On the agenda: Beachwood City Council Meeting — License Plate Recognition (Nov 2)

Beachwood City Council Meeting
Monday, November 2, 2026, 7:00 PM
at Beachwood City Hall, Council Chambers,
25325 Fairmount Boulevard, Beachwood, Ohio 44122
Agenda
-Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America1. Roll Call
2. Citizen’s Remarks (City Council limits Citizen’s Remarks to three (3) minutes each for a
maximum of thirty (30) minutes unless so extended at the discretion of the President or a
majority of Council per Council Rules of Procedure, Section 7, Rule 7.2)
3. Reports
a. Mayor
b. Council Member (non-agenda items)
c. Department Directors
Consent Agenda
Approval of Minutes
Safety & Public Health Committee Meeting held on October 19, 2026
Regular City Council Meeting held on October 19, 2026
Ordinances
1. 2026-46
An Ordinance authorizing and directing the payment of Certain Claims (Bills) for professional
and other services; and declaring this to be an urgent measure
New Business (Regular Agenda)
Ordinances
1. 2026-47
An Ordinance Repealing Section 672.05 titled "Failure to Secure Dangerous Ordnance, Firearms,
or Deadly Weapons" of the Codified Ordinances; and declaring this to be an urgent measure

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Resolutions
1. 2026-90
A Resolution authorizing an Amendment to an Agreement and Purchase Order No. 2026-00157 with
Eviction Pest Solutions, LLC for Wildlife Control Services; and declaring this to be an urgent measure

Any other matters coming before City Council
Adjournment
Next Regular Council Meeting will be held on: Monday, November 16, 2026 at 7:00 PM in Council
Chambers. For all updates regarding Council Meetings, please visit: www.BeachwoodOhio.com
Council Members: Danielle Shoykhet - President
Jillian DeLong – Vice President,
Alec Isaacson, Alex Jacobs, Peter L. Smith
Ali B. Stern, June E. Taylor
Clerk of Council: Whitney M. Crook, MMC, OCPM

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BEACHWOOD CITY COUNCIL
SAFETY AND PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2026, 6:00 PM
BEACHWOOD CITY HALL, CONFERENCE ROOM A
25325 Fairmount Boulevard, Beachwood, Ohio 44122
Called to order at 6:01 PM by Chairman Pete Smith
Roll Call
Present- Mr. Isaacson, Ms. Jacobs, Ms. Shoykhet, Mr. Smith
Absent - None
Others Present - Mayor Berns, Ms. DeLong, Chief Grispino, Mr. Hunt, Mr.
Lombardi, Ms. Taylor, Ms. Turick
1.

Continued discussion regarding Community Safety Technology
Chairman Smith called the meeting to order and introduced the continued discussion on
Community Safety Technology, turning the floor over to Police Chief Grispino.
Chief Grispino provided a brief overview of his responses to questions previously submitted by
Chairman Smith regarding the City’s Automated Safety Cameras and License Plate Recognition
(LPR) systems. These questions included:
- Which agencies currently have access to data generated by the Automated Safety Cameras.
-Whether there is an ability to audit LPR systems to determine which agencies have accessed the
data.
-How the use of LPRs is categorized and whether any false positives have been generated.
-What alert lists are in place that prompt notifications to Beachwood law enforcement, and the
criteria by which individuals or vehicles are added to such lists.
Chief Grispino summarized his responses to these items, and the discussion continued, including
a brief review of the current contract for Automated Safety Cameras, associated records retention
practices, and what information would be available to the public in response to a records request.
Committee members were given the opportunity to ask questions and engage in the discussion.
No action was taken at this time, and it is anticipated that the discussion will continue at a future
meeting.

2.

Any other matters coming before the Safety and Public Health Committee
None.

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3. Adjournment
Adjourned at 6:46 PM

Clerk

Mayor

*****************************************************************************************
Pursuant to Ordinance Number 2020-78 Council has determined that the Video Recording
of the meetings shall stand as the official Minutes of its Body, its Committees, and those
of the
Planning and Zoning Commission.
A written synopsis of all agenda items and votes shall also be promptly prepared and kept.

