The Independence Post - August 2023

Numbers Council

IMPORTANT CITY

David Grendel, Vice Mayor 216.678.0250 grendeld@independenceohio.org

John DiGeronimo 216.538.1243 digeronimoj@independenceohio.org

Tom Narduzzi 216.318.0383 narduzzit@independenceohio.org

Anthony Togliatti 216.308.1367 togliattia@independenceohio.org

James P. Trakas 216.524.2114 trakasj@independenceohio.org

Dale Veverka 216.407.8657 veverkad@independenceohio.org

Chris Walchanowicz 216.272.5854 walchanowiczc@independenceohio.org

Debi Beal Clerk of Council 216.524.1008 beald@independenceohio.org

ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD

1st & 3rd Thursday each month, 3 PM

Norman Casini Chairman

CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION

1st Thursday each month, 9 AM

Mark Kwiatkowski Chairman

COUNCIL

2nd Tuesday each month, 5:30 PM caucus (may vary), meeting follows.

PLANNING COMMISSION

1st Tuesday each month, 5:30 PM

David Grendel Chairman

BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS

3rd Thursday each month, 5:30 PM

Mark Moreal Chairman

Cover photo courtesy of City of Independence

The Independence Post is a publication of the City of Independence.

Mayor Gregory P. Kurtz A MESSAGE FROM

Dear Neighbors,

The City of Independence has much to celebrate as we gear up for Home Days at Elmwood Park on Friday and Saturday, August 4 and 5, 2023!

Home Days have become a family tradition that brings our entire community together to enjoy great entertainment, fun rides and games, delicious food options, fantastic raffles and prizes, lively Kiwanis Beer & Wine Garden, and fireworks.

I am happy to announce that the City is working with Gear

Up Velo to host the first-ever Independence Criterium this year! This bike race will be held on Saturday, August 5, starting at 8 AM at the Independence Technology Center (6801 Brecksville Road) across the street from City Hall!

Then the Home Days Parade will kick off near the library and wind through Elmwood Park at noon. You can find a complete schedule of Home Days events starting on page 4. Good luck to all the students returning to school this month!

Sincerely,

Directory CITY

Gregory P. Kurtz, Mayor kurtzg@independenceohio.org

Vern Blaze Finance Director

Gregory J. O’Brien

Law Director

Robert Butler Police Chief

Steve Rega

Fire Chief

Jessica A. Hyser Economic Development Director

Donald Ramm City Engineer

Anne Lynch City Planner

Michael Gero

Building Official

Alla Lora Communications Director

Angela T. Zidanic Clerk of Courts

Emily Thomas Community Services Director

Tom Walchanowicz

Parks & Recreation Director

Ron McKinley Service Director

David Snyderburn Technical Services Director

Bridget Day Kozub Human Resources Director

Dennis Zdolshek

Procurement Coordinator

City Hall General Email address cityhall@independenceohio.org

Events SEASONAL Home Days 2023!

106th Annual

Friday, August 4, 6 - 11 PM

Saturday, August 5, NOON - 11 PM

Elmwood Park

Visit the Home Days page on www.independenceohio.org for more information!

Main Stage Entertainment Schedule MAIN STAGE SOUND & HOME DAYS EMCEE: Dave Synek – DB Entertainment

Friday, August 4

• 6 PM: Welcome Message from the Mayor & National Anthem Performed by IHS Vocal Ensemble

• 6:30 PM: The Studio Dance Performance

• 7 PM: Independence Historical Society Cake Walk

• 8 - 11 PM: The Element

Saturday, August 5

• 1:30 - 4:30 PM: The Caliber Band

• 4:30 - 5 PM: IPD K9 Demo

• 5:15 - 6 PM: Rick Smith, Jr. Magic Show

• 6 PM: Mayor’s Address & Hometown Awards

• 7 PM: Cornhole & Volleyball Tournaments

• 7 - 11 PM: Collage

• 9 PM: Grand Prize Raffle Winners Announced

• 10 PM: National Anthem Followed by Fireworks

Civic Center Entertainment

• Friday, August 4, 6 - 9 PM: The Wayne Tomsic Band

• Saturday, August 5, 6 - 9 PM: The Wayne Tomsic Band

Events SEASONAL

Home Days Activities

• Carnival Rides

• Kiwanis Beer & Wine Garden

• Food Trucks & Booths

• Magical Train

• Hourly Drawings

• Grand Prize Raffle

Friday Night Fun

• 6 - 9 PM: Family Fun Zone

• 6 - 9 PM: Zoo-2-Go

• 6 - 11 PM: Bingo

• 6 - 11 PM: Teen Scene

• 7 - 10 PM: Cornhole & Volleyball Tournaments

Saturday Festivities

• 8 AM: Gear Up Velo Independence Criterium

• 8:30 AM: Pickleball Tournament

• 9 – 10 AM: Yoga

• Noon: Parade in the Park & National Anthem

Performed by Men of Independence

• Noon - 8 PM: Zoo-2-Go

• Noon - 11 PM: Live Painting

• 1 - 3 PM: Mini-Regatta

• 1 – 6 PM: Touch-A-Truck

• 1 - 8 PM: Family Fun Zone

• 1:30 - 4 PM: Car Show

• 2 - 5 PM: Volleyball Tournament

• 5 PM: Egg Toss

• 5 - 10 PM: Bingo

• 6 - 11 PM: Teen Scene

• 7 - 10 PM: Cornhole Tournament

Hourly Drawings

3 Winners Every Hour on the Hour!

• Friday: 7 PM – 10 PM

• Saturday: 2 PM – 10 PM

Home Days Food Vendors

• Campus Life: Chick-fil-A Sandwiches and Nuggets, Slushies

• I.H.S. Swim Team: Cabbage & Noodles, Pierogi, Hot Dogs

• Independence Music Boosters: Walking Tacos, Soft Pretzels, Pop & Water

• Independence United Methodist Church

Youth Group: Angie’s Pizza, Pop

• Kiwanis Club of Independence: Beer, Wine, Seltzer

• Barrio Tacos: Partnered with Neighbors

Assisting Neighbors

• Buckeye Chocolate Company: Partnered with I.M.S. Pep Club

• CLE Cookie Dough Co. (Friday Only): Partnered with I.H.S. Key Club

• CLE Cotton Candy: Partnered with I.M.S. Junior Biology Society

• Das Schnitzel Express: Partnered with I.H.S. PTO

• Kona Ice: Partnered with I.M.S. PTO

• Original Greek Gyro: Partnered with Boy & Cub Scout Troop 297

• The Original Philly Cheese Steak: Partnered with Independence Presbyterian Church

• Ruth Helen’s Smokin Flavors (Friday Only)

• Sophie’s Italian Sausage: Partnered with ICAN

• Weber’s Premium Ice Cream: Partnered with I.H.S. Vocal Ensemble

Enter every hour at the Headquarters Booth for your chance to win!

Hometown Awards

• Saturday at 6 PM (Main Stage)

Prizes awarded to the Longest Married, Most Recently Married, Longest Residency, Most Recent Resident, Youngest Person, Oldest Person, and Farthest Traveled

Grand Prize Raffle

• Drawing Saturday at 9 PM (Main Stage)

• Prizes range from $100 to $1,000 in value!

• Tickets $1 each or $5 for six

• Winner need not be present

Purchase Grand Prize Raffle Tickets at the Grand Prize Booth

Mystery Resident & Mystery City Employee

Find the Mystery Resident and/or Mystery City Employee and bring them to the Headquarters Booth to receive a prize!

