CITY OF HIGHLAND HEIGHTS
MINUTES OF A COUNCIL MEETING
HELD: APRIL 17, 2007
President of Council Murphy presiding.
PRESENT: Mayor Coleman, Councilmen Austin, Dolciato, Hargate, Legan, Mills, Murphy, Pilla; Clerk of Council Buchak; Fire Chief Bencin; Police Chief Cook; Service Director Evans; Building Commissioner Stouffer; City Engineer Blackley; Finance Director Ianiro; Law Director Paluf.
ACTION ON MINUTES: The reading of the Minutes of a Council Meeting held March 27, 2007 was dispensed with. Mr. Pilla moved to accept the Minutes as written; seconded by Mr. Mills. Ayes all; motion carried.
The reading of the Minutes of a Special Meeting held April 3, 2007 was dispensed with. Mr. Legan moved to accept the Minutes as written; seconded by Mr. Pilla. Ayes all; motion carried.
PRESENTATION - DIRECTOR TRI CITY CONSORTIUM ON AGING: Mayor Coleman advised that Bernice Harel, Director of the Tri-City Consortium on Aging for many years had resigned. He, Mayor Cicero of Lyndhurst and Mayor Welo of South Euclid have hired Stacey O'Brien as a replacement. Mayor Coleman then introduced Stacey O'Brien, Executive Director of the Tri-City Consortium on Aging. Ms. O'Brien addressed Council and encouraged anyone with questions or comments to contact her.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:
Fire Chief's Report: No report.
Police Chief's Report: Chief Cook reported he has been notified by Statewide Ford that the new police vehicles have been received and will be delivered within the next couple of weeks.
Chief Cook also reported for the month of March, the Police Department responded to 883 calls for service; they handled 11 motor vehicle accidents, five of which involved injuries; and, they responded to 245 alarms for the months. Also, they held 28 prisoners for approximately 825 hours.
In response to Mrs. Murphy's inquiry regarding item No. 4 on the agenda, payment to SPAN, Chief Cook recommended approval this evening. Mayor Coleman added that there was recently a meeting of the Council of Governments of SPAN. They reviewed the budget and determined the amount is appropriate. Mayor Coleman recommended approval of the payment this evening.
Mr. Mills thanked Chief Cook and Lieutenant Visoky for obtaining a quote to provide a pedestrian crosswalk on the north side of Wilson Mills at Miner. It was for $7170. Due to the cost and the fact that the library may relocate its entrance, he will put this on hold for now.
In response to Mr. Austin's inquiry as to who will enforce the smoking ban, Chief Cook advised he will discuss that with the Law Director.
Service Director's Report: Service Director Evans reported:
· They broke some records for snow last weekend and in overtime and in salt expenditures.
· The computer roundup is underway through the month of April.
· The brush collection program started this week and runs through June 8th.
· The household hazardous waste roundup will begin on April 23rd and runs for two weeks.
· This morning he, Al Hess and Police Lt. Visoky met with representatives from the U.S. Department of Wildlife. They are proposing and requesting to come into our community and all the communities in the region and conduct a program that they refer to as, trap, vaccinate and release. They will set a series of traps throughout an area, approximately 30 to 50 traps per 100 acres that they are working in, and trap a raccoon, anesthetize it, draw blood samples, check it, give it a rabies vaccine and then several hours later, release it back into the population. They have found that this program in conjunction with the ORB which is the oral rabies baiting is a very effective combination in reducing the number of rabies cases in the area. They are signing up all the local communities.
· There was an article in the newspaper the other day that the Lake County Board of Health is going to be collecting Blue Jays and Crows to check for the West Nile Virus. The Cuyahoga County Board of Health has advised they are not going to be taking Blue Jays and Crows; they are using other surveillance methods for their West Nile detection program. If anyone receives a call from a resident, the Board of Health does not want the Blue Jays and Crows. If someone wants to call the Board of Health to let them know that they found a dead one, they will record it and log it but they do not want those birds.
