City Council

Council Minutes March 11, 2024 City Hall Council Chambers The Council of the City of Shaker Heights met in a special meeting at 7:00 p.m., Mayor David E. Weiss presiding. Council Members Present: Mr. Malone Mrs. Moore Mr. Roeder Ms. Anne Williams Ms. Carmella Williams Ms. Bixenstine Mr. Claytor Council Members Absent: None * * * * Video of this meeting may be found here through March 11, 2027. * * * * The Mayor asked the Clerk of Council to read into the record public comments received on any of the agenda items. Clerk of Council Ms. Chaikin stated that no public comments were received on any agenda items by email or by phone. The Mayor invited members of the audience and those participating via Zoom the opportunity to “raise their hand” to provide public comment. No comments were offered. * * * * Ordinance No. 24-22, by Mr. Claytor, authorizing the City’s application for and acceptance of up to a $150,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) – 2024 Recreational Trails Program for the Doan Brook Restoration Park Improvements--Trails Project, and declaring an emergency. Planning Director Joyce Braverman stated there was a grant for $500,000 through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Clean Ohio Trail funds, but after discussions with ODNR staff, they felt our project was a better fit for the Recreational Trails Fund for only $150,000. The difference between the two grants is that Clean Ohio Trail Funds are for connecting trails to regional trail systems. Recreation Trail funds are more for internal trails in a park. The $150,000 grant requires a local match of $67,354 which is available in the General Capital Budget for a ten-foot wide multipurpose path at Horseshoe Lake Park as the Lee Road South Trail in the Doan Brook Plan. It will go from the bridge trail crossing that the NEORSD will do over to Lee Road. The match is being made by the NEORSD and the money they are spending on earth work, base repair and construction, as well as the $67,354 in City funds. Cleveland Heights is requesting a companion grant for a connection they are making along North Park Blvd. to Lee Road. This item is requested as an emergency with a suspension of the rules as the grant application is due on March 15. Notification of awards will be made in the fall. Council member Ms. Bixenstine asked about a Shaker Heights trail that goes from Lee Road along South Park Blvd. to the north/south NEORSD funded trail that doesn’t continue. Director Braverman stated that there is an existing path along South Park Blvd. that it will connect to and we have a number of trails to fund so staff will apply throughout the year for grants. There is not enough money to build all the trails at once. Council member Mrs. Moore stated that this item was reviewed and unanimously approved by the Finance Committee. Council member Ms. Anne Williams stated that this item was reviewed and unanimously supported by the Safety and Public Works Committee. Council member Ms. Bixenstine stated that this item was also discussed but not voted on by the Sustainability Committee. There was a question about why it was going to be ten-foot wide and it was explained that was what the state will fund. Council member Ms. Anne Williams asked how staff selects which path to prioritize. Director Braverman stated that a lot of it has to do with how much the grant is worth. We are also coordinating with Cleveland Heights on this project so that was a factor. Council member Mr. Malone asked if these will be constructed in a couple years. Director Braverman stated that is correct, we are simply consolidating funding at this time. These will all be constructed with the NEORSD Doan Brook restoration project. They will not be bid separately. Chief Administrative Officer Jeri E. Chaikin reminded Council that during the budget process the Mayor and Council prioritized funding to go along with transformational projects in the amount of $2.6 million toward the Doan Brook amenities. This $67,354 will be the first allocation from that total. It was moved by Mr. Claytor, and seconded by Ms. Bixenstine, that the rule requiring ordinances to be read on three different days be suspended and Ordinance No. 24-22 be placed upon its final enactment. Special Council Meeting March 11, 2024 Page 69  Roll Call: Ayes: Mr. Malone, Mrs. Moore, Mr. Roeder, Ms. Anne Williams, Ms. Carmella Williams, Ms. Bixenstine, Mr. Claytor Nays: None Motion Carried Moved by Mr. Claytor, and seconded by Ms. Bixenstine, that Ordinance No. 24-22 be enacted as read. Roll Call: Ayes: Mr. Malone, Mrs. Moore, Mr. Roeder, Ms. Anne Williams, Ms. Carmella Williams, Ms. Bixenstine, Mr. Claytor Nays: None Ordinance Enacted * * * * At 7:10 p.m. it was moved by Mr. Claytor, and seconded by Ms. Bixenstine that Council go into an executive session to discuss imminent or pending litigation. Roll Call: Ayes: Mr. Malone, Mrs. Moore, Mr. Roeder, Ms. Anne Williams, Ms. Carmella Williams, Ms. Bixenstine, Mr. Claytor Nays: None Motion Carried * * * * There being no further business before Council, the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:18 p.m. _________________________________________ DAVID E. WEISS, Mayor _________________________________________ JERI E. CHAIKIN, Clerk of Council Special Council Meeting March 11, 2024 Page 70