CITY OF HIGHLAND HEIGHTS
MINUTES OF A COUNCIL MEETING
HELD: FEBRUARY 26, 2008
President of Council Mills presiding.
PRESENT: Councilmen Anderson, Hargate, Legan, Lombardo, Mills, Murphy, Pilla; Clerk of Council Buchak; Fire Chief Bencin; Police Lieutenant Visoky; Service Director Evans; Assistant Building Commissioner Austin; City Engineer Blackley; Finance Director Ianiro; Law Director Paluf.
ABSENT: Mayor Coleman, excused.
ACTION ON MINUTES: The reading of the Minutes of a Council Meeting held February 12, 2008 was dispensed with. Mr. Legan moved to accept the Minutes as written; seconded by Mr. Pilla. Ayes all; motion carried.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:
Fire Chief's Report: No report.
Police Chief's Report: No report. Lieutenant Visoky asked Council to consider passing the resolution authorizing a contract with Cuyahoga County for the juvenile diversion program. He advised last year the Police Department received $3,000 in funding; this year they are allocated $6,000; however, the County will not release the money until the resolution is passed.
Service Director's Report: Service Director Evans reported that, at the Mayor's request, on February 20th he attended the County Department of Development's Master Plan Meeting regarding airport operations. There were various articles in the media regarding that meeting and the actions that the development committee is taking. There were a total of 40 alternates over the study course of the master planning. Four of them had been added this year as a result of a meeting that was held a year ago. At that time, there was opposition to the proposals they had come up with so far. The Development Committee has chosen to recommend to the County Commissioners alternate No. 38. That involves the relocation of both Richmond Road and Bishop Road, giving them a 6000 ft runway for takeoff and landing. The total proposed cost in today's dollars for that project is 31.2 million dollars. They are estimating if they were to receive approval on that plan and start seeking federal dollars that construction would be 8 to 10 years away. Mr. Evans noted that the County will address Council on March 4th.
Mr. Evans also reported they have taken delivery of their chipper. Last week everyone in the department received training. The City brush collection program will begin the first week in April.
Mr. Pilla advised he received two e-mails from residents asking why Highland Heights does not have any UPS boxes like mail boxes. Mr. Evans offered to contact UPS about this.
Building Commissioner's Report: No report.
City Engineer's Report: City Engineer Blackley reported a pre-construction meeting for the Highland-Bishop Intersection Improvement Project was held on Friday with the contractor, Tri-Mor Corporation. Construction is scheduled to begin April 4th and it will take six months to complete the project. One thing they brought up is the detour plan. During the pour sequence Tri-Mor has proposed a one-way traffic pattern, s/b on Bishop Road and w/b on Highland Road. This would speed up the plan and minimize the amount of disruption. They would like Council feed back on this.
Council President Mills stated Council will schedule the detour plan for discussion in a Committee of the Whole Meeting.
Mr. Blackley also reported, regarding the vacation of a water easement in the Aberdeen Business Park as authorized by Council at the last meeting, that easement has been recorded.
Mr. Blackley then reported he looked at the driveways on Eastlawn Drive as Mr. Anderson requested. The driveways will be replaced because the concrete has the wrong kind of aggregate in it. It will not cost the city any money but will cause disruption to the residents. Also, they will do some investigation to determine why the contractor, Fabrizi Trucking & Paving Co., put that material down.
Finance Director's Report: Mr. Ianiro asked for Council approval of the motion regarding fencing for Ball Diamonds 6 and 7 at the Community Park. This was discussed in the Committee of the Whole previously this evening. He advised the legislation regarding the Tri-City Consortium can receive first reading. Also the ordinance regarding appropriations can receive first reading. The budget will need to be passed before March 31st.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Park and Recreation Commission: Mr. Anderson advised the meeting scheduled for last week was cancelled and has been rescheduled for February 28th.
Mayfield Area Recreation Council (MARC): No report.
Planning and Zoning Commission: Mr. Pilla reported the following action occurred at a meeting held February 25, 2008:
· CLAP Day Care, Ltd., 201 Alpha Park. Motion to Grant Conditional Use Permit. This item was tabled to March 10th because the Commission has concerns regarding the parking situation, the buses and people picking up their children. The day care expects to have between 80 and 100 children. Law Director Paluf will be contacted for his opinion.
· The Shoppes at Alpha Park. Final Plan Approval. This item was tabled also because the roof is 36 feet tall and the code only allows 35 feet. Mr. Pilla provided an artist's rendering. The Commission asked the applicant to bring back plans at 35 feet.
· The Legends at Aberdeen, Area J, Phase IV. Revised Improvement Plan and Final Plat Approvals. Approval was given to move an easement from 15 feet to 23 feet on the back of the properties to save the trees.
Mr. Pilla then reported on two items that were not on the P&Z Agenda:
· Hackers Pub, 5596 Highland Road -- will be re-opening with a different name. Chef Hector Carballo will operate the restaurant. Some changes will be made. They will be open for business on the 17th of March. They will be open for lunch and dinner.
· Crostatas Pizzeria, 558 Bishop Road is moving through the construction phase and will probably be open hopefully the second week in April; maybe a little sooner. A stone oven to be constructed is moving through Fire Department approvals.
Mr. Mills added that in doing research for an article for the next newsletter, he talked with Mr. John Quagliata, owner of the Crostatas Pizzeria who advised that artisans are coming from Italy to build the oven and that it will cook a pizza in 90 seconds.
Legislative & Finance Committee: Mr. Lombardo reported a meeting was held on Monday, February 18th to discuss the first review of the capital budget. They met with Department Heads, -- the Police Chief, Fire Chief, Service Director, and went over their requirements. The biggest items in the capital budget this year are the Highland Road Pedestrian Path and the Highland-Bishop Intersection reconstruction. The next biggest item is mostly repair and maintenance for the Community Center, the salt dome and a water leak in the Police Department basement. L&F will meet again to put both budgets together and try to finalize the appropriations to present to the Council Committee of the Whole.
