CITY OF MAYFIELD HEIGHTS
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
The regular meeting of Council was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Council President Anthony DiCicco.
ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Mr. Anthony DiCicco, Mrs. Donna Finney, Mr. Joe Mercurio, Mr. Paul Sciria,
Mrs. Diane Snider, Mrs. Gayle Teresi.
ABSENT: Mr. Nino Monaco.
Also present were Mayor Gregory Costabile, Law Director Leonard Carr, Director of Finance/Clerk of Council
The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Mrs. Finney moved to suspend reading of the Council minutes of January 9, 2012, and approve as written, seconded by Mr. Mercurio. All in favor, motion carried. Minutes approved.
CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: None.
REPORTS OF OFFICERS:
The latest edition of the City Focus is a new forum showing the state of the City in 2011. Each department has reports showing what was accomplished and the expectations for 2012. It should be delivered in the next couple of weeks.
Discussion has started for the 2012 budget.
The 2012 contract for the Mayor’s Annual Golf Outing has been signed. It will be held at Fowler’s Mill on July 20, 2012. This year will mark the 40th anniversary of this golf outing. There should be some special festivities to mark this milestone.
Advertising for bids for the City’s energy conservation program will be done soon. The City’s engineers have been working on the specifications.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has invited the City’s engineer to discuss outflow procedures. This is in light of the City following the surface water improvement program grant that the City received to construct the rain garden and permeable pavement improvements around City Hall. Many entities have been on site to view the project and this request is to ask how the City will monitor the reduction of storm water flow and management.
The Mayor congratulated residents who completed the CERT program. It stands for Community Emergency Response Team that began in 2009. The graduates are Grace Casloff, Tony Watkins, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Powell, Marco Serrano, Thomas Miter, Susan McCauley, James Hansilak and Patricia Gregorac. If anyone is interested in getting involved with this program they should contact Jody Widmann in the Police Department at 440-442-2323, x221.
The Mayor and the Finance Director met with a representative for a new city complex phone service in an effort to reduce expenditures.
The Mayor was a guest speaker this afternoon at Lander Road School for the 3rd grade government class. These students are very concerned about taxes. They are well taught about government and the residents should be proud.
There is a group of 8th graders from St. Francis of Assisi School here this evening. They are members of ThinkQuest and will be speaking about recycling issues. It is very nice to see the next generation getting involved with civic minded issues, especially one as important as recycling and preserving our environment.
The Mayor will be meeting with the County Executive this week to discuss regional planning issues. He will also be meeting with the new Gates Mills Mayor Riley to continue to discuss collaborative efforts between the City and the Village.
Dates to remember:
February 2 – Mayfield Business Alliance Groundhog Day Conversations and Cocktails event. It begins at 5:30 P.M. and tickets are $30. The money raised is used to support the school district.
February 11 – Taste of Italy event to raise funds for the City’s Parks and Recreation programs. Cost is $30 per person, $50 per couple and it will be held in the community center.
Director of Law Carr: No report.
Director of Finance Tribby: No report.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS AND BOARDS:
Mr. DiCicco announced the appointments for the 2012-13 Council Committees (attached).
Building Committee: No report.
Finance and Audit Committee: Mr. Mercurio reported that copies of the year end financial reports were sent to all members. There was $19.7 million in revenue and $19 million in expenses. Originally the City had budgeted to operate in the deficit. Due to higher income tax revenues the City received, the year ended in the black. Debt was reduced to $2.8 million. Mr. Tribby is currently working on the 2012 budget and that will come before Council.
Legislative Committee: No report.
Public Works and Services Committee: No report.
Recreation and Parks Committee: Mrs. Teresi stated the next meeting is scheduled for January 24, 2012.
Safety and Transportation Committee: No report.
Board of Zoning Appeals: Mr. Mercurio reported on the meeting held January 10, 2012. Copies of the minutes of the meeting were mailed to all members and are a part of the permanent record.
