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 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