CITY OF ROCKY RIVER
SEPTEMBER 21, 2009
The Committee-of-the-Whole was called to order by Mr. Moran, President of Council, at 8:00 p.m.
Council Members Present: Mr. Hunt, Mr. Shepherd, Mr. Mylen, Mr. Furry,
Mrs. Arabian Whitman, Mr. Long, Mr. Moran
Administration: Mr. Linden, Mr. Koran
Law Director: Mr. Bemer
Press: Ms. Toth
The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
MAYOR'S REPORT:
In the Mayor's absence, Safety-Service Director Linden discussed the progress of road projects around the City:
Acknowledging that his office has received communications from residents concerning Lake Road traffic striping, Mr. Linden indicated that he has met with City Engineer Michael Mackay and the ODOT engineer to discuss striping and signage, and was advised not to erect additional signage, particularly anything that would suggest that there are two lanes or four lanes because it would not be enforceable. ODOT has advised the Safety-Service Director that unauthorized signage could be a problem in the event of an accident.
Phase II of the Lake Road Project will begin with the installation of the Elmwood traffic signal and sewer work.
Paving is complete, and only a punch list remains for the first phase of Lake Road. Another water valve problem has been addressed by the Cleveland Water Department which has assured him that it will be the last. Aprons cracked during construction remain to be replaced by next week.
The project design for digging under the tracks on Elmwood is being refined. Mr. Linden is hopeful that excavation will begin Friday or early next week.
The Valley View Project will enter Phase II next year and lines will be going installed downhill to the Treatment Plant. Because sewers are in bad condition, they will all be replaced from the top of the hill to eliminate infiltration. The following year they will be connected with the pump station.
Reporting on the Free Tree Lawn Tree Project for 2010, Mr. Linden noted that project spending has been halved, but 80 to 90 trees will be planted. Efforts will be made to keep equal numbers in each ward of the City.
Discussion: Mr. Hunt thanked Mr. Linden for his construction update, particularly on the traffic issues on Lake Road. He asked for further updates when available.
Mr. Furry asked about ODOT's involvement in signage on Lake Road. Mr. Linden responded that all signage must be warranted by the State in order to be legal or there could be consequences in the event of traffic accidents. He will discuss signage and striping issues with the Mayor and Law Director Bemer.
Mrs. Arabian Whitman asked about parking signage. Mr. Linden said that these signs will be posted. Parking will be prohibited from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on the south side and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the north. However, no signage describing lanes will be posted.
Mr. Moran commented that there is a period of adjustment during which lanes can be confusing, particularly to those who do not live in the City and who are driving at a higher rate of speed. Mr. Linden agreed, saying that because there are safety issues, slowing traffic is the right thing to do.
ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Mr. Koran began his report by recalling that in June, 2009, the City was nominated for a TEAM NEO/Inside Business Economic Development Impact Award. Although Rocky River was not the ultimate winner, Mr. Koran recognized the honor in the nomination when he noted that most of the other nominees were in the multi-million dollar category and the winner was a University Hospitals $880 million expansion in partnership with the Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council.
The Administration, working with consultant David Hartt, has completely rewritten the Development Code over the past two years. The result is a 300+ page document which has been undergoing consideration by the Planning Commission for the past three months. Their page-by-page review has resulted in a list of questions which he and Building Commissioner Kevin Beirne have discussed. The Commission has requested that consultant David Hartt attend their meeting on October 20 to clarify certain points.
The Detroit Road Streetscape project is now almost finalized and consultant City Architecture together with City Engineer Michael Mackay, are moving forward to prepare bid specifications and plans. At the Fall Arts Festival, a very large board showing details of the plan was on display and received favorable comments from many residents and stakeholders. The City will submit a grant application for $100,000 to the county's Department of Development in November to offset costs of the project. Past efforts have resulted in awards totaling $400,000.
DEVELOPMENT UPDATE:
Grandview, on River Oaks, has changed hands and the new developer is Gerent Realty. All units in the first building have been sold and the second building is currently under construction. All the buildings in this project have been approved and are moving forward.
