City Council Agendas / Approved Minutes

MINUTES OF A REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF GARFIELD HEIGHTS, OHIO Monday - April 28, 2025 -7:00 PM CALL TO ORDER 7:00 PM PRESIDENT JOHNSON: Welcome to o our meeting. Good evening again, and welcome to our regular meeting for the council, City of Garfield Heights. I want to welcome all our neighbors and any visitors that we have here with us tonight. It's good to see all my colleagues. And with that note in mind, we're going to start off our meeting tonight with our invocation and our Pledge of Allegiance, and that will be handled tonight by Ward one Councilwoman Collier. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE CLWN COLLIER: Good and gracious God, we gather today with the grateful hearts, seeking your wisdom and blessing over this meeting, we honor the spirit of Pope Francis, who reminds us to care for the least among us, especially the children. May actions we take today remind us of hope, peace and a bright future we strive to build for every resident in our community. Guide our decisions with compassion, justice and unity, bless our city its leaders and all the families we serve. We ask this in your holy name, Amen. Pledge of Allegiance recited. ROLL CALL PRESENT COUNCIL MEMBERS: WARD 1: COUNCILWOMAN STACEY COLLIER WARD 2: COUNCILWOMAN TENISHA MACK WARD 3: COUNCILMAN MARK SMITH WARD 4: COUNCILMAN AVERY JOHNSON WARD 5: COUNCILWOMAN RACHELLE TONSING WARD 6: COUNCILMAN CLIFFORD KELLEY WARD 7: COUNCILWOMAN JENNIFER NEWRONES PRESIDENT JOHNSON: Do we have a guorum? (reply Yes). At this time, can we please have a reading of disposal of our last Council meeting minutes. ? DISPOSAL OF LAST MEETINT MINUTES CLMN KELLEY: I make a motion to dispose of the minutes for our regular Council minute meeting, Monday, April the 14th, 2025. PRESIDENT JOHNSON: There's been a motion place on the floor for our last council minute meeting for April the 14th. Can I please have a second? (Smith: I Second) It's been so moved in second by Councilman Smith. All in favor say yes. Any opposed say no. (7 Yes- 0 No) COMMITTEE REPORT AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION TO COUNCIL -1- PRESIDENT JOHNSON: Is there any written communications to council at this time? Are there any written communications to council at this time? (reply No) There's no written communications. We'll turn it over for our committee reports. Any committee reports, there's no committee reports. At this time, we'll turn it over for the reports of the mayor and or our directors. REPORT OF MAYOR AND DIRECTORS MAYOR MATT BURKE: Thank you, Mr. President. I do have a report this evening. The service department is actively working to patch pot-holes and carry out the road repairs that we have throughout the city. We appreciate your patience as our crews are diligently out there performing their tasks. Please be cautious when passing by our teams. Additionally, please be aware that our grass cutting crews are also out and addressing those lawns that are non-compliant. In the rec department, we are seeking lifeguards for the 2025 season. We are offering free certification training and a signing bonus, along with the 15 hour, $15 per hour wage, you must be 15 years old to apply, and I believe we have approximately 10 to 12 positions available. You can apply online at our website, www.Garfieldhts.org, or in person at the Garfield heights Rec Center. We are struggling to find people, and if we don't find people, we may not have a pool this year. I'm just putting that out there because currently we only have one person that's applied. I would like to also extend my gratitude to everyone who attended the update on the County campus on Thursday, April 26. It was exciting to hear the plans. It was also exciting to hear some of the concerns of the residents. I think the overall feedback I got from a lot of residents there as they were excited to see something happen. County executive Chris Ronayne and his team provided a briefing on upcoming developments, including details about the Sheriffs Department. I was surprised to see that they're going to keep the Aldi building that's that was there on the site, and turn that into a sheriffs training facility. Executive, Ronayne indicated there'd be about 1100 jobs coming to the city of Garfield heights, and anywhere between $1.2 million to one and a half million dollars in revenue, much needed to help us with our road repairs and some of our infrastructure. I got a call today from a resident who wants to know if we have any kind of a curb program. And now you know we are working towards that. But friends, we need, we need as much revenue as we can if you want to do those type of things. The perimeter fence around the campus is being installed currently, and we should start to see pre construction work soon with the groundbreaking set for early 2026 I also wanted to just note that I've been down Garfield Boulevard a few times this last week, and it's really starting to take shape. You can see the new, dedicated trail coming into focus. They're going to start paving it. I talked to a gentleman from a leg of contracting. They're also going to address the road pretty soon. They originally have on their plans to do the path itself, the trail itself and then do the bio swales. But he says, As long as the weather's good and they can