Safety & Service Committee: Mr. Hargate reported Safety & Service met on February 12th and discussed Item No. 4 on this evening's agenda -- purchase of police vehicles. It is Safety & Service's recommendation that they proceed with that item this evening so the cars can be ordered and will be available as soon as possible. He noted that the cost of equipping the cars will be an additional cost.
Commission on Aging: Mr. Hargate reported that at a meeting held yesterday, February 25th, they elected officers for 2008. The same officers were elected. He mentioned two programs: one is the Tax Assistance Program for seniors which is available on Thursdays. Call Mary Velotta to schedule an appointment. There is also a Cuyahoga County Grant Program that is available through the Tri-City Consortium on Aging. It is designed for seniors with lower income that might need some safety improvements at home, such as grab bars, railings and things of that nature. For assistance with that, call either the Tri-City offices or Mary Velotta.
Drainage Committee: Mrs. Murphy reported a meeting was held this evening. The committee is referring a proposed draft of the Illicit Discharge Ordinance to the Law Director and the Building Commissioner for comments. Once they receive their feedback and incorporate it into the draft they will then bring the ordinance to Council for approval. They also discussed a few miscellaneous drainage issues tonight.
Law Director's Report: Law Director Paluf reported Stonewater Golf Club is not on the agenda because after discussions last week their attorneys requested the subject be continued. There is nothing to report as far as progress but there may be something in the next few weeks.
MAYOR'S REPORT: No report.
Council President's Report: Council President Mills on behalf of Council and the City of Highland Heights offered his deepest condolences to Mayor Scott Coleman on the loss of his Mother. Also he extended condolences to Chief Cook's family on the loss of his Mother-in-Law. He added that their thoughts and prayers go out to both families.
Council President Mills asked that the Service Department put a notice on the sign in front of City Hall that next Tuesday representatives from the County will be present to discuss the Highland Road Sanitary Sewers and also there will be a public meeting about the airport expansion.
Service Director Evans advised all the information for the City Hall sign comes through the Mayor's office.
ITEMS TO BE ADDED TO THE AGENDA: No items were added.
MEETING OPENED TO THE PUBLIC: No one spoke.
NEW BUSINESS:
MOTION AUTHORIZING CONTRACT WITH THOMAS FENCE CO.: A motion was made by Mr. Anderson authorizing Thomas Fence Co. to install fencing around fields 6 and 7 at the Community Park, in an amount not to exceed $19,375.00; seconded by Mr. Pilla. Ayes all; motion carried.
FIRST READING PROPOSED RESOLUTION 11-2008: Council listened to the First Reading in title only of Proposed Resolution 11-2008 which description is: "A Resolution authorizing and directing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the Tri-City Consortium on Aging and authorizing the payment of the cash match portion for the City of Highland Heights and declaring an emergency."
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 12-2008: Council listened to the First Reading in title only of Proposed Resolution 12-2008 which description is: "A Resolution authorizing and directing the Mayor to renew the inter-agency contract with the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court to continue a Community Diversion Program for first time juvenile offenders, and declaring an emergency." Lieutenant Visoky requested approval this evening to enable the City to receive the funds in a timely manner. Mr. Hargate moved to suspend the Second and Third Readings; seconded by Mr. Lombardo. Ayes all; motion carried. Mr. Hargate moved to adopt; seconded by Mr. Legan. Ayes all; motion carried.
ADOPTION OF PROPOSED RESOLUTION 13-2008: Council listened to the First Reading in title only of Proposed Resolution 13-2008 which description is: "A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a contract with Statewide Ford Lincoln Mercury, Inc., for the purchase of three (3) 2008 Ford Crown Victoria Police Cruisers in an amount not to exceed Fifty Six Thousand Dollars ($56,000.00) including the trade-in allowance for two (2) Ford Crown Victoria Police Cruisers, pursuant to the Ohio Cooperative Purchasing Act, and declaring an emergency." Lieutenant Visoky requested approval this evening to permit the vehicles to be ordered. Mr. Hargate moved to suspend the Second and Third Readings; seconded by Mr. Anderson. Ayes all; motion carried. Mr. Pilla moved to adopt; seconded by Mr. Hargate.
FIRST READING PROPOSED ORDINANCE 5-2008: Council listened to the First Reading in title only of Proposed Ordinance 5-2008 which description is: "An Ordinance appropriating for current expenses and other expenditures of the City of Highland Heights, Ohio, for the period commencing January 1, 2008 and ending December 31, 2008, and declaring an emergency."
FIRST READING PROPOSED ORDINANCE 6-2008: Council listened to the First Reading in title only of Proposed Ordinance 6-2008 which description is: "An Ordinance approving the editing and inclusion of certain ordinances as parts of the various component codes of the Codified Ordinances of Highland Heights, Ohio and declaring an emergency."
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 9-2008: Council listened to the Third Reading in title only of Proposed Resolution No. 9-2008 which description is: "A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with Snacks and Stuff, Inc. to provide food and beverage concession services at the Municipal Pool and Park for the summer of 2008 and declaring an emergency." Mr. Anderson moved to adopt; seconded by Mr. Hargate. Ayes all; motion carried."
AGENDA FOR COMMITTEE OF WHOLE MEETING OF MARCH 4, 2008:
1. Cuyahoga County Sanitary Engineer's Office -- Highland Road SSES Report.
2. Presentation of Cuyahoga County Airport Master Plan
ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made by Mr. Pilla and seconded by Mr. Anderson to adjourn the meeting. Said meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
Clerk of Council
President of Council