Commission on Aging: Mayor Costabile stated that the next meeting was scheduled for February 7, 2012. There are a number of issues to be discussed.
Planning Commission: Mrs. Snider stated that the next meeting was scheduled for February 6, 2012.
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PUBLIC COMMENT:
Members of a ThinkQuest project from St. Francis of Assisi School spoke on recycling. The members present were Jonell Hindi, Mike Mihalich, Gianna DiPippo, Nicholas Newsome and Kyle Meeley. ThinkQuest is an online learning platform that helps students develop important skills, including communication, critical thinking and technology skills. The name of their project is Change Starts with Recycling. Their goal is to educate residents of the importance of recycling and going green. Their concern is the use of natural resources and the health of the environment, which affects the quality of living for future generations. They will educate the residents by going door to door and handing out brochures and bookmarks. A website has been created called www.thechangestartswithrecycling.weekly.com. There is information on it about recycling in the community, as well as a fun facts page with a picture gallery. There is also a poll to determine people’s opinions and knowledge about recycling. The brochure they created informs people of what can be recycled and where. It also includes a bookmark to remind people to recycle. There is a map that shows the location of the recycling bins at the community center. While Mayfield Heights has a good recycling and shredding program available, the students have observed that it may be difficult for seniors to participate if they cannot get to the community center, which is something the City may want to think about. Mayor Costabile and Council were thanked for allowing them to speak about this subject. Mrs. Finney commented that she thinks it is a great idea, as many people still don’t know where to take recyclables. A concern has been about the elderly not being able to participate. She thanked them for their help.
George Michael, 1594 Fruitland Ave., stated that the City lost a great lady who was chairman of the Commission on Aging and wondered if anyone had replaced her yet. Mayor Costabile replied that other residents had stepped up to fill the position, but Mrs. Kay will be missed.
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RESOLUTION NO. 2012-1: “A Resolution commending Michael J. Ballistrea for his years of service to the City of Mayfield Heights, Ohio.†Mr. Carr read the resolution by title only. Mr. Mercurio moved for suspension of the rules, seconded by Mrs. Teresi. Roll Call on motion as stated: AYES: Finney, Mercurio, Snider, Teresi, Sciria, DiCicco. NAYS: None. Motion carried. Mrs. Snider moved for adoption, seconded by Mrs. Finney. Roll Call on motion as stated: AYES: Snider, Sciria, Mercurio, Finney, Teresi, DiCicco. NAYS: None. Motion carried. The Mayor read the resolution in its entirety and presented it to Mr. Ballistrea. He was congratulated. Mr. Ballistrea thanked the Mayor, Council, past administrations and the employees of the City. He thanked all the residents for allowing him to serve. He thanked his family for their support through the years. It was a privilege and an honor to serve. He hopes to be back to serve in the near future. The resolution is adopted.
RESOLUTION NO. 2012-2: “A Resolution commending Ronald Kobunski for his years of service to the City of Mayfield Heights, Ohio.†Mr. Carr read the resolution by title only. Mrs. Finney moved for suspension of the rules, seconded by Mrs. Teresi. Roll Call on motion as stated: AYES: Teresi, Sciria, Finney, Snider, Mercurio, DiCicco. NAYS: None. Motion carried. Mrs. Snider moved for adoption, seconded by Mr. Mercurio. AYES: Mercurio, Teresi, Snider, Sciria, Finney, DiCicco. NAYS: None. Motion carried. The Mayor read the resolution in its entirety and presented it to Mr. Kobunski. He was congratulated. Mr. Kobunski also thanked everyone for their support. It was an honor serving and he offered to do anything that was needed to help. Roll Call on motion as stated: The resolution is adopted.
