Legislative Action

University Heights City Council President Pro Tempore, Member at Large

Service and Utilities Committee, Chair

Safety Committee, Member

Recreation Committee, Member

Community Outreach Committee, Alternate

Community Investment Corporation, Member

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Legislative Achievements with Results

Legislation I introduced/sponsored to benefit University Heights:

Ordinance 2024-12, “Loose Recycling Services” – environmentally conscious legislation, based on Resident surveys, due diligence, & professional presentations with robust dialogue at Service & Utilities Committee meetings. Improved recycling in University Heights is reducing the solid waste hauled to the landfill, reducing tipping expenses, while maintaining backyard rubbish collection and service staff levels based on your survey responses. Join the recycling effort here to opt-in for a free cart.

Ordinance 2024-43, “Establishing a Deadline for the Submission of the Mayor’s Proposed Annual Budget to Council” to promote fiscal transparency, budgetary timeliness, & improved communication. As a direct result, budgets are now submitted to the Finance Committee, Department Directors, and City Council with time to review & pass a balanced budget and prevent a government shutdown before the start of the fiscal year on January 1st.

Ordinance 2025-01, “Amending Section 1064.07 of the Streets, Utilities, & Public Services Code titled, ‘Special Collections'” to address rising City expenses. The $20 special bulk rubbish collection rate is still subsidized by University Heights and far less expensive than removing bulk collections privately – with a discount of $10 extended to Residents over 65 years old.

Resolution 2025-56, “Authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District for the Provision of Stormwater Management Services to the City” supporting sustainable plans for development/redevelopment of land, water quality protection and improvements, and conservation of natural resources. This is an important step in preparation for significant developments at John Carroll University; Bell Tower Center; Warrensville Center Road; Aldi’s; and for ongoing residential & commercial developments/maintenance throughout our City.

The Service & Utilities and Building & Housing committees worked collaboratively to pass Ordinance 2024-65 “Trees, Hedges, and Shrubbery”. This ordinance strives to preserve our tree canopy through initiatives including the establishment of the University Heights Tree Commission, defining Heritage Trees, & requiring tree replacement under certain conditions .

The UH Tree Commission will be comprised of residents, UH’s professional arborist, & the UH Service Director. Some commission responsibilities include promoting Arbor Day; assisting with the Annual Tree City USA application; & developing outreach/education to preserve/promote our tree canopy.

The Service & Utilities and Building & Housing Joint Committees which I co-chair with Councilwoman Win Weizer, are working on proposed Ordinance 2024-64, “Managed Natural Landscapes” . Dr. James Watling, Coburn Professor of Environment Science at John Carroll University; and John A. Blakeman, Ohio prairie researcher, shared their expertise in addition to public comments from UH residents who volunteer with the Friends of the Walt and the Sustainability Advisory group. Joint committee meetings, will be posted here when scheduled. Your input matters as this ordinance will impact UH residential & public properties.

I am proud of my record providing residents the opportunity to participate in public meeting discussions for transparency in accordance with the Sunshine Laws. As a result under my collaborative leadership, these ordinances were passed by all City Council members in attendance.

Priorities & Goals in my 2nd term are successfully underway to:

1. Put Residents first with collaborative & respectful discussions
2. Support University Heights Police & Fire Safety Departments
3. Collaborate on Roads & Curbs Improvement Plan
4. Explore economic & regionalism opportunities to maximize cost effective & efficient City services
5. Work on updating the Zoning Code – necessary to address UH’s dynamic commmunity needs
6. Build municipal facilities – budgeted sensibly
7. Support expanded programming for UH’s older adults
8. Maintain backyard rubbish collection while promoting improved sustainable recycling efforts per Resident surveys

University Heights’ public meetings are posted here for you to attend in person, on Zoom, or via live stream

As your representative on City Council, I will continue to do my best to serve the needs of our community.

Click here for contact & additional information

Paid for by Friends of Sheri R. Sax, William Sax, Treasurer