Lakewood City Council Meeting Minutes

MINUTES
OF THE
REGULAR MEETING OF
LAKEWOOD CITY COUNCIL
HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
12650 DETROIT AVENUE
February 4, 2002
7:30 P.M.

Regular Meeting of the Lakewood City Council called to order at 7:34 P.M. by Council President Seelie.

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

Moment of Silence
….
Present: Councilmembers Brian T. Corrigan, Denis P. Dunn, Edward FitzGerald, Thomas J. George, Nancy J. Roth, Robert Mr. Seelie, Michael J. Skindell.
....
Also Present: Mayor Cain, Law Director Spellacy, Police Chief Clark, Fire Chief Mroz, Finance Director Blasko, Public Works Director Boag, Planning & Development Director Pietravoia, Executive Assistant to the Mayor Benjamin, Human Services Director Carey, Assistant Safety Director for the Division of Building & Housing Gallagher.

Motion by Mr. George, seconded by Mr. Seelie, to defer action on the January 22, 2002 minutes.

Motion adopted. All members voting yea.
….
Council President Seelie thanked Coordinator Celia Dorsch and the Help To Others (H20) Youth group for having hosted a reception before the Council Meeting honoring public officials. Mr. Seelie mentioned he believed it was the first time a reception of this nature was given to Councilmembers and that he appreciated it. Ms. Dorsch introduced Nora Steele as the co-coordinator for H20 and recognized the work of a core group of High School H20 volunteers who she said were instrumental in a successful H20 Program at the middle school level. She thanked Council, the Administration and the School for continued support.

****
{Without objection from Council, Items 25, 26, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 and 32 are brought to the beginning of the agenda in that order}

{Without objection from Council, Public Comment was heard after formal resolutions and before Regular Business}

In reference to a comment regarding the City receiving a financial one-time credit for attending a Bureau of Workers Compensation summit, Mr. George said he wanted to recognize Mr. Corrigan for bringing awareness of the summit to Council and the Administration. Mr. Corrigan responded that he saw the savings opportunity as a joint effort. He said he was encouraged to learn from Finance Director Blasko that the City would receive approximately $75,000 in savings for attendance at the seminar.

****OLD BUSINESS****
1. Finance Committee Oral Report regarding 2002 Capital Improvement Contracting Ordinances.

The Finance Committee reported it met Saturday, February 2, 2002 to discuss Ordinance Numbers 62-01 through and including 69-01; contracting authority for various capital projects. The Committee reported that the Law Director had previously advised it that projects would not begin by adoption of the contracting authority alone but would require passage of the Appropriation Ordinance.

The Committee reported the ordinances were discussed in whole or in part during the Budget Hearing Process. The Committee indicated the dates and times for the Budget Hearings as Saturday, January 26, 2002 for approximately seven hours, Wednesday, January 30, 2002; approximately two hours, Thursday, January 31, 2002, approximately two hours and Saturday, February 2, 2002 for approximately seven hours. The Committee indicated February 2, 2002 as the date especially recognized for discussion of Ordinances 62-01 through and including 69-01.

The Committee said deletions and additions were made and were appropriately reflected in the substitute ordinances. The Committee indicated it voted unanimously to recommend adoption of the ordinances.

The Finance Chair mentioned the Finance Committee will meet again, Monday, February 11, 2002 at 7:00 PM to conclude review of the Budget and the 2002 Appropriations Ordinance. The Committee mentioned its intention was to meet prior to the February 19, 2002 Council Meeting so that all final versions of ordinances were ready for passage.

Motion by Mr. George, seconded by Mr. Seelie, to receive and file the oral report

Motion adopted. All members voting yea.
….
2. Public Works Committee Oral Report regarding 2002 Capital Improvement Contracting Ordinances.

The Public Works Committee said Ordinance Nos. 62-01 through and including 69-01 were discussed in detail during Budget Hearings February 2, 2002.

The Committee provided a summary of the ordinances including the following brief descriptions.

