CITY OF ROCKY RIVER

DECEMBER 21, 2009

The Committee-of-the-Whole was called to order by Mr. Moran, President of Council, at 8:05 p.m. following the Public Hearing for Ordinance No. 85-09.

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

Mr. Long, Mr. Moran, Councilman-Elect Schieda

Absent: Mr. Mylen

Administration: Mr. Linden, Mr. Thomas

Law Director: Mr. Bemer

Press: Ms. Toth

The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Ordinance No. 48-09: Mr. Long indicated that this ordinance authorizes the adoption of an updated Development Code. It has been referred to the Planning Commission which had its final discussion on the ordinance at its last meeting on December 15. Mr. Long reported that Council is awaiting their approved minutes.

Ordinance No. 85-09: This ordinance authorizes appropriations for the coming year and for which a Public Hearing was held immediately prior to this meeting. Mr. Moran noted that Council has had an opportunity to review the budget in the past weeks at two Finance Committee meetings on December 11 and December 14. He said that he expects to call for a third reading followed by a vote next Monday.

Ordinance No. 95-09: This wage ordinance amends an earlier wage ordinance passed for 2009. Mr. Moran outlined the changes:

• •The Police Division has eliminated the category of Captains.
• •Provisions have been made for a temporary fire fighter.
• •The $300 stipend for the Civil Service Secretary which was in the ordinance but never accepted has been eliminated.
• •The Marine Patrol, scheduled by Sgt. Gulas, will have consistency with the Fair Labor Standards Act with the addition of an overtime calculation formula so that the City is in compliance. (Consent Agenda)

Ordinance No. 96-09: This is the 2010 wage ordinance. Mr. Moran has had discussions with the Mayor and the Director of Finance and said he would like to see the changes in place for the new year. (Consent Agenda)

MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS:

Mr. Moran noted that information concerning a transfer request has been received from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control for the liquor license at the BP station at 19400 Hilliard Blvd. Sgt. Gulas has made the necessary investigations and, as there is no reason to request a hearing, the consensus was to instruct the Clerk to return the form making that indication to the Division.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Finance Committee: Mr. Moran noted that Council's Finance Committee had met December 11 and 14. He thanked Council members for their time not only in the meetings, but for their time spent in interviewing the directors and preparing reports. He commented that when Council members complete written reports, they will be enclosed in next year's Finance Committee packets and will be of assistance in reviewing next year's budget. He reviewed this year's interviews:

Councilwoman Arabian Whitman - Mr. Patterson, Recreation

Councilman Shepherd - Police Chief Wagner and Fire Chief Flynn

Councilman Furry - WWTP Superintendent Harrington

Councilman Mylen - Judges Hagan and Fitzsimmons and the Courts

Councilman Long and Councilman-Elect Schieda - Senior Services Director Calladine

Councilman Hunt - Director Linden and Commissioner Winterich, Service Division

He also thanked the Mayor and Director Thomas for their information and said the budget is a good guide for projects which need to be completed next year. He pledged to monitor the spending and revenue stream as well and noted that City services are at the center of how the City is evaluated each year, and he would like to see continued improvement. This ordinance has been read twice and will have its third reading next week after which Mr. Moran will move for passage.

NEW BUSINESS:

Ordinance No. 101-09: Mr. Hunt noted that each year health care, dental services and life insurance are contracted for full-time employees. Three ordinances, this one and the two which follow are now proposed for consideration to provide these benefits for 2010.

This ordinance will supply health care and prescription coverage. This contract, as outlined to Mr. Hunt by Director Linden, was originally to be renewed at 20+%. Through negotiations, the final liability is an increase of 16.5%. Based upon the labor agreement, changes might be made if the increase is more than 14%. The Administration's response, therefore, is that the City will assume 2.5% of the increase to avoid plan changes; after that, the City will assume 75% of the amount and the employees, 25%. Another provision is for an increase in the flexible spending account from $2000 to $2500 which will allow employees to utilize pre-tax dollars for prescriptions and other medical needs. Other parts of the plan remain the same. (Consent Agenda)

• •Mr. Furry asked for and received from Mr. Hunt a clarification of the conditions under which the contract would be changed.
• •Mr. Thomas added that if the increase exceeds 14%, then the language provides for changes in the plan to bring it to the 14% level at which time the cost sharing described by Mr. Hunt would be in place.
• •Mr. Bemer added that the formula for cost allocation described above is in the collective bargaining agreement.

Ordinance No. 102-09: This ordinance provides dental care for full-time employees. The increase this year began at 10%; following negotiations, the increase was 6.9%, then 6.3%. (Consent Agenda)

Ordinance No. 103-09: This renewal is for insurance provided for full-time employees. This is the second year in the contract option period and the rates remain the same as last year. (Consent Agenda)

Ordinance No. 104-09: Mr. Moran noted that this supplemental appropriations ordinance will make the final adjustments necessary to the 2009 budget. The exhibit outlines the changes which he has discussed with Director Thomas. Among the changes made: some funds allocated for General Government were not used and transferred to the Fire Division; professional services in the Building Department were not utilized, making funds available for Engineering; other minor changes were made. The WWTP Captial Fund had a $300,000 change needed to cover expenses for the floor repair. Making these changes will finalize the 2009 budget. (Consent Agenda)

COMMUNICATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Mr. Moran announced that the Council Meeting scheduled for January 4, 2010 will be held at 6:30 p.m. At that meeting elected officials will take the oath of office and there will be a short agenda. Judge Hagan and Judge Fitzsimmons will swear in the officials and Father Jim from St. Demetrios Church will give the invocation. He invited all to attend the inauguration and short meeting.

Mr. Moran also announced a fundraiser which will be held to benefit a Rocky River couple, Craig and Kathy Ogan. Both graduated from Rocky River High School, and during this holiday season, Kathy has been struggling with cancer and Craig has lost his job. The fundraiser to help them will be held on Monday, December 28 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Beachcliff Tavern.

Mr. Moran noted that donations can be made to the Ogans at 5/3 Bank, and urged everyone who is able to attend the fundraiser.

Mr. Hunt thanked Judge Hagan and Judge Fitzsimmons who were among the attendees at the DARE graduation held at St. Christopher's. He said that Officer Hill and Julie Morron did an excellent job, and he thanked the two judges, the Mayor and Chief Wagner for their support and attendance.

Mrs. Arabian Whitman announced that the Hamilton Ice Rink will sponsor many events during the holiday season for the entire community. Tomorrow there will be an open skate from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. There will also be a New Year's Eve Skate at 6:30 p.m. which is sponsored by the Community Coalition. She said daily offerings included hockey games and other fun events.

Mr. Linden noted that City Hall will be closed at noon on Thursday, December 24 and closed on Friday, December 25.

As there was no further business by members of Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:23 p.m.

______________________________ ______________________________

James W. Moran Misao Kurokawa

President of Council Clerk of Council