[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6125547,"mediaKeyId","2676833-4c8e4acaf193a3616ee5dd8ccc1d70b8","parentId",2676833,"title","Citizens Advisory Committee presents CDBG recommendations; CAPER posted for public comment","audioSeconds",160,"startMs",3979974,"endMs",4140000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2676833-4c8e4acaf193a3616ee5dd8ccc1d70b8&start=3979&end=4140","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2676833-4c8e4acaf193a3616ee5dd8ccc1d70b8/thumbnail_3979974.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6125547/Cleveland-Heights/Cuyahoga-County/Ohio/Citizens-Advisory-Committee-presents-CDBG-recommendations-CAPER-posted-for-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125547-d9c7a667fe41d2a10fa131fa641617aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1775275077&Signature=BAlxIKergK4yLaS3LLVXv1EoRjNIa1KujTWo-0lURTBJNyvoimd9wIN4DlUR8rRFEz7j-RQyzy73D9T18HpBmaAQ8x63IJz4~eFgt2AAOvWQMSydIac9kVPOYvaKJaxPM5XgEVeQzwjhrHgYBFruLfp3vK8QtY76AhRs6Eqi69pGXpMQKInf7DvgwSJCEK-KamwK-j2guvvZUhPcOVxFVsNYxXJY8iLNXtV15SQOCIEa6PwfE33FlJWY4JBR1-eynOq5Pr-H1l8QO242Dc6pQnKCbEnz566FaeYJdbCEClC-trw9E1lHKf4StCaLZHPF9TkRArMIHvLxB162eiWDrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Cleveland Heights, OH","date","2025-03-19T00:33:37.997Z","article","City staff and the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) reported March 17 on recommended Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocations and related programs.

Ryan Iorio summarized the CAC recommendations and said the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) was posted March 14 and is in a public comment period; a CAC public hearing on the CAPER was scheduled for the CAC meeting the following day. Iorio said the easiest place to submit written comments is planning@clevelandheights.gov.

Notable recommendations included adding Journey Center and Heights Sperman Collaborative as public‑service grantees; staff described the latter relationship as renewed after prior subrecipient activity. Staff noted that CDBG public‑service funding is constrained by federal caps and that a continuing resolution at the federal level would likely hold funding near current levels.

City staff explained how American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds can be used to supplement CDBG home‑repair programs: ARPA can cover gaps for projects that exceed CDBG caps, or serve residents who do not qualify by income for CDBG, or be used where ARPA funds that had been used for payroll relief were reclassified as general‑fund resources. Staff said some ARPA allocations previously used for payroll have effectively become general‑fund resources and can be deployed for problem‑solving in housing repairs.

Staff also said the city’s long‑standing home‑repair and exterior‑repair programs were available and that some residents have been asking how and when ARPA‑enabled exterior repair programs would be ready; staff said program rollout timing is in process and encouraged interested residents to contact planning@clevelandheights.gov.

Other data noted in the presentation: several programs showed carryover funds from previous years, the commercial façade/renovation loan program remained healthy, and the Office on Aging’s CDBG allocation had declined from $40,000 to $15,000 because the Office of the Aging had carryover funds and had not replaced a staff position. Staff said the CAC has 22 slots and currently several vacancies.