Events SEASONAL

HOME DAYS BIKE RACE

August 5, 2023 8 AM

Start

Get ready for the first ever Gear Up Velo Criterium in Independence! This awesome race, new to the Cleveland area, will be held on Saturday, August 5 from 8 AM to just before noon at the Independence Technology Center (6801 Brecksville Road) across the street from City Hall!

Criteriums are one of the most popular and plentiful competition formats for cyclists in the United States. These fast, exciting, and spectator-friendly races can be a great experience for cyclists of all ages and ability levels.

A criterium is a mass start, multi-lap event contested on a closed course where laps are typically a mile or less. Racers do a pre-determined number of laps or race for a predetermined amount of time.

If you are interested in being a sponsor, contact Gear Up Velo at 216.232.4300.

To register for the race, visit www.bikereg.com/ gearupvelo-independencecrit.

The Independence Home Days Parade will be starting at noon, and all cyclists are invited to stick around for the fun!

Events SEASONAL

HOME DAYS TOWELS

• Towels will be for sale on Saturday, August 5 in the Family Fun Zone

• $15/towel (cash or check – made out to the City of Independence)

• After Home Days, remaining towels may be purchased at the Civic Center

FIRE DEPARTMENT RAFFLE

• Independence Fire Department Power Wheels Fire Truck

• Donated by Valley Ford Truck in Valley View

• Proceeds benefit the Allison Rose Foundation.

• Raffle tickets are $1 each or $5 for six

Tickets can be purchased at the Civic Center and during Home Days at the Grand Prize Booth.

POLICE DEPARTMENT RAFFLE

• Proceeds benefit Shop with a Cop

• Tickets are $1/each or 6 for $5

• Tickets may be purchased at the Community Services Desk (cash, check, or card) through Friday, August 4 at 5 PM

• Tickets will be available for purchase (cash or check – made out to the City of Independence – only) at the Headquarters booth

• Prize: TV

YOUNG AND ACTIVE ADULTS

Meet Aimee Miller, the newest member of the Community Services Team!

In her role as Community Services Coordinator, you will find Aimee serving alongside other members of the Front Desk Team, performing key administrative functions as well as creating programs, activities, events, and services for young and active adults in our community!

A little about Aimee: she has been married for 16 years and has five children. She has lived all over the world, as her husband recently retired from the U. S. Air Force. She brings a wealth of knowledge with her from homeschooling, working in a theater, and coordinating military events over the previous two decades. She looks forward to serving the residents of Independence.

Community Services’ new team member dedicated to programming for young and active adults, wants to hear from you! Please complete this survey to let us know how Community Services can best serve you as a young and active adult in our community!

Events SEASONAL

SUNDAY FARMERS MARKET

July 9 – September 17

9 AM – 1 PM

6565 Brecksville Road

Former Middle School Site:

Shop local! Choose from a selection of hand-picked produce, fresh bakery, homemade treats, local honey, and more!

In case of inclement weather, the market will close. Vendors, call 216.524.7373 to get involved!

FALL FEST

Sunday, September 24 Noon – 4 PM

Elmwood Park Fundraising Opportunity

• For Independence City, School, and nonprofit organizations ONLY.

• Fundraising Ideas: refreshments, products, games, activities, raffles, food (groups may partner with an outside food vendor).

• No booth fees! Food vendors must obtain a temporary food service license.

Registration begins Friday, August 18 at 9 AM

• Online: www.independenceohio.org

• Phone: 216.524.7373

• Or in person at the Community Services Desk

Korner KIWANIS

Back by Popular Demand! KIWANIS CLUB OF INDEPENDENCE FALL CHICKEN BARBECUE

Sunday, September 10, 11 AM-2:30 PM Rain or shine, while supplies last!

Elmwood Park, Kiwanis Pavilion

Your Kiwanis Club of Independence will be donning aprons and firing up the grills to barbecue chicken for a wonderful fall event! Enjoy delicious, barbecued chicken while supporting Kiwanis charities. Proceeds benefit projects for children!

• BBQ Chicken • French Fries

• Corn on the Cob • Coleslaw

• Dessert • Beverages

Adults $20 / Children $12

Dine in or take out! To purchase advance tickets, contact Chuck Soeder (216.633.0600), John Kapusta (216.219.8639) or IndependenceKiwanisBBQ@gmail.com

KIWANIS PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT

The Kiwanis Club of Independence held their 4th Annual Northcoast Classic Pickleball Tournament this past February at the Independence Fieldhouse. Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. It combines tennis, badminton, and table tennis and can be played indoors or outdoors with two (singles) or four (doubles) players of all ages.The Fieldhouse is a family-friendly facility with great lighting and plenty of playing space.

Proceeds from the tournament supported the Kiwanis mission of “Improving the World One Child at a Time”. Including charities like S.T.A.R Summer Camp and The Upside of Downs.

The two day tournament of round robin play consisted of Men’s, Women’s, and Mixed Doubles categories with levels for 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0+. Competitive play was held on 16 courts with 148 players registered for the tournament. Players came from all over Ohio (95%) and Pennsylvania (5%). The following is a list of the medal winners for each category/level:

MEN’S DOUBLES 3.0

• Gold–Paul Kasparek & Tyler Smith

• Silver–Matthew Henry-Marshall & Marc Remy

• Bronze–Jarrod Mosley & Jim Mosley

MEN’S DOUBLES 3.5

• Gold–Dan Spacagna & Kyle Streibel

• Silver–John Lieske & Frank Bolmeyer

• Bronze–Scott Campbell & Ibrahim Farid

MEN’S DOUBLES 4.0+

• Gold–William Niehaus & Nicholas Mosso

• Silver–Daniel Fan & Cuong La

• Bronze–Andrew Gallo & Robert Swaggard

MIXED DOUBLES 3.5

• Gold–Frances Giovannazzo & Rajesh Kumar Raghavan

• Silver–Jennifer Conover & Billy Pobega

• Bronze–Wei Beck & Andrew Bass

WOMEN’S DOUBLES 3.0

• Gold–Susan Wilson & Barrie Matonis

• Silver–Lisa Payne & Pat Clark

• Bronze–Annemarie Colosimo & Gayle Haase

WOMEN’S DOUBLES 3.5

• Gold–Kristin Berthiaume & Kristen Tate

• Silver–Apryle Suvak & Lorianne Veres

• Bronze–Cindy Wan & Wei Beck

MIXED DOUBLES 3.0

• Gold–Erin Hutchinson & TJH Marchese

• Silver–Lori Stelter & Randy Stelter

• Bronze–Arlene Pesselman & Michael Blades

MIXED DOUBLES 4.0+

• Gold–Cindy Wan & Daniel Fan

• Silver–Patrice Hulseman & Ibrahim Farid

• Bronze–Sheena Geisler & Rich Spangler Jr.

Save The Date! INDEPENDENCE KIWANIS FOUNDATION ANNUAL GOLF OUTING

Friday, August 25 Briarwood Golf Club 2737 W. Edgerton Road, Broadview Heights, Ohio

The Annual Independence Kiwanis Golf Outing is back! Our mission is to support the Children of Fallen Patriots with scholarships and other muchneeded services. Please join us on Friday, August 25, at Briarwood Golf Club, 2737 W. Edgerton Road, Broadview Heights, Ohio.

The Golf Outing will include a continental breakfast, lunch, 18 holes of golf, a golf cart, a gift of appreciation, drink carts, and dinner for $150 per golfer. In addition, please consider becoming a sponsor. All sponsors will be recognized during the event, in the program, and on the Independence Kiwanis website. We offer a variety of sponsorship and donation opportunities, as noted below (check all that apply).