get asphalt, they may address the road when they do that, that trail, which is would be nice, and then the bio swales will go in. They've got the liners. They'll be putting that in. You'll start to see where that's going to take shape. I did have a great time on Saturday morning with council president Avery Johnson and Councilman Mark Smith, as we teamed up with the American Red Cross. And we also had county executive Chris Ronayne with us, and we went into homes along east 88th Street and helped install fire smoke detectors. That was great. A lot of the residents there were very appreciative. Those smoke detectors are about $40 a piece, and you can get up to five of them installed into your house. So that's $200 that's no joke. That's a pretty good Penny. And then the other thing is, I don't know if people realize the smoke detectors are only good for 10 years. Even if you hit the button after 10 years and it beeps at you, it does not mean the sensor is working. And we replaced one, I think, from 1989 so and it still beeped at you when you held the thing. But what's really neat is, if you want them, you can call the fire department. They'll come out and they'll install them for you. Just all you got to do is call and ask. And these new smoke detectors, they last 10 years, and you don't have to -2- replace the batteries. Those batteries are good for 10 years. I want to also remind everybody that on May 6, it's election day, and there are a couple items that are on the ballot, three, to be exact, whether you are for or against any of those measures, just please exercise your right to vote. That is something that's very important in our democracy here, I want to invite anybody who's interested to come out to my first bike with the mayor this year. It's going to be held on May 10. It's a Saturday morning. I'm making this one child friendly. We won't be on the road. We'll actually be on the towpath trail, and we're going to start at bocce park down in the down at the bottom of Warner and canal, and then we're going to just cross over the road the first time, and then headed down the towpath trail, should be about a six mile ride. So if you're not training for the Tour de France. You're more than welcome to join us. We're going to have a good time. And then I also want to remind everybody, on May 22 we are teaming up with first federal Lakewood to have a home buying seminar here at the Civic Center as well. I see Stacy, you passed out about the kids T ball registration began on April 21 and it runs through May 20 if you're interested, please take some time and sign up for it. We're looking for as many kids as we can get. And I just want to say, Please drive safely. Be mindful of the speed on the roads. I want to also note that the I 480 ramps to I 77 South is going to be closed for repair, and that's probably going to go till November. So I've been telling everybody to bypass that, just either go down Granger road hill or down Rockside to get to 77 it might be quicker. Let me get into tonight's legislation. Ordinance number 36 2025 is for us to go out and buy rock salt. Basically, we team up with ODOT on that, and we do it every year. Ordinance 37 2025 is to update our charter with Walter drain, who does all that online? I believe they do it like once a year. Ordinance number 38 2025 is the partner with the Northeast Ohio regional Sewer District to try to obtain a medium duty truck for our service department. Hopefully we'll find the funding for that so there won't be any cost to that. Ordinance number 39 2025 is to actually start looking at plans for what we would need if we had to build a brand new police station. As you know, some of the talk has been that the court may move to Newburgh heights, and the court is one facility, but the police station is also in dire need of being replaced. We want to try to get ahead of it now so we know what we need to do in the event that we find a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Ordinance number 42-2025 is to accept the contract between the city of Garfield heights and the sergeants and above in the police department. Ordinance 41- 2025 is installing a new restroom facility over at double act Park. This facility is going to be pretty much the same as the one that's in the Garfield red Park reservation right there, next to Ironwood springs, the new pavilion that's there. Resolution 19 2025 is somewhat special to me. This is something that I've been working on for quite some time, and it's to sort of give back to the community. For years and years and years, we have had homes that people just couldn't repair their homes. They're either on a fixed income, they're low income. We finally put it together with council to come up with a home repair assistance grant program that you'll be able to apply. And this just spells out the guidelines to it. And then resolution number 22-2025 is honoring and congratulating Matthew Thompson, who's a teacher for the stop a hate stop the hate. He won Teacher of the Year award for that. And with that, Mr. President, last thing go cabs. Right with that. You have my report. PRESIDENT JOHNSON: Thank you, Mayor Burke, we appreciate that. At this time, council recognizes Chief of Staff, Jeff Jerome. Jeff Jerome: Chief of Staff: Thank you. Mr. President, I have no report this evening. All right, at this time Council, the