September 2024

CITY OF FAIRVIEW PARK

MAIN STREET CONNECTION

Greetings!

Just for the record, summer ends September 22. I’m going to keep repeating that in my head as I walk past the Halloween candy at Target and see my kids off to school.

It’s a bittersweet time of year as we wave goodbye to the beach vacations and the lemonade stands. September brings with it the excitement and stress of a new academic year, perhaps the anxiety of seeing a child off to college, and of course the traffic. Remember, no more right turns on red during posted hours.

Some news on the Gemini front. We have received numerous requests for qualification for the Construction Manager at Risk (CMR) position, all from well-known and reputable companies. The CMR will be tasked with carrying out the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Gemini Center all under a guaranteed maximum price.

We will be requesting RFPs, requests for proposals, and arranging interviews with the chosen CMR teams. From there, we will choose a CMR that fits the project best and move forward with construction. The timeline is still unchanged, and we expect a fourth quarter start to construction.

In recent sewer news, we have some wins and losses.

Total miles cleaned to date has eclipsed the 2023 total. By the time you read this, the total should be over 115% of 2023. Our crews are out constantly, pulling silt and debris from the system.

Unfortunately, we had a super-cell storm event come off the lake on August 16. Total rainfall was not incredible, but it came fast. To date we have had seven reports of basement flooding from homeowners. Service Director Bryan Hitch has reached out to those residents and the investigation is ongoing.

To make it abundantly clear, we do want to hear from you if your home experienced recent flooding. Email mayor@fairviewpark.org with details including your name, phone number, address and details on where the water entered your home (i.e. drain in the basement floor, cracks in the basement floor, basement windows, etc.).

We will have follow-up questions. The goal is to identify the cause of the flood and either fix it on the City end or direct the homeowner. Information like this helps us find blockages, direct critical cleaning, helps us allocate funds for CCTV, future improvements, etc.

In brighter news, our second 2024 Household Hazardous Waste & Shredding Day is Saturday, September 21. Read the details further down in this newsletter.

I urge everyone to enjoy the last vestiges of summer and to take it easy on yourself as our fall schedules start to apply. That’s it for now. Take care.

Sincerely,

Mayor Bill Schneider

GEMINI CENTER UPDATE

Information regarding the Gemini Center Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Project is available on the City's website. This information will be updated monthly to keep residents informed on the progress of this project.

HERITAGE HOME PROGRAM AND THE HOUSING ENHANCEMENT LOAN PROGRAM

The Heritage Home Program (HHP), a program of the Cleveland Restoration Society, is operating in Fairview Park. The HHP offers guidance and low-cost financing, with interest as low as 2%, to homeowners for home improvements and maintenance projects. While there are some restrictions on qualifying projects, homeowners can use the loans for many projects, such as basement waterproofing. Please see the program website for details. 

There are additional programs already available for low cost financing through the County, such as the Housing Enhancement Loan Program (HELP). Eligible properties must have a property tax value under $250,000 to qualify. Please visit their website for details.

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION AND SHREDDING EVENT

The Household Hazardous Waste Collection and Shredding event will take place in the rear of City Hall on Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Please enter off Lorain Road and have items for disposal/shredding in the truck/back of your vehicle and volunteers will remove the items. Please limit your shredding materials to 2 "banker" boxes and to confidential materials only. Non-confidential materials can be recycled weekly in your green recycle container. 

Thank you to the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District for the grant that helps finance this important City event.

SEWER INFORMATION

WOODSTOCK AVENUE SEWER PROJECT

The Woodstock Avenue Sewer Project is expected to start this year. The City has received $3.5 million from the Federal Environmental Protection Agency. Total cost of the project is $4,891,000. The project includes the removal of existing 24” and 30” storm sewer and replacement with new 30” HDPE (High Density Polyethylene Pipe); removal of existing 10” and 12” VCP (vitrified clay pipe) sanitary sewer and replacement with new 15” PVC sanitary. The roadway on Woodstock Avenue will be significantly impacted. Bidding for the project will be in October and awarded in November.

STANFORD AVENUE WATER, SEWER AND PAVEMENT IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

The City was awarded funding from the District One Public Works Integrating Committee of Cuyahoga County and the Ohio Public Works Commission (“OPWC”) for the Stanford Water, Sewer and Pavement Improvement Project.

