City Council

Council Minutes August 26, 2024 CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS The Council of the City of Shaker Heights met in a regular session at 7:00 p.m., Mayor David E. Weiss presiding. Council Members Present: Ms. Bixenstine Mr. Claytor Mrs. Kaus Mr. Malone Mrs. Moore Ms. Anne Williams (via Zoom) Ms. Carmella Williams Council Members Absent: None * * * * Video of this meeting may be found here through August 26, 2027. * * * * It was moved by Mrs. Moore, and seconded by Ms. Bixenstine, that the minutes of the special meeting of July 8, 2024, be approved as recorded. Roll Call: Ayes: Ms. Bixenstine, Mr. Claytor, Mrs. Kaus, Mr. Malone, Mrs. Moore, Ms. Anne Williams, Ms. Carmella Williams Nays: None Motion Carried * * * * It was moved by Mr. Malone, and seconded by Ms. Bixenstine, that the minutes of the regular meeting of July 22, 2024, be approved as recorded. Roll Call: Ayes: Ms. Bixenstine, Mr. Claytor, Mrs. Kaus, Mr. Malone, Mrs. Moore, Ms. Anne Williams, Ms. Carmella Williams Nays: None Motion Carried  * * * * The Mayor asked the Clerk of Council to read into the record public comments received by email or phone on any of the agenda items. Clerk of Council Ms. Chaikin stated that no comments were received on agenda items by email or 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. 24-81, by Mrs. Moore, authorizing the purchase from Stryker Corporation of five Lucas CPR devices, as a sole source, for the Fire Department, in the total amount of $122,655.60, and declaring an emergency. Fire Chief Patrick Sweeney stated that this item is for the purchase of three Lucas CPR automatic chest compression devices which are carried in all three rescue squads. They free up paramedics to do other critical lifesaving things when they are taking care of someone in full cardiac arrest. These devices have been on rescue squads since 2015. University Hospitals sent these devices to Fire Departments in the area and they have proved to be highly successful. However, the devices we now have are at the end of their service life. Through the 2024 capital budget process Council provided funding to purchase five devices so they can add two to the inventory and add one to each fire engine. More often they see the fire trucks responding to first responder calls so they are equipping them with more medical equipment. Stryker is the only company that makes these devices so they are a sole source provider. The total purchase price is $122,655.60. This item is requested as an emergency with a suspension of the rules so they may purchase the devices as quickly as possible. Council member Ms. Anne Williams stated that this item was reviewed and unanimously supported by the Safety and Public Works Committee. Council member Mrs. Moore stated that this item was reviewed and unanimously supported by the Finance Committee. Council member Mr. Malone asked about the new state law regarding automatic external defibrillator (AED) machines which is a different type of device. Law Director William Ondrey Gruber stated that staff has met with the Shaker Heights School District recently and there will be further meetings planned. The new law does not apply to the City because of Home Rule, but does apply to the school district. We expressed in our meeting with them our interest of safety. To the extent the City uses school district fields, the City would have to participate with them to make sure they are compliant. We are exploring what that means. The state law passed requires schools and certain cities to have indoor and outdoor athletic facilities to have an AED. We are looking at enhancing the policy. Council Meeting August 26, 2024 Page 180 Chief Sweeney added that we have them in City facilities. It was moved by Mrs. Moore, and seconded by Mr. Claytor, that the rule requiring ordinances to be read on three different days be suspended and Ordinance No. 24-81 be placed upon its final enactment. Roll Call: Ayes: Ms. Bixenstine, Mr. Claytor, Mrs. Kaus, Mr. Malone, Mrs. Moore, Ms. Anne Williams, Ms. Carmella Williams Nays: None Motion Carried Moved by Mrs. Moore, and seconded by Mr. Claytor, that Ordinance No. 24-81 be enacted as read. Roll Call: Ayes: Ms. Bixenstine, Mr. Claytor, Mrs. Kaus, Mr. Malone, Mrs. Moore, Ms. Anne Williams, Ms. Carmella Williams Nays: None Ordinance Enacted * * * * Ordinance No. 24-82, by Mr. Claytor, authorizing a one-year personal services contract with Governmentjobs.com, Inc. dba NEOGOV for employee professional growth and development online courses, in an amount not to exceed $25,116.73, and declaring an emergency Human Resources Analyst Jennifer Coe stated