CITY OF MAYFIELD HEIGHTS
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
August 18, 2008
The special meeting of Council was called to order at 6:05 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.
The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Mr. Sasak moved to suspend reading of the Council minutes of June 23, 2008, and approve as written, seconded by Mr. Kobunski. All in favor, motion carried. Minutes approved.
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SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Mayor Costabile read a proclamation in appreciation of fire fighters for their help in raising funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Fire Fighter/Paramedic Bill Madan accepted the proclamation.
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RESOLUTION NO. 2008-57: "A Resolution establishing the rate of compensation for the firm of Johnson, Miller & Schmitz, LLP, labor counsel of the City of Mayfield Heights." 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. Tribby commented that this firm (under various names) has been used for over 25 years by the City. Roll Call on motion as stated: AYES: Snider, DiCicco, Sasak, Mercurio, Finney, Kobunski, Ballistrea. NAYS: None. Motion carried. The resolution is adopted.
RESOLUTION NO. 2008-58: "A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to apply for, and if awarded, enter into an agreement through the Office of the Ohio Attorney General, to administer a Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) Law Enforcement Grant within the City of Mayfield Heights and declaring an emergency." 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. Sasak. Roll Call on motion as stated: AYES: Mercurio, Sasak, Kobunski, Snider, DiCicco, Finney, Ballistrea. NAYS: None. Motion carried. Roll Call on motion as stated: AYES: Mercurio, Sasak, Kobunski, Snider, DiCicco, Finney, Ballistrea. NAYS: None. Motion carried. The resolution is adopted.
RESOLUTION NO. 2008-59: "A Resolution authorizing a contract between the City of Mayfield Heights and Public Sector Solutions for the engagement of Public Sector Solutions as an economic development consultant for a one year period." 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: Kobunski, Snider, Finney, Mercurio, DiCicco, Sasak, Ballistrea. NAYS: None. Motion carried. Mr. Sasak moved for adoption, seconded by Mr. Mercurio. Mr. Ballistrea stated the increase is about 3%. Mayor Costabile stated that the increase is 2.7%. The team from Public Sector is in the audience along with Building Director Tom Jamieson who works closely with the company. Economic Development is a key issue for cities now. He feels Public Sector has continued to bring top notch companies to the City. Having an economic development team also helps in negotiations with potential retail tenants. Public Sector also helped with getting a county development block grant for the City. The first such grant ever received by the City. The proceeds shall be used to beautify Mayfield Road with landscaping and improved retail signage. The Mayor feels that having a consultant is the right move for the City and he encouraged Council to renew this contract.
Mr. Sasak stated that while he agrees with the Mayor, he would like to see more information flow to the Council from Public Sector. The Mayor replied that he has asked and Public Sector Solutions has agreed to provide Council with a year in review and prospects for the next 12 months. Some items are difficult to articulate in a report, however, as many of the negotiations and discussions are confidential until and unless a contract has been executed. The company works in the background for the City in many ways. The only change to the contract is the amount. All other terms and conditions remain the same. Mr. Kobunski commented that he thought Public Sector was supposed to provide monthly reports to Council. Mayor Costabile replied that as a lot of the work could not be identified, he decided the reports were not serving any purpose. Instead, information has been provided when the confidentiality of the information was released. Mr. Kobunski stated that he would have liked to review what was done before adopting a new contract.
Jane Campbell spoke for Public Sector. She distributed an annual report (attached). She stated that they were doing monthly reports that seemed to be the same due to the need to not reveal certain information. She further stated that the nature of economic development is that some projects may happen and some may not, even after extensive discussion. She then introduced the team that handles the City's account on a regular basis, Brian Lenahan, Ellen Evans and David Horowitz. Ms. Campbell reviewed the annual report. She stated that some questions were raised about retail development last year, especially at the Mayland Shopping Center. They did contact that property owner and a large national retail development organization to review possible uses for that area, but nothing seems to be appropriate to date. They will try to work with current storeowners.
