Seniors urge council to revise waiver after contractors damaged property during city programs; officials to review claims process

Two long‑time Berea residents used the public comment period on May 19 to ask the council to amend a city waiver tied to the senior services program after they said contractors working under the program damaged their driveway and other property.

The speakers — a married couple who identified themselves as seniors — said they value the city’s senior services program but that a liability waiver residents sign with the program limits the city’s ability to require responsibility from contractors. They described a recent snow‑removal incident in which a contractor’s equipment allegedly cracked driveway concrete and raised a lip at the end of the drive; the couple said they paid for repairs but worried that the waiver exposes seniors to avoidable property damage without adequate protections.

Council members and staff discussed the administrative origin of the waiver. Council and staff explained that the waiver is part of the program’s administrative contract terms rather than an ordinance enacted by council, and they said the city would review the payment and claims history. Director Armagnio said staff could provide the resident with guidance and file information; the resident said they had already paid for the damages.

Council took the complaint under advisement and asked staff to investigate the specific incidents and to bring guidance on whether the waiver language can or should be changed administratively or by council policy. No formal action was taken at the meeting.