Building Commissioner's Report: No report.
City Engineer's Report: City Engineer Blackley reported as follows:
· Easements are being obtained for the Highland Road Pedestrian Facility Project. Letters went out, one easement has been signed. The home owners will be contacted to follow up. There are 8 temporary easements and 2 permanent drainage easements to be obtained. The home owners that he has spoken with so far are very positive about the project.
· Related to that project, Council was asked to discuss in the next Committee of the Whole Meeting, authorization for a contractor to remove trees in the right of way.
· Regarding the Park Safety Improvement Project, they met last week with the contractor Martin Enterprises and with the City Landscape Architect Nemeckay to review clearing operations. In response to inquiries, Mr. Blackley advised that the memorial stone and bench will remain where they are.
In response to Mr. Mills' inquiry, City Engineer Blackley advised the timeframe to advertise for bids for the Highland Road Pedestrian Facility is June or July.
In response to Mr. Austin's inquiry regarding the timeframe for the Colony-Eastlawn project, Mr. Blackley stated the contractor, Fabrizi, should be underway next week. He also advised they have a meeting scheduled this week with the contractor and St. Paschal's.
Finance Director's Report: Finance Director recommended approval of Agenda Item 2, acceptance of the report from the TIRC and Item 5 the payment to Stanley Air Tools. These items were discussed earlier this evening in the Committee of the Whole.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Legislative & Finance Committee: Mr. Legan scheduled a meeting for April 24th at 7:45 p.m. to review various requisitions.
Drainage Committee: Mr. Mills advised a meeting is scheduled for April 24th at 7:00 p.m.
Planning and Zoning Commission: Mr. Pilla reported a meeting was held April 9th; however, he was on vacation. A report will be given at the next meeting.
Mayfield Area Recreation Council (MARC): No report.
Safety & Service Committee: No report.
Park and Recreation Commission: Mr. Austin reported the park project is under way with the contractor, Martin Enterprises in the park and moving forward. The area is fenced off where they will be working. Agenda Item No. 3 is for installation of concrete pads for the baseball/softball dugouts. The idea of the concrete pads is to keep the children out of the water and is a necessary improvement.
Mr. Dolciato stressed the importance of having inspection on the concrete pad project to make sure the project is built according to the specs. Mr. Blackley advised, in about two weeks he will have an inspector on site full time for the Park Project and can have his inspector check this project also. Mr. Austin added that they want the dugout pads completed as soon as possible. He suggested the building department can inspect this project. Building Commissioner Stouffer advised either he or the engineer will inspect the project.
Law Director's Report: Law Director Paluf reported he has been meeting with Building Commissioner Stouffer and representatives of BP regarding an application from the BP Station on Wilson Mills at Alpha to change the station to a BP Connect. The building will be farther set back, there will be no repairs, no car wash and will have new ownership.
Law Director Paluf advised he and Building Commissioner Stouffer also revisited the Ohio Building Code and H.B. 278 regarding the Ohio Building Code and city conflict. He is in the process of reviewing that. A review will be presented to council by the next Committee of the Whole. Council will go into an executive session this evening to discussion Agenda Item No. 7.
In response to Mr. Pilla's inquiry regarding S.B. 117, a state-wide cable/video franchise bill, Council President Murphy set this for discussion in the next Committee of the Whole Meeting.
MAYOR'S REPORT: Mayor Coleman reported
· With respect to Item No. 7, Council is asked to add, discussion on other employment matters in addition to the employee negotiations.
· Tomorrow at noon at the Community Center there will be a luncheon to honor the volunteers to the Tri-City Consortium on Aging. Mr. Hargate spearheaded having a plaque prepared to honor Art Pitingolo for his service to the city and the organization. The plaque will hang on the wall at the Community Center.
