Council Meeting Minutes - August 13, 2008

The Council Meeting of the Village of Moreland Hills was called to order by Mayor Renda at 7:03 p.m.

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

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


A motion was made by Mr. Buczek seconded by Mrs. Cooper to approve the Council meeting minutes of July 9, 2008.

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


Mr. Richman introduced Mr. Steve Hegner and Ms. Laraine Canzonetta from the Orange School District . Mr. Richman thanked Sgt. Janet Boehler for her suggestion to recognize these fine employees.

Mayor Renda presented Mr. Hegner and Ms. Canzonetta each a proclamation thanking them for their years of service to the Orange Schools and congratulating them on their accomplishments.

Mr. Richman, as Chair of the Safety Committee, welcomed 2 new hires to the Police Department.

Mayor Renda introduced Scott Bennett and Joseph Scolaro and swore both Mr. Bennett and Mr. Scolaro in as Officers of the Moreland Hills Police Department.

Mayor Renda and Chief Flauto congratulated both new Officers and invited them and their families to the Police Department for a tour and refreshments.


REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

Utilities
Mr. Buczek reported that during the last big rain storm, there were power outages and a pump station overflowed. The EPA was notified and things were handled. The next Utilities Committee meeting is 8/14 at 8:30am.

Safety Committee
Mr. Richman noted that the Safety Committee minutes are detailed and complete. Service Committee

Mrs. Cooper reported that the Chagrin Boulevard Slope Instability Project is moving forward. CEI will temporarily relocate and then replace any equipment that will be affected by the project but needs a 16-18 week time frame. Mr. Filarski recommends applying for Issue 1 funding.

Mrs. Cooper made a motion seconded by Mr. Richman for the Clerk of Council to advertise for bid for the 2008 Culvert Program.

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


Mrs. Cooper made a motion seconded by Mr. Buczek to authorize the Service Director to establish specifications and advertise for bids for the removal of priority trees and overhead pruning of low limbs on primary roadways throughout the Village of Moreland Hills as recommended by the Service Committee.

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


Mrs. Cooper made a motion seconded by Mrs. Ovsek to authorize the Mayor to use Road Solutions, Inc. as needed for the purchase of Geomelt (Beet Juice) for use as a liquid deicing additive as recommended by the Service Committee. The Committee recognizes that Road Solutions, Inc. is a sole source provider of Geomelt within the State of Ohio.

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


Finance Committee
Mayor Renda notified Council that Mr. Wortzman was not present because he is ill. Mayor Renda reported that the Finance Committee met last week and had 2 insurance providers present plans to Mr. Wortzman, Mayor Renda, Treasurer Shah, and a representative from each department at Moreland Hills. On the agenda is an Ordinance renewing the Village’s contract for health care coverage with a 1.5 percent increase.

Mr. Richman inquired about the wage study status with Mayor Renda. Mayor Renda asked Finance Specialist Claudette Pesti to conduct this study and is waiting on Mr. Wortzman’s approval.


Buildings & Grounds
Mrs. Ovsek presented the Kendra house study to Council. Mrs. Ovsek reported that the house has been empty and vacated for some time. It will cost $59,000 to fix and bring up to standards which is a substantial cost. Currently, the house is being used for storage by the Service Department but the department can relocate their belongings to other storage facilities if needed. It is an 8 acre property with two ponds. The Village is looking to demolish the house and use the property for Green Space. TRC Services, Inc. is the lowest bid for demolition at $8,802.00. Mrs. Ovsek asked Council members for their thoughts on this issue. Mr. Newman would like to know what the Village knows about the company TRC Services, Inc. Service Director DeWater commented that TRC Services, Inc. did the Village’s chipping and mulch program. They are registered and bonded. Mr. DeWater noted that two other companies submitted bids by an informal bid process; those being C.J. Company and B&B Wrecking. Mr. Richman asked if Chagrin Falls Fire Department would use the property for test burns. Mrs. Ovsek said the house is 90% stone, but they could conduct fire drills. Mayor Renda commented that the SWAT team has asked for permission to use for drills before it is torn down. Mrs. Ovsek said the Service Department will salvage everything that they can from the house. There is nice cherry wood paneling that can be saved. Mr. Newman asked about the oil tank. Mr. DeWater reported that it is located in the basement of the house and Ullman Oil will remove the oil first. The tank is about ¼ full.

Mrs. Ovsek made a motion seconded by Mr. Buczek to authorize the Mayor to accept the informal bid submitted by TRC Services, Inc. in the amount of $8,802.00 for the demolition and removal of the home owned by the Village of Moreland Hills located at 34000 Hiram Trail, also known as the Kendra house. The bid was the lowest and best of three (3) bids submitted, and that is being recommended by the Buildings and Grounds Committee.

