Bay Village

Emily Goers takes the reins as director of Bay Village Community Services

The Bay Village Community Services Department has bid farewell to Director Leslie Selig, who has retired after serving for eight years, and welcomed Emily Goers as the new director of the department.

Mayor Paul Koomar praised Selig during a recent City Council meeting, that since 2017 he has had the pleasure of working with her.

“Mrs. Selig has done so much with the program: the Strategic Planning Process and the BV60+ Program which serviced the adult community and has been widely successful," Koomar said. "Comments have come forth from users of the program hoping that the program will move forward with the new director and be bigger, stronger and better than ever. The Pickleball Program has been very successful as well." The mayor added that he wants to thank Mrs. Selig for all she has done with her leadership and her staff.

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Volume 14, Issue 21, Posted 10:09 AM, 11.01.2022

Bay Charter Review Commission approves 5 amendments for ballot

Bay Village voters will have five charter amendments to consider on the Nov. 8 ballot, ranging from the correction of a typographical error to the restructuring of the process to fill vacant City Council seats.

The 2022 Charter Review Commission, which consists of nine Bay residents appointed by Mayor Paul Koomar and confirmed by City Council, began the decennial review of the city’s “constitution” in early February. After holding 14 public meetings, the Commission voted unanimously on five proposed amendments.

AMENDMENT 1: PREAMBLE
The Commission approved the inclusion of an aspirational statement in the preamble that members felt reflect the values of Bay Village – “representative democracy, political leadership, citizen participation, sustainability, diversity and inclusiveness.” They also updated the reference to the city’s name, changing it from its former name, “Village of Bay,” to the current “Bay Village.”

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Volume 14, Issue 17, Posted 9:59 AM, 09.07.2022

Spring DEA takeback proves successful

The Westshore Enforcement Bureau (WEB) Drug Task Force gratefully acknowledges the citizens of our six western suburbs for actively participating in the DEA’s semi-annual prescription drug collection event on Saturday, April 30, with 319 pounds of outdated and unwanted medications collected for safe disposal.

WEB urges our citizens to continue properly disposing of medications via the use of the 365/24/7 drop boxes located within each of the six police departments lobbies whenever the need arises. Citizens disposing of expired or unwanted medications assists in the purpose of protecting the environment and preventing the diversion of the pharmaceuticals to illegal activities.

The WEB Drug Task Force will continue to offer this valuable service to increase the safety and welfare of all Westshore families.

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Volume 14, Issue 10, Posted 9:51 AM, 05.17.2022

Bay Village's charter is under review

The city of Bay Village embarked on the decennial review of its charter last month with the establishment of a volunteer commission. Appointed by Mayor Paul Koomar, and confirmed by City Council, the Charter Review Commission includes nine electors – Bay Village residents who are registered voters and have lived in the city for more than one year – from various walks of life. Three of the members have previously served on City Council; there are also local business owners, parents of students in the Bay Schools, retirees, and volunteers from civic organizations. Several also served on the 2012 Charter Review Commission.
 
The city is required by its charter to empanel a commission every 10 years to review the document and recommend to City Council any “alterations, revisions, and amendments” deemed desirable by the majority. Council must then place those proposed amendments on the November ballot.

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Volume 14, Issue 5, Posted 10:35 AM, 03.01.2022

Proposed zoning changes spark discussion in Bay

A proposed change to the city’s zoning code to permit mixed-use developments in designated commercial districts drew a standing-room crowd of more than 50 residents to Bay Village Council Chambers on Oct. 5.

City officials conducted the informational meeting to answer questions about Issue 2, which will appear on the Nov. 2 ballot in Bay Village. The issue will ask voters to approve changes to the city’s zoning code to allow projects that combine commercial space and housing.

Jason Russell, of Concord Consulting who is working with the city on the proposal, explained that the proposed changes – referred to as an overlay – provide an option for current property owners and/or developers to create mixed-use projects that combine commercial and residential uses on the same parcel. Such developments, which are gaining in popularity in Ohio and elsewhere, are not permitted under Bay’s current zoning.

