Councilman Michael Kurtz, Berea City Council Ward 2

06/02/2026

I had the honor of speaking at our 8th-grade graduation ceremony. As an 8th-grade science teacher in Euclid, it was a special moment to celebrate a group of students who have grown up before our eyes. Many of them have been part of our school family since kindergarten.

This class left a lasting impact on me. They challenged me, made me laugh, kept me on my toes, and reminded me daily why I chose this profession. Like any group, there were difficult moments along the way, but those challenges helped all of us grow. They pushed me to be a better teacher, to think differently, and to find new ways to connect and support them.

Watching them mature from young children into young adults ready for high school was truly incredible.

As teachers, we hope to make a difference in our students’ lives, but sometimes it’s the students who make just as much of a difference in ours. This group certainly did that for me.

Congratulations again to the Class of 2030. I am grateful to have been a small part of your journey and can’t wait to see all that you accomplish in the years ahead.

06/02/2026

What happened in May?

Keeping Ward 2 Connected - Newsletter

05/31/2026

I’ve gotten a couple of questions from residents about where trash and recycling cans can be stored according to the City of Berea ordinance. I found this helpful graphic on the City website and thought I’d share it so everyone can be informed.

According to the ordinance, trash and recycling containers should be stored behind the front building line of your home and screened from view from the street when not out for collection. The city also notes that containers should be brought in by 10:00 a.m. the day after your scheduled pickup.

Graphic courtesy of the City of Berea.

05/29/2026

📋 BEREA CITY COUNCIL AGENDA – WHAT’S BEING DISCUSSED?

Please feel free to attend in person at city hall or online through Berea City Council live stream.

No third readings

Second Reading:

🔹 V**E SHOPS IN BEREA (ORD. 5-2)
Council is considering allowing v**e shops as a conditional use in the West Bagley Road Commercial District. This would not automatically allow v**e shops everywhere in the district, but would require them to meet specific conditions and regulations. The ordinance also establishes parking requirements and operating standards for v**e shops.

🔹 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GRANTS (RES. 5-3 & RES. 5-4)
These resolutions allow the City to apply for county and federal grant funding that can be used for community improvement projects. If awarded, the City would be authorized to accept the funds and move forward with projects covered by the grants.

🔹 2027 CITY TAX BUDGET (RES. 5-5)
This adopts Berea’s proposed tax budget for 2027 and submits it to Cuyahoga County as part of the annual budgeting process.

🔹 SENIOR & DISABILITY TRANSPORTATION FUNDING (ORD. 5-6)
This would allow the City to apply for grant funding to support transportation and mobility services for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

🔹 4.1 MILL TAX LEVY RENEWAL (RES. 5-8)
Council is considering placing the renewal of the City’s existing 4.1 mill operating levy on the ballot. This is a renewal of an existing levy, not a new tax increase. Voters would ultimately decide whether to renew it.

🔹 PROPOSED CHARTER CHANGE – COUNCIL TERMS (ORD. 5-9)
The Charter Review committee brought to Council to consider placing a charter amendment before voters that would change City Council terms from the current structure to four-year terms.

FIRST READING ITEMS (INTRODUCED FOR THE FIRST TIME)

🔹 Annual updates to the City’s codified ordinances.

🔹 Certification of unpaid water, sewer, and other municipal charges to the County for collection.

🔹 A proposed Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) agreement with STEM Exploration Center, LLC. CRA agreements are often used as economic development incentives to encourage investment and development.

🔹 The Charter Review committee brought to Council to consider a proposed charter amendment that would require nominating petitions for public office to be filed with the Board of Elections 90 days before the primary election.

As always, legislation generally requires multiple readings before final passage unless emergency provisions apply. Residents are encouraged to attend meetings, watch proceedings, and review legislation for themselves.

05/28/2026

Happy last day of school, Berea kids! ☀️🎉

There’s a Kona Ice truck up at Tyler Field and Parknoll right now that some awesome parents set up for the kids to celebrate the start of summer!

Stop by, grab a treat, and enjoy the day! 🍧

05/24/2026

Over the last two days, I had the privilege of helping run a food drive at our local Giant Eagle sponsored by Berea City Council in support of the community food bank.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, we collected more than 600lbs of donated items... including spaghetti, peanut butter, soap, toiletries, and many other everyday essentials. We also received over $600 in cash donations to help support local families in need.

A special thank you as well to Giant Eagle and the many local businesses that contributed to this project through donations, support, and encouragement. Community partnerships like these show what can be accomplished when people come together to help one another.

Most importantly, thank you to everyone who donated. Your kindness and generosity will have a real impact on families throughout our community

I want to sincerely thank all the members of city council who volunteered their time and worked so hard to make this event a success. Your dedication to our community truly made a difference:

Chris McManis, Berea City Councilman At-Large
Gene Zacharyasz Councilman At Large
Councilwoman Erika Coble, Ward 4
Councilwoman Lisa Weaver, Ward 3
Vance Redding, Councilman, Berea Ward 1
Rick Skoczen- Berea Ward 5 Councilman
Jim Maxwell for Berea City Council President

05/24/2026

We are here till 2pm today! Please stop by to say hello and if you can donate to a great cause!

Please stop by and help support our Memorial Day Weekend Food Drive. City Council will be outside the Berea Giant Eagle:

📍 May 23, 2026 | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 May 24, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

City Council representatives will be volunteering throughout both days to help make this event a success.

We hope you can stop by!

Thank you to Councilman Gene Zacharyasz for putting together signs for our upcoming food drive this Memorial Day weekend!

05/23/2026

Today, members of council were out at Berea Giant Eagle supporting a food drive for the Berea Food Pantry.

If you missed us today, several of us will be back out tomorrow from 10:00am–2:00pm collecting donations and supporting this great cause for our community.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello, donate, and be a part of this mission. Your generosity and support mean so much to the families who rely on the pantry.

A special thank you to the council representatives who helped make today’s food drive such a success by donating their time and efforts:

Vance Redding, Councilman, Berea Ward 1
Councilwoman Erika Coble, Ward 4
Rick Skoczen- Berea Ward 5 Councilman
Jim Maxwell for Berea City Council President

05/21/2026

The ducks from the Click It Or Ticket kickoff event are now hidden around Coe Lake and McKelvey Park. Kids 14 & Under can return the ducks to our station for a $5 gift card from Igloo Frozen Yogurt & Treats on Front Street.

**Update: Congratulations to the first five winners! Round 2 (and final round) of the Safety Duck Hunt begins at 6am. Good luck!**

05/20/2026

Please stop by and help support our Memorial Day Weekend Food Drive. City Council will be outside the Berea Giant Eagle:

📍 May 23, 2026 | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 May 24, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

City Council representatives will be volunteering throughout both days to help make this event a success.

We hope you can stop by!

Thank you to Councilman Gene Zacharyasz for putting together signs for our upcoming food drive this Memorial Day weekend!