Ward 3 E-Newsletter: June 2020

Greetings Ward 3 Resident,Summer is here. Unfortunately the COVID-19 pandemic is still here too. Here in Ward 3 we have lost a resident to COVID-19. We have also had residents get COVID-19, including one resident who was hospitalized for over 40 days and even was on a ventilator. They have beaten COVID-19 and are home now. But their kidneys are compromised as a result of the virus and require dialysis. I share this with you all because we all want things to return back to normal.  But until there is a vaccine and further medical advances we all still need to be careful. So please continue to wear a face-covering or mask in public, use social distancing, wash your hands, sanitize commonly used surfaces at home, stay home if you are sick, and proper hygiene to help eliminate the spread of COVID-19 in our community! You can also read by Click Here why I feel it is important to do our part to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Again I am so proud of how brave, patient, and caring you all have been to help our fellow neighbors and local businesses struggling as a result of COVID-19! I have some additional COVID-19 information that you should be aware of since my last update and whats going in your city government.

Have a great week!

Dan Langshaw
Ward 3 Councilman
North Royalton City Council

COVID-19 Update

Stay Up to Date on COVID-19
Top 4 places to get accurate and 24/7 situational information you need to know in staying safe throughout this emergency are the following resources:

Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus

State of Ohio & Governor Mike DeWine
https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/home

Cuyahoga County Board of Health
https://www.ccbh.net/coronavirus/

City of North Royalton
Website: www.northroyalton.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CityofNorthRoyaltonOH/

Governor DeWine has announced the following additional re-openings as part of Responsible Restart Ohio and Important COVID-19 Information since my Last Update

Expanded Testing for COVID-19
On June 11th, Governor DeWine announced that Ohio expanded testing for COVID-19. He encouraged those who want a COVID-19 test, including those who are low-risk or asymptomatic, to talk with their health care provider or contact a testing location to arrange a test. Governor DeWine also announced a series of “pop-up” testing locations will be available all over the state, including in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Portsmouth, Dayton, Xenia, Columbiana, Akron, and other locations. A list of testing locations in Ohio can be found at coronavirus.ohio.gov

New Role for Dr. Amy Acton
Governor DeWine announced that Dr. Amy Acton will step down as director of the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and begin serving as his chief health advisor. Lance Himes, who previously served as ODH’s director, was named interim-director. In her new role, Dr. Acton will take a comprehensive and holistic approach to addressing health and well-being for all Ohioans. In addition to advising on health issues, she will continue to focus on the COVID-19 crisis.

COVID-19 Cases in the State of Ohio
As of Friday afternoon June 12th, there are 40,424 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio and 2,508 confirmed and probable COVID-19 deaths. A total of 6,814 people have been hospitalized, including 1,745 admissions to intensive care units. In-depth data can be accessed by visiting coronavirus.ohio.gov.

Full guidelines to ensure all sectors operate in the safest manner possible are be available at coronavirus.ohio.gov.

Unemployment due to COVID-19
Don’t forget to register for the upcoming virtual county job fair! Register ASAP, the job fair takes places this week June 15th through June 19th. Click Here to learn more. Ohioans can apply for unemployment benefits online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at unemployment.ohio.gov. It is also possible to file by phone at 877-644-6562 or TTY at 888- 642-8203, Monday through Friday 7:00am to 7:00pm, Saturday 9:00am to 5:00pm, and Sunday 9:00am to 1:00pm. When applying online try non-peak hours like early in the morning.  If you are ineligible for state unemployment, you may be eligible of relief under the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. The system went live on May 12th and you can register at: pua.unemployment.ohio.gov. The benefit amount will be similar to traditional unemployment benefits plus $600. Benefits will last for 13 weeks.

Help for Families due to COVID-19
ODJFS has electronic pandemic EBT Program available. For more information visit: www.benefits.ohio.gov. Click Here to view additional Economic Resources for Individuals and Families.

Stay Connected Program
The Ohio Department of Aging Director Ursel McElroy announced the Stay Connected program which will provide a daily check-in by phone for Ohioans ages 60 or older.  If no one answers after three attempts, a call is then made to an alternate contact (if provided) or to non-emergency services.  The service can be canceled at any time. Staying Connected is not an emergency response service, and participants should always use 911 or their emergency response system if they are injured or in need of emergency assistance. Eligible Ohioans can sign up at aging.ohio.gov or by calling 1-800-266-4346.

