[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6245557,"mediaKeyId","3225080-07683523460907970ca4db6fe22885a5","parentId",3225080,"title","Mayor: Brook Park pursuing stadium rezoning, Blue Abyss and NASA opportunities; federal funding work ongoing","audioSeconds",229,"startMs",5667000,"endMs",5896000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3225080-07683523460907970ca4db6fe22885a5&start=5667&end=5896","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3225080-07683523460907970ca4db6fe22885a5/thumbnail_5667000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6245557/Ohio/Mayor-Brook-Park-pursuing-stadium-rezoning-Blue-Abyss-and-NASA-opportunities-federal-funding-work-ongoing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6245557-3b8286beca7d43f760025644ebd45113/orig.mp4?Expires=1770973898&Signature=czblQtNgKmNC-w4GGFKj7UKIqP~3Ba4-LH6Q2fW4-yBDXXU5kxuFStxK~b74jTk0yqOzAVC33KVuVa~kp40zm9~dLvv~D4Q48dTBlU3UWU17Fah2YsWedpCarvUJGQiS~uTc5ZbRWVow1DnzsjBYywJDLY9TN0tGmazzx~Z6lJa3jr0yvqgL0rush79I8nfYxX51u1IwlVqni78GyZwOWofwWgR~q6Ey9oXEGCtvi4MRKKSN1np-ljPp1ExAmf~kxb64l-71jBY2pESrK4BF5NMIsoUSqxs0nmAAni0tkoG8p5vu-d506yhJanAL~bv5s6SGiWCDD3aOQblWePlhcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Brook Park OH","date","2025-05-07T00:00:00Z","article","Mayor Michael Orcutt used the council meeting on May 6 to update residents and council on several major, ongoing economic-development efforts: potential rezoning and infrastructure requests tied to a proposed Cleveland Browns stadium on city-owned land, negotiations with the Haslam Sports Group, and continued engagement with developers and federal partners on the Blue Abyss astronaut-training and research facility.

Why it matters: The mayor said the projects could require large infrastructure investments and zoning changes and have long-term implications for development and jobs in Brook Park. Council will see rezoning requests once negotiations and draft materials are complete.

Stadium and rezoning: Orcutt said the city and private partners are close to completing negotiations and that planning for rezoning of approximately 176 acres will proceed to the planning commission and then to council for formal consideration. He described an expected roughly 45-day process for rezoning once the application is submitted. The mayor also reported a recent trip to Columbus to meet with the ODOT director and state staff to discuss potential funding and a team visit to Brook Park.

Blue Abyss and NASA: The mayor reported positive federal outreach on Blue Abyss, which is pursuing astronaut-training and research work that could benefit from NASA relationships and private investment; he said Congressman Max Miller and other federal officials are assisting with potential funding opportunities. He noted broader national competition for related federal work and observed that Ohio's lower cost of living and lack of natural-disaster exposure are selling points.

Next steps: Mayor Orcutt said staff and the service director will continue to coordinate infrastructure design and apply for state/federal grants for associated upgrades, and the city will host visiting state teams to support grant applications.

Ending: The update did not include formal council action; the mayor said he will return with rezoning applications and design-level infrastructure requests in the coming weeks as negotiations and funding work progress.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Brook Park OH, Regular Council Meeting 05/07/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Mayor Michael Orcutt updated council May 6 that Brook Park is negotiating rezoning and infrastructure plans tied to a potential Cleveland Browns stadium and is pursuing state and federal support for related upgrades, while continuing outreach on the Blue Abyss and NASA-related opportunities.","taxTitle","Brookpark, Cuyahoga County, Ohio","taxId",56454,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6245562,"Brook Park authorizes participation in ODOT road-salt contract; council hears storage and usage update",378,1301000,1679000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3225080-07683523460907970ca4db6fe22885a5&start=1301&end=1679","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3225080-07683523460907970ca4db6fe22885a5/thumbnail_1301000.jpg","/articles/6245562/Ohio/Brook-Park-authorizes-participation-in-ODOT-road-salt-contract-council-hears-storage-and-usage-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6245562-573a333eaacf37575c6d76500c3ccddf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770973898&Signature=bryQAeGiIKwrDvr2zIKbXPO~eVkhz2yuqirXVC2TcXdf6dnfa7hWo16-tQnlelF8Ay8PJnv5E39ymawg~RDGuK6J8XzMMZlsFkUDxO6-J-BDqPdZthEEDnjkLyq8mBUsl2UCrgT2P8uHSoHolhsMc6D~3xqjTq0TybzQkI22MLUuE0yq4MOJ0WbLS3sd5ubwFTPbJO8RJhgm77DcOZ0Wbpyne-oQRxqMmY9oRH5nZjXG0LqgABJRvVXjtx28Fap2rrR5C2eRCaDu9ICqdBZAuPg~6s2bW-OGAS1a1zHDbtaF2ctwlcqRo2ttwOZrJRAsl1W9PJeQhNRPCWLLcIBShQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brook Park voted May 6 to authorize the mayor to participate in the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) road-salt contract for the upcoming season, a routine but time-sensitive housekeeping action that allows the city to buy salt through the state consortium.

