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University Heights rolls out composting pilot, updates water‑line and budget actions; council approves appropriations and contracts
Summary
Mayor Brennan announced a six‑month composting pilot and Cleveland Water's long‑term lead service‑line replacement schedule; Council approved appropriations for a Northcliff water‑line design, a pavement evaluation contract amendment, and accepted a $6,000 recycling grant.
At its March 18 meeting, University Heights City Council received a package of administrative updates and approved several fiscal and contracting actions to advance infrastructure and sustainability work across the city.
Mayor Michael D. Brennan announced a six‑month community composting pilot funded by a Special Project Grant from the Cuyahoga Solid Waste District. Starting May 1 and running through Oct. 31, 2025, residents may drop off kitchen food scraps at locked bins on the Saybrook side of Walter Stinson Community Park after online registration; Rust Belt Riders will collect compostable material. The mayor described environmental benefits including reduced landfill waste and methane emissions and said the city will promote the program via the Friday e‑news, social media and a mailed postcard.
City Engineer Brenda Mockabee and the mayor also reported ongoing coordination with Cleveland Water on a multi‑year lead service‑line replacement program. Cleveland Water is replacing known or suspected lead connections across its service area and proposes a University Heights schedule that aligns with historic and planned road work through 2037; this year the work will focus on roughly 160–168 service connections in the annual cycle, with affected residents receiving direct notices.
On financial and project votes, Council suspended rules and unanimously passed Ordinance 2025‑09 to authorize appropriation adjustments connected to an amended Northcliff watermain project so the city can update engineering plans and move toward bidding. Council also approved Ordinance 2025‑10, authorizing a work‑order contract amendment with Mannik & Smith Group for the 2025 pavement‑evaluation program, which will inventory street conditions and inform prioritization for repairs.
Council accepted a $6,000 Community Recycling Awareness Grant from the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District to print and mail two "recycle right" postcards in spring and fall, and Communications staff agreed to explore adding curbside schedule guidance on the mailer. Finance Director Dennis Kennedy briefed Council that final first‑half property‑tax settlements totaled $2,537,746, lifting first‑half collections to $3,155,746 and improving general‑fund balances compared with 2024.
Council also heard routine departmental reports — building permits for upcoming commercial tenants, a John Carroll University demolition timeline, spring cleanup logistics from Service, and a Severe Weather Awareness Week notice from the Fire Department — before adjourning at 9:39 p.m.
