Highland Heights Approves Contracts and Transfer at Council Meeting

At Highland Heights City Council's meeting Tuesday night, the group made a crucial transfer and approved multiple contracts.

Council approved a $667,301 transfer from its general fund to the city's capital improvement fund. The money comes from Highland Heights' share of Ohio's estate tax receipts, and will be placed in the capital improvements fund to help finance various projects.

"It's part of the budget process at the beginning of the year, so all those funds are dedicated to capital improvement projects, whatever those projects may be," Finance Director Anthony L. Ianiro said. "Not anything specific, just projects for the year."

Council also authorized $45,724.42 to the Community Partnership on Aging for the city's share of services for the first six months of this year. Ianiro said that amount is in line with what the city has paid in the past.

The city's governing body also approved a contract with A&J Cement Contractors for $21,145 to install concrete pads at multiple locations at Community Park. The installation is part of the resurfacing project, which is under way. City Engineer Brian Mader said he believed the portion of the project would done by the time "everybody would look to start using it."

Other contracts approved included one with Snacks and Stuff Inc. to provide the food and beverage concession services at the municipal pool and park this summer. In June, Cell Phones for Cancer LLC will host an electronics waste collection drive aimed at fighting cancer.

Council suspended the the second reading of an ordinance establishing the compensation for workers in the recreation department, opting to pass it as an emergency measure. Chuck Brunello, the council representative of the city's parks and recreation commission, said the move was necessary for the department to begin hiring minimum-wage employees for summer programs and services.

Council broke into an executive session to discuss the ongoing . The group in March voted not to settle a lawsuit with the company by allowing gas wells to be drilled in the Community Park. Members likely discussed how they will proceed in .