[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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],{"_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",6188495,"mediaKeyId","5062219-600af4d43149f52410f3ee8944a889ca","parentId",5062219,"title","Council tables Washington Boulevard multi-use trail RFQ after concerns about trees, outreach and funding","audioSeconds",1202,"startMs",5693000,"endMs",6895000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5062219-600af4d43149f52410f3ee8944a889ca&start=5693&end=6895","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5062219-600af4d43149f52410f3ee8944a889ca/thumbnail_5693000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6188495/Ohio/Council-tables-Washington-Boulevard-multi-use-trail-RFQ-after-concerns-about-trees-outreach-and-funding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6188495-9088daa3ea997d8f4d3fdff2297822d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771010796&Signature=UQ6lVmC3-zk~eiBUSPppeyidqrGe8peZIzGje4oJmAd28QC4NG9EU4G6njh~JBLa6kJA3ftu2a7KITob3LqzLUCe~Y8l9S92eFMJbD33pqlsBs0mAaTlZNOtaATPh67cjthv6NskNfMoV9ezyMjsDdkknGU9hY2h4Y5PABctt5qqmZnY0WSH81ASRj92VW82U2MUfVaApPmJy0B7RAVSci1rFh8fQEDNhkmJlKSb4mw5Aq1AAVpsEaKMIGh~wKKSor5gySiGeW6T3xy5C-psdwxcnlkBjFgc~SjfhdaW3vUyNOZiUxWY~qW8LcU1e8tV2epMLPoaD~PVfK74GHpPng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of University Heights OH","date","2025-06-23T20:21:07Z","article","The council discussed a long-planned Washington Boulevard all-purpose trail on June 16 and elected not to move forward at this meeting. City staff presented a proposal to advertise for design services for a 10-foot-wide asphalt trail intended to connect Walter Stinson Park to Kain (Kane) Park; staff said roughly 80% of construction funding would come from NOACA and ODOT if selected.

Council members voiced objections before any motion to advertise was made. Concerns included the potential removal or impact to an estimated 99 trees within the proposed corridor, the effect on property values and the adequacy of resident outreach to those who would be directly affected. Councilwoman Weiser asked where the local share (stated in the staff materials as about $448,000) had been approved, and several council members said they had not previously authorized a city commitment for that amount; staff replied that parts of the plan had been developed years earlier and that the corridor was included in the Heights regional active transportation plan.

Council members also questioned whether applications or early submissions to NOACA or ODOT had occurred without explicit council approval; staff said the project had earlier been placed on NOACA's list and that the RFQ would only begin the design process, not commit construction funds. Several members asked that resident outreach and an arborist/tree assessment be completed and that more detailed cost information and design visuals be produced before advertising for design firms.

After extended discussion, a motion to table the advertising/authorization was made and passed. Councilman King spoke in favor of moving ahead with design advertising, citing potential property-value and connectivity benefits, but the council voted to table the matter so staff can return with additional information and resident engagement plans. No design contract or commitment of local funds was approved at the June 16 meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council - June 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council declined to proceed with advertising for design services for an all-purpose trail on Washington Boulevard after members raised concerns about tree impacts, resident outreach and whether NOACA/ODOT funding had been submitted without explicit council approval; the item was tabled for further review.","taxTitle","University Heights City Council, University Heights, Cuyahoga County, Ohio","taxId",71902,"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},6188501,"Council approves lot consolidation for John Carroll's Gateway North project; members ask about a recently acquired house left in plan",790,4550000,5340000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5062219-600af4d43149f52410f3ee8944a889ca&start=4550&end=5340","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5062219-600af4d43149f52410f3ee8944a889ca/thumbnail_4550000.jpg","/articles/6188501/Ohio/Council-approves-lot-consolidation-for-John-Carrolls-Gateway-North-project-members-ask-about-a-recently-acquired-house-left-in-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6188501-9657cfb19a5986789d5c2f89eebee3c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771010796&Signature=IHp6o76MyTBP~icEWNy~NUVZ-Ow83N2pchQniyTpeo4n-sg3o-7sWviM526HOryed~euTXWPk~gTQkmTlBW6HjTkinDZ5Xl-Rsy6h42wRF58Gc-VP11QSYvYkRF5WJZO43GU5AWAhmABgBkWGtMBFz4U81uX5Lh6DuXypOL4Dy6loKOaRSqtf4MkYHZVCJUIyrP8d1ZT7Z3BDZu6o-nSc6Ap9VXSbOyk1cTsikMsjQ9OHk8l00yR7VZ~dbgf4E5U8MgAysYklHtsLmRXH9JAEzCjyviGBW0~oI-Ir1x8s5YQ3XUNaQUi0Gno87D32Xf2EmTl0Ipqjs4FeSZpQtjkAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The University Heights City Council approved a lot consolidation for John Carroll University's Gateway North project at its June 16 meeting, consolidating multiple Milford and Warrensville Center Road parcels into two lots consistent with an existing site plan previously approved by the planning commission.

