CITY OF ROCKY RIVER
SEPTEMBER 2, 2003
The Committee-of-the-Whole was called to order by Mrs. Bobst, President of Council, at 8:34 p.m.
Council Members Present: Mr. Bartolozzi, Mr. Gollinger, Mr. Frost, Mr. Malling,
Mr. Potterfield, Mr. Hurtuk, Mrs. Bobst
Administration: Mayor Knoble, Mr. Linden
Law Director: Mr. Matty
Press: Mr. Dzurick
MAYOR'S REPORT:
The Mayor met with ODOT concerning a new arrangement on bridge maintenance. At their suggestion, ODOT will maintain bridges over I-90 on an absolute elemental repair basis. Any kind of break in the surface of the bridge will bring a repair crew within two weeks. Curbs and sidewalks are not included.
Ambulance billing is up and running. An open house held with a group at the Senior Center to explain the program was, in the Mayor's opinion, very successful. No bills have been mailed yet, but the City is prepared to answer phone calls that may follow.
Mayor Knoble attended his second meeting of NOACA, a five-county group that handles the spending of federal funds for highways and transit. The meeting, held in Medina, enabled the Mayor to tour the new Medina recreation center.
The Mayor also met with Cuyahoga County Engineer Robert C. Klaiber about the Hilliard Road project. He received confirmation that that they will reduce the length of the turn lanes.
With Mrs. Bobst and Mr. Gollinger, Mayor Knoble attended the tot lot reopening behind the library. Improvements were made possible by a grant from the Rocky River Recreation Foundation.
The City has survived two unfortunate blackouts. The Mayor was pleased that they caused as little inconvenience as they did. Because computers were not functional without electricity, workers were sent home. All police officers were called out to man intersections. There was one accident at Wagar and Center Ridge, but that occurred in spite of the fact that Fairview Park auxiliaries were regulating traffic there. One break-in also occurred, but the wrongdoers, from Lakewood, were captured. The Mayor feels that these are probably not the last blackouts we will experience, and that the City needs to plan for the future. The 2004 budget will show some expenses related to this problem
Hometown Highlights has been running in August on Cox Cable Channel 45, and a new program has been taped and is ready to air in September. It features the Mayor with Director Koran and concerns economic and community development. In September, Director Patterson will tape a program with the Mayor about recreation for showing in October.
An ordinance has been presented to switch the City's workers' comp group rating organization. Our present organization is through the OML, and the Mayor feels that this new group will give improved service and communication. The new group has been recommended by Bay Village which is already a member. Membership in the 2004 Ohio Rural Water Association Group Rating Plan is necessary, and the ordinance authorizes the City to join.
Mr. Linden organized a meeting with five owners of property in the downtown section last week. Exciting new plans for the old downtown area on Detroit were unveiled including repaving of 192nd and Depot. When ready for restriping, it is the Mayor's intention to make Depot Street a two-way street. Other developments will come.
Mr. Koran and Mr. Lesiecki are working on the Issue 2 application which is due by September 19. Funds received would be used for additional sewer work in the Story/Wooster area, following up on last year's work as defined in the URS study. This involves repairing mains on side streets.
The Mayor has attended meetings of the Master Plan Working Group, and SAFE (with Mr. Gollinger).
The I-90 sound barrier meeting will be held tomorrow with an open house from 4-8 p.m. at the Civic Center. Two hundred seventy-seven letters of notification were sent to anyone who attended a public hearing or whose property is adjacent to the highway.
Rental inspector Phil Minko has encountered some medical problems and is currently off the job.
NOPEC letters have been mailed to residents. This form letter was mailed by NOPEC, but failed to include the fact that if residents have signed contracts with third party providers (e.g. Shell Oil) they will not received an opt-out letter. In about five days, these will only go to residents currently with CEI and Dominion East Ohio Gas. Others will not receive a letter until their current agreements expire. Judging from calls to City Hall, a letter of further explanation may be necessary. The Mayor added that savings are hard to predict.
Last Monday, a contractor working for the City ruptured a gas line at 10:55 a.m.. This shut down Wagar Road and City Hall for about two hours. The City was back in operation by l p.m. The Fire Department responded well
The Administration will be bringing an amendment to the sign ordinance. Sign boards have been seen in the City, and the Mayor said that if they are not a safety hazard and are the proper size, etc., he has no problem with them. He has asked the Building Department to suspend enforcement until an ordinance can be brought to Council.
The sale of three police cars and one City car will net the City $17,500.