• Hole in One Sponsor - Car (includes prominent signage & four (4) golf registrations)

• Continental Breakfast Sponsor - $500

• Lunch Sponsor - $1,500 (includes prominent signage)

• Dinner Sponsor - $1,500 (includes prominent signage)

• Drink Cart Sponsor - $2,000 Full Sponsor ($1,000 Co-Sponsor)

• Keg-Sponsor $300 (includes prominent signage)

• Longest Drive Women & Men - $300 each (includes signage on a hole)

• Closest to Pin Women & Men - $300 each (includes signage on a hole)

• Longest Putt Women & Men - $300 each (includes signage on a hole)

• Individual Hole Sponsorship - $150 (includes signage on a hole)

• Golf Ball Sleeve Sponsor (144 golfers) - $500 (includes prominent signage)

• Golf Towel Sponsor (144 golfers) - $650 (includes prominent signage)

• Swag Bag Contents (144 golfers) - Donate items or cash

• Financial Donations, Gifts, or Gift Certificates accepted for raffles

• Recognition Sponsors - $100 to honor your veteran, Kiwanis member, or loved one

• Water - $400 (includes signage) 40 cases needed

Register online at independencekiwanis.com. You can also download forms at independencekiwanis.com and mail the completed registration to: Independence Kiwanis Foundation 6491 Pebblecreek Dr. Independence, Ohio 44131.

Questions? Call Chairperson Jackie Horn at 216.524.6297 or email independence.kiwanisgolf@gmail.com.

The Independence Kiwanis Foundation is an Ohio non-profit corporation recognized by the IRS as a charitable 501(c)(3) organization.

We appreciate your support of our Veterans and Kiwanis.

THE 300 CLUB WINNERS

Thank you all for your continued support of this important Kiwanis Fund Raising event.

Please be on the lookout for the next series of 300 Here are the winners for the 2022 series of 300 Club tickets. Below are the winners for the final drawing of 2022 series tickets.

JULY

• $100 John Kotabish

• $75 Alyson Horn

• $50 Mike Connors

• $500 Mike Sidoti

• $500 Mike Connors

Public Schools INDEPENDENCE

MICHAEL JANATOVICH HIRED AS INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

Students and faculty at Independence High School will welcome new principal Michael Janatovich this fall. Janatovich was hired during the June 29 school board meeting.

Janatovich previously served as Chagrin Falls High School principal. He was also the Cuyahoga Heights Middle and High School principal, assistant principal at Harmon Middle School in Aurora City Schools, and assistant principal, athletic director, and middle school science teacher in Cuyahoga Heights Schools.

Janatovich led the Chagrin Falls High School high-quality learning experiences inquiry group for the district’s new strategic plan. He revamped student transition to high school through planning meetings, parents’ nights, and support programs, and engaged stakeholders with monthly parentteacher organization meetings.

“I am truly excited to be here,” Janatovich said. “Throughout the interview process, I had the opportunity to meet so many staff, students, and residents. Along the way, I knew that Independence was a special place; a place that cares about the community, the children, and shows support for the schools and staff. This is a place I want to be and where my family wants to be.”

Janatovich received his Bachelor of Science degree in middle childhood education from Baldwin Wallace College and a Master of Science degree in curriculum and instruction from Indiana Wesleyan University. He earned his principal licensure from Baldwin Wallace University, and superintendent and educational leadership licensure from The University of Findlay. He will receive his Doctor of Education degree from the University of Findlay in 2024.

“Mike has an excellent reputation of school leadership in very accomplished districts,” said Ben Hegedish, Superintendent of Independence Local Schools. “He came to Independence and just connected. He connected with staff, students, parents, and community members. I got a chance to see him interacting with our students through the interview process and his compassion and authenticity are two of the qualities that stood out the most to me.”

Janatovich resides in Broadview Heights with his wife, Christina; daughter, Abigail (sixth grade); and son, Gavin (fourth grade).

THE DALE CARNEGIE COURSE AT I.H.S.

Mondays, September 25 - November 13, 6 - 9:30 PM

Kickoff session Monday, September 18, 6 - 7:30 PM

Independence High School Media Center Skills for Success for Young Adults

Marilee MacAskill, Dale Carnegie Training

• Open to grades 9-12 – eligible for senior capstone project for seniors only

• 8 sessions, 3.25 hours each, once per week

• Limited to 24 students

• Cost to parents: Only $300!

Independence Schools and the City of Independence, along with Dale Carnegie Training, work together to subsidize the rest of the cost. This program will help students:

• Have face-to-face conversations with confidence

• Control stress and worry to maximize their potential in life

• Become stronger leaders and inspire others

• Gain tools to help with essential life skills for school, relationships, and work

• Be better prepared to face daily challenges with courage

This course is worth 2 college credits in oral communication.(A transcript is available from the University of Central Missouri for $50 – to be paid at a later date)

Registration, open to grades 9-12, begins August 11.

Enrollment deadline September 11.

First come, first served: the class maximum is 24 students.

To enroll your student, please visit www.independenceohio.org for registration form, then email to: Marilee.MacAskill@dalecarnegie.com

Questions? Email Marilee.MacAskill@dalecarnegie.com or call or text 440.666.1229

Department POLICE

INDEPENDENCE POLICE NAMED JULY 2023 AGENCY OF THE MONTH

The Independence Police Department can add one more accolade to their list of notable accomplishments.

The Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) and the Law Enforcement Foundation (LEF) named the Independence Police Department as the Agency of the Month for July 2023. The department was recognized for its community policing efforts, programs, and engagement.

The Community Relations and Engagement Committee compiles submissions from agencies and selects one department each month to recognize. Police departments throughout the state are eligible for consideration.

“Our police department is committed to excellence, and I could not be prouder of their efforts,” Mayor Gregory Kurtz said. “Under Chief Robert Butler’s leadership, the department sustains a working partnership with the community and the schools. This partnership benefits all residents.”

OACP and LED Community Relations and Engagement Committee initiated the Sharing Ohio’s Best program in 2019 to create awareness of the work statewide police departments undertake to promote positive policing.

“The Independence Police Department clearly demonstrates a strong desire to work alongside the community to provide safety, education, and opportunities for team building among residents,” said Chief Brandon Standley, Chair of the Community Relations and Engagement Committee. “We congratulate Chief Butler and his team for a job well done.”

Chief Butler said the department’s mission is to patrol the City in order to prevent crimes that result in property damage, property loss, and injuries by conducting criminal patrol interdiction and enforcing traffic laws.

Opportunities provided by the Independence Police Department include:

• Safety Town: This two-week program is offered to children who are about to enter kindergarten and teaches them many safety lessons.

• Business Liaison: Officers collaborate with businesses to build relationships and provide updated contact information in the event of an emergency.

• Shop With A Cop: Officers and local businesses collaborate to raise money to take children in need shopping for Christmas.

• Bike Patrol: The Independence Police Department’s Bike Unit engages citywide patrol with a focus on the business district and park.

• Free Bicycle Helmet Program: Children under age 18 can receive a free bicycle helmet. Officers frequently can be seen issuing free ice cream coupons to children wearing these helmets.

• Female Jogger Safety and Self Defense: Student and women about to hit the road for a jog learn from police officers what to bring when jogging, how to deal with suspicious people, basic selfdefense, and some hands-on training.

• K-9 Demonstrations: Two police canines, K-9 Argo and K-9 Rambo, are trained in narcotics, tracking, building and articles searches, and apprehension. These officers and K-9s engage community organizations to help educate them on the handling and purpose of police K-9.