RESOLUTION NO. 2012-3: “A Resolution confirming the action of the Board of Zoning Appeals of the City of Mayfield Heights in conditionally granting to ThenDesign Architecture, on behalf of Mayfield Board of Education, a variance to include LED Graphics within the main identification sign at the Mayfield Middle School at 1123 SOM Center Road.†Mr. Carr read the resolution by title only. Mr. Mercurio moved for suspension of the rules, seconded by Mrs. Teresi. Roll Call on motion as stated: AYES: Sciria, Snider, Finney, Mercurio, Teresi, DiCicco. NAYS: None. Motion carried. Mr. Mercurio moved for adoption, seconded by Mr. DiCicco.
Mr. Mercurio reported that this request was sent back to the BZA by Council. The school board agreed to certain restrictions and conditions that are detailed in the resolution. The restrictions include only public service announcements, illumination lighting levels and times of the day for the sign to be in operation. A public forum could be held to evaluate the sign operation by residents and the City. The BZA felt it was tastefully done and it was an unanimous decision to grant the request. Mrs. Finney stated that while she likes to support the school as much as she can, there have been a lot of concerns raised by residents who were not in favor of this. She would like the matter to go to a committee for review, and feels that tabling the matter may be a good option. Mayor Costabile stated there are two different sections in the codified ordinances that pertain to changeable copy signs and illuminated signs as he reported at the last council meeting when this matter was first presented to Council In December when the school district came to Council with a modified request, Council asked that the modified request be sent back to the BZA for review and recommendation and this was done. The Mayor has not received any calls from residents about this matter. Previous BZA minutes show that the concern was that if this is allowed, certain precedent be set and in place so that these types of signs will not appear up and down Mayfield and SOM Center Roads. According to the code only certain entities are allowed them, so they should not be showing up all over. One of the issues that came up at the last meeting was if the sign would be a distraction to residents in the area. The sign is perpendicular to the road and does not face any neighbors. One of the conditions is that it will be turned off at 9:00 P.M., the City will monitor it and the illumination portion can be addressed further, if there is a problem. If Council wanted it to go to committee, that should have been done in December, so the applicant did not have to go back to the BZA for approval. He did not think that it would be fair to now ask the applicant to wait while the matter goes to committee. The Mayor hopes Council will be proactive. Mr. Mercurio also pointed out that the code prohibits flashing, moving or intermittent illumination. The school sign will fade in and out, which will avoid the blinking look. Mr. DiCicco stated that all the original problems and concerns were addressed with the modification of the request and the conditions put on it by the BZA.
Mrs. Teresi asked if the color would change. John Folkman, 1101 SOM Center, Business Manager Mayfield Schools, replied that the color would be green at this point, although the signs are highly programmable. Mrs. Teresi asked if the City could ask that the color always remain green. Mr. Folkman displayed how the sign would look during the day and during the evening. It would have variable sized fonts, with only three changes per minute, which would fade in and out. The message would remain steady with no jumping characters and there would be no advertising; nothing of a commercial nature, just governmental information, such as games and times, etc. The illumination can be tuned as needed. Mrs. Teresi asked if the top portion of the sign with the name of the school was illuminated. Mr. Folkman said it is illuminated from behind.
Mrs. Snider stated she was concerned with it being a distraction to motorists. Also, within a four mile radius there are eight facilities that could qualify for this type of sign under the current code. On Lander Road, there could be three in a one mile radius, which concerns her. She thinks the sign is beautiful and other communities have these signs, but she is concerned. Mr. Folkman stated he understands. He remarked that there is no evidence that these signs create accidents. Mayor Costabile added that the code allows for these types of signs and the City has to follow the code. What is helpful with this sign is that there are restrictions placed on it and if more of these signs are requested, this has set precedent and should help maintain the look of the City. This is the new wave and makes changing signs easier. The City cannot pick and choose which to allow since the code provides for it, but setting precedent with the conditions to be added to this matter should be helpful and may help alleviate prospective issues with future applications
Mrs. Teresi commented that this sign looks lovely compared to some she has seen. If anything changes from these six restrictions, would the City enforce the restrictions? Mayor Costabile said yes. This is done regularly by the Building and Police Departments. Mr. Folkman added that the school district would expect nothing less and welcomed the public forum to address concerns. Mr. DiCicco remarked that the sign would be a good place to put emergency information, if needed. Mr. Mercurio mentioned that Building Director Tom Jamieson remarks at the BZA meeting echoed Mrs. Teresi’s comments regarding the design of the sign. Mrs. Finney asked Mr. Carr if this would open signs up for everyone to have these signs like Boneyard, drug stores, etc. Mr. Carr stated there are restrictions as to where these signs can be placed. Anyone can ask for anything and it would have to be dealt with then. This is the wave of the future and he thinks the sign is wonderful. Mrs. Finney’s concern with Boneyard was because the City had already given them a variance for a changeable sign would it now allow them to be considered in the same category as churches and schools for this purpose. Mr. Carr did not believe so because they are in a different district. Mrs. Snider remarked that she loves the sign, but her issue is with the residents’ concerns, with whom she spoke, especially if more of these types of signs are installed. Any residents near one of these proposed signs will have the same concerns as the residents on SOM Center.
