CITY OF HIGHLAND HEIGHTS
MINUTES OF A COUNCIL MEETING
HELD: JUNE 8, 2010
President of Council Mills presiding.
PRESENT: Mayor Coleman; Councilmen Hargate, Legan, Lombardo, Mastrangelo, Mills, Murphy, Stickan; Clerk of Council Buchak; Fire Chief Turner; Police Chief Cook; Service Director Evans; Building Commissioner Grabfelder; City Engineer Hovancsek; Finance Director Ianiro; Law Director Paluf.
ACTION ON MINUTES: The reading of the Minutes of a Council Meeting held May 25, 2010 was dispensed with. Mr. Lombardo moved to accept the Minutes as written; seconded by Mrs. Murphy. Ayes all; motion carried.
The reading of the Minutes of a Special Meeting held June 1, 2010 was dispensed with. Mr. Legan moved to accept the Minutes as written; seconded by Mr. Lombardo. Ayes all; motion carried.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:
Fire Chief's Report: Chief Turner reported two items:
· The Fire Department responded to a total of 136 calls during the month of May.
· The new pickup truck was received today, earlier than anticipated. They are hopeful that truck will be placed in service by July 1st. There are two choices for the old vehicle -- it can be traded in or they can seek bids and sell it outright, unless a use is found for it.
Police Chief's Report: Chief Cook reported as follows:
· Activity Report for the Month of May. The Police Department responded to a total of 934 calls for service; and they handled 15 motor vehicle accidents, 4 of which were injury accidents. They responded to 59 residential alarms. Thirteen prisoners were held in their jail facility for approximately 400 hours.
· DARE Program. Today they completed the grant for the DARE Program in the schools. They will receive approximately $4000.
· Community Policing Grant. They were notified to update and resubmit the Community Policing Grant that they applied for approximately 18 months ago and are in the process of updating that. Finance Director Ianiro was thanked for his help with statistics for the grant.
· Lieutenant Visoky and Chief Cook did go to 1000 Ford Road this morning because they had received complaints on the gas well there. That gas well was fractured this morning. They were on site when that was done and there were no problems.
Service Director's Report: Service Director Evans reported
· The swimming pool is up and running but they still have some sort of a leak. They are working on that. The recent caulking appears to be in good condition. They filled the pool approximately a week and a half ago. When they discovered this leak they started working on it right away. They found another leak in an underground tank, underneath the filter building. It is called a surge tank. All the plumbing from the pool runs to this underground tank and then is lifted up into the pump system and filter system. They drained that tank and found some leaks in the caps in the concrete. They were able to tuck point those and the leak has been reduced significantly, probably eliminating between 2/3 and 3/4 of what had been leaking. It is certainly much better than it had been. They are still pursuing other avenues and working with the Recreation Director.
· The crack sealing program is continuing and is about 2/3 completed. That program will probably wrap up sometime next week.
· Brush Collection Program. This program which is officially scheduled through the end of this week again has been very successful and very well received by residents. Over 850 collections were made.
· The State has awarded the bid for road salt to Cargill who has been our supplier for several years now. The bid is approximately 3% over last year’s.
In response to Mrs. Murphy’s inquiry regarding the amount of water the pool is leaking, Service Director Evans reported, when they filled the pool, over 3 days they lost approximately 6 inches of water. They lost about an inch of water over this weekend. He will have a better measurement tomorrow.
Building Commissioner's Report: Building Commissioner Grabfelder reported as follows:
· The Building Department issued 44 permits last month, 41 residential and 3 commercial.
· As of this date, they have issued approximately 28 notices for grass and weeds.
· As of today the Service Department has cut grass on 5 properties as a result of the notices.
· The 2010 Sidewalk Repair Program. Sidewalks notices have been delivered. Bids for a contractor are to be opened Friday morning. Engineer Mader and he walked the city last Wednesday. They answered questions from residents regarding their sidewalks,
· Drug Mart’s Grand Opening is this Saturday at 11:30 a.m.
Mr. Mills advised he was contacted by residents on West Edinburgh regarding Glasgow landscaping and dumping. Mr. Grabfelder reported regarding the vacant lots, they are in the process of notifying the attorneys for property that is in foreclosure. The service department will also clean up the dumping.
Mr. Mills asked if the Building Department part timer is back to work. Mr. Grabfelder advised after discussion with the Mayor, the part timer started last Tuesday. He is working 3 days a week, 3 hours a night, and right now he is working on commercial vehicles and weed notices.
City Engineer's Report: City Engineer Hovancsek reported:
· 2010 Road Program contractor will be starting Monday, June 14th.