• Crisis Intervention Team Training: The department trains officers in how to approach and respond to people with mental illness. The course emphasizes understanding of mental illness and incorporates the development of communication skills, practical experience, and role-playing.

Police officers also work with Independence Schools on several programs including Right to Read, a video game tournament, teenage driving program, and Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate (ALICE) training.

“The Independence Police Department is equally proud of their relationship with the community and all who travel through this ‘Heart of Cuyahoga County,’” Chief Butler said. “Being named Agency of the Month is a big honor and speaks to the dedication and commitment our officers make to the residents every day.”

Department FIRE

AED CAN BE A CARDIAC

ARREST LIFESAVER

When a cardiac arrest occurs, seconds count. Every minute that passes during a cardiac event diminishes the chance of a successful rescue. During the first three minutes after a cardiac arrest, the chance of a successful rescue decreases by seven percent each minute thereafter. Even the fastest response by trained paramedics can take four minutes or more. During this crucial time, a lay bystander can deliver lifesaving treatment in a matter of seconds using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

An AED is a portable electronic device that can detect and treat potential lifethreatening cardiac problems. The device provides an electronic shock to a person’s heart in the event of a cardiac arrest. The wonderful thing about AEDs is that they are designed to be used by nonprofessionals. The use of AEDs is taught in many first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) courses.

A person does not need extensive training to use an AED. A rescuer simply opens the unit, places two large stickers on the exposed chest of the unconscious victim and lets the machine decide what to do next!

The City of Independence has approximately 30 AEDs placed strategically throughout the City schools, churches, public buildings, parks, and police cars. AEDs are also typically available in shopping malls, airports, and many sporting venues.

If you would like to learn more about AEDs, you can contact the Fire Department at 216.524.4001 or watch the video on YouTube (search Cardiac Science AEDs).

INDEPENDENCE FIRE DEPARTMENT OFFERS SAFE OPTION TO LEAVE NEWBORN

The Independence Fire Department now provides the public with a Safe Haven alternative for newborns.

Ohio’s Safe Haven law, established in 2001, allows for a parent in distress who cannot care for their infant to leave the child – up to 30 days old – with a medical worker at either a hospital or fire department, or with an officer at any law enforcement agency.

The law provides protection from prosecution only for the newborn’s parents. If the infant was not abused and left with a person at a Safe Haven location, the parent will not face legal consequences for making this choice.

The Independence Fire Department encourages the parent of an unwanted infant to ring the IFD doorbell and provide any information they are willing to disclose to a paramedic. The parent is not required to provide any information, including his or her name, but it is helpful if the parent choses to provide the newborn’s basic health information. The parent will be offered a form to guide them in providing the most important health information.

When a parent cannot care for a newborn, leaving the baby in a Safe Haven may be the best choice for the child. If the parent is unsure about this decision, an adoption social worker can provide information on available options and services for the parent and their baby.

If either parent changes their mind or wishes to have the newborn returned, the parent must go to the local public children services agency in the county where the newborn was left. The parent will be asked to complete a DNA test to prove maternity or paternity. The parent may incur a cost to undergo testing.

For information about Safe Havens, call the Office of Families and Children Help Desk at 866.886.3537 and select option number 4.

SERVICE

SEPTEMBER TIRE DISPOSAL

The Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District is conducting a scrap tire round up for Cuyahoga County residents. The Independence Service Department will collect used vehicle tires the first three Fridays in September, 9/1, 9/8, and 9/15.

• Large truck tires are NOT accepted

• Small tires, such as bike, motorcycle, etc., are NOT accepted

• Tires must be dismounted from rims - rims are NOT accepted

Tires are only picked up by the Independence Service Department once a year during the scrap tire round up, so take advantage of this special program!

CALL 216.524.9191

BEFORE FRIDAY of the week you wish to schedule pickup: 9/1, 9/8, or 9/15. Only FOUR TIRES PER PICKUP will be allowed due to limited space.

TREE CONTRACTORS

Residents hiring a tree contractor must first contact the Building Department to verify the contractor is registered with the City of Independence.

The tree contractor you hire must remove all the tree material, including branches, stumps, logs, etc. The City of Independence Service Department will NOT pick up any tree material left on the tree lawn if a contractor is doing the work. It is the responsibility of the tree contractor to dispose of all tree material.

LOG DISPOSAL

Logs larger than eight inches in diameter must be cut into small pieces not weighing more than 50 pounds each and placed on your tree lawn on rubbish day for pickup.

DIRT DISPOSAL

Bagged dirt not weighing more than 50 pounds should be placed in the rubbish cart or next to your rubbish cart. Dirt is NOT yard waste. Yard waste consists of leaves, grass clippings, and branches.

CHIPPER

Chipper service continues throughout the year.

Requirements:

• Branches must be between one and eight inches in diameter and less than four feet long. Branches more than eight inches in diameter must be cut into log-size pieces weighing less than 50 pounds each and placed on the tree lawn.

• Place cut ends toward the street.

• Branches smaller than one inch in diameter should be placed with your regular yard waste and will be picked up on rubbish day.

• Any large amounts of chipper material require the rental of a dumpster.

Once your branches are ready on the tree lawn, call the Service Department at 216.524.9191 to request chipper service.

Department BUILDING

PERMIT INFORMATION

Residents are required to get a permit for most home improvements, alterations, and additions to their home or any accessory structure, so that the Building Department may inspect the job for safety, zoning compliance, and sound construction practices. All contractors are required to register with the City of Independence prior to receiving a permit or starting work.

The following is a sample list of the types of residential projects that require a permit:

• Accessory Buildings

• Additions

• Air Conditioning

• Decks

• Driveways

• Electrical Alterations

• Fences

• Plumbing Alterations

• Roof Replacements

• Swimming Pools

• Water Heater Tanks

• Windows

Permits are not required for painting/wallpapering, flooring, or general redecorating.

Residents may obtain a building permit to work on their own property that they reside in without having to be a registered contractor. However, if a subcontractor is going to be employed for all or part of the work, they must be registered with the City of Independence to perform such work. Inspections are required after a permit is obtained. Please contact the Building Department 24 hours prior to scheduling an inspection.

Permits expire one year after they have been issued. Work needs to begin within six months after the issuance of the permit.

If you have any questions about whether a permit is needed, please contact the Building Department at 216.524.1019 or visit www.independenceohio.org

PLANNING COMMISSION RESULTS July 10, 2023

5997 Brecksville Rd., PPN 561-5-006 & 561-13-045 – Proposed lot consolidation of two existing parcels and requesting a special conditional use variance for the Church of Jesus Christ of LatterDay Saints. – TABLED

5711 Lombardo Center, PAM Health & Rehabilitation Hospital, PPN 561-17-001 – Requesting a special conditional use permit for the proposal of a rehabilitation hospital. – Public Hearing scheduled for August 1, 2023 at 5 PM.

W. Canal Rd., VF Holdings LTD., PPN 571-06-017 – Represented by Dalad Group for the proposal of a lot split and consolidation of PPN 517-06-017 & 571-07-006. - TABLED

BOARD OF ZONING RESULTS July 20, 2023

7800 Dalebrook Rd., Dave Terrano – Requesting a variance to 1165.01 of to permit a new garage to be built 5 ft. from the side yard. – Withdrawn by applicant.

6955 Acres Drive, Terri & Terry Campbell – Requesting a variance to 1165.02 to allow a 7 ft. rear yard setback. – Approved

News CITY COUNCIL Council Meeting July 11, 2023

MAYOR GREGORY P. KURTZ’S REPORT

We are halfway through 2023, and the City has made significant progress on several improvement and expansion projects around our community.

