City Council

Council Minutes May 13, 2024 City Hall Council Chambers The Council of the City of Shaker Heights met in a special meeting at 7:02 p.m., Mayor David E. Weiss presiding. Council Members Present: Mr. Roeder Ms. Anne Williams Ms. Carmella Williams Ms. Bixenstine Mr. Claytor Mr. Malone Mrs. Moore Council Members Absent: None * * * * Video of this meeting may be found here through May 13, 2027. * * * * Resolution No. 24-50, by Ms. Carmella Williams, expressing appreciation to TRES ROEDER for his ten years of service on City Council, and his leadership and many contributions to the City of Shaker Heights and its residents. Council member Mr. Roeder thanked his wife Elizabeth. When he first ran for Council no one knew who he was, but everyone knew Elizabeth Roeder because she had been involved with the Shaker Heights School District and the Parent Teacher Organization. After a successful election they would be having dinner or walking the dog and people would come up and want to talk about sewers, roads, or any number of items. He thanked his wife for her patience and supporting him. He expressed appreciation to his two sons Garrett and Parker present tonight, both now taller than him. He also expressed appreciation to other members of his family both present and online. Serving in office is not something you do by yourself. It is a family effort. He thanked them for listening, helping and advising him over the last ten years. It has been a tremendous experience serving with his friends on Council, and he has enjoyed getting to know each one of them, past and present. Some of the most fun he had was serving as Vice Mayor, because you don’t have the responsibilities of the Mayor with the weight of the City’s problems on your shoulder, but it is an opportunity to get to understand your peers on Council. During those two years he spent a lot of time talking, listening, and understanding the goals and dreams of his peers. They all wanted to develop the Mental Health Response Program. He talked to Chief Administrative Officer Jeri E. Chaikin who had been working on it and had done research. They brought in directors, the Mayor, and others in the community, ending up with the Mental Health Response Program. That was a tremendously satisfying experience. The City has a tremendous cadre of directors, from finding loans, to dealing with citizen issues, and being responsive to an incredible breadth of issues. The directors and their staff are fantastic. In the fall he and his wife were going to be empty nesters and began discussing their next phase of life. They decided that while they can they want to spend a lot of time outside in nature, in the mountains and with their eyes on the vistas. That journey is taking them to the American west. There was a nagging question of how they could leave Shaker Heights, the community they care so much about, and a group of people who mean so much to them. This isn’t goodbye. They have already booked tickets to come back three more times this year. It also caused them to think about what community means. A portion is physical presence. When we do City surveys the sense of community is the number one reason why people stay and love Shaker Heights so much. It is also a common respect, a set of shared values, and interest in each other’s lives. That won’t change because they are not physically here as much as now. He looks forward to staying in touch with this community and he hopes everyone here will do the same. About 30 years ago he was sitting on an airplane in Denver. The weather was bad and getting worse. It became clear they were not going to take off, but they sat there because the terminals were jammed. He could hear the air traffic control team working together with no agendas with the only goal to get the planes already up in the air back on the ground. The tower was making exceptions as needed. He thought that was what he wants to do, spend his time working with a team of people who collaboratively are trying to make something happen. He ran for City Council. The governing side of this job should be that and for the most part in Shaker Heights it is. That is what he will miss most. The Mental Health Response Program is an example of a group of people working together with a common goal to achieve something that matters. He thanked the residents for voting for him, and everyone for giving him the honor to serve and work with them to do some things that matter. He looks forward to seeing them again in August. Council member Ms. Carmella Williams stated that she has enjoyed working with Council member Mr. Roeder. Together they are an example of how people should behave even when they don’t agree. They modeled good political behavior. Council member Ms. Carmella Williams read aloud the resolution of appreciation expressing appreciation to Tres Roeder for his ten years of service on City Council. Council member Mr. Malone added his thanks and appreciation to Council member Mr. Roeder. You don’t have to look farther than the speech he just gave to realize the treasured member of Council they are losing. Mr. Roeder inspired Mr. Malone to try public service. Mr. Malone admired Mr. Roeder’s independence. As it turns out he was fortunate to witness Mr. Roeder’s Council career up close and they shared quite a few memories. He