DRAFT

CITY OF ROCKY RIVER

MARCH 6, 2006

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

Council Members Present: Mr. Gollinger, Mr. Moran, Mr. Frost, Mr. Hurtuk,

Mrs. Bartolozzi, Mr. Hagan, Mrs. Bobst

Administration: Mayor Knoble, Mr. Linden, Mr. Patterson

Law Director: Mr. Bemer

The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

MAYOR'S REPORT:

Last week the Mayor was asked why green paint was not bid in the zone marking paint ordinance. He researched the matter and found that when green paint is required, Service Department personnel take paint from City stock and Sherwin-Williams will tint it to the required color without charge. This also saves storing a second color paint.

The Community Challenge basketball game will be held this Friday.

A demonstration of an electric sign for the front of City Hall will be held tomorrow between 5:00 and 5:30. This programmable sign can change the message every 15 seconds.

The Historical Society will meet Thursday at the Senior Center. The program will explore historical Ohio landscapes.

A mailing to residents of two streets from each ward has gone out regarding the free tree lawn tree program. The deadline for response was March 4, and about 200 trees have been requested so far. This year's schedule includes: Wagar, Falmouth, Beach Cliff, Higley, River Oaks, Shoreland, Linden, Forestview and Lakeview. This will be bid once all replies have been received. Necessary funds have been budgeted.

A letter has been received from RTA publicizing the free apprenticeship training program of the Union Construction Industry Partnership-Apprenticeship Skills Achievement Program (UCIP-ASAP). This 8 week training program (320 hours) will provide direct entry into paid union apprenticeship programs for qualified applicants. Requirements include Cuyahoga County residency, age of 18 years or more, high school diploma or G.E.D., passing score on the entrance exam, successful interview with the selection committee and drug screening.

The Mayor's office has had many questions about the NOPEC contract. He explained that NOPEC was unable to find a new supplier after their contract with Interstate was cancelled. Many customers were thrown on the open market which has been very volatile this past year. The City has no official opinion or recommendation, but the Mayor's personal advice is that consumers should shop on the PUCO or Ohio Consumer Council websites and sign up for the best fixed rate for the longest period. He suggests that prices may be better at the low point of the season, but there are no guarantees. Only time will tell if a rate was a good buy.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Ordinance No. 12-06 and Ordinance No. 13-06: Mr. Hurtuk indicated that these two ordinances, the budget and salary ordinances, are part of the budget process and will be read for the third time and further discussed at the next meeting when the Finance Director is present. Also next week will be the Public Hearing on the budget. He mentioned that he will try to have a Letter to the Editor in this week's local newspapers which outlines major discussion points.

Ordinance No. 24-06: Mrs. Bartolozzi indicated that this ordinance will authorize the purchase of T-shirts for many City departments. This supplier was the successful bidder two years ago and Mr. Patterson observed that his department was pleased with the service and this year's lower price. (Consent Agenda)

Ordinance No. 25-06: Mr. Hagan turned to Mr. Linden for further details of the Sewer Televising Program authorized by this ordinance. Mr. Linden indicated that although we have not used this company previously, Mr. Michael Mackay, the City's Consulting Engineer, was familiar with the company which has worked in Strongsville. He said that their work was found to be satisfactory. Mr. Linden has discussed the City's needs with this company and is anxious to see the films, particularly since he has not been very happy in the past. This year the program will include all streets being repaved and Lake Road. (Consent Agenda)

Ordinance No. 26-06: Mrs. Bartolozzi noted that swimming pool fees have traditionally been increased every two years, and that would make changes due before this summer's season. This year, two new categories have been added: the non-resident employee pass and the nanny pass. Mr. Patterson came forward to further explain. He noted that a maximum of 100 of the non-resident employee passes will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Those passes will have no guest privileges attached; each non-resident must be a pass holder. The nanny passes are for caregivers of children whose families have pass privileges. They will be allowed to use the pool only when they accompany the resident children.

• •Mrs. Bobst asked about the expanded season. Mr. Patterson noted that last year the pool was open two weeks longer, extending the season past Labor Day. This year it will also open a week earlier
  
  
• •Mr. Hagan asked if a drop-off in pass sales is anticipated because the facility was new last year. Mr. Patterson did not feel, based on the experiences of other area pools, that this would be a problem.
  
  
• •Mr. Gollinger asked for a clarification of corporate memberships. Mr. Patterson said that the name had been changed to non-resident employee passes to avoid any confusion. No sales will be made to companies, but rather on an individual basis. Proof of employment in the City will be required.
  
  
• •Mr. Hurtuk asked if the Recreation Department has looked ahead to an all encompassing pass for both indoor and outdoor facilities. Mr. Patterson said that consideration of those issues is at a preliminary stage, and that the plan is to have several alternative plans.
  
  

Mrs. Bartolozzi noted that because this ordinance is required for the printing of the Recreation brochure, it will be placed on the Consent Agenda.

Ordinance No. 27-06: Mr. Hagan referenced a memo from the City's consulting engineer, Mr. Michael Mackay, which explains why he is recommending that the proposal of URS be accepted.