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Volume 13, Issue 20, Posted 10:20 AM, 10.19.2021

Bay Board of Education April 12 meeting notes

The Bay Village Board of Education met on April 12 with Board members Beth Lally, Scott Schulz, Dave Vegh, Paul Vincent and Lisa Priemer in attendance.

Here are some highlights of that meeting:

Director of Communications Karen Uthe Semancik and Technology Coordinator Brian Reynolds introduced a video presentation to demonstrate Apptegy, a school marketing resource system. Later in the meeting, funds for that program were approved.

The December board meeting will be moved from Dec. 13 to Dec. 6, 2021.

The Board of Education adopted the resolution regarding graduation requirements for the Class of 2021.

The Board approved Superintendent Jodie Hausmann’s contract. Interim Treasurer John W. Scott’s resignation was accepted, but he was soon installed as a financial consultant to the new treasurer. Three-year contracts were approved for Holly Schafer, Director of Human Resources; Ramsey Inman, Bay High Assistant Principal; Josephine Sanfilippo, Westerly Principal; and Daniel Sebring, Normandy Principal. A modification to the contract for Karen Uthe Semancik was also approved.

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Volume 13, Issue 9, Posted 10:03 AM, 05.04.2021

Bradley Park playground upgrade nearly complete

The Phase III install of the Bradley Park playground equipment has been completed. The City of Bay Village has some additional mulching and site prep to do which should be completed in the coming days, weather pending.

Special thanks to the citizens who contributed to the project, Recreation & Parks Director Dan Enovich and Service Director Jon Liskovec, along with everyone from the Service Department who worked on the project: AJ Goslin, Dan Campana, Bob McGrath, Bob Quarick, Drew Berry, Tom Caveney, Don Dorsett, Eric Bell and Dave Banjoff.  

By managing the installation “in-house,” the City was able to save substantial dollars.

Phase IV calls for a shade area, trees and landscaping, sitting areas and benches and a walkway to the park restrooms. The Recreation and Parks Committee is working with Kathryn Kerber, City Project Manager, on acquiring additional grant funding for the project completion. Enjoy!

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Volume 13, Issue 7, Posted 10:37 AM, 04.06.2021

Bay Village City Council appoints Ward 3 rep

After two months, Bay Village finally has a full roster of City Council members, after Michael Greco was unanimously appointed to the open Ward 3 seat on Feb. 22. Greco was selected from six applicants to fill the seat vacated by Sara Byrnes Maier, who transitioned to the at-large position after the Dec. 31 resignation of Nancy Stainbrook.

Greco, 43, was sworn in during the regular meeting of City Council on March 1. He has lived in Bay Village since 2008 and currently serves as the director of human resources for the city of Rocky River.

Despite being a rookie on the political scene, Greco has a strong background in local government. At Hiram College, he majored in political science with a concentration in state and local government, along with a second major in history with a concentration in American social history. He followed that with a Master of Public Administration degree from Kent State.

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Volume 13, Issue 5, Posted 9:53 AM, 03.02.2021

Bay Village City Council fills one seat, opens another

Bay Village City Council’s monthlong search to find a replacement for the at-large position vacated by Nancy Stainbrook concluded Jan. 25 with a twist. After considering nearly two dozen candidates vying for the seat, Council raised a few eyebrows by nominating their colleague, Ward 3 Council member Sara Byrnes Maier.

Council voted 4-2 in favor of Byrnes Maier’s appointment to fill the rest of the at-large term expiring in December, pending her resignation as the Ward 3 representative, which she did immediately after her confirmation passed.

In discussing the nomination process, several Council members stressed that Byrnes Maier followed the protocol laid out by the city’s charter for applicants.

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Volume 13, Issue 3, Posted 10:19 AM, 02.02.2021

Bay Village seeks applicants for City Council vacancy

The City of Bay Village will have a vacancy on City Council beginning Jan. 1, 2021, for Nancy Stainbrook’s at-large seat, expiring on Dec. 31, 2021. According to the city charter, the vacancy is to be filled by appointment by a majority vote of the remaining members of Council. The person selected will serve for the balance of the term.

