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Parma Heights council unanimously backs tree-grant application, sewer loan application and service-department contract; considers residential code update
Summary
At its May 22 meeting, the Parma Heights City Council unanimously passed resolutions supporting a county urban tree-canopy grant and authorizing a WPCLF loan application for sewer design, and approved a collective bargaining agreement with Laborers' Local 860; the council held a first reading to adopt the Residential Code of Ohio.
Parma Heights City Council on May 22 unanimously approved three measures and held a first reading on a building-code update.
Council passed Resolution No. 2023-29 supporting the city’s application to the Cuyahoga County Healthy Urban Tree Canopy Grant Program and noted a timely filing deadline in moving to suspend the usual rules, Council President Tom Rounds said. Council then approved Resolution No. 2023-30 authorizing the mayor to apply for and accept a Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) agreement to pay for design services for the Blossom and Sutherland avenues sewer improvement project.
Mayor Marie Gallo told council the city recently secured $49,000 from a Cuyahoga County Community Development Supplemental Grant for lobby upgrades at the Cassidy Theatre and has previously allocated ARPA and NOPEC funds to install air conditioning at the theater.
Council also approved Ordinance No. 2023-31, which authorizes the administration to execute a collective bargaining agreement with Laborers’ International Union of North America, Local 860 (the service-department union). Councilwoman DeSouza moved and Councilwoman Maruschak seconded the motion to read, suspend the rules and adopt the ordinance; the motion carried unanimously and the ordinance was declared an emergency.
Separately, the council held the first of three readings on Ordinance No. 2023-32, which would amend Chapter 1301 of the Parma Heights codified ordinances to provide for adoption of the Residential Code of Ohio. Councilman Haase brought the first reading; no final vote on adoption took place at this meeting.
Votes at a glance - Resolution No. 2023-29 (supporting Cuyahoga County Healthy Urban Tree Canopy Grant Program): Moved by Councilman Stavole; seconded by Councilwoman Walsh. Aye: Maruschak, DeSouza, Durichko, Walsh, Stavole, Haase, Rounds. Outcome: passed (rules suspended due to deadline). - Resolution No. 2023-30 (authorize WPCLF agreement for Blossom & Sutherland sewer design): Moved by Councilwoman Durichko; seconded by Councilwoman DeSouza. Aye: DeSouza, Durichko, Walsh, Stavole, Haase, Maruschak, Rounds. Outcome: passed (rules suspended). - Ordinance No. 2023-31 (collective bargaining agreement with Laborers’ Local 860): Moved by Councilwoman DeSouza; seconded by Councilwoman Maruschak. Aye: Stavole, Haase, Maruschak, DeSouza, Durichko, Walsh, Rounds. Outcome: passed and declared an emergency. - Ordinance No. 2023-32 (Residential Code of Ohio adoption): First reading only; no final vote.
Why it matters The WPCLF action launches a loan application and design work for sewer improvements on Blossom and Sutherland avenues, a necessary step before construction funding can be sought. The tree-canopy resolution positions the city to seek county funds for urban forestry work. The labor agreement implements negotiated terms for the service department workforce and was passed under emergency rules at council’s request.
What’s next Ordinance No. 2023-32 requires two more readings before adoption. Officials did not set a specific public hearing date for the sewer project or the tree-canopy grant at this meeting; follow-up materials and contract documents typically appear in subsequent agendas or the administration’s packet.
