CITY OF ROCKY RIVER

JANUARY 20, 2009

The Committee-of-the-Whole was called to order by Mr. Moran, President of Council, at 8:00 p.m.

Council Members Present: Mr. Hunt, Mr. Shepherd, Mr. Furry, Mrs. Arabian Whitman,

Mr. Long, Mr. Moran

Absent: Mr. Mylen

Administration: Mayor Bobst, Mr. Linden

Law Director: Mr. Bemer

The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

MAYOR'S REPORT:

Last week the Mayor attended the quarterly airport meeting in North Olmsted with Director Ricky Smith and FAA staff and reported on recent developments:

• •Air traffic is down. Continental has discontinued its service to Paris, but it is improving service to Heathrow which is encouraging because it provides a base for further travel.



• •The uncoupling of runways 6 right and 24 left has been completed. This means that the connecting paving between the two runways has been removed as part of a national FAA program to separate runways in order to prevent accidental collisions.



• • A runway extension to create more capacity was undertaken. Kokosing was the contractor and the project is now complete.



• •A new air traffic control tower is still in process; the design is being finalized. A concern had been that the IX Center would be impacted, but it was reported that the lease for that facility has now been extended for another 20 years.



• •The Part 150 Noise Compatibility Study has begun; the working group is convening its first meeting on January 27 and will include stakeholders. Following that, there will be several public meetings for input as to the findings of the study. David J. Matty will represent the West Shore communities which is advantageous because he also represents the West Shore on legal issues as they relate to the airport and he was involved in the most recent Part 150 study several years ago.
• •The Master Plan for Burke Airport is in the final stages of completion and will be issued soon. Cleveland Hopkins will begin its Master Plan process in early February; it will also convene a working group of stakeholders. The airport website has considerable information on this and the Part 150 study for those interested.



• •There is a change of vendors at the airport and the transition to different businesses is beginning.

Referring to an article in Sunday's newspaper about area residents facing sudden huge increases in water bills, the Mayor noted that several Rocky River residents have been impacted by the same occurrence. She thanked Mary Kay Costello in Director Linden's office for compiling information, noting that a few bills have suddenly escalated to $500, $1000 or even $2000. The City has a liaison in the Water Department and is advocating for residents of these five accounts. There has been some difficulty obtaining history on the accounts. Some have been caused by faulty water meters which have been repaired, but billing adjustments have not been made, prompting shutoff notices. Council members were urged to inform the Administration if they know of other residents in this position. Another problem is that the City bases its sewer billing on water meter readings.

An inquiry has been received concerning commingled paper recycling at locations other than at the WWTP property. The Mayor mentioned that there are also collection sites around the City placed by a private company which shares the profits from the processing of those materials with various civic organizations. The Mayor read of a partial list of sites including many schools, churches and the City which has two bins close to the Fire Department and whose proceeds are donated to the Boy Scouts. Recycling helps both the City and many organizations.

Quoting recreation statistics, the Mayor noted that:

• •On MLK Day, Civic Center attendance was 1026; on Saturday, 1081. For four days, January 16-19, there were 3500 attendees.
• •In revenue news, December 2007 memberships came due in January, 2009. Through January 29, 2008, revenue was $72,814. This year, the revenue is $98,889.
• •Member log-ins through January 19 were 9,887.
• •At the ice rink, Friday through Sunday, there were more than 600 skaters in public sessions. (Programs are not included in statistics.)
• •At Rocky River High School, Youth Basketball Night, sponsored by the City, was Saturday night and more than 100 players participated.

This morning two skaters from the US Figure Skating Championships being held in Cleveland practiced in the City's rink. Derek Trent and Tiffany Vise are ranked fourth nationally, tenth internationally and will be in competition Thursday evening. Their coach's father was most complimentary about the friendliness and cooperation of the staff at the ice rink.

Reporting from the Senior Center's Quill, the Mayor indicated that a class has been conducted on the issue of the television digital transition. The Tax Assistance Program will begin February 1; computer, exercise, nutrition and craft classes continue. There are also travel opportunities, both local and out-of-state. She praised the extensive programming at the Center.

CCA representatives will once more provide taxpayer assistance beginning Saturday, March 28 and continuing to the approach of April 15, helping residents with taxpayer questions and preparation of city returns. Dates will be announced as the program draws nearer.

The Community Coalition for Youth Asset Development will sponsor its Family Game Week February 8 through 14.

Discussion: Mr. Furry asked about City credit for poundage of recycled materials from Abitibi collection bins. The Mayor said that it is credited to the City's recycling effort with the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District. He also asked if the skaters paid for their rink time. They did.

• •Mr. Long mentioned that the collection bins do not accept cardboard which should still be taken to the City recycling center.