The Project, on Stanford Avenue between West 204 Street and West 210 Street, will focus on the following:

• replacement of the sanitary sewers and connections
• replacement of the storm sewer and connections
• replacement of the water main and connections
• full depth pavement replacement including curb, curb drains, driveway aprons and side walk, only as needed

The Project has an engineer’s estimated cost of $5,521,080.00. Design work by the City’s consulting engineer is underway.

REGIONAL EQUALIZATION FACILITY

The Regional Equalization Facility project has received a federal grant for $1,152,000 to design a stormwater retention tank. The City will continue to update residents about this project.

NEW SEWER FLOW MONITORS

The sewer flow monitors were installed at important intersections in the city to identify areas of strong inflow and infiltration in areas serviced by the Rocky River Waste Water Treatment Plant. The monitoring is complete and the data is being analyzed.

HOME VISITS

A very popular program, Home Flooding Visits, will continue. Residents that are interested in having the City Engineer visit their home to review best practices to help mitigate flooding should call 440-356-4411 to schedule your appointment. There are a limited amount of dates and times available in September.

SEWER CLEANING

The Service Department uses the Sewer Jet to clean catch basins, storm sewers and sanitary sewers in the City of Fairview Park, weather permitting. Please click here for a report on what streets the Sewer Jet has been working to clean the sewers.

CITY PROJECTS

Click here for information about the City projects listed below.

• Brookpark Road Paving
• West 227 Street Bridge Replacement
• Bain Park Erosion Project
• West 220 Bridge over I-480
• Lorain Road Bridge over Metroparks

• West 223 Street Project
• 2024 Paving Program *
• Cuyahoga County Healthy Urban Tree Canopy Grant
• ODNR Emerging Tree Grant
• Electric Vehicle Charging Station at City Hall
• 50/50 Program-West 210 St.

*The Clifford Drive and West 220 Street project, which is part of the 2024 Paving Program, will include a detour. The detour will be posted on the City's website prior to the start of construction which is currently scheduled for September 9.

WASTE COLLECTION

SCHEDULE AND SERVICE GUIDE

Yard waste and bulk items (maximum of 6 items per week) are collected every week. Yard waste can be placed in plastic bags or loose in a trash container marked "Yard Waste". Bags and cans must not exceed 35 pounds. Small branches must be cut and bundled not to exceed 4 feet in length and no heavier than 35 pounds.

Click here to view the 2024 schedule for rubbish, recycling, bulk item, yard waste, leaf, and special recycling collections.

Click here for the Trash, Yard Waste, Recycling and Bulk Waste Service Guide provided by Republic Services.

The City is proud to support all of the local businesses in our community. Click here to see a list of local businesses. 

EAT LOCAL

Please click here for a list of restaurants in Fairview Park.

POLICE DEPARTMENT

LOCK YOUR CAR

Please take items out of your unoccupied cars and lock the car doors.

In the last month, the Fairview Park Police received numerous calls regarding thefts from autos including a gun stolen from an unlocked vehicle. Please take your valuables out of your cars, including keys, and lock the car doors. Crime trends show vehicles taken in similar crimes are driven and used in more serious crimes like robbery and homicide.

One of the best ways to stop crime is to not be an easy target. As always, if you see something suspicious please give us a call at 440-333-1234 or call 911 if it is an emergency.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

PROGRAMS AT THE GEMINI CENTER

The Parks and Recreation Department offers programs for people of all ages. Visit the Recreation Department's page on the city website for information about the all the programs and additional events at the Gemini Center.

SENIOR SOCIAL CENTER HOURS

Starting on Tuesday, September 3, the Fairview Park Senior Social Center will go back to its regular hours of 8:30 A.M. - 4:30 P.M., Monday through Friday (closed the 1st Monday of every month). These hours will remain in effect until Memorial Day.

SENIOR SCOPE AND CALENDAR

VAN TRANSPORTATION

Click here for information regarding van transportation.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION COALITION

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coalition will be meeting Wednesday, September 4 at 6:30 P.M. at City Hall in the Dunson Room. All are welcome!

