Cleveland Heights City Council Regular Meeting — November 3, 2026

The meeting date provided is November 3, 2026; the transcript identifies it as the regular meeting for November 2nd. It ran from approximately 7:44 p.m. to 8:33 p.m., with all council members present. The agenda included a Heights High student report, the mayor's 2027 budget preview, a city administrator update, public comments, and first- and second-reading legislation. All votes were voice votes with no opposition recorded.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes for September 9 and September 22 with no objections.
• Authorized bidding for Project 2608, utility location and marking services (Ohio 811 call-before-you-dig) so city sanitary and storm sewers are marked before contractor digging; passed by voice vote.
• Passed first-reading emergency items: Res. 206-2026, contract with Home Repair Resource Center for program management of the home maintenance repair and accessibility program; Ord. 207-2026, amending 2026 appropriations; Res. 208-2026, Routeware Inc. software for refuse collection; and Res. 214-2026, change order 001 with Fabrizi Trucking and Paving for the CH 13/CH 61 SSO and Hampshire Road illicit connections project.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jose, owner of Thunderbolt Auto on Noble Road, expressed gratitude for the pending property acquisition to expand parking but said he was extremely frustrated by unmet city promises. He said a $30,000 grant was lost because economic development did not complete its part, storefront funds promised in June had not arrived, and he was borrowing at 8% while facing winter roof work; he said the city's treatment was 'not fair' and 'not right.'
• Lee Chilcoat, director and housing manager with Future Heights, thanked council for its $7,500 investment in the 2026 Heights Music Hop, held August 28-30; he said Future Heights leveraged the funding five times over through grants, donations, and sponsorships and brought thousands of people to Cleveland Heights commercial districts.
• Steve Presser, a 44-year resident and Future Heights community engagement and events manager, reported 90 bands in 46 venues over three days across four neighborhoods and called the 2026 Heights Music Hop a roaring success. He thanked the city as a financial sponsor, the mayor and council, Chief Britton and police, city services, communications staff, and the special improvement districts; he mentioned possible future expansion to four one-day events over four summer months, which would require more hours and dollars.
• Edgar Mitchell, a resident since 1979, encouraged residents to engage with city government, praised the Home Resource Center and the church at Lee Road and Monticello, and expressed optimism that residents working together can improve the city.
• James Williams of Severance Circle warned that the federal government is cutting programs for local and state governments and urged budget adjustments to protect residents; he also discussed the COVID-19 response and Amy Acton.

Discussion Items

• Jesse Bowling, a Heights High junior and superintendent student cadre member, reported on school achievements: Cassie Thompson earned all-GCC and individual GCC champion honors in cross country and qualified for the state meet; Ari Langan set a school record with 27 regular-season goals and ranked first in Division I Ohio; Harry Tugot earned all-GCC golf honors and qualified for the district tournament; 10 fall teams combined for a 3.7 GPA, with eight teams at 3.7 or higher; 84 students earned AP scholar or AP honors; 40 clinical health juniors and seniors passed CPR certification; engineering students visited Magnet Headquarters and Manufacturing Day; the fall musical was an all-city production; the cosmetology student salon opened; and over 20 students attended the City Club Youth Summit and met U.S. Representative Shontel Brown. The mayor announced that Jesse Bowling will be his student intern.
• Mayor Petris presented the 2027 budget preview. The total budget is about $142 million, including about $37 million for projects. Major items include about $13.7 million for a new Cumberland pool, nearly $13 million for sewer repair and upgrades, about $4 million for roads and safer streets, and $2.4 million for a new fire engine and fire station improvements. The largest revenue source is the income tax at about $38.6 million; property tax rises about 7% after the county reappraisal. The general fund expects about $66 million in revenue, 58% from income tax, and about $65 million in spending; about three-quarters pays employees, leaving about $1 million and an estimated $19.4 million reserve, roughly 30% of annual spending. Other highlights: 38 streets repaved in 2026, more than $3 million for repaving, 50 new park benches, about 300 trees, 22 cruisers retired from the 2008-2011 model years, new hybrid cruisers, $12.9 million in sewer work, a Nelaview water main replacement, a renovated refuse transfer station this spring, and a new city website in February. Cumberland pool groundbreaking is planned for the end of the 2027 swim season, financed primarily with bonds; new playgrounds at Cain Park and Cumberland Park depend on grant funding. The budget book will be posted Wednesday; hearings are Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 10:30 a.m.; first reading of the appropriations ordinance is November 16, second reading December 7, and third reading/vote December 14.
• City Administrator Reese reported on closing out ARPA funding, the 2027 budget, the October 27 public hearing on speed cameras in school zones with Councilmember Posh and Chief Britton, and the 2027 deer management proposal with a first reading authorizing a cooperative services agreement with USDA Wildlife Services for deer management.
• The clerk reported a notice from the Ohio Department of Liquor Control regarding a new D2 liquor permit for Happy Bees Ice Cream and Coffee LLC at 1783 Coventry Road; the matter was referred to the mayor and chief of police.
• Councilwoman Cohen gave a planning and development update: the large zoning update is underway, with public engagement and a first public look targeted for late February or early March; she said nothing changes on January 1, Hampshire Park concerns are being addressed, a community park would remain a conditional use in residential or business districts, and a park district is being discussed; she also noted the November 10 virtual Cumberland pool design meeting and thanked the city for Fall Fest.
• Councilman Cobb encouraged residents to vote on election day, with polls open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Councilwoman Cohen noted that precincts E, 4F, and 4G moved from the community center to Boulevard Elementary School. A council member announced the final Tenant's Town Hall on November 18 at 5 p.m. at Lee Road Library, featuring assistant housing director Alan Butler on the complaint process, with meal and child care provided. Vice President Larson reported the Climate Environmental Sustainability Committee meets November 17 at 4 p.m. and the Transportation and Mobility Committee meets November 18 at 7 p.m. Council President Kuda spoke about the importance of the legislative branch and voting.

Key Outcomes

• First reading only, no vote: Res. 209-2026 (2027 Ford F-250 and snowplow equipment for Parks), Ord. 210-2026 (sale of 0.0349 acre at 2863 Noble Road to Musical Mechanic LLC for $3,500), Res. 211-2026 (USDA Wildlife Services deer management agreement for 2027), Res. 212-2026 (appointment of Bianca Menendez to Transportation and Mobility Committee), and Ord. 213-2026 (amending chapters 107 and 111 on open meetings and council).
• Second readings passed by voice vote with no opposition: Res. 201-2026 (2027 Ford Super Duty F-600 through Sourcewell/National Auto Fleet Group for refuse and recycling), Res. 202-2026 (council code of conduct), and Ord. 203-2026 as amended (three real estate purchase agreements for vacant residential property to various purchasers).
• Directed that the liquor permit notice be referred to the mayor and chief of police.
• Scheduled budget hearings for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 10:30 a.m., with the budget book posted online Wednesday and appropriations readings on November 16, December 7, and December 14.
• The meeting adjourned at 8:33 p.m.