CITY OF ROCKY RIVER

JANUARY 18, 2010

The Committee-of-the-Whole was called to order by Mr. Moran, President of Council, at 8:03 p.m.

Council Members Present: Mr. Hunt, Mr. Shepherd, Mr. Mylen, Mr. Furry,

Mrs. Arabian Whitman, Dr. Schieda, Mr. Moran

Administration: Mayor Bobst

Law Director: Mr. Bemer

The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

MAYOR'S REPORT:

The Mayor updated Council on the progress of the regional fire study to investigate ways to consolidate fire services which was made possible by the $100,000 grant received by the West Shore Council of Governments. The work is just about complete and despite the untimely passing of one of the key members of the project team during the holidays, six of the seven objectives of the study are complete. The Mayor extended condolences to the team. The final objective is one of the most important, dealing with service delivery: workload analysis, concentration and reliability of resources, distribution of resources, some performance measurements and a GIS analysis which has entailed work with Ron Gottschalk to finalize that with GIS systems in the City. A draft may be ready by March which will be shared with Council.

Regarding the City's fuel purchases, the Mayor recalled Council discussions of the advisability of open market purchases over the State bid. The Mayor indicated that last year, the City purchased almost 100,000 gallons of gasoline, both unleaded and diesel, at prices ranging from $1.60 up to $2.39 and $2.52, our most recent purchase, with a total expenditure of approximately $220,000. Mrs. Evelyn Briggs is in charge of the bidding, and the City has consistently saved an average $.07 or $.08 over the State bid price which she checks regularly.

A foreclosure prevention meeting for homeowners will be held on January 27, sponsored by Cuyahoga County Treasurer Jim Rokakis' office. Details will be forthcoming.

Finance Director Thomas has made arrangements with the CCA to conduct the 2010 Taxpayers' Assistance Program. The dates for this year will be Saturday, March 20 and Thursdays, March 25 and April 8. Services will be provided on a first come, first served basis.

With regret, the Mayor indicated that the present Director of Recreation, Mike Patterson, will retire on April 30. Discussions have already begun with Director Patterson, the staff and Human Resources Director Sue Whitman regarding a replacement and review of all levels of management as well as an evaluation to determine the most efficient functioning of the department.

There are also two retirements in the Fire Division, Chris Davies and Rick Delia. Both fire fighters have been with the Division for many years. A new fire fighter, Bob Hallen, has been sworn in. The Mayor welcomed Mr. Hallen, noting that he was formerly the temporary fire fighter discussed as part of the change to the 2009 salary ordinance, and stating that he fits very well as a full-time member of the Division.

The Mayor announced with great pleasure that the obtaining of easements necessary for the construction of the Lake Road Project have been completed. She publicly thanked Law Director Andrew Bemer without whose exceptional efforts, she pointed out, the final easements would have been delayed. The signing means that the City has maintained its schedule with ODOT and the project can move forward in the spring.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Ordinance No. 48-09: Dr. Schieda indicated that this ordinance, as discussed at earlier meetings, 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. The consultant, David Hartt, is still in the process of making changes to the Code which were recommended by the Commission.

Mayor Bobst added that she has conferred with other Administration members, Dr. Schieda and Mr. Moran to propose the following procedure for final review of the Code:

• •D.B. Hartt will prepare an Executive Summary of the recommendations and changes to the document forwarded to the Planning Commission (the updated Development Code).

• •The final recommended document will be sent to Council members electronically with changes indicated.



• •Also to be prepared by D.B. Hartt is a comprehensive review of all changes proposed to the existing Code. The Mayor said this has been based on making the Code consistent with recommendations in the Master Plan, and those of the Building Commissioner, the Building Department and the Boards and Commissions. All this material was considered in the earliest discussions.



• •On February 22, the consultant has been invited to assist the City in conducting a Public Hearing on the update. The Mayor suggested that if Council accepts and approves the recommended changes to the Development Code suggested by the Planning Commission, the ordinance be amended by substitution of that document prior to the Public Hearing. In that way, residents and others will have a clear picture of what is proposed.
• •The Mayor also noted that the updated Development Code has been in trial use, being applied to real situations proposed in the Building Department and it is working well. The Mayor said that Commissioner Beirne has done a tremendous job of making the update easier to follow.

Ordinance No. 105-09: This ordinance authorizes an agreement for the 2010 Sewer Televising Program. Mr. Hunt noted that three bids were received; AAA Pipe Cleaning was the lowest and best bidder. This annual program is in place in the event emergency televising is required. Director Linden indicated that in the past, this service has been needed if a sewer collapses and needs televising to define the problem.

• •Mr. Shepherd asked about the difference between the bid and the spending limit in the ordinance. The Mayor explained that $75,000 has been budgeted for this program, and the bid received was lower. However, in the event extra work is necessary, the funds appropriated will be available.

Ordinance No. 4-10: This ordinance, which authorizes rezoning the property purchased by the City adjacent to the Senior Center to Public Facility. Dr. Schieda noted that it has been referred to the Planning Commission and will be scheduled for a Public Hearing upon its return.

• •Mr. Furry asked why the Quit Claim deed was filed in December. Mr. Bemer explained that when the lot split consolidation was done, the City received separate deeds to each of the purchased properties, but no legal description for the entire parcel. In order to show a public record of the single consolidated property, another deed was necessary, transferring the property back to ourselves with the consolidated legal description.

MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS:

Mr. Moran noted that next week the annual meeting of the Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) will be held at 8:00 p.m. The Council meeting will follow.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Parks, Recreation and Health Committee: Mrs. Arabian Whitman reported that numbers for the Healthy Rocky River 10-Week Challenge are up to 143 participants. Initial screenings will be done at this Wednesday's first session. Then, on January 27, participants will meet at Memorial Hall for the series of speakers and activities which will comprise the next nine weeks. Final details have been discussed and 40 volunteers have been signed on to assist.

NEW BUSINESS:

Ordinance No. 5-10: Mr. Hunt recalled that during budget discussions, it was noted that equipment purchases would be reduced or postponed until later in the year. The exception would be scooters and police vehicles. This ordinance authorizes the purchase of five vehicles for the Police Division, four cars and an SUV from the POPAS and Law Enforcement Trust Funds. Director Linden indicated that in the past, the SUV has been an Explorer, but this year the police package is not available on that vehicle this year, so the Expedition was chosen. (Consent Agenda)

• •Mr. Furry asked about the use of the Expedition. Mayor Bobst responded that it will be used as the canine car, but it also has other uses for the Division.

Ordinance No. 6-10: This ordinance provides for the purchase of cationic polymer for the WWTP. Mr. Furry explained that this chemical is used in the dewatering process. Superintendent Harrington has recommended Polydyne, Inc., the current supplier, which was the lowest and best bidder. The testing period of almost six weeks has proved that the amount of cationic polymer used is most efficient with this company. It is anticipated that approximately $40,000 will be spent from the WWTP Utility Fund. Mr. Furry also mentioned that this year's price has decreased $.12 per pound from last year. (Consent Agenda)

COMMUNICATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: NONE

As there was no further business by members of Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:33 p.m.

______________________________ ______________________________

James W. Moran Misao Kurokawa

President of Council Clerk of Council