This presentation was informational; the transcript does not record final council action on the CAC’s recommendations at the Committee of the Whole meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cleveland Heights Council Committee of the Whole March 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The city’s Citizens Advisory Committee reviewed Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocations, added two organizations to public‑service recommendations, explained how ARPA funds may supplement home‑repair programs, and posted the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for public comment.","taxTitle","Cleveland Heights, Cuyahoga County, Ohio","taxId",54271,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6125552,"Cleveland Heights councilors and advisor flag audit backlog while discussing 2025 appropriations ordinance",412,3187505,3600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2676833-4c8e4acaf193a3616ee5dd8ccc1d70b8&start=3187&end=3600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2676833-4c8e4acaf193a3616ee5dd8ccc1d70b8/thumbnail_3187505.jpg","/articles/6125552/Cleveland-Heights/Cuyahoga-County/Ohio/Cleveland-Heights-councilors-and-advisor-flag-audit-backlog-while-discussing-2025-appropriations-ordinance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125552-140de6cd508617318470c266c57e068f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775275077&Signature=J9ITd3~oYOTwKIsEnZnNKHb4n2HSiH27-cLLptWCbPm4ADIYw6WeFuacmLyXhAYxrQcJ8YkdSw6TBR825VFdqCMCrR3HNJ2MdwGFieCc2MWdAyBl1Hk-XY6oEAf7A73OHEcz~JFiXjTkWYOo9RtXoYTJcliZtNSv4dbp3~-q5qJWQgudy50EcO2beGYFUFPKuZKIY4XPQAmzezptfXC2D6EiFPGDBXzkJ~VhFF76XEQ-teZYxT6tEWGFwiZLWRglakGCF7sIVGJ7WgttZiQQ49F4asVHYUdFrVDHBMTBfeuUXyKwygkDpqPqzF0bTQeTD5NQ3dK5iKxoHmXN4fbtpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cleveland Heights councilors used the Committee of the Whole meeting March 17 to scrutinize the proposed 2025 appropriation ordinance and hear an external advisor’s review of reconciliations and outstanding audit work.

Frank Dyke, an outside advisor and CPA, told council he had reconciled department‑level operating budget data to the appropriation ordinance and found two items that required clarification: capital work and engineering costs appearing in the Planning, Neighborhoods and Development department rather than Public Works, and a department‑number mismatch (the ordinance showed department 8401 while the administration’s worksheet used 8411). Dyke said the mayor indicated the ordinance is correct and that the administration had updated its system to match the ordinance.

On audit timing, Dyke warned the city must file unaudited 2023 financial statements with the State of Ohio. He told council the city missed an earlier February 28 filing target and that “it’s imperative that that’s gotta be something the city needs to focus on,” noting that an unauditable designation triggers formal notices and additional administrative consequences. Dyke said it may be possible to obtain a short extension but urged filing as soon as possible so the city is not deemed unauditable.

Council members raised process and staffing questions. One speaker urged monthly finance‑department updates and suggested an assistant finance director and replacement of an antiquated financial system. Council members also discussed coordinating proposed budget amendments through committee to minimize confusion and avoid multiple, conflicting on‑the‑floor amendments.

During the meeting members discussed a proposed set of amended whereas clauses to the appropriation ordinance that references Ohio law; the transcript records council members agreeing to replace the last whereas clause with two clauses, one that cites Ohio Revised Code section 5705.38, which requires passage of an annual appropriations measure by April 1.

Dyke also reminded council that American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds are not part of the 2025 appropriation ordinance because those funds were budgeted last year. He recommended the administration finalize capital‑asset records so auditors can finish their work; a stated priority was getting the unaudited 2023 statements to the state so an audit can proceed.

The appropriation ordinance remained under discussion in committee; the transcript does not record a final council vote on the ordinance at the Committee of the Whole meeting.","Council and an external advisor reviewed reconciliation of the 2025 appropriation ordinance, identified data and department coding questions, and heard warnings that the city must file unaudited 2023 financial statements to avoid being classified as unauditable.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6125557,"Northeastern Ohio Sewer District presents 90% design for Stonebrook restoration, highlights park amenities and timeline",1709,29831,1739095,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2676833-4c8e4acaf193a3616ee5dd8ccc1d70b8&start=29&end=1739","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2676833-4c8e4acaf193a3616ee5dd8ccc1d70b8/thumbnail_29831.jpg","/articles/6125557/Cleveland-Heights/Cuyahoga-County/Ohio/Northeastern-Ohio-Sewer-District-presents-90-design-for-Stonebrook-restoration-highlights-park-amenities-and-timeline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125557-d93bf18b373d7e6e219111e6ba8747b3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775275077&Signature=GiNtrKV0Z97KXypX9w6xLJRv-aUO7aRffpVg1FrDpkQ8nosSwWPfaMtEyWVpq55lK2QbcwFqrAjm4NaibBomVVTyc5E8MG3VFQA2gvlYGtB4PS8x2BO0UdzwUyb1eJ0EL7bmaFgdyN3Z7UDFwFmgo-WZEERPGPONK3LOEwwTAa7TQipDBNrp~kvyLCok0N~IxdUYILZ9nLpqmdolDzySrGcb9K~SCztnOguw7103eeoXxe5DQ0TqHp3089-K7-RtyFshg9YKgpCYGn5FwSZfSkRSEqmcP-8Ha~NMX562nYcJcu8Htv5ZHDBUanBUuM3jthswI0aypa4fRd4iQcD8DQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Northeastern Ohio Sewer District and its design consultants presented a 90% design update March 17 to the Cleveland Heights City Council Committee of the Whole for the Stonebrook restoration and an accompanying 60-acre park that spans Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights.

