Seven Hills Council Rejects Firefighter Contract, Approves Graydon Drive Waterline and Hears Case for Cuyahoga DD Levy

A firefighter labor agreement added to the agenda at the last minute failed on a unanimous roll call at the Oct. 27 Seven Hills City Council meeting. Council also approved a waterline replacement contract worth up to $847,478.37. Members heard from the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities about its levy on the November ballot. The meeting opened at 6:41 p.m. and adjourned at 6:56 p.m. Mayor Anthony Biasiotta and Ward 3 Councilman Thomas Snitzky were excused. Council President Phillip Kiriazis, who also represents Ward 1, chaired the session. Firefighter Agreement Fails on Roll Call At the start of the meeting, council voted to add Ordinance 48-2026 to the agenda. Members waived the 24 hour rule and attached an emergency clause. The ordinance would have authorized the mayor to enter a collective bargaining agreement with the Seven Hills Firefighters Association. According to its title, the agreement memorializes wage negotiations with various fire department employees. Kiriazis called for roll call votes on the item. Councilman Patrick Elliott moved to suspend the rules and read the ordinance by title only. That motion passed 6 to 0. Members then approved the emergency clause, again by a 6 to 0 vote. On the final motion to pass the ordinance as an emergency measure, every member present voted no. Those votes came from Elliott, Councilwoman Stacey Kelly, Councilman Justin Costanzo, Ward 2 Councilman Brian Kelley, Ward 4 Councilman Michael Morrow and Kiriazis. Kiriazis then declared the ordinance failed. No discussion of the reasons took place on the record. Graydon Drive Waterline Contract Approved Council approved Ordinance 45-2026 on first and final reading. It authorizes an agreement with Karvo Companies Inc. for the Graydon Drive Waterline Replacement Project. The appropriation is not to exceed $847,478.37. Council President Pro Tem Costanzo made each motion, and Morrow seconded. Members suspended the rules, approved the emergency clause and passed the measure as an emergency. No opposition was heard on any of the votes. Cuyahoga DD Makes Its Case for Issue 10 Megan Kuntz, a support administration manager with Cuyahoga DD, addressed council during communications. She said the agency supports more than 15,000 people countywide, including 139 in Seven Hills. Services include early intervention, occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy. Housing and employment support are also part of its work. Kuntz said a property tax levy passed by county voters in 2005 is the board’s primary source of support. That levy was meant to last 10 years. She said careful management has stretched it well beyond that. Since 2021, the board has granted more than $1 million to over 50 libraries and arts, culture, leisure and recreation groups. Kuntz said $31,000 of that went to organizations in Seven Hills. She said the grants help make programs and physical spaces more accessible. She invited residents and council members to reach out with questions. She closed by asking for support of Issue 10 this year. Morrow called the board’s work “extremely vital” to the people it serves and their families. He said the board has been responsible with its levy funds. He also praised Superintendent and CEO Amber Gibbs for her leadership. “It has my full support,” Morrow said. Costanzo added praise for how long the agency made its levy dollars last. “I’m blown away by that,” he said. Second Readings and a Payroll Contract Four ordinances received second readings. Ordinance 41-2026 would add Section 109.05 to the city’s codified ordinances. That new section is titled “City Property Unneeded, Obsolete, or Unfit for Municipal Purposes.” Ordinances 42-2026, 43-2026 and 44-2026 would adopt the April, August and December 2025 replacement pages to the codified ordinances. Ordinance 46-2026 received its first reading. It would authorize a 36 month guaranteed price agreement with ADP Inc. of Roseland, New Jersey. The contract covers payroll, tax filing, benefits administration and other data processing services. 2027 Budget Draft Arrives Early Finance Director Aaron Frank told council members they now have the draft 2027 appropriation budget. He asked them to review it and bring questions to the next Finance Committee meeting on Nov. 10. Costanzo thanked Frank for getting the draft to council so early. Rock Salt Supply Secure This Winter Kelley asked Service Director Jeff Bryda whether the city faces any rock salt concerns this winter. Bryda said Seven Hills is under contract with Cargill for the season. He does not expect any impact this year. Looking further ahead, Bryda cautioned that supply problems elsewhere could affect the city in a future year. Council Notes Morrow thanked Parks and Recreation Director Jen Burger and others for their work on the city’s Trick or Treat event. Kiriazis shared a letter from the Northeast Ohio City Council Association. The group will recognize Seven Hills for 15 years of membership at i