COVID-19 Scams
Scammers are contacting people claiming to be tracing COVID-19 contacts. While legitimate health agencies, including the Cuyahoga County Board of Health and the Cleveland Department of Public Health are calling people to complete contact tracing, they will never ask for your Social Security or Bank Account information. Do not click on links or respond to texts saying you have been exposed to COVID-19. Please report suspicious calls or texts to http://ConsumerAffairs.CuyahogaCounty.US or call 216-443-SCAM.

City of North Royalton COVID-19 Update

Click Here for more City COVID-19 Updates and more.

North Royalton Baseball Boosters Season Update

The NRBB has decided to move forward with a summer recreation baseball and softball program, after working with the city to open the fields based on the NRBB’s COVID-19 Guidelines. The summer program will be very different and details are still in the planning stages. The first course of action will be to refund all recreation players registered in the spring program. Once refunds are processed, registration for the new program will open, and run for a fairly short period of time which has not yet been determined. The goal of this effort is to provide a FUN summer activity for the youth of our community.The summer program’s intent is to be instructional for some younger ages and games for others. The number of participants will dictate what can be offered. In some cases and if registration is too low, the NRBB may still need to shut down that specific age group, and issue refunds. The program will most likely run through the end of July. The number of participants, available and open fields, city staff resources and coaching resources will influence what is and can be offered. The cost of this program will be a flat $25 fee. Uniforms will not be issued. There will also be guidelines for all to follow. Please check this Google Drive link. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tEIHGXsGZycUMPvA65BI_AcK2Z6_v_4a/view?usp=sharing

North Royalton Ward 3 Neighborhood Buddy Program for COVID-19 
If you are Ward 3 resident who is elderly, lives alone, has a pre-existing condition please consider signing up TODAY to participate in the #NRWard3Buddy Program. The purpose of this program is to establish a “buddy” system in North Royalton Ward 3 to ensure vulnerable and hard-to-reach community members stay connected to COVID-19 related news, food, services, and help keep positive morale to get through the COVID-19 emergency safely. While supplies last every person in the program gets a FREE cloth mask. If you are interested in having a buddy contact me Ward 3 Councilman Dan Langshaw via email at ward3@northroyalton.org, or online at http://www.danlangshaw.com/contact or by phone at 440-785-4240. (Note: Residents not living in Ward 3 who want a buddy will not be turned away).

#MaskUpNRWard3 & #MaskUpNoRo Initiative
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that Americans wear cloth face coverings (masks) in public to help slow the spread of COVID-19. This recommendation is being made based on studies that show a significant proportion of people with COVID-19 lack symptoms and can transmit the virus to others in close proximity, through speaking, coughing, sneezing or other means. So in late March of 2020, I launched my  #MaskUpNRWard3 & #MaskUpNoRo Initiative to get as many homade cloth face masks to residents and businesses who urgently need in both Ward 3 and North Royalton Community to eliminate the spread of COVID-19! Because of the help of many amazing volunteers “Mask Angels”, generous donations of supplies, and more. Over 1,800 FREE homemade cloth masks have already been given out so far to the elderly, those with high risk conditions to COVID-19, #NRWard3Buddy Program residents, nurses, front line health care workers, nursing homes, residential care facilities for those with developmental disabilities, essential businesses, essential workers, first responders families, and more throughout both Ward 3 and the entire North Royalton community! Wearing a mask on top of other measures like social distancing and proper personal hygiene will help get us hopefully closer to a return back to normal sooner! If you need a mask or like to make a donation of supplies email me North Royalton Ward 3 Councilman Dan Langshaw at ward3@northroyalton.org or call 440-785-4240.

North Royalton Ward 3 COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Website
North Royalton Ward 3 Residents Click Here to view the COVID-19 Ward 3 Updates, alerts, and helpful information including places to get take out, buy masks locally, business assistance, and more.

Council Update

Highlights from Council Meetings
Some highlights from the Council Meetings for the month of May. City Council approved Resolution 20-77 to authorize the Mayor to accept the donation of a state historical marker identifying the City Green as a location worthy of identification as a historical site. A formal dedication will happen sometime this fall by the North Royalton Historical Society. Council also unanimously approved Resolution 20-78 in support of the Re-Opening of the economy of our city and country during the COVID-19 pandemic and to encourage the continued patience and cooperation of all residents and businesses of the City of North Royalton. At the May 19th Council Meeting, City Council approved a motion to resume all regular Council Committee Meetings that were recessed due to COVID-19 starting in June. Council also approved an Ordinance 20-81 to give businesses the ability to get temporary permits to increase outdoor patio space for proper social distancing due to COVID-19. Read More.

