CITY OF ROCKY RIVER

APRIL 8, 2009

Safety Committee

The meeting of the Safety Committee was called to order by the Chairman, Mr. Shepherd, at 3:40 p.m. in the Committee Room.

Safety Committee Members Present: Mr. Shepherd, Mr. Moran

Administration: Mayor Bobst, Mr. Linden, Chief Wagner, Chief Flynn, FPO Crowe

Law Director: Mr. Bemer

Mr. Shepherd stated that without a quorum of members of the Safety Committee present, the Committee will not make official recommendations, but this will rather be an informal discussion of issues.

He raised the first issue of concern, the intersection of Westway Dr. and Wagar Rd. For a short time in the morning, eastbound traffic turning left onto Wagar from Westway backs up because of the large volume of cars driving students to the high school. One suggested solution is a lane reconfiguration, making the left lane a turn only lane and moving other traffic into the right lane. This lane is currently only for right turns and does not permit right turns on red. Another proposal would prohibit left turns during the morning rush hour.

• •Mayor Bobst wondered about the number of complaints received and called Superintendent Shoaf who told her that he has received no complaints about either the intersection or about ingress or egress to the high school. She asked if they would consider opening the Detroit Road entrance to the high school which would reduce the traffic on Westway. However, the school indicates that there is no staffing for that entrance. She noted that prohibiting a left turn onto Wagar in the morning would create some issues.



• •Mr. Moran said he has had only one communication which was concerning evening traffic patterns and the inability of drivers to move forward in one traffic signal cycle.



• •The Mayor said that the problem occurs only in 10-15 minutes of the morning and that otherwise, traffic moves fairly well during the day. One possible solution which has been tried is to lengthen the green light on Westway during the morning hours, allowing more cars to turn left and to clear the intersection.

• •Chief Wagner commented that the department has not received any complaints, but predicted that if a traffic pattern is changed, complaints will be received, at least initially.



• •Safety-Service Director Linden said that he has not received any complaints since the green light has been lengthened. From 8:05 until 8:15 a.m., 12-14 cars can turn left on one cycle.

Mr. Shepherd said that he is reluctant to consider a change if the school is not able to open an alternative entrance. He will discuss this further with Councilman Mylen and Councilman Hunt whose wards are more affected by this issue and reopen the subject at a later date, if warranted.

The second issue to be raised is the possibility of a snow parking ban. The Mayor explained that she had met with representatives of the Service Department union who suggested that for improved snow plowing a parking ban be enforced during snow events. At present, if streets are impassable to plows, the Police Department is called and they are usually able to persuade car owners to move their vehicles. The Mayor added that some homeowners park their cars strategically so that their aprons are kept clear. Some plow drivers have been ticketed for colliding with these vehicles.

• •Mayor Bobst commented that a ban could be difficult to implement. She pointed out that the hydrant side of the street could be chosen. Issues remaining would be requirements for the ban to be effective, possibly a 2" snowfall, and how to enforce it. At present, the matter is not a top priority because of the cooperation between the Service Department and the Police which means that most streets can be cleared in a reasonable period.



• •Mr. Linden added that heavy snowfalls during the Christmas season would create further enforcement problems with large numbers of cars being parked on the street during social gatherings.

Mr. Shepherd, referring to a survey of cities with snow bans prepared by the Administration, noted that they had found it effective to place signs at the entrance to their cities, call the media, use a reverse 911 to notify residents, use discretionary enforcement with an escalating notification-ticket-tow policy, and prohibit overnight parking.

• •Mr. Moran raised a related issue of prohibiting parking on the hydrant side of the street to insure that fire trucks have access in an emergency. FPO Crowe explained that 20' is necessary for the free passage of fire trucks, and most streets are 26'.

Mr. Shepherd's third topic was proposed by a resident's letter which questioned the overnight parking ban.

• •Chief Wagner stated that such a ban helps the Police Division to keep junk cars off the streets and catch thieves, making cars parked in the middle of the night more noticeable. In addition, if residents are having driveway renovations or out-of-town company, permission is easily obtained for temporary overnight parking.

Chief Wagner raised several issues of interest to the Police Division:

First, he proposed a restructuring of fines for impounded cars, raising the rates to be consistent with those of neighboring west shore communities. Further, he would like to add that impounded equipment as well as vehicles be fined at appropriate rates. Following discussion, it was determined that the Administration will prepare legislation following the Chief's recommendations for consideration by all Council members at a meeting of the Committee-of-the-Whole.

