Surprised I missed this September Wall Street Journal profile of the Rocket Cars and Jen Heitman, who–thanks to the Jaycees–has been kind enough to host Council members and their families in the last couple of Blossom Parades. Such a cool, unique legacy!
Also, the idea of going 135 mph in one of these is absolutely terrifying…
Archived copy: https://archive.ph/2SdKH
The village may have an approved budget before the fiscal year starts. Sidewalks might get some much-needed attention. Grove Hill Park still not complete after four-and-a-quarter years. Details and more in my notes from last night’s village council meeting.
Village Council met Monday evening and caught up on the 2025 budget, some sidewalk projects, and more.
The village budget for 2025 is nearly complete and a meeting of the Committee of the Whole will be scheduled during the first week of November to review. The budget will remain on readings for the November 11, November 25, and December 9 meeting of Council. If all goes according to plan it will be passed on December 9 and the village will start the new fiscal year with an approved budget for the first time in ages. (Possibly ever? If you know the answer, please share.)
Rob Jamieson shared that the 2024 sidewalk program is underway, with approximately 700 linear feet of sidewalk being replaced in the Senlac Hills neighborhood.
He also said that for 2025 the Streets & Service Department will conduct a village-wide sidewalk assessment to identify damaged or unsafe areas in need of replacement. They have found a new source for sandstone slabs, and are updating the cost-sharing policy for homeowners who want to maintain that historic material.
If you have concerns about specific areas please let me know and I will make sure they are included on this list.
I think traffic engineers are often so focused on cars that common sense goes out the window and anyone outside a vehicle is endangered. Here they’ve completely obscured the crosswalk entrance by placing this giant highway-sized sign on southbound Main Street. Be careful out there!
Beautiful day for a father-and-son bike ride down the bridle trail as far as the river. This is enough for him right now, but I’m looking forward to the day when the Solon connection is complete and we can include a stop at Mitchell’s Homemade.
Village Council convened Monday evening for our regularly scheduled meeting, where we heard updates on the 2025 budget, Grove Hill Park, upcoming park events, the Vincent Street stabilization project, and more.
The Finance Director is preparing a rough draft of the 2025 budget – it should be ready by the end of the week. The Administration & Finance Committee has scheduled a meeting to review it on October 28 at 6:30 pm. The entire council will review it at a Committee of the Whole meeting to be scheduled in early November.
Erinn is waiting on Rob to schedule an on-site Facilities & Services Committee meeting for a walk-thru of the property.
The Parks Commission met Wednesday morning to review a couple of Jaycees events and hear updates on park projects, including yet another delay at Grove Hill.
The Chagrin Valley Jaycees plan once again to host Oktubafest on Saturday, October 26 in Triangle park. Deck the Falls will return on December 7 and 14 from 11:00 to 3:00. We voted to recommend both events and they will be presented to Council on October 14.
I again suggested that we add benches along the northeast side so there is somewhere to sit with sight lines of the play area for older kids. Rob Jamieson confirmed that those will be added to the budget for 2025. John Brockway mentioned that the turtle sculpture and an additional trash can will return to the east end as soon as a concrete pad can be poured, possibly this year but more likely next.
So glad to see this proper sidewalk and curb going in at the future home of Two Café & Boutique, replacing over a hundred feet of solid pavement and driveway apron. The fewer places that cars and people can occupy the same space, the better. I know of a couple other spots in town that could use the same treatment.
Village Council will meet Monday evening, September 23 at 7:30 pm in Council Chambers at Village Hall.
Chagrin Falls will be featured this week on the PBS show City Centric.
It will air Friday at 8:30 pm and again Saturday at 1:30 am and 6:00 pm on WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1, and stream live at pbswesternreserve.org/live-tv. They will be featuring several local organizations and establishments using the tagline “Explore a timeless village that thrives on creativity”.