Resident urges Mayfield Heights to review aquatic center flotation-device ban after child enters current

Aaron Longberry, a Mayfield Heights resident, urged the City Council on June ___ to review the aquatic center policy that currently bans flotation devices, saying the rule left his 3-year-old daughter briefly in a current at the pool without an approved flotation aid.

Longberry told the council he and his wife watched as a lifeguard removed their daughter from the lazy-river current after repeated requests from his wife. “The policy says no flotation devices. So she couldn't have a flotation device,” Longberry said, and asked the council to “please, let's take a look at that policy and see if we can make exceptions for Coast Guard safety devices.”

The request came during the public-comment portion of the meeting. Mayor DeCicco acknowledged the concern and said the parks director was present and would be consulted: “Our parks director is here, so we'll have to get with him and talk to him about it,” the mayor said.

Longberry said the city does not provide swim lessons for children younger than 5 (as posted on the city's site) and cited national statistics about unintentional drownings to underline his request that the city consider allowing approved safety flotation devices for young children.

The council did not take formal action at the meeting; the mayor and staff indicated they would follow up with the parks department to review the policy and report back. No specific timeline or change in policy was announced.

The public-comment speaker list also included Deborah Kramer, who used her time to thank the council for a prior proclamation and a memorial tree and plaque for her late father, Fred Kramer.