Council Meeting Minutes - June 8, 2011

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Renda at 7:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL: Mr. Stanard, Ms. Sturgis, Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Wortzman, Mr. Richman

Also Present: Mayor Renda, Law Director Margaret Cannon, Village Engineer Jeff Filarski, Building Commissioner Greg Potts, Police Chief Tom Flauto, Clerk of Council Julie Miller, Service Director Ted De Water.


Mrs. Cooper made a note for correction to the May 11th minutes on page 2. She noted that the third sentence should be changed to read: The approval date for the original house at 35 Greentree is unknown, so we do not know the side yard setback in effect at that time. The current ordinance requires that it must be at least 35 feet.

Mr. Richman made a motion seconded by Ms. Sturgis to approve the Council meeting minutes of May 11th as amended.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Stanard, Ms. Sturgis, Mr. Wortzman, Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Richman
NAYS: None
Motion Carried


REPORT FROM THE MAYOR

At this time Mayor Renda introduced Mr. Michael Matoney, Executive Director and Ms. Carrie Moore, Director of Development for New Directions. Mr. Matoney stated that they were hosting a Garden Tour which would take place on June 26, 2011. He stated that New Directions is celebrating their 30th year of providing treatment for drug, alcohol and mental health issues. He stated that the Garden Tour is one of the ways that they raise money so as not to turn anyone away who needs help. He stated that this is the first ever Garden Tour and will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. He stated that he had met with the Mayor about the Garden Tour last month, and that New Directions is working with Chief Flauto concerning parking for this event. He stated that he had brought some fliers concerning the event.

Mr. Richman stated that he would like to commend New Directions for their exceptional work and urged Council members to go on the Garden Tour. Mayor Renda also urged members to attend the Garden Tour.

Mayor Renda introduced Jonah Weinberg from the Cuyahoga Arts and Culture Association. Mr. Weinberg stated that he is the Director of External Affairs for the Association. He stated that his organization makes grants to 501(C)3 organizations. He stated that they made their first grant in 2008 and are currently one of the top 3 public funders in the area. As a public agency, they like to see the money spread throughout the entire County. He stated that perhaps there were agencies in Moreland Hills such as the Historical Society who may be interested in a grant. These grants are provided to integrate more arts and culture into the community. Mr. Weinberg passed out brochures with the current statistics of Cuyahoga Arts and Culture and their programs.

At this time Mayor Renda introduced Charlene Nevans and asked for a motion to appoint her to the Green Commission.

Mr. Richman made a motion seconded by Mrs. Cooper to appoint Charlene Nevans to the Green Commission.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Stanard, Ms. Sturgis, Mr. Wortzman, Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Richman
NAYS: None
Motion Carried

At this time Law Director Margaret Cannon swore in Charlene Nevans as a member of the Green Commission.


REPORTS OF COMMITTEES:

Utilities Committee
Mr. Wortzman reported that the Utilities Committee did not meet in May so that he had nothing to report.

Finance Committee
Ms. Sturgis reported that the Finance Committee did not meet in May so that she had nothing to report.

Buildings & Grounds Committee
Mr. Richman stated that the Buildings and Grounds Committee did meet. He stated that the minutes have been circulated and are self-explanatory. He stated that he would like to remind everyone of the new Service Facility opening on July 23rd. He stated that he would also like to remind everyone about the opening of the Cabin on June 4th. He urged everyone to go to the Cabin. He stated that Moreland Hills wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for the Garfields.

Safety Committee
Mr. Buczek stated that the Safety Committee did not meet. Mr. Buczek made a motion seconded by Mr. Richman to donate $100.00 to Safety Town for t-shirts.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Stanard, Ms. Sturgis, Mr. Wortzman, Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Richman
NAYS: None
Motion Carried

Mr. Buczek stated that the next meeting of the Safety Committee would be held June 27th at 8:00 a.m.


