Dear Cleveland Heights Resident,
I wanted to let you know about our latest step in transforming local government in Cleveland Heights.
After an extensive search, I have selected Joseph E. Sinnott as our city’s first City Administrator under our new form of government.
Joe is an attorney, a graduate of Case Western Reserve University School of Law, and a former Cleveland Heights resident. He is also the former three-term Mayor of Erie, Pennsylvania, that state’s fourth-largest city.
The City Administrator reports exclusively to the Mayor and will act as the city’s chief operating/administrative officer, and will manage the operation of the city’s departments in fulfilling their functions and responsibilities.
Joe’s credentials and background are impressive and make him well-suited for this job. When Joe was elected Mayor, Erie faced deep financial difficulties that could have led to a state takeover; he led his team in revitalizing the city’s work while returning it to fiscal solvency. In my conversations with him, I was struck by Joe’s deep desire to be an agent of change and make the places he cares about better.
A committee of seven people conducted the search for our new City Administrator and interviewed selected candidates. The other members of the search committee were:
- William Hanna, Cleveland Heights Law Director
- Amy Himmelein, Cleveland Heights Finance Director
- Susanna Niermann-O’Neil, Cleveland Heights City Manager
- Anna Smith, Cleveland Heights Director of Human Resources
- Eric Zamft, Cleveland Heights Director of Planning and Economic Development, and
- Michael Ungar, Resident and former member of Cleveland Heights City Council
The City of Cleveland Heights offered Joe the position. He has accepted with the understanding that, per our city charter, his offer is not complete until City Council votes on his selection. Joe’s appointment was introduced for first reading at the Monday, March 7, 2022, City Council meeting.
Council will interview Joe at a special meeting scheduled for Monday, March 14, 2022, at 7:00 pm.
The meeting will be streamed live on the City’s YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/ClevelandHeightsOH, and a recording will be posted following the meeting. I encourage all residents to watch if they can.
Council is currently scheduled to consider Joe’s appointment for approval on Monday, March 21, 2022, at 7:30 pm. Pending the outcome of this meeting, we anticipate Joe taking on the role of City Administrator in early April.
I’m looking forward to having Joe as a critical leader on our team, and I ask for your help in welcoming Joe back to Cleveland Heights!
Kahlil Seren
Mayor
City of Cleveland Heights