Council gave a hearty welcome to two special guests from the Southeast Clergy Meals on Wheels organization during the virtual meeting on Monday.
City Manager Mike Mallis thanked “Wheels” Treasurer Dinah Mouat and President Dianne Astalos for the organization’s faithful work of giving food to the needy — especially this year — when assistance has been even more vital.
Mouat said the group has been giving out more than 500 meals a week this year, with a large portion of the food going to residents of Bedford and Bedford Heights. She said with the help that the city has given them through the Cares Grant, the organization will be solvent through spring.
“Without the city’s help, we could not have kept this rolling,” Mouat said. “And we are obviously more popular right now than we have ever been. … The incomes are so low and the (recipients) need this so badly that we are just absolutely thrilled that we have been able to keep going.”
And Bedford city employees were able to give “Wheels” even a little extra money at year’s end in the form of a check for $1,000 during the meeting. The money was raised during the year through a program that allowed workers to “dress down” on Fridays for a one dollar donation.
According to the organization’s website, Southeast Clergy Meals of Wheels has been serving the community for 44 years. Starting in March of this year, the group began delivering a week’s worth of meals to homebound residents on Tuesdays, instead of hot meals daily. A crew of almost 30 volunteers come together each week to deliver 30-pound boxes to the needy in the area. Information on how to receive meals, or how to volunteer is available on the website.
Mallis said he was thankful that the city’s own food bank, run through the Parks and Recreation Department, received a generous donation of $1,100 from the Guru Nanak Gurudwara (Sikh Temple) of Bedford. Mayor Stan Koci also specifically mentioned his appreciation for the help given by the organization.
Mallis also mentioned a program offered by the Cuyahoga County Small Business Stabilization Fund that gives grants of up to $10,000 to area restaurant owners to help offset unpaid rent, utilities, and COVID-19 safety-related costs incurred from March 1, to December 31 of this year. The county fund received an additional $1.2 million in funding to provide the grants. Applications for the grants opened on Dec. 4, and will close December 11 (Friday) at 5:00 p.m.
During her report to council, Ward 5 Representative Heath Rhoades, said the Bedford Downtown Alliance is encouraging downtown businesses to apply for a rent subsidy that the organization is making available to them. The subsidy would pay for one month’s rent for a business that needs assistance. She said that the Downtown Alliance does not want to lose any businesses because of the pandemic causing hardships. She also mentioned that the organization is also willing to help businesses wanting to get their websites up and running.
Rhoades said even though Christmas in Bedford Falls event will look different this year, there are still activities that families can enjoy, including photo opportunities, delivering letters to Santa’s mailbox, enjoying the city’s renowned Christmas lights, and an opportunity to play an “Elf on the Shelf Game.” She directed those interested to go to the Downtown Alliance Website at bedforddowntown.org/, and encouraged everyone to support Bedford’s businesses this season.
The snow last week put off the leaf collection for a little while as heavy drifts covered tree lawns, but Mallis assured that the leaf crews would be out again, and said because of the effect of heavy snow on some of the trees, the chipper will make some brief appearances as well.
Ward 6 Representative Don Saunders reported that there was quite a bit of tree damage in his ward that needed to be inspected. He also reminded residents that they are not allowed to just shovel or plow snow from their property into the street or onto other properties. According to city ordinance, if the snow falls on your property, it is yours. He said people have been plowing snow from their driveways across the street and blocking driveways of other residents, including some elderly.
Mallis said the sewer-scoping project in Ward 3 has been completed, and now they will be compiling the data to see where repairs can be made in the near future. Workers were also out recently doing sewer cleaning on both Eldred Avenue and South Circle.
In other business council:
— Ward 3 Representative Vic Fluharty reported about the success of the Holly Ball & Silent Auction held by the Bedford City Schools Foundation (BCSF). He said despite the auction being virtual this year, the foundation was able to raise $32,000, besting last year’s total of $27,000. The foundation funds different scholarships, grants, and classroom projects and programs for Bedford City School students.
— Council approved a bid from CSP Construction, Inc. for $48,000 to do emergency sewer work on Northfield Road by the old YMCA. Mallis said a sewer line there collapsed and needs to be replaced very soon since there is no current sewer service to the facility.
