CITY OF ROCKY RIVER

APRIL 2, 2007

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

Council Members Present: Mr. Gollinger, Mr. Moran, Mr. Hunt, Mr. Long, Mr. Hurtuk,

Mr. Hagan

Absent: Mrs. Bartolozzi

Administration: Mayor Bobst, Mr. Linden, Mr. Mackay

Law Director: Mr. Bemer

Press: Mr. Saylor

The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

MAYOR'S REPORT:

The library grand re-opening will be April 22 from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.

The tree planting program is commencing, and City employees will be preparing tree lawns.

On Thursday, April 5, from 7-9 p.m. at the Unitarian Church, the League of Women Voters will present a program entitled "Innovative Environmental Design".

As a part of River Days this summer, plans are being finalized for the antique car show. The Mayor announced that because the emphasis will be on Rocky River residents, the City is seeking residents with cars 20-25 years or older who would be interested in having them displayed, and she asked that they call City Hall for further information.

Lowe's construction is commencing, and should take approximately a year to complete. This will mean about 120 jobs for the City of Rocky River.

A letter has been sent to Bruno Maestri, the Vice President of Government Relations at Norfolk Southern asking for absolute written clarification that the operation of commuter rail would not affect the agreement of 1998 in any way, including a limit on the number of trains. She thanked Mr. Bemer and Mr. Ebert, Law Director of Bay Village. As yet, no response has been received.

The City has sent a Notice of Non-Compliance to the VA, referencing the property at 3770 Wooster Road, with a copy to Countrywide Home Loans. If no remedial action is taken within 30 days, the City will condemn the property and move toward demolition. The County's exterior maintenance program may help with funds it has allocated for demolition deemed necessary by cities if this should have to move in that direction.

The City will use the e-update program to notify residents that the County will begin its address verification program this week, employing Baker & Co., whose vans will be seen throughout the City verifying addresses to update the GIS system. This data, which will take about a month to collect, will eventually be used to enhance the 911 system so that calls from cell phones can be tracked in the same way as land phones. Because every address in the County needs to be confirmed, residents may see slow-moving vans traveling through the City gathering this information. The City will be able to access GIS information at no charge and recent aerial photos taken by the County will also be available to Rocky River without cost.

The Mayor distributed photos of a portable storage unit which is not a PODS unit, brought here on a move from Boston. She noted that when Council had last discussed the issue, it was brought out that these units may come from different companies. These were brought in, unloaded, and taken away the same day. In contrast, in December, a unit remained on a property for 60 days because it had been placed before the City's ordinance was passed and was thus grandfathered.

The expansion project at the Don Umerley Civic Center is progressing with roof trusses up and the roof going on. Some delays were experienced earlier with a shortage of steel, but the project is now moving forward. Infinity Construction is now working on Saturdays to move the project ahead more quickly.

Last week, Mayor Bobst met with members of the Chamber of Commerce and Director Koran regarding free standing commercial signs. Some very good ideas came out of that meeting, and the Mayor will work with Mr. Koran and Mr. Bemer to present to Council some ideas of permitting signs from time to time in specific situations. Legislation from Chagrin Falls, Hudson, and other communities which have dealt with similar issues is being reviewed, and the Mayor will report on any developments.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Ordinance No. 6-07 and Resolution No. 10-07: Mr. Gollinger indicated that both the ordinance authorizing the rezoning of a property on Forestview (Ordinance No. 6-07) and the resolution supporting a study on the feasibility of commuter rail (Resolution No. 10-07) will continue on hold pending receipt of further information.

Ordinance No. 26-07:   Mr. Hagan noted that this ordinance had been read for the first time last week. Mr. Mackay was in attendance to answer questions or concerns about this ordinance which renews the contract of his company with the City for engineering services. Mr. Mackay commented that it has been a pleasure working with the Mayor, Council and Mr. Linden, and noted that the well-run City makes his job easier.

• •The Mayor praised Mr. Mackay's work, noting that a memorandum from Mr. Mackay to members of Council outlines the projects completed and under way, the estimated costs and the consulting fees which were outside the retainer. She indicated that the cost efficiency of using Mr. Mackay's firm are easily seen. The new agreement calls for an increase of 2.75% in both retainer and hourly fees, the same increase which was granted to City employees, and the Mayor expressed appreciation to Mr. Mackay for keeping costs down, especially since the City has begun an aggressive capital season.



• •Mr. Linden eloquently agreed with the Mayor, noting that his experience of working with Mr. Mackay has been a pleasure, and that he is looking forward to keeping the firm working for the City. He said that either Mr. Mackay or his assistant is readily available whenever needed, making his job easier.



• •The Mayor added that Mr. Mackay works well with the administrative staff and residents, and that he is particularly skilled at communicating effectively with residents.

Mr. Hagan indicated Council members are pleased at the projects which have moved so smoothly this past year. With a large project beginning next week in Ward 4, he will be pleased to see the agreement renewed so that it will go smoothly. (Consent Agenda)

MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS:

Mr. Moran reported recent complaints from residents, particularly of increased truck traffic on Wagar Road, indicating that it may be from the construction of Westgate. He has conferred with Ptl. Jeff Hine who has been working on truck regulations and has some suggestions. They are investigating the updating of the City's Code pertaining to commercial truck weights and will be conferring with Chief Wagner and Mr. Bemer. A portable truck scale has been suggested to help regulate the traffic and insure that trucks are not where they should not be.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: NONE

NEW BUSINESS:

Ordinance No. 27-07: Mr. Hagan turned to the Mayor to further information on this ordinance which authorizes an increase in sewer rates paid to the City of Lakewood.

• •Mayor Bobst explained that Lakewood has recently increased the 2007 sewer rate for the area of our City whose sewage is treated by the Lakewood Wastewater Treatment Plant. The last increase was 10 years ago. The Mayor noted that she had hoped to determine the rates for 2008 also, but Lakewood was not prepared to do so at this time. The rate for 2006 was $20.45. (Consent Agenda)`

Ordinance No. 28-07: Mr. Hunt explained that this ordinance will authorize hiring a firm to gather information required by BUSTR, the Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Regulations. Geotechnical soil samples at the Service Garage will be required at a cost of $9,715.

• •Mr. Linden added the problem goes back to 1995 with 3 leaky gas tanks at the Service Garage. Although they were cleaned up to 1995 standards, because there are potable wells in the area, as well as sanitary sewer lines, BUSTR has required that the flow be monitored to see if there is any gas infiltration. Mr. Linden expressed the hope that this will be the end of the problem. (Consent Agenda)

Ordinance No. 29-07: Mr. Long explained that this ordinance to refurbish four refuse scooters is necessary because the vehicles are aging and need repairs. Replacement is not possible because the scooters are no longer being manufactured to these specifications. This ordinance needs to be passed. (Consent Agenda)

Ordinance No. 30-07: Mr. Hunt indicated that this ordinance authorizes sewer flow studies for sanitary sewers mandated by the Ohio EPA.

• •Mr. Linden agreed, explaining that five locations will be studied: Beachcliff and Falmouth, Falmouth and Avalon, Westway and Magnolia, Westway and Westmore, and Wooster between Hilliard and Center Ridge. These will be monitored and the information obtained will be used to formulate a master plan for sewers for the next 20 years.

Mr. Hunt commented that this should be accomplished as quickly as possible because care of the sewer infrastructure is a priority. (Consent Agenda)

As there was no further business by members of Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:28 p.m.

________________________________ ______________________________

Brian F. Hagan Misao Kurokawa

President of Council Clerk of Council