Ordinance No. 62-01 – Included $100,000 for sidewalk improvement for the Vista Bridge design, repair and re-habilitation project - $96,000 of which comes from Federal Funding – in that NOACA was awarded $96,000 Federal Grant money toward the design, repair and rehabilitation. The City’s share of the WEBCO Project would be $50,000; Indianola, West Forest, Overbrook and Hilliard. The Hilliard Project was noted as a $150,000 commitment by the City. The Committee said the figure was ten percent of a million-dollar plus project that the County would complete. The deep grind and overlay streets were included in the ordinance along with major repairs and infrastructure improvements. The Committee voted unanimously to recommend adoption of Ordinance No. 62-01.

63-01 – CDBG Funding of Street – The figure of $268,833.00 was described as being carried forward from the 2001 account totaling one million eight hundred eleven thousand, eight hundred thirty-three ($1,811,833) for CDBG Streets. The Public Works Committee voted unanimously to recommend its passage.

64-01 – Watermain/Watersystem Replacement – The Committee reported the Watermain replacement schedule for 2002 included Sloane Avenue, Ramona and Hilliard. The Committee first stated it voted 2-1 to recommend passage of the ordinance but amended its report after Mr. Skindell indicated his nay vote referred only on the amendment proposed. He indicated he voted in favor for recommending adoption and the Committee acknowledged the correction and said it unanimously recommended passage of the ordinance.

65-01 – Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements. The Committee reported that the improvements totalled $65,500. The Public Works Committee unanimously recommended passage of the ordinance.

66-01 – Sewer System Improvements. Improvements on Hilliard, Warren Road (from the tracks to Clifton), major work at the aerial sewer and Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements were highlighted. The Public Works Committee recommended unanimously the passage of the ordinance.

67-01- Building & Facilities Improvements. The Public Works Committee unanimously recommended the passage of the ordinance.

68-01 – Park Improvements Ordinance. The Lakewood Park Study Implementation Plan which the Committee said sparked discussion and interest along the lakefront was highlighted. The Committee reported Edwards and Cove Park had been changed to read Edwards, Cove and St. Charles Green. The Madison Pool House renovations were also included. The Public Works Committee unanimously recommend adoption of the ordinance.

69-01 – Vehicles and Equipment – Included contracting authority for five police cruisers, police communication equipment, a bucket truck, two packers in Refuse, five Cushmans, a Command Vehicle for the Fire Department, a front-end loader for the Streets Department and utility trucks, window van, flat bed hook-all. The Public Works Committee indicated it reviewed the projects along with the entire Council and in the Finance Committee. The Public Works Committee unanimously recommended approval of the ordinance.

Motion by Mr. Corrigan, seconded by Mr. Seelie, to receive and file this oral report.

Mr. Skindell referred to his nay vote on the proposed amendment to Ordinance 64-01. He said the original ordinance provided for a watermain replacement on Clifton Boulevard between Cove and Nicholson. He said the Administration requested this be removed from the ordinance and that he opposed the deletion. He said the watermain was installed in 1901 and was one of the oldest in the City. He said two reasons were given for removing the watermain replacement project on Clifton Boulevard between Cove and Nicholson; He said one reason was the water fund itself had been limited because of the recently adoptedCharter Amendment. The second reason was that State Issue II money was not available for the Clifton Boulevard watermain. Mr. Skindell said the watermain was currently under the sidewalk and said he understood the plan would be to remove the sidewalk under the bus lane with the goal putting the watermain there in 2002. He said this year the watermain from West 117th to Cove was completed and the plan was to go from Cove to Nicholson. Mr. Skindell said he was uncomfortable as a councilmember, to remove that part of Clifton Boulevard from the schedule and stated the following reasons; the watermain was installed in 1901, there are a limited amount of fire hydrants in the area, and that the state was going to re-pave Clifton Boulevard in 2003 or 2004.

Mr. George indicated several items were tabled so that Council could review them further.

The motion was called.
Motion adopted. All members voting yea.
….

3. ORDINANCE NO. 62-01 – AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE authorizing and directing the Director of Public Works to engage architectural and/or engineering firms to provide professional services in the design and preparation of specifications and contract administration and to advertise for bids and enter into a contract with the lowest and best bidder for Infrastructure Improvements in accordance with the Administrative Code of the City of Lakewood, contracts not to exceed the specified amounts shown without separate resolution of Council. (PLACED ON 1ST READING & REFERRED TO THE PUBLIC WORKS AND FINANCE COMMITTEES 12/3/01, 2ND READING 12/17/01) (Pg. 6)

Motion by Mr. George, seconded by Mr. Seelie to substitute the Ordinance approved by the Committee and provided that evening.