Second, the Chief explained that the state law regarding restraint of children in cars has changed, and he proposed that the City change its Code to be consistent with the new laws which now require that children aged 4 to 15 be properly restrained when being transported in a motor vehicle.

The Chief's final issue concerned the requirement for carriers of CDL (commercial driver's licenses) to also carry a current medical card. Because this is not written in the City's Codified Ordinances, revenue from any tickets reverts to the State.

• •Law Director Bemer's interpretation of the statute differed: he believed that, except for interstate commerce, carrying the medical card is not required, although it is necessary to obtain the license. He will pursue case law on this topic, and Chief Wagner will check to see what action has been taken by the Court in these cases.

Fire Chief Flynn also raised several issues:

The Chief is working on a ticket approach for violations of the Fire Code. At present, if a citation is issued, it is done under State Code which allows the State to receive the revenues and could even require a trip to Columbus to testify. Because he believes that uniformity in the west shore suburbs is important, he is working with other cities to insure that the city codes mirror the State Code.

• •RPO Crowe added that usually it is possible to reason with property owners and persuade them to make their properties compliant. However, there are some who delay unreasonably and it would be helpful to have another tool to insure speedy compliance.

The second issue concerns the recommendation of the National Fire Protection Association's recommendation that new construction, both commercial and residential, be required to install fire suppression sprinklers. Because there may be pressure to exclude residential construction, this requirement may not be adopted on a statewide basis, and Chief Flynn recommended that it be added to Rocky River's Code. He stated that a City may not require less, but can require more than the State Code. Citing the fact that engineered lumber is now used in framework construction and that it gives very little time during a fire for evacuation, he feels this is worth the 2% to 3% of the total project cost that this would add. He has traveled to Washington D.C. to speak with senators and congressmen in an effort to enlist their support for tax credits for those who retrofit with sprinklers.

• •FPO Crowe added that sprinklers will not stop fires, but they will provide more time for evacuation of residents of single family homes where more damage occurs.



• •Mayor Bobst pointed out that Rocky River has a great deal more reconstruction and redevelopment than it has new construction. More discussion is necessary to determine whether sprinklers would be required in renovation and at what point. Director Bemer added that construction loses its non-conforming status when renovations involve 50% or more in modifications.

Because the presentation to states and adoption of any changes is not expected until 2010, this topic will be discussed further.

Chief Flynn encouraged everyone to investigate the new Fire Department website accessed through the City's website. This informative site was designed as a project with the high school, and the Chief commented that they did an excellent job.

An application has been sent in an effort to secure a Fire Prevention and Safety grant which would help the department's outreach to the community in providing smoke detectors to homes where residents cannot afford them. With the new standards, a detector is necessary in each sleeping room, in the hallway outside those rooms and on each floor of the home. Also needed are special detectors for those with hearing or vision impairments. A pilot program was financed by the Rocky River Kiwanis, and FPO Crowe is hopeful that a grant will continue the program.

Another grant through the State Fire Marshal for training was also forwarded as well as one to the State EMS for equipment. These grants are funded by seat belt fines.

Finally, Chief Flynn said he would like legislation creating a greater penalty for those who continually generate false alarms. The present fine is $25, and the Chief finds that for many, it is less than the cost of having the system checked or repaired. He recommended an escalating scale as offenses are repeated.

• •Chief Wagner noted that the Police Department also has penalties for false burglar alarms. He has found, however, that their system of warning letters and the $25 fine act as a sufficient deterrent.

Both of these situations will be reviewed.

A final cause for concern was raised by Council President Moran who expressed concern about cell use, particularly text messages, while driving. Chief Wagner has cited drivers under the provision which requires full time and attention, but Mr. Moran's concern at this time is toward young and inexperienced drivers. He suggested the possibility of a prohibition for those driving on a restricted permit. He has spoken to other communities, but North Olmsted is the only west shore community with a prohibition on cell phone use while driving, and it makes enforcement difficult when surrounding communities do not have the same laws.

Mr. Shepherd agreed, recommending education through the schools as a way to reach young people, particularly driver education courses.

As there was no further business by members of Council, the meeting was adjourned at 5:13 p.m.

_______________________________ _______________________________

John B. Shepherd, Chairman Misao Kurokawa

Safety Committee Clerk of Council