City Council Council Minutes 02/11/2008 - Council Meeting Minutes Menu
| 02/11/2008 - Council Meeting Minutes |
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CITY OF MAYFIELD HEIGHTS
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
The regular meeting of Council was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Council President Michael Ballistrea.
ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Mr. Michael Ballistrea, Mr. Anthony DiCicco, Mrs. Donna Finney, Mr. Ronald Kobunski, Mr. Sam Mercurio, Mr. David Sasak, Mrs. Diane Snider. ABSENT: None.
Also present were Mr. L. Bryan Carr (Assistant to the Law Director), Mr. Robert Tribby and Miss Lisa Benedetti.
The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Mr. Kobunski moved to suspend reading of the Committee of the Whole minutes of January 28, 2008, and approve as written, seconded by Mrs. Snider. All in favor, motion carried. Minutes approved.
Mrs. Finney moved to suspend reading of the Council minutes of January 28, 2008, and approve as written, seconded by Mr. Mercurio. All in favor, motion carried. Minutes approved.
CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mr. Ballistrea stated the DARE Graduation would be held March 5, 2008. He encouraged all of Council to attend.
Mr. Ballistrea extended condolences to the Griesmar family upon the passing of retired police Captain Jacques Griesmar.
National Tire and Battery has proposed plans to occupy the former Mullinax Ford building near Mayland Shopping Center. The restaurant, Buca De Bepo, closed recently as did the Regal Cinemas at Eastgate Shopping Center. Mrs. Finney added that US Bank moved from Eastgate to the other side of SOM Center Road.
REPORTS OF OFFICERS:
Mayor Costabile: Mr. Ballistrea reported the Mayor was absent due to a family matter.
Mr. Ballistrea reported that Golden Gate Shopping Center would be installing a gas well on its property. The location is on the west side near Woodrow behind Conrad's and near TGI Friday's restaurant. It would be located in the parking lot. The drilling should start February 24 or 25 and the owners do not feel that it will impact their retail tenants. They will be advising the residents near the location of the installation. If there are any questions, the Mayor asked that he be contacted.
Director of Law Carr: A memo will be sent to all Council members regarding abstentions and the affect of such on the number of Council members left to vote. The Law Department has conducted further research on this matter and believes there is some case law, which would help in the matter of facilitating voting on matters where suspension of rules is needed. Case law in Ohio seems to state that if a council member has to abstain, then the body of Council becomes reconstituted, i.e. if two members abstain, Council then becomes a body of five members and the 3/4 vote to suspend rules becomes four members. This should make it easier for Council to conduct business.
Director of Finance Tribby: No report.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS AND BOARDS:
Building Committee: No report. Mr. Ballistrea referred proposed building fees from Building Director Tom Jamieson to the committee.
Finance and Audit Committee: No report. Mr. Ballistrea asked when the budget review would be held. Mr. Tribby replied he would like to schedule a meeting the last week of February.
Legislative Committee: No report.
Public Works and Services Committee: Mr. Kobunski reported that the new traffic signal at Ridgebury and Giesse should be activated February 19, 2008. Right now it is on blinking red for all four sides.
Recreation and Parks Committee: Mrs. Snider stated the Pancake Breakfast has been moved to April 13, 2008. The Bunny Lunch is March 15, 2008. The first adult luncheon was held last week and was very successful. Next month's event is sold out. Baseball signups are currently being taken. The recreation brochure is due out the first week of March.
Safety and Transportation Committee: No report.
Board of Zoning Appeals: Mr. Kobunski stated the meeting of February 12, 2008 was cancelled.
Commission on Aging: Mr. Ballistrea reported on the meeting held February 5, 2008. Copies of the minutes of the meeting were mailed to all members and are a part of the permanent record.