chair recognizes our library branch manager, Mr. Tony Furino. Tony Furino ( Library branch Manager): Hi all. How are you this evening? So I just wanted to talk about a few things coming up this Thursday, we are going to host Courtney Houser. She's someone who works in the community through counseling, and she and her husband Mario, run the village church, and she wrote a book. It's called from victim to survivor, and she's actually going to do an author talk at the library this Thursday at seven o'clock. So I wanted to promote that event. We've got 20 some people register right now, but want to get a good showing for her, and she's one of our -3- community members. Also, next week, we're doing our mobile pantry, so anyone who's around 11 to 12 o'clock that Wednesday, you're going to see cars wrapping into turning road as people are picking up their produce from us in the back of our parking lot. Pray that we get no rain that day last time, it was like 38 and pouring. It was awful. So hoping for some sunshine this time. And then lastly, I want to put out a plea. Not many people know what the friend’s library are, but every library kind of relies on friend’s library, and it's a group. It's kind of a generic term throughout the nation for a group that supports library programming and in certain. Places buys books. Fortunately, taxpayer money and money from the state helps us buy our books, but to run our programming, we do rely on the friend’s library. Currently, we have one friend. Her name is Mary. She's fantastic. She's been doing it for 20 plus years. I know Mary doesn't want to do it forever, so I'm just kind of putting a plea out there to start up a friend's board of community members. So I'm looking for at least a couple of people who can kind of run it, help sort books, maybe run some bigger book sales, and just sort of do the financials. Right now I'm basically the friend’s treasurer. So if you can reach out to any community members, see if they're interested in kind of giving back. This is a small way to do it in their community, by being a member of the friends at the library. So that's all I got, unless you guys have questions for me. PRESIDENT JOHNSON: We thank you for your report. Well, thank you. All right at this time, is there any communications on tonight's agenda from the residents? Is there any communications on tonight's agenda? (none reported) There are no communications on tonight's agenda. We'll move right along to our ordinances and or resolutions. ORDINANCE NUMBER 36-2025 Sponsored by Mayor Matthew Burke Co- sponsored by council president Avery Johnson, Council Pro Tern Stacy Collier AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE MAYOR FOR HIS DESIGNEE TO ENTER INTO A PURCHASING PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT WITH THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE PURCHASE OF SODIUM CHLORIDE (ROCK SALT) FOR THE 2025- 26 SEASON AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. CLWN TONSING: Mr. President, I’d like to make a motion to consider by title Ord number 36-2025 PRESIDENT JOHNSON: There's been a motion place on the floor by Councilwoman Tonsing on ordinance number 36:2025. Can I get a second? It's been so moved and seconded by Councilwoman Mack. All in favor? Say yes. Any opposed say no: 7 Yes- 0 No: 7 Yes- 0 No CLWN TONSING: Mr. President, I would like to make a motion to suspend the three reading rule. PRESIDENT JOHNSON: There's been a motion place on forward Councilwoman Tonsing for suspension of three reading rules. Can I get a second ? All moved and seconded by Councilwoman Mack. All in favor say yes. Any opposed say no: 7 Yes- 0 No CLWN TONSING: Mr. President, I’d like to make a motion to waiver rule 24 there's PRESIDENT JOHNSON: There’s been a motion place on the floor for a waiver rule 24. Can I get a second?(Mack- 1 Second). It's been so moved and seconded by Dr. Mack, all those in favor say yes. Any opposed say no: 7 yes- 0 No. I'll call for a rollcall on the adoption, beginning with Councilwoman Tonsing. Roll call on the adoption of Ordinance 36-2025 Tonsing-Yes, Kelley-Yes, Newrones-Yes, Collier-Yes, Mack-Yes, Smith-Yes, Johnson-Yes Vote Outcome: Passed 7 yes- 0 No PRESIDENT JOHNSON: Pass, Seven to zero. ORDINANCE NUMBER 37-2025 Sponsored by Mayor Matthew Burke, Co-sponsored by all of Council -4- AN ORDINANCE TO REVISE THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES BY ADOPTING CURRENT REPLACEMENT PAGES PURSUANT TO SECTION 17 OF THE GARFIELD HEIGHTS CHARTER AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. CLWN NEWRONES: Mr. President, I'd like to make a motion to accept ordinance 37-2025 by title. PRESIDENT JOHNSON: A motion placed on the floor by Councilwoman arose for a motion to consider by title ordinance number 37-2025 Can I get a second? (Kelley-I Second). It's been moved and second by Councilman Kelley. All those in favor say, yes. Any opposed say no: (7 Yes- 0 No). CLWN NEWRONES: Mr. President, I'd like to make a motion to waive the three reading rule. There's PRESIDENT JOHNSON: A motion place on the floor for the waiver the three-reading rules. Can I get a second? (Kelley-I Second). It’s been so moved and seconded by Councilman Kelley. All those in favor say yes. Any opposed say no: (7 Yes- 0 No) CLWN NEWRONES: Mr. President, I'd like to make a motion to waive rule 24. PRESIDENT