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


Planning Commission
Mr. Newman had no report.


ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

*Ordinance 2008-8 introduced by Mayor Renda. An Ordinance for payment of the bills in the month of August in the amount of $437,452.26 and declaring an emergency.

Mayor Renda said the Finance Committee reviewed the bills ordinance at their meeting last week and there is nothing out of the ordinary.

A motion was made by Mrs. Ovsek and seconded by Mr. Buczek to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2008-8.

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


A motion was made by Mrs. Ovsek and seconded by Mr. Buczek for passage of Ordinance 2008-8.

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


*Ordinance 2008-66 Amended was introduced by Mayor Renda. An Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 2008-16 passed by the Village Council on January 16, 2008, which fixed the compensation of various officers and employees of the Village of Moreland Hills, and which was amended by Ordinance 2008-30 passed by the Village Council on March 12, 2008, which provided for the position and compensation of Council Clerk, to change the position title of Finance Director to the position title Finance Specialist and to provide compensation, to add the position title and compensation of Assistant to the Treasurer amended to correct a typographical error and declaring an emergency.

Mayor Renda announced that two of the salaries were incorrect therefore this amended ordinance will correct the typographical errors.

A motion was made by Mr. Ovsek seconded by Mr. Buczek to suspend the rules for Amended Ordinance 2008-66.

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


A motion was made by Mrs. Ovsek seconded by Mr. Richman for passage of Amended Ordinance 2008-66.

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


*Ordinance 2008-67 was introduced by Mayor Renda. An Ordinance providing additional appropriations, transferring items already appropriated and declaring an emergency.

Mayor Renda explained that this ordinance is a financial “house keeping” ordinance that the State Auditors require if the Village modifies its spending from the budget.

A motion was made by Mrs. Ovsek seconded by Mr. Buczek to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2008-67.

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


A motion was made by Mrs. Ovsek seconded by Mr. Buczek for passage of Ordinance 2008-67.

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


*Ordinance 2008-68 was introduced by Mayor Renda. An Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with Aetna U.S. Healthcare, Inc. for the provision of health care insurance and dental coverage to Village employees, at the total estimated monthly cost of $22,000.00 and declaring an emergency.

A motion was made by Mr. Buczek seconded by Mr. Richman to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2008-68.

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


A motion was made by Mr. Buczek seconded by Mr. Richman for passage of Ordinance 2008-68.

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


Mayor Renda introduced Mr. Sam Steinhouse, Chair of the Charter Review Commission, and members Ms. Melanie Corcoran, Mr. Brad Schlang, Mr. Dave Marsh and Mrs. Ronda Goldfarb who were present. Mayor Renda asked Mr. Steinhouse to present the Charter Review Commission’s recommendations to Council.

Mr. Steinhouse began by explaining the process that the Charter Review Commission went through. The Charter Review Commission met from April through August 5. They solicited input from the Council, the Mayor, and the Law Director. They reviewed the previous Charter Review Commission’s minutes from 1998 and looked at other Charters. They went through the Charter section by section and made an initial list of issues the Commission wanted to further discuss. The final recommendations are presented in the 6 ordinances on the agenda.

First Mr. Steinhouse, on behalf of the entire Charter Review Commission, urged Council to consider two things: creating a Parks Commission to handle the Green Space throughout the Village and raising the bond for the Mayor and Treasurer from $50,000 to $100,000 for fidelity insurance purposes. The fee to do this is nominal and it is well worth the protection. These can be done by creating an Ordinance rather than altering the Charter.

The Charter Review Commission is proposing the following:

· To increase the size of Council from 6 to 7 members.
· To have an organizational meeting in January prior to the Council meeting so that the Committees can be determined and work can be done more efficiently in January.
· To allow Council to create its own meeting calendar.
· To clarify that the Police Chief is the head of the Police Department who is under the direction of the Mayor, a civilian.
· To remove the Civil Service Commission. This is not needed due to the smaller population of Moreland Hills. Moreland Hills would need to increase its population by approximately 1800 people to become a city which is unlikely and therefore does not need a Civil Service Commission.
· To correct a typographical error in Article XII.
· To make all language gender neutral.

Mrs. Ovsek requested more information from the Charter Review Commission’s thoughts about adding another Council member. Mrs. Ovsek asked if the Commission considered wards.

Mr. Steinhouse said there are many reasons for adding another Council member. For instance, to alleviate some of the work load, to better ensure a quorum and be able to due business more efficiently and effectively. The issues of creating wards was briefly discussed but then dismissed due to the fact that Moreland Hills is small to begin with and to divide it up even further into sections would be too much according to the Commission’s thoughts. Mr. Richman proposed a Citizen’s Committee and suggested the 7th Council member chair it. Mayor Renda said that Council sets up its own committees by ordinance. Law Director, Margaret Cannon added that about 15 Councils reviewed have an odd number to 2 Councils that have an even number. Mr. Schlang added that since 1929 there have been 6 members on Council.

