CITY OF ROCKY RIVER
APRIL 13, 2009
The Regular Meeting of Council was called to order by Mr. Moran, President of Council, at 8:03 p.m. in the David J. Cook Council Chambers.
Council Members Present: Mr. Hunt, Mr. Mylen, Mrs. Arabian Whitman, Mr. Moran
Absent: Mr. Furry, Mr. Shepherd, Mr. Long
Administration: Mayor Bobst, Mr. Linden, Mr. Thomas
Law Director: Mr. Bemer
The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Moved by Mr. Moran, seconded by Mr. Hunt, that the reading of the minutes of the Legislative Meeting of March 23 be waived, and that the minutes be accepted as submitted.
Vote: Hunt - aye Mylen - aye Arabian Whitman - aye
Moran - aye
4 ayes 0 nays PASSED
Moved by Mr. Moran, seconded by Mrs. Arabian Whitman, that the reading of the minutes of the meeting of the Committee-of-the-Whole of April 6 be waived, and that the minutes be accepted as submitted.
Vote: Hunt - aye Mylen - aye Arabian Whitman - aye
Moran - aye
4 ayes 0 nays PASSED
LAW DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Mr. Bemer indicated that he is preparing ordinances regarding Chapters 141, 139 and 153 which deal with employee relations and labor contracts. Drafts should be on the agenda in two weeks.
Together with the Mayor, the Human Resources Director and possibly the Safety-Service Director, Mr. Bemer is also reviewing policy which emanates as administrative acts from the Mayor's office.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Safety Committee: Mr. Moran noted that the Safety Committee met last week and Mr. Shepherd will report on that meeting upon his return next week.
COMMUNICATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: NONE
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: NONE
ORDINANCE NO. 19-09 BY JOHN B. SHEPHERD
AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WHEREBY THE STATE OF OHIO WILL SUPPLY UP TO $25,263.16 FOR THE OPERATION OF THE MARINE PATROL FOR THE YEAR 2009, AND AS FURTHER DESCRIBED IN THE ATTACHED AGREEMENT
1ST READING
Mr. Shepherd will discuss this ordinance, which will mean receiving funds, next week.
MAYOR'S REPORT:
The Mayor, fresh from delivering her State of the City address to the Kiwanis, began by explaining, in answer to some resident questions, that the bright green paint on some catch basins around the City indicates that a restrictor has been placed at that location.
Regarding the Quiet Zone, the Mayor has heard from Bill Harris of Norfolk Southern who explained in an e-mail the functions and importance of Power Out indicators and Constant Warning Time devices. Requests for cost updates for the upgrades to the crossings have been forwarded to the Engineering Department which should respond soon.
The Financial Audit Committee met and was sworn in on Thursday. Their first order of business was to select Brent Leslie to be their chairman, and they have already reviewed a draft of their roles and responsibilities consistent with the ordinance passed by Council in 2007. Their pre-audit meeting was held with Jennifer Carnahan of Ciuni & Panichi.
The EPA has notified the City that all proposals submitted for stimulus funds have been assigned to the Water Pollution Loan Fund. The Mayor explained that despite the name, funding could be in the form of grants, loans, or a combination of the two. Further, 50% of the allocation must be spent by June 1, so projects are now being scored and ranked. The Mayor said that having all projects proceed to the next step is good news, and she anticipated a decision by May 1.
The pier at Bradstreet's Landing will open on Thursday; the bait shop should open in early May with hours from Wednesday to Sunday to start.
The second round of Center Ridge Business Corridor meetings has been scheduled for April 29. At present, presentations are planned by the Chamber of Commerce, the City, and Cuyahoga Community College. The finalized agenda will be forwarded to Council when available.
April is computer recycling month. Residents may place unwanted computer equipment on their tree lawns for pickup on their regularly scheduled trash day.
There will be a remembrance for Lance Cpl. Danny Scherry, a Rocky River resident who lost his life fighting in Iraq. The Mayor noted that signs on I-90 with his name are a part of a statewide project honoring fallen soldiers. The brief remembrance will be held on Thursday, April 16 with former State Representative Jennifer Brady, who introduced the legislation, in attendance to discuss the process. For the family, this is a remembrance for all who served and sacrificed for our country.
Discussion: Mr. Hunt, hearing about computer recycling, was reminded of a resident question as to whether a shredding day was scheduled. The Mayor said it will be on Saturday, April 25, and
e-updates will be sent. The Mayor noted that the Administration is looking into adding a collection of unwanted pharmaceuticals which should not be flushed into the water treatment system. Through WEB (Westshore Enforcement Bureau), protocols are in place, so the feasibility of such a collection on the same date in April is being investigated.
Mr. Moran asked about the Westlake bank robbery last Friday.
Mr. Moran said it was great to see communities working together.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS:
Mr. Moran indicated that Council has received a request for transfer of a liquor permit to the wine bar on Linda Street. As the Police Department has turned up no negative information on the new owner, there was a consensus among Council members to return the request without objection.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:
Brian Ruic, 20358 Westover, commended the Police Department on their handling of the attack on children on spring break who were attacked by a wild animal in Linden Park. However, despite the efforts of three cars and the Animal Control officer, the large wild turkey escaped into the park.
As there was no further business by members of Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
_____________________________ _______________________________
James W. Moran Misao Kurokawa
President of Council Clerk of Council