that NEOGOV is an online learning management system that the City has been using since September 2021. We have previously renewed the contract without Council approval because it was under the $25,000 threshold. Training includes software, soft skills, DEI training, etc. This item is requested as an emergency and with a suspension of the rules to move forward with renewing the contract before the expiration of the current contract. Council member Mrs. Kaus stated that this item was reviewed and unanimously approved by the Administration Committee. She supports professional support for the City’s most valuable resource, the employees. Council member Mrs. Moore stated that this item was reviewed and unanimously approved by the Finance Committee. Council member Ms. Bixenstine asked about strategies the Human Resources Department may have to optimize the utilization of NEOGOV for the City to fully benefit from this system. Ms. Coe stated that it has been most beneficial for the annual performance management reviews to measure specific skills that have been learned. She would also like to see us take advantage of custom building courses specific to Shaker Heights. Council Meeting August 26, 2024 Page 181 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. 24-82 be placed upon its final enactment. Roll Call: Ayes: Ms. Bixenstine, Mr. Claytor, Mrs. Kaus, Mr. Malone, Mrs. Moore, Ms. Anne Williams, Ms. Carmella Williams Nays: None Motion Carried Moved by Mr. Claytor, and seconded by Ms. Bixenstine, that Ordinance No. 24-82 be enacted as read. Roll Call: Ayes: Ms. Bixenstine, Mr. Claytor, Mrs. Kaus, Mr. Malone, Mrs. Moore, Ms. Anne Williams, Ms. Carmella Williams Nays: None Ordinance Enacted * * * * Ordinance No. 24-83, by Mrs. Moore, authorizing the purchase with federal grant funds of two 2024/2025 Hyundai electric vehicles, without competitive bidding, for use by the First CALL mental health response program, in the total not-to-exceed amount of $36,000 per vehicle, and declaring an emergency. Fire Chief Patrick Sweeney stated that earlier this year the Shaker Heights Police Department requested authorization to purchase two electric vehicles (EVs) for the First CALL program. Normally, we try to find vehicles on state bid but there were none. We then attempted to competitively bid for these but received no response. Dealers can sell these easily on their lots without the bid process. The program is now expanding and we need two additional vehicles and there is less inventory now than there was then. We found the Hyundai Kona has the range that we need and fits within the budget set for this program. This item is requested as an emergency with a suspension of the rules to buy these vehicles as quickly as possible. Council member Ms. Anne Williams stated that this item was reviewed and unanimously approved by the Safety and Public Works Committee. There was a robust discussion with questions answered by staff as detailed in the memo distributed for this item. Council member Mrs. Moore stated that this item was reviewed and unanimously approved by the Finance Committee. Mayor Weiss added that this is good for two reasons. It is another move toward electrifying our fleet and these vehicles are very needed for our First CALL program. Council Meeting August 26, 2024 Page 182 It was moved by Mrs. Moore, and seconded by Mr. Claytor, that the rule requiring ordinances to be read on three different days be suspended and Ordinance No. 24-83 be placed upon its final enactment. Roll Call: Ayes: Ms. Bixenstine, Mr. Claytor, Mrs. Kaus, Mr. Malone, Mrs. Moore, Ms. Anne Williams, Ms. Carmella Williams Nays: None Motion Carried Moved by Mrs. Moore, and seconded by Mr. Claytor, that Ordinance No. 24-83 be enacted as read. Roll Call: Ayes: Ms. Bixenstine, Mr. Claytor, Mrs. Kaus, Mr. Malone, Mrs. Moore, Ms. Anne Williams, Ms. Carmella Williams Nays: None Ordinance Enacted * * * * Ordinance No. 24-84, by Mr. Claytor, amending Ordinance 23-115 making appropriations for the current expenses and other expenditures of the City of Shaker Heights, Ohio for the year ending December 31, 2024, as amended by Ordinances No. 24-01, No. 24-33, No. 24-48, No. 24-64 and 24-79 to amend appropriations in Fund No. 101 the General Fund, and declaring an emergency. Fire Chief Patrick Sweeney stated that every year the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) funding for a wide variety of items for fire departments. Over the years we have received a significant amount of funding for equipment and training, from smoke detectors to diesel exhaust systems for the fire stations. Earlier this year they applied for funding