DRAFT

CITY OF ROCKY RIVER

JANUARY 17, 2006

The Committee-of-the-Whole was called to order by Mrs. Bobst, President of Council, at 8:37 p.m.

Council Members Present: Mr. Gollinger, Mr. Frost, Mr. Hurtuk, Mrs. Bartolozzi,

Mr. Hagan, Mrs. Bobst

Absent: Mr. Moran

Administration: Mayor Knoble, Mr. Thomas, Mr. Koran, Mrs. Calladine

ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR'S REPORT:

Mr. Koran came forward to report on development in the City.

Residential Development:

Astor Place, on Lake Road, is all but complete. Three or four units remain to be sold.

Beachcliff Row, at Lake and Linda, continues to progress, albeit at a rate slower than expected. The first 11-unit building is up and Bob Kelly is working toward getting the model suite completed to further sales. Mr. Koran is still optimistic that the project will go well, as it features quality construction.

River Place, the former Kaiser property, is going well and is almost sold out.

Riverside, on E. Asplin is also going well, with 3 units remaining of the original 11. Mr. Koran is confident that the remainder will sell quickly.

Grandview on River Oaks is at the stage where the infrastructure is being modified to accommodate the additional buildings. This project should have a great influence on the remainder of development on River Oaks.

Hamlets East and West on Center Ridge are not selling as quickly in the second phase as hoped. The developer is considering scaling back the size of units in the second project (East), in the hope that a price less than the current $420,000+ will help the project move more quickly.

Adrien Elliott has withdrawn her next project, The Residences at Astor Place, from consideration by the Planning Commission. Ms. Elliott has indicated that she wishes to see the outcome of Mr. Kelly's project and will not resubmit the project until June.

Commercial Development:

Mr. Koran distributed an aerial view showing progress on Beachcliff Market Square, which he said is on schedule for opening in August or September as announced earlier. There are five or six more lessees including Coldstone Creamery, First Watch, Francesca's Collection and two restaurants which he is, as yet, unable to name. The developer is also talking to a 15,000 s.f. bookstore and a children's clothier as well as other high-quality tenants.

In the front corner the Westwood Town Center, four new stores will relocate. At present, Malley's is open, and Cici's Pizza, GNC and a children's haircut shop will follow.

Fit 'n Serve has purchased the former Harrison's on Center Ridge. Although the new owner has done some renovations, business has been so brisk that other improvements have been put on hold. Mr. Koran is hopeful that remodeling will be accomplished soon. He has been told by Mr. Patterson that this facility has very high quality workout equipment.

1-2-3-Fit has located to River Plaza which is now 100% occupied. Mr. Koran was pleased to report that this means there are no vacancies in either River Plaza or Westwood Town Center.

Dollar Bank is open across the street from Westgate.

Floors to U is now open on Center Ridge Road in Lenny Weiss' building.

Teacups in Time is open on the corner of Old Detroit and Depot Street.

A high-end decorator, Sudka Decorating, has located to the old Detroit Road area,.

The former Basket Factory on Lake Road now houses a yoga studio and the offices of the Foran Group.

In other new businesses, Anju's Salon has opened on S. Kensington and Lake. Falasca's Flooring is across from Kensington School, and two doors down is a tutoring firm, Mathanasium.

In other development news, Mr. Koran announced that he has applied for a Livable Community grant from NOACA for $75,000 which would augment the Lake Road project by funding various costs analyses, engineering analyses and other necessary planning studies. The streetscaping project is progressing, and plans were presented to Mr. Gollinger last Friday. It will make a definite difference on Detroit Road between Smith Court and Wooster Road, adding sidewalks, curbs, poured concrete, stained and stamped concrete, tree boxes, litter baskets and benches. Mr. Koran commented that this will be a huge improvement for the area. The project must be completed by the end of October.

• •As a part of the project, Mr. Koran is seeking approval from ODOT to extend the sidewalk to connect the Lake Road Bridge to Lake Road. There is no sidewalk there at present as it ends at the Lake Rd. bridge. This would be a huge benefit to pedestrians and bicyclists.
  