· 2010 Street Striping Program is being advertised. Bid opening will be June 18th.
In response to Mrs. Murphy’s inquiry regarding the asbestos study for the former church building, Mr. Grabfelder advised that contract has been forwarded to the Mayor’s office for signature.
Mayor Coleman acknowledged that the contract was on his desk but has not been signed as yet. He stated he will sign it.
Finance Director's Report: Finance Director Ianiro announced:
· The State Auditor’s office released the City’s audit today. Mr. Ianiro emailed it to Council and also it is posted on the state auditor’s web site. He contacted Mrs. Divoky the City’s webmaster to incorporate a link to the Finance Department on the web site for the City. If after reviewing the audit anyone has questions, please contact him.
In response to Mr. Mills’ inquiry regarding Agenda Item No. 1, an additional fee for audit services Mr. Ianiro advised the auditors had to perform additional services during the course of the audit because they had to investigate some complaints that were made. This is not common but it is not uncommon. Mr. Ianiro advised these are fees that are above and beyond the original contract amount that the City entered into for the audit.
Mrs. Murphy commented that this subject was discussed in L&F tonight. L&F requested that Item 1 received first reading because they requested a report on the additional fees. Mr. Ianiro will check that.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Safety & Service Committee: Mr. Legan reported in a meeting held this evening they discussed the following:
· Agenda Item No. 3 -- turn out gear for the Fire Department. The committee recommended approval at the next Council Meeting when that resolution receives third reading. That item came in under budget; it is replacement for half the gear; the useful cycle is 10 years plus for the gear.
· The Fire Department Rescue Squad. Currently one of the vehicles is a 1997 vehicle and it is on the radar for the Fire Chief to have that vehicle replaced. In 2011 there are mandates which will probably drive the prices up for vehicles of that size, 7 to 8 thousand dollars approximately. A new vehicle would cost around $200,000. There is about a six month lead time from the time the order is actually placed and when the vehicle is received. They discussed revisiting this subject in the fall to see where the City is money wise and if not able to do it, then to have that conversation in 2011 as part of the capital budget. They just wanted to keep it on the radar.
· There is some radio grant money that has been left over that in conjunction with some other departments. The Fire Department is anticipating purchasing some fire prevention equipment.
· Fire Department budget. The Fire Department part time budget is a little over budget. Chief Turner is keeping Safety & Service apprised of that. He has been down 3 people. One is permanent and will be replaced after the test in July, probably in the fall and then two of those folks were temporary for various reasons.
· Service Department 5 Ton Cab & Chassis Truck Equipment. Service Director Evans received two bids for the equipment, one from Concord and one from Newell. The bid from Concord came in approximately $2400 cheaper with two options that were more attractive than what Newell had to offer. Legislation will be prepared for first reading in the June 22nd meeting.
· Review of fuel costs. They did a review of fuel costs relative to what is on the state bid. The City actually did a little bit better. The City pays 6.5 cents for delivery on regular fuel and that is what the state contract pays but the City pays 7 cents a gallon for delivery on diesel where the state contract is higher.
Mayfield Area Recreation Council (MARC): Miss Stickan reported she attended a meeting last week of the Mayfield Area Recreation Council. They discussed the summer tennis program. It is being held at Highland Heights’ tennis courts. That has been a fairly successful program. They discussed the fall sports and the Mayfield Village Cruising night a festivity which is coming up this month. Miss Stickan was able to share that information with Mr. Brunello our Community Day Chairman in terms of ideas.
Community Day Report: Miss Stickan reported the date is August 7th, and they have planned a one day event. Chairman Brunello and she and Finance Director Ianiro met today with a perspective vender. They are working at publicizing the event working within the budget to be fiscally responsible given all the other projects going on in the city. They are booking entertainment and actively seeking acts. Miss Stickan reported one of the main events they were considering very heavily and committed to was a parade, but given the lack of interest in that and the strong groundswell for fireworks, the committee decided to go in that direction. Chairman Brunello received numerous requests for a fireworks display. Given that other cities have had to cut their displays in terms of their financial situation, they think it would be nice for our area to have this fireworks display. Additionally the activities include having the pool open for a pool party, entertainment acts geared toward children, various bands through the day, and local businesses will come in as venders. If anyone on Council would like to help in any way, please see Chairman Brunello or Miss Stickan.
Park and Recreation Commission: Mrs. Murphy advised a meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 17th at City Hall. Last Friday, Mr. Dolciato, she and Brian Mader from the engineer’s office did have a meeting to discuss the parameters of exploring grant opportunities for renovation of the old pool house. Engineer Evans will be following up with that hopefully in the near future.
Drainage Committee: No report.