Stainbrook announced her resignation at the Dec. 7 Council meeting, effective Dec. 31, 2020. In a statement, she cited increasing work demands as the reason for her departure, and expressed appreciation for her fellow Council members, the administration and city staff.

“To my Council colleagues, it’s been a pleasure working together as a member of the legislative branch of Bay Village. I appreciate the talent each of you bring to City Council, and I’m grateful for all we’ve accomplished in our community over the last 4 years,” Stainbrook said. “Thank you to Council Leadership, the Administration, and all our wonderful city employees for your commitment each day, and support of City Council. I’d like to give special thanks to our Clerk of Council Joan Kemper for her steadfast wisdom, expertise, and dedication. It’s been an honor and pleasure to serve the residents of Bay Village.”

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Volume 12, Issue 24, Posted 9:59 AM, 12.15.2020

Bay Village launches Cahoon Memorial Park study, master plan

The City of Bay Village has begun work on a master plan for Cahoon Memorial Park. The plan will focus on lakefront access and connecting the lakefront to the rest of the park.

In 2019, the city was awarded a Coastal Management Assistance Grant by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to conduct a public access study of Bay Point and adjacent shoreline and walking path areas, as well as circulation with and connectivity to the rest of Cahoon Park. The grant will cover 50% of the cost of the access study and a geotechnical study of Bay Point and the bluff along the shore.

This study will build on the results of two studies completed in 2017:  the Bay Village Master Plan and the Cahoon Park Area Connectivity Study conducted by the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA). The current study will be used to create a master plan to enhance public lakefront access, increase recreational enjoyment of Lake Erie and Cahoon Park, beautify the lakefront setting, and protect and manage existing natural habitat.

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Volume 12, Issue 10, Posted 10:47 AM, 05.19.2020

Bay Village City Council rings in the new year

As we all welcome the 2020 New Year, the City Council of Bay Village has been busy, already holding three meetings during the 2020 year. In addition, those Council members elected in November 2019 were sworn into office by Rocky River Municipal Court Judge Brian Hagan on Jan. 1 at the Dwyer Center.

Those re-elected to new Council terms included David Tadych (Ward 1 and Council Vice President), Lydia DeGeorge (Ward 2), Sara Byrnes Maier (Ward 3), Peter Winzig (Ward 4), and Dwight Clark (City Council President). We extend a warm welcome to new Councilman-at-Large Thomas Kelly, who formally begins his four-year term. Councilwoman-at-Large Nancy Stainbrook rounds out the group; she was the only Council member not up for re-election in 2019. City Council works to operate efficiently and transparently, and much of this credit goes to our valued and long-standing Clerk of City Council, Joan Kemper.

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Volume 12, Issue 2, Posted 9:47 AM, 01.21.2020

Should Bay Village permit 5-foot or 6-foot yard fences?

The Bay Village City Council is finalizing the revision of the side and rear yard fencing requirements. The Environment, Safety and Community Services Committee has proposed the following side and rear yard fencing requirements: (1) increasing the height of the fence from 4 feet 4 inches, to 5 feet 4 inches, and requiring 75% open space for any fence higher than 4 feet; and (2) expanding the length of a privacy screen from 32 feet to 40 feet and allowing an additional 8 feet of decreasing transitional screen in either direction.

Currently, Bay Village limits the height of a side yard and rear yard fence to 4 feet. Furthermore, there is no open space requirement for a side yard or rear yard fence. As to a rear yard privacy screen, a privacy screen shall not exceed 6 feet 4 inches in height, and the privacy screen shall not exceed 32 feet in any direction.

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Volume 11, Issue 10, Posted 10:28 AM, 05.21.2019

Bay holds council meeting at Village Project

Bay Village City Council took a field trip on Monday, April 8, branching out from council chambers to hold a planning session at the Village Project headquarters on West Oviatt Road. Members of the administration shared highlights from their departments’ recent activities and upcoming projects with Council representatives.

