CITY OF HIGHLAND HEIGHTS
MINUTES OF A COUNCIL MEETING
HELD: FEBRUARY 24, 2004

President of Council Swanson presiding.

PRESENT: Mayor Coleman, Councilmen D'Amico, Fatica, Hargate, Mills, Murphy, Nawarskas, Swanson; Clerk of Council Buchak; Police Chief Cook; Service Director Evans; Building Commissioner Jamieson; City Engineer Hovancsek and Assistant City Engineer Blackley; Finance Director Ianiro; Law Director Paluf

ACTION ON MINUTES: The reading of the Minutes of a Council Meeting held February 10, 2004 was dispensed with. Mr. Mills moved to accept the Minutes as written; seconded by Mr. Nawarskas. Ayes all; abstain Fatica; motion carried.

DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:

Fire Chief's Report: No report.

Police Chief's Report: Chief Cook reported he met with Safety & Service this evening. Councilman Hargate will report on that. Chief Cook also reported that a full time dispatcher resigned today. An ad will be posted in the Sunday's Plain Dealer to replace that individual.

Service Director's Report: Service Director Evans reported:

  • The bid opening for refuse collection and recycling was held February 13th. The bids are currently under review and they are investigating the contractor's references. Yesterday they looked at the recycling operation and transfer area of the low bidder. Mr. Evans asked Council to discuss this next Tuesday in the Committee of the Whole Meeting and possibly to award the contract on March 9th.
  • Dates for the brush collection program have been set at April 19th through May 28th. Information will be in an upcoming newsletter.

Council President Swanson suggested, that representatives from both the low bidder and the second lowest bidder for the refuse collection be invited to be present at the Committee of the Whole Meeting next week.

Building Commissioner's Report: Building Commissioner Jamieson reported that Joe Wild of Wade Trim, the city's sidewalk inspector, has begun evaluation for the 2004 sidewalk program which will take place in Williamsburg, parts of Highland Woods and Highland Woods East. When the evaluation is provided to Council, then Council will consider a resolution of necessity to repair the sidewalks.

Council President Swanson advised of a complaint regarding property on Colony Drive, next to the driveway to the church that has firewood stored in the front yard and a sign saying, may purchase firewood here. She asked Mr. Jamieson to look into this.

In response to Mr. Mills statement that in the spring thaw the sidewalks heave and then it may settle down, Mr. Jamieson advised if a resident is cited and then the sidewalk goes back to where it is supposed to, then it is removed it from the violation list.

City Engineer's Report: City Engineer Hovancsek reported the contractor, Camino Construction, has been doing sewer work in the Maypine Farm Estates Subdivision, Phase I.

In Response to Mrs. Swanson's inquiry regarding a problem with one street in the Maypine Farm Estates Subdivision, Law Director Paluf advised negotiations are going on and they seem to be getting closer to a resolution.

Finance Director's Report: No report.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Drainage Committee: Miss D'Amico reported as follows:

  • A meeting was held February 17th relative to Storm Water Management issues with Engineer Blackley, Mr. Evans and Mr. Jamieson present. They discussed proposed ordinances which the city is required to implement within the year relative to storm water and erosion and sediment control. They also discussed the year end report which is due to the EPA by April 10th.
  • Another meeting was held this evening to discuss a drainage issue that has been ongoing relative to certain properties on Rose and Stanwell. A meeting is set at City Hall on March 2nd with interested home owners from that area to discuss proposed drawings that the engineer has drawn up to try to resolve the problem. The resident participation will determine what can be done with this issue.

Mr. Nawarskas and Mr. Mills requested copies of a letter that was sent to the residents.

Student Present at Meeting: Mr. Mills introduced Joe Cartolone a student at Notre Dame Cathedral Latin High School who was present working on a government class.

Home Days Committee: Mr. Mills reported the second meeting will be held this Thursday at 7:00 p.m. The tentative dates for Home Days are July 23, 24, and 25. He assumes that will be confirmed at the next meeting.

Mayfield Area Recreation Council (MARC): Mr. Mills reported he attended a meeting held February 12th. Things are going as planned. Two representatives from Highland Heights, Cathy Sbrocco and Andy McCartney, the alternate, were also present.