JOHNSON: It’s been a motion place on the floor for the waiver of rule. 24 Can I get a second? (Kelley-I Second). It’s been so moved and second by Councilman Kelley. All those in favor say yes, yes, yes. Any opposed say no. I'll call for the roll. Call me adoption, beginning with Councilwoman Newrones. Roll call on the adoption of Ordinance 37-2025 Newrones-Yes, Collier-Yes, Mack-Yes, Smith-Yes, Johnson-Yes, Tonsing-Yes, Kelley-Yes Vote Outcome: Passed 7 yes- 0 No PRESIDENT JOHNSON: Seven to zero ORDINANCE NUMBER 38-2025 Sponsored by Mayor Matthew Burke Co-sponsored by council president Avery Johnson, Council Pro Tern Stacy Collier AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE MAYOR TO DO ALL THINGS NECESSARY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NORTHEAST OHIO REGIONAL SEWER DISTRICT PROGRAM TO SECURE FUNDING FOR THE PURCHASE OF A MEDIUM DUTY TRUCK AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. CLWN TONSING: Mr. President, I would like to make a motion to consider by title, Ord No. 38-2025 PRESIDENT JOHNSON: There's been a motion placed on the floor by Councilwoman Tonsing, to consider by title. Can I get a second? (Collier-I Second). It's been so moved and seconded by council woman Collier, all those in favor say yes. Any opposed say no: (7 Yes- 0 No) CLWN TONSING: Mr. President, I would like to make a motion to suspend the three- reading rule. PRESIDENT JOHNSON: There’s been a motion place on the floor for suspension of the three-reading rules. Can I get a second? (Collier-I Second) It's been so moved and second by Councilwoman Collier. All those in favor say yes. Any opposed say no: (7 Yes- 0 No) CLWN TONSING: Mr. President, I would like to make a motion to waiver rule 24 PRESIDENT JOHNSON: It's been a motion place on the floor for the waiver of rule 24 by Councilwoman Tonsing. Can I get a second? (Collier-I Second). It's been so moved and seconded by Councilwoman Collier. All those in favor say yes. Any opposed say no: (7 Yes - 0 No) I'll call for the roll call on the adoption, beginning with Councilwoman Tonsing. Roll call on the adoption of Ordinance 38-2025 Tonsing-Yes, Kelley-Yes, Newrones-Yes, Collier-Yes, Mack-Yes, Smith-Yes, Johnson-Yes Vote Outcome: Passed 7 yes- 0 No ORDINANCE NUMBER 39-2025 Sponsored by Mayor Matthew Burke Co-sponsored by council president Avery Johnson, council Pro Tern Stacy Collier -5- AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE MAYOR OR HIS DESIGNEE TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THEN DESIGN ARCHITECTURE TO PROVIDE PLANNING SERVICES FOR THE GARFIELD HEIGHTS POLICE STATION AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. CLMN KELLEY: Mr. President, I make a motion to consider ordinance 39-2025 by title. PRESIDENT JOHNSON: There's been a motion placed on the floor by Councilman Kelley to consider by title. Can I get a second? (Smith-1 Second) It's been so moved and seconded by Councilman Smith. All those in favor say, yes. Any opposed say no: (7 Yes- 0 No) CLMN KELLEY: Mr. President, I make a motion suspension of the three-reading rule. PRESIDENT JOHNSON: A motion placed on the floor by Councilman Kelley for the suspension of the three reading rules. Can I get a second? (Smith- 1 Second). It's been so moved and seconded by Councilman Smith. All those in favor say yes. Any opposed say no: (7 Yes- 0 No) CLMN KELLEY: Mr. President, I make a motion waiver of rule 24. PRESIDENT JOHNSON: There’s been a motion place on the floor by Councilman Kelley for the waiver of rule 24 Can I get a second. (Smith- 1 Second) It’s been so moved and second by Councilman Smith. All those in favor say yes. Any opposed say no: (7 Yes- 0 No). I'll call for the roll call adoption, beginning with Councilman Kelley. Roll call on the adoption of Ordinance 39-2025 Kelley-Yes, Newrones-Yes, Collier-Yes, Mack-Yes, Smith-Yes, Johnson-Yes, Tonsing-Yes Vote Outcome: Passed 7 yes- 0 No PRESIDENT JOHNSON: Passes Seven to zero ORDINANCE NUMBER 40-2025 Sponsored by Mayor Matthew Burke Co-sponsored by council president Avery Johnson, council Pro Tern Stacy Collier AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF GARFIELD HEIGHTS AND THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE LARGE, 67 SERGEANTS AND ABOVE, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. CLWN COLLIER: Mr. President, I’d like to make a motion to consider by title ordinance, 40-2025 PRESIDENT JOHNSON: There’s been a motion placed on the floor to consider by title by Councilwoman Collier, can I get a second? (Mack- 1 Second) It's been so moved and seconded by Councilwoman Mack, all those in favor say yes. Any opposed say no: 7 Yes - 0 No Mr. President. Councilwoman Collier, CLWN COLLIER: I'd like to make a motion for the suspension of the three reading-rule. PRESIDENT JOHNSON: There’s been a motion placed on the floor by Councilwoman Collier for the motion for suspension of three-reading rules. Can I get a second? (Mack- 1 Second). It's been so moved and seconded by Clwmn Mack. All those in favor say yes. Any opposed say no: 7 Yes - 0 No CLWN COLLIER: Mr. President, I would like to make a motion for the waiver of rule 24. PRESIDENT JOHNSON: There's been a motion placed on the floor for the waiver of rule 24 by Councilwoman Collier. Can I get a second? (Mack-1 Second) It's been so moved in second by Councilwoman Mack. All those in favor say