• •For background information, he turned to the Mayor who explained that the City's intention to correct the sharp curve which makes access to the Yacht Club basin impossible for emergency equipment, a series of meetings was held, one attended by more than 100 residents. It was determined that preliminary drawings indicate that the project is feasible. Before further action, however, it was necessary to know if the hill is moving, and if so, how much and when. In order to do this, a technical firm is needed. The proposals received are higher than the original estimates, so Mr. Mackay again approached the companies, and in further talks, he became convinced that URS is the right firm to do the work. The project will be lengthy, but the Mayor is convinced that it must be done right.
  
  

Mr. Hagan confirmed that 24 months is the maximum which will be required for the study.

• •The Mayor agreed that following the results of the study, more discussion will be necessary to determine if the project is still feasible. If it continues, then engineering will have to be done, followed by formal bidding.
  
  

Mr. Hagan asked if all residents are in agreement, or if the City plans to purchase more property.

• •Mayor Knoble responded that the Mackay plan would require the donation of small bits of property by residents. Other problems remain to be resolved, but it is not the City's intention to buy any more property.
  
  
  
  

MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS:

SBC Update: Mrs. Bobst noted that this is really an update on the new A T & T. Mayor Knoble indicated that A T & T is making efforts at the state level to have this type of service removed from franchise agreements with local communities. Further efforts have continued at the federal level and the local level. He asked the Law Director about a similar approach made to Lakewood.

• •Mr. Bemer responded that the Law Director there is waiting to see what happens in Rocky River.
  
  

The Mayor indicated that four or five further requests for permits to install equipment boxes has been received from A T & T, but permits have not yet been issued pending consensus by Council.

• •Mrs. Bobst commented that she has had two conversations with Mr. Lynch of A T & T regarding the map requested by Council which would show proposed locations for equipment boxes. Mr. Lynch said that his company is reluctant to share this information, which they consider proprietary, and which would then be part of the public record. He is pursuing ways to be able to discuss their plans, and will be at the Council meeting on March 20 for a short presentation on the location of the boxes. She noted that Council wishes to understand the scope of the project because it is likely that residents will have safety and esthetic issues which will be raised with Council members. A T & T has not launched the project in any other community, although they do have government liaisons in Lakewood and Westlake. She would like to hear feedback regarding the placement of the equipment because, as discussed, those in residential areas will be of concern.
  
  
• •Mr. Hagan asked if the boxes already placed can be mapped. He noted that it is his understanding that 50 boxes are proposed, most next to those already placed.
  
  
• •Mrs. Bartolozzi expressed concern over the size of the boxes. One in front of Panera Bread is very large and would be unacceptable in residential areas.
  
  
• •All Council members were encouraged to look at boxes presently installed and put together any questions for dialogue with the company's representative on March 20. This needs to be done sooner rather than later because the company is investing a great deal.
  
  
• •Mr. Gollinger asked that the City be sure that the company is not moving forward on any sites on which permits have not yet been granted. He would like to see further permits frozen until the map is presented to Council.
  
  

The Mayor commented once more that the last four or five site requests, some residential, have not been approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Safety Committee: Mr. Moran announced a meeting of the Safety Committee which has been scheduled for March 20 at 7:00 p.m. in the David J. Cook Council Chambers. Chief Flynn and Chief Wagner will be present at the meeting to discuss safety and training issues.

NEW BUSINESS:

Ordinance No. 28-06: This resolution is a requirement of a grant application submitted to NOACA. Mr. Gollinger indicated that this grant may be a good opportunity for the City to be helped with funds for studies which relate to the Lake Road project. Matching funds of 20% are required. Since the City is responsible for engineering costs, a partial subsidy would be welcome.

(Consent Agenda)

Ordinance No. 29-06: An application has been received for the reclassification of two properties at Smith and Ingersoll. Inspection shows that the property has been cleared and graded. The owner is interested in changing the classification from Office to Service Manufacturing. Mr. Gollinger noted that this ordinance will have its first reading and then it will be referred to the Planning Commission.

Ordinance No. 30-06 and Ordinance No. 31-06: These two ordinances deal with the ambulance which was damaged in an accident suffered during the transport of a resident to Lakewood Hospital. Mr. Linden explained the exhibit which showed the cost of a new chassis to be $58,976.00. Ordinance No. 31-06 allows the City to grant salvage rights to the damaged chassis and receive $3,200. The net cost, $55,776 is defrayed by an insurance payment of $44,659.80. He said that means that, in actuality, the City has a new ambulance for $11,116.20. The rebuilt vehicle should be delivered about March 22. (Consent Agenda for both)

Ordinance No. 32-06: Mr. Frost commented on this ordinance which authorizes the purchase of cationic polymer for the WWTP. He indicated that this chemical is used for the dewatering of sludge. In addition to bid openings, trials of effectiveness were held as reported by Superintendent Jeff Harrington. The lowest bidder was the supplier of the recommended product. (Consent Agenda)

COMMUNICATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Mrs. Bobst again announced that the City Council is accepting letters of interest and resumes for the Ward I Council position. All documents must be received by 4:00 p.m. Friday, March 17, 2006 by the Clerk of Council. She noted that those submitted materials become a matter of public record, so if that is not intended, materials should not be submitted. Mr. Frost has been asked, and repeated, as a matter of information, that applicants must be residents of Ward I.

As there was no further business by members of Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 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 March 6, 2006. These minutes may be revised or amended at the next Legislative Meeting.