Thank you to all the residents who attended the public hearing on Monday, July 10 at City Hall regarding the proposed construction of a 9,000-square-foot Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Temple on Brecksville Road. The LDS Church has purchased eleven acres and plans to leave six acres undisturbed preserving as much of the existing trees and vegetation as possible.

Representatives from the LDS Church and Haskell, the architectural, engineering, and construction firm that is designing the temple, answered residents’ questions for 90 minutes. They assured everyone that they would take into considerations concerns about lighting, the height of the spire, and landscaping and would present updated plans and designs to the City in the future.

Just down the street, construction has begun on the Kleber Court Improvement and Construction project. The neighborhood is getting concrete pavement, new storm and sanitary sewers, a sidewalk, an improved turnaround, streetlights, mailboxes, and landscaping.

Independence is a vibrant community that carefully balances quiet, charming neighborhoods with bustling business districts. The city’s collaborative nature and superior location attracts and maintains a robust business community — which in turn provides the foundation for safe, harmonious living with an abundance of high-quality services and amenities for its residents. Whether it’s your home, headquarters, or place of work,

INDEPENDENCE

WORKS HARD

to instill an experience that never leaves you.

Public safety is always priority one, and that is why I am proud to support an ordinance to extend the lease agreement with Flock Safety for ALPR cameras and software for an additional five years. This crime-fighting technology captures vehicle licenses and data in real-time, which supports our police force’s ability to respond to critical incidents and improve investigative efficiencies 24/7.

I look forward to seeing everyone at Home Days in Elmwood Park on August 4 and 5. As always, the entire City team has been working very hard to improve this year’s celebration which will include a bike race. You can find more information on pages 4-8.

Best wishes to all the students returning to school in August!

FINANCE DIRECTOR VERN BLAZE’S REPORT

The City of Independence Finance Office received notice last month that it was the recipient of the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.

The GFOA farms out the grading of annual financial reports, but due to the lack of qualified and experienced public sector finance directors/Chief Financial Officers (CFOs), and office staff across the country, that grading process is taking longer and longer to complete each year.

For the current Finance Office team, this is the third year in a row that it has received the GFOA’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting – Fiscal years 2019, 2020, and 2021, with those annual financial reports published in 2020, 2021, and 2022.

The current Independence Finance team that helped earn these awards includes:

• Molly Snow, Finance Specialist

• Anissa Hansen, Finance Specialist

• Dennis Zdolshek, Procurement Coordinator

• Maggie Osysko, Finance Assistant

• Vern Blaze, Finance Director

The compilation of a public sector Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) is, as its title notes, a very comprehensive, thorough, and detailed process that results in a document that totals almost 200 pages. Most public sector finance departments of Independence’s size across the country receive outside assistance in compiling and producing these annual reports. The Independence Finance team thanks the Auditor of State’s (AOS) Office in prior years, and Zupka and Associates this most recent year, for their assistance in this process.

Some figures from Independence’s 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report highlight the size, scope, and complexity of the City’s finances that the above noted team is responsible for:

From the Statement of Net Position

“Total” Cash $ 40.0 Million

Total Assets $ 200.6 Million

Total Net Position (Like “Equity”) $ 140.9 Million

From the “Income Statement”

Total Revenues $ 52.3 Million

Total Expenditures $ 49.0 Million

From the Statistical Section

lighting issues, the height of the steeple, and the landscape plan to screen and buffer the temple’s parking lot. These issues will be reviewed with the applicant prior to the August meeting.

In addition, Catalyst Healthcare Real Estate is proposing to develop a 42-bed 51,776-squarefoot rehabilitation hospital on a seven acre site located at 5711 Lombardo Center. The building will have an estimated construction cost of $40 million and bring with it an annual payroll of about $10 million. The project is part of the City’s Northwest Quadrant. The City has discussed with the landowner and developer the its desire to develop around the site. The Planning Commission will conduct a Public Hearing at their meeting on Monday, August 1 at 5 PM.

There was information provided to the panel by Michael Gero, the Building Official, regarding an ordinance regulating electric vehicle charging stations within the boundary of the City. Members of the Commission will review the information and discuss the matter at the August meeting.

Full-Time Equivalent Employees

258 Independence certainly is not the township it started as nor the village it grew into. It is a significant size operation that puts it on par and even exceeds most Northeast Ohio municipalities!

Standing Committee Reports

David Grendel FINANCE

The Planning Commission met on July 10 and there were two new items on the agenda. A Public Hearing was held at 5 PM on the request of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for a special conditional use permit to build a 9,000-squarefoot single story temple on Brecksville Road between the Cleveland Cavaliers’ practice facility and Longano Drive. The facility will consist of 25 modules built off-site with structural steel framing to support glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) cladding and a church steeple of 100 feet. Residents in attendance expressed concern over

Finally, a request by VF Holdings Ltd. for a lot consolidation for a parcel located in both Valley View and Independence was tabled pending further review by the Engineering Department.

On First Reading, I support the passage of Ordinance 2023-78 which authorizes the renewal of the City’s contract with Fairsite Technologies LLC to provide information technology services for the City between July 2023 and July 2024 in an amount not to exceed $48,475. The contract sets aside $15,000 to be used on discretionary projects such as replacing the main City firewall and installing new security cameras in the City park or at intersections.

Finally, my wife and I will be celebrating our 39th wedding anniversary on July 14, and I could not ask for a better partner to share our life’s adventures. We are truly blessed!

John DiGeronimo

ECONOMIC GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT

In July, the City received a grant of approximately $186,000 from Cuyahoga County. The grant

News CITY COUNCIL Council Meeting July 11, 2023

was provided by the County’s share of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of March 2021. The grant was approved to help pay for the Rockside Woods Boulevard sidewalk that is currently under construction. When completed, the sidewalk will be a nice addition for those working on Rockside Road. In total, Cuyahoga County received approximately $240 million of ARPA dollars. The list of approved expenditures from the County is available on the County website (cuyahogacounty.us).

Similar to last year, Council also approved funding in July for the Campus Life Program, which provides guidance and mentorship programs for our youth. I support the City’s continued investment in behavioral health.

In addition, Council approved funding for an early intervention specialist to work in our schools. The City also employs a licensed social worker in our Community Services Department. If any resident is struggling with mental or behavioral health, there are resources available in town.

Tom Narduzzi SAFETY/RULES & ORDINANCES

No report.

of single-use plastic and Styrofoam eating utensils sent to landfills. Based on a costbenefit analysis, this will save the City money on an annual basis.

I am happy to say the City will continue use of the Flock Safety automatic license plate reading cameras with a five-year contract extension. These cameras were first introduced to the City of Independence through a grant from Cuyahoga County. Several cameras were utilized at the Rockside Road and Brecksville Road intersection in 2016. The city now has 31 license plate reading cameras installed at most major intersections. These cameras scan each passing vehicle and identify the license plate number, make, color and model of the vehicle. The information is then run through a criminal database. If a vehicle is associated with a person who has an outstanding warrant, a stolen vehicle, or if an Amber Alert vehicle passes through the view of one of these cameras, our officers are instantly alerted. The cameras can also be used to review the vehicle history to help solve crimes that have occurred. These cameras played a part in identifying the Chase Bank robber last year.

