CITY OF HIGHLAND HEIGHTS
MINUTES OF A COUNCIL MEETING
HELD: MARCH 25, 2008
President of Council Mills presiding.
PRESENT: Mayor Coleman; Councilmen Hargate, Legan, Lombardo, Mills, Murphy; Clerk of Council Buchak; Interim Fire Chief Molnar; Police Chief Cook; Service Director Evans; Assistant Building Commissioner Austin; City Engineer Blackley; Finance Director Ianiro; Law Director Paluf.
ABSENT: Councilmen Anderson and Pilla, both excused.
ACTION ON MINUTES: The reading of the Minutes of a Council Meeting held March 11, 2008 was dispensed with. Mr. Legan moved to accept the Minutes as written; seconded by Mrs. Murphy. Ayes all; motion carried.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:
Fire Chief's Report: Interim Fire Chief Molnar reported for the month of February the Fire Department handled 70 ambulance runs and 7 fire calls.
Police Chief's Report: Chief Cook reported as follows regarding building maintenance:
§ Mayor Coleman authorized additional repair for the cupola on the roof in the amount of $2,950; the work was completed today by Parkhill Roofing.
§ Preliminary bids have been received for the leakage in the basement.
§ Preliminary drawings have been prepared for jail improvements. Within 7 to 10 days he should have preliminary prices on that.
Chief Cook thanked Service Director Thom Evans for his help with the improvements.
Service Director's Report: Service Director Evans reported:
§ The Computer Roundup will be held during the month of April. Computers will be accepted at the Service Department, Monday thru Friday, 8 am to 3:30 pm throughout the month of April.
§ Brush collection will begin April 7th and will run for approximately 2 and 1/2 months, thru the second week of June.
In response to Mr. Mills' inquiry regarding the computer roundup as to whether all types of electronics are picked up, Mr. Evans, stated no, just computer and computer related items. He also advised the Solid Waste District at this time cannot take televisions.
Building Commissioner's Report: Assistant Building Commissioner Austin reported the progress of the Longspur gate. In the month of March he started to document calls regarding the gate. The gate was not operational for 15 days out of the 25 days in March. He has talked with Mr. Simon, developer of Maypine Farms Estates, who is responsible for the gate. A concern is that two times the Service Department plow was not able to go through the gate because the gate was broken. A concern is if the police and fire needed to use the gate and it was not operational. At the present time he receives calls from the Service, Fire or Police Department when the gate is not in operation. Also, because of the weather, certain items have not been completed such as an electric eye beam and the sidewalk along the east property line. Mr. Austin noted that eventually the responsibility for the gate will be turned over to the Highland Woods Homeowners Association.
Law Director Paluf stated he will meet with Mr. Austin on this.
Mr. Austin also reported he spoke with the developer for the Aberdeen Commons Assisted Living. They had hoped to be started this week but due to the weather and the large amount of water sitting on the site they have not been able to start. Their site contractor has all the materials ordered and ready to be shipped. They are hoping to start within the next ten days.
City Engineer's Report: No report. City Engineer Blackley, on behalf of the City of Chardon thanked Service Director Evans and Mayor Coleman for their offer of a piece of equipment to the city after a fire destroyed their snow removal equipment.
Mr. Mills asked, with the Highland-Bishop Intersection Project will there be a connecting sidewalk to the Aberdeen sidewalk on the east side of Bishop. Mr. Blackley stated there are no plans to extend the sidewalk at this time.
Finance Director's Report:
Tax Incentive Review Council and CRA Housing Council: Finance Director Ianiro reported that the annual joint meeting of the annual Tax Incentive Review Board and the CRA Housing Council was held on March 19th at 9:00 a.m. A packet of information was sent to Council Members over the weekend. On the Council agenda is a motion to accept the report from the TIRC and the CRA Housing Council Meeting The purpose of the meeting was to review the tax incentive programs and to make recommendations to Council that the companies with the tax incentive programs were, 1) in compliance and 2) to continue those agreements. They had a very successful meeting; the input of all members was appreciated. Customarily Council will accept those recommendations by motion. Mr. Ianiro stated he does need that approval so he can submit the documents to the Ohio Department of Development by the end of the month.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Park and Recreation Commission: No report.
Mayfield Area Recreation Council (MARC): No report.
Planning and Zoning Commission: No report.
