CITY OF ROCKY RIVER
FEBRUARY 1, 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, Mr. Linden
Law Director: Mr. Bemer
The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
MAYOR'S REPORT:
The Mayor was pleased to announce that the County's Storefront Renovation Rebate program has been extended and will once again include property and business owners in Rocky River. Economic and Community Development Director Koran is already actively publicizing the program and business owners have expressed interest. The City will assist property owners through the Building Department with applications which will be accepted beginning March 1.
An additional $20,708 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act program has been received for the Elmwood Sewer Project. The original estimate for that project was $885,000, but because of additional necessary work beneath the track, the bid was actually $926,000. Because of this increase, the City qualified for additional ARRA funds to keep the match at 50%.
A check for almost $23,000 was also received for funding of the DARE program.
Main Street Cupcakes will have its grand opening on Tuesday morning.
On Wednesday afternoon, members of the Administration will participate in a conference call with officials of the USEPA to discuss pending findings and orders. The Mayor will communicate with Council concerning the status of those discussions.
Saturday will be the kickoff for Family Game Week, a Community Coalition project. There will be an intergenerational gathering from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Senior Center with many activities, crafts and games.
The deli lunch program at the Senior Center served 1275 lunches during the month of January. That figure has broken all records, and the Mayor was interested to note that that figure did not include any special events but was the result of residents taking advantage of the excellent lunch program.
Information was published in today's newspaper about foreclosure rates in the county. The Mayor said that the City's numbers confirm those published figures.
Discussion: Mr. Moran commented that the Plain Dealer article noted that in Westlake and Rocky River, the impact was not as great as in some other communities.
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. Following review by the Planning Commission, information has been forwarded to Mayor Bobst, and Dr. Schieda turned to the Mayor for further discussion:
The Mayor distributed an Executive Summary prepared by the consultant, D.B. Hartt and principal planner Alisa Duffey Rogers.
D.B. Hartt was hired as a consultant in 2008. Their process included individual interviews with Council members, all members of Boards and Commissions and key members of the Administration to define the main issues as related to development. A Phase I document was prepared and those interviewed met as a group to discuss the findings.
A working group was then appointed with representatives of Boards and Commissions, City Council, the Administration and a number of other individuals. This group really began the process of writing and rewriting the Code. This created a Phase II document which was succeeded by a Phase III document, the final product of the working group which was ultimately presented to Council and forwarded to the Planning Commission. This has now been returned with their recommended changes.
An electronic copy of the entire combined updated Development Code including recommendations of the Planning Commission has been forwarded to members of Council. The Mayor also distributed an Executive Summary of those recommended changes and the corresponding sections of the new Development Code indicating where changes were made.
The Executive Summary details some major changes from the existing Code to the new Development Code:
General Recommendations, which deals with use pyramiding. Also recommended is a reorganization of districts so that all regulations about any district are in one section. The present Code can be interpreted by Building Commissioner Beirne, but is not a user-friendly document. Efforts were made in the new Code to make it simpler to use, to understand, and to insure that the process by which it is implemented is more streamlined, allowing representation for all residents, both those involved in the project and those whose properties abut the project. Conditional uses and inconsistent nomenclature were also addressed.
Procedural Changes allow the property owner making the change to follow a more straightforward process, and also allow abutting residents to have a voice earlier in the process which saves time, energy and resources. Roles and responsibilities of Boards and Commissions have been clarified to eliminate overlap.
The Residential Districts section includes changes in lot coverage, rear setback requirements along Lake Erie, general design guidelines, air conditioners, accessory buildings and fences as well as more timely issues such as beach and boat houses and day care facilities which were not addressed in the current Code.
Multi-family Districts, to be reviewed at a later time.
Business Districts now has a mixed use downtown district on Detroit and an overlay for other areas where mixed use would be a sensible development, much of which is along Center Ridge Road. Also Automobile Parking District, which has none currently mapped, has been removed.
Landscaping Requirements and screening regulations have been improved and strengthened in all districts.
Parking Requirements have been reduced to insure adequate, but not unnecessary parking. Included is shared parking, off-site parking and consideration of the nature of businesses when development occurs.
Sign Regulations were recently reviewed, so changes are not major.
Definitions, as mentioned previously, makes nomenclature more consistent.