Why it matters: State consortium purchasing can secure bulk road salt at competitive prices and on ODOT's schedule. The resolution requires prompt action because the consortium issues participation agreements in early spring.

Details and staff briefing: Mayor Orcutt and Service Director Brian Beyer (referred to in the meeting as Brian) told council the city typically orders between 2,500 and 3,000 tons of salt; based on recent winters the city increased its order back toward 3,000 tons. The resolution text references a total amount (transcribed in the meeting as \"3,000 ton\"); the agreement requires the city to take a minimum percentage of its allocation (the packet cites 90 percent minimum purchase for some elements of the contract).

Storage and operational capacity: Service Director Beyer said Brook Park has a salt dome that can hold roughly 1,000+ tons depending on stacking, two covered wagons that hold 300\u0013400 tons each, and additional smaller lean-to storage that holds 50\u001200 tons. He told council he did not believe the city currently needs additional permanent storage capacity.

Procurement timing: Staff said ODOT requires early approval for participation, and the city needs to accept the contract on ODOT's timetable; the mayor asked council to place the resolution on the agenda so the city can meet ODOT deadlines.

Action: Council placed the resolution on the agenda and approved it by recorded vote; the service director and finance staff will proceed with the consortium participation as authorized.

Ending: The city will take delivery and manage inventory under the approved contract; council discussed prior-year residuals (the city still has some contracted salt from the 2024\u001325 season that it must take by June) and noted staff will continue to evaluate storage and possible grant opportunities for larger facilities.","Council approved a resolution allowing Brook Park to participate in the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) road-salt purchasing consortium for 2025\u001326; the service director said the city will contract for roughly 3,000 tons and that the city believes its current storage capacity is adequate.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6245567,"Brook Park to raise fines, hourly fees for oversized/overweight vehicles on local streets",242,1844000,2086000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3225080-07683523460907970ca4db6fe22885a5&start=1844&end=2086","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3225080-07683523460907970ca4db6fe22885a5/thumbnail_1844000.jpg","/articles/6245567/Ohio/Brook-Park-to-raise-fines-hourly-fees-for-oversizedoverweight-vehicles-on-local-streets","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6245567-2a100fe81f048727ef0970be2d2ef302/orig.mp4?Expires=1770973898&Signature=Ozg43~-~1YEoWLS4Po7-hN-KK1OzP6WUNqN8HAZ0PzPC2fZEJJp9Xd3OHTi4ZaOW2HMZ3FSW7d6SOy4ptCDOjuvPpoSdPE4Lv5pRoCxB~PNpQJA6hyP8D0cvPiWxeCe~xZS14SEhTQ1zFvg5LbTm8IbG8-4nq2flcE3JlysHDp5sR3SKiarSwNIC7pX448Wxwrs8z1TKIeA6g0wBjyHqho4LPtoi~MURG9RTla~nhjb0kC1wYoxi3cN5AhMh-~CBul-uT89Quuo9c57iFRpPhLWghsOg8vXrCWs7cT3nBA6C9ytJNS1YrkHfTDyjTCzWucqlv7FFoMUkS3d3fTBB3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brook Park City Council on May 6 adopted an ordinance that raises fees and fines for oversized or overweight vehicles operating on local streets, a change sponsors said will better cover city costs and discourage commercial cut-throughs on residential roads.

What changed: The ordinance increases the city's per-hour charge for police details to move or manage oversized loads from $50 to $75 per hour and raises per-instance fines that vary by how far a vehicle exceeds weight limits. Councilman George (legislative sponsor) said the fine increases were calibrated to match neighboring Ohio cities.

Why it matters: Council members and the legislative sponsor said crews spend overtime responding when oversized vehicles end up on local streets and that existing fees did not cover those costs. Councilman DeFord described repeat incidents of trucks following consumer GPS and turning onto residential streets.

