Approved Minutes 04/14/2015

Page 89

City of Olmsted Falls

Minutes of a Regular Council Meeting

Tuesday, April 14, 2015, at Olmsted Falls City Hall

26100 Bagley Road – Council Chambers, 7:30 p.m.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Mayor Ann Marie Donegan Council called the meeting to order at 8:13 p.m. Roll call was conducted. Councilmen Kathleen Fenderbosch, Jay Linn, Linda Garrity, Bob Sculac, Kevin Roberts, Sam Pulice, and Terry Duncan, were present.

Also in attendance: Gregory Sponseller, Law Director, Steve Presley, Finance Director, Mike DeSan, Asst. Finance Director, Joe Borczuch, Service Director and Rosann Jones, Manager Business & Community Services. Audience: 5.

Approval of Minutes:

Ms. Duncan moved to approve the minutes from the Regular Council Meeting of March 10, 2015; Ms. Fenderbosch seconded. Poll: 7 ayes; 0 nays. Motion carried.

Ms. Duncan moved to approve the minutes from the Council Caucus Meeting of March 24, 2015; Ms. Fenderbosch seconded. Ms. Garrity indicated three grammatical changes. Poll: 6 ayes; 0 nays; 1 abstain (Pulice). Motion carried.

Ms. Duncan moved to approve the minutes from the Regular Council Meeting of March 24, 2015; Ms. Fenderbosch seconded. Ms. Garrity indicated one grammatical change. Poll: 6 ayes; 0 nays; 1 abstain (Pulice). Motion carried.

Consideration of Amendment to the Agenda - None

Mayor’s Report and Appointments

Ms. Fenderbosch moved to appoint Gary Dingfelder to the position of Reserve Officer in the Olmsted Falls Police Department; Ms. Duncan seconded. Poll: 7 ayes; 0 nays. Motion carried.

Turnpike – The City has been informed that the bridge on Columbia will not be replaced this season as they only received one bid which was allegedly over the 10% allowed. This means that the city has begun discussions indicating that in 2016 we cannot afford two major bridge closures in the 4.1 square miles. Mr. Roberts stated that the Bagley Road and Columbia Road bridges could be replaced in 2016. Mayor Donegan indicated that the County will definitely replace the Bagley Road bridge in 2016 and it is possible that both will be replaced. She has indicated to the Turnpike that the city cannot afford both bridges to be replaced and closed. She will keep Council posted on any new developments.

Safebuilt – Mayor Donegan indicated that she distributed the third party billing report. There has been a lot of activity and is slightly profitable minus the exterior maintenance individual.

Major Construction Project Brochure – Mayor Donegan indicated that her administration is finalizing this brochure which will be located at area businesses and could potentially be mailed. This brochure will feature all the city projects. Mr. Sheehy and Mr. Borczuch will be in the individuals finalizing the brochure.

Miscellaneous – Mayor Donegan indicated that she would request a motion from Council to provide a one time $500.00 premium payment to Lt. Larry Meluch, Lt. Carmen Battaglia, and Asst. Chief Guy Grant.

Mr. Roberts moved to provide a one-time premium payment of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) to Lt. Larry Meluch, Lt. Carmen Battaglia and Asst. Fire Chief Guy Grant; Ms. Fenderbosch seconded. Poll: 7 ayes; 0 nays. Motion carried.

Mayor Donegan would like to personally thank Mr. DeSan for taking the lead on the City of Olmsted Falls Cleveland Southwest Safety Council where we received 100% participation for 2014.

Mayor Donegan indicated that there will be an annual stakeholder’s meeting at Metro to discuss Metro’s future on Friday, May 8th. She will not be able to attend this meeting and Chief Munteanu will be attending on her behalf. She would also suggest that one member of Council attend with the Chief in order to hear what Metro is planning.

Mayor Donegan indicated that the 3rd graders have been visiting City Hall. She stated that Evergreen has provided piggy bank’s for the children which are being handed out during their visits. The containers contain the elected official’s names and were donated by Evergreen.

She indicated that the YMCA is offering free fitness classes next week and the following week. Please visit the Olmsted Recreation website for more information.

