Garfield Heights council passes package of ordinances, renews 6‑month cannabis moratorium

Garfield Heights City Council on Jan. 13 approved a series of ordinances and resolutions in a single meeting, adopting each measure by unanimous roll call votes.

The council voted 6‑0 to adopt multiple emergency ordinances and resolutions, including a six‑month moratorium on the issuance and processing of permits and certificates for adult‑use cannabis businesses, a three‑year engineering services agreement with OHM Advisors, a renewal of a stormwater pollution‑prevention agreement with the Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District, and the purchase of snow‑and‑ice control equipment under Ohio Revised Code section 125.04(c).

Why it matters: The moratorium halts new cannabis permits for up to six months while the city reviews local rules and licensing; the engineering contract and equipment purchase are intended to support infrastructure and winter operations.

Key actions and outcomes (all adopted 6‑0): - Ordinance 12,025 (sponsor: Mayor Matthew Burke; cosponsor: Council President Avery Johnson): Authorized advertising for proposals for city materials, services and supplies for 2025 and declared an emergency. Motion to consider by title, suspensions and waivers were moved and seconded; adopted 6‑0. - Ordinance 22,025 (sponsor: Mayor Matthew Burke; cosponsor: Council President Avery Johnson): Established a maximum amount for blanket certificates for fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2025; adopted 6‑0. - Ordinance 3 of 2025 (listed as Ordinance 32,025 in the transcript; sponsor: Mayor Matthew Burke; cosponsor: Council President Avery Johnson): Authorized a three‑year agreement with OHM Advisors for engineering services for 2025–2027; adopted 6‑0. - Ordinance 4 of 2025 (sponsor: Mayor Matthew Burke; cosponsor: Council President Avery Johnson): Renewed the city’s participation with the Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District for stormwater pollution prevention; adopted 6‑0. - Ordinance 5 of 2025 (sponsor: Mayor Matthew Burke; cosponsor: Council President Avery Johnson): Renewed the city’s moratorium on adult‑use cannabis permits and certificates for up to six months. Councilwoman Stacy Collier noted the mayor’s statement that only one entity in the city currently holds a license and warned that any other sellers would be operating illegally; ordinance adopted 6‑0. - Ordinance 6 of 2025 (sponsor: Mayor Matthew Burke; cosponsor: Council President Avery Johnson): Amended section 181.2101 of the codified ordinances relative to disbursement of city income tax receipts (the ordinance text refers to the year 2024); adopted 6‑0. - Ordinance 7 of 2025 (sponsor: Mayor Matthew Burke; cosponsor: Council President Avery Johnson): Authorized purchase of a snow‑and‑ice control equipment package (spreader and auger) for the service department via Henderson Products under ORC 125.04(c); adopted 6‑0. - Resolution 12,025 (sponsor: Councilwoman Stacy Collier): Honored Holy Spirit Catholic Church (formerly Saint Timothy Parish) for 102 years of service; the resolution was read in full and adopted 6‑0. - Resolution 22,025 (sponsor: Leah Beckford): Expressed support for the Ohio Municipal League’s position opposing proposed utility tariff changes at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio; adopted 6‑0.

Discussion and process notes: Most measures were introduced by title, then the council moved to suspend the three‑reading rule and waive Rule 24 before adoption. There was limited debate on the floor; the moratorium on cannabis prompted the only substantive policy reminder from council that only one licensed seller currently operates in the city and that unlicensed sales are illegal, as stated during the vote sequence.

Votes at a glance: Every listed ordinance and resolution above was adopted by the council with a recorded unanimous vote (6‑0) as shown in the meeting roll calls.

Provenance: See transcript excerpts for where each ordinance is introduced and the related roll calls.