Discussion: Council members agreed to give officers discretion on enforcement when a driver truly made an honest navigation mistake, but also said recurring or reckless route choices should be deterred by higher penalties. The sponsor said the change was developed with the finance director to ensure the police detail rate covers overtime and equipment costs.

Action: The ordinance (11466-2025) was placed on the council agenda, suspended and adopted at the May 6 meeting by recorded vote.

Ending: Staff said the change is intended to be operational immediately after adoption; police will continue to exercise discretion in individual enforcement decisions.","Council approved an ordinance increasing administrative fees and per-pound fines for oversized or overweight vehicles using local streets; supporters said higher fees help cover police overtime and deter routing through residential neighborhoods.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6245572,"Brook Park moves to update police and fire longevity pay to match union contracts",986,792000,1778000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3225080-07683523460907970ca4db6fe22885a5&start=792&end=1778","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3225080-07683523460907970ca4db6fe22885a5/thumbnail_792000.jpg","/articles/6245572/Ohio/Brook-Park-moves-to-update-police-and-fire-longevity-pay-to-match-union-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6245572-9ea5d0b63863645d409d4bb927ce924b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770973898&Signature=g~R18gm-dn5eqIxah1HpoXDYrr~X2-q8F3pqUVHtR6o16yN8Lk89jNteT5dOBU2TAPpk-kQuhM0xNkGZ8GwE7pTeWQScHeTHT9siCKZB~mNJlnG9IbWQaYCH0C4EO8dk60~gHtBKSnBOPHcM-K6LnJrDcIi2IcMRUcWiJJL8WOiQAxC5~BKQcj2Ce3h8aHWPZX8G9pgtEqy~L~phf2LP88F0UBePuxGwKTrFK0lTrg62DQRQAaAp8En-4Pogeqj52xIKlltApHFfC4RkPsesDP61dZUXKm0~qtZ35Y5KNlsz-BwCVI5mE7usTZokNpnx4eRW2-gLsbQwGvKfMyDCeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brook Park City Council on May 6 advanced legislation to update decades-old longevity-pay language in the city's codified ordinances so that longevity payments for the police chief, police captain and the fire chief and assistant fire chief will align with the current collective bargaining agreements.

The mayor introduced two ordinances to modernize section 141.08 (police) and section 143.08 (fire), removing vestigial 1973 pay formulas and making longevity pay \"follow the current CBA\" so that longevity amounts automatically track what the city negotiates with public-safety unions.

Why it matters: Supporters said the change will make leadership posts more attractive and remove a structural disincentive that had discouraged candidates from taking promotional exams. Opponents cautioned against automatic \"me too\" language that ties appointed leadership pay to bargaining-unit provisions without separate council review.

Discussion and numbers: Mayor Orcutt said the existing ordinance dated to Jan. 16, 1973, and had produced disparities in longevity pay that made higher-ranked positions relatively unattractive. HR Commissioner Retnauer told council the change aims to bring parity so captains and the chief receive longevity comparable to other ranks.

Finance and law review: Finance Director Robert McGahn was asked whether the city could afford the change; McGahn said it was affordable. During the caucus HR and finance staff explained an arithmetic example used in discussion: for the current chief and captain, longevity at the top step would be $3,400 each (totaling $6,800); compared to the legacy 1973 top-step figure of $1,000, council referenced a differential figure during debate. The law director confirmed the proposed change is legally permissible.

Council members were split on the drafting approach. Councilman Tom Troyer favored separate, explicit city-set pay language so council can adjust pay and not simply mirror union contracts. Councilman Dan Thorndaster (supporting) said collective bargaining can \"raise the tide of all ships\" and supported tying longevity to the CBA.

Action: Councilors voted to place the police and fire longevity ordinances on the council agenda for first reading; both placement motions passed in committee by 5\u00131 votes. The items will move forward for formal readings and votes at council.