Mayor Donegan indicated that the City has received the totals for recycling. The City has recycled curbside a total 1,546.72 tons which is a recycling rate of about 42.96%.

She also indicated that over the summer she has plans to complete in-service training with the staff on telephone skills and service recovery excellence. She welcomed anyone from Council who would like to attend.

Communications from Residents – None

Approval of Bills:

Mr. Sculac moved to approve Pay Ordinance 2015–07; Ms. Fenderbosch seconded. Mr. Sculac asked if the APA payments are for memberships for Planning Commission members. Mayor Donegan indicated that the City enrolled Planning Commission and BZA members and was included in the city’s budget. Mr. Sculac asked why the City was joining the Ohio School Resource Officer’s Association. Mayor Donegan indicated that this is for the DARE officer, Robert Swope, who is the DARE Officer for St. Mary’s. Mr. Roberts indicated that CVE is receiving a payment of $9,000 and would like to know what projects they are working on. Mayor Donegan indicated that they are working on Phase V Project, coordinating Cleveland Water, Roads, Turnpike Mitigation, flooding issues in multiple areas. She indicated that she will distribute the project plan completed by Mr. Sheehy which indicates what projects he is working on. Mr. Roberts indicated that there is a payment to Mr. Incorvaia and inquired if that payment was for litigation. Mr. Sponseller indicated that the City has several current Bowman cases and Mr. Incorvaia is working on several of them. There are also one or two prosecution matters that have been appealed to the Court of Appeals that he is handling. Poll: 7 ayes; 0 nays. Motion carried.

Officials Reports:

Rosann Jones, Manager Business & Community Services

Ms. Jones stated that Resolution 15-2015 was completed in anticipation of getting the demolition grant from the County Land Bank. She was informed today that the City has received that grant. She would therefore request that Council adopt the resolution which will allow the Mayor to sign the agreement and the City will begin the process through Safebuilt notifying the property owner and completing all the due diligence in order to be able to demolish the home on Cranage. If by some chance the property owner, who has not lived in the home for years, responds that they want to keep the house there will be a lot of work they need to complete.

She indicated that Studio Think provided the City with a 16 page creative brief. She met with the Mayor and 27 different individuals were selected to receive a copy of this brief. There are two Council members, Planning Commission and ABR members, as well as some others. Once the briefs are completed and returned she and the Mayor will meet with Studio in order to combine the 27 responses into one creative brief which is the document Studio Think will work from. She stated that once the final brief is completed she will forward a copy to Council. She also indicated that the City will receive 12 logo/branding choices at which time the City will need to determine how to move forward. Mr. Sculac indicated that he would like to review the brief that was sent out. Ms. Jones indicated that she will forward a copy to all of Council and anyone can complete the brief and return to her. Ms. Garrity indicated that the ABR members have requested that they be kept in the loop. She would also like to know if all members of ABR could attend any meetings being held regarding this project. Ms. Jones indicated that the only meeting she is anticipating is once the logo designs are submitted for review and she will include ABR, if a meeting is held.

Joe Borczuch, Service Director

Mr. Borczuch indicated the newly hired general laborer began working for the City at the beginning of the month and is getting acclimated to the city. The property maintenance inspector has also begun working for the City as well. He stated that if anyone receives a complaint please contact Ms. Stone.