Mr. Buczek inquired about a Council of 7 passing things on an emergency. Ms. Cannon explained that passing something on an emergency and suspending the rules are two different things. Also, passing on an emergency is language that is necessary by Ohio law. Mr. Newman asked the Charter Review Commission if they discussed the financial cost to the Village to add another Council member and if they considered the decline of population in Northeast Ohio . Mr. Steinhouse said they did consider both. Mrs. Ovsek asked the Commission what other Charters they looked at. Mrs. Corcoran replied Gates Mills, Orange Village , Hunting Valley , Bay Village , and Chagrin Falls.

Mayor Renda asked Council to meet again for a Special Council Meeting on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at 7pm to further discuss these proposed amendments to the Charter.


*Ordinance 2008-69 was introduced by Mayor Renda. An Ordinance authorizing and directing the submission to the electors of the Village of Moreland Hills, Ohio of amendments to Article III, Sections 1 and 6, Article IV, Section 4, Article VIII, Section 2, and Article IX of the Charter of the Village of Moreland Hills, Ohio to be voted upon at the next regular election on November 4, 2008 and declaring an emergency.

A motion was made by Mrs. Cooper seconded by Mrs. Ovsek to place Ordinance 2008-69 on First Reading.

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


*Ordinance 2008-70 was introduced by Mayor Renda. An Ordinance authorizing and directing the submission to the electors of the Village of Moreland Hills, Ohio of amendments to Article III, Sections 2 and 4, of the Charter of the Village of Moreland Hills, Ohio to be voted upon at the next regular election on November 4, 2008 and declaring an emergency.

A motion was made by Mrs. Cooper seconded by Mr. Richman to place Ordinance 2008-70 on First Reading.

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


*Ordinance 2008-71 was introduced by Mayor Renda. An Ordinance authorizing and directing the submission to the electors of the Village of Moreland Hills, Ohio of amendments to Article V, Section 5, of the Charter of the Village of Moreland Hills, Ohio to be voted upon at the next regular election on November 4, 2008 and declaring an emergency.

A motion was made by Mr. Buczek seconded by Mr. Richman to place Ordinance 2008-71 on First Reading.

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


*Ordinance 2008-72 was introduced by Mayor Renda. An Ordinance authorizing and directing the submission to the electors of the Village of Moreland Hills, Ohio of amendments to Article V, Section 1, of the Charter of the Village of Moreland Hills, Ohio to be voted upon at the next regular election on November 4, 2008 and declaring an emergency.

A motion was made by Mrs. Cooper seconded by Mr. Richman to place Ordinance 2008-72 on First Reading.

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


*Ordinance 2008-73 was introduced by Mayor Renda. An Ordinance authorizing and directing the submission to the electors of the Village of Moreland Hills, Ohio of amendments to Article VII, Section 2, of the Charter of the Village of Moreland Hills, Ohio to be voted upon at the next regular election on November 4, 2008 and declaring an emergency.

A motion was made by Mr. Buczek seconded by Mr. Richman to place Ordinance 2008-73 on First Reading.

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


*Ordinance 2008-74 was introduced by Mayor Renda. An Ordinance authorizing and directing the submission to the electors of the Village of Moreland Hills, Ohio of amendments to Article III, Section 2, and Article IV, Section 6, of the Charter of the Village of Moreland hills, Ohio to be voted upon at the next regular election on November 4, 2008 and declaring an emergency.

A motion was made by Mr. Buczek seconded by Mr. Richman to place Ordinance 2008-74 on First Reading.

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

Mayor Renda and Council thanked the Charter Review Commission for serving the Village.


MICELLANEOUS BUSINESS

Mrs. Ovsek reminded everyone that the Employee Appreciation Dinner is on Thursday, August 21, 2008 at 6pm. Mr. Richman expressed his appreciation to the employees and safety forces and thanked them. Mr. Richman is unable to attend the dinner due to a scheduled vacation.

A motion was made by Mrs. Ovsek seconded by Mr. Buczek to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the acquisition and disposition of public property.

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


Mayor Renda noted that there will be no further business after they come out of Executive Session. Mayor Renda asked Service Director DeWater to stay for the Executive Session.

Council entered into Executive Session at 8:38 pm.

A motion was made by Mr. Buczek seconded by Mrs. Ovsek to come out of Executive Session.

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


Council entered into Regular Session at 9:12 pm.

A motion was made by Mr. Buczek seconded by Mrs. Cooper to adjourn the Council Meeting of August 13, 2008.

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


Adjourned 9:15 pm