CITY OF ROCKY RIVER
SEPTEMBER 5, 2006
The Committee-of-the-Whole was called to order by Mr. Hagan, President of Council, at 8:00 p.m.
Council Members Present: Mr. Moran, Mr. Hunt, Mr. Hurtuk, Mr. Long, Mr. Hagan
Absent: Mr. Gollinger, Mrs. Bartolozzi
Administration: Mayor Bobst, Mr. Linden
Law Director: Mr. Bemer
Press: Ms. Mitchell
The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
MAYOR'S REPORT:
The Westover waterline project will be completed this fall. A successful meeting was held with residents of the area to disseminate information on the project. The sewer project and roadway reconstruction will commence in the spring of 2007. The Mayor noted that there will be no use of Linden Park for ingress and egress by residential or construction traffic during the project.
The Wooster/Bonnie Bank home was sold at the Sheriff's Auction of August 28. The home was purchased by the VA. Mayor Bobst has received letters from judges handling foreclosures indicating that the process is being streamlined because they realize how important it is to cities that the process move along.
In other construction updates, the Mayor reported that:
The City has received a draft report from Railroad Controls Limited outlining recommendations for the implementation of a Railroad Quiet Zone. Many questions were answered at a subsequent conference call between a company representative and City officials, including the Mayor, Mr. Linden, Mr. Mackay and Mr. Bemer. The detailed report is currently being studied, but the Mayor requested that it be placed on the agenda of the meeting of the Committee-of-the-Whole in two weeks for further presentation and discussion. The Mayor noted, as an example, that recommended supplemental safety devices could cost $345,000 to $1.4 million for the four crossings in the City.
The Mayor's office has recently received complaints about the noise and level of airplanes flying over residents' homes, particularly in Ward 4. The Mayor encouraged residents to report such complaints directly to the airport's hotline, 216 898-5220. This information is then used by officials to work with the airlines to lessen noise. The Mayor further noted that a meeting with the new airport director has been requested by member cities of S.A.F.E. It remains to be scheduled.
Proposals for health, dental and life insurance are due September 15. An employee benefits committee has been convened and will assist with the review of the proposals. The City is also working with Mr. Sam Fiorentino, an insurance consultant, who reported that the average increase is 14% for the industry. The Mayor is hopeful that the City's increase will be less because of its good history last year.
Repaving of the post office lot was scheduled for August, but officials there reported to the Mayor that the project has been placed on hold, and no date has been set.
Mayor Bobst reported that in the 2007 budget process, she has had initial discussions with Council's Finance Committee Chairman, Mr. Hurtuk and with Council President Hagan. She has requested that directors submit budgets to Finance Director Thomas by September 29. Then she will meet with each director to determine final figures. She asked that Council also review its budget figures for next year.
The Civic Center construction is on schedule. The availability of steel caused some concern and a short delay, but the project is proceeding on schedule.
The Mayor reported that nothing further has been heard from AT&T on its buildout for Project Lightspeed, but no further building is taking place in the City. The City has told Walter & Haverfield that it would like to proceed with right-of-way legislation, and a draft of such legislation has been received.
Legislation to regulate the use of PODS, the portable storage units popping up in City neighborhoods, is being considered. Safety-Service Director Linden is working on legislation to control the placement and duration of time that the large box-like structures will be permitted.
The Mayor has received a letter from the Board of Health citing the latest statistics on its sales of tobacco to minors. She was pleased to report that in Rocky River, no tobacco was sold to the 13 to 16-year olds sent out by the Board of Health.
A demonstration was held recently to showcase bomb retrieval by a robot. This equipment was made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the Ohio Department of Public Safety. The City has also received additional radios, bomb suits and detectors. The Mayor noted that one reason the area's grant proposals are successful is that there is an existing relationship among the Westshore communities and the federal government sees this as a way to maximize its investment.
Several fires have occurred in the City recently: on Linda Street, old Detroit above Hopscotch and at the Normandy. The Mayor wished to commend the City's firefighters who were able to control the flames before they spread to other buildings.
At the end of August, City employees sponsored a successful campaign in support of United Way. The Mayor thanked all those who participated, and especially those who planned and worked hard to insure the event's success.
Cox Cable has forwarded its quarterly franchise fee of $34,824. These funds will be used for park improvements.