The Mayor commented that this new Code is very easy to use and straightforward. She thanked Mr. Hartt and the Working Group who did an excellent job. She also praised Kevin Beirne, the Building Commissioner, for his role and thanked Mr. Bemer and Mr. Koran who were part of the group. Except for a few small details, this is the final version to be reviewed by City Council. She noted that a Public Hearing has been scheduled for February 22, but said that it can be moved back to March if that is Council's preference. The new document has been applied to projects being presented to the Building Department as a test, and the Mayor noted that it is performing well.
She also urged Council members to contact the Administration during the week with any questions or for clarifications.
Mr. Moran thanked the Building Department for all its work, noting that Mr. Bart Connolly was present.
Ordinance No. 4-10: This ordinance authorizes rezoning of the property purchased by the City adjacent to the City Hall campus from Residential to Public Facility. Dr. Schieda noted that it has been referred to the Planning Commission and has been scheduled for a Public Hearing on
March 15.
Amended Ordinance No. 5-10: Mr. Hunt indicated that this ordinance has been discussed at previous meetings. The ordinance authorizes five police vehicles: four patrol vehicles and one SUV through the State Cooperative Purchasing program at a competitive price. The total for the patrol cars is $90,197.60 from the POPAS Fund and the SUV ($26,946) from the Law Enforcement Trust Fund Account which is used for drug and alcohol enforcement. Last week, Director Linden mentioned that the vehicles are being purchased at 2009 prices and, in response to Council questions, noted that the Expedition, used for the canine unit, is $300 more than the previous price for the Explorer no longer available with a police package.
Ordinance No. 7-10: Mr. Moran explained that this ordinance concerns sewer rates for 109 households in the Valley View area whose sewage is treated by the City of Lakewood. As explained previously, the rates charged to those households are the same as all of Rocky River, but their sewage is processed by the Lakewood plant, so fees must be forwarded to Lakewood. The rates have been increased, so this ordinance needs passage. (Consent Agenda)
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: NONE
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Parks, Recreation and Health Committee: Mrs. Arabian Whitman reported that the Healthy Rocky River 10-Week Challenge had its first true session last Wednesday, which was very successful. Of the 150 participants registered, over 120 of all ages attended this session which presented an overview of the program, distributed pedometers, explained stability balls and discussed core strength. Mrs. Arabian Whitman observed that these were interactive topics, but not overwhelming. Responses and reactions have been very positive.
NEW BUSINESS:
Ordinance No. 8-10: Mr. Moran explained that this ordinance authorizes a contract for audit services, the third year of a four-year agreement with Ciuni & Panichi. The amount is $31,920, and the firm has worked well with the City in the past. Since the auditors are ready to proceed, Mr. Moran recommended that this ordinance move forward. (Consent Agenda)
Ordinance No. 9-10: Mr. Mylen indicated that this ordinance authorizes the purchase of three refuse scooters which were considered during the budget process. As discussed then, this is one equipment purchase which will not be delayed. Two bids were received, but one did not meet such specifications as turning radius, gasoline engine, and bed size and was disqualified. One change from former years is the automatic transmission which will be purchased for the first time because the mechanics feel that there will be less down time. The cost increase for this change is $164.
Mr. Mylen noted that if the City wishes to continue collecting trash from residents' property instead of the street, this is the most cost-effective method.
Mr. Moran added that there are other benefits such as the tidiness of not having spilled garbage in the streets and added that this option is very popular with residents. (Consent Agenda)
Ordinance No. 10-10: Mr. Furry presented the annual tree lawn planting program. Over the last five years, 200 trees per year have been planted, but because of budgetary constraints, 70 trees will be planted this year. Eight bids were received from $9880 to $16,155. The lowest bid from Brunner Landscape was chosen, and references for the successful bidder have been positive. The program has been budgeted through the Beautification Committee. (Consent Agenda)
COMMUNICATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mr. Moran mentioned that among other greats of the OSU 1960 National Championship Basketball team was Mr. Dick Furry, father of Council member David Furry and a resident of Rocky River.
Mr. Moran also congratulated Rocky River's swim team which won the conference title this weekend and has now qualified for sectional competition.
Mrs. Arabian Whitman announced that the Magnificat cross country and tennis teams were acknowledged by the Ohio Senate by Senator Tom Patton and Representative Nan Baker. Team members were introduced on the senate floor in Columbus and received citations.
As there was no further business by members of Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:47 p.m.
______________________________ ______________________________
James W. Moran Misao Kurokawa
President of Council Clerk of Council