CITY OF MAYFIELD HEIGHTS

COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

The regular meeting of Council was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Council President Pro Tem David Sasak.

ROLL CALL:           PRESENT:    Mr. Anthony DiCicco, Mrs. Donna Finney,

                                                  Mr. Ronald Kobunski, Mr. Sam Mercurio, Mr. David Sasak,

                                                  Mrs. Diane Snider.

                              ABSENT:      Mr. Michael Ballistrea.

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

The Pledge of Allegiance was said.

Mr. Kobunski moved to suspend reading of the Council minutes of December 8, 2008, and approve as written, seconded by Mrs. Finney.  All in favor, except Mrs. Snider, who abstained as she was absent from the meeting.  Motion carried.  Minutes approved.

CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Mr. Sasak commended the Service Department on its great work in keeping the City's roads clean during the recent snowstorm. 

Mr. Sasak also offered congratulations to Mayor Costabile on being profiled in the Sun Messenger issue of January 1, 2009.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION:

Margaret Mitchell, CEO and President, and Mitchell Wasserman, Chief Development Officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters, were present for National Mentoring Month. Ms. Mitchell spoke about the importance of mentoring our youth.  She gave some statistics of those who are mentored; 52% are less likely to do drugs and skip school, 27% are less violent.  There are 30 matches in the City of Mayfield Heights with 1062 children served in Cuyahoga County.  This group is the largest mentoring group in northeast Ohio and it is seeking to grow.  There is really a need for mentors.  Ms. Mitchell stated that Big Brothers Big Sisters likes to go out to speak to groups to spread the word about this important mission.  It only takes one hour a week to make a big difference.  Mayor Costabile thanked Ms. Mitchell for coming to speak.  He asked Ms. Mitchell to contact his office if there is anything the City can do to help get the information out.  There are several avenues available that the City can use.

REPORTS OF OFFICERS:

Mayor Costabile:  The Mayor wished everyone a happy 2009.

Mayfield Road Update:  The original winter reprieve two lanes westbound have been expanded to three lanes.  Parker Drive residents are also getting relief from not being able to exit onto Mayfield Road.

The Mayor continues to have negotiations with RTA and Hillcrest Hospital regarding reinstating the bus stops on hospital property.

Fire Captain Jim Mendolera has retired as of January 7, 2009 after over 28 years with the City.  He thanked him for his service to the City.

The Mayor is happy to report that the City has remained in the black for 2008.   He is very proud of this fact given the current state of the economy and thanked Finance Director Robert Tribby for his diligence in this area.

Director of Human Resources Joe Lubin and the Fidelity Group is to be commended on negotiating health insurance benefits for the employees that maintain excellent coverage while remaining fiscally responsible with regard to costs to the City associated with the new policy. .  Legislation pertaining to these contracts will be on the agenda for the January 26, 2009 council meeting.

Labor negotiations are ongoing and are progressing well.

There is a motion on the agenda to approve the purchase of equipment to upgrade the City's cable capabilities.  This will allow the City to provide more information to the residents in a more user friendly fashion.  It will also upgrade the City Council Chamber to digitize council meeting recordings.  This will, in turn, provide more efficiency and produce a better product for the residents to view on the cable channel and website.  It will also improve storing efficiency of council meetings.    The Mayor thanked the City's IT coordinator, Leighton Keith, for all his work on this project.

Brewer Garrett has completed its energy conservation audit.  A Finance Committee meeting will be scheduled to discuss which direction the City will go with this audit.

Last spring, the Mayor had met with the City's lobbyist the LNE Group in Washington.  This laid the groundwork for contacts to help in obtaining funding for storm water management for the whole region.  The Mayor has scheduled a meeting with area Mayors to pitch a plan to collaborate and petition for federal funding for a storm water management plan for our Hillcrest region. 

There was a 5% reduction in police calls in 2008, which is great news.  Calls for service since 2001 have been steadily declining

He recently attended a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Cuyahoga County Mayors and Managers Association.  They will be attending an annual all day conference in Columbus where they meet with state representatives to advocate for issues in the area.  That should be scheduled sometime in the spring.

There will also be discussion in the area with regard to interoperability relating to EMS radio communications. 

The winter issue of the City Focus should be arriving soon to residents.