Lake Road construction is moving ahead in partnership with ODOT. The City has received a grant from NOACA of $75,000 with an 80/20 split. Traffic engineers will be working with ODOT and with Mr. Mackay, the City's engineer, and with Mr. Delzani,, the City's traffic engineer, on traffic issues. When they are able to determine several possibilities for treatment of the roadway, public meetings will be held for resident feedback.
Mr. Linden and Mr. Mackay are working on prioritizing sewer projects for the 2007 budget.
Mayor Bobst has met with Mr. Koran regarding the Master Plan, and they are working with Mr. Beirne, the Building Commissioner, on implementation of some recommendations and assessing the City's position, particularly in regard to mixed use zoning, commercial parking, historic restoration and architectural guidelines.
The rental inspection program will be under review, and the Mayor will meet with inspectors. The Mayor encouraged Council members with questions or concerns to forward those questions to her.
Discussion: Mr. Hagan thanked the Mayor for attending the meeting on Westover, noting that he felt it went well.
MOTION:
Moved by Mr. Hagan, at his request, seconded by Mr. Long, that an Executive Session be held immediately following the meeting for a conference with an attorney for the public body concerning a dispute involving the public body that is the subject of pending or imminent court action under Article X, Section 6, Subsection (3) of the Charter:
Vote: Moran - aye Hunt - aye Hurtuk - aye
Long - aye Hagan - aye
5 ayes 0 nays PASSED
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NONE
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: NONE
COMMITTEE REPORTS: NONE
NEW BUSINESS:
Ordinance No. 102-06: Mr. Moran turned to Mr. Linden to explain the need for a new compressor and breathing air fill station for the Fire Division. The Safety-Service Director noted that the present unit, which fills firefighter oxygen tanks, was purchased in 1989 for $7,529, and can no longer be used. It has been out-of-service since May, and the City's tanks have been filled in North Olmsted or Fairview Park. Attempts to repair the unit have been unsuccessful because parts are no longer available. Mr. Linden indicated that since five months are necessary to manufacture the unit, he would appreciate passage as quickly as possible.
Mr. Moran also suggested that recent fires may have used more oxygen, and that for safety, the unit should be purchased soon. (Consent Agenda)
Ordinance No. 103-06: Mr. Hurtuk explained that this ordinance authorizes payment of a portion of a loan applied for by the WWTP. Of the $2.3 million total, the City's share would be about $334,000 with no interest over the 20 year duration of the loan. This would be taken from the WWTP Capital Fund. The money would be spent for needed capital improvements as outlined in Exhibit "A".(Consent Agenda)
Ordinance No. 104-06: Mr. Hagan indicated that this ordinance will authorize funding for the Westover Avenue Water Main Rehabilitation Project. This is much needed and has already been discussed. The lowest bid was submitted by Utilicon, and Mr. Hagan commented that the company had also worked on the Lakeview project. (Consent Agenda)
Resolution No. 105-06: This is a request for approval of an erosion mitigation project at 19760 Frazier Drive. Mr. Hagan recalled that several of these projects have been submitted by individuals living in the area, noting that it is a requirement of the ODNR that the City approve plans before construction. For Council members with questions, he noted that engineers' drawings are attached to the resolution. Mayor Bobst mentioned that the constructions are at the homeowner's expense.
Ordinance No. 106-06: This ordinance for maintenance of the City's phone systems was negotiated by Mrs. Mary Kay Costello. Mr. Linden said that she did an excellent job, because they agreed to do the work for $315 less than the last contract. He mentioned that because this firm does other work for the City, an ordinance is necessary so that the $15,000 limit with one vendor is not exceeded. He also commented that they have always done a fine job and that the City has found their personnel helpful. (Consent Agenda)
Resolution No. 107-06: This resolution is necessary so that some property owners on Plymouth and Center Ridge who chose to pay for improvements in this manner will have the amounts agreed upon added to their property taxes. Payments for these assessments will be complete in 2009. (Consent Agenda)
Resolution No. 108-06: Mr. Hurtuk explained that this is an efficient way to collect overdue sanitary sewer accounts. By submitting these names to the County Auditor, the amounts will be placed on property taxes. This will not be done until several notices are sent. (Consent Agenda)
Ordinance No. 109-06: This ordinance, amending the S.A.F.E. Council of Governments Agreement, will be further discussed at next week's meeting by Mr. Gollinger. Mayor Bobst commented that throughout the document, there are minor changes, but several more significant changes have also been made. She will provide a copy of the original agreement for any interested Council members.
As there was no further business by members of Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m.
________________________________ ______________________________
Brian F. Hagan Misao Kurokawa
President of Council Clerk of Council