Cleveland Heights · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Cleveland Heights public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Senior home repair loan program equity
Council approved $400,000 more for the Home Repair Resource Center's exterior repair program — up to $8,000 per homeowner for households at 80–120% of area median income. Funds come from ARPA dollars already earmarked, and there's already a queue of homeowners waiting.
Council Code of Conduct and Legislative Process
Resolution 202-2026, a code of conduct for council members, was up for its second reading. It sets behavior standards for the city's elected leaders.
Declining city fund balances in Q3 2026
The unencumbered General Fund balance is about $17.5 million, roughly $2.5 million under the $20 million target, partly from an unanticipated workers' comp payment. Council is being warned to scrutinize every new spending request that draws from Fund 101.
Board and Commission Vacancies
There's one open seat on the Transportation and Mobility Committee and three on the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board that council needs to fill.
Bulk trash pickup policy
A resident said the refuse task force recommended against changes to bulk pickup, but the color-calendar system makes it hard to dispose of furniture; she proposed an on-demand portal with roughly 25 allowances a year.
AI use in city government
Council wants to bring in an AI expert — possibly at the retreat — to train council and staff. Members discussed using Microsoft Copilot as a secure platform, policies for confidential vs. public records, and AI-searchable legislative history.
Chapter 111 rules revision
Council is rewriting the rules that govern how it operates: who can call special meetings, whether Zoom attendance counts for quorum, how a council president could be replaced, and whether council can act only through ordinances and resolutions. The MOU controversy of past years loomed over the debate.
Cain Park operating deficit
Cain Park went from a $900,000 transfer last year to roughly breaking even this year — nearly a million-dollar swing. A full revenue and expense review is promised during the budget process.
2026 Tax Levies and Appropriations
The council was scheduled to consider accepting the Budget Commission's tax rates and certifying levies to the county, plus an ordinance amending 2026 appropriations. These set the city's property tax rates and spending adjustments for the year.
ARPA spending at 86% with Noble corridor investments detailed
With 89% of $30.8 million spent, about 11% of ARPA money remains, some of it unencumbered and likely headed to Cain Park restrooms. Council member DeWitt-Foy pressed for something — possibly lighting or maintenance — for the Cedar Fairmount and Lee Road districts that got nothing from the original business assistance allocations.
2026 City Appropriations Ordinance
An amended ordinance adjusting the city's 2026 spending plan was up for second reading. These mid-year tweaks keep department budgets aligned with actual needs.
Semi-annual city administrator report
The city administrator's report showed real progress: 38 streets repaved this year versus 13 last year, tripled pothole crews, more snow plows, the Denison splash pad open, and audits caught up with a bond rating reinstatement hoped for in early 2027. Residents were most dissatisfied with roads and code enforcement in the city's satisfaction survey — and the 2027 budget is being drafted with that in mind.
Unexpected expenses straining the 2026 budget
The city's finances look healthier than last year — spending exceeded revenue by about $1.7 million through July versus $6.6 million at the same point in 2025. Court fine reporting is behind due to a system transition but should catch up by end of September.
Building Department Permit Volume
Building official Eric Elmi reported Cleveland Heights issues about 3,300 permits a year — more than Lakewood's 2,700 and double Beachwood and South Euclid. Council asked for historical trend data to help with budget planning.
Moving committee records off personal Gmail and Google Drive
Several committees keep agendas, minutes, and contact inboxes on personal Gmail accounts and private Google Drives. Council wants everything moved to city systems and posted publicly for open-meetings compliance.
Administrative Code Review
Council wrapped up its line-by-line review of the city's legislative procedures chapter, flagging outdated language — gendered pronouns, 1950s-era copy requirements, and an expenditure-approval provision that may conflict with a newer charter amendment — for the law department to redraft.
Declining resident satisfaction survey results
A scientific survey found satisfaction dropped significantly in 66 of 69 areas since 2020. Street maintenance and code enforcement are the top priorities residents want fixed, and 57% aren't satisfied with the value they get for their tax dollars.