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REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2026, 7:00 PM
AT BEACHWOOD CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS,
25325 FAIRMOUNT BOULEVARD,
BEACHWOOD, OHIO 44122
Called to order at 7:00 PM by Council President Danielle Shoykhet
-Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America1. Roll Call
Present - Ms. DeLong, Mr. Isaacson, Ms. Jacobs, Ms. Shoykhet, Mr. Smith,
Ms. Taylor
Absent – Ms. Stern
Others Present - Mayor Berns, Mr. Arrietta, Ms. Bieterman, Ms. Gallagher, Police
Chief Grispino, Mr. Heiser, Fire Chief Holtzman, Mr. Hunt, Mr. Lombardi, Mr.
Schroeder, Ms. Turick
2. Public Hearing
Ordinance No. 2026-42, which proposes changing the name of a Public Street known as
“Fire Station Drive” to “Signature Drive”
Signature Drive Representative made remarks
3. Citizen's Remarks (City Council limits Citizen's Remarks to three (3) minutes each for a
maximum of thirty (30) minutes unless so extended at the discretion of the President or a
majority of Council per Council Rules of Procedure, Section 7, Rule 7.2)
(Please see Video Recording for full remarks:
https://www.beachwoodohio.com/528/Live-Stream-Recorded-Meetings)
Members of the public addressed Council.
4. Reports
a. Mayor
Mayor Berns reported on the success of the recent FallFest event held this previous
weekend. He noted that the event required a last-minute change of venue due to inclement
weather and acknowledged the challenges such a change presented. He thanked all staff
and partners involved in making the event possible and stated that the administration
believes this may have been the largest FallFest attendance the City has ever experienced.
Mayor Berns then provided an update on the proposed new library project. He
acknowledged the increased community interest in the project and noted that his office
has received a significant amount of feedback and comments from residents regarding this
matter.

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b. Council Members (non-agenda items)
Ms. Jacobs reminded residents of the upcoming election and noted that early voting is
now open.
Ms. DeLong thanked all who attended the recent Coffee with a Councilmember event
and expressed appreciation for the community’s engagement.
Ms. Shoykhet thanked the Community Services and Public Works Departments for their
outstanding work in supporting and executing the FallFest event.
c. Department Directors
Mr. Lombardi addressed a recent error in the distribution of information, explaining that
it resulted from an oversight in communication. He noted that the mistake was
unintentional and has since been corrected.
Ms. Bieterman announced the upcoming Beachwood Chamber of Commerce Health &
Wellness Summit, scheduled for October 21 at the Beachwood Community Center.
Mr. Schroeder provided remarks on the FallFest event and expressed his appreciation to
all staff and those who contributed behind the scenes, noting the strong team effort
involved.

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Consent Agenda
Approval of Minutes:
Audit Committee Meeting held on October 5, 2026
Finance & Development Meeting held on October 5, 2026
Regular City Council Meeting held on October 5, 2026
Ordinances
1. 2026-44
An Ordinance authorizing and directing the payment of certain claims (Bills) for professional and other
services; and declaring this to be an urgent measure
Old Business (Regular Agenda)
Ordinances
1. 2026-42
An Ordinance changing the name of a Public Street known as “Fire Station Drive” to “Signature
Drive”
Placed on First Reading and Referred to Public Hearing: October 5, 2026
Public Hearing Held on October 19, 2026
Placed on Second and Final Reading and Adopted: October 19, 2026
Moved by: J. Taylor, Seconded by: J. DeLong
Voice Vote

On the Suspension:
Yes: 5
No: 1
Abstain: 0
Not Voting: 0
MOTION ADOPTED

Voice Vote

On the Adoption:
Yes: 5
No: 1
Abstain: 0
Not Voting: 0
MOTION ADOPTED

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New Business (Regular Agenda)
Motion
Motion to appoint a Member to the Community Improvement Corporation (CIC)
Moved by: D. Shoykhet, Seconded by: A. Isaacson
Voice Vote