Yeas:      Corrigan, Dunn, FitzGerald, George, Roth, Seelie, Skindell.
Nays:     None
Motion adopted.   Ordinance No. 62-01 is substituted.

Motion by Mr. George, seconded by Mr. Seelie to adopt Ordinance No. 62-01 as substituted.
Yeas: Corrigan, Dunn, FitzGerald, George, Roth, Seelie, Skindell.
Nays: None
Motion adopted.
….

4. ORDINANCE NO. 63-01 – AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE authorizing and directing the Director of Public Works to engage architectural and/or engineering firms to provide professional services in the design and preparation of specifications and contract administration and to advertise for bids and enter into a contract with the lowest and best bidder for C.D.B.G. Fund Infrastructure Improvements in accordance with the Administrative Code of the City of Lakewood, contracts not toe exceed the specified amounts shown without separate resolution of Council. (PLACED ON 1ST READING & REFERRED TO THE PUBILC WORKS AND FINANCE COMMITTEES 12/3/01, 2ND READING 12/17/01)(Pg. 8)

Motion by Mr. George, seconded by Mr. Seelie to substitute the Ordinance approved by the Committee and provided this evening.

Yeas:      Corrigan, Dunn, FitzGerald, George, Roth, Seelie, Skindell.
Nays:     None
Motion adopted.   Ordinance No. 63-01 is substituted.

Motion by Mr. George, seconded by Mr. Seelie to adopt Ordinance No. 63-01 as substituted.
Yeas: Corrigan, Dunn, FitzGerald, George, Roth, Seelie, Skindell.
Nays: None
Motion adopted.
….

5. ORDINANCE NO. 64-01 – AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE authorizing and directing the Director of Public Works to engage architectural and/or engineering firms to provide professional services in the design and preparation of specifications and contract administration and to advertise for bids and enter into a contract with the lowest and best bidder for the 2002 Water System Replacement Program (Ohio Public Works Commission) in accordance with the Administrative Code of the City of Lakewood, contracts not to exceed the specified amounts shown without separate Resolution of Council. (PLACED ON 1ST READING & REFERRED TO THE PUBLIC WORKS AND FINANCE COMMITTEES 12/3/01, 2ND READING 12/17/01) (Pg. 10)

Motion by Mr. George, seconded by Mr. Seelie to remove in the fifth line; “Ohio Public Works Commission).

Yeas: Corrigan, Dunn, FitzGerald, George, Roth, Seelie, Skindell.
Nays: None.
Motion adopted. Ordinance No. 64-01 is amended.

Motion by Mr. George, seconded by Mr. Seelie to substitute the Ordinance approved by the Committee and provided this evening.

Mr. Skindell requested clarity on if Concil’s action amended the original ordinance or the substituted ordinance.

Law Director Spellacy responded that for clarity purposes the intention was to remove the wording from the substituted Ordinance and that this be entered on the record.

(the roll call continued for the motion to substitute)
Yeas:      Corrigan, Dunn, FitzGerald, George, Roth, Seelie, Skindell.
Nays:     None
Motion adopted.   Ordinance No. 64-01 is substituted.

Motion by Mr. George, seconded by Mr. Seelie to adopt Ordinance No. 64-01 as substituted.

Mayor Cain responded to Councilmember Skindell’s remarks by stating she shared his concerns relative to Clifton Boulevard. She said she wanted to assure Council and the public that work on Clifton Boulevard (the north main, from Cove to Nicholson) had been postponed but would go forward in 2003. Mayor Cain said the City had no choice but to postpone and asked Council in view of other projects. She said she appreciated Council’s concurrence.

The motion was called.
Yeas: Corrigan, Dunn, FitzGerald, George, Roth, Seelie, Skindell.
Nays: None
Motion adopted.
….

