Euclid City Council adopts moratoria on vaping and adult-use cannabis, approves ODOT pedestrian project and several contracts

Euclid City Council on Monday approved a package of emergency measures and agreements, including six-month moratoria on new vaping shops and on new adult‑use cannabis facilities, authorized a federally partnered pedestrian safety project on Euclid Avenue, and approved contracts for police radios and professional services.

The council adopted the two moratoria — one limiting new businesses that would sell vaping or e‑cigarette products and a second pausing applications tied to adult‑use cannabis — to give the city time to study zoning, health and safety impacts and await pending state law changes. Director Cooney (Law Director) told council the moratoria will allow staff and the planning division to review the zoning code and prepare any proposed code amendments for Planning & Zoning and council consideration.

The council also approved Ordinance 019‑25, authorizing the mayor to enter an agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation for pedestrian safety improvements on U.S. Route 20 (Euclid Avenue) between Chardon Road and East 260th Street. Patrick Grogan Myers, Planning and Development Director, described the plan to replace unused center turn lanes with planted medians and two‑stage pedestrian crossings with rectangular rapid‑flashing beacons. "This is a proven countermeasure to help slow down traffic," Grogan Myers said, and he noted the city’s share is only about $68,000 of the project estimate (roughly 10 percent), with the project bid amount to be trued up after ODOT bids.

On equipment and contracts, the council approved a seven‑year lease‑to‑own contract with Motorola Solutions for 110 portable radios and related equipment for the police department at a total cost of $567,780.40, with payments beginning next year. Administration said Motorola would deliver and the vendor B & C Communications would program and support the units so the department could transition within weeks.

Council also approved a five‑year professional services contract with Safe Built Ohio, LLC to provide certified building official and inspection services beginning May 1, 2025; and a one‑year professional services renewal with Macaulay & Company to provide grant‑writing and government relations services (not to exceed $90,000 for 03/01/2025–02/28/2026). Mayor (name not specified) said Macaulay had helped secure or apply for a range of grants, including federal earmark requests, and that awarded grants tied to the firm so far totaled just under $680,000 with additional pending requests.

A resolution authorizing the mayor or designee to apply for and expend Safe Routes to School funds (not to exceed $250,000) to plan and implement trail connection improvements also passed. Ivan Naumer, speaking for the administration on the project, said the request would leverage $50,000 in county community development supplemental funds and that grant award notifications would probably come in June or mid‑July.

Separately, the council approved a use‑district exception permitting a medical clinic to operate at 19001 East 190th Street (Euclid Indian Hills LLC / MetroHealth) after the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval. The council also accepted, without objection, the transfer of a liquor permit to China Sea Euclid LLC for 923 East 220th Street in Ward 2; Ward 2 council members spoke in support of the applicants.

Public comment included two resident concerns the council asked staff to follow up on: long‑standing sidewalk/roadway damage on Glenridge Road and deteriorating private sewer lines serving a cluster of lakeshore cottages; staff said they would follow up with the service director and code enforcement.

Votes at a glance

- Liquor permit transfer — China Sea Euclid LLC (923 E. 220th St.): accepted without objection; roll call recorded unanimous approval from members present.

- Resolution 014‑25 — Use‑district exception to operate a medical clinic at 19001 E. 190th St. (Euclid Indian Hills LLC / MetroHealth): approved on third reading; roll call recorded unanimous approval from members present.

- Ordinance (appropriation) 015‑25 — Second reading; council voted to send the appropriation ordinance to the Executive Finance Committee for amendment and further consideration (motion passed on roll call).

- Ordinance 019‑25 — Enter into ODOT project agreement for pedestrian safety improvements on U.S. Route 20: council suspended rules and adopted the emergency ordinance (roll call approval).

- Resolution 020‑25 — Apply for and expend up to $250,000 in Safe Routes to School grant funds for trail‑connection improvements: adopted (roll call approval).

- Ordinance 021‑25 — Seven‑year lease‑to‑own contract with Motorola Solutions, Inc. for 110 portable police radios ($567,780.40): adopted on emergency basis (roll call approval).

- Ordinance 023‑25 — Five‑year professional services contract with Safe Built Ohio, LLC for certified building official and inspection services (commencing 05/01/2025): adopted as emergency ordinance (roll call approval).

- Ordinance (moratorium) — Moratorium prohibiting acceptance of applications and approvals for vaping/e‑cigarette retail uses (up to six months): adopted as emergency ordinance (roll call approval).

- Ordinance 024‑25 — Moratorium prohibiting acceptance of applications and approvals that would enable cultivation, processing, distribution or sale of adult‑use cannabis for up to six months; council approved an amendment to update the bill reference and then adopted the amended emergency ordinance (roll call approval).

- Ordinance 025‑25 — One‑year professional services agreement with Macaulay & Company for grant writing and government relations (not to exceed $90,000 for 03/01/2025–02/28/2026): adopted as emergency ordinance (roll call approval).

What the council said and next steps

Councilmembers who spoke in support of the vaping and cannabis moratoria said neighborhood residents have raised concerns about rapid proliferation of these businesses and that the pause will give staff and council time to study zoning options and possible caps. Director Cooney said staff will use the moratorium period to draft potential zoning amendments and submit them to Planning & Zoning Commission if warranted.

Patrick Grogan Myers described the Euclid Avenue pedestrian project as focused on slowing traffic, adding planted medians and staged crossings to aid people crossing to and from bus stops. He said ODOT is leading the project and that the city’s contribution is comparatively small, with the city budgeting conservatively to cover possible true‑up after bids. Captain Holden reported that a separate police‑run driver’s‑education grant reached its $25,000 maximum and that many local students applied.

The council directed staff to follow up on resident complaints raised during public comment about sidewalk blockage and private utilities and noted upcoming budget hearings and community events. No formal ordinance or amendment to zoning code was adopted beyond the moratoria; staff said any proposed code changes would follow the standard Planning & Zoning Commission and council review process.

Ending

Council adjourned after approving the agenda items and noting the next Executive Finance Committee meeting for March 5 to continue appropriations work. Several councilmembers and staff encouraged residents to participate in community surveys — including the Sims Park master‑plan survey — and upcoming events such as household hazardous waste drop‑off and recreation programming.