Summary
- The city’s Chief of Staff Jeffery Jerome and Council President Avery Johnson promised a resident they would join him on a walk along Garfield Boulevard to assess safety concerns.
- Council discussed reintroducing legislation for speed cameras on I-480.
- All council members were in agreement with the concerns citizens expressed during public comment.
Garfield Heights City Council met on June 9, 2025. Topics covered included infrastructure projects, community programs and public safety.
Council Members
- Ward 1: Stacey Collier
- Ward 2: Tenisha Mack
- Ward 3: Mark Smith
- Ward 4: Avery Johnson, president
- Ward 5: Rachelle Tonsing
- Ward 6: Clifford Kelley
- Ward 7: Jennifer Newrones
Ordinances
Council approved ordinances 49-2025 and 50-2025 to purchase a new truck and dump body and chassis for the city’s service department funded by the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District.
The council also approved a collective bargaining agreement (Ordinance 51-2025) with American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2729 and AFSCME Council 8
Council authorized the mayor to enter into an agreement with Millennium Strategies to provide grant consulting services (Ordinance 52-2025.)
Additionally, resolutions were passed to accept grant funding for the Grow Hockey program (Ordinance 23-2025) and traffic safety initiatives (Ordinance 24-2025).
All ordinances and resolutions were passed with a 7-0 vote with no objections.
A complete list of ordinances can be found here.
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Four residents participated in public comment. They highlighted safety concerns on Garfield Boulevard due to construction, South Highland Avenue due to speeding and recent incidents of violence involving youth. The council acknowledged these issues and discussed potential solutions, including speed tables and increased enforcement.
Chief of Staff Jeffrey Jerome and Council President Johnson promised a resident who brought up concerns about Garfield Boulevard that they would walk the area with him to see his concerns firsthand.
In regards to speeding, Mayor Matt Burke said residents were asked to vote on putting cameras up on I-480. Voters rejected the issue. He said money from cameras would have paid for speed tables. He said it is worth revisiting putting cameras up. Council Member Clifford Kelley agreed. The meeting concluded with council members expressing their commitment to addressing community concerns and planning future meetings to engage with residents.
The next council meeting is scheduled for June 23, 2025.
These notes are from Documenter Larry H. Gardner. Read more from this meeting from Documenter Charlestine Pride, including information about the city receiving 130 applications for the home repair assistance program.
If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at [email protected] with “Correction Request” in the subject line.
