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Happy Thanksgiving and
Native American Heritage Day!
The City of Cleveland Heights wishes a very happy holiday to all who celebrate Thanksgiving next Thursday, November 23, and Native American Heritage Day on November 24!
In observance, Cleveland Heights City Hall, the Community Center, and city service buildings will be closed on Thursday, November 23, and Friday, November 24.
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"We are moving forward," Cleveland Heights Mayor Kahlil Seren says during State of the City | |
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Cleveland Heights Mayor Kahlil Seren delivered his first live and in-person State of the City address to a gathering at the Cleveland Heights Community Center on November 9, 2023. In a half-hour speech, Seren, Cleveland Heights’ first elected mayor, presented the accomplishments of his Administration in his second year in office and outlined his priorities for 2024.
“We’re a city in motion,” Mayor Seren remarked. “A city of 45,000 residents of distinct and diverse experiences. Operating hundreds of businesses -- in our eleven business districts and out of homes -- in our city.”
Cleveland Heights is “a city of contradictions that cannot be summed up in a word,” he continued, pointing out that homes in the city “have sold for as little as $15,000 while others have sold for more than $1 million.”
Cleveland Heights prides itself on being “a historically racially progressive city,” the Mayor added, and yet, “We have areas of the city approaching 40% living below the [federally designated] poverty line and where 49% of the population is White and 70% of the public school's population is Black.”
“We have a culture that welcomes diverse opinions, even if it's uncomfortable,” he said. “When we get it right, it’s this complexity that pushes us forward.
“And we are moving forward.”
To illustrate this point, Mayor Seren spoke in detail about the programs, services, buildings, and staff that have been added to the city during the last year. He encouraged residents to review the Administration’s 2024 Budget Book which includes accomplishments from 2023 and funding priorities by city department—from Public Works' budget for repaving streets to Parks and Recreation’s plans to renovate Cain Park, Denison Park, and Cumberland Pool. The budget includes minor items like computer equipment to major budget items like additional staff, trucks and plows and other necessary equipment needed to improve the efficiency of city operations. Some notable examples among the Mayor’s $33,889,741 Capital Needs budget are:
- $575,000 for the city’s new Sustainability Department, including $125,000 for an Urban Tree Canopy Master Plan
- $265,000 to expand the city’s surveillance camera system to deter crime
- $525,000 to purchase 8 hybrid police cruisers
- $13 million to bring the city sewer system into compliance with the EPA Consent Decree on Clean Water Act regulations
- $1,000,000 to rebuild the Cain Park backstage area, including bringing the original dressing rooms and administrative offices up to modern standards
- $114,879 for Cain Park Playground Replacement
- $350,000 to rebuild the Cain Park Skatepark
- $100,000 to fix leaks and $300,000 for new boilers at Cumberland Pool
- $100,000 for Coventry Peace Park Improvements
At its budget hearings, the city’s Finance Director, Andy Unetic, this week told City Council that federal support in the form of ARPA and other COVID recovery grants has placed the city's finances on solid footing. Mr. Unetic calculated the city is set to begin 2024 with a surplus that, even after the $33.89 million in Capital Needs, will provide an opportunity to increase the city’s rainy-day fund.
Click the link below to watch Mayor Seren's 2023 State of the City Address.
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Cleveland Heights enters 2024 budget talks with healthy cash balance | |
From Cleveland.com
Heading into 2024 budget hearings, city officials have an “extremely healthy cash balance” of $37 million to work with.
City Finance Director Andrew Unetic will propose about $15 million to $17 million in “transfers-out” from the general fund to other accounts, either to make those more financially solvent or to fund needed capital projects.
And following those transfers, the city still expects to have more than $20 million for an unencumbered cash balance, still “way above” the Government Finance Officers Association’s (GFOA) standards for a projected 2024 general fund budget of $56 million.