On the Adoption:
Yes: 6
No: 0
Abstain: 0
Not Voting: 0
MOTION ADOPTED

Ordinances
1. 2026-45
An Ordinance Amending Appropriations for Current Expenditures and Other Expenses of the City
of Beachwood, State of Ohio, for the Fiscal Year 2026 (January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026,
inclusive); and declaring this to be an urgent measure
Moved by: J. DeLong, Seconded by: J. Taylor
Voice Vote

On the Suspension:
Yes: 6
No: 0
Abstain: 0
Not Voting: 0
MOTION ADOPTED

Voice Vote

On the Adoption:
Yes: 6
No: 0
Abstain: 0
Not Voting: 0
MOTION ADOPTED

Resolutions
1. 2026-87
A Resolution accepting the Amounts and Rates as determined by the Budget Commission and
authorizing the necessary Tax Levies and certifying them to the County Fiscal Officer; and
declaring this to be an urgent measure
Moved by: A. Isaacson, Seconded by: A. Jacobs
Voice Vote

On the Suspension:
Yes: 6
No: 0
Abstain: 0
Not Voting: 0
MOTION ADOPTED

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Voice Vote

On the Adoption:
Yes: 6
No: 0
Abstain: 0
Not Voting: 0
MOTION ADOPTED

2. 2026-88
A Resolution authorizing the Fire Chief to apply for a BWC Safety Intervention Grant and authorizing
the Mayor to accept said Grant and proceed with the purchase of a Stryker PowerLOAD and
PowerPRO2 System; and declaring this to be an urgent measure
Moved by: P. Smith, Seconded by: J. Taylor
Voice Vote

On the Suspension:
Yes: 6
No: 0
Abstain: 0
Not Voting: 0
MOTION ADOPTED

Voice Vote

On the Adoption:
Yes: 6
No: 0
Abstain: 0
Not Voting: 0
MOTION ADOPTED

3. 2026-89
A Resolution authorizing Change Order No. 1 to the Contract with General Code, CMS, LLC for the
Municity Software Upgrade Project; and declaring this to be an urgent measure
Moved by: A. Jacobs, Seconded by: A. Isaacson
Voice Vote

On the Suspension:
Yes: 6
No: 0
Abstain: 0
Not Voting: 0
MOTION ADOPTED

Voice Vote

On the Adoption:
Yes: 6
No: 0
Abstain: 0
Not Voting: 0
MOTION ADOPTED

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Any other matters coming before City Council
None
Adjournment
Adjourn to the next Regular City Council Meeting at 7:53 PM
Approved:

Clerk

Mayor

Next Regular Council Meeting will be held on: Monday, November 2, 2026, at 7 PM
in Council Chambers. For all updates regarding Council Meetings, please visit:
www.BeachwoodOhio.com

Council Members: Danielle Shoykhet - Council President
Jillian DeLong – Council Vice-President
Alex Jacobs, Alec Isaacson, P. Smith,
Ali B. Stern, June E. Taylor
Clerk of Council: Whitney M. Crook, MMC, CPM

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Law Department
Memorandum
To:
Law Director, R. Todd Hunt
Cc:
Police Chief Dan Grispino
From:
Nathalie E. Supler, Prosecutor
Date:
October 22, 2026
Re:
Legal Update to BCO 672.05
_______________________________________________________________________
ISSUE: Whether BCO 672.05 should be repealed based on ORC 9.68 and local appellate
jurisprudence.
LEGAL ANALYSIS:
ORC 9.68 explicitly preempts local municipalities from utilizing the Home Rule
Clause of the Ohio Constitution to regulate firearms. The statute states “the general
assembly finds the need to provide uniform laws throughout the state regulating the
ownership, possession…transport, storage…of firearms, their components and their
ammunition.” ORC 9.68 (Regulation of arms prohibited-challenging political subdivisions).
The Ohio Supreme Court upheld the State’s sole authority to unify firearm regulations. See
City of Cleveland v. State, 128 Ohio St.3d 135. The First District Court of Appeals recently
confirmed that municipal “safe storage” ordinances are preempted by state law. West v. City
of Cincinnati, 2024-Ohio-1951, 254 N.E.3d 304. BCO 672.05 is Beachwood’s “safe storage”
ordinance. It states:
No person, in acquiring, possessing, carrying or using any
dangerous ordnance, firearm, or other deadly weapon shall
negligently fail to take proper precautions (1) to secure the
dangerous ordnance, firearm or other deadly weapon against
theft or against it’s acquisition or use by any unauthorized or
incompetent person (2) to insure the safety of persons or
property.

