CITY OF HIGHLAND HEIGHTS

MINUTES OF A COUNCIL MEETING

HELD: MAY 8, 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.

 

STUDENT AT MEETING:  Councilman Hargate introduced Jeanine S. Hall a student at Cleveland State University who was present observing the meeting for a class project.

 

ACTION ON MINUTES:   The reading of the Minutes of a Council Meeting held April 24, 2007 was dispensed with.  Mr. Pilla moved to accept the Minutes as written; seconded by Mr. Austin.  Ayes all; motion carried.

 

DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:

 

Fire Chief's Report:  No report.

 

Police Chief's Report:  Chief Cook reported for the month of April the Police Department responded to 889 requests for service; they handled 12 property damage accidents of which one involved a personal injury and responded to 67 residential alarms.  Also 27 prisoners were held in their jail facility for a total of 1000 hours.

 

Mr. Mills referred to the Colony-Eastlawn Sewer Project and asked questions regarding access to Colony Drive and St. Paschal's school.  City Engineer Blackley advised they have met with representatives of the school and the contractor and will meet with them again as the construction approaches Colony Drive. 

 

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

 

ˇ                     The Household Hazardous Waste Paint Roundup and the Computer Roundup are complete now.  Both programs were very well participated in. 

ˇ                     Brush Collection is ongoing until June 8th. 

ˇ                     The Wilson Mills Road Resurfacing Project will commence Monday, May 14, 2007.  A pre-construction meeting was held this morning.  The contractor is Burton Scott Contractors.  The project was originally designed to start from Richmond Road to Brainard but because of the sewer project at Colony, they are now going to start working between Brainard and Lander.  Burton Scott has made a request to revise some of the traffic maintenance plan and will seek the City Engineer's input on that.  Burton Scott will work that section, do base repairs and put down the first course of asphalt before they move on to the section from Brainard to Richmond Road.  The whole road will not be torn up at any given time.  The final course of asphalt will be applied near completion of the project.  Two-way traffic will be maintained with turning lanes at the major intersections. 

ˇ                     Agenda Items Nos. 1, 2, 6, 7 and 8 all have something to do with public works and all have been previously discussed.  Mr. Evans offered to answer any questions.

 

In response to Mr. Legan's inquiry regarding the Wilson Mills repaving project, Mr. Evans advised the completion date is October 18th, and that date is weather dependent.  The section between Lander and Brainard is expected to take about 8 weeks.  They expect to start the second section, from Brainard to Richmond Road on Sept 2nd.  Once the second section is complete, they will put the final wear course of asphalt on the whole project and stripe it. 

 

Building Commissioner's Report:  Building Commissioner Stouffer reported there have been some inquiries about grass cutting.  He advised the Building Department has been sending out notices for about a week now.  Details have been worked out with the Service Department on their taking care of the properties referred to them.  Mr. Stouffer stated all they need are addresses and they will take care of that.

 

City Engineer's Report:  City Engineer Blackley reported regarding a number of items on the agenda

 

ˇ                     Agenda Item No. 9 authorizing an easement in the park for a water main.  Mr. Blackley recommended consideration this evening.

ˇ                     The Colony-Eastlawn Sanitary Relief Sewer Project is under way.  Fabrizi Construction started work this week, working at the drop shaft.  The goal is to be off Wilson Mills Road in time for the Wilson Mills resurfacing project. 

ˇ                     The Park Safety Improvements Project is progressing nicely with the weather right now.

ˇ                     Regarding the Highland Road Pedestrian Facility, a spread sheet was distributed indicating property owners who are affected in one way or another.  Some of the home owners are affected only to the extent that they will be notified that they have items in the right of way such as flower beds and landscaped beds.  The spreadsheet is a way for the City Engineer to keep track of what kind of notification is needed.  Some will be notified that they have a tree within the right of way that will be removed as part of the pedestrian project.  People who have trees within an easement have been contacted.  Tonight on the agenda is a motion authorizing the City Engineer to seek informal bids for the removal/relocation of trees within the right of way.  Approximately 13 trees are to be removed and possibly 5 or maybe more that could be potentially relocated.  Relocation costs for a tree run $400 to $500 a tree; tree removal is probably a similar cost.  Mr. Blackley estimated the cost on this job would be under $20,000.

 

In response to Mr. Dolciato's many inquiries regarding the Wilson Mills Resurfacing Project, Mr. Blackley stated the superintendent for Fabrizi has advised their plan is to be off Wilson Mills Road by the end of this month.  However, in the last few days they ran into an unforeseen situation at the drop shaft where a tremendous amount of concrete was poured in the Regional Sewer District drop shaft.  Fabrizi is chipping their way through that very carefully because a gas main was embedded.  This will probably hold up the project an additional two days at least.  Once they are working on the main line in the middle of the road they should move fairly quickly. 