yes. Any opposed say no: 7 Yes - 0 No I'll call for the roll call on the adoption, beginning with Councilwoman Collier. Roll call on the adoption of Ordinance 40-2025 Collier-Yes, Mack-Yes, Smith-Yes, Johnson-Yes, Tonsing-Yes, Kelley-Yes, Newrones-Yes Vote Outcome: Passed 7 yes- 0 No PRESIDENT JOHNSON: That passes, Seven to zero. -6- ORDINANCE NUMBER 41-2025 Sponsored by Matthew Burke, Co-sponsored by Council President Avery Johnson AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE MAYOR OR HIS DESIGNEE TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH CTX INCORPORATION FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF A CORTEZ PRECAST CONCRETE RESTROOM FACILITY AT THE FRANK J. DEBALAK RECREATION AREA, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY PRESIDENT JOHNSON: Mr. President, Councilman Kelley CLMN KELLEY: Mr. President, I make a motion to consider by title, ordinance 41-2025. PRESIDENT JOHNSON: It's been a motion placed on the floor by Councilman Kelley to consider by title. Can I get a second? Second? (Tonsing- 1 second). It's been so moved and seconded by Councilwoman Tonsing. All in favor say, any opposed say no: (7 Yes - 0 No). CLMN KELLEY: Mr. President, I make a motion to suspension of the three- reading rule. PRESIDENT JOHNSON: There’s been a motion place on the floor for the suspension of three-reading rules by Councilman Kelley. Can I get a second? (Tonsing- 1 Second). It's been so moved and seconded by Councilwoman Tonsing. All those in favor say yes. Any opposed say no (7 Yes - 0 No) . CLMN KELLEY: Mr. President, I make a motion of waiver of rule 24. PRESIDENT JOHNSON: There's been a motion placed on the floor by Councilman Kelly for the waiver of rule 24 Can I get a second? (Tonsing - 1 Second). It's been so moved and seconded by Councilwoman Tonsing. All in favor, say yes. Any opposed say no (7 Yes - 0 No). I'll call for the roll call on the adoption, beginning with Councilman Kelley. Roll call on the adoption of Ordinance 41-2025 Kelley-Yes, Newrones-Yes, Collier-Yes, Mack-Yes, Smith-Yes, Johnson-Yes, Tonsing-Yes Vote Outcome: Passed 7 yes- 0 No PRESIDENT JOHNSON: That passes Seven to zero. RESOLUTION NUMBER 19-2025 Sponsored by Mayor Matthew Burke Co- sponsored by council president Avery Johnson, Councilwoman Collier, pro tern. A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE HOME REPAIR ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM, PROGRAM GUIDELINES, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR HIS DESIGNEE TO AWARD FUNDING TO ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. CLMN SMITH: Mr. President, I moved to consider by title Resolution 19-2025 PRESIDENT JOHNSON: There’s been a motion to consider by title by Councilman Smith, can I get a second? (Mack-I Second) It's been so moved and seconded by Councilwoman Mack. All those in favor say yes. Any opposed say no. (7 Yes - 0 No). CLMN SMITH: Mr. President, I move to suspend the three-reading rule, please. PRESIDENT JOHNSON: There's a motion place on the floor by Councilman Smith for the suspension of three reading rules. Can I get a second? (Mack- 1 Second). It's been so moved and seconded by Councilwoman Mack. All in favor say yes. Any opposed say no: (7 Yes - 0 No) CLMN SMITH: Point of information. Is it necessary for waiver of rule 24? ( reply Yes, it is) Mr. President, I move for a waiver of rule 24. -7- PRESIDENT JOHNSON: There's been a motion place on the floor for a waiver of rule 24 by Councilman Smith, can I get a second? (Mack- 1 Second). It's been so moved and second by Councilwoman Mack. All in favor say yes. Any opposed say no: (7 Yes - 0 No) I'll call for the roll. Call me adoption, beginning with Councilman Smith. Roll call on the adoption of Ordinance 28-2025 Smith-Yes, Johnson-Yes, Tonsing-Yes, Kelley-Yes, Newrones-Yes, Collier-Yes, Mack-Yes, Vote Outcome: Passed 7 yes- 0 No PRESIDENT JOHNSON: That passes Seven to zero. RESOLUTION NUMBER 22-2025 Sponsored by Councilwoman Stacey Collier, Co-sponsored by Mayor Matthew Burke and All of council A RESOLUTION HONORING AND CONGRATULATING MATTHEW THOMPSON FOR WINNING THE STOP THE HATE TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD. CLWN COLLIER: Mr. PresidentTd like to make a motion that resolution 2025 be read in its entirety. PRESIDENT JOHNSON: All those in favor say, any oppose say no: 7 Yes - 0 No. PRESIDENT JOHNSON: Is it is the individual here? CLWN COLLIER: He is not. I want to share, thank you. A resolution honoring and congratulating Matthew Thompson for winning the stop the hate Teacher of the Year award. Whereas the city of Garfield heights takes great pride in the achievements of its residents and recognizes the invaluable contributions made by educators who shape the future of our community and inspire our youth. Whereas Matthew Thompson, an educator at Garfield Heights School, has been honored with the stop, the hate Teacher of the Year Award by the Moltz Museum of Jewish heritage for his commitment to anti bias education and fostering an environment of inclusivity, empathy and understanding, whereas the stop the hate initiative seeks to celebrate those who actively combat hate and tolerance and prejudice and who work tirelessly to build communities rooted in respect, acceptance for all people, regardless of their background, beliefs and identities. And whereas Mr. Thompson's work