A John Carroll representative told council the university closed on an additional parcel in late May that was not included in the original site plan approvals. The university said it currently lacks funding and finalized legal steps to demolish the house on that parcel immediately and intends to maintain the house in good condition while it studies options and, if appropriate, returns to planning commission with a demolition and redevelopment plan. The representative said the university does not intend to rent the house and plans to re-engage the city for review if and when it proposes development changes.

Several council members said the site plan places dumpsters and service elements adjacent to that parcel and expressed concern it would be unfair to leave a single residential house surrounded by construction or new parking. Council members reiterated that because the parcel is still zoned residential, demolition or change of use would require subsequent planning commission and council review before the university could remove the house.

The consolidation motion was moved, seconded and approved; planning commission recommendation was affirmed. Council members and city staff said the university must return with specific plans should it pursue demolition or a nonresidential use for the parcel.","City Council approved a lot consolidation ordinance for John Carroll University's Gateway North project that creates two consolidated lots; council members raised concerns that a house newly acquired by the university remains in the site plan and may be left residential while construction proceeds nearby.",{"_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},6188505,"Council directs law director to prepare ordinance renaming assistant-to-mayor title to chief of staff",142,1663000,1805000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5062219-600af4d43149f52410f3ee8944a889ca&start=1663&end=1805","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5062219-600af4d43149f52410f3ee8944a889ca/thumbnail_1663000.jpg","/articles/6188505/Ohio/Council-directs-law-director-to-prepare-ordinance-renaming-assistant-to-mayor-title-to-chief-of-staff","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6188505-2123a9aceac23f269f4a8db96ee9317f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771010796&Signature=k4yB7AZH11axGJTSDqndedpIuGT90Pqd3tX-KQM5OvbcUeSeUC7~0N3LlaQZj0pMD7E~dD~uimzY-qqXQXD8g65V54Rg~qYYwffHz6HHB~YqsYeCiNuHpLYGpKoTgJCnfSCgA3a7DljczzmUvAdoMAg08GkNnwwYQ29czCRTqL~H4bvjOStx2guPw6iHVbFaSqSh8xbjyFnQgYGYsWs0FAmg~lbkE25nuVQUE-JmX-KoSe0p1WHDF1tg1M7BGte-oJDvNKaXdvQvi7CNFoZ6S36Q2zUgCBREjyF5PhkA6U98t169QvLig4umCKJWVXgth-VJTa37acOU5zGYktO~qQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Following an executive session during the June 16 meeting, Mayor Bridal moved that the city's law director prepare an amendment to the nonunion employee salary ordinance to change the position title of assistant to the mayor for special projects to chief of staff. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Weiser and approved by the council.

Mayor Bridal made the motion after the council had adjourned to executive session to consider an employment matter pursuant to Ohio Revised Code §121.22(G)(1). The mayor asked the law director to prepare a draft ordinance so it can be presented to council at a future meeting; if council later decides to pass it as an emergency ordinance the title change would take effect when signed by the mayor, otherwise it would take effect 30 days after passage.

Councilwoman Thomas asked when the change would become effective; the law director confirmed the standard options: immediate effect by emergency passage upon mayoral signature, or 30 days after passage if not taken as an emergency. Several council members said personnel questions that required factual detail should be discussed in executive session and not in open session. The motion recorded ayes from Councilman King, Councilwoman Sacks, Councilman Cooney and Councilwoman Weiser and the mayor announced the motion passed and he would prepare the ordinance.