Legislative & Finance Committee: Mr. Nawarskas reported a meeting was held this evening from 4 to 6 p.m. In attendance were Mayor Coleman, Building Commissioner Jamieson, and Finance Director Ianiro. They did approve a $2600 requisition for canopy damage at the Community Center which occurred in December. The insurance company has already settled and the city has been reimbursed for the $2600. They discussed the Building Department budget, the Park & Recreation revenues and expenses, city hall and capital expenses. Some adjustments have been made. Finance Director Ianiro will provide revised figures. Mr. Nawarskas advised L&F is 85 to 90% of the way to completing the review of the budget. He reminded Council that the appropriations have to be submitted to the County before the end of March. Mr. Nawarskas suggested first reading March 9th, second reading in a special meeting on March 16th and third reading March 23rd. L&F will meet again on March 2nd at 4:00 p.m.

The 2004 appropriations will be discussed in the Committee of the Whole March 2nd. Finance Director Ianiro will provide a summary for Council to review.

Park and Recreation Commission: No report.

Safety & Service Committee: Mr. Hargate reported a meeting was held this evening with Police Chief Cook. They discussed several items and a memo dated February 23, 2004. They discussed personnel composition issues. The Chief would like to use a part time police officer on a full time basis splitting his time between officer duties and dispatching. They also discussed a transfer to the LEADS (Law Enforcement Automated Data System) later this year, from the CRIS (Cuyahoga Regional Information System) that has been used for some time and which is provided by the County. That will be phased in probably starting around September of this year. It will be a significant monthly savings for the city with this change in the system. They also discussed the need for an additional data system terminal, emergency generator upgrades, and the animal contract.

In response to Mrs. Swanson's inquiry regarding the change from CRIS to LEADS, Chief Cook advised the city has had a contract with CRIS since probably 1975. CRIS is now fully supported by the municipalities. There is no additional funding. So it has to be supported by the cities. Chief Cook advised when he was Chairman of the Cuyahoga County Police Chief's Association and Chairman of CRIS in 1997 there were 66 law enforcement agencies participating in CRIS; whereas, this year there are approximately 27 to 28. The cost keeps going up and the data keeps going down. Chief Cook stated his recommendation is to move directly to LEADS where they would see a cost savings of approximately $1000 a month. They do get LEADS through CRIS now. They are probably going to implement the LEADS system in September or October and run a parallel system until January 1st then they will stop the contract with CRIS, if everything is going properly.

Planning and Zoning Commission: Mrs. Murphy reported the following action occurred in a meeting held February 23, 2004:

  • DiStefano's Deli & Restaurant, 5600 Highland Road. Request for Conditional Use Permit. A public hearing was held on the request for a Conditional Use Permit which would permit alcohol to be served on their premises of their restaurant. This is required because they are moving the restaurant from the corner lot to the lot with the delicatessen. A rendering of the proposed restaurant was passed around to Council. Construction is expected to begin this spring with completion by the early summer.
  • Miller Homes, Aberdeen Residential Area "I". Revised Architectural Approval, "A" Unit Variation. This is known as the Villas of Aberdeen. This area is about 128 units with three architectural styles that were previously approved and located in designated areas in that neighborhood. Miller Homes has asked to vary one of those styles by offering an optional style to potential purchasers. They want to offer a 2300 SF 2-bedroom 2 ½ baths ranch along with offering a 3200 SF 2-story detached home. Miller Homes stated the reason for this request is market demand. The application was approved. Miller Homes will be coming to the Committee of the Whole next week to review this change.
  • Home Depot, 6199 Wilson Mills Road. Request for Temporary Structure. Home Depot requested a temporary garden green house structure. A portable structure, 24 x 40 feet, eleven feet high. A rendering of that structure was passed to Council Members. The structure will only be permitted from April 15th to June 15th. The structure will house plants; it will have isles and will be open for customers. It will be located in the front of the parking lot on the west side of the building. The representative from Home Depot indicated that truck deliveries would be decreased significantly to and from the parking lot of Home Depot if this temporary garden structure is allowed. The application was approved subject to approval of the Building Commissioner and Fire Department.

In response to Mr. Mills' inquiry, Mrs. Murphy explained the Conditional Use Permit is issued for two years and every two years, the applicant must return to renew it.

Mayor Coleman advised one issue that Chairman Mastrangelo pointed out is that in DeStefano's circumstances; they are going to have a patio where they will have seating only to a certain time of the day. If there are no problems, they can actually come to the city and ask for those hours to be extended.