is promoting diversity, equity, inclusion has made a lasting impression on students, colleagues and a broader community, and serves as the model for educators who strive to create positive change in the classroom and beyond. Now therefore, be it resolved by the city council of Garfield heights, Cuyahoga County, State of Ohio. That section one, the Mayor and Council of the City of Garfield heights, hereby honor and congratulate Matthew Thompson for his remarkable achievements and dedication to promoting anti bias education and fostering a more just, compassionate society. Section two, the clerk of Council is hereby authorized to transmit a copy of this resolution to Matthew Thompson and to the local news media. Section three, this resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after the earliest period allowed by law. CLWN COLLIER: Mr. President, I’d like to now motion for the suspension of the three reading rule. PRESIDENT JOHNSON: There's been a motion place on the floor for suspension of the three reading rules, by Councilwoman Collier, can I get a second? (Smith- 1 Second). It's been so moved and seconded by Councilman Smith. All those in favor say yes, yes. Any opposed say no: (7 Yes - 0 No). I'll call for the roll call on the adoption beginning with Councilwoman Collier. CLMN SMITH: Before I vote. I think this is a fantastic move, and anyone who is moving forward in such events are incredibly proud. We need more of this. And with that, I vote, yes. Roll call on the adoption of Resolution 22-2025 Collier-Yes, Mack-Yes, Smith-Yes, Johnson-Yes, Tonsing-Yes, Kelley-Yes, Newrones-Yes Vote Outcome: Passed 7 yes- 0 No PRESIDENT JOHNSON: That passes 7-0. COMMENTS BY CITIZENS <1 ’ -8- PRESIDENT JOHNSON: That concludes our ordinances and resolutions for tonight, we'll move right along with our comments by citizens applause. There are no comments for tonight, so we'll move right along to our miscellaneous business. We're going to start off in Ward one with the council Pro Tern states of COVID. Thank you, sir. CLWN COLLIER: First, I want to say thank you to everyone from Ward one that are here today. I appreciate you all coming out. I've heard everything you've said. I'm hoping that I can find some resolution for the issues that you all have. I also want to say thank you to a few people, firstly, and everyone who donated and put candy in Easter eggs for the annual Easter egg hunt. I just want to let everybody know we have over 5000 Easter eggs for this hunt. This year. I said 6000 became pretty close. I guess next year that is going to be the goal. I might say 8000 who knows, but I want to say thank you to everybody that donated me, Asha, investments, Holy Spirit church. I want to say thank you particularly. Thank you to the street clubs in Ward one, the MLK street club and the Cranwood. Park Boulevard street club, I want to say thank you to them, because they not only did they donate candy, they made baskets and presented baskets for the for the kids to be eligible to win. Thank you to the scarified school board who gave get little gift bags so that each of the teenagers could, like, walk away with something a little more sturdy than some Easter eggs. It was. It was a good time. The weather held out. The weather gave us a two hour window that it did not rain or thunderstorm in the ground was still dry for the kids to be able to go out and make this happen. And I just want everybody to know how much the kids appreciate it every year. It's something they look forward to every year. We hope to make it bigger and better, and any help that you all are willing to give, we are willing to receive. It's not just Ward one residents that come out to this. It is people from the entire city of Garfield heights who come out and see it gives them opportunity to see how wonderful Ward one is. I think a lot of people who have lived here for many years fell into that negative connotation of what the heel or across the bridge and never actually went up the hill or came across the bridge, and this is giving people an opportunity to see that we truly live in a very wonderful community full of forestry, and it's nice, and I appreciate everybody coming out. I also want to say to Matthew Thompson, who could not be here because he is. He's an educator. Our educators are underpaid, and they have to work extra jobs in order to sustain themselves. So he was unable to come because he had to. He couldn't get off of his second job in order to come and say thank you. He is the he's a very it's very good to see men in teaching, in the teaching profession. It's something that we don't have a lot of. So it helps when young people can see someone who looks like them, and young men can see other men in teaching roles. And he does create a writing which is something that these children need to understand and know, that their voices can be heard and it is okay for them to be able to read and write. So I appreciate him and say thank you for that. I thank the mulch Museum of Jewish heritage for putting this out every year. Thank you. I want to say also to anyone in Ward one who had some flooding from this last major rain, I need you to call the service department and give them your street address and let them know where your flooding occurred. So because they are trying to track this and monitor this, so if surprise service