Cleveland Heights Mayor posts video on social media calling out city council for illegally meeting behind closed doors

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio (WOIO) - Drama unfolding in cleveland heights. The mayor put out a video accusing city council of illegally meeting behind closed doors.

“I’ve been made aware of some definitive evidence, that a majority of council and multiple council committees met and liberated illegally,” said Cleveland Heights Mayor, Kahlil Seren.

Cleveland Heights Mayor Kahlil Seren took to social media Monday night posting a seven-minute-long video calling for an investigation into alleged misconduct by city council.

“Council members chose to violate their duty and the public trust by meeting in secret to discuss and set up decisions while excluding several of their colleagues and you their constituents,” said Seren.

Seren is Cleveland Heights first mayor. Residents tell 19 News they’re shocked to hear the accusations against city council.

“This is only the second year we’ve had a mayor. It was always an administrator that was picked from the council. I think they’re still feeling their way,” said Janet Robinson who lives in Cleveland Heights.

Seren says he’s asked the city law director to hire someone from outside to investigate city council.

“Well if it’s true what they mayor said it should definitely be investigated,” said Robinson.

If it’s true that means city council is violating Ohio’s Sunshine Laws by conducting city business in private outside of public view.

“They should work hand in hand it’s like the president and congress and the president didn’t know that would be a big deal,” said John Tyson who also lives in Cleveland Heights

To be fair, 19 News reached out to city council president Tony Cuda to get his side of the story. He told me he was surprised by the video and denies doing anything wrong telling us quote:

“The responses I’ve seen on social media tell me that our residents want this administration to be focusing on solving real problems facing our city, like improving city services, maintaining our city facilities, and making our streets safer. Perhaps if/when the mayor and council leadership resume our weekly meetings, we can get back to work on the issues our residents really care about.”