Barb Harrell, Village project’s executive director, gave the city leaders a guided tour of the newly renovated space. The non-profit recently completed an expansion into the adjacent office space that used to house the Thomas & Thomas photography studio. After the tour and public meeting, attendees were treated to a healthy Village project meal of soup and salad.

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Volume 11, Issue 8, Posted 10:33 AM, 04.16.2019

Bay Village revises city dog ordinances

The Bay Village City Council has completed a revision of the Chapter 505 "Animal and Fowl" ordinances, which includes the ordinances governing dogs in Bay Village. To establish a more effective remedy to prevent serious dog attacks, the Bay Village City Council has added the category of “nuisance dog” to the existing categories of “vicious dog” and “dangerous dog.”

A “vicious dog” is a dog which, without provocation, has killed or caused serious injury to any person. A “dangerous dog” is a dog which, without provocation, caused injury, other than killing or serious injury, to any person, or killed another dog, cat or other domestic animal while off the premises of the owner.

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Volume 10, Issue 13, Posted 9:27 AM, 07.03.2018

Mayor Koomar highlights progress in annual address

When he took the podium last May for his first State of the City address, Bay Village Mayor Paul Koomar didn’t have much to look back upon. He was five months into finishing the final year of retired Mayor Debbie Sutherland’s term. The accomplishments of the previous year, during which he served as City Council president, mainly belonged to Sutherland’s administration. Koomar’s presentation focused heavily on the future, not the past.

After spending a full year in office and winning election to his own four-year term by a comfortable margin in November, Koomar had a lot more to talk about this year. Addressing a modest audience of Bay Village residents gathered at the Dwyer Senior Center on March 28, the mayor shared the successes of his administration in 2017 and tracked the city’s progress along the roadmap he began to envision those first few months in office.

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Volume 10, Issue 7, Posted 10:06 AM, 04.03.2018

Bay Village switch provides easier access to municipal code

As with most things, technology improves the way we function. Unfortunately, a lot of technological improvements just make for more annoying distractions. For the City of Bay Village, they found an improvement that can actually improve focus on the task at hand. 

On Dec. 1, 2017, through the work of City Council and their revered clerk, Joan Kemper, Bay Village began utilizing the online municipal code service by Municode. Prior to, Bay Village held their municipal code online, but its function was lacking in search ability and usefulness.

With the Municode platform, Bay Village employees, members of Council, and residents can search ordinances quickly and efficiently while also drawing from more than 3,200 other municipalities that are hosted by Municode. If you’re wondering which farm animals are permitted in Bay Village (sorry, none) and compare it to what Maui County, Hawaii, allows – now you can!

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Volume 10, Issue 3, Posted 10:20 AM, 02.06.2018

Moving forward together

Bay Village leaders meet to discuss city affairs

Bay Village Mayor Paul Koomar, his administration and heads of the city’s boards and commissions held an organizational meeting Jan. 8 to brief City Council members on 2017 activities and plans for the coming year. The three-hour discussion, held at 583 Bistro, was the second such meeting since Koomar took office in January 2017.

“We did this last year with the boards and commissions and found it very helpful to integrate and talk amongst one another. Especially this year ... we have three new council members so we thought it would be important to continue that practice,” Koomar said.

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Volume 10, Issue 2, Posted 9:56 AM, 01.23.2018

Bay election season heats up in August

Bay Village has a full ballot this election season, and the city’s chapter of the League of Women Voters is working hard to ensure that voters have all the information they need. First up is the Sept. 12 primary election, which will narrow a field of 10 candidates in three City Council races.

The top two candidates each in Wards 2, 3 and 4 will move on to the general election on Nov. 7, where they will be joined by candidates vying for mayor, Ward 1 and council-at-large. Council president and board of education seats are also expiring this year, but those candidates will be unopposed in the general election.