Legislative & Finance Committee: Mr. Lombardo reported a meeting was held at 7:45 p.m. this evening to review invoices one of which is the auditor’s invoice for additional payment which they sent back for further information. They reviewed one moral claim which they are also requesting further information on.
Planning and Zoning Commission: No report.
Commission on Aging: No report.
Law Director's Report: Law Director Paluf reported on Monday morning he attended the Sheriff’s auction for Williamsburg Block “B” and as of that date, no one bid on the property. The docket says there will be one more bid on the 21st but afterwards, he was told by people in the Sheriff’s Department who were conducting the auction that this may be the only time it is bid which means the property will revert back to the city. He will know more within a week or so.
MAYOR'S REPORT: Mayor Coleman reported they are going to target the first part of July to have the newsletter mailed to the residents. Diana Lydic, his executive assistant, requested that any information to be published in the newsletter be given to her by June 23rd at the latest.
Council President Mills asked Council Members to forward their topics for the newsletter to him by June 15th to relay to Diana, to make sure they are not duplicating anything.
In response to Mr. Mills’ inquiry regarding a vehicle use policy, Mayor Coleman stated he and Law Director Paluf are working on that.
ITEMS TO BE ADDED TO THE AGENDA: No items were added.
MEETING OPENED TO THE PUBLIC: No one spoke.
NEW BUSINESS:
FIRST READING PROPOSED RESOLUTION 25-2010: Council listened to the First Reading in title only of Proposed Resolution 25-2010 which description is: “A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to make an additional payment to James G. Zupka, C.P.A., Inc. in the amount of $1,150.00 for audit services provided to the City pursuant to its contract for services and declaring an emergency.”
FIRST READING PROPOSED ORDINANCE 8-2010: Council listened to the First Reading in title only of Proposed Ordinance 8-2010 which description is: “An Ordinance adopting a Tax Budget for the City of Highland Heights for the Year 2011 and declaring an emergency.”
SECOND READING PROPOSED RESOLUTION 23-2010: Council listened to the Second Reading in title only of Proposed Resolution 23-2010 which description is: “A Resolution authorizing the purchase of Morning Pride, (Manufacturer) Fire Fighter Protective Clothing from Warren Fire Equipment, Inc. (authorized dealer), in an amount not to exceed Thirty Two Thousand Dollars ($32,000.00). pursuant to the Ohio Cooperative Purchasing Act, and declaring an emergency.”
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 20-2010: Council listened to the Third Reading in title only of Proposed Resolution 20-2010 which description is: “A Resolution authorizing the Finance Director to make a payment to Swagelok Company from nontax revenues in the amount of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) pursuant to the Economic Development Grant Agreement dated June 30, 2005 and declaring an emergency.” Mr. Lombardo moved to adopt; seconded by Miss Stickan. Ayes all; motion carried.
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 21-2010: Council listened to the Third Reading in title only of Proposed Resolution 21-2010 which description is: “A Resolution authorizing the Finance Director to make a payment to Stanley Air Tools from nontax revenues in the amount of Fifty Six Thousand Dollars ($56,000) pursuant to the Economic Development Grant Agreement dated June 28, 2002 and declaring an emergency.” Mr. Mastrangelo moved to adopt; seconded by Mr. Lombardo. Ayes all; motion carried.
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 22-2010: Council listened to the Third Reading in title only of Proposed Resolution 22-2010 which description is: “A Resolution authorizing the Finance Director to make a payment to Philips Medical Systems (Cleveland), Inc. from nontax revenues in the amount of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000) pursuant to the Economic Development Grant Agreement dated November 27, 2007 and declaring an emergency.” Mr. Lombardo moved to adopt; seconded by Mr. Mastrangelo. Ayes all; motion carried.
ENACTMENT OF ORDINANCE 7-2010: Council listened to the Third Reading in title only of Proposed Ordinance 7-2010 which description is: “An Ordinance approving a payment to the Mayfield City School District pursuant to the requirements of Ohio Revised Code Section 5709.82 and in connection with the City’s Community Reinvestment Area and Urban Jobs and Enterprise Zone Programs, and declaring an emergency.” Mr. Hargate moved to enact; seconded by Mr. Legan. Ayes all; motion carried.
MOTION TO ADJOURN INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION: A motion was made by Mr. Hargate to adjourn into Executive Session to discuss pending litigation 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. Lombardo. Roll call on the motion: Ayes all; motion carried. Council adjourned at 8:29 p.m. and reconvened at 10:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made by Mr. Lombardo and seconded by Mr. Legan to adjourn the meeting. Said meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m.
Clerk of Council
President of Council