CITY OF HIGHLAND HEIGHTS
MINUTES OF A COUNCIL MEETING
HELD: APRIL 22, 2008
President of Council Mills presiding.
PRESENT: Mayor Coleman, Councilmen Anderson, Hargate, Legan, Lombardo, Mills, Murphy, Pilla; Clerk of Council Buchak; Fire Captain Turner; Police Chief Cook; Service Director Evans; Assistant Building Commissioner Austin; City Engineer Blackley; Law Director Paluf.
ACTION ON MINUTES: The reading of the Minutes of a Council Meeting held April 8, 2008 was dispensed with. Mr. Legan moved to accept the Minutes as written; seconded by Mr. Anderson. Ayes all; motion carried.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:
Fire Chief's Report: Fire Lieutenant Turner reported for the month of March the Fire Department received 118 calls. Of that number there were 78 rescue squad, 11 fire responses, 7 motor vehicle accidents and 22 miscellaneous incident calls.
Police Chief's Report: Chief Cook reported as follows:
§ A patrolman has been hired to fill the opening which was created by the retirement of Sgt. Zagar.
§ The written portion of the Sergeant exam has been completed; and the Assessment Phase will be given on May 8th and 9th. Hopefully within a month and a half, they will have another Sergeant.
§ Chief Cook met with RWL Architects concerning the jail improvements for a new rest room and some of the walls. They will meet with the Safety & Service Committee and then will bring that to Council, hopefully in the next four to six weeks.
§ He has been working on Code Red (Reverse 911) and they still will be going forward with that project.
Mr. Mills advised he received a couple calls regarding the light at Belwood and the park. The residents advised when coming down Belwood at the park they have to wait two lights before the light is tripped on Belwood to make a left turn. Chief Cook will have the timing on the light checked out.
Service Director's Report: Service Director Evans reported:
§ Park Cleanup is underway.
§ Street sweeper is out.
§ Brush Collection is well underway. They have made 280 stops so far. The new chipper is working terrifically. That program runs through June 6th.
§ The Household Hazardous Waste Program done in conjunction with the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District is under way. That began Monday April 20th and runs through Friday, May 2nd with a one time drop off at the Service Department on Saturday, May 3rd from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
§ The Computer Roundup is going on this month and runs through the month of April That program is also done with the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District.
§ For information -- the City of Cleveland Board of Health will do some sort of prescription drug type roundup for people to dispose of their own medications. The County Solid Waste District will not be participating in that. There are a lot of difficulties with change of custody with drugs. A story on WKYCTV Channel 3 last night and again this morning advised there have been miniscule amounts of drugs found in water and they are saying that they shouldn't be disposed of in the toilet. The recommendation on Channel 3 this morning was to remove your name from the prescription drug, wrap some tape around it or something like that; and, unfortunately they said to put it in the recycling. That is wrong; that material needs to go in the trash and to the landfill.
§ Regarding the proposed salt building, Council is requested to add a motion to the agenda to allow the engineer and clerk to prepare specs and advertise for a salt building.
Mrs. Murphy asked if there was an update on the traffic detour for the Highland-Bishop Improvement Project. Mr. Evans deferred that to the City Engineer.
City Engineer Blackley reported he has not yet received an adequate detour plan from Tri Mor Corporation nor has he received from them an estimate of what the cost savings would be to the city. Mr. Blackley stated at this point the detour plan has not been approved. He has spoken with officials from Tri Mor several times this week and he has been in discussion with the business owners. Mr. Blackley advised he informed Tri Mor early this week that they may very well have to build the project according to the plan. Nothing is approved at this point. Before any decision is made, he will report back to Council.
Mr. Evans added one concern he and Engineer Blackley have worked together on is to get as much information as quickly as they can out to the public.
Building Commissioner's Report: Assistant Building Commissioner Austin reported the Building Department's first quarter report was distributed today. They had an increase from last year. Mr. Austin advised he had a request for a listing of the home owners associations. Building Department Assistant Linda Rogowski prepared a list of the home owners associations with a list of the streets involved with each association.
In response to Mrs. Murphy's inquiry regarding Crostatas Pizzeria and smoke from the stack, Mr. Austin advised they built the oven and they were trying to dry it and cure the concrete so they could put the aesthetics on the outside of the oven. He further advised they are using a Cherry hardwood so it will burn clean.