Legislative & Finance Committee: Mr. Lombardo explained because of a previous engagement he was not at the last committee of the whole meeting where the budget was presented to the Council. Mrs. Murphy did report for the committee. Mr. Lombardo stated they have a good budget and are projecting a surplus thru the year.
Mr. Lombardo then scheduled another L&F meeting for April 8, at 7:00 p.m. prior to the Council Meeting. At this meeting they will discuss the records law and compensation for the fire chief's position.
Safety & Service Committee: No report.
Commission on Aging: Mr. Hargate reported the Commission met yesterday, March 24th. He noted two items of interest: 1) The Tri-City Consortium on Aging's Annual Volunteer Awards Brunch will on April 8th at 11:00 a.m. in Lyndhurst; and, 2) the 10th annual Highland Heights Commission on Aging Senior Health Fair will be held May 7, 2008 from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m.
Drainage Committee: Mrs. Murphy reported a meeting was held tonight and they discussed agenda Item No. 6, the proposed Illicit Discharge Ordinance which is to be implemented as part of the storm water management plan. The Federal EPA and the Clean Water Act regulations do require the city to implement an illicit discharge ordinance. Many of the neighboring cities have also done this. The main thrust of the requirement is to protect and ensure high quality of water. The legislation before Council provides the purpose, definitions, prohibitions, regulations, and enforcement procedures along with penalties. There are two components to the regulations: 1) Illegal discharges; and, 2) Illegal connections; both of which are prohibited. The enforcement gives the City the right of access for inspection; provides for a violation notice process; and, for appeals. The Building Commissioner will be responsible for the administration, implementation and enforcement. The City also has the authority to correct any violations found and levy special assessments against the property owner. This ordinance has been reviewed by the Law Director. It was essentially crafted by City Engineer Blackley along with Service Director Evans. It as based on a uniform model that has been adjusted to meet the City's needs. The Drainage Committee recommends approval tonight and suspension of the second and third readings, for the reason that they would like this ordinance to be included in the City's annual report that is due April 7th as a part of our Ohio EPA updating plan.
Mrs. Murphy reported the Drainage Committee also discussed the Alpha Headwall channel project; they were just brainstorming about that right now. They also discussed the Roy, Renee, Esther ongoing storm sewer concerns, looking for ideas on how to jump start some aspect of that project. They also discussed the McCracken Project on Miner Road. Mrs. Murphy asked the Law Director if he had anything to report on that project because they would like to have that project underway as soon as possible.
Law Director Paluf will check into that project.
Home Days Committee: For the Home Days report, Mrs. Murphy deferred to Mr. Austin. She reported on the parade. The parade is coming together very nicely and will be an outstanding event this year. The theme will be the new City theme, "A City of Pride and Promise".
Mr. Austin reported a Home Days Meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 7th at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. They are moving forward; they have a ride company waiting for a contract; moving forward with tents, and have started receiving receipts from some of the venders. Two companies are interested in providing fire works; and, they are starting to line up some of the bands.
Law Director's Report: No report. Mr. Paluf advised he has not talked with anyone regarding the McCracken Matter but he will call this week.
MAYOR'S REPORT: Mayor Coleman reported:
§ The Civil Service Commission will meet this Thursday to discuss the procedure and timing of the test to pick a new fire chief. The pool of candidates will come from the Lieutenants initially. Assuming they have a competitive environment of more than one to take the test it would not be extended to beyond the Lieutenants and Captain. If it is not a competitive environment then it is to be extended to the firefighters as well. So they will talk thru the process of doing that this Thursday.
§ Swagelok Company is giving the City three donations. He met with Bruce Armstrong their plant manager in Highland Heights. They presented three donations, a $2,000 check towards Home Days to sponsor the food tent; a $1000 contribution to the police department to purchase a Taser gun; and, another $1,000 contribution to the fire department to purchase two natural gas detectors. Mayor Coleman requested legislation be prepared to accept those donations.
§ Item no. 1 on the agenda, Mayor's appointment to the Commission on Aging. This is to replace Art Pitingolo which is very hard to do. Senior Coordinator Mary Velotta suggested the appointment of Emil Lucarelli, a long time resident of Stanwell Drive who is very active in our senior programs. Mayor Coleman asked for Council approval of that appointment.
