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University Heights council approves budget measures, contracts and routine ordinances; tables fair-housing amendment
Summary
At its March meeting the council approved the city’s permanent appropriations, a five-year PIPE MOU, Lexipol police policy renewal, a tree-work change order, multiple commission appointments and administrative ordinances; it also tabled a contentious fair-housing amendment after public comment.
The University Heights City Council approved a package of routine but consequential measures at Tuesday’s meeting, including budget, intergovernmental and public-safety contracts, and several administrative ordinances.
Key approvals included:
- Ordinance 2025-49: Permanent appropriations for the 2026 fiscal year (second reading) were approved following review by the finance director and the Finance Committee.
- PIPE program MOU: A five-year memorandum of understanding (2026–2030) with the Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District and the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District to continue the PIPE public-education program, at a cost not to exceed $6,600 per year and $33,000 total.
- Lexipol renewal: Council authorized renewal of the Police Department’s Lexipol subscription for policy manuals and recurring training for up to 30 users at a cost not to exceed $19,223.36.
- Parks & Trees change order: Council approved a $6,513 change order to remove or prune 10 additional trees identified as a safety hazard.
- Commission appointments and ordinances: Council approved Ordinance 2026-22 adjusting the Architecture Board of Review membership and appointed Michael Kutre as an alternate to that board; it also approved Ordinance 2026-24 streamlining appointments to the Technology Advisory Commission.
- Procurement action: The housing department was authorized to seek early bids for the 2026 grass abatement program to avoid last year’s procurement delays.
Most votes were recorded by roll call with all present councilmembers voting aye; Vice Mayor John Rock was excused from the meeting.
What this means: These approvals finalize appropriations and authorize recurring programs and contracts that support stormwater education, police training, and maintenance services. Separately, the council tabled a proposed fair-housing amendment after extended public testimony, leaving the city’s source-of-income protections in place for now.