Steve Presley, Finance Director - No Report

Mike DeSan, Asst. Finance Director – No Report

Councilman Sam Pulice, Ward IV

Mr. Pulice asked if there was an update regarding the shrubs at Aces. Mr. Borczuch indicated that he and Mr. Cheatham met with Mr. Gallo this morning. He stated that the shrubs were planted on city property but Mr. Gallo has agreed to replace the dying shrubs. Mr. Pulice indicated that the agreement was that Mr. Gallo would screen the parking lot in order to put up a garage. Mr. Borczuch indicated that his understanding from the morning, in order to put in an extra parking lot Mr. Gallo was responsible for screening the area with bushes. He indicated that Mr. Cheatham was going to review his files more thoroughly in order to make sure everyone is in complete agreement. Mayor Donegan indicated that the last she heard about this issue was that the city was attempting to determine whose property the bushes were located on. If they are located on city property why is the area not screened with some type of fence? Mr. Pulice indicated that since this is a residential area and shrubs were already in place he continued with shrubbery. Mr. Borczuch indicated that the fence previously discussed was with the green space coming up to the other board on board that Mr. Gallo installed for one of the property owners. Mayor Donegan indicated that she does not want anything verbally, if Mr. Gallo has agreed to put the shrubs in, she would prefer, in writing, who will keep the shrubs landscaped, and who will replace dying ones. She does not want to get into another situation “well 10 years ago under Mayor Donegan said we would do this,” she wants the understanding clear and concise. Mr. Borczuch indicated that was the reason Mr. Cheatham would be reviewing his file.

Mr. Pulice asked if there was any update on the German Club issue, Mr. Sculac replied none as of yet.

Mr. Pulice indicated that in the past couple of weeks the signage around the city in right-of-way’s and telephone poles has seemed to gotten out of hand. Mr. Borczuch indicated that is part of the property maintenance inspector’s job, so as he gets acclimated with the city those will come down. Mr. Pulice asked if he would make contact with these companies and explain that they cannot hang signs up. Mr. Borczuch indicated that he could but they will probably still put the signs up.

Mr. Pulice indicated that he is looking for some suggestions regarding the trash receptacles in the neighborhoods regarding screening. He lives on a small street and just by looking out his front window he can see seven cans. Once summer is upon us and people begin having picnics they will be cans everywhere. He believes there is something in the books regarding screening which indicates that they can are not allowed in back yards and that they have to be kept indoors. He believes this issue was previously researched but do not believe any answers were developed. He indicated that he is just looking for suggestions and asked if this issue could be placed on a work session. Council needs to come to some type of uniformity as to where these cans should be placed and not in front of garages or on the side of homes. He indicated that there are some individuals who leave the cans on their tree lawns for four or five days after pickup. Mr. Linn suggested going back to the old cans and agrees with Mr. Pulice. He indicated that his old cans use to fit through the gate of his fence and are stored behind the garage next so you couldn’t see them form the street. If he puts the new cans in his garage then his wife has to park outside and they will not fit through the gate in his fence. Mayor Donegan indicated that this issue was discussed previously but no answers were determined and this change was plowed through but Council is free to have the discussion again. Mr. Linn indicated that in heavy snow he does not know how some people get the huge cans back and forth to the street as there was a couple times he had a hard time. Mayor Donegan stated now imagine if you are an 80 pound elderly person. Mr. Borczuch stated that if anyone sees cans left out on the tree lawn please contact Ms. Stone with the information as Mr. Kopchak can site residents for leaving them out.

Councilman Charles R. Sculac, Ward I

Mr. Sculac moved to acknowledge receipt of the Mayor’s Court report dated 04/01/2015; Ms. Duncan seconded. Voice Vote: 7 ayes; 0 nays. Motion carried.

Mr. Sculac moved to acknowledge receipt of the Statement of Cash position dated March 31, 2015 in the amount of $1,532,624.43; Ms. Fenderbosch seconded. Poll: 7 ayes; 0 nays. Motion carried.

Mr. Sculac stated that as he drives around the city he has noticed that trash cans are still in tree lawns during weekends after Thursday pickup. He knows there are a number of locations where residents have racked leaves to the curb during yard clean up and noticed that as well. He indicated that another issue he has regarding tonight’s presentation and drawing people downtown until businesses are open in the evenings at Grand Pacific this will continue to be an issue. This is a town where people are out of town during the day working they come back and the businesses close at 5:00 p.m. At this point, they do not have complaints regarding not making what they think they should be making and he knows that many shops are what you would call “mom and pop” kind of places which are operated by single owners. Somehow if we are expecting people to go to this location then these businesses need to be open at the convenience of the customer and not the owner of the shop. He has had numerous suggestions from people, for example, open at noon and close at 8:00 p.m. He believes this is a big issue and until it is resolved this will continue to happen. If we are looking for people to draw downtown something needs to change. Mayor Donegan indicated that she understands and is an issue we are addressing with them.