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 only when an agency or officer inputs a license plate or other query into the system. Kohanski said the proposal would add locations covering major city entryways and that Flock does not sell customer data. The ordinance as presented would add approximately $116,900 to the existing contract, bringing the total to approximately $204,550; council approved the amendment unanimously on first reading with suspension of the rules.

Other contracts approved on emergency first readings included: a purchase agreement with DEX Imaging for 17 printers/copiers ($103,452.11) to replace aging equipment; renewal of the city’s dedicated fiber internet service with Greaseline at a 1 Gbps level (approximately $51,959.40 for a 16‑month period) to avoid IP‑address and service disruptions that would accompany provider changes; and an emergency purchase of an additional 1,000 tons of road salt from Cargill at $78.50 per ton ($78,500) after heavy winter usage depleted the city’s stockpile. The council also approved an amendment to a professional services contract with Greenman‑Pedersen, Inc. (GPI) for construction administration and inspection on the Van Aken pedestrian improvements (additional not‑to‑exceed $25,422) and an annual agreement with the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) for reimbursement of maintenance along rapid‑transit right‑of‑way ($282,169.68). Finally, council renewed the one‑year sustainability consulting contract with Coventry Land Company (Michael Peters) for $53,842. All listed motions passed on unanimous roll calls.

Votes at a glance (action, mover/second, outcome): - Confirmation: Russell Lam, Board of Zoning Appeals/City Planning Commission (moved by Mr. Malone; seconded by Ms. Bixenstein); outcome: confirmed (unanimous aye). - Ordinance authorizing Rust Belt Riders food‑waste collection and Metro Store container purchases (moved by Mrs. Moore; seconded by Mr. Claytor); outcome: approved on first reading with suspension/emergency (unanimous aye). Contract/amounts: Rust Belt Riders not to exceed $70,710 (administration to correct ordinance language); Metro Store containers $9,977 (purchase by city). - Amendment to Flock Group Inc. contract to add 11 ALPR cameras (moved by Ms. Carmela Williams; seconded by Ms. Bixenstein); outcome: approved on first reading with suspension/emergency (unanimous aye). Presenter cited $37,150 for year 2025 and $33,000 per additional year aligning to contract expiration; ordinance text described an additional $116,900 (bringing total to $204,550). - DEX Imaging printer/copier purchase (moved by Mr. Claytor; seconded by Ms. Carmela Williams); outcome: approved on first reading with suspension/emergency (unanimous aye). Total purchase $103,452.11. - Dedicated 1 Gbps fiber service with Greaseline (moved by Mrs. Moore; seconded by Mr. Claytor); outcome: approved on first reading with suspension/emergency (unanimous aye). Approx. $51,959.40 for 16 months. - Emergency purchase of 1,000 tons of road salt from Cargill at $78.50/ton (moved by Mr. Kleytor; seconded by Ms. Carmela Williams); outcome: approved (unanimous aye). Total $78,500. - Amendment with GPI for Van Aken pedestrian improvements (moved by Mrs. Moore; seconded by Mr. Claytor); outcome: approved on first reading with suspension/emergency (unanimous aye). Additional not to exceed $25,422; total contract $64,345.32. - Agreement with RTA for maintenance reimbursement ($282,169.68) (moved by Mr. Claytor; seconded by Ms. Carmela Williams); outcome: approved (unanimous aye). - Renewal of sustainability consulting contract with Coventry Land Company (Michael Peters) for $53,842 (moved by Mr. Claytor; seconded by Ms. Bixenstein); outcome: approved (unanimous aye).

During public comment, multiple residents urged the council to prioritize a replacement or major renovation of Thornton Park ice rink because of leaks, undersized ice surface and aging locker rooms. Whitney Cornuke, who described herself as a Shaker resident and longtime skater, said, “The roof leaks, the ice isn't regulation size, the bleachers are old and rickety, and the locker rooms are exactly the same as they were 25 plus years ago,” and asked council to include a new rink in the recreation plan. Several other speakers — including Angela Robinson and Ryan Mayhew, who described the size and reach of Shaker youth hockey and figure‑skating programs — emphasized the rink’s role as a community gathering space and asked that the recreation strategic plan consider a regulation‑size sheet of ice.

A resident group cofounder, Haley Peters of Friends of Shaker, asked council to support a citywide animal‑welfare initiative called PAWS (Program for Animal Welfare in Shaker). Peters said volunteers and community partners have TNR’d and rehomed more than 40 cats and asked the city for two specific supports: city access to a small temporary animal‑housing space (roughly a one‑car garage footprint) to hold rescued animals pending veterinary care or placement, and financial or logistical support to scale a trap‑neuter‑return program. Peters said the initiative is seeking partnerships with local shelters and clinics and stressed the program’s regional nature.

What happened next and why it matters: the council used emergency first‑reading votes and suspensions to ensure continuity for services timed to spring or seasonal needs — the composting expansion tied to Earth Day programming and the Flock camera additions and internet/fiber work to align with contract timelines. Councilmembers and department directors repeatedly emphasized the unanimous committee approvals in Administration and Finance prior to the council meeting. Several council members requested public education and reporting back to ensure transparency on camera locations and composting outreach, particularly for multifamily residents.

Council members scheduled an executive session for March 10 at 6 p.m. to discuss an employment matter. The council adjourned after the calendar and closing remarks.