CITY OF MAYFIELD HEIGHTS
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
November 23, 2009
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 Mayor Gregory Costabile, Law Director Leonard Carr, Director of Finance/Clerk of Council Robert Tribby and Deputy Clerk of Council Lisa Benedetti.
The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Mr. Kobunski moved to suspend reading of the Special Council minutes of October 20, 2009, and approve as written, seconded by Mr. Mercurio. All in favor, except Mrs. Snider who abstained, as she was absent from the meeting, motion carried. Minutes approved.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION:
Diahanna Roberson, Adoption Supervisor, Elizabeth Garcia, Division Director of Foster Care and Adoption and Lynn Brewster, Recruitment and Marketing Coordinator from Bellefaire JCB were present to speak about November as Adoption Month. Ms. Roberson thanked the City for letting them come to present on this subject. The agency has been in business about 120 years. It started as an orphanage, but they do many adoptions. November is adoption month and adoption makes a big difference in the lives of the children. 75% of foster parents are adopting children. This provides stability for the children. There are opportunities for support from the community as well. Adoption changes the life of one and affects many lives. Many people can support the agency by doing various things like volunteering. She asked that people think about Bellfaire, especially at this time of year.
CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mrs. Snider thanked everyone for their vote of confidence in re-electing her and especially to her family and friends for their support. She is excited to work with everyone another four years.
Mr. Ballistrea extended congratulations to Mayor Costabile, Mr. Sasak, Mrs. Snider, Mrs. Finney and Joe Mercurio on their election. He looks forward to working with everyone. He reminded the newly elected officials that they need to be sworn in prior to the first Council meeting of the new year, January 11, 2010.
Mr. Ballistrea stated he attended a meeting with Catalano Drive residents. Also in attendance were Mayor Costabile, Mrs. Snider, Mr. Kobunski and Mr. Mercurio. This meeting was regarding residential gas well drilling. As a result, there is Resolution No. 2009-61 on the agenda this evening, which urges the State to place a moratorium on gas well drilling in heavily populated areas. Mr. Ballistrea is asking the Mayor to have the City compile educational material, which can be distributed to residents.
On behalf of City Council, Mr. Ballistrea extended best wishes for a happy Thanksgiving to all.
REPORTS OF OFFICERS:
Mayor Costabile: The Mayor also extended his congratulations to the council members and Joe Mercurio on their election. He looks forward to working with everyone in a professional, efficient and cost effective manner. He also thanked everyone for trusting him by re-electing him to serve another four years. He pledged to continue to work tirelessly to make the residents proud and to provide ways to improve the residents' way of life.
The landscaping and irrigation work is being worked on and the trees and electric should be installed next week on Mayfield Road.
The Mayor has been involved in quite a few meetings to try to keep abreast of issues that may affect the community. One of these was a Health Care Reform summit, to help the City keep abreast of events at a national level.
Storm water management is now part of the Sewer District. There will be a new code of regulations and there should be some public forums to explain these changes. This should start in mid-2010. Some areas of the City may see reduced rates due to proactive actions by the City in trying to deal with storm water issues within the City.
The energy audit has been completed. The City is still looking for grant money through the County to assist with the costs. Applications should be available soon. When these improvements are made, it should save the City money and make the city hall complex more efficient.
The City has engaged an architect to prepare plans for the community center renovations. Once those are complete the plans will be brought to Council for review, so the bidding process can begin.
He attended a meeting of the Oil and Gas Well Committee of the Cuyahoga County Mayors and Managers Association. The Mayor and another member met with Senator Niehaus regarding a bill pending to amend HB278, which is the legislation that took away home rule for this matter. The Director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources will also be meeting with the committee to discuss ways to increase safety measures and help amend the bill.
Spitzer Dodge is no longer in the City, as their lease was not renewed. Ganley Nissan will be taking over that property. The former Audio Craft store will also have an occupant and a restaurant will be moving into the former Moose O'Malley's. Retail seems to be coming back to Mayfield Road.
A handicapped swing has been installed at Oakville Park. Mrs. Snider had brought the matter up and it was addressed.
The Recreation Department's Craft Fair had over 300 people attend.
Teen night at Danny Vegh's was held recently and was a fun evening for all in attendance.
MIPOD is involved with the H1N1 issue.
An Ohio Justice Department grant is being pursued by the Police Department to help with enforcement matters.
Grand Jury testimony can now be done via video conferencing. This saves the City time and money.
Detective Joe Leskovec is the officer in charge of the Community Block Watch Program. If anyone is interested in this program, they should call City Hall.
The Human Resource Director and the Finance Director were successful in obtaining enhanced life insurance benefits for the employees that saves over $12,000 for the City over three years. The Mayor congratulated them.
The Mayor's Community Council held a fall clean up and serviced 40 homes with help from members of New Hope Church, which celebrated its 50th anniversary. There were over 80 volunteers involved in this project.
The annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony will be held November 29 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The Mayor wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving.
Director of Law Carr: No report.
