Council Meeting Minutes - January 14, 2009

The Council Meeting of the Village of Moreland Hills was called to order by Mayor Renda at 7:00 p.m.

PRESENT AT ROLL CALL: Mrs. Cooper, Newman, Mrs. Ovsek, Mr. Richman, Mr. Wortzman, Mr. Buczek

ALSO PRESENT: Mayor Susan Renda, Law Director Margaret Anne Cannon, Service Director Ted DeWater, Building Commissioner Greg Potts, Engineer Jeff Filarski, Police Chief Tom Flauto and Clerk of Council Mary Catherine Knight.


A motion was made by Mr. Buczek seconded by Mrs. Ovsek to approve the Council meeting minutes of December 10, 2008.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Cooper, Newman, Ovsek, Richman, Wortzman, Buczek
NAYS: None
Motion carried.


A motion was made by Mr. Buczek seconded by Mrs. Cooper to approve the Organizational Council meeting minutes of January 7, 2009.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Cooper, Newman, Ovsek, Richman, Wortzman, Buczek
NAYS: None
Motion carried.


REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR

Mayor Renda gave the State of the Village address to Residents, Council and Staff. The Village of Moreland Hills is celebrating its 80th Anniversary this year. Overall, the Village of Moreland Hills’ finances are very healthy. There is 6 million in the general fund balance, Village debt is less than 1 million and there is no plan for increased taxes. The financial outlook for the Village is to spend conservatively without limiting services to the residents. The Village was voted by Cleveland Magazine as one of the safest cities the past 6 years. Two new officers were hired this year in the police department. All officers receive extensive training. Crime declined this year despite the 2 home burglaries. The police department duty room will be renovated in 2009. The service department has regained full staffing for the first time since 2002. County recycle pick ups have increased. The administration and service department worked together to produce semi-annual recycle brochures and a recycle magnets for residents to increase awareness. The service department has adopted the ‘Sensible Salt Policy’, therefore the Village is using less salt on the roads, using other additives such as Haydite and Geomelt and concentrating on plowing main roads, intersections and hills first then secondary roads. For 2009, the Village will concentrate on the plan for a new service facility. The Village will not take on new debt or have loans for the facility. Taxes will not be raised instead the Village will use the reserves in the estate tax fund to pay cash for the service facility. The building department issued 140 permits in 2008. Three new developments are being built; Meadows Subdivision will have 7 lots, Raea Subdivision will have 5 lots and Rivers Edge will have between 5 and 8 lots. The building department is State Certified and the building inspector will serve as the liaison between the new service facility architect and the Village. The Engineer obtained $466,000 in Federal Grant money this year and secured $566,000 in low interest loans. The Engineer will continue to work on the Village’s Storm Water Management compliance with the EPA along with the pavement maintenance and drainage programs. This year a retaining wall will be installed the on Chagrin Blvd. Slope Stabilization project and the abandonment of 3 waste water treatment plant facilities will occur. The Legal department will continue to advise, write ordinances and keep the Village legally in line. In conclusion, the State of the Village is excellent. The Village is well prepared to meet all challenges that come its way.

Mayor Renda noted that committees did not meet this month yet therefore there are no reports of committees.

Mr. Richman made a motion seconded by Mrs. Cooper to allow the Clerk of Council to advertise for bids for the Chagrin Boulevard Slope Stabilization project.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Cooper, Newman, Ovsek, Richman, Wortzman, Buczek
NAYS: None
Motion carried.


Mrs. Cooper made a motion seconded by Mr. Richman to allow the Police Chief to establish specifications to advertise for bid to renovate the Duty Room in the Police Department.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Cooper, Newman, Ovsek, Richman, Wortzman, Buczek
NAYS: None
Motion carried.


Mrs. Ovsek made a motion seconded by Mr. Richman to allow the Village of Moreland Hills to donate $500.00 each to both Orange High School and Chagrin Falls High School for the after-prom committee.

Mrs. Ovsek said the Village is solicited each year by the two high schools and the money goes towards the after prom committees.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Cooper, Newman, Ovsek, Richman, Wortzman, Buczek
NAYS: None
Motion carried.


ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

*Ordinance 2009-1 introduced by Mrs. Ovsek. An Ordinance for payment of the bills in the month of January in the amount of $ 195,593.58 and declaring an emergency.