That balance could go even higher, once Unetic, Mayor Kahlil Seren, City Administrator Danny Williams and City Council sort out where they will plug in the remainder of federal pandemic relief funds through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
The city received more than $38 million in ARPA funds and set aside $18 million of that for sewer improvements to reach compliance with a federal consent decree negotiated for violations of the Clean Water Act...
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Leaf Collection—First-round is at the halfway point. The second round coming soon. | |
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As of November 17, seven of the thirteen areas of the city (seen above shaded in blue) had their first round of leaves picked up. The remaining six areas are scheduled for collection this week and next week.
Second round of pickups are scheduled to begin in the blue areas starting on November 20 and 24. For the scheduled date of your home’s first and second-round pick up, type your address in the search bar of the online map.
A friendly reminder not to miss the second round of leaf pickup—after the second round ends, there will not be another loose leaf collection until spring.
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Cleveland Heights police offer $3,000 bonus for 'lateral transfers' through Nov. 24 | |
From Cleveland.com
Along with an entry-level civil service examination early next year, the Cleveland Heights Police Department will offer a $3,000 signing bonus for “lateral transfers.”
Sign-ups for both run through Nov. 24.
With the exam scheduled for Jan. 25, “there are several openings we are looking to fill immediately,” Police Chief Chris Britton said.
Applications for both must be completed on the City of Cleveland Heights website at www.clevelandheights.com by clicking on “employment opportunities.”
“The lateral transfer process will include an oral interview, thorough background investigation, voice stress analysis, psychological evaluation, medical evaluation to include a drug screen and any other method necessary to ascertain the qualifications and abilities of the applicant,” the application announcement states...
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Cleveland Heights Council grants 6-month extension for 'second chance' on Noble Station | |
From Cleveland.com
City Council has granted a six-month extension for developers of the proposed Noble Station affordable apartment complex to go back to the drawing board.
In a special meeting on Monday (Nov. 13), council extended the purchase option on just over 2 acres of city-owned land at 2228 Noble Road, formerly home to a McDonald’s restaurant.
The 5-0 vote came two days before a proposed purchase and sale agreement was set to expire -- which would have allowed state affordable housing tax credits for the proposed $14.7 million project to lapse as well.
Last month, council voted down a development agreement with TWG to build a 52-unit, four-story apartment complex on the site, citing a rushed deadline for a flawed plan, accompanied by a lack of community support.
Based on the turnout for the 8:30 p.m. meeting that lasted about a half-hour, many of the neighbors remain opposed to the concept itself, arguing that they need commercial development and more owner-occupied housing opportunities in the area.
At the outset, Council President Melody Joy Hart -- one of the five votes against the earlier development agreement on Oct. 16 -- explained that the amendment to the proposed $245,000 option-to-purchase agreement will simply provide about six months of additional time for further discussions...
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Gas-powered leaf blowers have become the scourge of fall (and summer) | |
From Cleveland.com
A Cleveland Heights group is among those raising awareness about the negative health and environmental effects of gas-powered leaf blowers.
The grinding growl of the gas-powered leaf blower.
The loosely organized group is part of the Quiet Clean Alliance, made up of similarly motivated groups concerned about the noise, health, and environmental impacts of gas-powered leaf blowers.
Quiet Clean Heights founder Alice Jeresko said her group is not targeting her city’s maintenance department, but rather homeowners and landscaping crews who wield their gas-powered blowers when removing grass, leaves, and other debris from lawns in summer and fall...
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Please take our Cain Park Surveys
And help us get ready for next season!
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Please do not place unwanted campaign yard signs in curbside recycling. Instead, please drop off unwanted campaign yard signs at the Cleveland Heights Service Garage, 14200 Superior Road.
Materials are recycled by Northcoast Recycling Specialists in Wickliffe. The plastic is marketed to compounders that convert the material into pellets for making items such as plastic bags and plastic toys. Paper is sent to a fiber recycler. The metal is recycled through a local scrap yard.
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The next City Council meeting will be held on November 20, 2023, at 7:30 pm, in the Council Chamber.