 

Regarding the Wilson Mills Resurfacing Project, Mr. Blackley advised that project is a County Project.  Both he and Service Director Evans have talked with the County Engineers in charge of that project.  They are going to concentrate on doing the east end of the job first before they move to the west side.  The Colony-Eastlawn Project is to the west of Brainard so Burton Scott will start on the east end first. 

 

Mayor Coleman added that the Wilson Mills project was originally scheduled to be done last year and then it was pushed out to this year.  Mayor Coleman then inquired about repairs to road joints located east of Lander.  He explained, for everyone's reference, there is a long standing problem with some joints on Wilson Mills in front of the Benedetti's house where there is a loud thump that they hear every time cars go by.  He suggested this is a great opportunity to possibly remedy that.  Service Director Evans advised the County seemed very receptive to getting a price from the contractor and he and the City Engineer will meet with the contractor regarding that.

 

Finance Director's Report:  No report.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS: 

 

Legislative & Finance Committee:  Mr. Legan reported L&F is recommending passage of Agenda Items 3, 4, and 5, all for the Fire Department.  Item 5 involves purchase of a thermal imaging camera and Items 3 and 4 involves computers and a server.  These items are all budgeted and all came in under budget.

 

Drainage Committee:  No report.  Mr. Mills scheduled a meeting for two weeks from today at 7:00 p.m.  

 

Planning and Zoning Commission:  No report.

 

Commission on Aging:  Mrs. Murphy reminded everyone that the Commission on Aging is having a Health Fair tomorrow at the Community Center from 1 to 3:30 p.m.  She encouraged everyone to stop. 

 

Council President Report:  Council President Murphy asked Council to add to the agenda a motion appointing a temporary Clerk of Council for the period 5/22/07 to 5/29/07 as the clerk will be attending a conference.

 

Mayfield Area Recreation Council (MARC):  Mr. Dolciato reported MARC met on May 3, 2007.  At some of our residents' requests, they are going to have a girl's and boy's volley ball clinic on Friday, June 29th at Mayfield Middle School to see if there is enough interest to start a volley ball league.   Flag football is ongoing.  On May 19th they will have Rocket Day for grades 3 through 7 at Progressive.  They will build their own rockets and shoot them off.  After that they will follow with a kite day.  June 11th starts their tennis program. 

 

 

 

 

Safety & Service Committee:  Mr. Hargate reported a meeting was held this evening with Service Director Evans regarding two requests: 1)  a heated asphalt hauler to be purchased from Concord Road Equipment at a price of $17,653.96; and, 2)  a pickup truck from Mike Bass Ford, a F-250, price $19,265.99.  Safety & Service recommended proceeding with both purchases.  Mr. Hargate requested the Law Director prepare legislation authorizing the purchases. 

 

Park and Recreation Commission:   Mr. Austin reported the bathroom facility has its new tile floor and new concrete pads in the dug outs are completed.  He thanked Mr. Stouffer for being up there overseeing that project.  The boy's baseball season will begin Monday, May 14th and the girl's season will begin Wednesday May 16th.  Signups are going well for all the other summer programs.  Mr. Austin has talked with Recreation Director Dave Ianiro about the Party in the Park.  Plans are going well with that and it looks like a great event. 

 

The next Park and Recreation Commission Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 17th. 

 

Law Director's Report:   Law Director Paluf recommended approval of Agenda Item No. 11 opposing S.B. 11, the video service bill, although there may be some changes to the bill that may be more favorable towards the local government authority. 

 

MAYOR'S REPORT:  Mayor Coleman reported as follows:

 

ˇ                     A draft memo has been received from the Mayors and Managers Association about a formal response to the City of Cleveland's regionalization proposal with the water main agreement.  Basically a lot of his concerns are being addressed in this memo.  They are proposing coming up with a policy that is pretty consistent with what Council discussed at previous meetings.  Council will be provided with a copy of that memo.  In its final form it will be the official position of the Mayors and Managers Association as it relates to Cleveland's proposal. 

ˇ                     The Social Studies Department at Mayfield High School asked him to help with a year end project for the seniors involved in senior search.  Mayor Coleman suggested the Cleveland Water regionalization program as a project for them to look into.  He is going to address their class on Friday and will offer that the students can call Finance Director Ianiro, himself and any members of Council on their thoughts. 

 

ˇ                     ITEMS TO BE ADDED TO THE AGENDA:

 

Motion appointing Susan Olson as Temporary Clerk of Council for the period May 22nd through May 29th, 2007.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Mills to add the above item to the agenda; seconded by Mr. Hargate.  Ayes all; motion carried.

 

MEETING OPENED TO THE PUBLIC:      No one spoke.

 

 

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

MOTION APPOINTING SUSAN OLSON AS TEMPORARY CLERK OF COUNCIL:  A motion was made by Mr. Dolciato appointing Susan Olson as Temporary Clerk of Council for the period from May 22, 2007 through May 29, 2007; seconded by Mr. Hargate.  Ayes all; motion carried.