A motion was made by Mrs. Ovsek and seconded by Mr. Buczek to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2009-1.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Cooper, Newman, Ovsek, Richman, Wortzman, Buczek
NAYS: None
Motion carried.


A motion was made by Mrs. Ovsek and seconded by Mr. Buczek for passage of Ordinance 2009-1.

Mr. Newman inquired line item #48 and #52 on the Bills Ordinance and why the Dominion Gas bills for the municipal buildings were so high. Mayor Renda noted that the programmable thermostats were not installed yet. Service Director DeWater noted that the Service Garage and Village Hall were on the same meter. When it is very cold out and the garage doors continue to open for the trucks going in and out a lot of heat is lost therefore causing an increase in bills. Mayor Renda will have Tricia Ingrassia, Assistant to the Treasurer, contact Dominion Gas and inquire about the increase in the bills.

Mr. Richman asked about the Village’s property tax exemptions. Mayor Renda said they were filed and the money will be returned to the Village.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Cooper, Newman, Ovsek, Richman, Wortzman, Buczek
NAYS: None
Motion carried.


*Ordinance 2009-13 was introduced by Mrs. Cooper. An Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the Village of Woodmere for the use of the Moreland Hills Firing Range by the Village of Woodmere Police Department and declaring an emergency.

Mrs. Cooper explained that these communities contract with the Village of Moreland Hills to use the Firing Range and pay the Village an hourly rate. Orange Village, Woodmere and Pepper Pike have renewal contracts and Bentleyville is new this year.

A motion was made by Mrs. Cooper seconded by Mr. Newman to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2009-13.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Cooper, Newman, Ovsek, Richman, Wortzman, Buczek
NAYS: None
Motion carried.


A motion was made by Mrs. Cooper seconded by Mr. Buczek for passage or Ordinance 2009-13.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Cooper, Newman, Ovsek, Richman, Wortzman, Buczek
NAYS: None
Motion carried.


*Ordinance 2009-14 was introduced by Mrs. Cooper. An Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the City of Pepper Pike for the use of the Moreland Hills Firing Range by the City of Pepper Pike Police Department and declaring an emergency.

A motion was made by Mrs. Cooper seconded by Mr. Buczek to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2009-14.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Cooper, Newman, Ovsek, Richman, Wortzman, Buczek
NAYS: None
Motion carried.


A motion was made by Mrs. Cooper seconded by Mr. Buczek for passage of Ordinance 2009-14.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Cooper, Newman, Ovsek, Richman, Wortzman, Buczek
NAYS: None
Motion carried.


*Ordinance 2009-15 was introduced by Mrs. Cooper. An Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the Village of Orange for the use of the Moreland Hills Firing Range by the Village of Orange Police Department and declaring an emergency.

A motion was made by Mrs. Cooper seconded by Mr. Buczek to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2009-15.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Cooper, Newman, Ovsek, Richman, Wortzman, Buczek
NAYS: None
Motion carried.


A motion was made by Mrs. Cooper seconded by Mr. Buczek for passage of Ordinance 2009-15.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Cooper, Newman, Ovsek, Richman, Wortzman, Buczek
NAYS: None
Motion carried.


*Ordinance 2009-16 was introduced by Mrs. Cooper. An Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the Village of Bentleyville for the use of the Moreland Hills Firing Range by the Village of Bentleyville Police Department and declaring an emergency.

A motion was made by Mrs. Cooper seconded by Mr. Buczek to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2009-16.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Cooper, Newman, Ovsek, Richman, Wortzman, Buczek
NAYS: None
Motion carried.


A motion was made by Mrs. Cooper seconded by Mr. Buczek for passage of Ordinance 2009-16.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Cooper, Newman, Ovsek, Richman, Wortzman, Buczek
NAYS: None
Motion carried.


*Ordinance 2009-17 was introduced by Mayor Renda. An Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 2008-92 passed by the Village Council on November 12, 2008, which confirmed the appointment by the Mayor of Gregory R. Potts as Building Inspector, to provide that the Building Inspector is a Full-Time position, to increase the compensation of said position, and declaring an emergency.

Mayor Renda explained as she did in her State of the Village Address, that Building Commissioner Potts will be the liaison between the service facility architect and the Village. This job along with the general building in Moreland Hills and other duties requires him to be full time. Also, his pay rate was increased by 3% however all Village employees got a 4% raise this year therefore he will be compensated the additional 1%.