6. ORDINANCE NO. 65-01 – AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE authorizing and directing the Director of Public Works to engage architectural and/or engineering firms to provide professional services in the design and preparation of specifications and contract administration and to advertise for bids and enter into a contract with the lowest and best bidder for Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements in accordance with the Administrative Code of the City of Lakewood, contracts not to exceed the specified amounts shown without separate resolution of Council. (PLACED ON 1ST READING & REFERRED TO THE PUBLIC WORKS AND FINANCE COMMITTEES 12/3/01, 2ND READNIG 12/17/01) (Pg. 12)

Motion by Mr. George, seconded by Mr. Seelie to substitute the Ordinance approved by the Committee and provided this evening.

Yeas:      Corrigan, Dunn, FitzGerald, George, Roth, Seelie, Skindell.
Nays:     None
Motion adopted.   Ordinance No. 65-01 is substituted.

Motion by Mr. George, seconded by Mr. Seelie to adopt Ordinance No. 65-01 as substituted.
Yeas: Corrigan, Dunn, FitzGerald, George, Roth, Seelie, Skindell.
Nays: None
Motion adopted.
….

7. ORDINANCE NO. 66-01 – AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE authorizing and directing the Director of Public Works to engage architectural and/or engineering firms to provide professional services in the design and preparation of specifications and contract administration and to advertise for bids and enter into a contact with the lowest and best bidder for Sewer System Improvements in accordance with the Administrative Code of the City of Lakewood, contracts not to exceed the specified amounts shown without separate Resolution of Council. (PLACED ON 1ST READING & REFERRED TO THE PUBLIC WORKS AND FINANCE COMMITTEES 12/3/01, 2ND READING 12/17/01) (Pg. 14)

Motion by Mr. George, seconded by Mr. Seelie to substitute the Ordinance approved by the Committee and provided this evening.

Yeas:      Corrigan, Dunn, FitzGerald, George, Roth, Seelie, Skindell.
Nays:     None
Motion adopted.   Ordinance No. 66-01 is substituted.

Motion by Mr. George, seconded by Mr. Seelie to adopt Ordinance No. 66-01 as substituted.

Yeas: Corrigan, Dunn, FitzGerald, George, Roth, Seelie, Skindell.
Nays: None
Motion adopted.
….

8. ORDINANCE NO. 67-01 – AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE authorizing and directing the Director of Public Works to engage architectural and/or engineering firms to provide professional services in the design and preparation of specifications and contract administration and to advertise for bids and enter into a contract with the lowest and best bidder for Building and Facilities
Improvements in accordance with the Administrative Code of the City of Lakewood, contracts not to exceed the specified amounts shown without separate resolution of Council. (PLACED ON 1ST READING & REFERRED TO THE PUBLIC WORKS AND FINANCE COMMITTEES 12/3/01, 2ND READING 12/17/01) (Pg. 16)

Motion by Mr. George, seconded by Mr. Seelie to substitute the Ordinance approved by the Committee and provided this evening.

Yeas:      Corrigan, Dunn, FitzGerald, George, Roth, Seelie, Skindell.
Nays:     None
Motion adopted.   Ordinance No. 67-01 is substituted.

Motion by Mr. George, seconded by Mr. Seelie to adopt Ordinance No. 67-01 as substituted.

Yeas:      Corrigan, Dunn, FitzGerald, George, Roth, Seelie, Skindell.
Nays:     None
Motion adopted.
….
9.   ORDINANCE NO. 68-01 – AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE authorizing and directing the Director of Public Works to engage architectural and/or engineering firms to provide professional services in the design and preparation of specifications and contract administration and to advertise for bids and enter into a contract with the lowest and best bidder for Park Improvements in accordance with the Administrative Code of the City of Lakewood, contracts not to exceed the specified amounts shown without separate resolution of Council. (PLACED ON 1ST READING & REFERRED TO THE PUBLIC WORKS AND FINANCE COMMITTEES 12/3/01, 2nd READING 12/17/01) (Pg. 18)

Motion by Mr. George, seconded by Mr. Seelie to substitute the Ordinance approved by the Committee and provided this evening.

Yeas:      Corrigan, Dunn, FitzGerald, George, Roth, Seelie, Skindell.
Nays:     None
Motion adopted.   Ordinance No. 68-01 is substituted.