for training and were aware that FEMA would score highly for training in the grant review process. Our application was successful and we were awarded the full amount of $226,345 for professional development. A 10% match is required in the amount of $20,576 that will come from the existing Fire Department budget. Cuyahoga County often provides funding for fire departments who receive these grants so they may cover these costs. This item is requested as an emergency with a suspension of the rules in order to utilize the funds as quickly as possible. Council member Ms. Anne Williams stated that this item was reviewed and unanimously approved by the Safety and Public Works Committee. Council member Mrs. Moore stated that this item was reviewed and unanimously approved by the Finance Committee. Council member Mr. Claytor confirmed the two-year timeline to complete training covered by these grant funds. Council Meeting August 26, 2024 Page 183 It was moved by Mr. Claytor, and seconded by Ms. Carmella Williams, that the rule requiring ordinances to be read on three different days be suspended and Ordinance No. 24-84 be placed upon its final enactment. Roll Call: Ayes: Ms. Bixenstine, Mr. Claytor, Mrs. Kaus, Mr. Malone, Mrs. Moore, Ms. Anne Williams, Ms. Carmella Williams Nays: None Motion Carried Moved by Mr. Claytor, and seconded by Ms. Carmella Williams, that Ordinance No. 24-84 be enacted as read. Roll Call: Ayes: Ms. Bixenstine, Mr. Claytor, Mrs. Kaus, Mr. Malone, Mrs. Moore, Ms. Anne Williams, Ms. Carmella Williams Nays: None Ordinance Enacted * * * * Ordinance No. 24-85, by Mrs. Moore, authorizing the City to apply for and accept a grant from the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) District One Public Works Integrating Committee (DOPWIC) State Capital Improvement Program (SCIP) FY 2026 for the Lee Road Complete Streets Improvements in the amount of $6.99 million, to be matched with already secured federal funds, and declaring an emergency. Planning Director Joyce Braverman stated that this item is for a grant application to the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) for $6.9 million where projects will be selected through a state-wide competition. Applications are due September 12, 2024 with preliminary project rankings released by the OPWC on December 6, 2024, and final awards released July 2025. Funds will be used toward implementing the Lee Road Action Plan which is a community-driven visionary targeted reinvestment plan for the Lee Road commercial corridor. Completing the Lee Road roadwork will set the stage for future redevelopment opportunities on Lee Road. The project cost is about $25 million which includes border to border roadway reconstruction and reconfiguration going from four lanes to three lanes with a center turn lane in each direction, resurfacing, signalization enhancements, crosswalk and intersection improvements, and lighting improvements. South of Van Aken there will be an off-road bike path, streetscaping and perhaps a mid-block crosswalk. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2027. We have already secured about $17 million in grant funds. This grant application of $6.9 million requires a 20% match consisting of the already secured federal road resurfacing/reconfiguration funds. This item is requested as an emergency with a suspension of the rules because the application is due September 12. Council Meeting August 26, 2024 Page 184 Council member Ms. Anne Williams stated that this item was reviewed and unanimously approved by the Safety and Public Works Committee. Questions and answers are detailed in the memo distributed for this item. Council member Mrs. Moore stated that this item was reviewed and unanimously approved by the Finance Committee. There was a question about configuration and connectivity of the bike lanes which was answered. Council member Mr. Malone clarified that with this grant the entire project will be paid in full. Director Braverman stated that there will be some additional small costs from the City if the grant is awarded, but they should be under $1 million. It was moved by Mrs. Moore, and seconded by Mr. Claytor, that the rule requiring ordinances to be read on three different days be suspended and Ordinance No. 24-85 be placed upon its final enactment. Roll Call: Ayes: Ms. Bixenstine, Mr. Claytor, Mrs. Kaus, Mr. Malone, Mrs. Moore, Ms. Anne Williams, Ms. Carmella Williams Nays: None Motion Carried Moved by Mrs. Moore, and seconded by Mr. Claytor, that Ordinance No. 24-85 be enacted as read. Roll Call: Ayes: Ms. Bixenstine, Mr. Claytor, Mrs. Kaus, Mr. Malone, Mrs. Moore, Ms. Anne