No ordinance was presented or enacted at the June 16 meeting; the action taken was direction to staff to prepare draft legislation for a later meeting. Council discussion included whether additional executive-session review would be needed before final passage.","After an executive session, council voted to direct the law director to draft an amendment to the city's nonunion salary ordinance changing the position title \"Assistant to the Mayor for Special Projects\" to \"Chief of Staff.\" Council discussed effective dates and whether an emergency ordinance would be necessary.",{"_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},6188510,"Fire chief warns uncoordinated volunteer EMS response risks lives, urges 911-first policy",1223,1853000,3076000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5062219-600af4d43149f52410f3ee8944a889ca&start=1853&end=3076","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5062219-600af4d43149f52410f3ee8944a889ca/thumbnail_1853000.jpg","/articles/6188510/Ohio/Fire-chief-warns-uncoordinated-volunteer-EMS-response-risks-lives-urges-911-first-policy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6188510-bd752fde0a7ee924177f492ebc108380/orig.mp4?Expires=1771010796&Signature=XI1VWwx6o3LMBlAnmCK6Um2v31-DBAP2wjfV2gUiIRosN6ZdipQTY3ieYN345ro26nolE39L8HTcWEItklw4DQff8iJlBybFq2bT~RDxAY8TAczsJCnuR3bTUJDaG0FUzQzyy08DFN0DVzgt-afA8JaYV26q7bfwAHvo4mnpPzgbd0og9x9HqdivMuD48nHbAndI9bNUPbeyrrb~Fh~gDWtXUVMz90Iihk8gLWSJUQxxFUmg7-TmlLdPmtCOpjpFWZKns~cA9KQUCl4g-dAYbsIDijRbnl6CVs~gt2xNUasNYAS5vcA2HNIev5l3p0iiYqX7TuEdH3t6oxEYxqhMIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fire Chief Perko told the University Heights City Council on June 16 that operational problems from a volunteer ambulance service operating in the city have produced “delays in advanced care” and a risk to public safety.

Perko said volunteers from Hatzalah Cleveland began operations in the city in January and that incidents since then, including one on April 28, show the risk of a parallel, non-911 dispatch process. “In one recent tragedy on April 28 of this year, a person called Hatzalah’s number instead of 911 … volunteers arrived almost two hours later and only then was 911 finally contacted,” Perko said. He added, “We cannot say for certain that a faster 911 call would have changed the outcome, but the delay in activating 911 meant advanced life support was initiated far later than it could have been.”

Perko described several recurring operational problems: split-dispatch that delays paramedic-level care, fragmented radio communications that leave responders unaware of others’ actions, no formal on-scene patient handoffs from volunteers to the city’s paramedics, and unclear or missing medical oversight for volunteer protocols. “Our crews document every patient contact and answer to our medical director for every intervention,” Perko said. “Operating without unified medical oversight or standardized protocols is a risk to patient safety and a legal liability for everyone involved.”

Perko emphasized the difference between levels of training: University Heights’ firefighter-paramedics, he said, complete extensive training and can provide advanced life support interventions that basic volunteer EMTs are not authorized to perform. He told the council that calling 911 connects callers immediately with dispatch, automated location, and integrated radio channels, while calling a volunteer hotline can introduce relay steps and information loss.

Perko said the department has reached out to neighboring cities and to Hatzalah to pursue “protocols and dispatch agreements” and asked the council to support drafting local legislation to regulate non-911 EMS services operating in the city. He told residents: “For any emergency, fire, medical, police, always call 911. Volunteer services, if used, should only ever be a supplement to 911, not a substitute.”

Council members asked procedural questions during the discussion: some members urged that Perko could have brought details earlier to the standing safety committee, while others said the chief’s presentation warranted a committee meeting or an executive session to review personnel or operational records. Perko said he would provide a full comprehensive report to council later in the week and offered to return to committee or to executive session if members wanted further detail.

The chief did not request a specific vote at the June 16 meeting; his presentation was an executive summary and a call for council support to pursue formal agreements and possible legislation to integrate volunteer responders with the 911 system.","University Heights Fire Chief Perko told the City Council that volunteer EMS operations by Hatzalah Cleveland have created delays, communication gaps and unclear medical oversight; he urged residents to call 911 first and asked council to consider legislation and formal agreements to integrate volunteer responders into the 911 system.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council tables Washington Boulevard multi-use trail RFQ after concerns about trees, outreach and funding

Council approves lot consolidation for John Carroll's Gateway North project; members ask about a recently acquired house left in plan

Council directs law director to prepare ordinance renaming assistant-to-mayor title to chief of staff

Fire chief warns uncoordinated volunteer EMS response risks lives, urges 911-first policy