City Council Council Minutes 10/13/2008 - Council Meeting Minutes Menu
| 10/13/2008 - Council Meeting Minutes |
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CITY OF MAYFIELD HEIGHTS COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES October 13, 2008
The public hearing was called to order at 7:05 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 Mayor Gregory Costabile, Mr. Leonard Carr, Mr. Robert Tribby and Miss Lisa Benedetti.
Mr. Tribby explained that the City is applying for funds through the County Block Grant. A requirement of the application is to hold public hearings for residents to voice their opinions. There are two program grants that the City will be applying for. One is a $100,000 grant for curb cuts and sidewalk to make them ADA compliant. The second is for major improvements on one or two streets. Whether one or two streets are done also depends what the City gets in money from Issue 2 funds. The streets under consideration are Commonwealth and Genesee. Mr. Tribby sent around a sign up sheet for those in the audience. There will be another public hearing held October 27, 2008 at 7:15 P.M.
As there were no comments from the public, the hearing was closed at 7:07 P.M. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The regular meeting of Council was called to order at 7:08 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 Mayor Gregory Costabile, Mr. Leonard Carr, Mr. Robert Tribby and Miss Lisa Benedetti.
The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Mr. Mercurio moved to suspend reading of the Council minutes of September 22, 2008, and approve as written, seconded by Mrs. Finney. All in favor, motion carried. Minutes approved.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Mayor Costabile read a proclamation in honor of Emergency Nurses Week and gave it to Joanne Barrett and Karen Shelby from Hillcrest Hospital.
CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mr. Sasak stated that a resident asked that Council members speak into the microphones when speaking so it can be heard on the Council meeting tape. Mr. Sasak also asked if there was any update on the AT & T U-Verse customers being able to see the Council meetings on the community station. Mayor Costabile replied that the City is in the process of researching the replacement of equipment to allow for a much improved broadcast on both AT & T, Time Warner and the website. The City still needs to meet with AT & T IT representatives to finalize what is needed and to ensure a smooth transition. AT&T representative apologized for the delay but has been working with the City to complete the work needed to provide the respective channels. The Mayor referenced recent news developments in other cities pertaining to the PEG channels (ie Public, Education, and Government) wherein other cities are experiencing the same delays. Mr. Sasak commented that most people did not realize when they signed up for the AT & T service that they would be unable to view the community channel right away. Mayor Costabile stated that issue was broached with the AT & T representatives when the company applied to offer the service in the City. The Mayor encouraged all to contact City Hall with questions pertaining to utilities so that residents can be better informed.
Mrs. Finney stated that as a follow up to the shopping cart issue from the last Council meeting, she received a call from Laurie Swang, a Villa Serena representative. She stated that the shopping carts are not a problem in the building. The stores are contacted each week to come to pick up their carts. It is also not a safety issue. The Fire Department periodically inspects the building also. The carts are left or brought to the back door so they are not blocking the hallways.
REPORTS OF OFFICERS:
Mayor Costabile: There is a new look to the Mayfield Road street signs, which are now blue and white. They are larger and easier to read than the old green and white signs. The rest of the signs in the City will also be replaced over time.
Lander Road Elementary School 1st graders will be visiting City Hall tomorrow for their annual visit and St. Francis of Assisi 3rd graders took a field trip to City Hall last week. He appreciates the opportunity to speak to the children of our community to educate them on government issues.
The Mayor continues to work with Public Sector Solutions on various economic development issues. A letter with an electronic survey will be sent to all businesses as a form of reaching out to the community to see what the City might be able to do to assist the various businesses. A follow up letter will also be sent to the corporate parks. He feels this helps keep the lines of communication open.
LNE Group, the City's Federal and State advocacy firm, continues to work on getting money for the City. They are currently working on the State grant paperwork to finalize payment of the $100,000 grant for community center improvements. The money from the State should be available in February 2009.
