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Garfield Heights council adopts four ordinances on vaping hours, regional program, property disposal and indigent defense fees
Summary
At its March 9 meeting, the Garfield Heights City Council unanimously adopted four ordinances: setting hours for tobacco and vape retailers, joining a regional public-education program, authorizing sale of surplus property, and approving an agreement with Cuyahoga County on counsel fees for indigent defendants.
Garfield Heights City Council on March 9 adopted four ordinances unanimously, moving multiple items through expedited procedures and roll-call votes.
The council first considered Ordinance 15-2026, which would add section 765.17 to the city code to establish hours of operation for tobacco and vape retailers and adjust penalty provisions. “I would like to make a motion to consider by title ordinance number 15-2026,” said Councilwoman Tson when placing the item on the floor; Councilwoman Dones seconded the motion. Council members later voted to send the ordinance to a second reading.
The council next approved Ordinance 16-2026, authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with the Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District and the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District to participate in a 2026–2030 public involvement and public education program. Council moved to suspend the three-reading rule and waive Rule 24; the ordinance was adopted by roll-call vote, 7–0.
Ordinance 17-2026 authorized the sale and disposal of municipally owned properties determined to be no longer needed under the city code (section 129.02). After motions to suspend readings and waive rule 24, the council approved the ordinance by a 7–0 roll-call vote.
Ordinance 18-2026 approved an agreement with Cuyahoga County regarding payment of counsel fees for indigent criminal defendants and was advanced under emergency declaration language. That ordinance also passed on a 7–0 roll-call vote after council suspended further readings and waived procedural Rule 24.
The council’s actions followed routine procedural motions (consider by title, suspend three-reading rules, waive rule 24) and unanimous recorded votes. No substantive public testimony was recorded on these items during the meeting.
Votes at a glance - Ordinance 15-2026 (hours for tobacco/vape retailers): advanced to second reading (motion by Councilwoman Tson; no roll-call recorded at this meeting) - Ordinance 16-2026 (participate in Cuyahoga Soil & Water / Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District public education program, 2026–2030): adopted, roll-call 7–0 - Ordinance 17-2026 (sale/disposal of surplus municipal property pursuant to section 129.02): adopted, roll-call 7–0 - Ordinance 18-2026 (agreement on payment of council fees for indigent defendants with Cuyahoga County; emergency): adopted, roll-call 7–0
Next steps: The ordinances adopted under suspension or emergency may take effect according to their specific effective dates and the city’s codified rules; council did not record additional amendments or public testimony on these items at the March 9 meeting.
