Resident raises pest and property-maintenance complaints; city says it will assess 19 addresses with Apex Pest Control

During the public-comment period at the June 23 Eastlake City Council meeting, resident Jane Casiano told council she had personally received seven emails about pest/animal concerns and said the building department had 14 contacts on the issue. Casiano said some email senders included photos and that she had provided a consolidated list of 19 addresses to Apex Pest Control for assessment.

"Absolutely false. I have personally received 7 emails," Casiano said in response to an earlier statement about the number of reports. She told council that some submissions included photos (she cited an opossum and a black squirrel), and that the building department and service department had provided a list of addresses that Apex would inspect.

According to Casiano and the transcript, Apex Pest Control — the same company currently working in Willowick — will visit the listed addresses to assess whether baiting catch basins is warranted or whether issues are primarily property-maintenance problems. Casiano emphasized that property maintenance remains the primary tool the city uses and noted a proposed rental-property maintenance ordinance under consideration to address rental properties.

City staff said they will meet with Apex to develop an assessment and recommended plan; if baiting of basins is recommended, it will be part of that plan. The transcript records the service director saying the city is coordinating contact and inspections and that residents can report potholes or other issues by phone or email.

The council did not adopt any policy or direct immediate regulatory changes during the meeting; staff said they would follow up with an assessment and plan after Apex's site visits.