for context, um by charter, the city manager um is supposed to provide a written report to the uh mayor and council on a semi-annual basis.

2:51

And uh my report tonight basically covers the period from uh um early February through the end of August.

2:59

And I'm excited to present this to you tonight.

3:01

I'm not gonna read the whole thing.

3:03

I will um cover um just part of it and the most significant parts, I think.

3:08

But before I go there, uh I think for a little bit of context, it would be helpful just to talk a little bit about for the benefit of council members and especially for the benefit of the public tuning in uh tonight is to talk a little bit about what my role is.

3:27

So um I'm gonna cover eight points here in terms of what I see as the my role and uh uh first to advance the mayor's priorities and um you know, just in a nutshell, that's to improve services to residents, invest in parks and roads, and practice fiscal responsibility.

3:47

Uh second is to manage department heads and provide direction, making sure department work is on track.

3:54

Third, help support our directors, our chiefs, and the mayor's office staff and whatever they need to do their job.

4:02

Four is to surprise strive to improve services and make operations more efficient.

4:08

An example of this is we went from uh in working with the public works director.

4:13

We went from one um pothole crew to three pothole crews this year, one in 2025 and three in 2026.

4:21

Uh fifth, maximize interdepartmental cooperation and communication.

4:26

An example of that is the Hillside Dairy uh demolition project where public works and planning and development in the mayor's office work together.

4:35

Sixth is to work with council members on your priorities and concerns.

4:40

Uh something like the Deer Management Program, which uh uh we're working with council on as an example of this.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Parks and Recreation█████████████████████████████29%
Procedural█████████████████17%
Public Engagement████████████████16%
Community Engagement█████████9%
Public Safety███████7%
Technology and Innovation██████6%
Public Works█████5%
Affordable Housing████4%
Environmental Protection██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Cleveland Heights City Council Meeting - September 9, 2026

The Cleveland Heights City Council met on September 9, 2026, at 7:37 PM. The meeting included a semi-annual city administrator's report, a detailed presentation on the Cumberland Pool revitalization project, public comments, and passage of several legislative items. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 PM.

Consent Calendar

  • No consent calendar was listed; multiple legislative items were passed individually.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Mary Simpson (Hampshire Road): Expressed strong opposition to the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District's plan for the Doanbrook restoration, stating it would destroy the lower lake, remove thousands of old canopy trees, and function as a "beta test." She urged the city to hire an independent consultant to explore alternatives.
  • John Gall (3444 Fairmont Boulevard): Described a dispute with a neighbor over a fence. He said the housing department closed the complaint without resolving it, claiming the city could not determine fence ownership. The city administrator and mayor stated the matter is closed and is a civil issue between neighbors.

