Notice of Public Hearing

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
ROCKY RIVER CITY COUNCIL
ON
MAY 6, 2024

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

THE CITY OF ROCKY RIVER CITY COUNCIL WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON MONDAY, MAY 6, 2024 AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE DAVID J. COOK COUNCIL CHAMBERS FOR:

AMENDED ORDINANCE NO. 51-23
BY: JEANNE GALLAGHER

AN ORDINANCE TO CHANGE THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF CERTAIN REAL PROPERTIES KNOWN AS AUDITOR’S PERMANENT PARCEL NOS. 301-17- 082, 301-17-083, 301-15-048, AND 301-17-084, FROM THEIR PRESENT CLASSIFICATION OF SM-SERVICE MANUFACTURING TO OB-2-OFFICE, AS FURTHER DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT “A”

THE CITY COUNCIL WILL GIVE THOSE IN ATTENDANCE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD

Fire Hydrant Flushing and Servicing

The Rocky River Fire Department will begin the flushing and servicing of fire hydrants starting on Monday, May 6th. While this is taking place on your street you may find rusty water in your line. Simply let your faucet run until the water is clear. This includes running your washing machine through a cycle without laundry. In the event your clothes become discolored, the Rocky River Fire Department has packets of rust remover. Should you require one please contact City Hall 331-0600 ext: 2285. The hydrant flushing will be done Monday thru Thursday and will continue throughout the summer months. Signs will be placed in your neighborhoods when flushing occurs.

Gas Well Capping Project located at 18611 Hilliard Blvd. Rock River, Ohio 44116

Dear Residents,

ODNR spokesman Andy Chow has provided the following statement regarding the gas well capping project at 18611 Hilliard Blvd, Rocky River, Ohio 44116.

“The odor people are reporting in the area is due to routine work to plug an orphan well. In January, a construction crew was doing work on a proposed housing development at 18611 Hilliard Blvd in Rocky River. That crew reported the discovery of an orphan well. At that time the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management issued an emergency contract and put a temporary cap on the well. Now, crews are working to put a permanent plug in the well. To do so, excess oil and gas must be extracted in order to clean out the well and set permanent cement plugs. This should be completed in the next couple of days and the odor should subside. The well is under control.”

Andy Chow ODNR Spokesman

The Rocky River Fire Department has been addressing the issues of the odors being produced by the well project. Fire department crews have been into various buildings metering for flammable, oxygen levels, LEL levels (Lower Explosive Limits). So far, all investigations have not produced any areas of concern. Fire Chief Lenart along with Building Commissioner Reich met with the ODNR Inspector on site, and the well capping supervisor to discuss and establish a plan for controlling the odors. The plan was implemented over the weekend.  However, to be capped properly the well will require more drilling. The well capping company hopes to be through the Newburgh Oil field soon. This oil field is responsible for the foul odors coming from the well. Furthermore, this well capping requires drilling and placing of a casing in an historic well with wood plugs previously used for the capping process. Although a punctured well was reported it was soon learned that the removal of the wooden plugs was part of the process. The fire department and ODNR will continue to monitor the situation.

Sewer Billing Dates

The City recently mailed the quarterly sanitary sewer bills dated March 1, 2024 to Rocky River property owners.  Please watch for the arrival in your mailbox.

Since the March 31 due date printed on the bill falls on a weekend, the City will accept payments through 4:30 p.m. on the next business day (Monday, April 1, 2024) without penalty.   

Residential Sanitary Sewer Summer Credit Program

Eligible residents who apply will be given a credit of one MCF (thousand cubic feet) in the amount of the current sanitary sewer rate of $38.00 per MCF.  The Credit will appear on the September 1st sewer bill which covers the service period of June to August.

Residents with a second water meter (also known as a deduct meter) already installed on an irrigation system are not eligible under this Program; the water consumption measured by the second water meter is already deducted from the usage before the sanitary sewer charges are calculated.

Return completed applications by U. S. Mail:

City of Rocky River, Sewer Billing

21012 Hilliard Boulevard

Rocky River, Ohio 44116

Fax: (440) 895 – 2620

Email: sewerbilling@rrcity.com        

Call or email with questions.  (440) 331–0600 or sewerbilling@rrcity.com

The annual billing cycle is as follows:

RITA 4th Quarter Estimated Income Tax Bills

On behalf of the City of Rocky River, the Regional Income Tax Agency or RITA, processed and mailed the fourth quarter estimated income tax bills.

Both state law and the City of Rocky River tax code, in most situations, require quarterly estimated income tax payments if the annual amount due is at least $200.   

The next quarterly estimated income tax payment is due January 15, 2024.  Required estimated payments are subject to penalty and late fees if not paid within 30 days of the due date.

 Through the RITA website www.ritaohio.com, you may: 

• Make a payment;

• Confirm payments, amount(s) due and credits; 

• Review payment history;

• Adjust the amount due. 

Do you have questions on estimated local income taxes? 

Visit  https://www.ritaohio.com/Individuals/Home/Estimates to learn more.

Your City Hall contact for municipal income taxes is Michael A. Thomas, CPA, Director of Finance and Tax Administrator at mthomas@rrcity.com.