MINUTES OF THE CUYAHOGA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING

August 14, 2025

CALL TO ORDER
The meeting of the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission (County Planning) was called to order by Joesph Nanni at 2:04 p.m. and the roll call showed a quorum was present.

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
No Public Comment.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JULY 10, 2025 MEETING
On a motion by Mayor Dailey Jones, seconded by Mayor Kurtz, the minutes from the July 10, 2025 meeting were duly adopted with a unanimous vote.

RESOLUTION NO. 250814-A – DOPWIC Administrative Cost Agreement Ratification
Executive Director Cierebiej introduced Elaine Price, who explained annual Administrative Cost Agreement to coordinate the State Capital Infrastructure Program (SCIP) for the Ohio Public Works Commission. The program was established 1987 and governed under Ohio Revised Code Section 164. Cuyahoga County Planning Commission manages the program for District One (Cuyahoga County).

The SCIP program and its funding includes the State Capital Improvement Program, Grants & Loans, the Revolving Loan Program (RLP), Local Transportation Improvement Program (LTIP) from the gasoline tax, Small Government Commission, and the Emergency Program which is reserved funding for catastrophic situations. Elaine Price explained that funding from last program year, a total of $36,714,306 which received 34 total applications, funded fifteen (15) major projects awards and five (5) Small Government Projects awards. This program year approximately $35,754,700.00 is available to be awarded.

As liaison Elaine Price is responsible for coordinating and administrating DOPWIC activities; assisting applicants, staff and the OPWC; conducting project site visits; evaluating and recommending projects; and developing & promoting the program and materials.

This Resolution is requesting the approval of the Administrative Cost Agreement with the OPWC and the DOPWIC for funding cycle Round 40 and to ratify Cuyahoga County Planning Commission’s Executive Director signing of contract with OPWC and DOPWIC. County Planning will be reimbursed up to $65,000 for work performed from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.

On a motion by Mayor Dailey Jones, seconded by Mayor Kurtz with Mayor Weiss abstaining, the forgoing resolution for the annual Administrative Cost Agreement to coordinate the State Capital Infrastructure Program for the Ohio Public Works Commission was duly adopted by roll call vote.

AMENDED RESOLUTION NO. 250814–B – Cuyahoga County Department of Housing and Community Development First Contract Amendment
Executive Director Cierebiej introduced Patrick Hewitt who explained the resolution being presented as a first amendment to the Inter-Agency Agreement with the Cuyahoga County Department of Housing & Community Development (DoHCD) was originally passed by this Board on September 1, 2023 (Resolution No. 230914-A). This resolution is to extend and amend the Inter-Agency Agreement to use an unspent balance of General Housing Funds, approximately $63,000, and add an additional $50,000 in other funds for a new scope of work not to exceed $200,000. The unspent balance remaining will continue providing the previously funded professional planning services. The new scope of work will be used to support the recently released Cuyahoga County Housing Study that demonstrates the need to share housing data and track opportunities with communities. The new scope of work will include residential vacant lot analysis with an infill lot inventory and GIS mapper. Patrick Hewitt requested approval of Amended Resolution 250814-B for the First Amendment to the Inter-Agency Agreement with the Cuyahoga County DoHCD, a contract extension through August 31, 2027 with a total not-to-exceed the amount of $200,000 and the authority to utilize the remaining original 2023-2025 contract balance of approximately $63,000 and an addition of $50,000 in Housing Funds to perform the new scope of work.

On a motion by Mayor Welo, seconded by Mayor Daily Jones with Joseph Nanni abstaining, the approval of Amended Resolution 250814-B for the First Amendment to the Inter-Agency Agreement with the Cuyahoga County DoHCD was duly adopted by roll call vote.

INFORMATION ONLY PRESENTATION
Nicole Laird introduced the Maple Heights Evolving Southgate Area Redevelopment Plan.  Ms. Laird explained the purpose of the plan was to explore development opportunities in and around the Southgate area that further encourage walkability and retail diversity.  Concepts and future development improvements that were explored included:

• Mixed-use development
• Additional residential options (Senior housing, townhomes, and apartments)
• Development of additional public green spaces

The area of the study was Libby Road (north), Northfield Road (east), Warrensville Center Road (west) and Southgate Park Blvd, (south) and included parcels fronting Southgate Park Blvd.

The Southgate Redevelopment Plan envisioned the area to be revitalized and become a unique and vibrant mixed-use district that is safe & welcoming for all residents and visitors; a space that is livable, accessible, and connected to affordable and diverse housing options; and one that offers green spaces that help foster an engaged community. Recommendations proposed to help support the Vision for the area ranged from both practical and visioning strategies including:

• Practical Development: Short Term Strategies (less than 5 years to implement)
• Practical Development: Long Term Strategies
• Southgate Transit Center Redevelopment
• Implementation
• Focus Efforts

Nichole Laird reported that the plan provided to the city can and should be shared with potential homeowners and developers to spur conversations on the preferred design and development and bring some of the strategies and redevelopment to fruition.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Executive Director Cierebiej reported that planning for the 2026-2027 Biennial Budget is underway with the first meeting held with OBM and Executive Team to discuss draft 2026-2027 biennial budget. Anticipated shortfalls have been identified and communicated; conversations will follow. Executive Director Cierebiej explained that as a non-Executive Agency, she has personnel authority and reports to the Board, but because the County General Fund provides our operating funding, the Countywide hiring freeze and the budget constraints also affect County Planning directly. Some revenues deposited this year into the General Fund have been strategically repurposed to offset some of the projected 2025 shortfalls. County Planning will continue to find creative solutions going forward.

Executive Director Cierebiej presented an update on the 2025 Workplan; a draft Workplan was previously presented in February 2025. This updated workplan defines external deliverables, timelines, and progress, and has since developed a parallel summary of Strategic Imperatives with goals, activities and metrics to track progress. The goal is to get a metrics score of 80% on all topics and many of the metrics are already complete or on schedule. A few of the projected metrics had to be modified/postponed, such as the federal contract for Safe Streets For All (SS4A) project and an updated website for County Planning, due to unforeseen circumstances and budget constraints.

OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business.

NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business.

ADJOURN
With no other business, Joseph Nanni adjourned the meeting at 2:42 p.m.

NEXT MEETING
September 11, 2025 (tentative)