Roll Call on motion as stated: AYES: Teresi, Mercurio, DiCicco. NAYS: Finney, Sciria, Snider. Vote 3-3. Motion carried, since five votes are needed to overturn a BZA decision. The resolution is adopted.
RESOLUTION NO. 2012-4: “A Resolution confirming the action of the Board of Zoning Appeals of the City of Mayfield Heights, in denying F&S Enterprises, LLC, on behalf of Menchie’s, a request for a variance to allow outdoor sales at the property located at 1288 SOM Center Road.†Mr. Carr read the resolution by title only. Mr. DiCicco stated that the applicant asked that no action be taken until all seven members of Council are present, so he asked it be placed on first reading. Mrs. Finney moved to place the resolution on first reading, seconded by Mrs. Snider. All in favor, except Mrs. Teresi who abstained as she has a working relationship with the owner of the property. Vote 5-0-1. Motion carried. The resolution is placed on first reading.
RESOLUTION NO. 2012-5: “A Resolution confirming the action of the Board of Zoning Appeals of the City of Mayfield Heights, in granting to Brilliant Electric Sign, Co., LTD., on behalf of Health & Fitness Equipment Center, a request for a 25 square foot variance to utilize an existing 117 square foot sign at 6051 Mayfield Road.†Mr. Carr read the resolution by title only. Mr. DiCicco stated that permission has not yet been received from the land owner for this variance, so he asked that it be placed on first reading. Mrs. Finney moved to place the resolution on first reading, seconded by Mr. Mercurio. All in favor motion carried. The resolution is placed on first reading.
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There being no further business to come before Council, Mr. DiCicco adjourned the meeting at 8:30 P.M.
Approved: Respectfully submitted,
Anthony DiCicco Lisa A. Benedetti, MMC
Council President Deputy Clerk of Council
Attachment:
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January 18, 2012
MEMORANDUM
TO: Council Members
Mayor Costabile
Department Heads
C: Renee Augustine, Ex. Assistant to the Mayor
Laura Baumgardner, Safety Force Administrative Assistant
Tammy Clines, Administrative Assistant
FROM: Anthony DiCicco, Council President
RE: COUNCIL COMMITTEE & COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS
FOR 2012-2013
Council President: Anthony DiCicco
Council President Pro Tem: Diane Snider
Building Committee: Diane Snider, Chairman
Donna Finney, Member
Finance and Audit Committee:
Gayle Teresi, Member
Legislative Committee: Nino Monaco, Chairman
Paul Sciria, Member
Public Works & Services Committee: Paul Sciria, Chairman
Joe Mercurio, Member
Recreation & Parks Committee: Gayle Teresi, Chairman
Anthony DiCicco, Member
Safety & Transportation Committee:
Nino Monaco, Member
Commission on Aging: Anthony DiCicco
Planning Commission:
Board of Zoning Appeals: Joe Mercurio (Mayor appointed)
Euclid Creek Watershed: Nino Monaco (Joe Newman – resident appointee)
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