Cleveland Heights · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Cleveland Heights public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
City Hall elevator repair and maintenance
The City Hall elevator was fire-damaged. The low bid is about $130,000, but council is waiting on an insurance engineer's report. Councilmember Cuda pushed for a long-term maintenance strategy for all city elevators and buildings, and the mayor agreed one is being developed.
Street lighting and street improvement assessments
The tree assessment would rise for the first time since 2014 — from $0.45 to $0.60 per half-foot, about $26 a year on an average lot — because costs have outpaced the frozen rate. Council held it for a second reading so residents can weigh in before the county deadline.
Lead Safe Cuyahoga Grant Funds
Council put off a vote on using state Lead Safe Ohio grant money to remove lead paint hazards at a local home. Members want to answer questions raised in committee before committing grant funds to a contractor.
Building Code Study RFP
The city is hiring the International Code Council for $105,100 to overhaul building and housing codes that have barely been updated in decades. Residents have long complained about slow housing enforcement, and council wants public input built into the process.
Juvenile diversion program
The police department's diversion program gives kids who commit low-level offenses a second chance instead of juvenile court. Over two years, 40 youth were served and 32 completed successfully, with records wiped clean. Council discussed expanding it to at-risk kids before they enter the system.
Violence Intervention Program
Police Chief Britton was scheduled to brief the committee on the city's Violence Intervention Program. The briefing could shape how the city funds and coordinates violence prevention efforts serving residents.
Police and fire fleet replacement with hybrid interceptors
A saved federal DOJ grant will buy four hybrid police interceptors, aimed partly at safety at the high and middle schools.