Mayor addresses security concerns over wife's access to sensitive areas

The Cleveland Heights Special Council Committee of the Whole meeting on May 27, 2025, focused on a discussion surrounding security access within city hall, particularly concerning the mayor's use of a key card and the implications of access to sensitive areas.

During the meeting, concerns were raised about the mayor's wife potentially using his key card to access restricted areas of the building. The mayor clarified that the key card system is separate from the key fob system used by the law department and police, which he implemented as a security improvement. He emphasized that the access his wife had was limited to general areas open to the public and did not include sensitive locations.

The conversation was sparked by a media report showing the mayor entering the law department early in the morning, which led to questions about his access rights. The mayor defended his actions, stating that the concerns expressed were based on misunderstandings about the security systems in place.

Assistant Law Director Heltzel confirmed that he uses a key fob for access, highlighting the distinction between the two systems. The mayor reiterated that the discussion was rooted in a specific concern about unauthorized access, which he believed had been addressed adequately.

The meeting underscored ongoing tensions regarding transparency and security within city operations, with council members expressing frustration over perceived misinformation. The mayor's clarification aimed to alleviate concerns while reinforcing the measures taken to enhance security in city hall.