  

Mr. Koran has, on many occasions, asked the County Auditor why the City cannot participate in HELP projects which assist homeowners in maintaining their properties. In the past, because the City's assessed value continued to rise, residents were not eligible for the low-interest loans available as part of the project. Mr. Koran has now been notified by Mr. Rokakis that the program has been expanded to include the entire county, meaning that Rocky River residents are now eligible to participate in the program, which provides loans with no income guidelines. An ordinance is necessary to authorize access, and it will be introduced shortly. This will be a nice complement to the Heritage Home Loan Program. Program reports will be required, and will be done through the Building Department. Mr. Koran was pleased to report that this is great news for the City's residents.

The Planning Commission is currently reviewing preliminary plans for the construction of Lowe's at Westgate. Mr. Koran said that he was led to believe that Lowe's would embrace a Western Reserve style of architecture in the construction of the store, so he will be interested to see the plans. He has many concerns about setbacks and its appearance on three sides, landscaping, etc. He feels that it will be necessary to follow plans closely to be sure that the plan is in the best interest of Lowe's and of the City and its residents.

• •Mr. Koran also mentioned that this plan would complement Fairview Park's Westgate plans which must follow its new 20-page design review guidelines. These are not restrictive or onerous, but would give more power of enforcement to the Boards and Commissions.
  
  
• •Mr. Hurtuk expressed confidence that the addition of Lowe's would mean more jobs than at present.
  
  
• •Mr. Koran noted that the top five retailers in the country, all large and successful, will be located on Center Ridge Road: Home Depot, Lowe's, Target, Kohl's and Giant Eagle.
  
  
  
  
  
  

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NONE

MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: NONE

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Mrs. Bartolozzi reported that the Parks & Recreation Commission will meet tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. As she has a conflict, President Bobst will attend the meeting as Council's representative. Under discussion will be program fees and corporate memberships

NEW BUSINESS: NONE

COMMUNICATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:

President Bobst noted that Community Challenge has submitted a budget request which will become part of the budget process beginning soon.

The HELP program from the County reported upon by Mr. Koran will soon be in place with Rocky River residents eligible to participate.

The Seniors Council has developed a colorful brochure which enumerates many of the services available at the Senior Center. More than 11,000 have been distributed. Mrs. Bobst thanked the membership of the Council which funded the project and carried it forward.

Mrs. Calladine, Senior Services Director, announced that the annual recognition luncheon, attended by many Council members, has been scheduled for Friday, February 17. An official invitation will follow.

MAYOR'S REPORT:

The Mayor noted that tonight's news has reported a challenge in federal court of the residency laws for sexual predators. The Mayor had predicted such a challenge, but even he was surprised at the speed with which it has occurred. A man who served 16 years for rape and was a model prisoner has been served with an order to relocate his residence and has challenged the law in federal court.

A 100-hp motor at the ice rink has broken down and will require rebuilding at a cost of $7400. Other motors at the facility will allow the rink to remain open while repairs are made.

During the last mayoral campaign, a candidate urged the City to require that a percentage of workers on building projects be residents of the City. In another legal news update, the Mayor reported that this "Fannie Lewis law" has been challenged and struck down in the U.S. district courts.

Enlarging on a report by Mrs. Calladine, Senior Services Director, the Mayor explained that the Senior Council is not an entity of the City, but was independently organized. The Council meets in a City building, and the City is the recipient of its talents, ideas, work, and gifts, but it is not a City entity and is not controlled by the City.

This Friday at 9:00 a.m., the Mayor will attend a hazmat techniques and materials update at a fire station in Lakewood.

Finally, the Mayor discussed City employee salaries during the past four years, noting for Council members who wish to discuss this with him, that he will not be in the office on Thursday.

As there was no further business by members of Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:17 p.m.

_____________________________ _____________________________

Pamela E. Bobst Misao Kurokawa

President of Council Clerk of Council

Please note: This is a draft copy of the minutes of the meeting of the Committee-of-the-Whole of January 17, 2006. These minutes may be revised or amended at the next Legislative Meeting.

DRAFT

CITY OF ROCKY RIVER

JANUARY 17, 2006

COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION

Annual Meeting of Members

The annual meeting of the members of the Rocky River Community Improvement Corporation was called to order by Pamela E. Bobst, Chairperson of the Corporation, in the City Hall Committee Room, Rocky River City Hall, 21012 Hilliard Blvd, Rocky River, Ohio 44116 at 7:30 p.m.

