Seven Hills Council passes package of emergency ordinances on e-bikes, waterline, insurance, conservation MOUs and salt purchase

The Seven Hills City Council on March 10 passed six emergency ordinances that officials said address public-safety rules, infrastructure repairs and budgeted operating needs.

The council approved amended Ordinance 09-2026, a revision to section 373.17 of the city code that places stricter guidelines on the use and operation of electric bicycles. Councilman Castanzo moved the ordinance’s emergency-reading actions and the council adopted the measure by voice vote.

Council members also approved Ordinance 14-2026, authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with Fabrezy Trucking and Paving Company for the Sky View Waterline Replacement Project. Mayor Basiada said the work, in partnership with Cleveland Water, will install a new 8-inch water line, new hydrants and service lines, and that Cleveland Water will cover trench repair and resurfacing related to the water-line work. The ordinance incorporates an appropriation not to exceed $695,998; the mayor said the city’s share for resurfacing not associated with the waterline work is estimated at $50,000.

On insurance, the council approved Ordinance 15-2026 to contract with Jackson Deacon Associates for comprehensive municipal liability and cyber insurance renewal, in an amount not to exceed $249,912 for the April 1, 2026–April 1, 2027 policy year.

Two related conservation agreements were also adopted. Ordinance 16-2026 authorizes a five-year memorandum of understanding with the Kyhoga soil and water conservation district and the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEO RSD), with the city agreeing to appropriate $6,600 annually for five years; NEO RSD will reimburse that amount through its regional stormwater management funding, the ordinance states. Ordinance 17-2026 authorizes a 2026–2027 MOU with the Kyhoga soil and water conservation district to support stormwater pollution-prevention and other best practices tied to the city’s MS4 permit, with appropriations listed as not to exceed $18,600 for 2026 and $19,500 for 2027.

The council also passed Ordinance 18-2026, approving a change order to the 2025 road-salt contract that allows the city to purchase up to 1,120 additional tons at the original contract price of $61.40 per ton. The administration said its intent is to buy approximately 800 tons now to ensure a full salt bin going into next winter and to lock in a lower rate after regional market spikes this winter. The ordinance appropriates an additional amount not to exceed $74,000 for the purchase; council adopted it as an emergency measure.

All measures were advanced and adopted by voice vote during the meeting; the record in the transcript indicates motions, seconds and unanimous "all in favor" responses, but individual roll-call tallies were not given on the record.

During the public-comment portion, resident Damon W. thanked the service department for a prompt response to a residential service issue. School board member Ashley McTagert, identified as a member of the 910th Airlift Wing, presented challenge coins to council members in gratitude for the city’s support for veterans and said she is set for a six-month deployment, returning in October.

Mayor Basiada also described the rationale for the salt purchase — citing dramatically higher spot prices after recent storms and the desire to lock in last year’s contract rate — and announced an open house at the renovated fire station on Friday at noon, saying the renovation was funded largely through a state strategic grant and partnerships that kept city costs from increasing.

The council recessed into executive session for economic-development matters and reconvened to offer brief miscellaneous comments before adjourning at 6:59 p.m.