Discussion Items

  • Mayor's Communication: Announced that JADCO Construction Services submitted the only bid ($1,147,000) for Project 26-07 transfer station repairs, and the design engineer recommended award. Also noted the Denison splash pad opened on September 5, 2026, and the 100th season at Cumberland Pool was completed.
  • City Administrator's Report (Reese Report): Michael Reese presented a semi-annual report covering February through August 2026. Key highlights:
    • Vehicle Policy: Finalizing policies to address underutilized vehicles, disposal, take-home rules, and purchasing.
    • Coordination: Established bi-weekly cabinet meetings and regular department updates.
    • Sustainability: Contracted with NOACA for eight public EV fast chargers; held third annual gas-powered lawnmower exchange (50 lawnmowers and 20 leaf blowers exchanged); received 48th Tree City USA award; made composting pilot permanent; launched expanded polystyrene recycling pilot (first in Ohio).
    • Arts Commission: Held first monthly meeting; established public art approval process.
    • Human Resources: Hired Christina Halsted as HR Director; held employee appreciation event.
    • Community Relations: Sent first of two focus magazines; conducted resident satisfaction survey via ETC Institute. Top dissatisfaction: roads and code enforcement; top satisfaction: public safety and solid waste. Majority rated Cleveland Heights as desirable.
    • Finance: Hired Joe Brzezinski as Finance Director; 2023 audit released March 19, 2026; 2024 financial statements filed July 15, 2026; 2025 statements 60% complete; bond rating expected to be reinstated early 2027; budget hearings set for November 4-6, 2026; five-year capital plan to be tackled in 2027.
    • Public Works: Road repaving increased from $2.4 million (2025) to $5.1 million (2026), with 38 streets (up from 13); pothole crews tripled from one to three; leaf collection crews increased from two to three; snow plows from nine to twelve; Hillside Dairy demolition completed; inventorying city-owned lighting, parking lots, and medians.
    • Police/Fire: Deer management program planned for 2027; new generator at Fire Station 2.
    • Parks & Recreation: Splash pad at Denison Park opened; Cumberland Pool project advancing.
    • Planning & Development: Met with SIDs and merchant associations; provided funding to Noble Area Business Association and Taylor Road Merchants Association; ADU legislation nearing completion; hiring city engineer; zoning code update public open house set for September 17; housing and building code update contract with International Code Council (first comprehensive update since 2002); housing code enforcement meetings with courts.
    • Law Department: Nearly fully staffed; plan to hire assistant prosecutor before 2027.
  • Cumberland Pool Public Engagement Presentation: Josie Moore (Strategic Initiatives Manager) and Joyce Braverman presented community engagement results. Goals: preserve historic significance, increase accessibility, expand recreation opportunities, improve efficiency, reflect diverse needs, and ensure fiscal responsibility. Engagement included three open houses, a task force (15 stakeholders, five meetings), and a survey (742 responses). Key findings: Cumberland's identity is its greatest asset; lap swimming is defining; need for multi-purpose facilities; strong support for internal bathhouse modernization (light touch); accessibility improvements; demand for family amenities (lazy river, slide, play areas); desire to preserve spaciousness and natural setting. Next steps: focus groups (disability, parents, non-selected task force applicants) and two more public open houses. Timeline: June 2028 opening. Design team includes DS Architecture, Osborne Engineering, SWA Group, and Seventh Hill.
  • Clerk's Report: Announced hosting Northeast Ohio Municipal Clerks Association on September 11 for professional development sessions on ADA website accessibility and digital preservation. City is undertaking archival digitization and citywide records retention schedule update.
  • Committee Reports:
    • Housing Committee (Councilmember Stone): Housing needs assessment meeting September 10; public input session on short-term rentals September 15 at 6 PM.
    • Planning & Development Committee (Councilmember Cohen): Zoning code update meeting on YouTube; public open house September 17 at Coventry Library; Landmark Commission event September 10; ADU public hearing October 15.
    • Transportation Mobility Committee (Vice President Larson): Meets September 30 at 7 PM.
    • Climate & Environmental Sustainability Committee: Meets September 14 at 4 PM.
    • Tree commission legislation moved to law department for drafting.
  • Council Member Comments: Councilmember Cobb thanked participants in the August 25 meet the council event; next one October 28. Noted trackless leaf loader demo. Promoted Barbara Boyd Park. Announced September 11 memorial ceremony at 8:30 AM at Fire Station #1. A moment of silence was observed for 9/11 victims. Vice President Larson thanked EMTs and police for assistance after her accident.