In response to Mrs. Swanson's inquiry regarding outside sale of plants, Building Commissioner Jamieson advised that originally Home Depot received a variance to permit outside storage of plants for a certain time. This is an accessory building to house plants for a temporary time.

Commission on Aging: No report.

Economic Development Committee: No report.

Law Director's Report: Law Director Paluf advised at a future Committee of the Whole he would like to discuss the Maypine Farm Estates situation.

MAYOR'S REPORT: Mayor Coleman reported:

  • He attended a Park & Recreation Commission Meeting last week. The programs are going well and participation is ahead of where they were last year which is really good especially when they are going through the budgeting process because a lot of the fees and staffing are predicated on the attendance. Park & Recreation members asked the status of the Park Renovation Project. Mayor Coleman advised that bid was allowed to expire because the city was not in a position to either accept or reject the bid. Mayor Coleman advised the Commission that something would be done in the park even if as minimal as the renovation of the playground. He also mentioned that rather than build a new playground that perhaps the renovation of the old playground might be done.
  • Mayor Coleman met with Rich Nemeth from Heilind Electronics located on Avion Park Drive. They assembly and store small electronics components for various types of industries. Mayor Coleman advised this is a huge facility. They employ a couple hundred people and it is a very nice facility. They were doing some renovation of their offices and offered some office equipment such as file cabinets and shelving which the city is going to take advantage of. Legislation may be needed to accept the donation.
  • Mayor Coleman has been asked to participate in a presentation to Philips on March 11th. They are going to receive the International Standards Organization (ISO) 14001 Award. The 14001 Award is presented to industry leaders who can demonstrate that their products operate in an environmentally responsible manner. This is a cherished award and it says that their plant right here conforms to these standards. Also, it gives them a marketing advantage over their competitors. Mayor Coleman stated he is pleased to be at the ceremony and to tour their facility.

Council President's Report: Council President Swanson asked Law Director Paluf to prepare legislation putting the city's bidding in line with the rest of the state, putting the limit at $25,000.

ITEM TO BE ADDED TO THE AGENDA:

  No items were added.

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

MEETING OPENED TO THE PUBLIC:

No one spoke.

NEW BUSINESS:

ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 24-2004: Council listened to a reading in title only of Proposed Resolution 24-2004 which description is: "A Resolution of Appreciation to ROBERT W. CARLSON." Mrs. Murphy moved to adopt; seconded by Mr. Nawarskas. Ayes all; motion carried.

ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 25-2004: Council listened to a reading of Proposed Resolution 25-2004 which description is: "A Resolution of Condolence to the family of RALPH A. WOODIE (Deceased)." Mr. Mills moved to adopt; seconded by Mr. Hargate. Ayes all; motion carried. Council observed silence in tribute to Ralph (Butch) A. Woodie a long time resident of the city. Mrs. Swanson noted that she remembered him telling her that at one time he and his brothers delivered the Plain Dealer throughout Highland Heights on horseback. He had a lot of stories to tell.

FIRST READING PROPOSED RESOLUTION 26-2004: Council listened to the First Reading in title only of Proposed Resolution 26-2004 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 20-2004: Council listened to the Third Reading in title only of Proposed Resolution 20-2004 which description is: "A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a contract with TAC Computer, Inc. in an amount not to exceed Twelve Thousand Four Hundred and Twenty-Six Dollars ($12,426.00), for a maintenance and service contract for the Police Department Computer Network, Hardware, Software and Computer Aided Dispatch/Records System and declaring an emergency." Mr. Nawarskas moved to adopt; seconded by Mr. Mills. Ayes all; motion carried.

ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 21-2004: Council listened to the Third Reading in title only of Proposed Resolution 21-2004 which description is: "A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a contract with Statewide Ford Lincoln Mercury, Inc., for the purchase of three (3) 2004 Ford Crown Victoria Police Cruisers, in an amount not to exceed Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000.00), including the trade-in allowance for two (2) 2003 Ford Crown Victoria Police Cruisers, pursuant to the Ohio Cooperative Purchasing Act, and declaring an emergency." Mr. Mills moved to adopt; seconded by Mr. Nawarskas. Ayes all; motion carried.


Committee of the Whole 3/2/04: Mr. Nawarskas asked Council to add to the agenda of the Committee of the Whole to be held March 2, 2004, the agreement with the Tri-City Consortium on Aging.

ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made by Mr. Mills and seconded by Mr. Nawarskas to adjourn the meeting. Said meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Clerk of Council

President of Council