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Volume 9, Issue 14, Posted 9:55 AM, 07.18.2017

Retiring Bay Village commission member honored

Bay Village Mayor Paul Koomar presented a proclamation on June 5 to Martha Krebs, in recognition of her 15 years on the Civil Service Commission. Krebs, who was joined by members of her family for the proclamation in City Council chambers, was appointed to the volunteer post in 2002 and reappointed for two additional terms.

“It’s been a really enjoyable way to be involved in the community,” said Krebs.

Thomas Wynne was appointed to complete Krebs’ term, which expires Jan. 24, 2020.

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Volume 9, Issue 12, Posted 9:17 AM, 06.20.2017

Mayor Koomar discusses city vision in first address

Bay Village’s annual State of the City address had a different feel this year, with a new voice and new venue from years past.

In his first major presentation as mayor, Paul Koomar shared his perspective on the highlights of last year’s administration, helmed by former Mayor Deborah Sutherland and interim Mayor Gary Ebert. Mayor Koomar, who previously served as City Council president, took over on Jan. 1 to fill the remaining year of Sutherland’s term.

In a break from tradition, the May 31 address was presented not to members of the West Shore Chamber of Commerce, but to Bay residents gathered at the Dwyer Senior Center.

Mayor Koomar’s address spotlighted the achievements of the city’s departments in 2016, but the emphasis of the speech was on the future.

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Volume 9, Issue 11, Posted 10:35 AM, 06.06.2017

Thinking of running for office in Bay?

Do you have it in you to be mayor? President of City Council? Maybe a member of City Council or the Board of Education? This could be your year!

Seven of the eight Bay Village city offices will be up for election in November. In addition, three Bay Village Board of Education seats are open. Bay's elections are nonpartisan: your party membership, if any, is irrelevant. A primary election is used only to narrow the field for city offices to two candidates. If needed, it will be held on Sept. 12. The general election is Nov. 7.

To increase candidate visibility and help voters gather the information they need, Bay's League of Women Voters chapter will hold candidate forums and produce voter guides.

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Volume 9, Issue 5, Posted 9:33 AM, 03.07.2017

Paul Koomar takes the reins as Bay Village mayor

Bay Village’s extended mayoral transition came to a logical conclusion on Jan. 1, when Paul Koomar was sworn in as the city’s 22nd mayor. Koomar, who has served as City Council president since 2011, was first in line under the city charter to succeed former Mayor Deborah Sutherland.

Most on City Council and in the administration were taken aback when Sutherland announced her retirement last September, setting off a scramble to maintain stability during the transition. Koomar expressed interest in taking over as mayor, but cited professional obligations that prevented him from making any immediate decisions.

Law Director Gary Ebert was appointed interim mayor by City Council on Sept. 6, 2016. At that time, Koomar left open the possibility that he would eventually accept the position of mayor. “Right now my work commitments, as I consider this position, would be in effect on Oct. 1 when I would leave to be mayor,” Koomar said during the City Council meeting that evening. “I’ve got to continue to look at that but the city’s got to operate and continue to move forward. We need to make sure that the city finishes strong this year.”

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Volume 9, Issue 1, Posted 10:28 AM, 01.10.2017

Bay Village cracks down on dogs at large

To establish an effective remedy to address a serious initial dog attack as occurred this past summer, the Bay Village City Council revised ordinance section 505.01 regarding animals running at large. While the revised ordinance has the same running-at-large prohibitions as the prior ordinance, the revised ordinance has escalating penalties which provides Bay Village with broad authority to deter a future dog attack.

The running-at-large restrictions prohibit the owner of a dog, cat or other animal from allowing the animal to remain upon any public street or on any city park except under the reasonable control of a responsible person. The ordinance further requires that, while on private property, the animal be contained on the private property and not allowed to cross outside the property line.

