City Council Agrees to Send Prisoners to Bedford Heights Jail When Overcapacity

Cleveland Heights City Council members discussed law to and surrounding areas at Monday's regular meeting. Here's what else happened that evening:

1. Councilman Kenneth Montlack said Cleveland Heights has experienced overcrowding in its jail, which is located in next to the . And it can only hold prisoners for 12 days. As a result, council members approved paying the city of Bedford Heights $75 per day for each prisoner it sends there because of overcrowding. The agreement ends in December.

“Though it costs the city substantial dollars, in my opinion, it is worth every  penny,” Montlack said.

2. Each year, the city is required to inspect its culverts as part of the Ohio Department of Transportation's Bridge Inspection Reports and Bridge Inventory Form. Council members approved hiring Mackay Engineering & Survey Company to complete this work at a cost that will not exceed $8,125. Councilwoman Bonita Caplan said at the meeting though Cleveland Heights may not have many bridges, any road that rests over water must be inspected.

3. City Council members voted to sell the home at 3979 Bluestone Road, which was rehabilitated with money from the city's . The city received $2 million through the federal program, which addresses the foreclosure crisis by granting money to local governments to buy abandoned, vacant and foreclosed homes, repair them and turn them around for sale. The home was sold for $76,000 and the buyers received $5,000 in down payment assistance, as required by the NSP.

4. The city also approved the sale of another home through a different program, the East Derbyshire Neighborhood Improvement Program, which is funded by the . According to council documents, the program “encourages owner-occupancy and physical improvements on the portion of East Derbyshire Road between Lee and Cottage Grove roads.” The home at 3144-3146 East Derbyshire sold for $109,000.

5. The city sent a resolution to Congress urging members to keep the budgets for the Community Development Block Grant Program and the Home Investment Partnership Program similar to 2011 levels, or at least not reduce the money by more than 5 percent. This year, the city received $1.6 million for the CDBG program, and last year it received $1.9 million.

6. The city also renewed its agreement with the Cuyahoga County General Health District for public health services, which will cost the city $177,105. The department conducts health inspections of restaurants, swimming pools and daycare centers, among many other services. City Manager Robert Downey can also request additional services if necessary for a fee that will not exceed $70,000.