DRAFT
CITY OF ROCKY RIVER
JUNE 5, 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. Hunt, Mr. Hurtuk,
Mrs. Bartolozzi, Mr. Hagan, Mrs. Bobst
Administration: Mayor Knoble, Mr. Linden
Law Director: Mr. Bemer
Press: Mrs. McKenzie, Ms. Mitchell
The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
MAYOR'S REPORT:
Discussing the major storm which struck Rocky River on Wednesday, May 31, the Mayor noted that the northeast section of the City was definitely hit hard. In an effort to track damage and assess the cause of the flooding, letters were sent on Friday by the Mayor and Councilman Gollinger to residents on High Parkway, Schlather and E. Shoreland. The Mayor indicated that as a result of the storm, about 45 calls were received at City Hall. Residents with water in their basements were encouraged to contact the Safety-Service Director's office by e-mail or phone. Of particular interest was whether the water entered through the walls, window wells or floor drains. Once data is gathered, it will be reviewed by the City Engineer and a report will be made to Council.
The Mayor commented that in the 35 years he has lived in his home, this is the first time he has experienced water in his basement, but the ground was so saturated, it could not handle the flow.
The DARE graduation will be held this Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. at Kensington School.
The Police Department has been awarded a Thermovision Scout ZX Thermal Imager under a FEMA grant from the Department of Homeland Security. This equipment, which will be received following officer training, is valued at approximately $14,000 and will allow officers to know if persons are behind closed doors. The aim is to provide agencies with the means to fulfill their homeland security mission.
Last Thursday, Mayor Knoble and Council President Bobst attended a meeting of county officials for the District One Public Works Integrating Committee (DOPWIC), which distributes state funds, formerly Issue 2 funds. Last year, the City applied for funding for WWTP improvement projects. Although a grant was not awarded, the City has received a no-interest loan of $2.3 million. Because there are multiple improvement projects, it is possible to move forward with some projects under this loan and reapply next year for a grant.
The pool opened Saturday with limited hours, and is open daily. By this weekend, it should be open on a full schedule.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NONE
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS:
Right-of-Way Management: President Bobst reported on the work she and Law Director Bemer have done since last week's meeting, reviewing proposed legislation from Cleveland Heights (Chapter 941) and from Grove City. The purpose of this legislation is management administration of the city's right-of-way, a very valuable and limited resource. Legislation can provide a comprehensive plan for purposes of public right-of-way usage and promote efficiency in lessening public inconvenience and safeguarding the health, safety and welfare of citizens as well as an opportunity to recover costs.
Mrs. Bobst discussed the proposed Chapter 941, pointing out that this draft most closely resembles our City's ordinances. She briefly reviewed some provisions of this legislation including:
Mrs. Bobst asked the Law Director to work on a draft to be reviewed by Council and Mr. Beirne, the Building Commissioner.
Thursday morning Walter & Haverfield is sponsoring a seminar on this matter. In the meantime, the President asked Council members to study the Cleveland Hts. draft as discussions continue.
Appointment of WWTP Consulting Engineer: The Mayor explained why this issue is important at this time. When Mr. Lesiecki was the City's employee engineer, he also served as the WWTP consulting engineer and was paid separately for that job. When the City hired Michael Mackay as its consulting engineer, Mr. Mackay made it clear that his firm had no expertise in this area, and a separate contract would be necessary so that another firm could serve in this capacity. At that time, the City had undertaken replacement of the screw pumps, and an engineering firm had been hired for that project.
The interest-free loan just awarded means that more projects will be undertaken soon, and the Administration needs to move forward. Proposals have been taken and evaluated separately by Mr. Mackay, Mr. Harrington (WWTP Superintendent), and the Mayor. The field was narrowed to two who were interviewed last week. As a result of that process, it was the unanimous recommendation that Metcalf & Eddy be retained. This firm has done the engineering for the screw pumps replacement. Mr. Harrington has worked well with the staff and their pricing was in the range of the least expensive of the firms.
An ordinance will be drafted by Mr. Bemer, and the Mayor requested that, if possible, it be passed before the end of June.
In other updates, Mrs Bobst asked about the legislation for the Northeast Ohio Sourcing Office (NEOSO). Mr. Bemer asserted that it is a work in progress.
On the hiring policy, a few fine points remain to be worked out, and Mr. Bemer indicated that an ordinance will be presented soon.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Safety Committee: Mr. Moran reported that a resident of his ward, Mrs. Audrey Moran (his mother), who, having fallen, had occasion to use the emergency services of the Fire Department on May 23. Mr. Moran was present, and noted that the ambulance arrived only four minutes after being called. He praised the professionalism of the responding EMTs, Steve Golobic, Robert Benza and Jeff Hollis who inserted an IV quickly and cautiously and transported her by stretcher. He thanked the Mayor, Mr. Linden, Safety-Service Director, and Chief Flynn whose staff did such a fine job and whose services are often taken for granted.
NEW BUSINESS:
Ordinance No. 80-06: Mr. Hagan deferred to Mr. Linden for an explanation of this ordinance. Mr. Linden indicated that because two tanks were removed from the Service Garage, the Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Regulations (BUSTR) requires ground water monitoring wells. He has worked with HzW, Mr. Mackay and BUSTR to negotiate a settlement in the requirements. The tanks were removed in 1995. (Consent Agenda)
Ordinance No. 81-06 , Ordinance No. 82-06 and Ordinance No. 83-06: The first two ordinances authorize the purchase of three trucks with snow plows to replace three 1995 vehicles. The last ordinance will purchase one-ton dump trucks for the Service Department and the Rec Department. For the Service Department, it will carry tools for sewer work. Both trucks will plow parking lots and side streets.
Ordinance No. 84-06: This ordinance, presented this evening, is an annual one establishing that Council will recess during the month of August this year. (Consent Agenda)
COMMUNICATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mrs. Bobst reiterated the DARE graduation which will be held at Kensington on Wednesday at 9:00 a.m.
Recreation Director Patterson has forwarded a letter thanking Lisa Spicer and members of the Rocky River Early Childhood PTA who have generously contributed $3000.00 for a "port beacon". This equipment will be part of the new indoor aquatic facility which will be included in the addition to the Don Umerley Civic Center.
Thursday at 7:00 p.m. a public meeting will be held to hear about and discuss AT&T's Project Lightspeed. Approximately 200 residents whose property abuts or is close to proposed buildout sites have been invited. A letter has also been sent to these residents by AT&T. Mrs. Bobst noted that the community is looking forward to their presentation which will be held in the Community Room.
MOTION:
Moved by Mrs. Bobst, seconded by Mr. Hurtuk, Mr. Gollinger and Mr. Moran, that an Executive Session be held immediately following the meeting to consider the purchase of property for public purposes under Article X, Section 6, Subsection (2) of the Charter.
Vote: Gollinger - aye Moran - aye Hunt - aye Hurtuk - aye
Bartolozzi - aye Hagan - aye Bobst - aye
7 ayes 0 nays PASSED
Mr. Gollinger asked about the mini motorcycles now making an appearance on the City's streets and sidewalks. The Mayor responded that when the Police Department receives complaints, officers respond, but rarely are able to apprehend the riders. The Mayor emphasized that these vehicles, popular with youngsters because they are inexpensive, are legal only on private property, and are not to be ridden on streets or sidewalks. Usually, riders are warned, but in rare cases the vehicles are taken back to the Police Department.
As there was no further business by members of Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:35 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 June 5, 2006. These minutes may be amended or revised at the next Legislative Meeting.