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Record of Proceedings

Cleveland Heights City Council Meeting - October 6, 2026

City Council Meetings — Tuesday, October 6, 2026
BodyCleveland Heights, Ohio
SessionCity Council Meetings
DateTuesday, October 6, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:44:39

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

0:10

Okay, I'd like to call this

Speaker 2

0:12

Cleveland Heights City Council meeting to order.

0:14

It is Monday, October 5th at about 7 32.

0:18

Would you call the role, please, Andy?

Speaker 3

0:20

Cobb.

0:21

Larson.

0:22

Here.

0:23

Cohen.

0:24

Huda?

0:25

Here.

0:26

Posh.

Speaker 2

0:27

Here.

Speaker 3

0:27

DeWitt Foy.

Speaker 2

0:29

Here.

Speaker 3

0:29

Stone.

Unassigned speaker

0:30

Here.

Speaker 2

0:31

Okay, we're all here.

0:33

Uh, any amendments to the agenda?

Unassigned speaker

0:36

All

Speaker 2

0:36

right, hearing none.

0:37

Uh, we approval of the minutes

Unassigned speaker

0:39

uh

Speaker 2

0:39

from previous.

Speaker 3

0:40

We do have actually one amendment to the agenda, I believe

Unassigned speaker

0:44

we

Speaker 3

0:44

were going to add a piece of legislation to first reading only.

0:47

1972.

0:49

Yes, I'd like to do that.

0:50

I yes.

Speaker 4

0:51

I'd like to

Speaker 2

0:52

gotta jump on it.

0:52

I'm moving fast today.

Speaker 4

0:54

I didn't realize that was the moment.

0:56

Uh I would like to make a motion to add resolution number 197-2026 for first reading only to the agenda.

Speaker 5

1:05

Second.

Speaker 2

1:06

Okay, I think I heard a vague second from back there.

1:09

And uh any discussion.

1:12

All right.

1:13

All in favor?

1:14

Aye.

1:14

Aye.

1:15

Any opposed?

1:16

All right, that motion passes.

Unassigned speaker

1:18

Uh

Speaker 2

1:19

under approval of the minutes, we uh have August 17th and September 8th.

1:24

Any um objections or changes?

1:27

All right, then we'll adopt those.

1:30

Um presentations and honors.

1:33

We have Josie Moore.

1:36

Are you doing oh no, I'm sorry, you're doing who's doing the presentations?

Speaker 6

1:41

Mr.

1:42

President, uh, this evening we're excited to present an overview of some preliminary designs for the Cumberland Rebuild.

1:49

When we selected DS Architecture to assist us with the design and engineering, they had to pull together a whole collection of firms to help them.

1:57

And this evening, we have uh Eric Prose from DS Architecture, Hank Thomas from SWA, and Jen Kaylin from Osborne Engineering.

2:05

It's been a real pleasure to work with all of these folks, and we're really excited that you're going to have a chance to see these.

2:12

And with that, I'll turn it over to Eric and Hank.

Unassigned speaker

2:16

Well,

Speaker 7

2:17

good evening.

2:17

Thank you, uh, Mayor, for the introductions.

2:19

Um, my name is Eric Prose.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Parks and Recreation█████████████████████████████████████████████50%
Procedural██████7%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████6%
Economic Development█████6%
Housing█████6%
Public Safety█████5%
Miscellaneous████4%
Active Transportation████4%
Cannabis Regulation████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Cleveland Heights City Council Meeting - October 6, 2026

The Cleveland Heights City Council met on October 6, 2026 (transcript indicates Monday, October 5th, but the provided timestamp is used per instruction). Major agenda items included a detailed presentation on the Cumberland Pool rebuild, passage of short-term rental regulations (Chapter 769), multiple first and second readings, and public comments on traffic safety, tree preservation, development, and community gardens. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes from August 17 and September 8, 2026.
  • Added Resolution 197-2026 (Cumberland Pool construction manager at risk) to first reading.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Reverend Jimmy Hicks (Starlight CDC): Expressed support for legislation advancing first reading; reported $2 million in funding for home building and repair in Noble Road community, including a $500,000 state grant and $500,000 line of credit from Farmers Bank.
  • Rory Larrick (Euclid Shade Tree Committee): Urged creation of a city tree commission, citing canopy coverage decline from 44% (2011) to 27% (2025), primarily from individual tree removals.
  • Lou Radovoyovich (Middlehurst Road): Requested council permit short-term rentals in owner-occupied accessory dwelling units (ADUs), arguing it would boost hospitality and help offset high property taxes.
  • CJ Nash (Vandemar Street): Expressed mixed feelings but overall support for Flock cameras, feeling safer with them; praised reduced agency access from 2,600 to 130 and trusted local police oversight.
  • Daniel Levin (Bradford Road): Requested a crosswalk with a pedestrian-activated flashing beacon at Kildare/Taylor Road intersection due to safety concerns; also noted parking spaces at Stone Oven plaza are two feet narrower than standard.
  • Ray Gonzalez (Berkshire Road): Requested Berkshire Road (between Washington Boulevard and Cottage Grove) be included in a traffic calming study, citing a 2022 petition with 37 signatures and safety concerns for 22 children under 10.
  • Leslie Chuma (Woodmere Drive): Proposed an optimized off-stream hybrid model for Lower Shaker Lake: 100% solar-powered aeration loop, reforestation of 650 shoreline trees, and a legally binding construction boundary to protect tree canopy.
  • Edgar Mitchell (Goodenough Road): Commended council and urged residents to work together to improve the city.
  • Larry Nowaker (Severance Action Group): Criticized lack of progress on MPAC's Severance development (no zoning report, no concept plan, no financial plan); urged city to release Avison report, issue RFP, obtain bond rating, and consider being first buyer.
  • Barbara Sosnowski: Thanked city for support of community gardens (Montford, Rowan Oak, Dumwere Orchard), noting produce donations to CHESS and emergency food center.