11 River has been approved and construction is beginning. Tonight at the meeting of the Design and Construction Board, minor revisions to the plan were proposed including expanded basements due to the change in grade. One unit has been sold and a reservation placed on another, so the developers remain optimistic
Rockport Shopping Center was discussed at a meeting held with the owner, Dennis Fisher. The Mayor, Safety-Service Director, Chief Wagner, Building Commissioner Beirne and Mr. Koran were in attendance to discuss River Square and the traffic situation there, and expanded their discussion to his other property. Unfortunately, nothing positive was reported concerning Rockport.
First Merit Bank has completed its new building at Center Ridge Road and Plymouth. However, despite their stated intention of keeping the River Terrace branch open, they are vacating the space.
Stino da Napoli on Old Detroit has finished its expansion to the east of the existing restaurant.
Mint, a facial salon, is opening at 19136 Detroit Road replacing Style Mutt which has moved next to the Irish Barber on Center Ridge Road.
Power of Life, a new chiropractor has opened at 19930 Detroit, next to the CVS.
911 Driving School is a new tenant in the Ingersoll Hardware block on Detroit.
The Welsh Home has submitted plans to build a 32,000 s.f. addition to its facility on Center Ridge, doubling its present space and adding 50+ beds.
The new restaurant proposed at the former City Service Garage on Linda Street is progressing. The owners are ready to submit plans to the City boards and commissions.
Two new homes will be built, one on Lake Road and one on Avalon Drive.
Plans for additions continue to be submitted, although slightly down from previous years.
The County's Storefront Renovation Rebate Program, in its first year, has been very popular in Rocky River which leads the county in applications. On the last day, five applications were processed with the last barely under the 5:00 deadline. A total of 27 applications were submitted, ranging from a $978 project to several at $20,000. The total investment in the City was almost $256,000 with $81,000 of that total rebated to building owners or tenants under this program.
The Chamber's eighth annual Business to Business Expo will be October 15 from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. Fifteen sponsors have already been found and 57 tables have been sold of the 110-120 needed to fill the room. This year for the first time there will be a wine tasting from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and vendors will be selling their products
Mr. Koran concluded by saying that despite economic times, investments in additions and construction continue in the community.
Discussion:
Mr. Hunt asked about Beach Cliff Market Square. Mr. Koran responded that there is nothing to report as far as new tenants are concerned, acknowledging that it has been a slow summer. He encouraged everyone to shop in area stores. He credited Bill Brink with generating excitement for the area.
Mr. Moran asked about the Welsh Home expansion and whether it would require additional property acquisitions. Mr. Koran explained that the property was large enough to accommodate the present plans.
Asked about Beachcliff Row, the Economic Development Director said that there is no further news. At present there are nine unfinished units; only two are occupied.
Mr. Moran asked about the number of buildings in the Grandview project. Mr. Koran responded that five buildings were approved.
Mr. Shepherd, acknowledging that Target had bought out its lease at Rockport, wondered about Giant Eagle. Mr. Koran said that Giant Eagle's lease expired last year.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Ordinance No. 48-09 and Ordinance No. 58-09: Mr. Long indicated that both of these ordinances, one of which authorizes the adoption of an updated development code and the other to authorize a zoning change, have been referred to the Planning Commission. Following their recommendations, Council will proceed in its consideration of both ordinances.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS:
Mr. Furry, at the request of the president of the PTA, reminded all that the homecoming dinner, catered by Pelicano's, will be this Friday from 5:00 until 7:00. The parade will begin at 6:30.
Saturday's shredding program was very successful and the truck was filled well before the scheduled 11:00 ending. The Art Festival was also very successful. Mr. Long's Kiwanis group sold ice cream and soft drinks and reported that the show was very attractively set up and well-attended. Mr. Linden added that the "Junk in the Trunk" also attracted a large crowd at the Senior Center.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: NONE
NEW BUSINESS: NONE
As there was no further business by members of Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
______________________________ ______________________________
James W. Moran Misao Kurokawa
President of Council Clerk of Council