Planning Commission: Mr. Sasak reported on the meeting held February 4, 2008. Copies of the minutes of the meeting were mailed to all members and are a part of the permanent record. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PUBLIC COMMENT:
Mr. Harlan Diamond, Executive Caterers and Mr. David Plate, American Red Cross, spoke about the annual blood drive (Resolution No. 2008-7). Mr. Plate stated that this is the 11th consecutive year and is the largest single blood drive event in the State of Ohio. He introduced Mr. Marty Yoder, who is on the Blood Services Board of Directors of the American Red Cross and donates a lot of his time. He brings people in to donate blood. The Amish is the single largest community group that gives blood. Mr. Diamond thanked everyone. Mr. Plate added that for every donor, three blood products are received. Every hospital gets blood products from donors. There are 57 local hospitals in this area alone that get blood from the American Red Cross. This blood drive collects an average of 700 units per year and it gets larger every year and many people benefit.
Karen Shelby, EMS Manager for Hillcrest Hospital, gave a presentation on heart attack awareness pertaining to Resolution No. 2008-8. She reviewed symptoms, treatment and risks. Hillcrest is now an accredited chest pain center, the only one in the Cleveland area. She thanked the Fire Department for helping with the accreditation process. A good site for people to view information on heart issues is www.americanheart.org.
John Eppich, 6759 Larchmont Drive, commented on the efforts of City Council and the Mayor in proceeding with the installation of a gas well in the City park. He has strong opinions on this has spent a lot of time researching the subject. He believes it would be a big mistake to put a gas well in the park, although he realizes that Council has already authorized it. He had relayed his opposition via e-mail to all Council except Mr. DiCicco and since the Bainbridge incident, he is even more against it. It presents an unacceptable risk to the residents in the area and the people using the park. He commended Council on its research into the matter after the Bainbridge incident. He
believes the ODNR is overwhelmed by the number of permit applications, is understaffed in the inspection division and its activities are only for the permit and drilling process and not for the time when the well is in production. He did not find that the ODNR representatives at the COW meeting gave overwhelming assurance as to the safety of wells other than the last incident was 25 years ago. Also, just because the City has city water, does not mean there is no leakage into the water tables. He believes accidents will get more frequent, because of the increase in the number of wells. Mr. Eppich also does not think urban area well safety has been tested, because they have not been around long enough. Again, the risk is unacceptable.
George Michael, 1594 Fruitland, spoke on economic development. The City is fortunate to have a transportation system in the area. He wondered if there is a strategy for filling areas like Golden Gate Shopping Plaza when stores move out. Mr. Ballistrea stated that the City has a Master Plan for developments and redevelopments. For new merchants the City relies on what the property owners do. As long as that tenant meets the zoning criteria, the City cannot deny them. Mr. Michael asked if the City plays a part in determining what comes in. Mr. Ballistrea said the City now has an economic development consultant to possibly be a part of that process. Mr. Michael asked about an area such as the Mayland Shopping Center and if studies are done for traffic, environment, and such. Mr. Sasak suggested Mr. Michael come to the Planning Commission meetings where some of the issues are reviewed. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RESOLUTION NO. 2008-7: "A Resolution declaring February 12, 2008, the American Red Cross Give From the Heart 11th Annual Blood Drive at Executive Caterers at Landerhaven." Mr. Carr read the resolution by title only. Mr. Mercurio moved for suspension of the rules, seconded by Mr. Kobunski. Roll Call on motion as stated: AYES: Finney, Mercurio, Snider, Kobunski, Sasak, DiCicco, Ballistrea. NAYS: None. Motion carried. Mrs. Finney moved for adoption, seconded by Mr. Mercurio. Mr. Kobunski commented that Mayfield Heights should be honored to have this event held here. He thanked them for their efforts. Mr. Ballistrea read the resolution in its entirety and presented it to Mr. Diamond and Mr. Plate. Roll Call on motion as stated: AYES: Snider, DiCicco, Sasak, Mercurio, Finney, Kobunski, Ballistrea. NAYS: None. Motion carried. The resolution is adopted.