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Volume 8, Issue 20, Posted 10:22 AM, 10.18.2016

Bay Village law director Ebert to serve as interim mayor

Bay Village City Council voted on Sept. 6 to appoint Gary Ebert as interim mayor of the city to ease the transition following Mayor Debbie Sutherland’s retirement on Sept. 30. Ebert, who has served as law director since 1986 and also spent two terms as a Ward 4 councilman, was acting mayor in 2000 when former Mayor Tom Jelepis resigned. The decision allows the city to move forward on critical projects under an experienced hand.

City Council President Paul Koomar, who is first in the line to succeed Sutherland, as laid out in the city charter, said he is still considering the position but doesn’t want to rush a decision.

“I think it’s just going to take a little time for me to work through a decision and all of the factors that go along with that,” Koomar said. “I still have some variables out there, but I think it would be a great opportunity.”

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Volume 8, Issue 17, Posted 11:15 AM, 09.07.2016

Bay Village City Hall green parking lot improvements project

In spring of 2016, the City of Bay Village completed renovations to the existing City Hall parking lot. The project was intended to reduce rain water run‐off and reduce pollutants such as salt, oils, suspended solids and metals from entering into the storm sewer system that impact aquatic life in Cahoon Creek and Lake Erie, while educating the residents and visitors to Bay Village about viable, sustainable storm water management alternatives.

This project was supported and financed in part through a grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) under the provisions of the Surface Water Improvement Fund (SWIF). The City received $120,000 to be used toward these improvements as part of the SWIF Grant.

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Volume 8, Issue 14, Posted 3:46 PM, 05.17.2016

Bay Village City Council passes resolution on deer

The deer population has been a topic of discussion in Bay Village for several years. Numerous public meetings have been held, various points of view have been expressed and City Council has received a great deal of input from constituents on the subject.

On June 27, City Council, in consultation with the Mayor, passed a resolution establishing a series of milestones and timelines leading to the development of a comprehensive deer population management plan for the City of Bay Village.

This resolution documents Council’s concern that the deer population is negatively affecting public health and safety, primarily through motor vehicle accidents. The number of accidents involving deer has been growing steadily in recent years, increasing threefold from 11 in 2010 to 33 in 2015. In addition to reported accidents, the city’s service department also picked up 36 deer carcasses last year – some of which may have arisen from unreported accidents. Accidents involving deer can result in injuries, medical expenses, vehicle repair costs and duress for all involved.

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Volume 8, Issue 13, Posted 9:28 AM, 07.06.2016

Law director Ebert honored for 30 years of service to Bay

Gary Ebert walked into a packed council chambers on May 16, unaware that he was the evening’s guest of honor. When the audience erupted in applause at his entrance, he glanced around and saw faces from all areas of his life – colleagues from his law firm, former city officials, family and friends. Gary’s wife, Pam, pictured above left, who was one of the party’s co-conspirators along with Clerk of Council Joan Kemper, came around the dais to pin a boutonniere on his suit. His children and grandchildren from out of town embraced him with hugs.

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Volume 8, Issue 11, Posted 10:22 AM, 06.07.2016

Bay Village ‘plugging along,’ making most of resources

Bay Village was hit hard by the recession, enduring the double whammy of decreased tax revenues and state funding cuts by trimming expenses and reducing staff. Mayor Debbie Sutherland has maintained that there is hope on the horizon as the economy recovers. In her annual State of the City address to the West Shore Chamber of Commerce on April 19, Sutherland reiterated that confidence, this time sharing economic indicators that support her optimism.

While a rise in tax collection has provided some “breathing room,” the city looks to take advantage of all possible resources – increasing the efficiency of city operations, partnering with neighboring communities and relying on the volunteerism of residents.

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Volume 8, Issue 9, Posted 9:43 AM, 05.03.2016

Bay Village City Council approves 2016 budget

On March 23, Bay Village City Council unanimously voted on and approved the City’s 2016 Budget, doing so on three full readings. Budget discussions first commenced in early fourth quarter 2015, and as required by Ohio law, we, like other cities, were mandated to finalize our budget and annual appropriations ordinance by end of calendar first quarter. 

Council worked closely with City Administration officials to prepare, present and adopt a budget which balanced revenues with expenses, was considerate of the growing capital needs of the City, and provided flexibility throughout the 2016 year.

