MINUTES OF THE CUYAHOGA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING

December 10, 2020

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cuyahoga County Administration Building was closed for public meetings at the time of the meeting. As a result, this meeting was conducted remotely in accordance with State of Ohio HB 197. Interested persons could access the meeting via livestream by using the following link found at:

www.countyplanning.us

No emails were received for public comment.

CALL TO ORDER
The meeting of the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission (County Planning) was called to order by Mr. Michael Dever at 2:00 p.m. and the roll call showed a quorum was present.

MINUTES
On a motion by Mayor Bobst, seconded by Councilperson Brown, the minutes for the October 8, 2020 meeting were duly adopted by unanimous vote.

Councilperson Simon joined the meeting.

OLD BUSINESS
No old business

NEW BUSINESS
No new business

INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Mr. Hewitt reported on the following:

Contract Extensions
The Community Confluence Plan funded on behalf of ODOT through NOACA with the cities of Lakewood and Rocky River and the Cleveland Metroparks, was extended into the middle of 2021.  Westlake Center Ridge Road Corridor Study was extended to the end of 2021.

Both contracts are extended because of issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cuyahoga Greenways Partners Executives Meeting
The meeting was held and hosted by Director Collier on November 12, 2020, and included executive leadership from a variety of partner entities and covered a host of items that the different groups are doing. A more in-depth overview of the outcomes of the extensive meeting will follow. One item noted to be of interest to this group was the new webpage hosted by County Planning: www.CuyahogaGreenways.com and it provides access to a map of all the existing and proposed trails throughout Cuyahoga County.

Lakefront Public Access Plan Update
It was reported that interviews are underway with local, regional, and state-level stakeholders to improve public access and transportation along Lake Erie. The property owner survey and first public meetings are anticipated to start in January, 2021.

Budget Update
The 2021 budget update was passed by County Council and the Planning Commission’s Operating budget has not changed from the originally approved 2020/2021 budget except for a small increase in the benefits component of personnel services. The full financial report for 2020 will be included in an upcoming Commission Meeting.

Schedule & Organizational Meeting
Meeting calendar was attached to the packet; the 2021 Organizational Meeting has been scheduled for February 11, 2021.

Thank You to Blake Woodruff
Blake Woodruff will end his second co-op with County Planning on December 18, 2020, he was previously employed by County Planning in the Spring of 2020. Another co-op has been offered the position for the winter semester.

Member Terms
The terms of Mayor Brennan and Mayor Sellers on the Planning Commission are expiring at the end of 2020; work with the County Executive is underway to get nominations that will then be sent to County Council for a vote for those two seats.

Mayor Sellers has joined the meeting.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

R.C. 121.22 (G) (1). Appointment of an Executive Director for the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission.
On a motion by Mr. Dever, seconded by Mayor Sellers the Commission went into executive session with a roll call and unanimous vote.

OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion by Mr. Dever, seconded by Councilperson Brown, the Commission came out of executive session with a roll call and unanimous vote.

Mr. Dever gave a brief overview of the hiring process over the past few months for a new Director of the Planning Commission. Mary Cierebiej was the candidate chosen for the position. Ms. Cierebiej presently works for Team NEO with an extensive background in planning in the region and the Planning Commission feels fortunate to have her join as the Executive Director. Thanks was given to the committee of Mayor Bobst, Mayor Brennan, Mayor Sellers, and Councilperson Simon in reviewing the candidates.  A special ‘thank you’ was also given to Patrick Hewitt for stepping up as Interim Executive Director over the last six (6) months; he was recognized for doing a really great job and the Commission envisions some great things from him in the near future.

Councilperson Brown welcomes Ms. Cierebiej to the team, Councilperson Simon looks forward to working with Ms. Cierebiej and taking the Planning Commission and the County to a new level, and Mayor Brennan also spoke in support of the motion to approve Ms. Cierebiej and welcomed her to the real work of the Planning Commission.

Resolution 201210-A
On a motion by Mr. Dever, seconded by Mayor Brennan, Resolution No. 201210-A, approving the appointment of Mary Cierebiej as Executive Director and authorizing Chairperson’s signature, was duly adopted by unanimous vote.

Ms. Cierebiej joined the meeting and spoke that she is honored and excited to start working on January 11, 2021 in the position of Executive Director, looking forward to advancing the mission of the County Planning Commission.

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
No comments from the public.

ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Mr. Dever the meeting was adjourned with unanimous vote.

CUYAHOGA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION

MEETING ATTENDANCE
December 10, 2020