Planning Commission
Mr. Stanard reported on the Planning Commission. He stated that they had met in May. He stated that Oscar Giovanni received approval for their sign. He stated that Fountain received approval for their entry and sign. He stated that the Western Reserve Land Conservancy received approval of their site plan, contingent on several items, including the Village Engineer’s approval. He stated that Flour received approval for their outdoor patio, and that the Mohan’s received approval for a storage shed and that the Resnick’s received approval for a sunroom. Mr. Stanard stated that the next Planning Commission Meeting would be held June 27th at 5:00 p.m.

Service Committee
Mr. Stanard reported that the Service Committee met on May 23rd. He stated that the loader was being repaired and painted. He stated that there were a number of items on the agenda this evening from the Service Department.

Mr. Stanard made a motion seconded by Mr. Buczek to allow the Service Director to develop specifications for the purchase of a “Mobile Vehicle Lift System”, utilizing either competitive bidding or the State of Ohio DAS program.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Stanard, Ms. Sturgis, Mr. Wortzman, Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Richman
NAYS: None
Motion Carried


Mr. Stanard made a motion seconded by Mr. Buczek to allow the Service Director to develop specifications for the removal of hazardous trees throughout the Village of Moreland Hills, and advertise for competitive bids.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Stanard, Ms. Sturgis, Mr. Wortzman, Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Richman
NAYS: None
Motion Carried


Mr. Stanard made a motion seconded by Mr. Buczek to allow the Village Engineer to write specifications and create a bid packet for the “2011 Culvert Repair Program”.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Stanard, Ms. Sturgis, Mr. Wortzman, Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Richman
NAYS: None
Motion Carried


Mrs. Cooper asked if the Village was going to repair the retaining wall on Chagrin Blvd. Mr. DeWater answered that yes the Village was going to do it in-house.

Mr. Stanard stated that the next Service Committee meeting would be held on June 27th, 2011 at 4:30 p.m.


ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS

Ordinance 2011-6 for the payment of the bills in the month of June, in the amount of $413,822.42 and declaring an emergency was introduced by Ms. Sturgis. Ms. Sturgis made a motion seconded by Mr. Stanard for suspension of the rules for Ordinance 2011-6.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Stanard, Ms. Sturgis, Mr. Wortzman, Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Richman
NAYS: None
Motion Carried


Ms. Sturgis made a motion seconded by Mr. Buczek for passage of Ordinance 2011-6.

Mrs. Cooper inquired about line # 45 Banner Company. Mayor Renda stated that this was for the flags. Mrs. Cooper stated that the flags look great. Mrs. Cooper asked about line # 20, new lids for recycling carts. Mr. DeWater explained that they had purchased replacement lids to go on recycling bins to make them rubbish bins and to sell to residents. Mrs. Cooper asked about line # 76 Nerone and asked if there was an update on what was done. Mr. Filarski stated that they had completed the project. Mayor Renda stated that Mr. Filarski and his daughter had planted trees on the hillside. Mrs. Cooper inquired about # 133 Tiger Direct. Chief Flauto stated that these were digital cameras to go into the patrol cars and that these were covered by the grant from Mrs. Anderson.

Mr. Wortzman asked about line 52 and 53, Klais Company. He asked why it would be billed twice in one month. Mayor Renda explained that they had failed to bill the Village last month, and had presented two invoices in June.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Stanard, Ms. Sturgis, Mr. Wortzman, Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Richman
NAYS: NONE
Motion Carried


Ordinance 2011-36 amending existing section 705.05, alarm user responsibility; false alarms, of Chapter 705 of the Codified Ordinances of the Village of Moreland Hills, to provide for the issuance of a notice of false alarm determination and to provide for false alarm fees and declaring an emergency was introduced by Mayor Renda.