A motion was made by Mr. Buczek seconded by Mrs. Cooper to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2009-17.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Cooper, Newman, Ovsek, Richman, Wortzman, Buczek
NAYS: None
Motion carried.


A motion was made by Mr. Buczek seconded by Mrs. Cooper for passage of Ordinance 2009-17.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Cooper, Newman, Ovsek, Richman, Wortzman, Buczek
NAYS: None
Motion carried.


*Ordinance 2009-18 was introduced by Mayor Renda. An Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 2008-97 passed by the Village Council on December 10, 2008, which fixed the compensation of various officers and employees of the Village of Moreland Hills, to provide that the Service Director is entitled to receive Overtime Pay for certain emergency conditions, to correct typographical errors, and declaring an emergency.

Mayor Renda mentioned that last month Council approved the Service Director’s overtime pay for emergency situations however Treasurer Shah requested this be in ordinance format. Additionally, there were two typographical errors with the waste water treatment department pay schedules.

A motion was made by Mrs. Ovsek seconded by Mr. Buczek to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2009-18.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Cooper, Newman, Ovsek, Richman, Wortzman, Buczek
NAYS: None
Motion carried.


A motion was made by Mr. Buczek seconded by Mr. Richman for passage of Ordinance 2009-18.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Cooper, Newman, Ovsek, Richman, Wortzman, Buczek
NAYS: None
Motion carried.


*Ordinance 2009-19 was introduced by Mr. Wortzman. An Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Purchase Agreement with the Bank of New York, C/O Wilshire Credit Corporation to acquire property located at 37545 Chagrin Boulevard in the Village of Moreland Hills, Ohio and declaring an emergency.

Mr. Wortzman explained that the Village is purchasing the house on the corner of Chagrin Blvd. and Ellendale Road. It is an eyesore home and the Village plans to demolish it. Mayor Renda added that it will be green spaced and used to beautify the Ellendale entrance.

A motion was made by Mr. Wortzman seconded by Mr. Buczek to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2009-19.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Cooper, Newman, Ovsek, Richman, Wortzman, Buczek
NAYS: None
Motion carried.


A motion was made by Mr. Wortzman seconded by Mrs. Cooper for passage of Ordinance 2009-19.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Cooper, Newman, Ovsek, Richman, Wortzman, Buczek
NAYS: None
Motion carried.


*Ordinance 2009-20 was introduced by Mr. Buczek. An Ordinance authorizing a Change Order with Ake Laboratory, Inc. for the 2008 Sanitary and Storm Sewer Rehabilitation and Pump Station Cleaning Project and declaring an emergency.

Mr. Buczek explained that Ake found a sewer blocked, 21 inches that took 3 additional days to clean out. The charge is for the cost of time. Mrs. Cooper added that this was due to willow tree roots that seek water desperately.

A motion was made by Mr. Buczek seconded by Mr. Richman to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2009-20.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Cooper, Newman, Ovsek, Richman, Wortzman, Buczek
NAYS: None
Motion carried.


A motion was made by Mr. Buczek seconded by Mrs. Cooper for passage of Ordinance 2009-20.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Cooper, Newman, Ovsek, Richman, Wortzman, Buczek
NAYS: None
Motion carried.


*Ordinance 2009-21 was introduced by Mr. Richman. An Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to purchase a minimum of 80 percent up to a maximum of 120 percent of the estimated Salt Tonnage requirements of the Village for 2009-2010 through the State of Ohio Department of Transportation’s Contract for Sodium Chloride; waiving competitive bidding and declaring an emergency.

Mr. Richman explained that by entering into this agreement early this year it will help prevent the shortage next year.

A motion was made by Mr. Richman seconded by Mr. Buczek to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2009-21.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Cooper, Newman, Ovsek, Richman, Wortzman, Buczek
NAYS: None
Motion carried.


A motion was made by Mr. Richman seconded by Mr. Buczek for passage of Ordinance 2009-21.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Cooper, Newman, Ovsek, Richman, Wortzman, Buczek
NAYS: None
Motion carried.

Service Director DeWater noted that the Village needed to commit to ODOT by February 27, 2009. Currently last year at this time the Village used about 1700 tons, this year the Village has used about 700 tons and just placed an order for 1000 tons. This is primarily due to the Sensible Salting Policy that the Village adopted.