Crossroads rental registration settlement
A court found the city's $100 rental registration fee unlawful, and the city is paying out about $554,000 to settle rather than litigate further. Legislation to remove the fee while keeping landlord registration requirements comes to council June 15.
ARPA Funds Update
88% of the city's federal pandemic money is spent, with the rest due out by year-end. Council flagged the slow-moving surveillance camera project and asked whether popular home-repair programs should become permanent budget items.
ADP payroll conversion
The city switches to ADP payroll and timekeeping on July 24, 2026, after years of delay. Three parallel pay runs are planned, with staff training in June.
Leopardo sustainability contract debt
Utility costs rose even after the city's energy contract with Leopardo, and the city has hired Energility to independently verify promised savings. Council wants a follow-up meeting once the assessment is done.
Board and commission website rosters
Several citizen boards don't list their members — or when their terms end — on the city website, making it hard for residents to know when to apply.
Nonprofit and event funding policy
Council is crafting a policy for handling outside funding requests, agreeing the city isn't a grant maker and favoring co-sponsorship of community events with clear public-purpose criteria. The Music Hop's $30,000 staffing request is one pending example.
Accounting system software replacement
The city's aging New World accounting system makes financial reporting difficult. Replacing it would take at least two years and affect every department; the new finance director wants to evaluate it fully first.
Community engagement task force
Council Member Cohen proposed a community engagement task force, developed with input from about ten residents and building on the racial justice task force model, and asked council to give it a home.
Ward-based representation charter amendment
Multiple residents demanded a charter review commission to look at whether the at-large council structure gives neighborhoods real accountability, and criticized the lack of Black representation on council and in leadership.
NOPEC energy grants and gas program
Council finalized accepting NOPEC community energy grants and an opt-in natural gas program for residents.
Budgeting process for large project incentives
Vice President Gail Larson flagged that this money was never built into a department budget, and the legislation doesn't even name the project. She asked staff to set up a process so future big projects get budgeted up front. Staff said that work is underway.
Temporary hiring freeze
The mayor announced a freeze requiring approval for every hire and vehicle purchase. Council members questioned how it applies to council-controlled positions and whether it saves real money.
Streaming public meetings on YouTube
Council Member Sarah Stone pushed for recording all board and commission meetings, not just Planning Commission and BZA. Staff say staffing limits make that hard right now, but they'll look into affordable recording devices and audio-only posting as options.
CDBG Annual Action Plan transparency
A resident asked for line-item detail on how roughly $1 million in CDBG funds — youth services, housing rehab, commercial revitalization — are allocated, including whether private schools benefit. Council offered to connect her with staff for answers.
CDBG funding presentation
About $1.56 million in federal block grant money will fund the same slate of programs as last year, with no room for two new applications. The CAC also wants the Office of Aging Specialist salary moved into the city budget rather than relying on year-to-year grants.
Town Halls and Neighborhood Meetings
Council planned to discuss holding town halls and neighborhood meetings, which would give residents more direct access to their elected officials.
2026 Committee Priorities
The committee was scheduled to map out what it wants to focus on in 2026, from budget matters to capital spending. These priorities will guide which financial issues get attention this year.
Contract Reporting Requirement Over $7,500
The city is behind on publicly posting contracts over $7,500, a transparency requirement in effect since June 2025. A weekly cross-department team and a new tracking system aim to catch up and prevent future gaps.
Bond rating recovery and fiscal restraint
Members agreed the city should stay frugal and defer large funding requests — including a potential $200,000-$300,000 immigration-related request — until the bond rating is restored and audits are complete.
2023 and 2024 City Audits
The 2023 audit is finished and awaiting state release, and the 2024 audit is being compiled. Clean audits matter for the city's effort to rebuild its bond rating, which affects borrowing costs.
Appointment of Director of Finance
The mayor picked John Brodzinski to run the city's finances, and council was set to confirm the choice right after this meeting. The finance director oversees the budget, spending, and city audits.
Cain Park General Manager compensation
Council changed the pay grade for the Cain Park General Manager job, moving it to Salary Grade 19. The change took effect immediately because it was passed as an emergency measure.