Council will no longer fund campus life program; e-bike rules pass

by Laura Bednar

July 13 city council meeting

Independence City Council no longer will fund Youth for Christ, an after-school program for students in Independence Local Schools that provides faith-focused and secular activities.

The city has partially funded the program since 2010, the original idea being that Youth for Christ would eventually become self-sufficient, according to Councilpersons Dale Veverka and Sarah Szweda.

Both Szweda and Veverka voted against giving the group $20,000, along with Councilperson Matthew Benkner and Vice Mayor Anthony Togliatti. Councilpersons Kevin Day, Stephanie Rodriguez and Rebecca Somnitz voted in favor.

Several Youth for Christ participants, as well as some parents, spoke positively about the program during public participation.

The $20,000 would have been used for secular elements of the program, which includes mentorship and social activities for students not involved in other extracurriculars or clubs, according to Campus Life Director Kaylee Rauch.

Szweda said she continues to be concerned about separation of church and state if the city funds a program that promotes faith. A woman in the audience supporting the program criticized council for starting every meeting with prayer. She noted that the city spends thousands on flowers and signage so money for the children shouldn’t be a big ask.

E-bike rules

Council unanimously adopted more electric bicycle regulations. The additions state no one may operate a Class 3 e-bike on any city sidewalk, and no person under 18 may operate or be a passenger on a Class 1, 2 or 3 e-bike without wearing a helmet.

City rules already in place state that Class 1 and 2 electric bicycles are permitted on paths exclusively for bicycles or a shared-use path. Class 3 electric bicycles, which Police Chief Robert Butler said can reach speeds of 28 mph, are not permitted on bike or shared-use paths. No one under age 16 may operate a Class 3 e-bike, but passengers can be under 16.

Gateway sign

In early 2025, a vehicle crashed into the gateway sign at the intersection of Brecksville and Rockside roads. Independence received $32,798 from its insurance company after the accident.

With a 4-3 vote, council approved a $45,000 contract with Maison Architectural & Design to prepare architectural design plans and documents to bid out reconstruction. Veverka, Day and Togliatti voted against. Togliatti and Day said they felt the decision was rushed.

According to legislation, “Due to its [the sign] age and condition, particularly after the accident and resulting damage, the city thought now would be a good time to take specific steps to consider a redesign and reconstruction of this gateway element, given the current timing of the Brecksville Road streetscape improvements project.”

The total project cost is estimated at $201,500. The city is trying to secure an additional $739,590 of Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District Community Cost Share funds for the streetscape project, which could be used towards the sign because of its location within the streetscape work limits.

Amphitheater construction

Council will continue to discuss building an amphitheater in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park near Hemlock Trail. The city received a $300,000 grant from the Ohio 136th General Assembly capital budget for the project.

Mayor Greg Kurtz said the original plan was to add restrooms somewhere along the trail and the idea evolved once sanitary systems were deemed accessible. “It’s just another idea we always come up with,” he said.

The grant application states the money would fund “construction of a visual and performing arts community amphitheater with a planned capacity of approximately 300 attendees, complemented by public restroom facilities, a concession stand, ADA accessible sidewalks/walking paths and supplemental parking improvements.”

Cost of the project is an estimated $3 million.

Day noted the plan placed the theater on a parcel of land the city does not own. “Before we spend money on any designs, we should make sure we have a proposed lease agreement,” he said.

Rodriguez stated concern about parking. The current owner of the Independence Technology Center building on Brecksville Road has given permission for theatergoers to park in his lot near the trail. Rodriguez said she is concerned there would be parking issues if the building ownership changes hands.

Legislation would have included payment of $50,000 to engineering consultant DLZ to determine the size and scope of the project so the city could request bids. The legislation was left on first reading.