The Mayor's Community Council will, again, be sponsoring a fall leaf pick up day on November 8, 2008. The Mayor asked anyone who knows of anyone who cannot rake his or her own leaves to contact the Mayor's office.
There is a County program for seniors, which provides funding for safety upgrades. The City was able to get money allocated for its residents of up to $1000 per household. For information and applications, residents can contact the Building Department or the Human Services Department.
The Mayor met with the management of Eastgate Shopping Center. They are trying to find tenants for the vacant Regal Cinemas and other minor tenancies. Marc's is not leaving the center even though it is opening a new store in Highland Heights.
The Mayor met with the management of Golden Gate Shopping Center. New parking had been approved several years ago and they are hoping to begin those plans soon.
Senator Joe Liberman was in the City yesterday and spoke with a group. The Mayor is proud that he chose Mayfield Heights to appear.
Director of Law Carr: No report.
Director of Finance Tribby: No report.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS AND BOARDS:
Building Committee: No report.
Finance and Audit Committee: Mr. Mercurio reported on the meeting held September 30, 2008 pertaining to a presentation on an energy audit. Copies of the minutes of the meeting were mailed to all members and are a part of the permanent record. Another meeting will be scheduled to review the other Request for Qualifications on this matter.
Legislative Committee: No report.
Public Works and Services Committee: No report. Mr. Kobunski stated that there is a democratic election tomorrow to fill the seat of Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones who passed away unexpectedly.
Recreation and Parks Committee: Mrs. Snider reported on the meeting held on September 23, 2008. Copies of the minutes of the meeting were mailed to all members and are a part of the permanent record. There will be a combined event with Mayfield Village, Wildcat Teen Halloween, held on October 17, 2008. There are still tickets available for the Halloween Bash on October 25, 2008 and the Polar Express on November 22 and December 5, 2008. The next meeting will be held October 28, 2008.
Safety and Transportation Committee: No report.
Board of Zoning Appeals: Mr. Kobunski stated the next meeting would be October 14, 2008.
Commission on Aging: Mr. Ballistrea reported on the meeting held October 7, 2008. Copies of the minutes of the meeting were mailed to all members and are a part of the permanent record. Mr. Ballistrea mentioned that the Nimbler Needlers have knitted 2,100 hats that were given in September to Hillcrest Hospital for the newborns. The next meeting will be November 4, 2008.
Planning Commission: Mr. Sasak reported on the meeting held October 6, 2008. Copies of the minutes of the meeting were mailed to all members and are a part of the permanent record. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Tim Boehnlein from the Domestic Violence Center of Cleveland stated that this year's focus is on teen dating violence. One in three teens are affected by this matter. He commended the Police Department as the only department in the area to use the Center's 24 hour help line, which is 216-391-HELP (4356). This year for the month of October, it is Purple Light Nights to bring awareness of this issue to the community. He distributed purple lights to be placed in porch lights and information on domestic violence. This issue affects many residents. Mayor Costabile thanked Mr. Boehnlein for his time and for the Center's efforts on this issue. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PUBLIC COMMENT: None. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RESOLUTION NO. 2008-68: "A Resolution proclaiming October 2008 as "Domestic Violence Awareness Month." Mr. Carr read the resolution by title only. Mr. Mercurio moved for suspension of the rules, seconded by Mrs. Snider. 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. Roll Call on motion as stated: AYES: Snider, DiCicco, Sasak, Mercurio, Finney, Kobunski, Ballistrea. NAYS: None. Motion carried. The resolution is adopted.
RESOLUTION NO. 2008-69: "A Resolution accepting the amounts and rates as determined by the Budget Commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the County Auditor." Mr. Carr read the resolution by title only. Mr. Kobunski moved for suspension of the rules, seconded by Mr. Sasak. Roll Call on motion as stated: AYES: Sasak, Kobunski, DiCicco, Finney, Mercurio, Snider, Ballistrea. NAYS: None. Motion carried. Mrs. Snider moved for adoption, seconded by Mrs. Finney. Mr. Ballistrea stated a memo was received from Mr. Tribby on this item and the next item. Both are annual housekeeping matters. Roll Call on motion as stated: AYES: Mercurio, Sasak, Kobunski, Snider, DiCicco, Finney, Ballistrea. NAYS: None. Motion carried. The resolution is adopted.