Chief Flauto asked if this ordinance could be put on second reading, due to some discrepancies in the fees for false alarms. Mr. Stanard made a motion seconded by Mrs. Cooper to put Ordinance 2011-36 on second reading.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Stanard, Ms. Sturgis, Mr. Wortzman, Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Richman
NAYS: NONE
Motion Carried


Ordinance 2011-43 authorizing change orders no. 3, 4, 5, & 6 with Ronyak Paving, Inc. for the 2010 Asphalt Pavement Program and declaring an emergency was introduced by Mr. Stanard.

Mr. Stanard stated that 3, 4 and 5 are for items that were not in the original contract. Change order 6 is a summation that balances the contract. Change order 3 was for work done at Village Hall. It was for milling out the existing asphalt. 4 & 5 are for work done at the Farwood and Fircrest project site.

Mr. Stanard made a motion seconded by Mr. Wortzman to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2011-43.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Stanard, Ms. Sturgis, Mr. Wortzman, Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Richman
NAYS: NONE
Motion Carried


Mr. Stanard made a motion seconded by Mr. Wortzman for passage of Ordinance 2011-43.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Stanard, Ms. Sturgis, Mr. Wortzman, Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Richman
NAYS: NONE
Motion Carried


Ordinance 2011-44 authorizing the Mayor to enter into a first amended and restated agreement for establishment of the Chagrin/Southeast Council of Governments; designating the Mayor as the Village’s representative to the Council; and declaring an emergency was introduced by Mayor Renda.

Mayor Renda stated that this is for the HAZMAAT COG. The original agreement was for the establishment, and this agreement is to maintain it. The agreement with noted changes was circulated to all Council members.

Mr. Richman made a motion seconded by Mr. Buczek for suspension of the rules for Ordinance 2011-44.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Stanard, Ms. Sturgis, Mr. Wortzman, Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Richman
NAYS: NONE
Motion Carried


Mr. Richman made a motion seconded by Mrs. Cooper for passage of Ordinance 2011-44.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Stanard, Ms. Sturgis, Mr. Wortzman, Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Richman
NAYS: NONE
Motion Carried


Ordinance 2011-45 authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement to join the Council to Protect Ohio’s Communities; designating the Mayor as the Village’s representative to the Council; and declaring an emergency was introduced by Mayor Renda.

Mayor Renda asked Margaret Cannon speak about this issue. Margaret Cannon stated that everyone is aware that the General Assembly is giving very serious consideration to the estate tax issue. This would represent a loss of several hundred thousand dollars to the Village. She stated that there is a group of communities that have been working for some time legislatively to do what can be done to prevent the repeal. This is another Council of Governments that the Village would join.

Mr. Buczek made a motion seconded by Mrs. Cooper for suspension of the rules for Ordinance 2011-45.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Stanard, Ms. Sturgis, Mr. Wortzman, Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Richman
NAYS: NONE
Motion Carried


Mr. Buczek made a motion seconded by Mrs. Cooper for passage of Ordinance 2011-45.

Mr. Stanard asked if the list of members was complete. Margaret Cannon answered that there are 7 members and an additional number of communities that have made contributions but who have not joined to the Council of Governments. Margaret Cannon agreed to supply Mr. Stanard with a current list.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Stanard, Ms. Sturgis, Mr. Wortzman, Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Richman
NAYS: NONE
Motion Carried


Ordinance 2011-46 authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with J.D. Striping & Serv. Inc. in an amount not to exceed eleven thousand five hundred seventy-two dollars and zero cents ($11,572.00) for the 2011 Road Striping Program and declaring an emergency was introduced by Mr. Buczek.

Mr. Buczek made a motion seconded by Mr. Richman to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2011-46.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Stanard, Ms. Sturgis, Mr. Wortzman, Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Richman
NAYS: NONE
Motion Carried


Mr. Buczek explained that this was for the annual street striping program. He stated that the Chief of Police puts the list of areas to be striped together. Chief Flauto stated that this was the best price available for this work.

