CITY OF ROCKY RIVER

NOVEMBER 16, 2009

The Committee-of-the-Whole was called to order by Mr. Hunt, President Pro Tem of Council, at 8:00 p.m.

Council Members Present: Mr. Hunt, Mr. Shepherd, Mr. Furry, Mrs. Arabian Whitman

Mr. Long

Absent: Mr. Mylen, Mr. Moran

Administration: Mayor Bobst, Mr. Linden

Law Director: Mr. Bemer

Press: Ms. Toth

The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

MAYOR'S REPORT:

The Mayor indicated that the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) was mobilized last weekend to help with the H1N1 immunization clinic in Olmsted Falls. She commented that the 47 West Shore volunteers received many accolades and thanks from Olmsted Falls officials for their efforts. Among tasks they performed were traffic control, crowd control, and the classification of individuals according to pre-registration. There were many comments about how the many groups who had not met before, including CERT, worked effectively together. The Mayor extended thanks to those CERT members from Rocky River and encouraged anyone interested in helping to participate. No specialized training is required; members of the group receive training as part of the program.

Tomorrow evening the Planning Commission will meet with David Hartt, the City's consultant, to discuss the comprehensive update of the Development Code. Comments should be forwarded to Council shortly thereafter as the process moves forward.

Two wage ordinances will be forwarded to Council in the near future: one amending the 2009 wage ordinance and the other will be the 2010 wage ordinance which will represent a 2½ % increase for all full-time employees as negotiated with every bargaining unit. There is a freeze on part-time wages. Further details will be provided with the ordinances.

The Mayor then turned to Safety-Service Director Linden for an update on leaf collection. Mr. Linden explained that the City is divided into five sections and leaf collections are made beginning with Section 1 on Monday and ending with Section 5 on Friday. For the third circuit, collection was completed by 10:00 a.m. Monday, only slightly behind, but Section 1 was also completed the same day. This week may see a slight slowing of the pace, and it may take until Tuesday afternoon to complete all five sections because the leaf fall has been very heavy and has occurred very quickly. Mr. Linden estimated that two more circuits will be needed, but the second week should be lighter. He noted that pickups are usually complete by the first week in December but leaves are collected as long as the weather is good, and year-round with a Vac-all if residents place them on tree lawns.

On Wednesday, the Mayor will swear in four new members of the Seniors Council: Ruth Regula, Al Nortof, Naomi Opdycke, and Jack MacFarland. She acknowledged that the Seniors Council is very important to the City, providing support and guidance to the Senior Center staff and raising funds to provide "extras" for the facility.

Finally, the Mayor noted that Recreation Director Patterson reported that 26 middle school students enjoyed a paintball outing last week. All were reported to have returned safe and sound following their outing.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Ordinance No. 48-09: Mr. Long indicated that this ordinance, which authorizes the adoption of an updated Development Code, is, as reported by the Mayor, scheduled for discussion between the Planning Commission and Consultant D.B. Hartt tomorrow evening.. It is expected to be returned shortly to Council with their recommendations.

Ordinance No. 58-09: Mr. Long reported that a Public Hearing for this change of zoning on Plymouth Road will be held on December 7. Notices have been sent.

Ordinance No. 74-09: Mrs. Arabian Whitman indicated that this ordinance, which implements new fees for use of the Civic Center fitness facilities, has a proposed amended exhibit. She summarized the major changes:

• •Automatic withdrawal has been added. No changes have been made in the cost of annual fees, but there is a small charge for automatic withdrawal. She noted that it is hoped that this will encourage members to keep and renew memberships and perhaps add more new members during this economic downturn.



• •For corporate memberships, annual fees also have remained the same, and automatic withdrawal has also been added at a slightly increased cost.



• •A new category, "Non-Resident Senior Weekday Pass" has been added to be used Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 4:30. This has been reported to be popular in other communities.
• •Section VIII has been added to allow, upon approval of the Mayor and the Recreation Department, acceptance of reimbursement by health insurance companies. Mrs. Arabian Whitman explained that under a program called Silver Sneakers, some health policies provide recreation center memberships for their policyholders. Typically, the benefits are for those over 60 who join a fitness facility. The insurance company will then pay $3.50 per visit up to10 per month, so that if seniors visit 10 times during the month, the reimbursement will cover the cost of membership. Mrs. Arabian Whitman praised the program and noted that it will involve more members of the community.

The Mayor added that the program was originally implemented through the YMCA and has now been expanded to municipal fitness centers.

Mrs. Arabian Whitman commented that in Rocky River, about 1200 residents would be eligible, and because the program is also available to those within a three-mile radius of the City, members of nearby communities can also participate. Rocky River will be the only west side recreation center which offers the program.

Because the brochure needs to be prepared for mailing, Councilwoman Arabian Whitman indicated that she will move for a suspension of the three-read rule next Monday.

Ordinance No. 85-09: This ordinance authorizes appropriations for the coming year. As discussed by Mr. Moran last week, meetings of the Finance Committee will be scheduled soon. Mr. Hunt encouraged members of Council to schedule meetings with directors to begin budget conferences as outlined in guidelines distributed last week.

• •Mayor Bobst added that this morning at the Directors' meeting she disseminated that form to directors so they will be prepared to discuss salient issues.

MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: NONE

COMMITTEE REPORTS: NONE

NEW BUSINESS: NONE

COMMUNICATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Mrs. Arabian Whitman reported that the team she coaches, the Magnificat Cross Country Team attended the midwest regionals in Terre Haute, Indiana yesterday and became midwest champions, winning by 35 points, with 58 points, a season high. For the second consecutive year, the team has qualified for the national championships in Portland, Oregon. Magnificat's top runner placed second overall and set a new personal and school record at 17.35 in the 5K event.

Dr. James Schieda, Councilman-Elect, thanked Council members for their congratulations and welcome. He said that he was looking forward to working with all of them for the next two years and beyond.

As there was no further business by members of Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

______________________________ ______________________________

Thomas J. Hunt Misao Kurokawa

President Pro Tem of Council Clerk of Council