Salt bids through the Ohio Cooperative Purchase Act have been set at $31.05/ton, an increase of 14.36%. Given last winter's snowfall, this increase is not seen as unreasonable. The City has 600 tons on hand.
A grant of $5600 has been received from the Bureau of Justice Assistance Program to help pay for new vests for the Police Department. Mr. Koran has applied for a $5000 grant from the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District to purchase recycled plastic litter containers for the parks.
Opening of pool bids will be September 26.
Discussion: Mr. Gollinger asked if the City has calculated the costs incurred because of the blackout. The Administration is gathering that information.
LAW DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Mr. Matty reported on the Centennial Fishing Contest of August 24 in which approximately 45 adults and 15 children caught 120 fish. It was unfortunate that a strong wind the day before caused murkiness in the water, but thanks to volunteers like Centennial Committee chairman Kathy Berkshire and the Kalmans and Brewers, the event was very productive, and a good time was had by all. Mr. Matty also thanked Mr. Potterfield for hosting the event and staying the entire day.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Ordinance No. 110-03: Mr. Potterfield indicated that this ordinance, subject of the Public Hearing held this evening, will be on the next legislative agenda for a third reading and a vote.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS:
Cox Cable contract: Mr. Matty has received a proposal from Cox Cable which is in the form of three amendments to a non-exclusive franchise agreement. In cooperation with the school board, discussions about a public access channel have proceeded. The first amendment adds 5 years to the term of the contract in consideration for the second amendment, a grant of $25,000 to establish a local studio with non-commercial local public, educational or government programming. An immediate expenditure of $11,000 will equip the studio at the high school, with a high school class and students operating the equipment. This will eliminate studio use at Cox. Mr. Matty requested that Council members or the Contracts, Governmental and Judicial Committee review the contract so that discussions with Cox and the school board representatives may go forward..
Mr. Matty further suggested that a Professor Weinstein-like consultant be retained to advise the City on legal issues arising from first amendment considerations.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
SAFE Committee: Mr. Gollinger, Council's representative, reported that the SAFE meeting was held on August 29. Present was John Mok, the Cleveland Hopkins Airport director, and his assistant and chief of staff. The issue under discussion was airport noise control, and complaints of noise on departures. Mr. Mok was concerned, and is working to eliminate complaints. If all airlines abide by regulations, noise should not be an issue. The airport will monitor arrivals and departures and will meet with airlines in an effort to reduce problems.
NEW BUSINESS:
Ordinance No. 150-03: This ordinance will continue a phone maintenance contract. Since the deadline is September 27, Mr. Bartolozzi's intention is to move forward.
Ordinance No. 151-03: Mr. Gollinger noted that as the bids were opened for the renovation of the Inglewood Road sewers, another water line break occurred. Two more have occurred in the last 1 1/2 months. The low bidder was Fabrizi Construction and Paving, which met the criteria established by our representatives and was recommended. The low bid was $899,792 which includes storm and sanitary sewers, water lines, paving, curbs, aprons and some sidewalk repairs. The contractor is expected to begin in late September, and may not be able to finish before the paving operation is forced to close for the season. However, most of the water and sewer line work should be finished and the remainder will be completed in the spring.
Ordinance No. 152-03: This oversight of the project is associated with the Inglewood sewers. The consultant selected was GGJ and will be an extension of the work already done in preparation of the specifications. This will also be on next week's agenda for a vote.
Ordinance No. 153-03: This ordinance will allow the City to apply for Issue 2 funds. Mrs. Bobst asked when we will be notified. The Mayor responded that it will be March before we know if we have been awarded funds.
Ordinance No. 154-03: This is a requested change in the sick leave policy for employees. In conjunction with the preparation of the first employee handbook, many portions of the code which deal with employee policies have been reviewed by the Mayor and Ms. Whitman, the human resources administrator. It was noticed that the only part-time employees who are covered under sick leave are school guards which is discriminatory to other part-time employees. This ordinance will eliminate that sick leave provision for school guards.
Ordinance No. 155-03: Because Christmas and New Year's Day are on Saturday or Sunday for the next two years, this change will eliminate an extra half-day holiday if Christmas or New Year's Day falls on the weekend. This is necessary so that City Hall is not closed for an extended period of time.
Ordinance No. 156-03: This ordinance represents an effort to lower Workers' Compensation costs. Mr. Bartolozzi intends to move forward with this ordinance on the next legislative agenda.
As there was no further business by Council members, the meeting was adjourned at 9:19 p.m.
_____________________________ _______________________________
Pamela E. Bobst Misao Kurokawa
President of Council Clerk of Council