Anthony Togliatti COMMUNITY SERVICES

The Community Services Department continues to move forward with the renovation of the Civic Center kitchen. Tonight’s agenda contains legislation for the purchase of all new commercial appliances to properly outfit the kitchen for use by residents and staff. One new addition to the Civic Center kitchen is a dishwasher. The addition of this new commercial dishwasher will allow for the use of silverware and plates during City luncheons and events. The result will be a better dining experience for all users. Use of silverware and plates will also greatly reduce the amount

The City of Independence will soon be installing a columbarium at Maple Shade Cemetery. The columbarium is a wall designated for the interment of the ashes of people who have died and been cremated. This addition will provide residents with the option of a traditional urn burial or eternal storage in the new columburial niche. City Council will hold a workshop on July 25 to discuss pricing for this new option, along with a discussion on increasing the pricing of our traditional graves and burials.

I look forward to seeing everyone at Home Days August 4 and 5.

James P. Trakas UTILITIES & SEWERS

Mayor Kurtz, Finance Director Blaze, Vice Mayor Grendel, members of Council, Citizens of Independence. The Utilities Committee met on July 10 to consider Ordinance 2023-72 and 2023-73, which amended the current

Public-Private Partnership Home Improvement (PPHI) program and set a 2023 funding base for the program at $200,000 for fiscal year 2023. After consideration, the Committee did not refer these pieces of legislation back to Council for consideration, and under Council rules has one additional month to do so (60 days in total). Since Independence’s program is unique among the communities of northeast Ohio, there are not a lot of other similar programs to compare it to, so we are breaking new ground. I think it is great that Independence is a leader and not a follower on helping residents with storm water drainage problems that can be expensive.

Functionally, this program has already benefited nearly a dozen residents in its first year of operation. An additional 20 or so residents have made requests for this program hoping it can help their property. The Committee wants to assure that the program is administered according to the greatest needs of the community; that it benefits as many projects as possible and helps to benefit multiple properties and neighborhoods. It is not used in lieu of a developer’s responsibility to establish new homes or neighborhoods and provides maximum value to the community.

The Utilities & Sewers Committee will continue to meet until they establish strong criteria for the program. Mayor Kurtz and the Engineering Department have already done a really nice job of helping to solve some neighborhood storm water drainage problems using this tool. They have an entire summer’s worth of work on existing requests, so we do not want moss to grow on this committee process. The program is designed to help residents or neighborhoods whose private property is experiencing flooding or water problems to collaborate and help to solve these problems. Doing so improves their properties and positively impacts their neighbors. I am sure we will have a revamped ordinance ready for consideration at the August City Council meeting and applaud the work completed to date to successfully implement this valuable program.

Tonight’s agenda includes a very meaningful reapproval of the City’s highly successful Flock camera program. These cameras, installed in our business districts, allow police some tremendous tools and technology to apprehend criminals who

have outstanding arrest warrants. Flock cameras can help to identify stolen vehicles and return them to their proper owners (often used for nefarious reasons to commit another crime, as we have discovered). Flock cameras are able to identify criminal suspects who have committed crimes so that police can track them down and bring them to justice. The Flock camera program has interdicted crime and led to much higher arrest rates. At first, I had civil liberties concerns about cameras, but those concerns have been dispelled as the cameras have become hightech tools to keep our community much safer. It is also great to see that our police now deploy body-worn camera technology that Council approved last year. Body-worn cameras can only help our officers do their jobs even more effectively.

Chief Robert Butler has been working with the City’s Information Technology Department on even more opportunities to protect neighborhoods from crime. We have plans to install blue light cameras, like the cameras in the business district but without the license plate reading technology, to protect residential neighborhoods. There are some technologyrelated needs that the City must accomplish before these cameras can be instituted. We are working on this implementation for the near future. These cameras also will help our police to do their jobs better, creating more eyes in the proverbial skies to protect our citizens and business guests from crime.

The good news from the City’s staffing up, use of technology, and changes in policing is that crime is down in our community, with property crimes, burglaries, and break-ins in our residential areas substantially down. The COVID-19 pandemic and a liberalization of criminal justice in the aftermath saw a national and regional crime wave (Cuyahoga County did not lock up most criminal suspects but let them roam the streets without using bail). Independence is addressing this issue and adjusting to protect our citizens.

Also on tonight’s agenda are very important programs that the City of Independence pays for and contracts services that benefit our school children. The renewal of these programs helps with the mental and social skills of students by providing important tools to make young people

News CITY COUNCIL Council Meeting

July 11, 2023

aware of the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse and addiction, and mental health and wellness programs for students who can be so susceptible to adult-themed social influences that cause confusion in their lives. Applause to our Community Services and Mayor’s Court leaders Emily Thomas and Angie Zidanic and their teams for helping to provide these programs. The programs are needed, valuable, and a great service to our student population. Lastly, a reminder: parents in Ohio can evaluate whether their children should be on social media. Young people under age 16 need parental approval to join Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. I highly recommend you disallow children on TikTok. The U.S. Army has issued guidance on this platform partially owned by a Chinese state security apparatus. The Army’s guidance details how harmful TikTok can be to adults and children. The deadline for social media companies to comply with Ohio’s Social Media Parental Notification Act is January 15, 2024.

I look forward to a tremendous community celebration of Home Days during the first weekend of August. I hope everyone has an enjoyable and safe summer. Our Parks & Recreation and Community Services Departments have plenty to offer if you want to stay at home.

Dale Veverka

STREETS & SIDEWALKS

It is hard to believe that by the time you read this report we will already be in the middle of road repair season. The Streets and Sidewalks Committee met in July to update progress on Kleber Court, as well as engineering for Longano Drive. At this time, the water main replacement is taking place on Kleber Court. Traffic is being maintained on one lane. Residents have been receiving their mail in gang mailboxes across from Kleber Court.

Engineering for the Longano Drive project continues with construction targeted to take place in 2024.

At the July 10 Utilities and Sewers meeting, the Committee discussed Ordinances 2023-72 and 2023-73 in detail. These two ordinances deal with the public/private partnership for sanitary and storm water issues. The Committee felt it was important to make sure all residents will have a fair and equitable opportunity to utilize this program. We felt additional study is necessary to achieve these goals. As a result of these discussions, the Committee recommended we collect additional data to make this program extremely fair to all residents as needs are prioritized for inclusion in the program.

I will be supporting Ordinance 2023-79, which provides half the support for intervention specialists to the schools. This agreement with the Educational Services Center of Northeast Ohio provides professional services for early intervention and prevention. These professionals will enhance connections to our school children at all grade levels.

On the other hand, I will continue to vote against Ordinance 2023-80 for the Youth for Christ. Council was approached for money years ago to help start up this program. The concept was to wean the program away from City funding. The opposite is true as Council has dramatically increased financial support over the years. This program is an overlap of the professional program in Ordinance 202379.

Ordinance 2023-82 will receive my support as the Flock cameras provide an excellent deterrent to crime entering our City. These license plate reading cameras are invaluable to police as they alert police to recover stolen cars and arrest their drivers entering Independence. Ordinance 2023-86 with Catts Construction for a concrete sidewalk from Rockside Road to Embassy Suites will also be receiving my support.

Finally, I hope to see you at Home Days either at the parade, the Kiwanis Beer and Wine Garden, the I.H.S. Alumni Tent, Saturday’s Car Show, or the Alumni Sunday Brunch. Home Days is the perfect time to reconnect before school starts and summer begins to wind down!

Chris Walchanowicz PUBLIC LANDS & BUILDINGS

Hello, fellow residents. I hope everyone had a wonderful Fourth of July weekend. I would like to thank our Community Services and Parks & Recreation Departments for all their hard work setting up Elmwood Park for the fireworks event. Special thanks to Police Chief Butler and Fire Chief Rega for all the extra safety staff we had that night.