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Volume 8, Issue 7, Posted 10:04 AM, 04.05.2016

West Shore Council of Governments (WCOG) meeting, Nov. 18, 2015

This report is not an official statement of the League of Women Voters; Mayor Sutherland’s office prepares official minutes, which are posted on Bay Village’s website.

Present: Mayors Sutherland (Bay Village), Patton (Fairview Park), Kennedy (North Olmsted), and Bobst (Rocky River). Mayors Clough (Westlake) and Summers (Lakewood) were absent. Fiscal Officer Renee Mahoney and Fairview Park Fire Chief Raffin also attended.

The mayors provided the following reports:

RTA (Sutherland): There will be an election for representation of mayors on the RTA board.

NOACA (Sutherland): There will be no meeting until mid December.

Land Bank (Kennedy): There are a few projects in the pipeline. More properties are needed for the demonstration fund.

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Volume 7, Issue 23, Posted 9:51 AM, 12.01.2015

Donors recognized for contribution to outdoor fitness project

With installation scheduled to begin in the near future, representatives from local organizations and businesses received public recognition at the Oct. 5 Bay Village City Council meeting. Ward 4 Councilman Tom Henderson, chair of the Recreation and Park Improvements committee, was a strong supporter of the project since the initial proposal by Bay residents Barry Tyo and Clete Miller.

The $11,000 needed to purchase and install equipment for three outdoor fitness stations along the Cahoon Park walking trail was donated to the city by The Bay Village Foundation, Bay Village Kiwanis, Highland Consulting Associates, Arthur's Shoe Tree, Perfect Fit Health Club and O’Neill Healthcare. 

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Volume 7, Issue 20, Posted 1:05 PM, 10.07.2015

Bay Village natural gas aggregation program begins soon

Bay Village voters in May approved an "opt-out" natural gas aggregation program for our community by a record-setting 87 percent margin. The program will soon be available to all residents and small businesses in the city. 

The theory behind aggregation is simple: By using bulk purchasing power, greater savings can be passed on to our residents and businesses. Through an aggregation program, our residents will join together with 200 other communities to negotiate better prices and consumer protections. 

Without aggregation, individual households are responsible for selecting a natural gas supplier that would not offer the same low pricing and protections available from an aggregation. Our new natural gas aggregation will work in a similar manner to the electric aggregation approved by Bay Village voters in 2010.

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Volume 7, Issue 15, Posted 9:48 AM, 08.04.2015

Loud and clear from city hall

The Bay Village City Hall microphone project moved another step closer to completion at City Council's June 29 meeting, when Claire Banasiak, chair of LWV-Greater Cleveland's Bay Village chapter, presented a check for $10,000 to Council President Paul Koomar. The total cost of the project, which is expected to be completed by early fall, is estimated at $16,000.

High-quality microphones will be purchased for Council chambers and for the conference room where committee meetings are held. As noted in the LWV's presentation letter, by accepting the gift, the City agrees to install and maintain the system and to "record all open meetings and make recordings available to the public at no charge through the city web site for both listening and download."

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Volume 7, Issue 13, Posted 10:30 AM, 07.07.2015

Bay Village Ward 3 rep to host meeting

Karen Lieske, Ward 3 Bay Village City Council representative, invites residents of the ward to join her for a town hall meeting on Tuesday, April 14, at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Bay Village City Hall.

Come find out what City Council has done recently, ask questions and meet other Ward 3 residents. Information will be shared about the property management program and the Heritage Home Program. We will talk while we enjoy homemade baked goods.



For additional information, please contact Councilmember Lieske at lieskebayvillage@gmail.com.

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Volume 7, Issue 7, Posted 9:48 AM, 04.07.2015

Crawling beneath the city

New equipment makes sewer inspection faster, more precise

As sewer pipes under a city age, they require inspection to find and prevent problems, such as infiltration between the storm and sanitary lines. Under Environmental Protection Agency regulations, cities must maintain and repair their sewer systems to prevent fines from the federal agency.

