CITY OF HIGHLAND HEIGHTS

MINUTES OF A COUNCIL MEETING

HELD: APRIL 24, 2007

President of Council Murphy presiding.

PRESENT:      Mayor Coleman, Councilmen Austin, 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.

ABSENT:         Councilman Dolciato, excused.

ACTION ON MINUTES:   The reading of the Minutes of a Council Meeting held April 17, 2007 was dispensed with.  Mr. Legan moved to accept the Minutes as written; seconded by Mr. Austin.  Ayes all; abstain Pilla; motion carried.

DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:

Fire Chief's Report:  Chief Bencin reported that he met with the Legislative & Finance Committee this evening to review requisitions for computers and computer software.  He asked that these requisitions be placed on the agenda of the next regular meeting.  Also he will submit a requisition for a thermo imaging camera, estimated cost $2500.

Police Chief's Report:  Chief Cook reported he met with the Safety & Service Committee this evening.  He furnished information on upgrades for the 911 system.

Service Director's Report:   Service Director Evans reported as follows:

· The Household Hazardous Waste Roundup began April 23rd and runs until May 4th.

· The Computer Roundup runs through the end of April. 

· Brush Collection is moving very well and will run through June 8th.

Building Commissioner's Report:  Building Commissioner Stouffer reported he received an e-mail from the State regarding amendments to the code.  Copies have been given to the clerk for distribution to Council.

Council President Murphy placed discussion on the building code on the agenda for the Committee of the Whole Meeting scheduled for May 1st.

City Engineer's Report:  City Engineer Blackley reported updates for current projects:

· Park Safety Improvement Project.  The contractor has started clearing for the parking lot in the park.  They are expected to start installing underground utilities in the next week.

· Colony - Eastlawn Drive Sanitary Relief Sewer Project.  The contractor has not started as yet.  They apologized and said they were delayed by the weather on several other projects.  They will start on Thursday.  The Service Director and City Engineer are scheduled to meet with the people at St. Paschal's on Friday afternoon regarding maintaining traffic during this project.

· Wilson Mills Resurfacing Project. The County Engineer recently opened bids for this Project with the low bidder being Burton-Scot Contractors, a very reputable company.  Service Director Evans and City Engineer Blackley will meet with the Project Engineer on Monday.  The project still has to be awarded by the County Commissioners.

In response to Council President Murphy's inquiry, Mr. Blackley advised he estimated the Wilson Mills Resurfacing project to be underway in late June.

Mrs. Murphy referred to correspondence copied to Council regarding the Maypine Farms Estates' access gate and requested an update.  Mr. Blackley reported the developer, Mr. Simon, contacted him almost two months ago looking for feedback on using a solar panel to power the gate.  Feedback from the Fire Chief and Service Director was relayed to Mr. Simon.  Mr. Blackley stated he does not have any definitive information on when they intend to install that gate. 

Mrs. Murphy then asked about the pathway from Bishop Road into the park along Hawthorne.  She asked if there is going to be any problem with the park project that would impede that flow of traffic where it might be necessary to notify the residents not to use that path. 

Mr. Blackley will provide this information. 

Finance Director's Report:  No report.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Legislative & Finance Committee:   Mr. Legan reported a meeting was held this evening to discuss requisitions presented by various departments.  They discussed painting of the cement floors in the men's and women's rest rooms at the park; overhead garage door replacement for the service department, landscape start up for the municipal complex, a changeover of some police vehicles, upgrade of the 911 system; and computer upgrades for the Fire Department.  All requisitions were approved; all were budgeted expenses.  Mr. Legan commented that what is noteworthy is that everything came in either on budget or below.  They appreciated the department heads' work in obtaining competitive prices.

Drainage Committee:  Mr. Mills reported he has the minutes from their March 13th meeting at which they discussed the Colony - Eastlawn Project and some issues on Highland.  Copies will be distributed to Council. 

Mr. Mills also reported the Drainage Committee met this evening.  Mr. Davis attended the meeting regarding an issue on Muirfield.  They discussed an issue of a sinkhole at 5830 Blair that the Service Department will look into.  The Regional Sewer District is doing a capacity flow on Highland Road.  They may have some issues down the road.  As Mr. Blackley indicated the Colony project will start this week.  The Drainage Committee approved the annual Storm Water Management Report.  Mr. Mills thanked Messrs. Stouffer, Blackley and Evans along with the Drainage Committee members for coming out to 877 Belwood today to look at a long standing issue.  Mr. Evans had some great ideas of some simple home owner fixes for their problem. 

Mayfield Area Recreation Council (MARC):  No report.