Mrs. Murphy stated the building looks phenomenal
City Engineer's Report: City Engineer Blackley reported
§ Community Park Safety Improvement Project: Contact has been made with several departments of CEI. One is electrical services and one is power distribution. One does the trenching and one does the street light installation. They state that the materials have been delivered for the street light installation. Mr. Bill Peters at Mayfield Yard stated the lights should be installed by the end of May. Mr. Blackley will keep after them.
§ Community Park Safety Improvement Project: A detailed punch list has been sent to Martin Enterprises.
§ Highland Road Pedestrian Facility: Revised plans and estimates have been received from CT Consultants and today he finished revisions to the bid documents that were requested by ODOT. Those will be delivered to ODOT tomorrow. It is anticipated to advertise for bids in June.
§ Colony-Eastlawn Sanitary Relief Sewer Project: A detailed punch list was delivered to Fabrizi Trucking & Paving Co., Inc. A meeting is scheduled with the President of Fabrizi, Emil Fabrizi Jr., to nail down a time frame for completion of the sidewalk and drive apron replacements. Hopefully by the next council meeting they will be working.
In response to Mr. Mills' inquiry regarding the punch list for the park, Mr. Blackley advised grass and grading for the old road is included and there are rocks to be raked out. It was noted that someone drove through and left tire tracks.
Mr. Austin advised that was done through the winter when someone didn't realize the road was changed. Service Director has put up cones so that won't happen again.
Finance Director's Report: No report.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Park and Recreation Commission: Mr. Anderson reported as follows:
§ The home run fences are going in on the major's and minor's fields.
§ The old tennis courts by the pool are going to be cracked sealed and re-dressed. They have taken down the old fence and will be putting up a split rail fence.
§ The Commission met April 17th and walked through the park.
§ By the parking lot walking to the park there are three beds or tree areas that can be dressed up.
§ A question for Engineer Blackley. Does the lighting project have to do with the marquis sign at the entranceway? Mr. Blackley will look into that.
§ Reseeding is needed where the old parking lot was.
In response to Mr. Mills' inquiry regarding back boards for the tennis courts, Mr. Anderson advised they are looking at 8 x 16 backboards to be put up for the upper courts.
Mayor Coleman asked if those backboards make a lot of noise and cautioned that the residents on Kennelwood Drive are close to this area.
Mayfield Area Recreation Council (MARC): No report.
Planning and Zoning Commission: No report.
Legislative & Finance Committee: Mr. Lombardo reported the committee has not met. He did review the budget through the first quarter of the year and noted that on the income side the property taxes are off about 7% and that the income taxes are up about 4%.
Safety & Service Committee: No report. Mr. Hargate advised when Chief Cook is ready to meet with Safety & Service they will schedule a meeting.
Commission on Aging: Mr. Hargate reported a meeting was held Monday, April 21st. The Annual Highland Heights Commission on Aging Senior Health Fair will be held May 7th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Drainage Committee: Mrs. Murphy scheduled a meeting for Tuesday May 13, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. She requested any agenda items be received on the Friday prior to that date. She noted that Mr. & Mrs. McCracken are present this evening; and then asked Law Director Paluf if he had any update on obtaining the easements for that project.
Law Director Paluf advised the other home owner has stated as soon as the weather breaks and the ground is dry enough to get equipment in he will sign the easement. Mrs. Murphy asked Mr. Paluf to contact the home owner again.
Home Days Committee: Mr. Austin reported they are currently lining up the bands for home days with Carmelina signed up for Sunday. They have two different clown acts coming and the vendors have started to line up for the food tent. For the fireworks they are working with the Fire Department to finalize the type of shell they will use. They are looking at a bigger type of shell for the fireworks that can be seen from the lower area so people don't have to leave the ride area to see the fireworks. No scheduled date as yet for the next meeting. They are on schedule.
Home Days Parade: Mrs. Murphy reported the parade is going very well. She did hear back from Chief Bencin and he will be the Grand Marshall this year. They will have a lot of new acts and everything seems to be going along pretty smoothly there.