Williams, Ms. Carmella Williams Nays: None Ordinance Enacted * * * * Ordinance No. 24-86, by Mr. Claytor, authorizing the application for and acceptance of a grant of Community Development Block Grant (“CDBG”) funds in the amount of $150,000 from the Cuyahoga County Department of Development’s 2025 Competitive Municipal Grant Program for Hildana Park Improvements, and declaring an emergency. Planning Director Joyce Braverman stated that this item requests authorization to apply for and accept a grant from the Cuyahoga County Department of Development’s 2025 Competitive Municipal Community Development Block Grant (“CDBG”) program for up to $150,000 for Hildana Park improvements. This grant does not require a local match. The improvements must be eligible under the CDBG federal guidelines and located in a low to moderate income area or an investment target area. Hildana Park is located in both those areas. A public meeting was held in July to share project ideas ranging from park improvements at Chelton Park and Shaker Town Center field, pickle ball Council Meeting August 26, 2024 Page 185 courts at Sussex, additional basketball courts, streetscape improvements on Lee Road, improved street lighting and tree trimming, and a physical representation of DEI work being done within the City such as permanent public art. Hildana Park improvements were last done in 2018 when chess and backgammon tables were installed, and we commissioned the “doors” public art. This project will provide new benches, additional trees, new paving on the paths, and public art that will be developed with community input by either repairing or reconstructing what is there or working with the neighborhood to come up with a new piece of art. This item is requested as an emergency with a suspension of the rules as the grant application is due September 16. Council member Ms. Anne Williams stated that this item was reviewed and unanimously approved by the Safety and Public Works Committee. There was a great discussion about the process of selecting this project and implementation. Council member Mrs. Moore stated that this item was reviewed and unanimously approved by the Finance Committee. They discussed the public art and durability. There was also concern about the benches, but excitement about the trees. It was moved by Mr. Claytor, and seconded by Ms. Carmella Williams, that the rule requiring ordinances to be read on three different days be suspended and Ordinance No. 24-86 be placed upon its final enactment. Roll Call: Ayes: Ms. Bixenstine, Mr. Claytor, Mrs. Kaus, Mr. Malone, Mrs. Moore, Ms. Anne Williams, Ms. Carmella Williams Nays: None Motion Carried Moved by Mr. Claytor, and seconded by Ms. Carmella Williams, that Ordinance No. 24-86 be enacted as read. Roll Call: Ayes: Ms. Bixenstine, Mr. Claytor, Mrs. Kaus, Mr. Malone, Mrs. Moore, Ms. Anne Williams, Ms. Carmella Williams Nays: None Ordinance Enacted * * * * Ordinance No. 24-87, by Ms. Carmella Williams, authorizing the application for and acceptance of a grant from the Cuyahoga County Department of Development 2025 Community Development Supplemental Grant (“CDSG”) Program in the amount of $50,000 for Hildana Park Improvements, and declaring an emergency. Council Meeting August 26, 2024 Page 186 Planning Director Joyce Braverman stated that this item requests authorization to apply for and accept a grant from the Cuyahoga County Department of Development’s 2025 Competitive Municipal Community Development Supplemental Grant (“CDSG”) program for $50,000 for Hildana Park improvements. This grant does not require a local match. The improvements must be eligible under the CDBG federal guidelines and located in a low to moderate income area or an investment target area. Hildana Park is located in both those areas. A public meeting was held in July to share project ideas. This item is requested as an emergency with a suspension of the rules as the grant application is due September 16. Council member Ms. Anne Williams stated that this item was reviewed and unanimously approved by the Safety and Public Works Committee. Council member Mrs. Moore stated that this item was reviewed and unanimously approved by the Finance Committee. It was moved by Ms. Carmella Williams, and seconded by Ms. Bixenstine, that the rule requiring ordinances to be read on three different days be suspended and Ordinance No. 24-87 be placed upon its final enactment. Roll Call: Ayes: Ms. Bixenstine, Mr. Claytor, Mrs. Kaus, Mr. Malone, Mrs. Moore, Ms. Anne Williams, Ms. Carmella Williams Nays: None Motion Carried Moved by Ms. Carmella Williams, and seconded by Ms. Bixenstine, that Ordinance No. 24-87 be