Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents press council on utility costs, petition rules and special-event denial during public comment
Summary
At the March 2 meeting, residents criticized utility billing and described plans to gather signatures for an initiative petition, and a nonprofit director said a special-event request for a May foster-care awareness event was denied despite prior approvals; administration said it would review the special-event map.
Several residents used the council's public-comment period on March 2 to raise concerns about utility bills, civic procedures and event permitting.
Christopher Michael Atwinowicz (21970 Morris Avenue; doing business as Wild Distribution LLC) addressed the council for several minutes alleging wastewater billing discrepancies and urging action to correct perceived overcharges. He said he plans to gather signatures to file an initiative petition and urged the law director and finance director to review the petition acceptance process. The chair repeatedly reminded him of meeting decorum and the five-minute public-comment limit.
Corey, who provided an address in Euclid, recounted personal encounters with law enforcement and spoke about stigma and recovery; he asked for more time but was told to return at a future meeting.
Darlene Smith, a Ward 5 resident and small-business owner, said she submitted a special-event form and site map for a May 16 foster-care awareness event ("Breaking Chains and Building Dreams") and was told the city would not allow use of Triangle Park, despite hosting a similar event last year with mayoral sign-off. She asked Mayor Kirsten to review the map she emailed. Mayor Kirsten and staff said the city has a formal special-event review process and that Triangle Park raises safety concerns because it is a busy intersection; staff will review the submission and follow up with the applicant.
"We do have a special event process just for the general public that reviews when we get special events," the mayor said, adding the administration would be happy to look at the map and get back to Ms. Smith.
Council members and staff did not take action on petition-related claims or on the special-event permit at the meeting; the administration committed to reviewing the special-event submission and responding to the applicant.