Motion by Mr. George, seconded by Mr. Seelie to adopt Ordinance No. 68-01 as substituted.

Yeas: Corrigan, Dunn, FitzGerald, George, Roth, Seelie, Skindell.
Nays: None
Motion adopted.
….
10. ORDINANCE NO. 69-01- AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE authorizing and directing the Mayor (Director of Public Safety), the Director of Public Works, and the Director of Finance to advertise for bids and enter into a contract with the lowest and best bidder in accordance with the Administrative Code of the City of Lakewood, for the purchase of the listed vehicles and equipment, contracts not to exceed the specified amounts shown without separate Resolution of Council. (PLACED ON 1ST READING & REFERRED TO THE PUBLIC WORKS AND FINANCE COMMITTEES 12/3/01, 2ND READING 12/17/01) (Pg. 20)

Motion by Mr. George, seconded by Mr. Seelie to substitute the Ordinance approved by the Committee and provided this evening.

Yeas:      Corrigan, Dunn, FitzGerald, George, Roth, Seelie, Skindell.
Nays:     None
Motion adopted.   Ordinance No. 69-01 is substituted.

Motion by Mr. George, seconded by Mr. Seelie to adopt Ordinance No. 69-01 as substituted.

Yeas: Corrigan, Dunn, FitzGerald, George, Roth, Seelie, Skindell.
Nays: None
Motion adopted.
….
11. Finance Committee Oral Report regarding 2002 Memberships.

The Committee reported it had met Saturday, February 2, 2002, to discuss Resolution No. 7610-01 – 2002 Memberships. The Committee indicated that similar to previous years the Ohio Municipal League, National League of Cities, and the Cuyahoga County Mayors and Managers Association memberships made up the majority of the cost for memberships. The Committee voted unanimously to recommend adoption of the Resolution.

Motion by Mr. George, seconded by Mr. Seelie, to receive and file this oral report.

Motion adopted. All members voting yea.
….
12. RESOLUTION NO. 7610-01 – A RESOLUTION authorizing the Director of Finance to pay the cost of memberships of City employees and/or Departments and Divisions in certain associations for the year 2002 and declaring such memberships to be in the public interest. (REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE 12/17/01)(Pg. 22)

Motion by Mr. George , seconded by Mr. Seelie, to adopt Resolution No. 7610?01.

Motion adopted. All members voting yea.
....
13. Finance Committee Oral Report regarding 2002 Appropriation Ordinance.

Motion by Mr. George, seconded by Mr. Seelie, to defer action on this item.

A citizen referred to a water report he said was provided him by the City. He said the report indicated at the beginning of the year there was a balance of four million, six hundred thousand dollars plus ($4, 600,000 +). He said at the end of the year the report indicated a surplus of two and a half million dollars and asked why it had been mentioned tthere was no money to repair Cove to Nicholson. He said he thought it cost approximately $335,000 to repair a section of a watermain and said he thought there was enough money to do repair the main.

Finance Director Blasko responded that water projects were typically financed out of Issue 2 dollars. She said because of the Charter Amendment, water rates could not be raised without going to the ballot Director Blasko said the fund balance had diminished and that the City could not afford to spend down the water fund balance in order to pay for capital projects. She said the City would go forward with an application for Issue 2 dollars next year to fund the Capital Improvements to the Water project.

A citizen referred to a $13.81 figure he said the City paid to operate the water system. He asked if a portion of this was used to repair the pipes.

The citizen mentioned several figures from his papers said he conclude there was $65,000 not accounted for.

Director Blasko responded that the City of Cleveland gives Lakewood water in December and that Lakewood doesn’t pay for that water until January. She explained that the figures the citizen was using would show what the City of Lakewood actually used in December with no payment because Lakewood does not pay for water until the City actually uses the water.

The citizen asked if Cleveland charged Lakewood on the master meters. He said that one month would still mean the figures should be close. He said he thought the issue still needed to be looked into.

The motion was called.
Motion adopted. All members voting yea.
….