RESOLUTION NO. 2008-70: "A Resolution requesting the County Auditor to advance real property and tangible personal property taxes from the proceeds of tax levies pursuant to Section 321.34, Ohio Revised Code." 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. Mr. Mercurio moved for adoption, seconded by Mrs. Snider. Roll Call on motion as stated: AYES: DiCicco, Mercurio, Sasak, Kobunski, Finney, Snider, Ballistrea. NAYS: None. Motion carried. The resolution is adopted.
RESOLUTION NO. 2008-71: "A Resolution approving the admission of the City of University Heights as a new member of the NORMA Self-Insurance Pool, Inc." 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. DiCicco moved for adoption, seconded by Mr. Kobunski. Mr. Ballistrea stated a memo was received from Mr. Tribby. Resolutions approving a new member are needed from seven of the current member municipalities. Mr. Tribby added that this would be the 11th member of the pool, which was started in 1987. The NORMA Board recommends its acceptance. The city seems to be low risk. Roll Call on motion as stated: AYES: Snider, DiCicco, Sasak, Mercurio, Finney, Kobunski, Ballistrea. NAYS: None. Motion carried. The resolution is adopted. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ORDINANCE NO. 2008-18: "An Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract for and on behalf of the City of Mayfield Heights with the District Board of Health of the County of Cuyahoga, State of Ohio." Mr. Carr read the ordinance by title only. Mr. Kobunski moved for suspension of the rules, seconded by Mr. Sasak. Roll Call on motion as stated: AYES: Sasak, Kobunski, DiCicco, Finney, Mercurio, Snider, Ballistrea. NAYS: None. Motion carried. Mrs. Finney moved for adoption, seconded by Mrs. Snider. Mr. Ballistrea mentioned that the cost to the City is $3.70 per capita. This is the annual contract. Roll Call on motion as stated: AYES: Mercurio, Sasak, Kobunski, Snider, DiCicco, Finney, Ballistrea. NAYS: None. Motion carried. The ordinance is adopted. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mr. Mercurio, seconded by Mrs. Finney, moved to confirm the decision of the Planning Commission approving a final site plan for a 1,400 sq. ft. addition to the Parker Hannifin Cafeteria, 6035 Parkland Boulevard. Mr. Sasak reported there were no changes to the preliminary plan. All in favor, motion carried. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mr. Kobunski, seconded by Mrs. Snider, moved to authorize payment of $14,395.19 to Great Lakes Petroleum Company for diesel fuel for various departments. Mr. Ballistrea mentioned that a copy of the invoice was received by all members. All in favor, motion carried. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mrs. Snider, seconded by Mr. Mercurio, moved to add a motion to the agenda authorizing the Mayor to issue a purchase order to B & C Communication in the amount of $17,303.00 for the purchase of a Zetron Model 6/26 Fire Station Alerting System. All in favor, motion carried.
Mrs. Finney, seconded by Mr. Kobunski, moved the above motion. Mr. Ballistrea stated a memo was received from Mr. Tribby along with a memo from Fire Chief Forte and a copy of the quotation from B & C Communications. He asked the Mayor where this request came from. Mayor Costabile replied that the City received FEMA grant money and Chief Forte suggested this equipment, as it would be beneficial to the department. The City would not be paying anything for it; it would all be paid for with the grant money. All in favor, motion carried. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There being no further business to come before Council, Mr. Ballistrea adjourned the meeting at 7:46 P.M.
Approved: Respectfully submitted,
Michael Ballistrea Lisa A. Benedetti, MMC Council President Deputy Clerk of Council
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