University Heights council approves personnel and procurement items, tables labor extension and refers $2.5M signal plan to committee

University Heights City Council took a string of formal actions at a special meeting July 23, approving personnel and procurement measures while tabling and referring several items for additional committee review.

Council approved the Planning Commission recommendation to consolidate parcels 722-14-096, 722-14-097 and 722-14-098 into one parcel at 2367 Edgerton to permit an annex for an age-in-place, multigenerational home. The motion, made by Councilmember Brian King and seconded by Councilmember Winifred Weizer, passed on roll call.

On personnel matters, Council adopted Ordinance 2024-77 to add a Community Development Coordinator to the non-bargaining salary ordinance and establish a pay range; Law Director Brad Bryan clarified the measure was on second reading and adopted on emergency and would take effect upon signature. Separately, Ordinance 2025-34 renaming the Senior Services Coordinator to Services for Older Adults Coordinator passed on emergency.

Council approved Resolution 2025-32 authorizing the mayor to sign an indigency legal-representation reimbursement agreement with Cuyahoga County. Law Director Bryan described the agreement as a formalization of an existing reimbursement arrangement; Finance Director Katie Iaconis said the city’s related municipal-court costs in past years had been in the tens of thousands.

Procurement approvals included an amended authorization to purchase a garbage truck after a $5,800 chassis price increase attributed to tariffs, and the award of the Fire Department roof replacement contract to Westside Roofing after debate over bids and references. Fire Chief Bob Perko recommended Westside Roofing based on past work with the department.

Council did not adopt a one-year wage-only extension to the Laborers Local 860 collective-bargaining agreement at the meeting. Human Resources Coordinator Phil McFerrin presented a proposal for a 3.5% increase; Council voted to table the extension and refer it to the Finance Committee for detailed budget review.

A proposed ordinance to ban short-term residential rentals (Ordinance 2025-36) failed on an emergency vote; supporters said a ban would protect neighborhoods and could be grandfathered ahead of potential state preemption, while opponents urged enforcement of the existing local ordinance.

Finally, City Engineer Brenda Mockbee presented a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant opportunity that would reimburse up to $500,000 of an estimated $2.5 million citywide signal project. Council referred the CMAQ citywide signal proposal to the Service & Utilities committee for detailed study and prioritization.

Votes at a glance: - Lot consolidation (2367 Edgerton): approved (motion: King/Weizer; roll call: unanimous) - Ordinance 2024-77 (add Community Development Coordinator): approved on emergency (Weizer/Sax) - Ordinance 2025-34 (Senior Services Coordinator → Services for Older Adults Coordinator): approved on emergency (Weiss/Sax) - Resolution 2025-32 (indigency legal representation agreement): approved (Sax/Weiss) - Laborers Local 860 one-year extension (3.5% raise): tabled and referred to Finance Committee (Weizer/Sax) - Ordinance 2025-36 (ban short-term rentals): emergency adoption failed (Weiss motion; roll call 'nay') - Ordinance 2025-17 (amended garbage truck purchase): approved on emergency (Weizer/Sax; additional $5,800) - Fire station roof replacement contract award (Westside Roofing): approved after reconsideration (final roll call: unanimous) - CMAQ citywide signal proposal: referred to Service & Utilities (Sax/Weizer)

The meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.