Last Chance to be Heard on Permanent Closure of the City Jail
Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz  has ordered the closure of the North Royalton City Jail on June 30th. The closure means 19 communities including our city that have been housing prisoners in the jail will have to look elsewhere. These communities include Brecksville, Broadview Heights, Strongsville, Berea, Highland Hills, Lakewood, Middleburg Heights, North Olmsted, Olmsted Falls, Olmsted Township, Parma Heights and Seven Hills. According to the City’s Law Department the Mayor does have the sole authority to close the city jail if he pleases and Council can’t stop him. Our City Charter gives the Mayor a lot of power. However the taxpayers of this city have paid for the jail for over 30 years deserve to have an opportunity to better understand the  process on why and if the possible closure of the city jail will impact the community’s public safety. This issue did not come up in the this years 2020 city budget nor it past budgets that I can find being an issue. The jail closure is not related to any financial issues due to COVID-19. Furthermore the City has not taken any major action over the years to reduce costs or even increase fees to house other communities prisoners since 2010. Read More. This closure will impact the Police Department that is already under staffed with a minimum of 4 officers on each shift to patrol our entire city. The Mayor is proposing that we pay the City of Parma to take our prisoners for a significant amount of money. This means if there is a felony arrest or even serious misdemeanor arrest at least 2 of our Police Officers will have to transport said prisoner. Leaving the city with only 2 Police Officers to respond to any calls or emergencies. What also is concerning there will be legislation coming later from the Mayor to change the city’s bond schedule to allow for more individuals who are typically arrested for committing a crime to just be released back into the community. So I understand why residents continue to contacted me about this issue still have major concerns and I agree more information is needed to better understand what is going on. So if you want to be heard on how you feel about this permanent closure. You will have what most likely be your last opportunity to address City Council on this issues this Tuesday June 16th at 6:00pm in the City Council Chamber located at 14600 State Road before the Safety Committee who will be discussing the closure, and Finance Committee that will be discussing Ordinances 20-89 and 20-90 that is a Closure Agreement for the Jail and a Housing Agreement for Prisoners for the City of Parma. If you wish to speak let the Committee Chair know and they will give you 5 minutes to be heard. Also make sure you wear a face covering or mask while in city hall.

If you like to learn more about what is going on in City Council check out the minutes online by Clicking Here. Also your welcome to attend City Council Meetings, just make sure that you wear mask or face covering while inside City Hall.

City Update

Memorial Park Playground Reopened
On June 13th the Memorial Park Playground was reopened by the Mayor as well as the outdoor restrooms too. Before reopening the playground a product known as MicroShield 360, which is being used in other municipalities and businesses was used to sanitize the playground. It is a clear, odorless, colorless, antimicrobial coating that is EPA registered and FDA approved and is being utilized at not only the playground but also our outdoor restrooms, pavilions, skate park, tables, and eventually city buildings, to help reduce the spread of pathogens, including COVID-19, for an entire year.

Lighting Upgrades
The City Energy Upgrade Project continues. All traffic signals Citywide have been converted to LED.  This conversion provides much less need for maintenance. The lifespan of the LED is much better and reduces the city’s energy costs. The streetlights Citywide are still being converted and in parts of Ward 3 where they have been installed have really improved lighting in certain areas and neighborhoods.

North Royalton Top 20 Safest Cities in Ohio
North Royalton has ranked in the top 20 cities in Ohio this year according to the SafeWise rankings, who recently released its sixth annual Safest Cities in Ohio report. As Chairman of the Safety Committee, I believe what makes North Royalton a safe community to get positive recognition like this is all the hard work that all our safety forces do 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to keep us safe. Read More.

2020 City Road Program
The 2020 City Road Program is underway. Construction is continuing in the Swan Lake development with the chip seal installed May 29th and 30th. The intermediate course of asphalt was to be placed on May 30th or June 1st, depending on weather. North Akins Road has been recycled and is now in its seven-day cure period. Recycling of the pavement on Bennett Road was to begin May 30th.

Around Ward 3

Ward 3 Recycling Tip of the Month
The 2020 City of North Royalton Recycling Brochure is now available. These guidelines outline the current dos and don’ts of proper recycling and rubbish services. Click Here to view it.

