Seven Hills council approves drone rules, sewer contract, police vehicles and other emergency measures

Seven Hills City Council approved several emergency measures at its Nov. 25 meeting, passing ordinances intended to update municipal code, secure infrastructure services and fund city programs.

The council voted to adopt an amended ordinance adding a new unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) — "drone" — section to the planning and zoning code. Council Pro Tem Castanzo moved the third reading and passage; the motion passed on roll call. Mayor Biasellata said the drone rule "shows how the city changes with the times," noting Councilman Norm Martin "was the driving force" behind the item.

Council also approved a 2026 contract with Cuyahoga County for sanitary and storm sewer maintenance (County Sewer District No. 2), authorizing an amount not to exceed $300,000 to retain county services for sewer and pumping-station maintenance. Councilman Snitsky introduced the ordinance; the emergency clause and the ordinance passed on roll calls.

The council approved Ordinance 56-2025 to purchase two 2026 Ford utility interceptors for the police department, authorizing up to $89,800 to buy the vehicles through Montrose Ford via the Ohio Department of Administrative Services state purchasing contract RS1025486AI. Councilman Morrow moved the emergency measure and the purchase was approved.

Other measures the council passed as emergency items included:

- Ordinance 50-2025: an additional appropriation of $18,000 for a professional services contract to direct youth and adult sports programs, bringing the program total to $114,000; passed as an emergency measure. Councilman Morrow sponsored the item.

- Ordinance 51-2025: authorization for the mayor to enter a nonexclusive per-diem lease agreement for jail housing and ancillary services with the City of North Royalton; the emergency clause and ordinance were approved. Councilperson Kelly sponsored the item.

- Ordinance 54-2025: modifications to an existing loan agreement with Genesis Building LTD, declared an emergency and adopted on roll call. Council Pro Tem Castanzo introduced this ordinance.

- Resolution 16-2025: approval of lot splits for LSB 7 Hills LLC fronting on Rockside Road; the measure was adopted as an emergency.

Several other items were read for first reading only, including Ordinance 52-2025 (compensation adjustments for the part-time deputy finance director) and Ordinance 55-2025 (2026 appropriations).

Votes at a glance (council-recorded outcomes): - Amended Ordinance 44-2025 (UAV/drone code): passed (roll call affirmative). - Ordinance 50-2025 (sports-services appropriation): passed as an emergency (roll call affirmative). - Ordinance 51-2025 (per-diem jail housing lease with North Royalton): passed as an emergency (roll call affirmative). - Ordinance 53-2025 (county sewer maintenance contract, not to exceed $300,000): passed as an emergency (roll call affirmative). - Ordinance 54-2025 (loan agreement modifications — Genesis Building LTD): passed as an emergency (roll call affirmative). - Ordinance 56-2025 (purchase of two police vehicles, up to $89,800): passed as an emergency (roll call affirmative). - Resolution 16-2025 (LSB 7 Hills LLC lot splits): adopted as an emergency (roll call affirmative).

Why it matters: the measures touch infrastructure (sewer maintenance), public safety (police vehicles, jail housing agreement) municipal code (drone rules) and local economic development (loan modification and lot splits). Several items were advanced as emergency measures, allowing immediate effect upon passage.

Next steps: Most ordinances passed as emergency measures and take effect per the city's charter; items read for first reading only (Ordinances 52 and 55) will return for further consideration.