Director of Finance Tribby: Mr. Tribby reported that there would be the final appropriation transfer ordinance and temporary appropriation ordinance would be placed on the next agenda.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS AND BOARDS:
Building Committee: Mr. Sasak reported on the meeting held November 9, 2009 regarding commercial outdoor patio screening. The Committee recommended language be prepared to allow for this type of structure. Mr. Carr added that the Law Department is working with Mr. Jamieson on language.
Finance and Audit Committee: No report.
Legislative Committee: No report.
Public Works and Services Committee: Mr. Kobunski stated the Service Department is still picking up leaves. The Service Director asked that leaves be placed on the curb and not in the street.
Recreation and Parks Committee: Mrs. Snider reported on the meeting held October 27, 2009. Copies of the minutes of the meeting were mailed to all members and are a part of the permanent record.
Safety and Transportation Committee: Mrs. Finney reported on the meeting held November 9, 2009. Copies of the minutes of the meeting were mailed to all members and are a part of the permanent record. She stated that another meeting would be held to finalize the EMS charges and the nuisance issue.
Board of Zoning Appeals: Mr. Kobunski stated that as there was no meeting, there was no report.
Commission on Aging: Mr. Ballistrea stated that as there was no meeting, there was no report. The next meeting is scheduled for December 1, 2009.
Planning Commission: Mr. Sasak stated that as there was no meeting, there was no report.
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PUBLIC COMMENT:
Claire Posius, Euclid Creek Watershed Coordinator, stated she wanted to give an update about the program. The agency is trying to educate the public and there are several publications to accomplish this, including a new publication the PIPE Update that is sent to all council members. The agency recently installed a demonstration rain garden in front of the Mayfield School Board building on S.O.M. Center Road, which will help to divert rain water coming off the building. This was a cooperative effort with the various cities and the school district. It is an educational feature that students will help to maintain. Residents can look at the rain garden and see how it was made and how it functions. It is a really exciting project. She displayed some photos of the project.
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RESOLUTION NO. 2009-61: "A Resolution urging the State to place a moratorium on oil and gas well drilling in heavily populated residential areas until amendments to the Ohio Revised Code with respect to drilling have been made, and declaring an emergency." 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: Finney, Mercurio, Snider, Kobunski, Sasak, DiCicco, Ballistrea. NAYS: None. Motion carried. Mrs. Snider moved for adoption, seconded by Mrs. Finney. Mr. Ballistrea stated that gas wells are proliferating in densely populated areas. The City is following several neighboring and areawide communities in asking the state for a moratorium on drilling. He encouraged residents to keep contacting the governor and state representatives about this matter. He cautioned that this resolution does not guarantee anything and does not supercede any state law. The bill being introduced to bring back home rule is SB196 by Senator Tim Grendell. Roll Call on motion as stated: AYES: Snider, DiCicco, Sasak, Mercurio, Finney, Kobunski, Ballistrea. NAYS: None. Motion carried. The resolution is adopted.
Mr. Ballistrea inquired about tabled Resolution No. 2009-39. Miss Benedetti stated that the applicant had been contacted and asked that it remain tabled, as he was waiting for some designs from the sign company. Mayor Costabile added that he had also spoken with the applicant who is looking for some alternative options. Mr. Ballistrea asked if the City could get some sort of time frame for action, as the item has been tabled since June.
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ORDINANCE NO. 2009-29: "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. Mrs. Finney moved for suspension of the rules, seconded by Mr. Mercurio. 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 Mr. Mercurio. Mr. Ballistrea stated that this is an annual contract. There was no change to the rate. 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 Mr. Sasak, moved to remove Ordinance No. 2009-24 from the table and place it on the agenda. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE NO. 2009-24: "An Ordinance enacting Chapter 1180 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Mayfield Heights, pertaining to Mixed Use District." Mr. Carr read the ordinance by title only. Mr. Sasak moved for adoption, seconded by Mr. DiCicco. Mr. Ballistrea stated that this matter was discussed at the Committee of the Whole meeting held just prior to tonight's meeting. Roll Call on motion as stated: AYES: Kobunski, Mercurio, DiCicco, Sasak, Ballistrea. NAYS: Snider, Finney. Vote 5-2. Motion carried. The ordinance is adopted.
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Mr. DiCicco, seconded by Mr. Mercurio, moved to advertise for bids for uniform and laundry service for various departments. Mr. Ballistrea commented that this was a biannual item. All in favor, motion carried.
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Mrs. Snider, seconded by Mrs. Finney, moved to designate the Deputy Clerk of Council as the designee to receive Public Records training representing Council Members Michael Ballistrea, Anthony DiCicco and Ronald Kobunski for the term commencing January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2011 and for Council Members Donna Finney, Joe Mercurio, David Sasak and Diane Snider for the term commencing January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2013 in accordance with Ohio Revised Code Section 109.43(B) and 149.43(E)(1). Mr. Ballistrea stated that this person would be Lisa Benedetti. All in favor, motion carried.
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NEW BUSINESS; COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL:
Mrs. Finney mentioned that former councilman Howard Glickman passed away recently. Mr. Ballistrea extended condolences to the family.
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There being no further business to come before Council, Mr. Ballistrea adjourned the meeting at 8:50 P.M.
Approved: Respectfully submitted,
Michael Ballistrea Lisa A. Benedetti, MMC
Council President Deputy Clerk of Council