Ending: Staff recommended the change as a housekeeping update to reflect negotiated compensation and to improve competition for promotional exams; council requested additional fiscal detail and said it may revisit how the language is drafted before final passage.","Council advanced ordinances to amend antiquated longevity clauses in Brook Park's codified ordinances so police chief, captain and fire chief/assistant chief longevity pay will follow current collective bargaining agreements. Councilors debated whether linking the ordinances to the CBA is appropriate or whether council should set standalone pay.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6245576,"Brook Park council advances overhaul of home-maintenance grant, drops lien requirement",1897,2118000,4015000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3225080-07683523460907970ca4db6fe22885a5&start=2118&end=4015","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3225080-07683523460907970ca4db6fe22885a5/thumbnail_2118000.jpg","/articles/6245576/Ohio/Brook-Park-council-advances-overhaul-of-home-maintenance-grant-drops-lien-requirement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6245576-f9bce262e26599e2ff4cbe63c811bfe0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770973898&Signature=h5sjph4cJRIMeqK5fQpt3WMe5KvWtQjYt-JvNoJ2qtsqdraHVi6IQFRFiSRxy~x3Yw23mM8OoNH7W4ExJ5jVIg2aUYyg~2Xt6Y-9uKAOJLwcqJ72RDcm1Z7wq6t4uHb3nK-PuPnnEnFowSSFq9ywDI6qmLS~XNm5IzS1REG90-gkeeTTJqOg5jaMpyY16FLK0m6cMX4bcRCbz9R-SOR7OUOwsiuNJ3q3YbURRhf8ctBPqVVxEFrZfSIVScesfwj2lPoFKRo9MEl3Ywr~7hIyck0sFmY-~8EyBbwjylmZuELu1OT1gAYS6sUxVwjc-y7oLgV~k4xC~E5ECEpLC79DPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brook Park Mayor Michael Orcutt and City Council advanced changes to the city's Home Maintenance Assistance Grant (HMAP) program on May 6, approving an ordinance that extends eligibility into the 2025\u001326 program year and removes a five-year lien repayment requirement that had deterred some applicants.

The revision, introduced by Mayor Orcutt and cosponsored by several council members, keeps income and building-inspection safeguards while eliminating the automatic lien that previously required repayment if a recipient sold a property within five years.

Why it matters: City leaders said the program is intended to help low- and moderate-income homeowners make safety and exterior repairs that improve whole neighborhoods. Supporters said the lien discouraged eligible residents from applying; opponents warned the city risks spending taxpayer dollars on work that could increase a house's resale value without a legal claim to recover funds.

Council debate and details: Orcutt said the change would make the program's $50,000 annual appropriation more usable and allow approved work to be completed through 2026 to help residents still recovering from last year's tornado. \"We feel that this was something that was implemented before my time on council ... to be able to help clean up the neighborhoods,\" Orcutt said.

Councilman Tom Troyer repeatedly pressed for more fiscal detail and for alternatives to removing the lien. \"Can anybody tell me what this amount is going to be? We don't have numbers on this,\" Troyer said, arguing the city should consider contractual alternatives rather than eliminating the lien.

Finance Director Robert McGahn detailed the application and payment process: contractors submit invoices, the building department confirms permits and inspections, the city verifies current property-tax and income-tax status, and the finance office issues payment. McGahn also told council that roughly $15,000 of the program's $50,000 had been spent in the prior year, and four or five applicants were approved under the old rules.

Law Director comment: The law director explained a lien is attached to property and persists until paid or legally removed, while a contractual alternative (a cognovant note) could have different legal and practical effects; she said those alternatives could carry their own pitfalls.

Protections and eligibility: The revised program retains eligibility screening and documentation requirements. Applications require three contractor estimates, verification of current property taxes and income (using thresholds in the ordinance's exhibit A), and correction of existing building-code violations before payment.

Council action: Council placed the revised HMAP ordinance on the agenda and, later in the meeting, passed ordinance number 11467 (the revised HMAP) on first reading; the ordinance was passed by recorded vote at the May 6 meeting.

What remains: Council members asked staff to monitor program take-up and consider language clarifications and possible future tweaks, including whether leftover funds could be reallocated to additional households within a shorter window if uptake remains low.

Ending: With the change in place, city staff will accept applications under the revised program criteria and follow the program's income, inspection and contractor-review steps before authorizing payments.","Council moved to adopt a revised Home Maintenance Assistance Grant (HMAP) program that extends the program year, eases a lien requirement that discouraged applicants and retains income and inspection safeguards. Councilors debated trade-offs between neighborhood improvement goals and protecting public funds.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mayor: Brook Park pursuing stadium rezoning, Blue Abyss and NASA opportunities; federal funding work ongoing

Brook Park authorizes participation in ODOT road-salt contract; council hears storage and usage update

Brook Park to raise fines, hourly fees for oversized/overweight vehicles on local streets

Brook Park moves to update police and fire longevity pay to match union contracts

Brook Park council advances overhaul of home-maintenance grant, drops lien requirement