enacted as read. Roll Call: Ayes: Ms. Bixenstine, Mr. Claytor, Mrs. Kaus, Mr. Malone, Mrs. Moore, Ms. Anne Williams, Ms. Carmella Williams Nays: None Ordinance Enacted * * * * Ordinance No. 24-88, by Mrs. Moore, accepting the recommendations of the City’s Tax Incentive Review Council (“TIRC”) made at their meeting on July 11, 2024 to continue the existing development and community reinvestment area agreements for tax exemption and payments in lieu of taxes (“PILOTs”), pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 5709.85, and declaring an emergency. Economic Development Director Laura Englehart stated that the Tax Incentive Review Council (TIRC) meets annually to review all of the City’s active agreements that grant property tax incentives. The TIRC Council Meeting August 26, 2024 Page 187 convened with representatives from the county as well as citizen members from Shaker Heights to review all of Shaker’s property tax incentive agreements and unanimously approved all of the agreements as in compliance, and recommended they be continued. We have an urban renewal district, tax increment financing (TIF), and community reinvestment areas (CRA). Director Englehart stated that the urban renewal district is a geographical area focused on the Chagrin Lee commercial district. For new development projects in the defined geography the City’s signs an agreement with each of the property owners for that improved property and those agreements include a provision for a partial property tax exemption. For every one of those projects it is a uniform 75% of the value of the new improvements on the property which are redirected as payments in lieu of taxes (PILOTs). Those funds go straight to the City in a special fund used to pay debt service on bonds that the City issued many years ago for public improvements in that geographical area. The remaining 25% of property taxes are charged, paid, and distributed normally per all of the required percentages. In that urban renewal district the City has historically been required to pay an additional amount of funds out of the General Fund because the improvements and PILOTs have not yet been sufficient to cover the entire debt service. However, we are slowly chipping away at that, and only about $3,700 of deficit this year was subsidized out of the General Fund. We expect a subsidy from the General Fund will no longer be necessary beginning in 2025 due to additional projects coming online in recent years such as the new Bank of America branch on Chagrin and the assisted living facility which will be paying PILOTs in future years. Director Englehart stated that we have three TIF arrangements that are active: the Van Aken district Phase 1; the Shaker Plaza across the RTA tracks from the Phase 1 new construction in the Van Aken district; and the construction of the new Wendy’s at the corner of Warrensville and Chagrin. The TIF arrangement has a Shaker school district compensation agreement on each of those developments. Our Finance Department collects all of the PILOTs from the county and distributes them under each agreement to either the developer of the investment and improvement or directly to the Shaker school district. The City actually retains PILOTs on the Wendy’s building for future public improvements in the area. Nothing has yet been spent from that fund. We are currently collecting those funds and will discuss that with Council in future years for how they might be expended. Director Englehart stated that we have two commercial agreements in the Warrensville/Farnsleigh CRA: one with the Shaker Rocks climbing gym; and the other with the Nest Schools. When Le Chaperon Rouge was bought by the Nest Schools we re-evaluated that property tax arrangement and were able to reduce the term from 15 years down to 10 years because the incentive was no longer needed based on their growth and ability to pay full taxes sooner. Director Englehart stated that we evaluate all of these agreements in detail to make sure they are still necessary. The TIRC process is to monitor these on an annual basis and make sure they are in compliance. This item is being requested as an emergency with a suspension of the rules because the state statute requires Council adopt the TIRC recommendations within a certain timeframe. Council member Mrs. Moore stated that this item was reviewed and unanimously approved by the Finance Committee. A member of the committee is also a citizen member of the TIRC who shared compliments from the county staff expressing appreciation for the high quality presentation by Shaker for TIRC’s review. There was also a question about the Wendy’s