admired his ability to cut to the center of any conversation with concise questions, whether about Forward Together, recreation, the 10-year capital plan, or roads and sewers. He always helped them think strategically and analytically. He pushed them to do more with less seeking regional solutions. He formed working relationships and friendships with members of City Council in other cities, going far above the job description. He is also a great listener and attentive. When he had a different perspective or view from his colleagues, he disagreed agreeably. That is a valuable skill to have. Although he thought strategically and analytically he always reminded them that the effects of their decisions impact the day to day lives of people. He hopes they can all emulate the way Mr. Roeder consistently and sincerely offered praise and credit to staff and his colleagues. That is not just the right thing to do but it has the benefit of keeping Shaker Heights a place where dedicated and committed, highly qualified people want to work because they feel valued. He made Council and the City better. They will miss him but wish him and his family well in their next chapter Council member Mrs. Moore stated that sometimes when you are very lucky within a group or organization you find someone that is a soulmate. Politically it is a difficult equation, but for the last ten Special Council Meeting May 13, 2024 Page 123 years she has felt that she could call Mr. Roeder at any time and whine, tell him why she was frustrated, and he would listen even if he didn’t agree, and always give her a straight answer. She will miss him. Council member Ms. Bixenstine stated that she had the privilege and pleasure of serving with Mr. Roeder on the City’s Administration Committee, the Shaker Heights Development Corporation Board for a number of years before she was elected to Council, and Council since January. She was always impressed by his analytical mind, diligence and always being well prepared for any meeting, researching and studying the issues by his thoughtful and measured approach. He was always unflappable. His commitment to the City’s best interest and residents is unquestionable. She wishes him the best with his new venture. Council member Ms. Anne Williams stated that she has enjoyed working with Mr. Roeder and learned so much from him. They have been on the same campaign cycle and he was a great candidate pushing her to work harder to reach more people. He set a great example of how to campaign in the City and talk with residents. Return on Investment (ROI) is now a term she uses. She has learned to look at things through different lenses. It has been an honor to work with him and she will miss him. His legacy will live on. Council member Mr. Claytor stated that on the day the petitions were due for him as a Council candidate in 2021 with three seats on the ballot, Mr. Roeder called him to pick his brain for about two hours. It was very welcoming to have someone with so much experience prior to him being elected, take the time to ask his thoughts and feelings about certain things to genuinely get his perspective. He really appreciated, valued, and is grateful for that. It has been helpful to feel welcome here. Not long ago he shared a podcast with Mr. Roeder about how City’s and governments make decisions on neighborhood revitalization and how it can spur economic development. It made Mr. Roeder think about Lee Road which is what Mr. Claytor was also thinking about. They met at The Dealership and took a walk down Lee Road and talked about certain ideas and what the City was planning. Those are examples of his kindness, and how caring and thoughtful he is. The comic relief is also appreciated. Council is doing great work for the City, but it is not always exciting. He wishes him the best in his travels. Mayor Weiss thanked and welcomed everyone present tonight including Mr. Roeder’s family, former members of Council, and members of the Shaker Heights School Board. Many of the comments are spot on in the sense that Mr. Roeder is someone who is very insightful, thoughtful and gets right to the point with a sense of humor. He also has a seriousness and sense of dedication that the decisions they make have real impacts. The Mental Health Response Program led by Council member Mr. Roeder, Council member Ms. Anne Williams and residents, had a significant impact. They just had a press conference last week about the expansion of this program which started out as a pilot with funding approved by Council now expanded to include four other adjoining communities. This will make a huge difference in our community. Mr. Roeder did a number of other things including the teen drop in center. During the pandemic Mr. Roeder was the Council representative present on every call with the emergency operations team. He had fabulous ideas, and great questions for staff on what we should be thinking as we moved through a very challenging time for the entire country. They had regular calls while he served as Vice Mayor to talk about what was going on in the City and provided great guidance and leadership to the Mayor and Administration. One quality that many have but Mr. Roeder took to a different level was his responsiveness to constituent concerns. Whether big or small he would be all over that