Exterior Property Maintenance Reminder
As your Councilman I get reports from the Building Department on various violations by Ward 3 property owners, which city building inspectors have found during their inspections. A common violation I start to see this time of the year as the weather gets warmer is of non-compliance with Section 660.14(a) (b) (c) (d) of the Codified Ordinances of North Royalton titled “Weeds and Grass”. A majority of these are properties that appear to be either vacant or in foreclosure, in which the grass has not been cut or the weeds have become overgrown. Here are some helpful reminders about what property owners are required to do for exterior maintenance of their property. Property owners are required to cut any weeds, grass, underbrush and non-edible grass or woody vegetation in excess of 6 inches. Ensure that any ditches are kept clear of any type of grass, underbrush in excess of 6 inches. Exterior of property areas of all premises and lots shall be kept free of any debris, objects, material or conditions which may create a health, accident or fire hazard. The exterior of every structure or accessory structure including fences, shall be maintained in good repair and all surfaces shall be kept painted. Storing abandoned or junk vehicles on your property is not allowed. If you know of any properties like this in our Ward that may have an issue, please report them to the Building Department at 440-582-3000.

See Something Say Something
If you have a specific safety issue or concern in your neighbor please report it to the North Royalton Police Department at 440-237-8686 when it happens so our officers can check it. If they don’t know there is an issue there is nothing that can be done to address it. So see something say something! I have also gotten some complaints about folks parking overnight in the street. Below is the City of North Royalton Ordinance for Ordinance 452.14:

452.14 OVERNIGHT PARKING ON STREETS
(a) No owner or operator of any vehicle shall park such vehicle on any street within the City for a period of time longer than three minutes for loading and unloading passengers between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. Emergency and public safety vehicles and vehicles being used by physicians on emergency calls are exempt from the provisions of this section.

Send In Your Feedback or Invite to an Event
Got an issue you are concerned about? Is there a Homeowner Association Meeting, Condo Association Meeting, Community Organization Meeting, Block Party, or Event that you would like for me attend? Email me your feedback or invite to an event in the ward at ward3@northroyalton.org

Upcoming Events

City Council Streets, Storm Water, & Utilities Committee Meetings June 2nd at 6:00pm at City Hall. Click Here to view agendas.

City Council Meeting June 2nd at 7:00pm at City Hall. Click Here to view agenda.

City Council Finance, Safety, & Building & Building Codes Committee Meetings June 16th at 6:00pm at City Hall. Click Here to view agendas.

City Council Meeting June 16th at 7:00pm at City Hall. Click Here to view agenda.

North Royalton Community Meal
The next North Royalton Community Meal will be hosted on June 28th. Meals, along with a bag of grocery items, are still being distributed via drive-thru pickup. The meal is scheduled for 3:00pm-4:00pm. Participants will enter Saint Albert the Great, located at 6667 Wallings Road, via parking lot A or C and then follow the parking attendant’s direction. Everyone will remain in their vehicles with the trunk open. Anyone may participate, no questions asked. The schedule of meals for the remainder of the year is: July 26th, August 30th, September 27th, October 25th and November 29th.

Virtual Monthly Coffee with Councilman Dan Langshaw
If you are a constituent living in the North Royalton Ward 3, you are invited to attend my monthly constituent coffee. I hold these coffees in order to stay in touch with fellow residents and listen to their feedback. There is no appointment necessary. Simply stop by and talk to me.

The next coffee will be held on:

When: June 28, 2020

Time: 2:30pm-3:30pm

Where: Peeboo & Beanie Gourmet Ice Cream
12971 State Road
North Royalton, OH 44133

If you have any COVID-19 concerns and do not want to attend in person. Please email me any questions you have by June 27th and then I will respond to them on Facebook Live at https://www.facebook.com/DanLangshawNR

2020 Youth Football Season Registration is Open
Registration for the North Royalton Youth Football Association’s 2020 season is open. Tackle football is for second-graders through sixth-graders, flag football is for Kindergarten and first-graders and cheer is for Kindergarten through sixth-graders. Register online at www.nryouthfootball.com. Parents can contact the association at nryouthfootball@yahoo.com. In the event the 2020 season is cancelled due to COVID-19, full refunds would be issued immediately.

North Royalton Lions Club Fundraiser Drawing July 28th.