14. ORDINANCE NO. 7-02 – AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE to establish permanent appropriations for the City of Lakewood, State of Ohio, for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2002. (PLACED ON 1ST READING & REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE 1/22/02)(Pg. 27)
Motion by Mr. George, seconded by Mr. Seelie, to place Ordinance No. on Second Reading and refer it to the Finance Committee.

Motion adopted. All members voting yea.
….
15. Rules & Ordinances Committee Oral Report regarding Zoning Code Amendments regarding Use Variances.

The Committee reported it met that evening with Committee members George and Skindell present and that Councilmember Roth was also present. The Committee also reported Law Director Spellacy, Public Works Director Boag, Planning & Development Director Frank Pietravoia, and members of the Public in attendance.

Ordinance 5-02- was described as an ordinance that made technical changes to the Zoning Code. The Committee said it clarified whether the Planning Commission or the Board of Zoning Appeals heard Use Variance Cases. The change was described as assigning to the Planning Commission responsibility for deciding use variance cases. The Committee said other variances were dealt with by the Board of Zoning Appeals. The Committee said the Planning Commission reviewed the ordinances and recommended its adoption. The Committee said the Charter’s intent was to have the Planning Commission consider Use Variances (Article XII, Section 4 - Mandatory referrals). The Rules & Ordinances Committee voted unanimously to recommend adoption of Ordinance 5-02.

Motion by Mr. Skindell, seconded by Mr. Seelie, to receive and file this oral report.

Motion adopted. All members voting yea.
….
16. ORDINANCE NO. 5-02- AN ORDINANCE to amend Subsection 1103.02(iii), Definitions, Section 1171.03, Powers and Duties of the Planning Commission, and Subsection 1173.04(d), Variances, of the Zoning Code of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Lakewood to clarify the Planning Commissions’ authority to grant use variances. (PLACED ON 1ST READING & REFERRED TO THE RULES & ORDINANCES COMMITTEE 1/7/02, 2nd READING 1/22/02)(Pg. 30)

Motion by Mr. Skindell, seconded by Mr. George, to adopt Ordinance No. 5-02.

Motion adopted. All members voting yea.
….
17. ORDINANCE NO. 6-02 – AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE authorizing the Mayor to take all actions necessary to effect a governmental electricity aggregation program with opt-out provisions pursuant to Ohio Revised Code §4929.26 and directing the County Board of Elections to submit a ballot question to the electors. (PLACED ON 1ST READING & REFERRED TO THE RULES & ORDINANCES COMMITTEE 1/22/02)(Pg. 32)

Motion by Mr. Skindell, seconded by Mr. George, to place Ordinance No. 6-02 on Second Reading.

Mr. Skindell mentioned the typographical error found in the ordinance and that it would be brought forward by the Law Department; the word; “electricity” would be replaced with the words; “natural gas”.

Motion adopted. All members voting yea.
….

18. ORDINANCE NO. 8-02 – AN ORDINANCE creating a new section within Chapter 129 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Lakewood entitled HOME Investment Partnerships Program Fund and authorizing the Director of Finance to request permission from the Auditor of the State of Ohio for the establishment of such a fund. (PLACED ON 1ST READING & REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE 1/22/02)(Pg. 34)

Motion by Mr. George, seconded by Mr. Seelie, to place Ordinance No. 8-02 on Second Reading and refer it to the Finance Committee.

Motion adopted. All members voting yea.
….
****NEW BUSINESS****
19. Communication from Councilmember Dunn regarding Safety Procedures for Helicopters. (Pg. 35)

Motion by Mr. Dunn, seconded by Mr. George, to receive, file and refer this communication to the Public Safety Committee.

Motion adopted. All members voting yea.
….
20. Communication from Councilmember Skindell regarding Opposing Changes in Fares and Service Proposed by the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. (Pg. 36)

Motion by Mr. Skindell, seconded by Mr. George, to receive and file this communication.

Mr. Skindell said he and Mayor Cain attended an RTA public hearing January 17, 2002, RTA at Lakewood Public Library. He expressed appreciation to Mayor Cain for her work on the Board and her positions with respect to the various services RTA provided Lakewood. He asserted that Lakewood is the number one circulator on the RTA circulator route and noted that in 2001 the Lakewood Circulator had 579,000 riders from 455,000 in 2000.

