City council candidates emphasize aging water mains, Rockside redevelopment and sidewalks at public forum

Candidates for Independence City Council appeared at a student‑moderated forum at the Independence Civic Center to outline priorities that include replacing an aging water main, rethinking Rockside Road, and addressing sidewalks and safety in residential areas.

Vice Mayor Anthony Tagliotti, current council members and challengers answered questions from student moderators and residents. Several candidates used opening remarks to describe their professional backgrounds and community involvement before taking policy questions.

Why it matters: Candidates repeatedly identified aging infrastructure and revenue from Rockside Road properties as central to the city’s future budget and service priorities. Candidates framed the decisions as trade‑offs between spending on aesthetics or economic development and critical public‑health items such as water‑main replacement.

Water infrastructure and prioritization Vice Mayor Anthony Tagliotti told the audience the city is prioritizing a north‑south water line along Brecksville Road that he said is nearly a century old. "That water line is 99 years old. And I believe it broke 7 times this year," Tagliotti said, adding that an engineering program will replace a section from Rockside Road north to Cornerstone of Hope and study other segments. He said 87 homes on Brecksville Road still have lead connections.

Councilman Dale Viverka, chair of the utilities committee, described the same issue as part of a broader five‑year capital plan and said the city must balance maintenance of sewers, water mains and roadways against other spending.

Rockside Road, center of town and economic development Multiple candidates urged action on Rockside Road, where vacant or partially occupied office buildings and aging hotels have reduced commercial tax receipts. Candidate Matthew Benkner said Rockside needs a regional‑scale attraction or re‑use to restore revenue and avoid long‑term tax pressure; he suggested larger destination uses as examples to illustrate economic potential.

Rebecca Somnitz, a local small‑business owner who renovated a downtown commercial building, said the city should preserve the center of town’s small‑town character while exploring incentives that would attract small businesses rather than big chains. Council members said earlier studies have proposed multiple options and that any plan should include resident input.

Sidewalks and pedestrian safety Candidates generally supported additional sidewalks on Sprague Road but noted complications: the road is a long county route that spans two jurisdictions and would require a cost‑sharing agreement with neighboring Brecksville. Several candidates said improved walkability factors into residential demand.

Public safety, addiction and city programs Safety and addiction prevention were recurring themes. Dr. Cheryl Chase, a longtime resident and psychologist, said she has "buried nine people because of drug related tragedies that came from this city" and urged the council to treat addiction and mental health as priorities. Several incumbents pointed to recent police staffing improvements and to the hiring of a new police chief as progress on safety.

Spending priorities and landscaping question Candidates were asked whether the city should spend on landscaping at the I‑480/77 interchange (a $3.5 million line item on the five‑year plan) while infrastructure needs remain. One incumbent noted the initial cost and ongoing maintenance in the six‑figure range annually and said safety‑critical items such as the water line currently take precedence.

Concordia development and accountability Several audience members and candidates referenced the Concordia property controversy and said the episode highlighted residents’ concern over whether they had adequate opportunity to influence decisions about city‑owned land. Some candidates said they attended meetings and challenged council decisions to ensure residents’ voices were heard.

Quotes from the forum "That water line is 99 years old. And I believe it broke 7 times this year," Vice Mayor Anthony Tagliotti said when asked what council should fix first. "I have buried nine people because of drug related tragedies that came from this city," Dr. Cheryl Chase said when discussing addiction and mental health in the community.

Ending: next steps and election Candidates asked voters to review their platforms ahead of the Nov. 4 election and to participate in council and budget decision discussions. The forum concluded with thanks to the student moderators and organizers.