Mr. Buczek made a motion seconded by Mr. Richman for passage of Ordinance 2011-46.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Stanard, Ms. Sturgis, Mr. Wortzman, Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Richman
NAYS: NONE
Motion Carried


Ordinance 2011-47 providing additional appropriations, transferring items already appropriated and declaring an emergency was introduced by Ms. Sturgis. Ms. Sturgis stated that this was a monthly housekeeping item.

Ms. Sturgis made a motion seconded by Mrs. Cooper for suspension of the rules for Ordinance 2011-47.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Stanard, Ms. Sturgis, Mr. Wortzman, Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Richman
NAYS: NONE
Motion Carried


Ms. Sturgis made a motion seconded by Mr. Buczek for passage of Ordinance 2011-47.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Stanard, Ms. Sturgis, Mr. Wortzman, Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Richman
NAYS: NONE
Motion Carried


Ordinance 2011-48 extending a contract with the Ohio MID Eastern Regional Education Service Agency (“OME-RESA”) for renewal of a health benefits program for Village employees, waiving competitive bidding and declaring an emergency was introduced by Mayor Renda.

Mayor Renda explained that this is the health insurance ordinance. She stated that there had not been enough time before having to renew, to research other companies. She stated that there had been quite a bit of time spent during the Staff meeting yesterday, and it was clear from heads of departments that employees are not satisfied with the benefits or the services being provided. She stated that as long as six months’ notice is given, the Village can get out of the current policy. She stated that the Treasurer’s advice was to renew this policy at this time.

Mrs. Cooper made a motion seconded by Mr. Stanard to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2011-48.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Stanard, Ms. Sturgis, Mr. Wortzman, Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Richman
NAYS: NONE
Motion Carried


Mrs. Cooper made a motion seconded by Mr. Buczek for passage of Ordinance 2011-48.

Mr. Stanard asked if there was a penalty for terminating. Mayor Renda stated that there was no penalty.

Mr. Wortzman asked if Mayor Renda had given Mr. Aaron Marinelli feedback as to the lack of quality of the services. Mayor Renda stated that she had, and that Mr. Marinelli had met with some of the employees concerning this issue, and also with some Department heads who were representing employee’s concerns.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Stanard, Ms. Sturgis, Mr. Wortzman, Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Richman
NAYS: NONE
Motion Carried


Miscellaneous Business

Mr. Richman made a suggestion for the newsletter. He suggested tips to parents concerning children not having enough to do during the summer and the perils of drug and alcohol abuse.

Mrs. Cooper stated that she would like to give a brief update on the Appreciation Dinner. Mrs. Cooper stated that the date would be August 18th at 5:30 p.m. She stated that it would take place in the new Service Facility. She stated that there had been assignments made at the Committee of the Whole meeting. She stated that everyone agreed that they would like to cook versus having it catered. She asked about purchasing a gas grill. Mayor Renda responded that she would speak to Mr. DeWater concerning the purchase of a gas grill. She stated that if the gas grill would be used regularly, she would be in favor of the purchase.

Mayor Renda stated that Mrs. Iris Wheeler had been in contact with her concerning the opening of Fountain Restaurant. Mayor Renda stated that Mrs. Wheeler had asked for the names and addresses of all members of Council and the Planning Commission. Mayor Renda stated that since the members are not allowed to accept free food, and that members would be required to pay for their meals. Mayor Renda stated that she had made this very clear to Mrs. Wheeler and Mrs. Wheeler was in turn going to make her staff aware of this.

Mr. Filarski stated that the date for the talk by Kyle Dreyfus Wells from the NEORSD was going to be on June 28th at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Filarski stated that he would be there also.

Mr. Buczek made a motion seconded by Mr. Wortzman to adjourn the Regular Council Meeting at 8:15 p.m.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Stanard, Ms. Sturgis, Mr. Wortzman, Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Richman
NAYS: NONE
Motion Carried


The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

Attest: 
Julie Miller, Clerk of Council 
Stephen Richman, Council President