 

MOTION AUTHORIZING CITY ENGINEER TO DESIGN AND SEEK PROPOSALS FOR INSTALLATION OF GUARDRAIL ON ALPHA DRIVE:  A motion was made by Mr. Austin authorizing City Engineer to design and seek proposals for installation of a guardrail on Alpha Drive; seconded by Mr. Dolciato.  Ayes all; motion carried.

MOTION AUTHORIZING CITY ENGINEER TO SEEK PROPOSALS TO REMOVE/RELOCATE TREES IN RIGHT OF WAY IN CONJUNCTION WITH HIGHLAND ROAD PEDESTRIAN FACILITY:  A motion was made by Mr. Pilla authorizing City Engineer to seek proposals to remove/relocate trees in right of way in conjunction with the Highland Road Pedestrian Facility; seconded by Mr. Dolciato.  Ayes all; motion carried.

MOTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT WITH WAB CONSULTING LTD.:  A motion was made by Mr. Pilla authorizing a contract with WAB Consulting Ltd. in the amount of $10,424.00 for a dedicated server and reporting software for the Fire Department; seconded by Mr. Hargate.  Ayes all; motion carried.

MOTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT WITH DELL, INC.:  A motion was made by Mr. Hargate authorizing a contract with Dell, Inc. in the amount of $9,544.30 for seven desktop computers with monitors and office software for the Fire Department; seconded by Mr. Pilla.  Ayes all; motion carried.

MOTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT WITH FTR&R INC.:  A motion was made by Mr. Hargate authorizing a contract with FTR&R Inc. in the amount of $9,900.00 for an ISG K1000 Elite Thermal Imaging Camera for the Fire Department; seconded by Mr. Pilla.  Ayes all; motion carried.

MOTION AUTHORIZING CITY ENGINEER TO PREPARE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR STREET STRIPING:  A motion was made by Mr. Dolciato authorizing the City Engineer to prepare Plans and Specifications for street striping and authorizing the Clerk to advertise for bids; seconded by Mr. Pilla.  Ayes all; motion carried.

MOTION AUTHORIZING CITY ENGINEER TO PREPARE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE 2007 MISCELLANEOUS STREET REPAIR PROGRAM:  A motion was made by Mr. Pilla authorizing the City Engineer to prepare plans and specifications for the 2007 Miscellaneous Street Repair Program and authorizing the Clerk to advertise for bids; seconded by Mr. Austin.  Ayes all; motion carried.

MOTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT WITH DJL MATERIALS:  A motion was made by Mr. Hargate authorizing a contract with DJL Materials in an amount not to exceed $10,000 to furnish equipment and material for the 2007 Crack Sealing Program.; seconded by Mr. Dolciato.  Ayes all; motion carried.

 

 

 

ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 16-2007:  Council listened to the First Reading in title only of Proposed Resolution 16-2007 which description is:  "A Resolution authorizing and directing the Mayor to grant an easement to the City of Cleveland for the maintenance of a watermain only, over and across said area, and declaring an emergency."  City Engineer Blackley recommended approval this evening.  Mr. Dolciato moved to suspend the Second and Third Readings; seconded by Austin; ayes all; motion carried.  Mr. Pilla moved to adopt; seconded by Mr. Mills.  Ayes all; motion carried.

 

ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 17-2007:  Council listened to the First Reading in title only of Proposed Resolution 17-2007 which description is:  "A Resolution opposing the quarterly customer service charge imposed by the City of Cleveland on water bills and declaring an emergency."  Mr. Pilla moved to suspend the Second and Third Readings; seconded by Mr. Hargate.  Ayes all; motion carried.  Mr. Pilla moved to adopt; seconded by Mr. Dolciato.  Ayes all; motion carried.

ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 18-2007:  Council listened to the First Reading in title only of Proposed Resolution 18-2007 which description is:  "A Resolution opposing Ohio Senate Bill 117 and supporting the local cable franchising process and declaring an emergency."  Mr. Mills moved to suspend the Second and Third Readings; seconded by Mr. Pilla.  Ayes all; motion carried.  Mr. Hargate moved to adopt; seconded by Mr. Pilla.  Ayes all; motion carried.

MOTION TO ADJOURN INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION:   A motion was made by Mr. Mills to adjourn into Executive Session to discuss the purchase of property and labor negotiations 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. Pilla.  Roll call on the motion:  Ayes all; motion carried.  Council adjourned at 8:35 p.m. and reconvened at 8:45 p.m.

 

ADJOURNMENT:   A motion was made by Mr. Mills and seconded by Mr. Dolciato to adjourn the meeting.  Said meeting adjourned at 8:46 p.m.

 

 

 

                                                                       

Clerk of Council

 

 

 

                                                                       

President of Council