RESOLUTION NO. 2008-8: "A Resolution proclaiming February 2008 as American Heart Month." Mr. Carr read the resolution by title only. Mrs. Snider moved for suspension of the rules, seconded by Mrs. Finney. Roll Call on motion as stated: AYES: Sasak, Kobunski, DiCicco, Finney, Mercurio, Snider, Ballistrea. NAYS: None. Motion carried. Mr. Kobunski moved for adoption, seconded by Mr. DiCicco. Mr. Ballistrea stated Ms. Shelby made a great presentation. Roll Call on motion as stated: AYES: Mercurio, Sasak, Kobunski, Snider, DiCicco, Finney, Ballistrea. NAYS: None. Motion carried. The resolution is adopted.
RESOLUTION NO. 2008-9: "A Resolution providing for the continued employment of a traffic engineering firm for the City of Mayfield Heights." Mr. Carr read the resolution by title only. Mr. Sasak moved for suspension of the rules, seconded by Mrs. Finney. Roll Call on motion as stated: AYES: Kobunski, Snider, Finney, Mercurio, DiCicco, Sasak, Ballistrea. NAYS: None. Motion carried. Mrs. Snider moved for adoption, seconded by Mr. Mercurio. Mr. Tribby stated the contract rates are the same as last year. This extends the contract for one year. Roll Call on motion as stated: AYES: DiCicco, Mercurio, Sasak, Kobunski, Finney, Snider, Ballistrea. NAYS: None. Motion carried. The resolution is adopted.
RESOLUTION NO. 2008-10: "A Resolution accepting a certain bid for laundry service and floor mats for various departments (Cintas Corporation)." Mr. Carr read the resolution by title only. Mr. Mercurio moved for suspension of the rules, seconded by Mrs. Finney. Roll Call on motion as stated: AYES: Finney, Mercurio, Snider, Kobunski, Sasak, DiCicco, Ballistrea. NAYS: None. Motion carried. Mr. DiCicco moved for adoption, seconded by Mr. Mercurio. Mr. Ballistrea stated a memo was received from Mr. Tribby. This is the lowest and best bid received. Roll Call on motion as stated: AYES: Snider, DiCicco, Sasak, Mercurio, Finney, Kobunski, Ballistrea. NAYS: None. Motion carried. The resolution is adopted. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ORDINANCE NO. 2008-1: "An Ordinance amending the zone map of the City of Mayfield Heights, Ohio, so as to rezone Permanent Parcel Number 862-01-055 (1467 Worton Boulevard), from its current U-1(1) (Single Family House Subdistrict) to U-4 (Local Retail/Wholesale District)." Mr. Carr read the ordinance by title only. Mr. Mercurio moved to place the ordinance on third reading with a public hearing to be held February 25, 2008 at 7:15 P.M., seconded by Mr. Kobunski. Roll Call on motion as stated: AYES: Sasak, Kobunski, DiCicco, Finney, Mercurio, Snider, Ballistrea. NAYS: None. Motion carried. The ordinance is placed on third reading. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mr. Ballistrea stated that memos were sent pertaining to all the items below.
Mr. Kobunski, seconded by Mrs. Finney, moved to advertise for self-contained breathing apparatus and associated equipment for the Fire Department. Mr. Ballistrea explained that 95% of the cost would be funded by the Homeland Security grant the City received. All in favor, motion carried. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mrs. Finney, seconded by Mrs. Snider, moved to advertise for bids for asphalt. All in favor, motion carried. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mr. Sasak, seconded by Mr. DiCicco, moved to advertise for bids for concrete. All in favor, motion carried. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mrs. Snider, seconded by Mrs. Finney, moved to advertise for a sport utility vehicle for the Fire Department. All in favor, motion carried. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mr. Sasak, seconded by Mrs. Snider, moved to authorize the sale of two used police vehicles to Miller's USA Taxi in the total amount of $12,804. A bid tabulation was sent to all members and this was the best bid. All in favor, motion carried. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There being no further business to come before Council, Mr. Ballistrea adjourned the meeting at 8:30 P.M.
Approved: Respectfully submitted,
Michael Ballistrea Lisa A. Benedetti, MMC Council President Deputy Clerk of Council
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