Mr. Moran asked about the airport's investment in interior shops. The Mayor said that only the transition was discussed, indicating that a new management company will handle all vendors and that many businesses will be unfamiliar to residents in this area. She said that travelers will see many kiosks as new spaces are built out for the new businesses.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Ordinance No. 94-08 and 103-08: These ordinances would authorize easements on City property for AT&T. Mr. Hunt said that he had spoken to AT&T's local counsel, Leo Spellacy today and was informed that a formal letter will come to the City with its response. He indicated that both of these ordinances will remain on a pending status until the letter is received and discussed.

Ordinance No. 128-08: This is a rezoning ordinance for a warehouse that straddles Allen Court, close to Linda Street by the railroad tracks which has been recommended by the Planning Commission. Mr. Long indicated that the minutes have now been approved, and he set the Public Hearing for Tuesday, February 17, which will allow time for the required notices.

Ordinance No. 1-09: Mr. Hunt explained that this ordinance will approve an agreement for right-of-way acquisition services with TranSystems for the impending Lake Road resurfacing project. This is an ODOT requirement which requires that the provider be approved by them. There are two such firms in this area, and Engineer Mackay recommends the acceptance of the proposal made by this firm.

• •Mr. Linden noted that VA on the maps distributed last week signifies Value Analysis which are reports made by the firm. The map also indicates locations where easements are required, some temporary, and some already located on the property. Having this accomplished is a federal regulation and will probably take at least six months, and the consultant must be pre-qualified to do the work. When resurfacing Center Ridge, right-of-way issues delayed the work, so Mr. Linden urged passage so that there will be no delay in the Lake Road project.
• •Mayor Bobst added that this service is for the second phase of the Lake Road Project which will begin in 2010.
• •Mr. Shepherd asked who analyzes the value of the easements and whether the City negotiates them. Mr. Linden said that the City must agree to the terms, but the easements are negotiated by the consultant. (Consent Agenda)

MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS:

Mrs. Arabian Whitman reported on programming from a meeting of the Community Coalition she attended last week.

• •One is a parenting program which addresses everyday problems experienced by parents. It will be on Thursday evenings at the Board of Education beginning January 22 and going through February 26.



• •The second is a community wide forum for parents on internet safety for students. It will be presented on Monday, February 23 at the Rocky River High School Auditorium from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. by George Lichman, a member of the RRPD and also of the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The Mayor added that this was presented at the middle school last year and was very well received. She said it's very important for parents to be informed and the program was very enlightening.

Mr. Moran raised the question of Northeast Ohio City Council Association membership which has been under consideration. Council has the opportunity to renew its membership and he has received a response from one Council member, but would like more input on whether members are interested in participating. He indicated that a decision will be made next week, noting that in the past, Council has not taken advantage of its membership.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: NONE

NEW BUSINESS:

Ordinance No. 2-09: Mr. Furry commented on this ordinance which authorizes the purchase of cationic polymer for the WWTP, noting that it is used in the final step prior to the dewatering process which creates sludgecake. Superintendent Harrington indicated that this price is a 10-year high, but it may decrease next year. There was one other bid, but this was the lowest and best. (Consent Agenda)

Ordinance No. 3-09: Mr. Furry explained that this ordinance, which authorizes the purchase of tree lawn trees, will be a part of the fifth tree lawn program sponsored by the City. The best bid was from Big Trees which submitted the lowest and best bid. Planting is included. He further explained that the alternate bid is for trees off Wooster Parkway for both erosion control, winter safety and beautification of the area.

The trees will be planted on Argyle, Meadowhill, Cottonwood, Goldwood, Telbir, Colahan, Park Lane W., Glendale and Mark. Streets from all wards are on the list. (Consent Agenda)

COMMUNICATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Mr. Furry announced that the Rocky River Watershed Council will have its Annual Meeting on January 22 at 7:00 p.m. at the Rocky River Nature Center, 24000 Valley Parkway. This meeting is free and open to the public and will feature an overview of planned activities for 2009. Guest speaker Kyle Dreyfuss-Wells will discuss the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District's proposal to create a Storm Water Utility.

Mr. Moran commented that tomorrow, Rocky's River Pour House will have its grand opening at 20412 Center Ridge Road. Festivities begin at 5:00 p.m., and tips and donations will benefit Wigs for Kids and the Cleveland Sight Center.

He also commented on a safety situation with the deep snow that the City has experienced lately, expressing appreciation to those residents who have taken the trouble to dig around fire hydrants on their streets to keep them open and accessible to fire forces should they be necessary. He encouraged others who have a hydrant close by to keep it clear to help the Fire Division in case of emergency.

As there was no further business by members of Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

______________________________ ______________________________

James W. Moran Misao Kurokawa

President of Council Clerk of Council