The City of Cleveland Heights held a special Committee of the Whole meeting on August 28, 2025, focused primarily on a public hearing regarding a proposed first amended city charter. The discussion centered on significant changes including shifting from a city manager to an elected mayor system, adjustments to the distribution of powers between the mayor and city council, and provisions related to council members' voting rights, subpoena powers, and removal processes. Public speakers and council members expressed concerns about the breadth and complexity of the amendments, the potential for disproportionate impacts on minority representation, and the timing of placing the charter amendments on the November ballot. There was debate over the need for additional public review time and whether to approve the entire charter as a single package or in parts. The meeting concluded with plans for further discussion and an executive session on a separate economic development matter.

Cleveland Heights Special Council Committee of the Whole August 28, 2025