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION COALITION VACANCY

Fairview Park City Council is accepting applications for an appointment to the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coalition (DEI Coalition). Regular meetings of the DEI Coalition are currently held the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 P.M. Interested persons should submit a letter of interest and a completed application by September 20 at 4:30 P.M. to Clerk of Council, Liz Westbrooks at: clerkofcouncil@fairviewpark.org, or mailed to: Fairview Park City Council, ATTN: Liz Westbrooks, Clerk of Council, 20777 Lorain Road, Fairview Park, OH 44126

DEI Application: The fillable application form can be found at www.fairviewpark.org/dei.

APPLY TO BE A MEMBER OF STAC

If you love trees as much as the Shade Tree Advisory Committee does, there is currently one open position on the committee. If you have any questions about the STAC, please reach out to Doug MacMillan, Chair, at macdad6544@yahoo.com. If interested, please send a letter of intent to the Clerk of Council, Liz Westbrooks, at clerkofcouncil@fairviewpark.org.

WHY ARE TREES IMPORTANT?

Melissa Sturges, STAC member

Happy September! I hope all of you weathered the tornado last month safely. After seeing the tree damage and losing power, many Fairview Park residents are thinking about trees on their property and wondering if they should be removed to prevent issues in the future.

In certain circumstances, trees can be a bit of a bother! Their roots can infiltrate our water/sewer lines through cracked pipes, some species drop debris we find messy, and they can potentially damage our property and interrupt the power supply if they fall. So what are some of the benefits of trees that outweigh the risks we have recently been reminded of?

1. Air Quality - Trees absorb carbon dioxide and harmful gases through photosynthesis, releasing oxygen in the process. Trees also filter dust and particulates from the air.
2. Water - Tree roots absorb water, which helps prevent excess water from heavy rains and pollutants from heading into our storm sewer and out into Lake Erie.
3. Erosion Control - Trees' far-reaching roots provide soil stabilization.
4. Climate Change - Trees capture and store carbon thus reducing the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. Reducing greenhouse gases helps slow down climate change patterns.
5. Shade - Trees provide shade which decreases surface temperatures, not only reducing energy costs for air conditioning but also providing a nice spot to cool off on a summer day.
6. Wildlife - Trees provide food and shelter for many animal species including birds, insects and small mammals. They also provide habitat connectivity for wildlife.
7. Mental and Physical Well Being - Studies show that spending time outdoors can relieve stress and build a stronger immune system.

Please consider planting a tree this fall and visit www.arborday.org/calculator to appreciate the environmental benefits of trees on your property.

SHADE TREE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS

The Shade Tree Advisory Committee holds public meetings on the second Thursday of every month. Please join us in the Dunson Room at City Hall for our next meeting September 12, 2024 at 6:00 P.M.

What is the connection between 

Bain Cabin and St. Angela Merici Catholic Church and?

Tracing Fairview Park History, Chris H. Gerrett

St. John Cantius Roman Catholic Church, St. Benedict Roman Catholic Church, St. Andrew Abbey Church, Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, St. George's Lithuanian Church and School, St. Hyacinth Church, St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, First Catholic Slovak Union, and Ursuline Academy - what do all these buildings have in common.....Joseph E. Potter. 

Who was Joseph E. Potter? 

Joseph E. Potter was known as J. Ellsworth Potter. He was born in 1888 and passed away in 1958 while vacationing in Switzerland. By the age of 16 years, he was a junior member of the Haglock & Potter architectural firm. Over the years, he became known as a very accomplished architect whose primary focus was churches and schools.

In 1922, after completing the design of St. George's Lithuanian Church and School, J. Ellsworth was hired to design St. Angela Merici Church. By 1936, he and his wife were living in Fairview Village, and in 1938, while working for Potter & Bremmer Architects, he designed the Fairview Community Cabin, now known as Bain Cabin. 

It is fair to say that Mr. J. Ellsworth Potter's work plays an important role in Fairview Park's history. 

GARDEN CLUB

The Garden Club meets most second Tuesdays of the month in the Dunson Room at City Hall at 6:30 P.M. to socialize and the meeting begins at 7:00 P.M. The next meeting is September 10 and Naturalist Lys Ursem will be speaking about Native Flowers in the Metroparks. All are welcome. Garden Club updates and information can be found on the Garden Club's Facebook page.

GREEN TEAM