Euclid council approves zoning exception for bar, adopts year-end budget amendments and temporary 2026 appropriations; moves to acquire property for sewer pump

The Euclid City Council on Dec. 1 adopted several measures aimed at wrapping up 2025 finances, clearing a land-use exception for a new bar and authorizing steps to acquire property for sewer improvements.

On its third reading the council approved Resolution 110-25, granting a use-district exception under the city codified ordinances (chapter 1375.0113 as read into the record) to 21 Hoops LLC to operate a bar at a U6 industrial/manufacturing parcel on Euclid Avenue. The council closed debate by motion and voted in favor; the resolution passed on roll call.

City administration presented Ordinance 117-25, an emergency amendment to the 2025 appropriation ordinance, describing nine adjustments to cover unbudgeted or underbudgeted items. Major line items described in the presentation included a $370,000 increase to the general fund for the fire department to cover three separations and four retirements and related payouts; $160,000 to cover an extra month of payments to Chagrin Valley dispatch and a security/upgrade for dispatch; and $42,000 to the general services professional-services line for items such as grant-writer and printing/mail costs. Other adjustments included $109,352 added to the Community Development Block Grant fund for prior-year allocations, a law-enforcement trust fund increase tied to seized-narcotics distributions, $6,050 to a Bennington Hamlet TIF fund, a CID waterfront district payment adjustment, $41,000 to a Peterson trunk-line sewer study overrun, and a $1,000 refund in the street-opening fund. The council voted to pass the emergency appropriation ordinance.

The council also passed Ordinance 119-25, a temporary appropriation ordinance to allow city operations to begin in January 2026. Administration said the temporary budget is typically about one-third of the prior-year general fund to carry operations until a full 2026 budget is approved; a full 2026 appropriation must be passed by March 31, 2026.

On infrastructure, the council adopted Resolution 118-25, a resolution of intent to acquire the real property at 550 East 260th Street (parcel number 64416020) to construct a pump station and address a combined sewer overflow in the East 260 area. Administration explained the acquisition is related to the city's ongoing obligations under a consent decree addressing storm and sanitary sewer systems; the resolution states intent only and does not set a purchase price.

Administration remarks on the zoning item came from Director Grogan Myers, who noted the application had been considered previously by the Planning and Zoning Commission and was recommended for council adoption. On budget items a city administration representative (who presented the appropriation amendments) described the specific line-item increases and answered questions from council before the roll-call votes.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 110-25 (use-district exception for 21 Hoops LLC): motion to approve carried; resolution passed on third reading (roll call recorded all present voting yes). - Ordinance 117-25 (emergency amendments to 2025 appropriations): passed on roll call following administration presentation; key increases include $370,000 (fire separations/retirements) and $160,000 (dispatch/payment/security). - Ordinance 119-25 (temporary 2026 appropriation): passed to allow operations through early 2026 while a full budget is developed (full budget due March 31, 2026). - Resolution 118-25 (intent to acquire 550 E. 260th St. for sewer pump): passed on roll call; the resolution states intent only and does not set a purchase price.

Why it matters: The zoning exception clears the way for a commercial hospitality use at an industrial parcel on Euclid Avenue, the budget amendments allocate roughly half a million dollars of year-end adjustments to cover personnel and service gaps, and the property-acquisition intent is a step in implementing sewer upgrades required under a consent decree. Together the actions affect city operations, infrastructure planning and local economic activity.

Administration said these represent routine end-of-year housekeeping and legally necessary steps to keep operations running and projects on schedule; the consent-decree-related acquisition was framed as necessary to address a documented combined sewer overflow at East 260.

The council concluded the meeting after member updates and reminders about holiday events; members asked for an orientation update after the new year on the consent-decree negotiations.