Shaker Heights Council approves contracts for composting, cameras, printers and infrastructure; residents urge new ice rink and animal-welfare program

Shaker Heights City Council held a regular meeting Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, and unanimously confirmed a mayoral appointment, approved several contracts on emergency first readings and heard extended public comment urging investment in a new ice rink and a citywide animal-welfare program.

The council confirmed Mayor’s appointment of Russell Lam to the Board of Zoning Appeals and the City Planning Commission for a six‑year term through Dec. 31, 2030. Director Braverman described Lam as a Boulevard neighborhood resident and principal of Allegro Real Estate Brokers and Advisors; Braverman said Lam would be required to recuse himself if matters involving properties owned by an Allegro affiliate came before the boards.

The meeting’s substantive policy votes were front‑loaded. The council approved, on first reading with suspension of rules and as an emergency, a citywide food-waste collection and composting contract with Rust Belt Riders and related container purchases. Michael Peters, the city’s sustainability consultant, told council the pilot program and recent Lomond community effort helped drive a greater than 12% increase in collected food waste in 2024 to more than 600,000 pounds. Peters said the expanded program will add drop‑off sites at the city’s five elementary schools and pilot a container/enclosure at the main library with sensors and an app to monitor usage. Council approved authorization for the contract and related purchases in amounts the administration said would be revised in ordinance language to match budgeted figures (Rust Belt Riders contract not to exceed $70,710; Metro Store container purchase $9,977), and the motion passed on a unanimous roll call.

The council also approved an amendment to the city’s contract with Flock Group Inc. to add 11 additional solar‑powered automated license‑plate‑reader cameras and related software and services. Commander Kohanski and Chief Hudson described the system as a crime‑displacement tool and said alerts are generated…