Planning and Zoning Commission:   Mr. Pilla reported the following action from a meeting held April 23, 2007:

· Hackers Pub, 5596 Highland.  Motion to Grant Variances to Green space and Parking Requirements for a Proposed Patio and Outdoor Dining; and Final Plan Approval of Proposed Outdoor Patio.  Variances were granted for Hackers Pub to proceed with their proposed outdoor patio pending final approval of the landscaping.  They did talk about music.  There is to be no live music without a permit.  They have to come to the City for a permit.

· CDT Custom Homes, S/L 25, 341 East Edinburgh Drive, Aberdeen Area “H”.  Review Request for Variance to Fireplace Requirements; Schedule Public Hearing.  This request was referred to the Law Director.

· Cuyahoga County Airport Hangar Facility, Curtiss Wright Parkway.  Preliminary Site Plan Approval.  This subject was continued because the applicant did not appear.

Discussion followed regarding music on the patio at Hackers Pub.  Mr. Pilla advised the board approved piped music playing in the background. but no live music outside is permitted without a permit  Law Director Paluf was asked to check into a permit for live music.   Mrs. Murphy stated she was disappointed by the decision of the Planning and Zoning Commission; that she thought no music was to be allowed.

Safety & Service Committee:  Mr. Hargate reported a meeting was held this evening with Chief Cook.  They reviewed two requisitions and recommended approval of both, one for $6700 for conversions of the police cars which is a normal activity for new police cars and a requisition for $5800 for the upgrade of the 911 system.  The next Safety & Service Meeting will be May 8th at 7:30 p.m.

Park and Recreation Commission:   Mr. Austin reported The Summer Early Bird Registration begins this Saturday for Summer Camp.  Baseball is underway.  Martin Enterprises is working in the park.  Recreation Director Dave Ianiro met with Imperial Waterproofing today for the program to put concrete pads in the baseball dugouts.  He thought that will begin Thursday.  They notified Building Commissioner Stouffer and advised Imperial to get the proper permits.  

Commission on Aging:  Mrs. Murphy reported the tax preparation program was a huge success.  There were 126 tax returns prepared and 49 were from the City of Highland Heights.  The Volunteer Recognition Luncheon was held on April 18th at the Highland Heights Community Center.  Over 100 volunteers were honored.  The top seven in terms of service hours received certificates of appreciation including Art and Helen Pitingolo.  Mayor Coleman and Councilman Hargate presented a plaque of appreciation to Art on behalf of the Highland Heights Community and the Tri-City for his years of service and commitment.  The plaque was gorgeous.  It will be mounted and displayed in the Community Center.  The Health Fair is scheduled for May 9th at 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.  There will be many physicians there.  Many diagnostic testing services will be offered and publicity is going out to residents.  Mark your calendars.  Mrs. Murphy read a thank you note received from Art Pitingolo.

Law Director's Report:   No report.

MAYOR'S REPORT:  No report.  Mayor Coleman mentioned that they gave the plaque to Art but then asked if they could hang it in the Community Center and he graciously accepted that opportunity.  Mayor Coleman again thanked Ed Hargate for coordinating the plaque.

ITEMS TO BE ADDED TO THE AGENDA:  No items were added.

MEETING OPENED TO THE PUBLIC:

Weert Ley, 781 Franklin Boulevard, co-founder of the Veterans Peace Memorial with Vince Varanese, commended Council for passing a resolution for Vince.  He advised there is legislation on the books which provides there is to be no engravings, name placards or any additions attached to the monument.  Mr. Ley advised that he had been asked to put a plaque on the monument in honor of Vince but he and Vince had agreed that they did not want this done.

Note:  Ordinance 16-1995 is the legislation that Mr. Ley referred to. 

NEW BUSINESS:

ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 15-2007:  Council listened to a reading of Proposed Resolution 15-2007 which description is:  "A Resolution of condolence to the family of VINCENT VARANESE (Deceased)" Mr. Mills moved to adopt; seconded by Mr. Pilla.  Ayes all; motion carried.

MEETINGS SCHEDULED FOR MAY:

Council President Murphy noted there are five Tuesdays in May.  Council will meet in Committee of the Whole Meetings on May 1, and 15, 2007.  Regular Meetings will be held May 8 and 22, 2007.  A meeting will not be scheduled for the fifth Tuesday, May 29th the day after Memorial Day.  

Agenda for May 1, 2007:

1. Highland Road Pedestrian Facility - Removal of trees and shrubs in right of way.

2. Proposed Resolution in opposition to quarter customer service charge imposed by the City of Cleveland on Water bills.

3.         Proposed Resolution in opposition to Senate Bill 117, the video service bill.

4.         Discussion on the State Residential Building Code

ADJOURNMENT:   A motion was made by Mr. Mills and seconded by Mr. Pilla to adjourn the meeting.  Said meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Clerk of Council

President of Council