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This ordinance is broader than the state code section ORC 2923.19 because the ordinance
includes “firearms”. ORC 2923.19 reads as follows:
No person in acquiring, possessing, carrying or using any
dangerous ordnance, shall negligently fail to take proper
precautions: (1) to secure the dangerous ordnance against
theft, or against its acquisition or use by any unauthorized or
incompetent person or (2) to insure the safety of persons and
property

The ordinance struck down in West v. City of Cincinnati involved a municipal
ordinance with the same intent as the Beachwood Ordinance. Another case out of Franklin
County similarly struck down two City ordinances restricting the magazine capacity and
storage of firearms in a person’s residence. See Doe v. City of Columbus, 2026-Ohio-1095,
2026 Ohio LEXIS 663 (5th Dist.) Despite the 8th District Court of Appeals having not
directly ruled on this issue, the other districts that have, have done so decisively, ruling that
ORC 9.68 preempts Home Rule attempts at regulating firearms. The risk far outweighs the
reward to continue prosecuting these cases when it is highly likely the 8th District would rule
similarly to the 1st and 5th Districts.
There are many firearm’s rights organizations that intentionally seek out this sort of
legal issue to exploit. If the City were not to prevail in litigation, as there is a high
likelihood it would not, the City would be liable for the significant financial penalties
attached to ORC 9.68. The statute includes a fee shifting provision that would require a
Judge to order the municipality to pay the challenger’s attorney’s fees, expert witness fees,
court costs and compensation for loss of income. Following the West decision, the City of
Cincinnati was ordered to pay approximately $300,000.00 for the Plaintiff’s legal fees.

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CONCLUSION
BCO 672.05 should be repealed immediately. Pending cases citing 672.05 should be
dismissed.

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INTRODUCED BY:

ORDINANCE NO. 2026-47

AN ORDINANCE REPEALING SECTION 672.05 TITLED “FAILURE TO SECURE
DANGEROUS ORDNANCE, FIREARMS OR DEADLY WEAPONS” OF THE CODIFIED
ORDINANCES; AND DECLARING THIS TO BE AN URGENT MEASURE
WHEREAS, Ohio Revised Code Section 9.68 provides that the regulation of the ownership,
possession, transport, and storage of firearms and knives is reserved to the State of Ohio and preempts
conflicting municipal ordinances;
WHEREAS, Ohio courts, including the Ohio Supreme Court and appellate districts, have
held that local “safe-storage” firearm ordinances are preempted by ORC 9.68 and, therefore, are
unenforceable;
WHEREAS, Beachwood Codified Ordinance Section 672.05 regulates the storage of firearms
and knives and conflicts with the exclusive state regulatory authority established by ORC 9.68; and
WHEREAS, retaining this ordinance exposes the City to unnecessary legal and financial risk,
including mandatory attorney-fee awards under ORC 9.68.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Beachwood,
County of Cuyahoga, and State of Ohio, that:
Section 1:

Section 672.05 of the Codified Ordinances is hereby repealed in its entirety.

Section 2:

The Clerk of Council shall update the Codified Ordinances to reflect this repeal.

Section 3:

All pending charges or prosecutions involving Section 672.05 shall be dismissed.

Section 4:
All current City ordinances or parts of City ordinances that conflict with this
Ordinance, if any, are hereby repealed.
Section 5:
It is found and determined that all formal actions and deliberations of Council
and its committees relating to the passage of this legislation that resulted in formal action were in
meetings open to the public where required by Chapter 105 of the Codified Ordinances of the City.
Section 6:
This Ordinance is declared to be an urgent measure necessary for the public
peace, health, or safety or the efficient operation of the City, and for the further reason to ensure
immediate compliance with state law and prevent potential financial liability; wherefore, this
Ordinance shall be in full force and effect immediately upon its passage and approval by the Mayor.