He said a 100 percent fare increase would effect several Lakewood citizens including the young, elderly, disabled and working families. He said the American Public Transit Association states that for every ten percent increase in bus fares there is a four percent decrease in ridership”

Mr. Skindell mentioned Steve Greenwell, Executive Director of the Lakewood Christian Service Center provided what he considered a strong argument opposing the increase. He said Mr. Greenwell testified that many organizations in Lakewood provided community meals every day during the week to residents in Lakewood. He said the facilities for the meal programs were stationed on the west side of the community while the residents requiring meals were generally from the east side of the community and that many used the community circulator or other RTA service to reach the programs.

Mr. Skindell said many of the riders do not have monthly passes and that many rely on transfers. He said transfers would be eliminated so that riders would have to pay a double fare for some rides. He said RTA is also proposing an elimination of a Westshore line. He said he thought RTA could do a lot more with marketing public transportation. He said RTA’s changes are ill-timed because the county is presently engaged in welfare to workfare programs. He concluded that the elimination of routes and an increase in fare deserves opposition.

Mr. Corrigan said he appreciated the research and work Mr. Skindell put into the Resolution and that he intended on voting for the Resolution.

Mr. Dunn indicated his agreement with Mr. Skindell’s thoughts, and added that many seniors in the community relied on public transportation as a quality of life issue.

Mayor Cain said RTA was facing financial challenges similar to challenges faced by the private and public sector. She said the increase in the fare rate for the Community Circulator would not effect the elderly, the disabled or the overwhelming majority of the users of The Circulator in the City of Lakewood. She said the fare would remain fifty cents for the elderly and the disabled.

Mr. Skindell mentioned that for the fare to remain the same an I.D. card must be issued.

Mayor Cain responded that most riders required I.D. cards and that she considered that an acceptable requirement. She said she would express the concerns of Members of Lakewood City Council to the RTA Board but wanted to reiterate that transfers were being replaced with daily passes. She said RTA concluded that most riders and underscored “not all” riders who used transfers used them both coming and going to a destinations. She said RTA found that using the daily pass would provide a savings in administrative costs to the Agency. She said the Board would continue to hear public comments and that she believed RTA was making a strong effort to cut costs without impacting the vast majority of their ridership.

The motion was called.
Motion adopted. All members voting yea.

Mayor Cain responded that the loss of sales tax dollars due to the recession impacted the budget. She did say there was also a reduction in customers.

The motion was called.
Motion adopted. All members voting yea.
….
21. RESOLUTION NO. 7624-02 – A RESOLUTION opposing changes in fares and service proposed by the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. (Pg. 37)

Motion by Ms. Roth, seconded by Mr. Seelie, to adopt Resolution No. 762402.

Motion adopted. All members voting yea.
….

22. Communication from Mayor Cain regarding Appointments to Architectural Board of Review, Board of Zoning Appeals, Planning Commission. (Pg. 39)

Motion by Mr. Seelie, seconded by Mr. George, to receive and file this communication.

Mr. Dunn said he thought the Mayor had made excellent selections, and underscored the choice of an architect to sit on the Architectural Board of Review. He said an architect’s professional guidance would serve them well. He also indicated he was happy with the choice of George Cimballa for Board of Zoning Appeals and remarked he had the opportunity to work with George when working with the Administration.

Motion adopted. All members voting yea.
….
23. Communication from Mayor Cain regarding Board of Zoning Appeals Resolution for Teresa C. Andreani. (Pg. 40)

Motion by Mr. Seelie, seconded by Mr. George, to receive and file this communication.

Mr. Skindell mentioned Ms. Andreani had served the community in several capacities and expressed his appreciation.

Ms. Roth acknowledged the difficulties inherent in working on a Board and thanked Ms. Andreani for her contribution.

Mr. Dunn thanked Ms. Andreani for her participation in many community endeavors and said he looked forward to her future participation.

Mr. George thanked Ms. Andreani and said she had a long history of service to the community which he said dated back to Junior High School where she volunteered for political candidates.

Mr. Corrigan reiterated the difficult job of being on the front line of decision-making and also thanked Ms. Andreani.