department, you're going to get some phone calls. But yeah, so give the service department a call and let them know if you have flooding in your area. I do appreciate that. That will help us out a lot with that. That concludes my report. Thank you one. PRESIDENT JOHNSON: Thank Councilwoman Collier for her report. And as do we know that also we want to say we hope that we see your mother back again. She is her presence is missed. I appreciate that. Thank you, sir. At this time we're going to recognize council woman, Dr. Mack ward two. -9- CLWN MACK: Good evening, everyone. First, I would like to say Happy early Mother's Day, because we won't be here until after Mother's Day. So I just wanted to say that Ward two Garfield Heights community club Meet and welcome back me will be May 17 at the Garfield Heights Library from four to 5pm and the fourth annual Lupus Awareness Walk will be on May 24 I will have more details next meeting, and as the weather change, please remember to keep the grass cut and bring back the trash bins from the curbs. That is like my nerve the two biggest complaints I get, so please just try to keep the grass cut and bring the bins back. And that's all I have. PRESIDENT JOHNSON: Well, thank Councilwoman, Dr Mack for her report. We'll go right along with Councilman Smith, ward three. CLMN SMITH: Thank you, Mr. President. First of all, I want to take this opportunity well. Second of all, and let me do the first of all, first of all, thank you all for your attendance on this evening, it shows great. Interest that you would be involved and spend your Monday night on a 75 degree day night hanging with us. Secondly, I want to take the opportunity to thank all those that attended the ward three information session. We had a phenomenal turnout there, and we were educated on just what that Garfield heights, Garfield Boulevard bike track will be. It's iconic, and one of the plans is to actually connect Garfield heights with the downtown Cleveland lakefront, that initiative that is going on that was shared on that evening, I think we as Garfield heights ought to be proud of what is going on in our city, and let's just continue to move forward. Those of you who are our voters, please, please, by all means, I take the position that an educated constituent is a better constituent. Don't believe all the hype that you're seeing on the internet about what is going on. The definition of insanity is to continue to do the same thing and inspect different results. So when you go to vote, make sure you get all of the information and get it right and tight and know what you're going in there to do. We've got some great plans, some great situations, some great things, for lack of a better term, that are going to happen in this city. And we need all of you all's input with that. I thank you kindly for that time. We PRESIDENT JOHNSON: want to thank Councilman Smith for his kindly remarks. We're going to move right along over to ward five with Councilwoman Tonsing. CLWN TONSING: Good evening, everyone. Thank you for coming and thank you to those who are watching. I just want to, I just have a couple reminders, but I do want to thank Miss Tubbs for bringing this grant program to our city. It is in other cities have it, and I was hoping that this would come to our city. So I just want to thank you for bringing it here and getting this grant for us. It's going to help people in our community. I just want to remind you, there's the kids T ball. It's five to seven years old, boys and girls. The sign up is till May 20. And you can call the rec center if you need any more information. And that is 475, 7272 and just a reminder, on May 17, nine to 12pm is our shred day that'll be coming up on May 17. So just some reminders, and I just wish you all a good night and stay safe and thank you. PRESIDENT JOHNSON: I want to thank council woman Thompson for her kind remarks, and we also still praying for speed recovery for your mother as well. Councilman Kelly, Ward six, CLMN KELLEY: Good evening, everyone. First thing I wanted to mention. My colleague, Council. Councilwoman Collier mentioned this last meeting. I'll mention it tonight. Strong hands, united and Christian kingdom assembly youth department presents their human trafficking and community safety training. And this will be Saturday May, the third from 1pm to 4pm at Kingdom Christian assembly, right on Broadway Avenue in Garfield heights and right in Ward one, the address is 1212, 700 so 12, -10- 700 Broadway Avenue and again and the assembly Is pastor by Pastor Monroe Johnson. So that is Saturday May, the third, one to four. Secondly, there was election season. So it being election season, we see and hear all kinds of stuff that's being slung around the internet and the people say, and rather than coming to the people who sit at the big table and talking to us, people like to sling and just say stuff and throw anything against the wall to see what will stick. Our colleagues here, I can vouch for these this past two years, we have worked together, whether we agreed on everything or not. We work together just to put us where we are so and I think to see. Is doing well, and we want to continue to do well. We want to continue to we see what other cities are doing, and we marvel at the shopping centers that they have and the restaurants that they have, and we spend