I have supported our Campus Life Program since 2020. I believe it is a wonderful program for our children. I will continue to support Clerk of Courts Angie Zidanic and this program.

I am in favor of the City purchasing a utility terrain vehicle for the Fire Department. This vehicle will be able to reach places an ambulance cannot, such as the ball diamonds and football stadium. The vehicle will allow the Fire Department to help residents a lot quicker.

I am very excited to see our Civic Center kitchen remodel is progressing. I look forward to seeing all the new appliances being installed.

I hope everyone has a great rest of July, and I will see everyone at Home Days. Stay safe and healthy.

Directors’ Reports

Michael Gero BUILDING OFFICIAL

The Building Department is using electronic plan review submittal for commercial projects. This process reduces the amount of paper used, reduces the length of time for plan review, and expedites the issuing of permits. Email (building@independenceohio.org) or call (216.524.1019) us if you have any questions.

Over the last month, the Building Department sent out eight sets of construction drawings for plan review. Thirteen commercial permits were issued, and 21 commercial construction inspections were performed. An occupancy was

issued for a 4,500-square-foot tenant build-out at 5505 Valley Belt Road, The Cleveland Dance Project. Construction projects for new buildings on Rockside Woods Boulevard and Rio Nero Drive continue to progress toward completion. The Department also issued 39 residential permits and performed 54 residential construction inspections. Three new dwellings are currently under construction in the City. Feel free to contact the Building Department to discuss a potential project you may be thinking about.

Now that summer is here our inspectors will be actively addressing issues to improve the appearance of our community.

Don Ramm

CITY ENGINEER

We have been coordinating and inspecting the work of Specialized Construction in connection with the 2023 Crack Seal Contract. Partial depth joint repairs and crack seal work was completed this past month on Rockside Road. Crack seal work is on East Pleasant Valley Road is ongoing, and work on other streets will continue throughout the month.

We have coordinated and inspected the work of Paramount Concrete pouring concrete footers and service walks for the new Columbarium (Phase 1) Project at the Maple Shade Cemetery. We are currently designing plans and preparing bid documents for the Maple Shade Cemetery Expansion–Phase 2 Project. We are working to advertise the project for bids next week and hope to be in a position to recommend a construction contract award at the August 8 City Council Meeting.

We prepared for and attended a Utilities & Sewers Committee meeting on July 10 to discuss and debate proposed amendments to Ordinance 202156 pertaining to our residential Public-Private Partnership program. Ordinances 2023-72 and 2023-73 are on second reading of tonight’s agenda to consider proposed modifications to provide a more defined framework for the

News CITY COUNCIL

Council Meeting July 11, 2023

program. Modifications will also allow for a more streamlined, administrative day-to-day management of the program.

Lastly, the City’s Information Technology and Engineering Departments met with Geocentric Consulting, Inc., and various vendors for GIS-GPS sewer inspection/video integration to map existing data and to improve planning for future sewer projects throughout the City.

Emily Thomas COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR

We are gearing up for Home Days 2023 on Friday, August 4 from 6 to 11 PM and Saturday, August 5 from Noon to 11 PM in Elmwood Park! There will be something for everyone and fun for all ages - music, food, beer and wine garden, carnival rides, raffles, prizes, drawings, car show, cornhole, pickleball, and volleyball tournaments, Family Fun Zone, Teen Scene, bingo, fireworks and more! We hope you will join us for this celebration of our wonderful community!

At Home Days, we encourage everyone to stop by the INDYAlive! booth to complete the Community Perception Survey! INDYAlive!, formerly known as 25&Alive, has a new mission: to care for, support, and inspire our whole community through every stage of life. To determine how to bring its mission to life, we need your input on the four areas most impacting our community where INDYAlive! can make a difference.

Aimee Miller has joined the Community Services Team devoted to programming for young and active adults. Find out more about Aimee and scan the QR code on page 7 to complete the “Young and Active Adults” survey. We want to know how we can best serve our community. Last but certainly not least, please give a warm welcome to Bill Harvey as he joins Community Services as a Youth Program Coordinator and leads our Before School, After School, and All Day Care programs. Youth Program Coordinator Marcia Abbadini transitions to lead IDEA, Winter, and Spring Camps! Welcome to Independence, Bill!

Steve Rega FIRE CHIEF

This year’s July fireworks event went very well, and it was nice having dry weather for a change. I would like to thank all the City departments that helped with this event. It is always a collective effort to make this event safe and enjoyable for everyone.

On tonight’s agenda is Ordinance 2023-81, which authorizes the purchase of a Utility Task Vehicle (UTV) to be utilized by the Fire Department in the parks and trails located in the City. This vehicle will better facilitate access to and removal of injured persons from these areas where larger vehicles cannot be used. This is a planned purchase and is identified on the department’s five-year capital plan.

Tom Walchanowicz

PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR

We will once again host the Cuyahoga Valley Championship Swim Meet at the Outdoor Pool on Saturday, July 29. Please take note that the park area will be congested with many cars. The pools will not open to the public until 4 PM on this date. Good luck, Stingray swimmers!

We would like to wish one of our longtime Parks & Recreation Department staff members, Therese Piskach, a Happy Retirement! Therese has been with the City since September 1998. During the past 25 years, she has performed various job duties including lifeguard, swim instructor, special events helper, customer service desk attendant, and ICAN! program instructor. Therese, everyone will greatly miss your dedication, enthusiasm, and high energy! The Recreation Department is offering two new pickleball programs for residents from August through October. The youth pickleball program is for 12- to 18-year-olds of all skill levels looking to play competitively. Games will be played on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons

from 3 - 5 PM. The adult beginner pickleball program is for anyone 18 years and older wanting to learn more about pickleball and play against friends and neighbors. Games will be played on Mondays from 5 - 8 PM.

Our annual Home Days celebration once again will be in Elmwood Park on Friday, August 4 and Saturday, August 5! We ask for everyone’s patience during the week prior as we set up for this event. Please keep in mind that as the setup goes along, there will be reduced Civic Center parking. Some areas of the park also will have limited access. The Civic Center hours on Friday, August 4 will be 6 - 11 AM. On Saturday, August 5, the Civic Center will be closed. The outdoor pool will be open during Home Days – Friday, August 4, noon - 6 PM and Saturday, August 5, 1 - 6 PM. I hope to see everyone at Home Days!

Starting Monday, August 7 the entire indoor pool area, including the steam room and sauna, will be closed for routine maintenance. The outdoor pool hours will be extended, and Civic Center passes will be accepted at the outdoor pool while the indoor pool is shut down. The indoor pool is scheduled to reopen Monday, August 21.

Robert Butler POLICE

CHIEF

I am so proud of the Independence Police Department for being recognized as “July Agency of the Month” for community policing. The award was presented to us by the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) and the Law Enforcement Foundation (LEF) of Ohio. Departments from across the state applied for this award. IPD was chosen due to our strong desire to work alongside our community with innovative programs, and passion to connect with our students and families. I would like to highlight a few of the programs IPD has offered during the last year:

Our Safety Town program is always in high demand and well received. In 2023, we had almost 60 future kindergarteners complete the toprated class, creating memories and skills that will last forever. Our business liaison officer stops by businesses throughout the City to gain new

connections for our department and to make sure we have the most accurate contact information in case of an emergency. We have provided free bicycle helmets to young residents to make sure our riders stay safe. IPD created a teenage driving program not only to help our new drivers with traffic laws but help them understand the police perspective during a traffic stop. We have hosted a seniors fraud class, female self-defense courses, and a seniors self-defense course. Of course, I do not want to forget to mention our amazing school resources officers (SROs). The department provides two full-time officers to our two school campuses. These officers provide much more than security; they are part of the school community. SROs bring in our patrol officers to do morning announcements, read to the students, set up video game tournaments, create workout programs, help on field trips, and so much more. IPD will continue focusing on community outreach. Look for more programs and updates on our Facebook page.

