Mayor gives State of the City address

City celebrated its centennial in 2020, festivities planned for this year

Mayor Chuck Brunello Jr. recently presented his annual address at the city’s community center.

Highland Heights Mayor Chuck Brunello Jr. recently presented his annual State of the City address to residents, council members and department heads gathered at the city’s community center.

In his Aug. 26 address, Brunello stated that overall, the city saw continued growth and progress on improvement projects despite the many challenges of the pandemic. It also remained financially stable, with a general fund balance of just over $7.75 million.

Highland Heights, which has a population of roughly 8,400, was rated one of the top one of the top 10 wealthiest suburbs in Northeast Ohio, Brunello said.

Over the course of 2020, Highland Heights was able to welcome several new businesses, the mayor said, along with support the existing small businesses through creating an economic relief grant program to help support them through loss of revenue and the cost of operating expenses amid the pandemic.

“Our intent was to assist all our local small businesses, helping with debts, payroll, accounts payable, utilities, and any other bills that cannot be paid through the impact of the pandemic,” Brunello said. “This grant helped 33 small businesses in our community, with a grant range from $250 to $2,500, totaling $66,500. I was extremely proud of this initiative to help our small businesses and small business owners during this challenging time.”

Among the new businesses are several restaurants that opened over the past year near the corner of Wilson Mills Road and Alpha Drive, including La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant, Beyond Juicery & Eatery, Panini’s Bar & Grill and Poke Fresh, which specializes in Hawaii cuisine.

Another incoming new business is Metropolitan Veterinary Clinic, which will feature a 24-hour emergency department, and will open its doors in late summer or early fall to a new facility at 734 Alpha Drive. Brunello said the clinic will be bringing in over 65 new employees by 2025.

Even more new jobs were brought to Highland Heights by the relocation of Lake Business Products, which recently moved its headquarters from Eastlake to its new home at 653 Miner Road. Brunello said the business is bringing in approximately 70 more jobs to the city.

The mayor also noted the achievements of the city’s police and fire departments, which also dealt with new challenges related to the pandemic, but Brunello said they maintained a high level of service and protection for the residents of Highland Heights.

“Our fire department has a public protection classification rating of 2, with a rating of 1 being the highest, issued by the ISO,” he said. “Less than 75 departments in the state are rated 1 or 2. In addition, the department has received the Mission Lifeline Gold Standard Award from the American Heart Association for pre-hospital cardiac and stroke care provided for our residents.”

Brunello added that the pandemic did affect some festivities that were planned for last summer, as Highland Heights celebrated its 100th birthday in 2020, but out of caution city officials decided to postpone the celebration.

However, the centennial celebration will resume this year, as a part of Highland Heights’ annual Community Day to be held on Sept. 11.

To commemorate, Brunello said, the city will see the return of an annual parade, but this year it will highlight those who worked on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic since it began.

“Residents who are first responders, nurses and doctors will be honored as grand marshals,” the mayor said.