Mrs. Snider brought up a situation that she feels is dangerous on Mayfield Road near the hospital and Eastgate heading westbound at SOM Center.  She asked if directional signs indicating the left turn lane to head south on SOM Center would be installed.  People do not seem to know and cross over lanes to make a left turn.  It is all changed in that area.  Mayor Costabile stated that it would be reviewed although he believes that signs are already in existence to assist drivers.  As with all new traffic patterns there will be an adjustment period.  He has not received any complaints about it.  Signage has been added near Golden Gate because of some confusion to assist those traveling westbound on Mayfield Road.

Mrs. Snider also commented that the ticket price for the A Taste of Italy event in the City Focus is $30.00, but on the actual ticket, the price is $25.00.  Mayor Costabile replied that the ticket price of $25.00 is correct.

Director of Law Carr:  No report.

Director of Finance Tribby:  Mr. Tribby reported that the City's audit was released.  All members received a copy of it.  The report was an unqualified opinion.  The City is in a strong financial position.  Anyone can view it at www.auditor.state.oh.us.  If anyone has any questions, he would be happy to speak with them. Mr. Sasak commented that he believes this speaks highly of Mr. Tribby's work.

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS AND BOARDS:

Building Committee:  Mr. Sasak stated a meeting would be scheduled before the end of January.

Finance and Audit Committee:  No report.

Legislative Committee:  No report.

Public Works and Services Committee:  Mr. Kobunski also congratulated the Service Department and asked how the salt supply is for the City.  The Mayor stated the supply is fine.  The contract allows for extra tons if it is needed.

Recreation and Parks Committee:  No report.

Safety and Transportation Committee:  No report.

Board of Zoning Appeals:  Mr. Kobunski stated there is one item on the agenda this evening from the December 9, 2008 meeting.  Copies of the minutes of the meeting were mailed to all members and are a part of the permanent record.  The next meeting is January 13, 2009.

Commission on Aging:  Mayor Costabile reported on the meeting held January 6, 2009.  Copies of the minutes of the meeting were mailed to all members and are a part of the permanent record.  The Mayor extended thanks to Artis Scott for her years of service.  A new member, Joe Wilson, the administrator for Manor Care, was sworn in.  Sub-committees for the commission were also created. The Mayor is optimistic of the direction the commission is taking to serve the senior community and the new sub committees will assist in this endeavor.

Planning Commission:  Mr. Sasak reported on the meeting held January 5, 2009.  Copies of the minutes of the meeting were mailed to all members and are a part of the permanent record.

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PUBLIC COMMENT:

Jim Senick, Director of Site Operations Hillcrest Hospital, spoke.  He displayed a rendering of construction signage, which would be placed along Mayfield Road.  The size is 123' long by 8' high.

Eric Bell, Goldberg Companies, spoke about a proposed restaurant, Scrambler Marie's.  It would go in the KeyBank building on SOM Center Road, part of which is currently vacant.  The City's code requires 96 parking spaces, which with restriping, they will have.  They have asked the Planning Commission to approve the landbanking of 17 spaces.  This would allow them to maintain more green space along Mayfield Road, Coppertree Drive and some in the back of the building.  If more parking is found to be necessary, then these spaces could be converted as needed.

Shane Burke and Tony D'Agostino were also in attendance.  Mr. D'Agostino stated he has been involved with this company since 1987.  This is an upscale breakfast and lunch facility, which he feels would be good in the Cleveland area.  There are already some locations around the state.  The company believes Mayfield Heights offers what is needed for Scrambler Marie's.  Mr. Burke stated he is President of Scrambler Marie's Restaurant.  It is unique in that it is open for breakfast and lunch only from 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  This means the traffic patterns are different.  The busiest day is Sunday and the bank is closed, so parking is not an issue.  The company is growing steadily.  There is a conference room that can be used free of charge during business hours.  Mayfield Heights is a good location with a good mix of demographics.  The company looks forward to operating in the City.

