Melanie Houston for Grandview Council

I am a progressive local leader serving on the Grandview Heights City Council. I am running for re-election because I want to continue serving my community and advancing progressive policies. I bring over a decade of policy experience and an inclusive leadership approach to my council role.

As a new city council member, I immediately began working with my council colleagues and the administration to build consensus around passing paid family leave for our city employees. I argued that this policy would help advance gender equity, support families and infant health, and improve the city’s ability to attract and retain talent. Due in large part to my advocacy, the administration formulated the first-ever paid family leave policy for city employees through an update to the city personnel policy.

Throughout my term in office, I have consistently supported economic development projects which have led to the remediation of brownfields and a reduced tax burden for residents. I participated in our recent community and civic space planning and helped secure a state grant award of $150,000 for a multi-purpose trail better connecting us to the region. 

I co-authored and passed an ordinance regulating short term rental properties. This legislation allows short term rentals only when they are owner occupied, and put an end to a nuisance AirBnB property in the community. I also cosponsored legislation allowing residents to finance energy efficiency and solar energy projects on their property tax bills.

In 2020, I began leading city and community conversations around equity, diversity and inclusion in Grandview Heights. I authored, championed, and passed with unanimous support, a resolution declaring racism a public health crisis in Grandview Heights. Within this resolution, the city committed to continuously examining its practices and policies for equity. I also convened the Grandview Heights Public Library leadership and Grandview Heights School District leadership to plan and produce community forums related to anti-racism and racial justice topics. 

If re-elected to council, I will work to maintain and grow the economic vitality of Grandview to support our strong schools and excellent services. I will work to make Grandview Heights as welcoming of a community as possible, and I will fight for policies and funding which create a healthy environment and add greenspace and connectivity to our community.