Parma Heights council adopts six-month short-term rental moratorium, approves dog park MOU and 2025 budget

Parma Heights — At a special meeting on Aug. 26, 2025, the Parma Heights City Council voted unanimously to impose a temporary six-month moratorium on permits for short-term rentals, approve a memorandum of understanding with the City of Parma to establish a dog park, accept a federal Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant for a police server and related equipment, and adopt a citywide appropriation ordinance for 2025.

The moratorium, adopted as Resolution No. 2025-59 and read by Clerk Barbara Allen, pauses issuance of permits allowing operation of short-term rentals in Parma Heights for up to six months. Councilwoman Maruschak moved to suspend the rules and then moved for passage; Councilwoman DeSouza seconded. The roll call recorded Ayes from Councilmembers Vanek, Palmisano, DeSouza, Durichko, Maruschak and Council President Tom Rounds. Councilman Kolezynski was excused.

Why it matters: the moratorium halts new short-term rental permitting immediately while the council and Planning Commission consider potential ordinance changes. Two related ordinances were referred to the Planning Commission the same night: Ordinance No. 2025-60 (to establish Section 1195.031 of the codified ordinances), and Ordinance No. 2025-61 (to repeal Chapter 769, "Short-Term Rentals"). The council also referred Ordinance No. 2025-62 (amending Section 1171.01) to Planning Commission review.

The council approved Ordinance No. 2025-63, authorizing the administration to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the City of Parma to establish a dog park. Councilwoman Durichko moved to suspend the rules and then moved for passage; the motion passed unanimously. The MOU authorization carries an emergency declaration, allowing the administration to proceed with the intergovernmental agreement immediately.

Councilmembers also approved Resolution No. 2025-64 to accept and expend an Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant 2024 through the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services for a computer server and associated equipment for use by the Parma Heights Police Department. The resolution was adopted as an emergency measure after a unanimous roll-call vote.

Other emergency measures adopted included: - Ordinance No. 2025-65, amending Section 965.11 (Solid Waste Collection Fee). The ordinance language and specific fee amounts were not provided in the meeting minutes. - Ordinance No. 2025-66, authorizing agreements with Simvay LLC for technology services and cyber-risk management. - Ordinance No. 2025-38, appropriating funds for city expenses for Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2025, and repealing Ordinance 2024-86.

All votes recorded in the minutes were unanimous Ayes from Councilmembers Vanek, Palmisano, DeSouza, Durichko, Maruschak and Council President Tom Rounds for the items moved that evening; Clerk Barbara Allen recorded the roll calls. Where motions were offered, the meeting minutes indicate who moved and who seconded each motion. Several items were explicitly referred to the Planning Commission for review prior to further council action.

The council convened and adjourned the special meeting quickly: the session opened at 5:15 p.m. and adjourned at 5:37 p.m. Planning Commission review is the next procedural step for the referred ordinances; the minutes do not specify dates for Planning Commission hearings or the exact fee changes in Ordinance No. 2025-65.

Votes at a glance: Resolution No. 2025-57 (authorize USI Midwest to solicit medical benefits proposals) — passed, Ayes 6; Resolution No. 2025-58 (assess cost of nuisance abatement) — passed, Ayes 6; Resolution No. 2025-59 (short-term rental moratorium, up to six months) — passed, Ayes 6; Ordinances No. 2025-60, 61, 62 — referred to Planning Commission, Ayes 6; Ordinance No. 2025-63 (MOU with Parma for dog park) — passed, Ayes 6; Resolution No. 2025-64 (JAG grant for police server/equipment) — passed, Ayes 6; Ordinance No. 2025-65 (solid waste collection fee amendment) — passed, Ayes 6; Ordinance No. 2025-66 (agreements with Simvay LLC) — passed, Ayes 6; Ordinance No. 2025-38 (2025 appropriation) — passed, Ayes 6.

What the minutes do not specify: the exact dollar amounts or line-item changes in Ordinance No. 2025-65 (solid waste fee amendment), the full text of the ordinances referred to the Planning Commission, the effective dates for any ordinance changes beyond emergency declarations, and any timeline for Planning Commission consideration. The minutes list attendees including Mayor Gallo, Director of Law Schneider, Finance Director Nogalo and Safety Director Bova as "also present," but the record contains no substantive remarks from those officials in these minutes.

The council adjourned at 5:37 p.m.