*Ordinance 2009-22 was introduced to Mayor Renda. An Ordinance enacting section 153.17 “Compensatory Time in lieu of Overtime Pay” of Chapter 153 “Employees Generally” of the Administration Code of the Village of Moreland Hills and declaring an emergency.

Mayor Renda explained that this ordinance is a housekeeping issue. It brings in line the ordinance with the practices.

A motion was made by Mr. Buczek seconded by Mr. Wortzman to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2009-22.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Cooper, Newman, Ovsek, Richman, Wortzman, Buczek
NAYS: None
Motion carried.


A motion was made by Mr. Buczek seconded by Mrs. Cooper for passage of Ordinance 2009-22.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Cooper, Newman, Ovsek, Richman, Wortzman, Buczek
NAYS: None
Motion carried.


MICELLANEOUS BUSINESS

Resident Reed Andrews of 34114-8106 was present and inquired about how much the Village charges the other communities for the use of the Moreland Hills Firing Range. Mayor Renda said it is a per hour charge of $55.00.

Mr. Andrews also asked about how the Heathermore Condominium sewer costs will change. Mayor Renda explained that the cost will be significantly less with the abandonment of the 3 waste water facilities and conversion to a plant. For example, Pepper Pike converted and went from paying $400,000 to $40,000 per year. The conversion cost is high but the maintenance fees are significantly less. NEORSD will bill residents based on water usage. This will come with your water bill. Mr. Andrews asked Engineer Filarski to let Heathermore Condominium’s know when he has more information so that they can plan accordingly with the HOA. Mr. Filarski noted that it will be in 2010.

Mr. Andrews asked what is going in the Moreland Towne Center plaza at the corner of Chagrin Blvd. and St. Rt. 91. Mayor Renda said that people are interested in the space but nothing has been set as of yet. The space is projected to be completed in May.

Mr. Bob Kehres of 38900 Chagrin Blvd. asked how large the new service facility will be and how much will it cost. Mayor Renda said the new facility will be around 16,000-20,000 square feet and cost about 2.5 million. The estate tax fund will cover costs of the facility. Mr. Kehres noted that it would be about $100.00/square foot. He asked if the Village had considered a steel building to save on costs. Mayor Renda said the Western Reserve character needs to be preserved. Mr. Kehres asked why the Village keeps 6 million in the general fund. Mayor Renda said the Treasurer likes to have a reserve incase something were to happen. Mr. Kehres noted that there are about 1500 taxable properties in the Village therefore the Village is holding about $4500.00/property in the account. He asked how much the Moreland Hills budget is per year. Mayor Renda answered 8 million per year. Mr. Kehres said a lot of Cuyahoga County residents cannot pay property taxes; libraries raised taxes twice in a period of 4 years and he feels that the municipalities and the county taxes are most inflated. Mayor Renda thanked him for his comments.

Mr. Gary Sherck of 31570 Hiram Trail asked what plans were in store for the property on the corner of Hiram Trail and St. Rt. 91, the Lee Road Nursery on Chagrin Blvd. and the old BP gas station on the corner of Miles Road and St. Rt. 91. Mayor Renda explained that the property at Hiram Trail and St. Rt. 91 will be torn down, the house is beyond redemption. There is a possibility of the road traffic pattern being changed in the future; this is something that the Village will look into. The Lee Road Nursery is on the market but very high priced. The BP gas station will be dealing with EPA issues soon.

Mr. Kehres asked if Mr. Lang and his family have been notified about the Forest Ridge Preserve parking lot being located near their properties. Mayor Renda said that Mr. Lang was part of the planning committee and is aware. The Forest Ridge Preserve will not allow hunters due to the liability.

Mayor Renda thanked everyone for attending the State of the Village Address and Council meeting.

Mrs. Ovsek noted that the 3rd Ad Hoc Committee meeting minutes were distributed for review. The next Ad Hoc Committee meeting is scheduled for January 21, 2009 at 8:15am.

A motion was made by Mr. Buczek seconded by Mrs. Cooper to adjourn the Council Meeting of January 14, 2009.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Cooper, Newman, Ovsek, Richman, Wortzman, Buczek
NAYS: None
Motion carried.

Adjourned 8:10 pm