The blue light CCTV program is moving forward. Our first camera will be placed on Brecksville Road at Chestnut Road. I am working with the Information Technology Department to eventually add a camera at Brecksville Road/Selig Drive. Currently, we are in the “pilot stage,” meaning that after the camera is installed, we will monitor how the technology assists our safety forces. If it is believed to be a positive contribution to our safety plan, we will look to expand the cameras in 2024. My goal is to have live footage from these cameras streaming directly into the Police Department. The live video can be used by officers to spot suspicious behavior or review to help solve a crime or traffic accident.

Ron McKinley SERVICE DIRECTOR

The Service Department crews were busy during June cutting grass, chipping branches, and maintaining weeds in cul-desacs, around guard rails, and City buildings.

The chipper service is available all year. We encourage residents to take advantage of

News CITY COUNCIL

Council Meeting July 11, 2023

this service. Call the Service Department at 216.524.9191 when your branches are ready on the treelawn.

Crews are out daily watering the beautiful hanging baskets, flowers on islands, and vegetation around City buildings.

Compost deliveries ended at the end of June. The Service Department delivered more than 300 loads of compost to residents on the list. There is a pile of compost at the outside gate of the Service Department for residents to pick up in their vehicles.

There were four burials at Maple Shade Cemetery in June.

Tent installation has increased during the summer months. Employees will install and remove tent rentals weekly now through October at residents’ home, City functions, and school events.

Service Department totals:

• Rubbish (June): 279.86 tons

• Recycling (June): 57.96 tons

• Metals (June/July): 111 items

• Household Hazardous Waste (June/July): 294 items

Dave Snyderburn TECHNICAL SERVICES DIRECTOR

The Technical Service Department is working with a contractor to facilitate exterior repairs at Historic Hall. Work entails cob blasting and painting both upper and lower eaves, sandblasting and painting the widows-walk railing in the rear of the building, and blasting and painting the large light fixtures adjacent to the front entrance. We will pressure wash, tuckpoint, and paint the garage area located on the far east side of the building. We are accepting bids for the entrance door replacement along with the decorative archtransom window above.

See you at Home Days!

LEGISLATION

ORDINANCE 2023-75 An Ordinance amending Section 157.02 of the codified ordinances of the City of Independence relating to part-time employees paid time off and health insurance benefits and providing for compensation. Enacted 7 yes/ 0 no.

ORDINANCE 2023-76 An Ordinance enacting new Section 157.03 of the codified ordinances of the City of Independence relating to seasonal employees’ compensation. Enacted 7 yes/ 0 no.

ORDINANCE 2023-77 An Ordinance enacting new Section 141.10 of the codified ordinances of the City of Independence relating to Police Department and administrative towing fees. Enacted 6 yes/ 1 no (TR).

ORDINANCE 2023-78 An Ordinance

authorizing renewal of the contract with Fairsite Technologies LLC for Chief Information Officer (CIO) services and on-site support for the Information Technologies (IT) Department (in a total amount not to exceed $48,475.00). Enacted 7 yes/ 0 no.

ORDINANCE 2023-79 An Ordinance

authorizing the Mayor to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Independence Local Schools Board of Education for professional consulting services from the Educational Services Center of Northeast Ohio in connection with the early intervention program (in a total amount for the City’s share not to exceed $37,715.50). Enacted 7 yes/ 0 no.

ORDINANCE 2023-80 An Ordinance

authorizing the City to enter into an agreement with Youth For Christ to coordinate and direct the campus life program for the 202324 school year (in an amount not to exceed $25,000.00). Enacted 5 yes/ 2 no (TO, VE).

ORDINANCE 2023-81 An Ordinance authorizing the purchase and delivery of a utility terrain vehicle, accessories, and patient carrying unit for the Fire Department (in a total amount not to exceed $40,180.00). Enacted 7 yes/ 0 no.

ORDINANCE 2023-82 An Ordinance authorizing an extension to the lease agreement with Flock Safety for automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras and software for the Police Department (in a total amount not to exceed $77,500.00 annually, and for a total amount not to exceed $387,500.00). Enacted 7 yes/ 0 no.

ORDINANCE 2023-83 An Ordinance authorizing the purchase and installation of kitchen appliances for the Civic Center kitchen renovation project (in a total amount not to exceed $127,000.00). Enacted 7 yes/ 0 no.

ORDINANCE 2023-84 An Ordinance accepting the bid of Rumpke of Northern Ohio, Inc. for the disposal of rubbish and street sweepings (in an amount not to exceed $294,000.00). Enacted 7 yes/ 0 no.

ORDINANCE 2023-85 An Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into an easement agreement with LPT Realty, Ltd. for the construction and maintenance of a 30-foot-wide sanitary sewer. Enacted 7 yes/ o no.

ORDINANCE 2023-86 An Ordinance authorizing change order No. 2 to the City’s 2022 concrete road maintenance and repairs contract with Catts Construction Company, Inc. (in a total amount not to exceed $1,884,404.75). Enacted 7 yes/ 0 no.

ORDINANCE 2023-87 An Ordinance establishing a pricing structure for Maple Shade Cemetery in connection with Phase 1 of the Maple Shade Cemetery expansion project. Referred to Council Workshop.

HISTORICALLY SPEAKING, WES GAAB WAS A COMMUNITY TREASURE

Whenever someone discusses the history of Independence, there is a good chance Wes Gaab’s name is part of the conversation. The City of Independence’s adopted Eminent Historian, and Mayor Gregory Kurtz’s Great Uncle Wes Gaab, died on Saturday, July 15, 2023, less than a week after his 99th birthday.

Wes’s remarkable memory citing historical facts and details, and passion for his hometown, made him a charismatic and sought-after speaker and presenter. His Historical Tours of Independence offered through the City’s Community Services Department, were popular and always filled with residents who wanted to learn more about their community in true Wes Gaab fashion.

Wes was drafted into the Army in 1942 and was selected for the Army Specialized Training. He fought in Europe during World War II as a member of the 104th Infantry Division. He earned three European Theater of Operation Battle Stars, a Purple Heart, the Soldiers Medal, and the Silver Star.

On June 5, 1948, Wes married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Walker. The couple had two children, Judy and Jeff, two grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and four great-great grandsons.

Upon his return home, Wes earned a Bachelor of Science degree in liberal arts and biology from Kent State University. He also attained his teaching certificate. Wes utilized his Master of Education degree in administration to teach at Independence High School and Parma Schools. He was principal of Hillside Junior High School, Greenbriar Junior High, and Normandy High School where he retired in 1982.

His keen storytelling ability was the key he used to unlock his treasure trove of insight and share it with readers of his popular Historically Speaking articles in the Independence Community Newsletter which later became The Independence Post. He also authored two volumes of Historically Speaking books.

Wes always told the teachers, “The most important lesson students will learn in your class will be one or more of the following: Honesty, truthfulness, loyalty, responsibility, and decisionmaking. (These qualities) won’t show up on SAT scores, but maybe on the report card of life they will rate an A.”

It is equally certain that Wes received an A on his life’s report card.

t t t t

p