issue and get back to the resident with an answer. He thanked him for his diligence, thoughtfulness and the respect he has shown to his colleagues and residents. They appreciate all he has done. Mayor Weiss then presented a plaque to him in recognition of Mr. Roeder’s outstanding and dedicated service to the City. Special Council Meeting May 13, 2024 Page 124 Council member Mr. Roeder thanked Mayor Weiss for his role as Mayor. Being Mayor is a big responsibility and not an easy job. He thanked him for all he does for the community and his friendship over the years. Council member Mr. Roeder also thanked Sun News Reporter Tom Jewell. He never worried when he was writing the story that the facts would be wrong or presented unfairly. He considers him an old school journalist who reports the facts as they are and lets the people make their decision. It was moved by Ms. Carmella Williams, and seconded by Mr. Claytor, that the rule requiring ordinances to be read on three different days be suspended and Resolution No. 24-50 be placed upon its final enactment. Roll Call: Ayes: Ms. Anne Williams, Ms. Carmella Williams, Ms. Bixenstine, Mr. Claytor, Mr. Malone, Mrs. Moore Nays: None Motion Carried Moved by Ms. Carmella Williams, and seconded by Mr. Claytor, that Resolution No. 24-50 be adopted as read. Roll Call: Ayes: Ms. Anne Williams, Ms. Carmella Williams, Ms. Bixenstine, Mr. Claytor, Mr. Malone, Mrs. Moore Nays: None Resolution Adopted * * * * The Mayor asked the Clerk of Council to read into the record public comments received on any of the 9-1-1 agenda items. Clerk of Council Ms. Chaikin stated that no public comments were received on any 9-1-1 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. * * * * Special Council Meeting May 13, 2024 Page 125 Resolution No. 24-51, by Ms. Bixenstine, approving the Cuyahoga County 911 Plan as adopted by the Cuyahoga County 9-1-1 Program Review Committee, pursuant to Section 128.08 of the Ohio Revised Code. Assistant Fire Chief James Heath stated that the State of Ohio passed legislation in October 2023 requiring counties to review and update their 9-1-1 plans annually, to obtain local government approval of the updated plans, and to convene a 9-1-1 program review committee, including local government representatives to review the 9-1-1 plan. Specifically, Sections 128.06, 128.07, and 128.08 of the Ohio Revised Code were amended to require every municipality to have their council approve the following two items: to adopt the county 9-1-1 plan; and to select a chief executive officer of a municipal corporation in the county to be representative of all the municipal corporations as one of the five members of the county program review committee. Cuyahoga County’s 9-1-1 system went live in November 1987. In 1985 the first 9-1-1 planning committee was established, and by March 1986 the first written 9-1-1 plan was put into place. Since then Cuyahoga County has maintained an active 9-1-1 planning committee and a written 9-1-1 plan. Due to the Ohio Revised Code changes made in October the county has notified us of the two actions that need to be taken in order for them to remain compliant with the new state laws. The county program review committee must meet to develop, maintain and amend the county’s plan for implementing and operating the county-wide 9-1-1 system. The committee must meet at least once annually for the purpose of maintaining or amending the final plan. The committee must send a copy of the annual final 9-1-1 plan to the county executive, to every legislative authority of each municipal corporation in the county, and to the board of township trustees of each township in the county. Cuyahoga County sent the 9-1-1 plan to the cities in the county on April 9, 2024. Within 60 days of receipt of the final 9-1-1 plan from the committee, Ohio law requires that the county and legislative authority of each municipal corporation in the county and each township must act by resolution to approve or disapprove the plan. The City is required to have Council adopt a resolution approving or disapproving the 9-1-1 plan by June 8. The county has asked us to vote on the plan by May 17. This item is requested with a suspension of the rules to meet the county deadline and requirements of Ohio law. Council member Ms. Anne Williams stated that this item was reviewed and approved by the Safety and Public Works Committee. It was moved by Ms. Bixenstine, and seconded by Mr. Claytor, that the rule requiring ordinances to be read on three different days be suspended and Resolution No. 24-51 be placed upon its final enactment. Roll Call: Ayes: Mr. Roeder, Ms. Anne Williams, Ms. Carmella Williams, Ms. Bixenstine, Mr. Claytor, Mr. Malone, Mrs. Moore Nays: None Motion Carried Moved by Ms. Bixenstine, and seconded by Mr. Claytor, that Resolution No. 24-51 be enacted as read. Special Council Meeting May 13, 2024 Page 126  Roll Call: Ayes: Mr. Roeder, Ms. Anne Williams, Ms. Carmella Williams, Ms. Bixenstine, Mr. Claytor, Mr. Malone, Mrs. Moore Nays: None Resolution Adopted * * * * Resolution No. 24-52, by Mrs. Moore, selecting Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer-Gail, of the City of Euclid, in Cuyahoga County, to serve as a member of the Cuyahoga County 9-1-1 Program Review Committee, pursuant to Section 128.06 of the Ohio