CITY OF ROCKY RIVER
SEPTEMBER 15, 2003
The Committee-of-the-Whole was called to order by Mrs. Bobst, President of Council, at 8:05 p.m.
Council Members Present: Mr. Gollinger, Mr. Frost, Mr. Malling, Mr. Potterfield,
Mr. Hurtuk, Mrs. Bobst
Absent: Mr. Bartolozzi
Administration: Mayor Knoble, Mr. Linden, Mr. Koran
Assistant Law Director: Mr. Hotz
Press: Mr. Dzurick
The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mrs. Bobst introduced Mr. Paul Volpe, President of City Architecture, the firm engaged by the City to update the Master Plan. Mr. Volpe, in turn, introduced his partner, Michelle Bandy-Zalatoris and Dr. Thomas Bier of CSU. Kory Koran, the City's Economic and Community Development Director, opened with some background of the Master Plan update including the passing of the ordinance which authorized the hiring of City Architects in March of this year. He introduced the members of the Master Plan Working Group: Trisha Brown, Craig Wright, Michael Fruchey, Eric Pempus, and Tom Long. Kevin Collings and John Selby were unable to attend. He then thanked the group of volunteers for meeting regularly with the consultants to provide community input for the planning process. The consultants are gathering information and have met with the Mayor and several directors who are giving thoughts and ideas. Mr. Koran concluded by stating that this was City Council's opportunity to hear the presentation and provide input to the consultants.
Mr. Volpe explained that the process is at a halfway point, having begun four months ago. He expressed his pleasure at the inspired ideas of the Task Force and his feeling that planning is a time of freedom with no limits.
To bring Council up to date, Mr. Volpe reviewed the three workshops with the Task Force which have been held so far.
At the first workshop, the goal stated was discussion about critical issues impacting the City in an effort to understand underlying values and to develop strategies with which to guide its growth and continued health as a community. Mr. Volpe, in a power point presentation, stressed the importance of understanding the City in general, its relations to its neighbors, and in a larger regional context. He also presented key questions and considerations which would help in understanding the City and the region. (Exhibit "A")
Using a map, he showed the City, with its strengths, including especially the river and the lake, as well as its immediate neighbors. Rocky River has the second highest density of population of the west shore suburbs, and is a thriving metropolis with great possibilities. The City has a great deal of residential property, a significant amount of commercial and a strong predominance of institutions. As to land use, we have parks and open spaces, mostly parking lots, but very little vacant land.
Mr. Volpe then showed the nine focus areas that had been identified by Mr. Koran who requested that they be studied for possible redevelopment or recommendations of needs.
Dr. Bier, the Director of the Center for Housing Research at CSU, then discussed statistics distilled from the 1990 and 2000 census figures. (Exhibit "B")
Among interesting statistics: our population rose only 325 during that period, and the median age of our residents increased from 42 to 44. Our population is stable, but because there is little undeveloped land here, many people who sell their homes in an upward move go to another suburb (63%), and the population is increasing in outlying areas. The population here is aging, and the 60+ group will increase dramatically in the coming years. Only 22% of households have children. The median home price is $188,700, 37% higher than other western suburbs. The average home is 44 years old; major maintenance problems begin when a house reaches 75 years old.
Implications: In the next 25 years, empty nesters can be attracted with smaller
homes and features such as a master suite on the main floor as well as lower
maintenance.
Estate taxes are an important source of income, and having housing for an aging
population can attract older residents.
Code enforcement becomes important to maintain the quality of housing.
At the second workshop of the Task Force, there was a continuation of the process of discussion from the first workshop. Also considered were changes and improvements to the nine focus areas (development districts).
Concepts and ideas discussed for the Development Districts:
1. The Creation of a Town Center. In this gathering place, there would be a
mixture of uses, walkability, neighborhood scale retail, and public spaces. It
would be an activity center.
2. Quality Housing. Under consideration would be new infill housing proposals,
renovation strategies and adaptive re-use possibilities.
3. Housing Diversity. A broad range of lifestyles needs to be accommodated:
retirees, empty nesters, young professionals, families, singles, single-family
homes, townhomes, condominiums, lofts and apartments.
4. Commercial Development. It is important to support existing businesses,
encourage development patterns that address the street and have a mix of
neighborhood scale retail, service retail and destination retail.
5. Parks and Public Space. There could be pocket parks, playgrounds, active and
passive recreation space, indoor community facilities and beautiful streets
6. Parking Solutions. Parking should be structures, and to the rear of businesses
or on-street or in screened surface lots
7. Infrastructure improvements - Roads should be narrowed with a wider side-
walk. We could use pedestrian amenities, street trees, a boulevard with a
center median and simplified traffic patterns
8. Connectivity. It is most important to create a cohesive environment between
neighborhoods, districts and developments.
9. Community Identity. Important to the spirit of Rocky River is signage,
particularly at gateways. Historic resources need to be identified and main-
tained. We should emphasize connections to the lake and river.
Finally, goals for each of the nine development districts were outlined, along with directives, or recommendations for getting it done. Many of the above concepts were applied to specific focus areas which he showed in maps of the areas as they could appear.
One unique concept was to combine Old Detroit, Linda Street and Middle Detroit into one focus area which could be restructured into a gathering place or town center.
Mr. Volpe concluded by saying that the next step would be review and discussion of all of the ideas presented and spoke of the importance of engaging the community.
Mrs. Bobst thanked the City Architecture team for their presentation which will be a basis for discussion by Council. She noted that public input will be solicited before the final adoption of a plan.
MAYOR'S REPORT:
The Mayor has requested that the Police Department enforce the law against unleashed dogs in Rocky River Park because of complaints that dogs are running loose on the beach frightening children. Five citations were issued, including one to a River resident. The Mayor indicated that the effort will continue.