our money in other cities, and we say, why can't we do that here in Garfield? Well, we have an issue that's being presented to us. So then that we can move ahead down the road. But then people want to lie and say, We want to take your vote your right to speak and talk, and the people who say it the most don't come to these meetings. They get on a keyboard in their basement and do that. So should you be listening and believing anything that they say? You know, I'm of the I'm of the measure. I'm not going to say it behind your back. Imma say it to your face. That's why don't nobody like me, and it's okay. It's really okay, because I'm not going to lie to you. I got nothing to hide. I got nothing to gain by lying to you. To lie to you means that I'm intimidated of you. To lie to you means that I'm I gotta get something from you, and I gotta, I need something from you, so I gotta lie to you to win you over. I don't have to do that. Nobody here at this table has to do that. We're already here doing the work our resume is in what we voted for. So if you want to see that continue, then please help us do that. And if you want to stay, if you want to be, if you want to cut your legs from up under, then believe the lies. And that's all I got to say. PRESIDENT JOHNSON: Councilman Kelly, it is duly noted, we will definitely take your comments to heart. Yeah, at this time Council recognizes, I think that was it. No Council recognizes the great Ward seven with Councilwoman Newrones CLWN NEWRONES: Hi everyone. I don't have as much as Cliff, but I just wanted to remind you that we do have a great parade coming in May the Memorial Day Parade. We have our meeting tomorrow night at 530 here at the Civic Center. Anyone that would like to join us is more than welcome. We do have our block watch meeting, or Ward seven block watch at St Monica's in the pavilion May 29 and the representative from the library will be coming to talk about their programs there. So anyone is welcome to come to that. We'd love to see you there, and that's all I have. PRESIDENT JOHNSON: Councilwoman Newrones We want to thank you for your kind remarks. I want to thank all the council members for your remarks, and at this time as Councilman award for I just want to say I greatly appreciate Mr. Chris Ronayne and his volunteers from his office and all the Red Cross that showed up Saturday, freezing cold Saturday, but they knocked on doors, and along with Councilman Smith, myself and Mayor Burke, we went into residence homes and installed fire detectors, smoke detectors, rather and it was nice because I had residents call me and said we saw the fire trucks outside, the Red Cross trucks outside, and they appreciated the fact that those smoke detectors were given to them for free and at a pop of about $40 per one. And one house had at least three another house was eligible for about five of them to be installed. And they had a really great time. So we're greatly appreciate everyone that came out on Saturday for that. Don't forget that this Wednesday at 630 here at the Civic Center, it'll be a ward four community meeting in room 118 so don't forget the award meeting for Ward four is Wednesday, at 630 here in room 118 1 also want to bring up the fact that I agree with Councilwoman Dr Mack. The biggest issues that we're facing over in Ward four right now, other than the roads, is people leaving their trash cans out and not bring them -11- back in. That is we really need to take care of our ward, and folks really do need to cut their grass. I cut two lawns today, and I'm tired, so I want to tell you, maintaining our properties is key. It beautifies the city and it attracts other people to come into our city when. See that we care about where we live. Thirdly, I want to talk about businesses here in Garfield heights. While we were out Saturday, me and the mayor, we stopped in, it must be a cafe over off of Garfield Boulevard, right there, on that corner. And we stopped in there and talked to the owners of that restaurant, and we had a wonderful lunch. And our businesses, they deserve our support. We not only stopped there, but we stopped over in hush Mart as well. And again, it was a wonderful afternoon. They have what they call the best chicken in town. So if you over in Tony town and you have to go Overby hush mark, get the chicken. All right. With that in mind, I want to say again thank you to everybody for coming out tonight. We thank you for your attendance. It's so important to see how your tax dollars are being spent, and we're trying to continue to be good stewards of your tax dollars. And we want to thank you again for attending our meet tonight. At this time, we will turn around and ask for a motion to adjourn. Please. ADJOURNMENT CLMN KELLEY: Mr. President, I make a motion tonight that we adjourn tonight's meeting. PRESIDENT JOHNSON: It's been so moved on the floor by Councilman Kelley to adjourn. Can I get a second? (Tonsing- 1 Second). It has been so moved in second by Councilwoman Tonsing. All those in favor say yes. Any opposed say no. (7 Yes- 0 No) The yes’ have it. PRESIDENT JOHNSON: Meeting adjourned. The meeting adjourned at 7:51pm. Approved by: Respectfully submitted by: /11%. MwJ Counci|maM Avery Johnson Lottie Overby - ' Council President Clerk of Council Vote Outcome; Yes; No: S ~ J- - Adopted Date: Effective Date: S 'Uv >- 5 -12-