Law Director's Report:
MAYOR'S REPORT: Mayor Coleman reported he has received a lot of questions about the petitions being circulated for the ballot issue for this November. He distributed out a communication that he received from Virginia Aveni, President of the Friends of the Euclid Creek and advised that, basically it says apparently there have been some communications that says LOGS is being sponsored by the Friends of the Euclid Creek. This communication is saying that they are not. It does not say that they are opposed to what they are doing; it is just saying that they are not a sponsor of the ballot issue.
Mayor Coleman advised he did get one interesting question today about the proposed ballot issue. A woman was concerned that the way it was written it might limit some of the things that they do in the park currently, for instance, they have the communications tower and would this prohibit the city from renewing leases or adding additional users to that tower. That is for the Law Director to look into.
Council President's Report: Mr. Mills reported a nice thank you was received from the Pitingolo Family for flowers sent for Art's funeral. Also on Sunday, he and his family attended the walk thru of the park with the LOGS group. He advised that area is filled with poison ivy, a lot of interesting things and garbage.
ITEMS TO BE ADDED TO THE AGENDA:
Motion authorizing the City Engineer to prepare plans and specifications for a salt building and authorizing the Clerk to advertise for bids.
A motion was made by Mr. Hargate to add the above motion to the agenda; seconded by Mr. Anderson. Ayes all; motion carried.
MEETING OPENED TO THE PUBLIC:
Mr. Robert Boyle, 4853 Lindsey Lane, Richmond Heights, spoke against the expansion of the Cuyahoga County Airport. He complimented the Mayor and Council for supporting the objection resolution that went to the Cuyahoga County Commissioners against the airport. He also encouraged everybody to come to the County meeting Thursday. Two buses will transport people to the meeting. He also stated the company, Flight Systems, is planning on bringing in bigger airplanes than the airport can handle at this time.
Mr. Hargate noted that Mr. Boyle is a former Mayor of Richmond Heights.
Mr. William McCracken, 336 Miner Road, addressed Council regarding his drainage problem. He expressed his exasperation with the time it is taking for this project to be completed. He stated he went through the Drainage Committee and had it approved and nothing has happened. Mr. McCracken offered to stay after the meeting if anyone would like to talk with him.
NEW BUSINESS:
MAYOR'S APPOINTMENT: Patrolman Joseph Klepac. Patrolman Joseph Klepac was sworn in by Mayor Coleman.
MOTION AUTHORIZING CITY ENGINEER TO PREPARE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR A SALT BUILDING: A motion was made by Mr. Anderson authorizing the City Engineer to prepare plans and specifications for a salt building and authorizing the Clerk to advertise for bids; seconded by Mr. Pilla. Ayes all; motion carried.
MOTION AUTHORIZING CONTRACT WITH SUTPHEN CORPORATION: A motion was made by Mr. Anderson authorizing the purchase of a Hydraulic Rescue Tool System from Sutphen Corporation at a cost not to exceed $24,995.00; seconded by Mr. Pilla. Ayes all; motion carried.
MOTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT WITH DOAN PYRAMID, LLC FOR THE FIRE STATION LIGHTING PROJECT: A motion was made by Mr. Legan authorizing a contract with Doan Pyramid, LLC in the amount of $17,810.60 for the Fire Station Lighting Project as listed in their proposal dated April 3, 2008; seconded by Mr. Anderson. Ayes all; motion carried.
MOTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT WITH JTM, INC.: A motion was made by Mr. Anderson authorizing a contract with JTM, Inc. in the amount of $15,860 for the Apparatus Bay Painting Project in accordance with their proposal dated January 13, 2008; seconded by Mr. Legan. Ayes all; motion carried.
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 23,2008: Council listened to the First Reading in title only of Proposed Resolution 23-2008 which description is: "A Resolution authorizing a contract with Air Vacuum Corporation in the amount of Thirty Nine Thousand Thirty Two Dollars ($39,032.00) for an Air Exhaust System for the Fire Department and declaring an emergency." Mr. Lombardo moved to suspend the Second and Third Readings; seconded by Mr. Anderson. Mr. Hargate moved to adopt; seconded by Mrs. Murphy. Ayes all; motion carried.
MOTION TO ADJOURN INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION: A motion was made by Mr. Anderson to adjourn into Executive Session to discuss imminent litigation 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 8:45 p.m. and reconvened at 9:15 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made by Mr. Anderson and seconded by Mr. Pilla to adjourn the meeting. Said meeting adjourned at 9:16 p.m.
Clerk of Council
President of Council