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RESOLUTION NO. 2009-1:  "A Resolution confirming the action of the Board of Zoning Appeals of the City of Mayfield Heights in granting to James M. Senick on behalf of Hillcrest Hospital, approval for a 123' x 8' temporary sign identifying the scope of the hospital's expansion project, to be placed in between the construction fence along the south side of Mayfield Road during construction."  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, DiCicco, Sasak.  NAYS:  None.  Mrs. Snider abstained as she works for the hospital.  Vote 5-0.  As there were not six votes for suspension, the motion failed.  Mr. Kobunski moved to place the resolution on first reading, seconded by Mr. DiCicco.  Roll Call on motion as stated:  AYES: DiCicco, Mercurio, Finney, Kobunski, Sasak.  NAYS:  None.  Mrs. Snider abstained for the reason stated above.  Motion carried.  Mr. Kobunski commented that as Mr. Ballistrea was not here, but also works for the hospital, what would happen at the next meeting.  Mayor Costabile replied that the Law Department has conducted research on this matter, as it has come up before, and if both members abstain, then there would have to be three readings, unless a specific set of facts are evident.   Mr. Carr explained that while on general types of issues, it seems that the members could vote, both Mr. Ballistrea and Mrs. Snider seem to be more comfortable with abstaining.  The resolution is placed on first reading.

RESOLUTION NO. 2009-2:  "A Resolution designating January 2009 as "National Mentoring Month."  Mr. Carr read the ordinance by title only.  Mrs. Snider moved for suspension of the rules, seconded by Mr. Mercurio.  Roll Call on motion as stated:  AYES: Kobunski, DiCicco, Finney, Mercurio, Snider, Sasak.  NAYS:  None.  Motion carried.  Mr. DiCicco moved for adoption, seconded by Mr. Kobunski.  Mr. Sasak commented that Ms. Mitchell gave a great presentation.  This is a wonderful cause and if anyone is interested in participating they should contact the Mayor's office.  Roll Call on motion as stated:  AYES:  Mercurio, Kobunski, Snider, DiCicco, Finney, Sasak.  NAYS:  None.  Motion carried.  The resolution is adopted.

RESOLUTION NO. 2009-3:  "A Resolution approving the execution of extension agreements between the City of Mayfield Heights and the unions extending the statutory time periods required by Ohio R.C. 4117."  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:  Kobunski, Snider, Finney, Mercurio, DiCicco, Sasak. NAYS:  None.  Motion carried.  Mr. Kobunski moved for adoption, seconded by Mrs. Snider.  Mr. Costabile explained that this customary piece of legislation would allow negotiations to continue at a pace necessary to discuss all relevant issues without any adverse effects to the employees.  Roll Call on motion as stated:  AYES:  DiCicco, Mercurio, Kobunski, Finney, Snider, Sasak.  NAYS:  None.  Motion carried.  The resolution is adopted.

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Mrs. Finney, seconded by Mrs. Snider, moved to confirm the decision of the Planning Commission approving a preliminary site plan for additional on-site parking in conjunction with a new restaurant occupant in the multi-tenant building, the Goldberg Companies, 1394-1400 SOM Center Road.  Mr. Kobunski stated he was concerned with the driveway from Coppertree Apartments and the traffic pattern in the plaza.  Mr. Bell stated that this has been the traffic pattern at the plaza.  With signage and help from the Police Department he hopes it would work.  Mr. Carr commented that the traffic flow is showing traffic both ways on the north side of the building.  He believes it currently is only one direction.  Mr. Bell stated that is how the traffic is currently planned.  The Police and Fire Departments have reviewed it.  Mayor Costabile added that the reports from all the departments would be reviewed for the final site plan approval process.  There was some discussion at the Planning Commission meeting about this and these concerns will be addressed.  Mr. Kobunski asked if there was dedicated parking for carryout.  Mr. Burke replied that is a very small part of their business.  There are no specified spaces.  Mr. Kobunski asked the size of the restaurant.  Mr. Burke said there were approximately 160 seats with 38 tables.  All in favor, motion carried.

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Mr. Mercurio, seconded by Mrs. Snider, moved to approve the purchase of equipment from Industrial Video Corporation to digitize the Council Chambers and upgrade the City's cable broadcasting capabilities in the amount of $24,999.00.  Mr. Sasak stated a memo and an explanation from Mr. Keith were received regarding this matter.  A detailed quotation was also distributed to all members. Mr. Sasak feels the City needs to do this and the technology is there.  Mayor Costabile mentioned that this would allow more efficient use of the recordings.  The whole upgrade will allow the City to educate the public with greater efficiency. .  All in favor, motion carried.

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There being no further business to come before Council, Mr. Sasak adjourned the meeting at 8:32 P.M.

Approved:                                                                 Respectfully submitted,

David Sasak                                                             Lisa A. Benedetti, MMC

Council President Pro Tem                                        Deputy Clerk of Council