Bedford Council Starts Historical Society Partnership Talks, Weighs Short Term Rental Changes and Fields Juvenile Facility Questions

Bedford City Council met Nov. 2 and moved a proposed partnership with the Bedford Historical Society forward. Council also sent short term rental changes to a first reading and approved several finance measures. During the hearing of citizens, residents asked about the state’s planned juvenile facility on Rockside Road. Historical Society Asks Council to Begin Negotiations Tim Taylor, a Historical Society board member, spoke before the vote on Resolution No. 2647-26. The agenda title describes it as establishing a formal institutional partnership between the city and the Bedford Historical Society. Taylor said a yes vote would do much less than that. He told council it would not approve an agreement, commit city money, transfer property or end the society’s independence. “It does only one thing,” Taylor said. He said the resolution would let both sides start negotiations through their legal representatives, and any proposed agreement would come back for approval. Taylor linked the request to the society’s Zuzu and Bedford Falls Initiative. He said Karolyn Grimes, who played Zuzu Bailey in “It’s a Wonderful Life,” appears in a new film called “Jimmy” about Jimmy Stewart. Taylor said the society’s curator has found that Bedford is almost certainly connected to the classic movie. He also praised curator Jack Dragga and the society’s 250th anniversary video. Two Recusals Changed the Vote Math Vice Mayor Sandy Spinks recused herself because she is president of the Historical Society. Mayor Stan Koci also recused himself because he sits on the society’s Board of Trustees. That left five members eligible to vote. Koci explained that suspending the rules takes six votes. The resolution went on first reading instead, and the mayor said it can get its second reading at the next meeting. Short Term Rental Rules Get a First Reading Ordinance No. 085-26 would amend Chapter 1967 of the city’s codified ordinances, which covers short term rentals, bed and breakfast inns and Airbnbs. Council placed it on first reading. Councilman Cory Berry said the ordinance will go through multiple readings. He asked residents to contact council with any questions or concerns. Downtown Zoning Heads to Planning Commission Council voted unanimously to send a proposed text amendment to the Planning Commission for a report and recommendation. The amendment covers Chapter 1944, the H-D Historic Downtown District, including which uses are permitted and prohibited. Koci said the review will look at the best uses for the downtown area. Berry said he hopes to finish the historic district zoning and the short term rental work by the end of the year. Finance Measures Pass All finance items passed 7 to 0 under suspension of the rules. Resolution No. 2646-26 declares the city’s intent to reimburse its wastewater fund with proceeds of tax exempt state debt. The money is for the wastewater treatment plant headworks upgrade. Finance Director Jennifer Howland called it a formality under the city’s debt policy, and noted council approved the headworks project at its previous meeting. Ordinance No. 082-26 creates a water utility credit memo clearing fund. Howland said it will hold water bill overpayments, which can then be credited toward a customer’s next bill or refunded. Ordinance No. 083-26 authorizes a contract with Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., the city’s broker, for cyber risk liability insurance. Howland said it covers the coming year. Ordinance No. 084-26 makes additional appropriations for 2026. Howland described it as a budget adjustment that cleans up line items for spending council has already approved. Two Garage Appeals Approved Council unanimously upheld two Board of Zoning Appeals decisions. The first allows a homeowner on Overlook Road to build a garage in the front yard. Koci said there was no room to build one in the rear. The second allows William Lewis of JBL Roofing and Construction to rebuild a detached garage on Washington Court in the same spot as the old one. During public comment, a JBL representative said the plan replaces an existing pole barn foundation. Greencroft Road Water Line Nears Completion Spinks said the Greencroft Road project has been hard on residents because of dust, dirt, holes and blocked driveways. She asked City Manager Michael Mallis for an update. Mallis said only seven properties still needed to be connected to the new water line as of Monday morning. He hoped to finish them by the end of the week and remove the temporary bypass. Road resurfacing comes next, and the goal is to finish in early December. Mallis said the city will not accept paving laid when temperatures are too low. Grass and other restoration will happen in the spring. He added that crews checked every connection for lead service lines and found none. City Manager Updates Mallis said the Cuyahoga Land Bank sent a status report on the hospital remediation and demolition project. Asbestos remediation should start very soon and run through the