A new piece of equipment recently purchased by the city of Bay Village will address these issues and make the examination process quicker and more accurate. And, at the same time, save the city money. The city’s service department has added a sewer inspection truck that incorporates two wheeled units mounted with video cameras that can be sent down into the sewer lines through manholes and crawl along the city’s sewer pipes.

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Volume 7, Issue 6, Posted 10:35 AM, 03.17.2015

Tree commission puts down new roots

The Bay Village Tree Commission is back in action with a new board of volunteers appointed by Mayor Debbie Sutherland. The commission is headed by returning Chairperson Dave Patzwahl and new members Patrick Graham, Liz Pim, Julia Shutt, Leo Mahoney and City Council representative Dave Tadych.

They meet monthly with city arborist Mike Polinski and secretary Jackie Moore. This group of volunteers all live in Bay Village, and they’re brimming with new enthusiasm for our urban forest!

They have a new mission and vision statement and have created a colorful new logo.

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Volume 7, Issue 5, Posted 9:37 AM, 03.03.2015

Bay Village City Council to get amplified

Bay Village residents will soon be able to listen to recordings of City Council meetings via the web, thanks to a $10,000 donation for microphones from Bay's chapter of the League of Women Voters.

The microphone project began a year ago in a conversation with Council President Paul Koomar about how Council could be more visible, open and transparent to citizens. Under Mr. Koomar's leadership, Council has since offered a series of town hall meetings covering timely and important topics. He also initiated posting meeting packets on the city's website, so citizens can review many of the materials behind agenda items.

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Volume 7, Issue 2, Posted 9:47 AM, 01.20.2015

Westshore Council of Governments (WCOG) meeting, Nov.12

This report is not an official statement of the League of Women Voters. Mayor Patton's office prepares official minutes, which are posted on Fairview Park's website.

Present: Mayors Bobst (Rocky River), Clough (Westlake), Kennedy (North Olmsted), Patton (Fairview Park), Summers (Lakewood), Sutherland (Bay Village)

Also in attendance: Fiscal Officer Renee Mahoney, District 1 County Councilman Dave Greenspan

RTA: County Council may discuss a tax increase for RTA. Much discussion of the new Clifton Boulevard shelters. Amenities encourage ridership. Lakeshore Express buses will come every 10 minutes for two hours in the AM and PM. During those hours, there will be dedicated bus lanes. Mayor Patton stated that Fairview Park is home to an RTA transfer station on Center Ridge but has received no benefits from RTA. Many residents depend on bus services and would appreciate similar shelters along Lorain Avenue. A better working relationship between Fairview Park and RTA is needed.

NOACA: Mayor Sutherland stated the Committee on House Affairs will meet Nov. 14. Geauga County may either pull out or divide its representation into urban and rural. According to Mr. Greenspan, a Columbia Road development project has been added for next funding cycle.

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Volume 6, Issue 24, Posted 10:03 AM, 11.25.2014

Rocky River Wastewater Treatment (WWTP) management committee meeting, Nov. 18

This report is not an official statement of the League of Women Voters. Rocky River Wastewater Treatment Plant staff prepares official minutes.

Present: Mayor Bobst (Rocky River), Mayor Sutherland (Bay Village), Paul Quinn and Robert Kelly (Westlake), Rob Berner (Fairview Park)

Also in attendance: Jeff Harrington (WWTP Superintendent), Keith Bovard (WWTP); Michael Thomas (Rocky River Director of Finance); Renee Mahoney (Bay Village Director of Finance)

Thermal Sludge Conditioning: Sludge removal cost $185,000 in 2014. The local farm that has taken sludge during the warm months at $17 per wet ton will stop doing so in 2015. Alternative estimate is $22. Microwave drying is meant for smaller plants, and the resulting product retains an odor. Thermal drying will result in $200,000 increased operating costs for utilities and personnel.

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Volume 6, Issue 24, Posted 10:03 AM, 11.25.2014