Shaker Heights · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Shaker Heights public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Police Lieutenant promotional examination process
The police department needs a new lieutenant eligibility list because the old one expired in December 2024 and staffing gaps are looming — one lieutenant is at the FBI National Academy and a commander retires at the end of July. The exam process recommendations were up for commission action.
Firefighter entry-level hiring pipeline
A report recommended changing the minimum hiring age for firefighter/paramedics, which would affect who can apply for fire service jobs in Shaker Heights.
Shaker Heights Municipal Court update
Judge Anne Keller was scheduled to brief council on the state of the Shaker Heights Municipal Court. The court handles local traffic, misdemeanor, and civil cases, so its operations, staffing, and caseload directly affect residents who interact with the local justice system.
Animal control and kenneling services
A two-year contract with A&S Animal Control covers stray dogs, dead deer, wildlife complaints, and dog-bite coordination with police. It's the only company that bid, but residents reportedly like the service.
2026–2031 Animal Control RFP
The city is putting out a request for proposals for animal control services through 2031. This shapes how residents get help with animal issues for years to come.
Flock license plate reader contract
Speaker after speaker demanded Council cancel the City's Flock Safety camera contract, citing confirmed ICE access to the data and arguing the cameras threaten civil liberties. Council and administration have renegotiated guardrails but haven't canceled.
Police vehicle upfitting contract
After years of problems with other vendors, police will use Fallsway Equipment as their sole cruiser upfitter for two years, about $25,000 per car for roughly 10 vehicles.
FOP Gold Unit labor agreement (2025-2027)
Shaker Heights has finalized its contract with police sergeants and lieutenants after a contentious negotiation that went to state fact-finding. The deal costs about $207,761 over three years and includes raises of roughly 4% then 3.5% a year, plus new benefits like paid parental leave. The patrol officers' contract is still up in the air.
Police Oversight
An independent investigation cleared the Shaker Heights police chief of most misconduct claims, helping put a messy department drama to rest. It's a big relief for local leadership, but it definitely leaves some residents wondering about true police accountability.
SEIU organizers cited at Bellefaire JCB picket
Two union organizers said police cited them for disturbing the peace at their final Bellefaire JCB picket without warning, and asked whether the city is protecting workers or corporate interests. Council members pointed them to the formal complaint process.
Golf course mowing noise and proposed crosswalk island
One resident complained about 6:30 a.m. mowing at the golf course and opposed a pedestrian island near the Van Aken hub she believes would reward jaywalking.
Fall fair housing training
The board was scheduled to report on past and future education and outreach, including possible landlord trainings and tenant-focused sessions.
Elevator issues affecting tenants with disabilities
The board was scheduled to discuss how elevator problems impact tenants with disabilities. Reliable elevators are essential for residents with mobility limitations to access their homes. No record of the discussion or any action is available.
Human Resources records retention schedule update
The city updates how long it keeps HR records before archiving or destroying them. This affects what employment-related records exist if residents or journalists ever request them.
Police Lateral Eligibility List changes
The commission was asked to consider removing certain candidates from the lateral entry eligibility list used to hire experienced officers.
Senior Well Call program
The City is building a volunteer program making daily wellness phone calls to isolated seniors, partnering with Meals on Wheels, the library, Parks and Rec, and EMS data to find those who need help.
Bulk item pickup program
Residents will soon be able to schedule free backyard pickup of up to three large items like furniture and appliances. The pilot runs August 1 through October 31, 2026; from 2027, two free pickups per year with $150 for extras, plus quarterly Service Center drop-offs.
Cooling Center Availability During Extreme Heat
Council member Chengelis asked whether residents had asked about cooling centers during the recent heat wave. Police and the administration reported no such requests.
Firefighter Health and Safety — Gear Cleaning Equipment
The fire department's 30-year-old washers and dryers for turnout gear are near the end of their life. Gear washed promptly removes carcinogens that would otherwise be reabsorbed through firefighters' skin. A FEMA grant would cover 90% of the $75,000 replacement cost.
Brush and Grass Bag Collection Changes
Public Works now lets brush crews pick up grass bags early when already on the street — an added service, not a replacement for regular rubbish-day collection. The city is sending clearer guidance after one resident's confusion.
Firefighter Annual Medical Examinations
Firefighters will now get comprehensive annual medical exams — including mental health assessments — through Cleveland Clinic AtWork, catching health problems before they become career-ending.
Police entry-level hiring and declining applicant pool
Only 35 people applied for the police entry exam this year, down from 254 in 2013, and 25 took the test. The commission was scheduled to set the passing grade and certify the eligibility list so the department can hire for August academy seats. A shrinking pipeline means slower police staffing.
Replacement Lifepak cardiac monitors for Fire Department
The fire department's 10-year-old defibrillators are out of warranty. New Lifepak 35 units can transmit patient data directly to ER physicians and cath labs, cutting treatment time for heart attack patients.
Replacement of two totaled police cruisers
Two police cruisers were totaled in 2025 through no fault of the city; insurance paid about $102,000. Council moved that money into the capital budget to buy replacements.
Police Conduct Investigation
Local news has uncovered on-duty videos taken by a Shaker Heights police officer, raising serious questions about how well the department is being run and whether anyone is watching the watchers. This could lead to a major shake-up in how the city holds its police force accountable.
Police Misconduct Lawsuit
Shaker Heights is facing a high-stakes police misconduct lawsuit that ropes in the police chief. It's a messy situation for city leadership that could lead to some serious accountability questions.
Remote meeting attendance and citizen inquiry process
Council held a work session on rules for remote meeting attendance and a new protocol for how citizen inquiries are handled. One resident raised privacy concerns about communications to council under the proposed protocol.
Lawsuit Against Police Chief
Shaker Heights is facing a major headache after a new lawsuit was filed against the police chief, which is raising serious red flags about city leadership and potential fallout. This could lead to some messy public drama and shake things up at city hall.