It will be preceded by a Committee of the Whole meeting at 6:00 pm in the Executive Conference Room. Both meetings may be viewed live on YouTube.
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Cranksgiving annual food collection bike ride tomorrow: Meetup is the BottleHouse |  | |
Non-profit bike advocacy group Bike Cleveland will host its annual Cranksgiving food drive by bicycle this Saturday, November 18. Cleveland’s cycling community is once again gathering food for disadvantaged families and senior citizens this holiday season.
Date and Time: Saturday, November 18, 2023, at 11:00 am
Location: BottleHouse Brewery
2050 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118
There is no cost to join the event, but cyclists usually spend about $15 (or however much you can) on food and supplies for others.
How does Cranksgiving work? Riders of all ages and skill levels receive a map of nearby grocery stores and are challenged to ride their bikes – regardless of weather—to one or more of the stores to purchase the needed items specified for each. Everything purchased must be hauled by bicycle, either in a bag, pannier, rack, or trailer. You will return to donate the food you collected to benefit those in need this holiday season. Be prepared to spend about $15 (or however much you can) and ride up to fifteen miles.
Want to contribute even more? Clean out your pantry and bring nonperishable food items to the event. Organize a mini-food drive at your work or in your neighborhood. Or, if you cannot attend, you can make a food or cash donation at Joy Machines Bike Shop during business hours.
Can't make the event? We'll miss you, but you can still help by making a $$ donation directly to the Hunger Network for Cranksgiving here.
Event Timeline:
11:00 am - Registration, plus coffee and donuts
11:30 am - Brief program and send off
1:30-1:45 pm - Return to BottleHouse and donate food
2:00 pm - Closing program and traditional group photo
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A Classy Brassy Christmas | |
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Under the direction of David Gilson, the Western Reserve Chorale performs John Rutter’s Gloria and Daniel Pinkham’s Christmas Cantata with Brass and Percussion. Other works include traditional and newer arrangements of holiday choral favorites.
This is WRC’s first concert in its new home at the Church of the Saviour in Cleveland Heights. The concert is free, and donations are accepted.
The concert begins at 3:30 pm on December 3rd in the sanctuary of Church of the Saviour, located at 2537 Lee Road. Parking is FREE, located in the main lot and the adjacent lot on the corner of Bradford and Lee Road.
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The Jingle Bell Holiday Shop Returns to the Grog Shop & B Side Lounge | |
Date: December 9
Time: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
FREE | ALL AGES
Shop UP and DOWN at 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd.
Fill your stockings with this annual helping of merch and music at our one-day-only holiday event. Held in conjunction with the Coventry Land Winter Festival, there will be something for all!
This year's vendors are:
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- 3 Inventive Girls
- Architectural Renderings by John Mussara
- Art of Bread Bakery (formerly Macarons by Victoria)
- Breadheads Bakery
- BEad Kind Designs
- CaliDream Handmade
- Citrus Witch
- Clevo Books
- Cloth & Ink Vintage
- Cool Critters
- Coretta's Purses
- Cottage Sisters
- Dark Lantern Studios
- Dugway Brook Dry Goods
- Elle Sky Ceramics
- Everarbor
- j.ho's CELEBRATIONS, LLC
- JL's Craft Box
- Li’l Boîte Pâtisserie
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- Little Babet
- Love of SparkLynn Steampunk Designs
- Mac's Backs Books on Coventry
- Magicatalog
- Mo Metals
- Moon Lily
- Mostly Ghostly
- One 80 Reasons
- RadRex Vintage
- Redesign by Amy
- Salem Jane Creations
- SecureShadows
- Shop Charlie Girl
- Shows and Stitches
- Space Cadet
- Stone Church Press
- Sugarforbrains
- Waybright Candles
- WHIFF GOODS
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ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Rainbow Pioneers is a social support group that serves LGBTQ+ individuals ages 50+. Rainbow Pioneers programming provides participants with a safe, affirming space and allows members to engage in a variety of activities ranging from Art Therapy to Joint Mobility Exercises.
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