property re-evaluation. An additional payment based on the re-evaluation of the property upward with the Shaker school district resulted in a Council Meeting August 26, 2024 Page 188 $3,665 payment to the Shaker school district in April 2023 and an additional $21,204 to the Shaker school district. The re-evaluation was also very beneficial to the TIF. Council member Mrs. Kaus asked why the library does not receive anything from the TIF. Director Englehart stated that typically when property taxes are distributed they are split among the taxing districts based on the millage assigned to each entity. The library does share in the payment of normal property taxes. When PILOTs are paid and an arrangement is made with an agreement signed, under the Ohio Revised Code the state allows communities to have an agreement that redirects the property taxes to allow a project to be built. There is typically a compensation agreement with the school district but the Ohio Revised Code does not require an agreement or an arrangement with any other taxing entity other than the school district. It was moved by Mrs. Moore, and seconded by Mr. Claytor, that the rule requiring ordinances to be read on three different days be suspended and Ordinance No. 24-88 be placed upon its final enactment. Roll Call: Ayes: Ms. Bixenstine, Mr. Claytor, Mrs. Kaus, Mr. Malone, Mrs. Moore, Ms. Anne Williams, Ms. Carmella Williams Nays: None Motion Carried Moved by Mrs. Moore, and seconded by Mr. Claytor, that Ordinance No. 24-88 be enacted as read. Roll Call: Ayes: Ms. Bixenstine, Mr. Claytor, Mrs. Kaus, Mr. Malone, Mrs. Moore, Ms. Anne Williams, Ms. Carmella Williams Nays: None Ordinance Enacted * * * * Ordinance No. 24-89, by Mr. Claytor, authorizing an amendment to the contract with Home Repair Resource Center to increase the total compensation by $60,500, for a total contract amount of $208,100, in order to increase the amount of grant funds available to residents for home repairs, and declaring an emergency. Economic Development Director Laura Englehart stated that in January the City entered into a contract with the Home Repair Resource Center (HRRC) to continue managing the City funded home repair grant programs. HRRC also provides a significant number of other resources to residents including technical assistance and home repair education. They will continue to provide all of the services that they have been under the contract but there is such high need and demand for our grant programs this year that staff is requesting an additional funding and an amendment to the contract to allow for that. The original contract was for $111,000, which was reserved for grant funds to Shaker residents to repair their homes under Council Meeting August 26, 2024 Page 189 specific programs. This item requests an additional $60,500 to increase the contract amount to award additional grants to residents for home repairs. Of that amount $55,000 will be reserved specifically as grant funds and the remaining will be retained by HRRC as administrative or project fees for management of the work. This additional funding is available in the Economic Development Department 2024 operating budget. This fall as part of the budget process they will discuss additional grant funding for home repairs in 2025. Some pretty significant updates were made to the home repair program this year. Neighborhood Housing Specialist Theodore Darden who manages these programs stated that the updates to these programs this year were done to address increased home repair costs and needs. Grant eligibility was expanded to owner-occupants throughout the entire City ensuring broader access to home repairs and improvements. They increased the maximum grant amounts from $2,500 to $3,500 enhancing support for significant home repairs and upgrades, and broadened income eligibility so that they are now available to households with incomes up to 100% of area median income (AMI) up from 80% providing greater assistance to more residents. They have seen an increase in demand in grant spending. Use of grant programs is often cyclical based on where the Building and Housing Department conducts the exterior inspections, which are done every five years by neighborhood. On average the City helps 28 households each year with an annual grant spending of $42,600. In 2023 they surpassed that average spending over $78,800. Through July 2024 there were 47 home repair grant projects completed and fully paid, or which have received approval to proceed, amounting in more than $109,000. An additional 15 homeowners are ready to proceed totaling approximately $40,000. There are also 20 pending