· Mayor Coleman advised he had the privilege to attend the DARE Graduation at Millridge Elementary School. Officer Hopkins, the new DARE Officer, did an outstanding job with the children. They changed the format of the graduation which was very well received. Chief Cook was also there. Tomorrow is St. Paschal's graduation. Mayor Coleman will attend that also.
· With respect to Home Days, as mentioned before, Home days will not be cancelled but changed this year. It will be a one day event on July 1st and will be called the "Party in the Park". They will have inflatable rides, a couple bands, and games for the children, a full day event. They have not determined what will happen if it rains. They will also have a movie in the park at night. The Park & Recreation Commission is putting on this event.
· Mayor Coleman noted that Vince Varanese passed away. He then publicly acknowledged Vince and all the contributions he made to this city. Mayor Coleman advised Vince owned PIP Printing for many years and was a sponsor for baseball programs. He also was one of the founders of the Veterans Peace Memorial. His death is a great loss to the city.
ITEMS TO BE ADDED TO THE AGENDA: No items were added.
MEETING OPENED TO THE PUBLIC: No one spoke.
NEW BUSINESS:
Motion confirming Council Recess for the Month of August. A motion was made by Mr. Dolciato confirming Council Recess for the month of August; seconded by Mr. Mills. Ayes all; motion carried.
MOTION ACCEPTING REPORT FROM TAX INCENTIVE REVIEW COUNCIL AND COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT AREA PROGRAM: A motion was made by Mr. Legan accepting the report from the Tax Incentive Review Council and the Community Reinvestment Area Housing Council; seconded by Mr. Pilla. Ayes all; motion carried.
MOTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT WITH IMPERIAL WATERPROOFING FOR INSTALLATION OF CEMENT PADS IN BASEBALL FIELD DUGOUTS: A motion was made by Mr. Hargate authorizing a contract in the amount of $10,600 with Imperial Waterproofing for installation of cement pads for the dugouts for Baseball/Softball Fields Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7; seconded by Mr. Mills. Ayes all; motion carried.
MOTION AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF SPAN DUES: A motion was made by Mr. Pilla authorizing a payment in the amount of $14,000 to the Suburban Police Anti-Crime Network (SPAN) for the 2007 dues; seconded by Mr. Mills. Ayes all; motion carried.
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 13-2007: Council listened to the First Reading of Proposed Resolution 13-2007 which description is: "A Resolution authorizing the Finance Director to make a payment to Stanley Air Tools from nontax revenues in the amount of Fifty Five Thousand Four Hundred Fifty Eight Dollars ($55,458.00) pursuant to the Economic Development Grant Agreement dated June 28, 2002, and declaring an emergency." Finance Director Ianiro had requested approval this evening in order to expedite the payment. Mr. Pilla moved to suspend the Second and Third Readings; seconded by Mr. Austin. Ayes all; motion carried. Mr. Mills moved to adopt; seconded by Mr. Legan. Ayes all; motion carried.
MOTION TO ADJOURN INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION: A motion was made by Mr. Pilla to adjourn into Executive Session to discuss labor negotiations and other employment matters in accordance with Section 4.05 of the Charter of the City of Highland Heights and Section 121.22(g) of the Ohio Revised Code; seconded by Mr. Austin. Roll call on the motion: Ayes all; motion carried. Council adjourned at 8:45 p.m. and reconvened at 9:10 p.m.
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 14-2007: Council listened to the First Reading in title only of Proposed Resolution 14-2007 which description is: "A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Highland Heights Firefighters, IAFF Local 2380, establishing the terms and conditions for employment of those employees in the bargaining unit covered by the agreements and declaring an emergency. Mr. Legan moved to suspend the Second and Third Readings; seconded by Mr. Mills. Ayes all; motion carried. Mr. Austin moved to adopt; seconded by Mr. Hargate. Ayes all; motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made by Mr. Mills and seconded by Mr. Pilla to adjourn the meeting. Said meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Clerk of Council
President of Council