Seven Hills Lines Up Graydon Drive Water Line, Snow Fence Rules and Holiday Help for Families

Seven Hills City Council moved a Cleveland Water funded water line project toward approval on Oct. 13. Council also passed new temporary fence rules just ahead of snow fence season. Community Services Director Tony Terry used his committee time to preview the city’s holiday programs for families in need. The evening began with committee meetings at 6:02 p.m. The regular council meeting followed at 6:37 p.m. Ward 2 Councilman Brian Kelley was excused. Graydon Drive Water Line Comes In Under Estimate City Engineer Daniel Gerson told the Public Works committee that bids opened Friday, Oct. 9. The project replaces the Graydon Drive water line. Ten contractors bid on the job, a turnout Gerson called excellent. The engineer’s estimate was $1,055,660. Karvo Companies of Stow submitted the low bid at $847,478.37. Every other bidder came in higher. Gerson said his office reviewed Karvo’s submittal and references. The bid tabulations also went to the Cleveland Water Department, which reviewed and approved the project. Cleveland Water Pays for the Line Council Pro Tem Justin Costanzo asked whether Cleveland Water was picking up the cost. Gerson confirmed it was. The project comes through a suburban water line award, similar to the Skyview Drive line the city finished this year. Under the program, Cleveland Water pays 100% of the line replacement. That money also covers repairing the half of the road that crews dig up. Gerson said communities must apply for these awards. The projects target lines with past main breaks or other problems. He said the arrangement helps both sides. Cleveland Water extends the life of its lines and makes fewer repairs. Residents avoid going days without water. Once council approves the contract, the city can ask Cleveland Water for a check. The city deposits the money and runs the contract. A reconciliation happens at the end. If unforeseen conditions lead to change orders, Cleveland Water pays more. If the work costs less, the city returns the difference. Plans for the Rest of the Road The city still plans to resurface the other half of Graydon Drive. Gerson said the city may negotiate that work with Karvo. Without a good price, the city would bid it separately. “But we would intend to have the entire road done when the project’s completed,” Gerson said. Public Works voted to place the contract on the Oct. 27 council agenda as an emergency. Gerson said emergency passage would help the city meet its obligations to Cleveland Water. The Finance committee took the same action later that evening. Payroll Contract Keeps Costs Nearly Flat Council President Phil Kiriazis chairs the Finance committee. He presented a new payroll services contract with ADP. It would run three years, from Jan. 1, 2027, through 2029. The deal includes no increase in year one. Years two and three each carry a 1% increase. The total comes to $85,000. Finance Director Aaron Frank called it a fair deal. He said increases that low are almost unheard of. Costanzo agreed with Frank. The committee voted to place the contract on the Oct. 27 agenda. It will go through three readings. Temporary Fence Rules Pass Ahead of Snow Fence Season Council passed Amended Ordinance 37-2026 on its third and final reading. The measure amends Section 521.07(A) of the codified ordinances. It sets standards for temporary fencing. Ward 3 Councilman Thomas Snitzky moved to pass it as an emergency. He said snow fences can go up Oct. 15, and council wanted the rules in effect by then. The vote carried with no opposition. The ordinance had its second reading at the Sept. 29 meeting. Kiriazis said at that meeting it would return as an emergency. Parcel Split Approved After a Long Wait Council adopted Resolution 13-2026 as an emergency. It approves dividing a parcel fronting on Seven Hills Boulevard under city Ordinance 933.02. Ward 4 Councilman Michael Morrow made the motions. Snitzky later explained the emergency. He said the property owner had waited a year while the city rededicated the road. In his view, the owner had waited long enough. Four Ordinances Get First Readings Four more ordinances received first readings with no discussion: Ordinance 41-2026 adds Section 109.05 to the city code, covering city property that is unneeded, obsolete or unfit for municipal purposes. Ordinance 42-2026 adopts the April 2025 replacement pages to the codified ordinances. Ordinance 43-2026 adopts the August 2025 replacement pages. Ordinance 44-2026 adopts the December 2025 replacement pages. Holiday Help for Families in Need Terry previewed several programs during the Community Services committee meeting. The city is starting its Adopt a Family program. Law Director Eric Moore’s son is launching a Thanksgiving meal drive. Bell ringing opportunities are also coming up. Terry shared one result from last year’s bell ringing. This past month, money raised with the Salvation Army stopped an electricity shutoff at a Seven Hills home. Where the Bell Ringing Happens Counc