Information has been received from Chagrin Valley Engineering about the responses on the I-90 sound barrier questionnaire, including a disk of the power point presentation. More information will be forthcoming after the deadline for mail responses when all submissions are tallied. Anyone interested in the appearance of the proposed fiberglass material for the sound barriers can see an example on the bridge over Dover Center Road on I-90 between Columbia and Crocker. The supports are not the material currently recommended, but the panels are fiberglass.
The Heritage Home Loan Program is up for renewal, and the Mayor distributed summaries of activities to this point. The cost of the program will remain the same, and the Administration has recommended renewal. The Mayor pointed out that under this program, it is not necessary to apply for a loan to receive restoration advice on projects under consideration.
The Cuyahoga County Board of Health has issued the 2003 statistical reports for public health activities conducted by them from January through June. This report was distributed to members of Council.
The Administration recommends that the City apply for an exterior maintenance grant program. An ordinance will be before Council to authorize our participation.
Cox Cable will introduce a DVR (digital video recorder) in November.
Tomorrow the Planning Commission will meet at 7:30 p.m. It will be the last meeting for Ed Saxton, a member for more than 20 years. Mr. Saxton has been active in many facets of life in Rocky River and will be missed. Mayor Knoble will make a short speech and present him with a Mayoral proclamation.
The Mayor attended a meeting at Ruffing Montessori School to review plans for expansion. A needed variance has been granted this past week. This school follows Magnificat and Lutheran West in making large investments in their buildings.
Mr. Patterson has met with three representatives of the local YMCA branch in an effort to coordinate programs that would fill the gaps in each organization's programs. Since this branch is located on Columbia Road, it is close enough for use by many residents.
The public opening of the new Elmwood Cabin has been scheduled for October 7 from 5 to 7 p.m.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Ordinance No.155-03: Mrs. Bobst announced that there will be a minor amendment to this ordinance. It will be read for the second time this week.
Ordinance No. 158-03: This ordinance authorizes the purchase of new laptops so that they can be assimilated with the new computer system. Mr. Hurtuk added that he expects to move to pass this ordinance next week. Mayor Knoble added that when the new computer system was purchased recently, they were told that the existing MDT laptops would work, but it was found that their capacity was not sufficient, so new laptops are needed. The old ones are 5-6 years old and would probably need to be replaced soon, in any case.
Ordinance No. 159-03: This ordinance will have a second reading next week. Mr. Potterfield noted that it had been recommended by the Planning Commission. The ordinance, which will make 192nd and Depot both two-way streets again, was initiated by the Administration at the prompting of merchants and citizens and is in compliance with Master Plan suggestions.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS:
Councilman Malling raised the question of parking on grass. He noted that it is illegal to park any vehicle (car, boat trailer, etc) on grass. Vehicles must be parked on a hard surface. As to enforcement, he wondered if the Building Department or the Police Department would be responsible. Mayor Knoble said that in his research, he had determined that he can write a letter appointing the Police Department as enforcers of the Building Code. He will do so. The Mayor also mentioned that on Wednesday, a new part-time inspector, Clayton Zell, will begin with the Building Department. Since Mr. Minko goes to Florida for the winter, Mr. Zell will provide coverage for the City.
Councilman Frost reported the results of his research on play structures. There is nothing in the Codified Ordinances that regulates them. Many permits and variances have been granted. The Law Director has set a 9' height limit which applies to accessory structures, although nothing about recreational structures is mentioned. If Council wants a 9' limit, the Code should be made specific and it should be indicated that recreational structures are included. More requirements can be added, such as the presentation of safety specifications, thickness of landing cushion, or clearance from the lot line. Mr. Frost has requested information from the Ohio Municipal League standard building code. A draft will be prepared for Council. Mr. Potterfield, as chairman of the Planning and Zoning Committee, approved of Mr. Frost's approach of addressing the situation before a problem occurs.
Cox Cable contract: Mr. Malling asked if there was an update on the extension of the Cox contract in return for a local public access. He asked if the City will be responsible for policies and procedures when the system is provided, and whether the extension would go into effect before discussion of the ramifications of the local station. They Mayor confirmed that the extension is dependent upon the acceptance of the local public access station, and that discussions remain to be completed. Mr. Malling asked if there is an urgency, and the Mayor responded that the schools would like to begin programming by the first of the year.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Safety Committee: Mr. Frost reported the the Safety Committee had met with the Working Group on Animal Control to set an agenda. The committee had heard from Mike Hearn and determined that its next meeting will be November 3 at 7:00 p.m. in the Committee Room. There are no actions or recommendations at this time.
NEW BUSINESS:
Ordinance No. 160-03: This Crack and Joint Sealing Project is an annual expenditure. Since Director Linden would like the program to begin as soon as possible, Mr. Malling will move for passage next week. This contractor has done satisfactory work for the City.
Ordinance No. 161-03: Five intersections are changed by allowing a right turn on red. This has been discussed at previous meetings. To allow for public input, Mr. Frost anticipates that there will be three readings. He will write to the Superintendent of Schools and the President of the School Board to receive input from the schools. The Mayor added that other aspects of traffic control are currently being discussed with the schools including the locations of school guards and the timing of 20 mph signs.
Ordinance No. 162-03: This would authorize the purchase of new computers for five City employees and a fax machine for the WWTP. The purchase will be made under the State Cooperative Purchasing Act and will allow employees to back up their work and be networked with other City Hall computers.
As there was no further business by Council members, the meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m.
_____________________________ _______________________________
Pamela E. Bobst Misao Kurokawa
President of Council Clerk of Council