Revised Code. Assistant Fire Chief James Heath stated that new Section 128.06 of the Ohio Revised Code requires that in counties with fewer than five townships, a population in excess of 750,000 and which contain more than one public safety answering point such as Cuyahoga County, a 9-1-1 review committee must be created consisting of five members as follows: a member of the Board of County Commissioners or a designee; the chief executive officer of the most populous city in the county which is Cleveland; a member from one of the following, whichever is more populous, in our case the chief executive officer of the second most populous city in the county which is Parma; and the chief executive officer of a municipal corporation in the county selected by the majority of legislative authorities of municipal corporations in the county pursuant to resolutions they adopt. Previous to this law the Cuyahoga County Mayor’s and Managers Association would simply appoint someone. Now the state law is requiring each council to vote for a person they want to send. The Cuyahoga County Mayor’s and Managers Association passed a motion on April 25 suggesting the cities in the county appoint Euclid Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer-Gail as their representative who currently serves as the President of the Chagrin Valley Council of Governments that operates the joint dispatch center (CVD) in which the City of Shaker Heights is a member. Based on her service as Mayor and President of the CVD she is familiar with the issues that Cuyahoga County 9-1-1 program review committee will review, address and implement. The Safety and Public Works Committee asked about the difference in representations between townships and municipalities in our county because there are so many more municipalities than townships but they seem to get the same number of votes. The makeup of the committee is written into the state law. To change that the Ohio General Assembly would need to change the law. The Cuyahoga County 9-1-1 Program Review Committee will have one representative from the county government, three representatives of cities in the county, and one township representative. This item is requested with a suspension of the rules to meet the county deadline and requirements of Ohio law. Council member Ms. Bixenstine stated that as a new member of Council she was unaware that Shaker Heights is a member of the Chagrin Valley Dispatch (CVD) Center and asked how it works. She also asked about efficiencies. Law Director William Ondrey Gruber stated that CVD has been a center for many years. We started with five cities as the Heights Hillcrest Communications Center (HHCC) in Cleveland Heights. In 2023 HHCC merged with CVD so we are part of the overall CVD which has 33 members. The State of Ohio has been pushing counties who have been pushing communities to join group dispatch centers. It is a way to be more favorably in line for funding from the state and potentially the county. Special Council Meeting May 13, 2024 Page 127 Assistant Chief Heath stated that bringing police and fire into one dispatch center and five communities together created efficiencies. Every city used to have their own police dispatch and fire dispatch so everyone was buying the same equipment, supplies and paying dispatchers. Huge efficiencies have been created by the regionalization of those dispatch centers. Mayor Weiss stated that the plan is ultimately to have a mental health professional embedded in the field with first responders but also in the dispatch center for the five communities. There was some consternation at the last Mayor’s and Managers Association meeting that state legislature had decided to change the mechanism by which we appoint the representative to the committee. Mayor Weiss then expressed our deepest sympathy to Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer-Gail and the City of Euclid for their loss of Police Officer Jacob Derbin. Council member Ms. Anne Williams stated that this item was reviewed and approved by the Safety and Public Works Committee. It was moved by Mrs. Moore, and seconded by Ms. Carmella Williams, that the rule requiring ordinances to be read on three different days be suspended and Resolution No. 24-52 be placed upon its final enactment. Roll Call: Ayes: Mr. Roeder, Ms. Anne Williams, Ms. Carmella Williams, Ms. Bixenstine, Mr. Claytor, Mr. Malone, Mrs. Moore Nays: None Motion Carried Moved by Mrs. Moore, and seconded by Ms. Carmella Williams, that Resolution No. 24-52 be enacted as read. Roll Call: Ayes: Mr. Roeder, Ms. Anne Williams, Ms. Carmella Williams, Ms. Bixenstine, Mr. Claytor, Mr. Malone, Mrs. Moore Nays: None Resolution Adopted * * * * At 7:50 p.m. a Council work session was held. Police Chief Wayne Hudson, Police Commander Timothy Kohanski, retired Willoughby Assistant Fire Chief Scott Mlakar and Kent State Assistant Professor Jason Lorenzon presented information on the use of drones in police work. * * * * Special Council Meeting May 13, 2024 Page 128 There being no further business before Council, the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 9:27 p.m. _________________________________________ DAVID E. WEISS, Mayor _________________________________________ JERI E. CHAIKIN, Clerk of Council Special Council Meeting May 13, 2024 Page 129