25634039 _1
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ORDINANCE NO. 2026-47

Attest:

I hereby certify this legislation was duly adopted on the 2nd day of November,
2026, and presented to the Mayor for approval or rejection in accordance with
Article III, Section 8 of the Charter on the 3rd day of November, 2026.
__________________________________
Clerk

Approval:

I have approved this legislation this 3rd day of November, 2026, and filed it
with the Clerk.
__________________________________
Mayor

-2-

25634039 _1
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BEACHWOOD PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
INTER-OFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor Justin Berns
FR: Chris Arrietta, Public Works Director
DT: October 20, 2026
RE: Council Agenda Item: Eviction Pest Control Increase
______________________________________________________________________
__
Eviction Pest Control has provided nuisance animal control services for the City
throughout 2026. This year, we have experienced a significant increase in community
service requests, resulting in a higher number of animals being trapped and removed.
Due to this unexpected rise in activity, we anticipate exceeding the current spending
authority within the next few months.
To ensure uninterrupted service to our residents through the end of 2026, we are
requesting an additional $10,000 in funding.
With your approval, I would like to place this item on the next Council agenda.

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INTRODUCED BY:

RESOLUTION NO. 2026-90

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO AN AGREEMENT AND
PURCHASE ORDER NO. 2026-00157 WITH EVICTION PEST SOLUTIONS, LLC FOR
WILDLIFE CONTROL SERVICES; AND DECLARING THIS TO BE AN URGENT
MEASURE
WHEREAS, a quotation and associated Purchase Order No. 2026-00157 was agreed to and
issued for wildlife control services to be provided by Eviction Pest Solutions, LLC in an amount not
to exceed Twenty-Four Thousand Dollars ($24,000.00);
WHEREAS, additional wildlife control services have been identified as necessary, requiring
an increase to the purchase order in the amount of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00);
WHEREAS, the cumulative total of the agreement and purchase order, as amended, now
exceeds the Mayor’s spending authority and therefore requires approval by City Council; and
WHEREAS, the updated total purchase order amount shall not exceed Thirty-Four Thousand
Dollars ($34,000.00).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Beachwood, County
of Cuyahoga, and State of Ohio, that:
Section 1:
City Council hereby authorizes and approves an amendment to the agreement
and Purchase Order No. 2026-00157 with Eviction Pest Solutions, LLC, increasing the authorized
amount by Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), resulting in a total amount not to exceed Thirty-Four
Thousand Dollars ($34,000.00), for continued wildlife control services.
Section 2:
It is found and determined that all formal actions and deliberations of Council
and its committees relating to the passage of this legislation that resulted in formal action were in
meetings open to the public where required by Chapter 105 of the Codified Ordinances of the City.
Section 3:
This Resolution is declared to be an urgent measure necessary for the public
peace, health, safety, or the efficient operation of the City, and for the further reason that wildlife
control services must continue without interruption; wherefore, this Resolution shall be in full force
and effect immediately upon its passage and approval by the Mayor.
Attest:

I hereby certify this legislation was duly adopted on the 2nd day of November, 2026,
and presented to the Mayor for approval or rejection in accordance with Article III,
Section 8 of the Charter on the 3rd day of November, 2026.
__________________________________
Clerk

Approval:

I have approved this legislation this 3rd day of November, 2026, and filed it with the
Clerk.
__________________________________
Mayor

25634061 _1

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________________________
-XVWLQ %HUQV, Mayor
Date:____________________

Approved as to form:
_________________________
Todd Hunt Director of Law
Nathalie E. Supler Assistant LawDirector
0DWWKHZ $ .XU] $VVLVWDQW /DZ 'LUHFWRU
25325 Fairmount Boulevard Beachwood,
Ohio 44122
216-595-5462
Date:__________________

CERTIFICATE OF THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

To the Mayor/Director of Public Safety:

I hereby certify that the amount required to meet the City's obligations under this contract has been
lawfully appropriated and is in the treasury or in the process of collection to the credit of an
appropriate fund free from any previous encumbrance.

Larry Heiser
Director of Finance
Date: _____________

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