Key Outcomes

  • Bid Award: Motion to award transfer station repair contract to JADCO Construction Services for $1,147,000 (no formal vote recorded, but mayor read recommendation).
  • Legislation Passed (First Reading):
    • Resolution 162-2026: Recognizing September 22, 2026 as Car-Free Day and Parking Day (passed unanimously).
    • Resolution 163-2026: Authorizing application for Ohio Public Works Commission capital improvement and local transportation improvement programs (passed unanimously).
    • Resolution 164-2026: Authorizing agreement with Gable Elevator for elevator repair at City Hall, waiving competitive bidding (passed unanimously).
    • Resolution 165-2026: Authorizing agreement with GPD Group for design services for Neil Avenue water main replacement (first reading, no vote).
    • Resolution 166-2026: Accepting budget commission amounts, authorizing tax levies (first reading).
    • Ordinance 167-2026: Amending appropriations for fiscal year 2026 (first reading).
    • Resolution 168-2026: Reappointing Thomas Zitch and Benjamin Hohen to Board of Zoning Appeals (first reading).
    • Resolution 169-2026: Reappointing Julia Weiss and Catherine Lester to Architectural Board of Review (first reading).
    • Resolution 170-2026: Reappointing Jessica Wobig to Planning Commission (first reading).
    • Resolution 171-2026: Reappointing Ken Goldberg, Thomas Vider, Ann Selsich, Jim Nemistil, and Danielle Cohen to Landmark Commission (first reading).
    • Resolution 172-2026: Reappointing Catalina Wagers, John Barber, Sean Terry, Carly Beck, and Patrick Whiting to Climate and Environmental Sustainability Committee (first reading).
    • Resolution 173-2026: Reappointing Peter DeGolia and Ira Edda Black to Commission on Aging (first reading).
  • Legislation Passed (Second Reading):
    • Ordinance 151-2026: Authorizing intergovernmental agreement with East Cleveland for Taylor Road Corridor Project (passed unanimously).
    • Resolution 152-2026: Authorizing cost share agreement with NEORSD for pre-design study of culvert at MLK Jr. Drive (passed unanimously).
    • Resolution 153-2026: Authorizing cost share agreement with NEORSD for exploratory investigation of outfall DBMB0746 (passed unanimously).
    • Resolution 154-2026: Authorizing cost share agreement with NEORSD for citywide catch basin project (passed unanimously).
    • Ordinance 155-2026: Amending chapter 143 (Landmark Commission) – held over for further discussion; Councilmember DeWitt Foy requested more work.
    • Resolution 157-2026: Authorizing acquisition of loadmaster elite body for refuse and recycling (passed unanimously).
    • Resolution 160-2026: Accepting tax incentive review council recommendations for CRA tax exemption agreements (passed unanimously).
  • Other Actions: Tree commission legislation referred to law department for drafting. Council agreed to hold a moment of silence for 9/11 victims.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, let me call this Cleveland Heights City Council meeting to order. It is 737. Andy, would you please call the role? Stone. Do it for you. Here. Posh. Here. Huda. Here. Larson. This is Gail Larson. I'm just telling you for everybody that doesn't know I had an accident that has me homebound for at least a month and possibly two. So I will be on Zoom for a while, but I'm still working hard for everybody. So thanks for understanding. Cohen. Here. All right. So we don't actually have any minutes and any amendments to the agenda. So we'll move right to communication from the mayor. Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to begin by reading into the record that on August 14th, 2026, the City of Cleveland Heights received a bid for Project 26 07 transfer station repair project. And the only bid came from JADCO construction services for $1,147,000. The design engineer GPD has reviewed the bid and determined that JADCO is a responsible bidder and submitted a bid in conformance with the contract documents. Therefore, they are recommending that JADCO construction be award the contract. And I'd just like to beyond that, um remind people that the Denison splash pad, which our city administrator will talk more about in his report, is now open. Very grateful for the hard work of the public works department, or I'm sorry, of the Parks and Rec department. And we are having a small opening event at 11 a.m. on Saturday. So if you're interested in available, we'd love for you to join us. Well, let's hope it's a big event. Yeah, and I'd like to also um acknowledge that we just completed the 100th season at Cumberland Pool. And so I'd like to thank all the staff for their hard work. Uh there were a lot of really great improvements this season, and we're all very excited for the next chapter of Cumberland, but it's exciting to also celebrate that we just completed the 100th season. That's the end of my report for you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. All right. Uh next, the city administrators report, also known as the Reese Report. And I understand this is a big one today. This is the big one. So uh Mayor Petris, President CUDA, Vice President Larson. I am here to give you an extended version of the Reese report. And um, so just for context, um by charter, the city manager um is supposed to provide a written report to the uh mayor and council on a semi-annual basis. And uh my report tonight basically covers the period from uh um early February through the end of August. And I'm excited to present this to you tonight. I'm not gonna read the whole thing. I will um cover um just part of it and the most significant parts, I think. But before I go there, uh I think for a little bit of context, it would be helpful just to talk a little bit about for the benefit of council members and especially for the benefit of the public tuning in uh tonight is to talk a little bit about what my role is.

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