applications some of which will proceed this year while others will not be ready until 2025. Director Englehart added that there is significantly higher demand. The changes in the programs have meant that more grant funding is going to residents and into home repairs. This is a good problem to have but under the current contract the annual grant funding is fully expended. This item is requested as an emergency with a suspension of the rules so that grant programs may continue uninterrupted and residents will not have to wait to start their projects. Council member Mr. Claytor stated that this item was circulated to the Neighborhood and Economic Development Committee which did not formally meet, and he appreciates the increase in AMI percentage recognizing that the cost of living has risen considerably in the last few years. He feels the increased funding is applicable for this program. Council member Mrs. Moore stated that this item was reviewed and approved by the Finance Committee. They were happy to see this problem because it means the demand is strong. Council member Mr. Malone stated that it is especially great to see a need for more when in some prior years not all of the funds that were allocated were spent. Council will have to think about how to address this going forward in budget discussions. It was moved by Mr. Claytor, and seconded by Ms. Carmella Williams, that the rule requiring ordinances to be read on three different days be suspended and Ordinance No. 24-89 be placed upon its final enactment. Council Meeting August 26, 2024 Page 190  Roll Call: Ayes: Ms. Bixenstine, Mr. Claytor, Mrs. Kaus, Mr. Malone, Mrs. Moore, Ms. Anne Williams, Ms. Carmella Williams Nays: None Motion Carried Moved by Mr. Claytor, and seconded by Ms. Carmella Williams, that Ordinance No. 24-89 be enacted as read. Roll Call: Ayes: Ms. Bixenstine, Mr. Claytor, Mrs. Kaus, Mr. Malone, Mrs. Moore, Ms. Anne Williams, Ms. Carmella Williams Nays: None Ordinance Enacted * * * * Ordinance No. 24-90, by Ms. Carmella Williams, authorizing the execution of Then and Now Certificates by the Director of Finance and the payment of amounts due for various purchase orders, and declaring an emergency. Finance Director John Potts stated that there is one item requiring a Then and Now Certificate this month. We had a truck repair earlier this year and the company who did the repair was purchased by another company which had a change in accounting systems causing a late invoice. This item is requested as an emergency with a suspension of the rules so that we may send payment to the vendor. Council member Mrs. Moore stated that this item was reviewed and approved by the Finance Committee. 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 Ordinance No. 24-90 be placed upon its final enactment. Roll Call: Ayes: Ms. Bixenstine, Mr. Claytor, Mrs. Kaus, Mr. Malone, Mrs. Moore, Ms. Anne Williams, Ms. Carmella Williams Nays: None Motion Carried Moved by Ms. Carmella Williams, and seconded by Mr. Claytor, that Ordinance No. 24-90 be enacted as read. Council Meeting August 26, 2024 Page 191  Roll Call: Ayes: Ms. Bixenstine, Mr. Claytor, Mrs. Kaus, Mr. Malone, Mrs. Moore, Ms. Anne Williams, Ms. Carmella Williams Nays: None Ordinance Enacted * * * * Motion for Liquor Permits Renewal of all Liquor Permits. Law Director William Ondrey Gruber stated that every year around this time the state requires renewal of every liquor permit within the City. They send us a notice asking if we have any objections in which case Council would pass a resolution opposing the renewal of a particular liquor permit. All of the relevant departments of the City were notified and had no objections to renewal of any of the permits. The list may show some permits exist although the business is no longer in operation because they are a valuable asset. The next owner of the building may be able to transfer that permit to them depending on the use. No objections were voiced by Council. Council member Mrs. Kaus asked if the Ohio Liquor Control Division also oversees the recreational use of marijuana. Director Gruber stated that he believes it is under a different department but he will need to confirm. He is not aware of any operations within the City of Shaker Heights. We have mapped out where an entity could go if there was a storefront available and the landlord wanted to rent to them, but because of state law restricting it within 500 feet within a number of various public facilities and schools there are very few places in Shaker where an operation could be. We have not had anyone come forward yet. * * * * The Mayor asked the Clerk of Council to read into the record public comments received by email or phone on other items. Clerk of Council Ms. Chaikin stated that no comments were received on other items by email or phone. The Mayor invited members of the audience and those participating via Zoom the opportunity to “raise their hand” to provide public comment. Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities Director of Service and Support Administration Jo Elle Barath stated that she wanted to introduce Council to the work they do. Their mission is to support and empower people with developmental disabilities to live, learn, work and play in a community. They support more than 14,000 people with developmental disabilities in Cuyahoga County and last year they served 215 people from Shaker Heights with developmental disabilities. Of their $150 million budget, two-thirds comes from a $3.9 million levy that was last passed by Cuyahoga County residents in 2005. From birth through adulthood they provide support to people with developmental disabilities to live their Council Meeting August 26, 2024 Page 192 best lives. They provide things like early intervention services; therapies like occupational, physical, and speech language pathology; consultative services to support students in schools; transition services for young adults; housing and employment services; and assisted technology services. They have positioned the agency as a leader in the state when it comes to supporting people with disabilities to live, learn, work and play in their communities. In 2003 they launched CSU Rise with Cleveland State University which aims to give students with disabilities a typical college experience while ensuring they are supported in ways that will help them be successful in college and beyond. They are doing innovative work in housing and in 2022 they launched TryTech Apartment buildings in Lakewood that allows adults with disabilities the opportunity to live with and determine what types of technology and adaptive equipment can help them live as independently as they want. Later this year they will open their first tiny home for people with disabilities. It will give someone independence to live on their own with the security of knowing they can socialize or seek support from the provider or the individuals that live in the yard where the tiny home will be built. They partner with other youth serving agencies like the Department of Children and Family Services, the ADAMHS Board, and Family and Children First Council to support young people in a crisis. Together in 2022 they opened the T-Suites and are actively planning partners in the County’s Children’s Wellness Campus. They invest in communities in new ways. Since 2021 they have granted $700,000 to support 50 community programs including libraries, arts and culture, and recreation and leisure organizations in making programs and physical space accessible to people with all abilities. They have over $200,000 allocated for community grants in 2024. They have a current grant with Shaker Lakes Nature Center to help them build a universal changing table to increase restroom accessibility. They have invested in several arts communities in the area including Artful Ohio Inc., Art of Me Productions, and Art Therapy Studio to help those organizations have more inclusive services for people with disabilities. In addition to their work supporting people with disabilities in Cuyahoga County they strive to be a resource for communities. They welcome the opportunity to talk more about how they can best support the residents of Shaker Heights. Mayor Weiss asked about the Shaker Family Center many years ago sharing a space with the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and/or Developmental Disabilities and if it was their predecessor. Ms. Barath stated that the Board of Developmental Disabilities started by families in churches and different community organizations. At some point in the ‘90s and early 2000s the Service and Support Administration Department served different areas with space in communities so that may have been one of them. They no longer follow that model. All of the eastside service and support administrators are located in their Green Road center next to the Ohio State Developmental Center. On the west side they are located in Parma. They also have a downtown location. * * * * There being no further business before Council, the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:09 p.m. _________________________________________ DAVID E. WEISS, Mayor _________________________________________ JERI E. CHAIKIN, Clerk of Council Council Meeting August 26, 2024 Page 193