Parma Heights council approves consent to Kroger opioid settlement, refers property measures to planning commission

Parma Heights City Council on Aug. 12 unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the administration to consent to the material terms of the Kroger settlement in the opioid litigation under the One Ohio Memorandum of Understanding and to execute a subdivision participation and release form.

Councilmembers moved to read Resolution No. 2024-56 by title, suspended the rules and then voted to adopt the resolution. Clerk Allen called the roll; the ayes were Haase, Durichko, DeSouza, Kolezynski, Maruschak and Rounds. The measure directs the administration to proceed with formal participation consistent with the One Ohio MOU and to execute required settlement paperwork.

The council also considered two property-related ordinances and a nuisance-abatement resolution. Ordinance No. 2024-57, authorizing the administration to proceed with a lot split of city-owned property located at 6188 Pearl Road, was read by title and referred to the Planning Commission after a second and roll-call referral vote (ayes: DeSouza, Kolezynski, Maruschak, Haase, Durichko, Rounds). Ordinance No. 2024-58, directing that portions of city-owned parcels totaling approximately 2.8713 acres be sold to the Cuyahoga County Public Library and authorizing execution of a purchase agreement, was likewise read by title and referred to the Planning Commission on a unanimous roll call.

Separately, the council passed Resolution No. 2024-59, assessing the cost of abating a nuisance and declaring an emergency. That resolution was read by title, the rules were suspended, and the council voted to adopt the assessment (ayes: DeSouza, Kolezynski, Maruschak, Haase, Durichko, Rounds).

None of the matters recorded in the minutes generated public comment during the meeting. The lot split and the proposed sale will next be considered by the Parma Heights Planning Commission as part of the referral process; the settlement participation form will be handled administratively by the city as authorized by the resolution.

Actions at a glance: Resolution 2024-56 (Kroger settlement) — adopted unanimously; Ordinance 2024-57 (6188 Pearl Road lot split) — referred to Planning Commission; Ordinance 2024-58 (sale to Cuyahoga County Public Library, ~2.8713 acres) — referred to Planning Commission; Resolution 2024-59 (nuisance abatement assessment) — adopted unanimously.

The special meeting had convened at 7:25 p.m., recessed for an executive session at 7:26 p.m. for pending or imminent court action and property discussions, and resumed at 7:40 p.m. It adjourned at 7:48 p.m.