Consultant Glenn Valentine said the project’s primary goal is to “restore the . . . brook and to create a very well functioning restored river with a . . . accessible flood plain to help handle floodwaters.” The district’s representative, Steve Council, opened by calling the presentation the project’s “90% update.”

The design accepts an “upper confluence” option the team says performs best hydraulically and creates a broad flood plain that, in a 100-year event, occupies roughly one-third of the park. The district will direct, manage and pay for the substantial earthwork required to remove roughly 150 years of lakebed sediment and regrade the site, designers said.

The plan includes a central shared-use trail through the flood plain, a Midpark Crossing bridge connecting Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights, constructed wetlands to filter street runoff, multiple gateways and a series of promontories and overlooks. Renderings show a dynamic landscape that will change over decades as pioneer species establish and are eventually succeeded by hardwood canopy. Justin, the consultant operating the presentation, said the team has engaged more than “2,200 community voices as participants” in the public process and expects a few hundred more in upcoming events.

Cost highlights presented to the council identified roughly $2.9 million earmarked for user amenities developed from public input, with park circulation and gateways representing other significant expense lines. Councilor Bosch observed that Cleveland Heights’ portion of a roughly $7 million figure shown in the slides would be about 35%, approximately $2.4 million; the presentation confirmed Cleveland Heights’ share is calculated as 35% and that contingency is included in that number.

Design details described during the presentation included: a twin steel I‑beam bridge with heavy wood decking (described as 2½ inches thick); asphalt for primary accessible trails with informal grass tertiary trails; planting palettes emphasizing native species in the flood plain and upland promontories; and site furnishings including 19 benches, two bike-repair stations and two swings at overlooks. Designers also said conduit for future lighting is included in the cost estimate, but no permanent park lighting plan is finalized.

Council members raised implementation questions: one member asked whether Cleveland Heights has a deer-management program (Shaker Heights does) and how sapling loss to deer would be handled; designers said plant species selection and concentrated, protectable shrub strips and tree guards will be used to reduce early damage. Another councilor asked about minority‑ and women‑owned business participation; district staff said the bidding package will include a business‑opportunity program with recommended participation percentages for minority-, women- and small‑business enterprises.

Next steps shown on the schedule: a public forum in April to present the 90% design to the public, final design completion and design review comments by May, department reviews and permitting through the summer, bidding in the fourth quarter and construction anticipated at the end of the year or early next year.

The project presentation was discussion-only at the Committee of the Whole meeting; no final council approvals or votes on project funding were recorded in the transcript.

Designer quotes and detailed drawings shown in the presentation were described as the plan at the 90% design milestone; staff repeated that some landscape and circulation elements will be paid by the district while other trails, parking and parking-adjacent improvements would be paid by the two cities.","Design team presented a 90% plan to Cleveland Heights City Council for the Stonebrook (Dolan Brook) restoration and a connected 60-acre park, describing engineering, planting, trails, costs and a timeline that includes a public forum in April and final design in May.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Citizens Advisory Committee presents CDBG recommendations; CAPER posted for public comment

Cleveland Heights councilors and advisor flag audit backlog while discussing 2025 appropriations ordinance

Northeastern Ohio Sewer District presents 90% design for Stonebrook restoration, highlights park amenities and timeline