In response to Mr. Mills' inquiry regarding the status of the newsletter, Mayor Coleman advised they have been having a great deal of difficulty with the new format. They hope to have it to the printer by the end of the week. Mayor Coleman also advised, future newsletters will be very structured with a limit to the number of words in certain features.
Council President Mills set the newsletter for a topic of discussion in a Committee of the Whole.
ITEMS TO BE ADDED TO THE AGENDA: No items were added.
MEETING OPENED TO THE PUBLIC: No one spoke
NEW BUSINESS:
MAYOR'S APPOINTMENT:
COMMISSION ON AGING: Emil Lucarelli. Unexpired term of Art Pitingolo, expiring 12/31/2009
A motion was made by Mr. Mills to confirm the Mayor's appointment of Emil Lucarelli to the unexpired term of Art Pitingolo on the Commission on Aging, expiring 12/31/2009; seconded by Mr. Hargate. Ayes all; motion carried.
MOTION ACCEPTING REPORT FROM TAX INCENTIVE REVIEW COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT AREA HOUSING COUNCIL: A motion was made by Mr. Lombardo accepting the report from the Tax Incentive Review Council and the Community Reinvestment Area Housing Council; seconded by Mr. Legan. Ayes all; motion carried.
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 16-2008: Council listened to a Reading in title only of Proposed Resolution 16-2008 which description is: "A Resolution of condolence to the family of ART PITINGOLO (deceased)." Mr. Lombardo moved to adopt; seconded by Mr. Hargate. Ayes all; motion carried.
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 17-2008: Council listened to the First Reading in title only of Proposed Resolution 17-2008 which description is: "A Resolution opposing the enlargement of size and expansion of the use of the Cuyahoga County Airport and declaring an emergency." Council President Mills noted that Council has been asked to suspend the Second and Third readings in order to present this legislation to the County Commissioners in a timely manner. Mr. Hargate moved to suspend the Second and Third Readings; seconded by Mrs. Murphy.
Mayor Coleman noted that when this was discussed in the Committee of the Whole, he made a recommendation that they just oppose the one plan that they had on the table. In discussion with Mr. Paluf, he decided that it was probably better to broaden that to any expansion of the airport, especially in light of some of the discussion that the airport has had with us, including that if there is a funding shortage they would likely go the municipalities to make up that shortage. With those types of provisions, Mayor Coleman stated he thought it best to oppose any expansion at this time.
Ayes all; motion carried. Mr. Hargate moved to adopt; seconded by Mrs. Murphy. Ayes all; motion carried.
FIRST READING PROPOSED ORDINANCE 7-2008: Council listened to the First Reading in title only of Proposed Ordinance 7-2008 which description is: "An Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to adopt a City Public Records Policy in accordance with Substitute House Bill 9 and declaring an emergency." Council President Mills referred Proposed Ordinance 7-2008 to the L&F Committee for review.
ENACTMENT OF ORDINANCE 8-2008: Council listened to the First Reading in title only of Proposed Ordinance 8-2008 which description is: "An Ordinance enacting new Chapter 1336 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Highland Heights, Ohio, establishing regulation of the illicit discharges to the municipal separate storm sewer system, and declaring an emergency." The Drainage Committee and City Engineer Blackley recommended approval this evening. Mrs. Murphy moved to suspend the Second and Third Readings; seconded by Mr. Lombardo. Ayes all; motion carried. Mr. Lombardo moved to enact; seconded by Mr. Hargate. Ayes all; motion carried.
ENACTMENT OF ORDINANCE 5-2008: Council listened to the Third 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." Mr. Legan moved to enact; seconded by Mr. Lombardo. Ayes all; motion carried.
Committee of the Whole Meeting scheduled for 4/1/08 -- cancelled
After discussion Council decided to cancel the Committee of the Whole scheduled for April 1, 2008 and to schedule a Committee of the Whole Meeting on April 8, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
Mr. Legan asked Council to schedule discussion regarding local snow plow operators as it relates to blocking sidewalks and impeding the work of the bombardier. He suggested the Service Director, Police Chief and Law Director be involved in the discussion. Mayor Coleman asked Council to discuss the bombardier program and advised the equipment that they have will not survive too much longer. He suggested Service Director Evans share their policy on sidewalk plowing to see if council wants to continue that policy, expand it or narrow it.
ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made by Mrs. Murphy and seconded by Mr. Lombardo to adjourn the meeting. Said meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
Clerk of Council
President of Council