August 25, 2008

The special meeting of Council was called to order at 5:20 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.

ABSENT: Mrs. Diane Snider.

Also present were Mayor Gregory Costabile, Mr. Leonard Carr, Mr. Robert Tribby and Miss Lisa Benedetti.

The Pledge of Allegiance was said.

Mr. Sasak moved to suspend reading of the Council minutes of August 18, 2008, and approve as written, seconded by Mr. Mercurio. Mrs. Finney asked for an amendment: Page 2, Paragraph 5, Line 7: "Mr. Ottino had told her that he was not contacted back by Public Sector." All in favor, motion carried. Minutes approved.

CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Mr. Ballistrea stated the parade and Community Unity Days were great. He thanked, on behalf of Council, all the departments and volunteers who helped to make it happen.

Mr. Ballistrea mentioned that there was a good article in the last issue of Cities and Villages magazine pertaining to growing the market base, which ties in with what the City is doing with Public Sector Solutions.

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RESOLUTION NO. 2008-61: "A Resolution accepting a certain bid for road salt (Morton Salt Division)." Mr. Carr read the resolution by title only. Mrs. Finney moved for suspension of the rules, seconded by Mr. Mercurio. Roll Call on motion as stated: AYES: Finney, Mercurio, Snider, Kobunski, Sasak, DiCicco, Ballistrea. NAYS: None. Motion carried. Mr. Sasak moved for adoption, seconded by Mr. Kobunski. Mr. Ballistrea stated a memo was received from Mr. Tribby explaining the situation. This is a significant increase over last year's rate. Mr. Sasak inquired if there were any group purchasing opportunities the City could participate in. Mr. Tribby replied that the City does belong to NEOSO, but there was a concern that that organization might not get any bids, as it has not yet taken bids. The market seems to be getting tight. Service Director Andrew Fornaro was asked to speak. Mr. Fornaro explained that he spoke with the representative from Morton Salt. The State of Indiana received one bid for one of its regions and no bids for another region. The Ohio Department of Transportation postponed its bid until this week. Mr. Fornaro did some research on what other cities have received for salt bids and the figures are all over the board and higher than last year's rate. The claim by the salt companies is that there is a shortage. Mayor Costabile stated that he has sent an e-mail to the Mayors and Managers Association to generate responses from other municipalities on this issue and take further action, if necessary. Everyone needs road salt. The fear is that if the City does not accept this bid, which was the only bid received, we may not get any others or the price may be even higher. The Mayor added that he discussed with Mr. Tribby the possibility of taking bids earlier in the year, as he plans to do for the road program. This may help the cost/supply factor.

Mr. Kobunski commented that he thought someone used beets this past season as an alternative. Mr. Fornaro replied that the City of Akron did, but found that it did not work well for various reasons. Mr. Sasak asked if there were any other products to make the salt go further. Mr. Fornaro stated that the City already uses salt brine in some instances and calcium chloride. Mr. Sasak mentioned that there seems to be a large stockpile of salt at the Morton Mine. Mr. Fornaro remarked that last year retailers purchased road salt and then turned around and sold it at a much higher rate. Mayor Costabile commented that sometimes being part of a bigger bargaining unit does not always work out better, as last year the rate obtained by Mayfield Heights was better than the NEOSO rate. Mr. Mercurio inquired if there was any salt in the City's stock right now. Mr. Fornaro replied that he always keeps some in stock. Mr. Ballistrea asked if the City could get more salt than was estimated, if it is needed. Both Mr. Tribby and Mr. Fornaro stated that it has not been a problem in the past. Mr. Fornaro added that because we have been customers of Morton, that is the only reason they bid. Mr. Fornaro explained the process the City uses when placing orders and receiving a delivery. Roll Call on motion as stated: AYES: Snider, DiCicco, Sasak, Mercurio, Finney, Kobunski, Ballistrea. NAYS: None. Motion carried. The resolution is adopted.

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There being no further business to come before Council, Mr. Ballistrea adjourned the meeting at 5:40 P.M.

Approved: Respectfully submitted,

Michael Ballistrea Lisa A. Benedetti, MMC

Council President Deputy Clerk of Council

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August 25, 2008