Discussion Items

  • Cumberland Pool Rebuild Presentation: Eric Prose (DS Architecture) and Hank Thomas (SWA) presented preliminary designs. The historic bathhouse remains the anchor; the main pool will be improved to 25-yard lap lanes with corrected depths and diving well. A new recreational pool (5,000 sq ft water vs. current 3,000 sq ft kiddie area) includes zero-depth entry, lazy river, slide, and family features. A mechanical building with restrooms replaces basement equipment. Council member questions addressed lane use, family space, basketball court relocation, lazy river tube policy, and cost. Councilwoman Cohen expressed disappointment at limited family expansion; Councilman Posh asked about flexible lane programming; Councilwoman Stone supported lifelong swimming. Mayor noted value engineering with construction manager at risk. Construction target: end of 2027 pool season, opening 2028.
  • Short-Term Rental Ordinance (5th reading): Ordinance 190-2023 (Chapter 769) passed after extensive deliberation. Councilwoman Stone led the effort; Vice President Larson highlighted registry benefits; Councilman Cohen noted it regulates previously unregulated activity. Mayor praised collaboration and said good stewards would be unaffected.
  • First Readings (unanimous):
    • Resolution 188-2026: Safe Streets for All contract with Chagrin Valley Engineering (daylighting, signal improvements, leading pedestrian intervals).
    • Ordinance 189-2026: Budget appropriations amendment.
    • Resolution 190-2026: Ohio EPA water pollution control loan fund.
    • Resolution 191-2026: Amendment for landscape services.
    • Resolution 192-2026: Amendment for financial consulting.
    • Ordinance 194-2026: Adoption of Chapter 146 Tree Commission (introduced by Vice President Larson).
    • Resolution 195-2026: Amendment for GPD Group services for transfer station renovation.
    • Ordinance 196-2026: Sale of three vacant lots to Starlight CDC (passed on first reading with suspension of rules; roll call vote 7-0).
    • Resolution 197-2026: Construction manager at risk for Cumberland Pool (added to agenda).
  • Second Readings (unanimous):
    • Resolution 180-2026: Purchase of cardio fitness equipment (saved $15,000 vs. lease).
    • Ordinance 181-2026: Kane Park entertainment programs for 2027.
    • Resolution 182-2026: Additional zoning software services (GridX).
    • Resolution 183-2026: Public art plan for Noble and South Taylor corridors.
  • Other Reports: Mayor announced 10th Happy 5K (770 registrants, raised over $20,000), shred day (Oct 10), fall fest (Oct 11), and early voting shuttles. City Administrator Reese reported on 2027 budget and ARPA implementation, with emergency legislation for $185,000 sidewalk repair contract on Oct 19.
  • Upcoming Meetings: Planning and Development Committee (Oct 13, zoning update); ADU public input session (Oct 15); Climate and Sustainability Committee (Oct 20); Transportation Mobility Committee (Oct 28); Traffic safety cameras public hearing (Oct 27); Neighborhood meeting at Caledonia Community Center (Oct 28, 6:30-7:30 p.m.).

Key Outcomes

  • Approved minutes and agenda amendment (unanimous).
  • Passed Ordinance 196-2026 (lot sale to Starlight CDC) on first reading with suspension of rules (7-0 roll call).
  • Passed Ordinance 190-2023 (Short-Term Rental Chapter 769) on fifth reading (unanimous).
  • Passed all first and second reading items (unanimous).
  • Set future meeting dates and public hearings as listed above.
  • Presentation and discussion on Cumberland Pool design will continue with construction manager input; council will receive further scale diagrams.
  • City administration will proceed with 2027 budget and ARPA projects.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, I'd like to call this Cleveland Heights City Council meeting to order. It is Monday, October 5th at about 7 32. Would you call the role, please, Andy? Cobb. Larson. Here. Cohen. Huda? Here. Posh. Here. DeWitt Foy. Here. Stone. Here. Okay, we're all here. Uh, any amendments to the agenda? All right, hearing none. Uh, we approval of the minutes uh from previous. We do have actually one amendment to the agenda, I believe we were going to add a piece of legislation to first reading only. 1972. Yes, I'd like to do that. I yes. I'd like to gotta jump on it. I'm moving fast today. I didn't realize that was the moment. Uh I would like to make a motion to add resolution number 197-2026 for first reading only to the agenda. Second. Okay, I think I heard a vague second from back there. And uh any discussion. All right. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? All right, that motion passes. Uh under approval of the minutes, we uh have August 17th and September 8th. Any um objections or changes? All right, then we'll adopt those. Um presentations and honors. We have Josie Moore. Are you doing oh no, I'm sorry, you're doing who's doing the presentations?

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