Mr. Sasak asked who the company works with other than this City. Ms. Campbell said North Ridgeville and a special project for Fairlawn. Mr. Kobunski inquired about the new Ottino property and asked them to contact him. Ms. Campbell replied that Mr. Lenahan did meet with Mr. Ottino last year and he had stated that he was going for high end retail and was being patient about getting tenants. Perhaps he has changed his mind. They will follow up with him again. The Mayor commented that he does not think that economic development is a broker for retail strips. The point of economic development is to make the City more attractive so companies and stores want to move in. Also, new zoning classifications may be brought before Council, which may also help to fill storefronts.
Mr. Sasak stated he was glad to see Brush Engineered Materials had moved into the office park area, but would have liked to have known that fact sooner. Mayor Costabile commented that it was a recent move and that it only became final within the past two weeks. Mrs. Finney remarked that she was apprehensive about hiring Public Sector in the first place. She does not feel they are doing the job. She has spoken with many different brokers who have said they have not been contacted by Public Sector. Mr. Ottino had told her that he was not contacted back by Public Sector. She felt that perhaps the money would be better spent on an in-house economic development person. Mayor Costabile replied that the revenue flow generated has been tremendous from the companies that have moved into the City. Public Sector did speak with Mr. Ottino already. By having this company, the City gets the expertise and use of a team versus hiring just one person for this purpose. Further, hiring an economic development consultant as an employee could potentially triple the amount we are paying Public Sector as benefits would have to be accounted for as well as additional administrative staff to support the director. Mrs. Finney asked if these duties are redundant with the LNE Group. Mayor Costabile replied that no, there are two different areas, one is a lobbyist for federal and state money. Mrs. Finney asked if LNE could lobby for county money. The Mayor said they probably could, if directed to do so, and if the City would increase the compensation to them for this service. Mr. Ballistrea commented that the corporate parks have had vacancies and he believes that some vacancies have been filled. He asked if a list of companies that have left as well as companies that have been added to the corporate park could be provided by Public Sector for Council's review. Mrs. Snider reiterated that she would also like to see more reports and more focus on Mayland, because the residents are concerned about that area. Ms. Campbell replied that they will continue to work that area, but it is privately owned and they cannot make the property owner do what he does not want to do. Mr. Sasak would like a report as suggested by Mr. Ballistrea and perhaps an account of hours spent on the City's behalf. Ms. Campbell said they do not keep that kind of time and it probably would not mean anything anyhow. The Mayor added the work is more result driven. It does not matter how many hours a firm works if there are no positive results. The success of an economic consultant must be dependent upon the results. Ms. Campbell commented that if they have information, it could be shared in a timely manner. Also, any documents prepared that are not of a sensitive nature can also be distributed.
Roll Call on motion as stated: AYES: DiCicco, Mercurio, Sasak, Kobunski, Snider, Ballistrea. NAYS: Finney. Vote 6-1. Motion carried. The resolution is adopted.
RESOLUTION NO. 2008-60: "A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to purchase a Case 621E Wheel Loader from Southeastern Equipment Company." 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. DiCicco. Mr. Ballistrea stated a memo was received from Mr. Tribby. Funds have been allocated for this purpose. 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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Mr. DiCicco, seconded by Mrs. Snider, moved to authorize payment of $17,828.57 to Universal Oil, Inc. for gasoline for various departments. Mr. Sasak inquired if an analysis had been done on gas usage since the City purchased smaller vehicles last year. Mr. Tribby replied that it had not been done, but could be. All in favor, motion carried.
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Mrs. Finney, seconded by Mrs. Snider, moved to authorize the sale of three police cruisers to Miller's USA Taxi as follows:
Mr. Ballistrea stated that a bid tabulation sheet was sent to all members. All in favor, motion carried.
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NEW BUSINESS; COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL:
Mr. Ballistrea reminded everyone that Community Unity Days starts this week, August 21 through 24, 2008 with the parade on August 24.
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There being no further business to come before Council, Mr. Ballistrea adjourned the meeting at 7:05 P.M.
Approved: Respectfully submitted,
Michael Ballistrea Lisa A. Benedetti, MMC
Council President Deputy Clerk of Council