The motion was called.
Motion adopted. All members voting yea.
….

24. RESOLUTION NO. 7625-02 – A RESOLUTION commending Teresa C. Andreani for public service as a member of the Board of Zoning Appeals from January 1, 1996 through December 31, 1997 of an unexpired term then serving one full five-year term commencing January 1, 1997 through December 31, 2001. (Pg. 41)

Motion by Mr. George, seconded by Mr. Skindell, to adopt Resolution No. 7625-02.

Motion adopted. All members voting yea.

Ms. Andreani spoke about some of the issues that had been addressed during her tenure. She said made special recognition of Barb Kelly, Frank Pietravoia and all the Members.
….
25. Communication from Mayor Cain regarding Lakewood Planning Commission Resolution for Thomas C. Sutton. (Pg. 42)

Motion by Mr. George, seconded by Mr. Seelie, to receive and file this communication.

Mr. Corrigan thanked Mr. Sutton and the other members of the Planning Commission for the seriousness in which they took their roles and said that Council greatly relied on their guidance.

Mr. Skindell characterized Mr. Sutton’s style as thorough, professional and effective.

Mr. Dunn said Mr. Sutton made a vital contribution to the City.

Ms. Roth thanked Mr. Sutton for his contribution to the Planning Commission. Ms. Roth said she looked forward to Mr. Suttons future participation in the community.

Mr. George mentioned Mr. Sutton’s insight as a valuable asset.

The motion was called.
Motion adopted. All members voting yea.
….

26. RESOLUTION NO. 7626-02 – A RESOLUTION commending Thomas C. Sutton for public service as a member of the Lakewood Planning Commission from January 1, 1996 through December 31, 2001. (Pg. 43)

Motion by Mr. George, seconded by Mr. Skindell, to adopt Resolution No. 7626-02.

Motion adopted. All members voting yea.

Mr. Sutton thanked City Council and the Administration. He said it was a pleasure to work with all the Members of the Planning Commission, and recognized the help of Frank Peitravoia and Barb Kelly.
….

27. Communication from Mayor Cain regarding Retirement of Firefighter Christopher D. Dunham. (Pg. 44)

Motion by Mr. George, seconded by Mr. Seelie, to receive and file this communication.

Motion adopted. All members voting yea.

….
28. RESOLUTION NO. 7627-02 – A RESOLUTION to commend Firefighter Christopher D. Dunham for his public service as a member of the City’s Division of Fire. (Pg. 45)

Motion by Mr. George, seconded by Mr. Seelie, to adopt Resolution No. 7627-02.

Motion adopted. All members voting yea.
….
29. Communication from Mayor Cain regarding Resolution Honoring Retiree Sally Valco. (Pg. 46)

Motion by Mr. George, seconded by Mr. Skindell, to receive and file this communication.

Mr. Dunn recognized Mrs. Valco’s tenure and complimented her on professionalism. He thanked her for her service.

The motion was called.
Motion adopted. All members voting yea.
….
30. RESOLUTION NO. 7628-02 – A RESOLUTION to commend Sally Valco upon the occasion of her retirement from the City of Lakewood after 25 years of dedicated service to the City of Lakewood in the Department of Finance. (Pg. 47)

Motion by Mr. George, seconded by Mr. Skindell, to adopt Resolution No. 7628-02.

Motion adopted. All members voting yea.
….
31. Communication from Mayor Cain regarding Resolution Honoring Retiree John Gajdos. (Pg. 48)

Motion by Mr. George, seconded by Mr. Seelie, to receive and file this communication.

Motion adopted. All members voting yea.
….

32. RESOLUTION NO. 7629-02 – A RESOLUTION to commend John Gajdos for his public service as a member of the City’s Public Works Department. (Pg. 49)

Motion by Mr. Seelie, seconded by Mr. George, to adopt Resolution No. 7629-02.

Motion adopted. All members voting yea.
{Public Comment Followed This Item}
….
Mention was made that the following Council Meeting would be held on a Tuesday due to the President’s Day holiday.

Meeting adjourned: 9:08 P.M.

Approved:__________________________ ______________________________
President

______________________________
Clerk