Members present: Mayor Knoble, Mr. Gollinger, Mr. Hurtuk, Mrs. Bartolozzi, Mr. Hagan,

Mrs. Bobst, Mr. Koran, Mr. Thomas

Absent: Mr. Moran, Mr. Frost

Mrs. Bobst announced that the agenda would follow the order set forth under Article I, Section 11 and Article II, Section 8 of the Code of Regulations. She further reviewed the purpose of the organization and a short history including passage of Ordinance No. 165-02 which authorized its formation and previous projects undertaken by the Corporation.

For this annual meeting, Mrs. Bobst confirmed with the secretary that notice of the meeting had been made in accordance with the rules of the corporation, posted at least 10 days prior to the meeting. The affidavit was presented. Mrs. Bobst noted that the members and Board of Directors of the Corporation have been members of Council, the Mayor, the Director of Economic and Community Development and the Director of Finance.

Moved by Mrs. Bobst, seconded by Mr. Hagan, that the Board of Directors, consisting of all present members of City Council, the Mayor, the Director of Finance, the Director of Economic and Community Development and the Clerk of Council, be seated.

Vote: Gollinger - aye Hurtuk - aye Bartolozzi - aye

Hagan - aye Bobst - aye Knoble - aye

Koran - aye Thomas - aye

8 ayes 0 nays PASSED

SELECTION OF OFFICERS:

As outlined in Article IV, Section 3, (a) through (d), nominations were opened for officers of the Corporation.

Moved by Mr. Hagan, seconded by Mr. Hurtuk, that the present slate of officers be re-elected, i.e. President, Pamela Bobst, Vice President, Kory Koran, Secretary, Misao Kurokawa, and Treasurer, Michael Thomas.

Moved by Mr. Hurtuk, seconded by Mr. Hagan, that the nominations be closed.

Vote: Gollinger - aye Hurtuk - aye Bartolozzi - aye

Hagan - aye Bobst - aye Knoble - aye

Koran - aye Thomas - aye

8 ayes 0 nays PASSED

Vote on the slate of officers:

Vote: Gollinger - aye Hurtuk - aye Bartolozzi - aye

Hagan - aye Bobst - aye Knoble - aye

Koran - aye Thomas - aye

8 ayes 0 nays PASSED

Following the roll call, President Bobst moved to a consideration of the minutes of the last meeting.

Moved by Mrs. Bobst, seconded by Mr. Hagan, that the reading of the minutes of the meeting of September 26, 2005 be waived and that the minutes be approved as submitted.

Vote: Gollinger - aye Hurtuk - aye Bartolozzi - aye

Hagan - aye Bobst - aye Knoble - aye

Koran - aye Thomas - aye

8 ayes 0 nays PASSED

REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES: NONE

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NONE

MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS:

For the discussion of assessment of project fees, President Bobst turned to the treasurer, Mr. Thomas, who explained that a $500 application fee was collected by the bond counsel in the last project undertaken by the Corporation. Bylaws of the Corporation have not established that a fee would be charged, and the amount was returned to the applicant.

• •Mr. Hurtuk ascertained from the Administration that no costs were incurred during the bond process. Mr. Koran stated that employee time was the only cost as other expenses were covered by the applicant. He indicated his opinion that unless a large number of projects arises, or costs are incurred, no fee should be charged.
  
  
• •Mr. Gollinger concurred, and Mr. Koran added that a fee might be a deterrent to activities that the City wishes to encourage.
  
  
• •Mr. Thomas also agreed that unless circumstances change, no fee should be assessed.
  
  

It was the consensus of the membership that no fees be charged at this time.

Mrs. Bobst suggested that at the next meeting, an alternate date be chosen for the annual meeting. The third week in January will fall on a holiday, and moving it to Tuesday will coincide with meetings of other boards and commissions as it did this evening.

• •Mr. Hagan suggested that a date in February, following elections, may be appropriate.
  
  

As there was no further business by members of the Corporation, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

_______________________________ ____________________________

Pamela E. Bobst, Misao Kurokawa,

President of the Corporation Secretary of the Corporation

Please note: This is a draft copy of the minutes of the meeting of the Community Improvement Corporation of January 17, 2006. These minutes may be revised or amended at the next meeting of the Corporation.