REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – JUNE 9, 2015
EASTLAKE CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
JUNE 9, 2015
The Regular Meeting of the Eastlake City Council was held at Eastlake City Hall, 35150 Lakeshore Boulevard. The Meeting was called to order by Council President
Mr. D’Ambrosio at approximately 7:09 p.m.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
ATTENDEES
Members of Council in attendance were Mrs. Quinn-Hopkins, Mr. Evers, Ms. DePledge,
Mr. Hoefle, Ms. Vaughn and Council President Mr. D’Ambrosio. Also in attendance was Council Clerk Mrs. Cendroski. Mr. Licht was absent and excused.
Those attending from the Administration were Mayor Morley, Law Director Klammer, Finance Director Slocum, CBO Menn, City Engineer Gwydir and Fire Chief Whittington. Service Director Rubertino and Police Chief Reik were absent and excused.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Regular Council Meeting– May 26, 2015
MOTION: Mr. Evers moved to approve the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of May 26, 2015. Mr. Hoefle seconded.
ROLL CALL: Yeas: Ms. Vaughn, Ms. DePledge, Mr. Licht, Mrs. Quinn-Hopkins,
Mr. Evers, Mr. Hoefle
Abstain: Mr. D’Ambrosio
Motion carried. The minutes were approved.
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COUNCIL PRESIDENT’S REPORT – Mr. D’Ambrosio
Meetings Scheduled
Mr. D’Ambrosio: The reason I was not here last week was because I went to see a friend of mine who is 54 years old and has cancer. I went on vacation Wednesday and I did not think he would be here when I got back. I have known him for a lot of years so I went to see him Tuesday night and spent some time with him and his family. He passed away Saturday. I tried to see him again when I got back but it was family only. He was from Formica plumbing. They do a lot of work in our City and Lake County. He was the owner of the company – 54 years old with lung cancer. It was at tragedy. I let everyone know why I could not attend the meeting. I want to pass my condolences onto the Formica family and Formica plumbing. They did a lot of good for a lot of people.
The next Council-as-a-Whole Committee Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. The Regular Council meeting will be convened immediately following the adjournment of the Council-as-a-Whole Committee meeting.
COMMUNICATIONS & PETITIONS
A liquor license transfer request was received from Rishee, Inc. dba Beverage & Tackle, 35579 Lakeshore Blvd., Eastlake to Alasali, Inc., 35579 Lakeshore Blvd., Eastlake.
Mr. D’Ambrosio: This was discussed in Council-as-a-Whole Committee – as there was a concern from Chief Reik we will consider approving this pending resolution of the Chief’s concerns.
Mayor Morley: The Clerk and I have been working on an Ordinance Chapter for donation and recycling bins. I would like this referred to Ordinance Committee. We had sample ordinances from 7-8 cities and the Clerk did a great job putting it together. We added an item today regarding a 501(C)(3) requirement.
Mr. D’Ambrosio: We did discuss this earlier as it was not received early enough to appear on the agenda. Mr. Hoefle, can you schedule a meeting?
Mr. Hoefle: Yes, Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at 6:00 p.m.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Mr. D’Ambrosio: There were no Committee meetings.
Legislative Recommendations
Legislation No. 06-09-(02)
Ms. Vaughn moved to add Legislation No. 06-09-(02) to the evening’s agenda
Designating June 20, 2015, as ‘‘American Eagle Day’’, and celebrating the recovery and restoration of the bald eagle, the national symbol of the United States. Ms. DePledge seconded.
ROLL CALL: Yeas unanimous.
Motion carried. Legislation No. 06-09-(02) is added to the evening’s agenda.
Legislation No. 06-09-(03)
Mrs. Quinn-Hopkins moved to add Legislation No. 06-09-(03) regarding the City of Eastlake Council finding that the submerged lands lease area related to the proposed Willoughby Outfall Sewer Repair Project is not necessary or required for the various uses specified in the Ohio Revised Code Section 1506.11(B) and designating the Mayor of the City of Eastlake as the signatory authority to act on behalf of the City of Eastlake in all matters related to said submerged lands lease area. Mr. Evers seconded.
ROLL CALL: Yeas unanimous.
Motion carried. Legislation No. 06-09-(03) is added to the evening’s agenda.
Liquor License Request
Mr. Hoefle moved to approve and send back to Columbus, Ohio with no objections, pending Resolution of the concerns of Police Chief Reik, the Liquor License Transfer Request from Rishee, Inc. dba Beverage & Tackle, 35579 Lakeshore Blvd., Eastlake to Alasali, Inc., 35579 Lakeshore Blvd., Eastlake. Mr. Evers seconded.
ROLL CALL: Yeas unanimous.
Motion carried. The liquor request is approve pending resolution of Police Chief Reik’s concerns.
RECOGNITION OF THE PUBLIC
Mr. D’Ambrosio recognized the public input at this time; he reminded the speakers that there is a 3-minute limit for their comments; all comments are to be directed to the Chair and not include any personalities or individuals.
Ed Zell, 36783 South Lakeshore Blvd., Eastlake
Mr. Zell: I know winter is hopefully a long way off but my concern in Eastlake all these years is the fire hydrants. You know as well as I do any commercial establishment – Walgreens, WalMart, any commercial property – their hydrants are red or half red. Ours are red on the bottom and white on the top. That is a lifesaving thing if there would be a house burning down or a death could happen. I know we are supposed to clean the fire hydrants. I clean mine to best of my ability but for some hydrants you cannot see them in a snow storm. So, I have been spraying the top of mine with a bright red color so they can spot it. That is a concern especially in Surfside – I am the second house on the corner and there are limited places for the plow to put the snow – so mine is always filled. That could be a lifesaver if you have to just see the white. For the poor firemen that could be minutes lost. A house could be burning. That is my proposal.
Mr. D’Ambrosio: Chief Whittington?
Chief Whittington: Thanks for the concern. The fire hydrants are the responsibility of Lake County Department of Utilities. They are responsible for the maintenance, painting and upkeep of the fire hydrants. We annually flush them on behalf of the utilities – it tests them and allows us to look for any concerns. The color scheme is put forth by the Utility Department. Historically it has been a red hydrant with white caps. As far as painting of the top that would be something for the Utility Department. If you go to the Fire Station we have maps showing the location of fire hydrants all over the City. If we have a fire call we determine which hydrant we are going to use. In the winter time the ambulances and fire trucks carry snow shovels in case we have to dig one out. We actually have bigger problems with hydrants being overgrown by weeds and grass in the summer. We have items on the truck to be able to take care of that. One of the Fire Marshall’s responsibilities in the winter is to go to structures and either personally clears the fire hydrants or he asks. We try to monitor the best we can. We are aware of this issue in winter and summer and have several fail safes in place. We have automatic responses from other communities and can assign hydrant to another city that is coming in. We are active on that.
Mr. Zell: I see reverse color schemes in other cities.
Chief Whittington: You can find all colors – blue, white, red… I cannot tell you that you can paint it. But, I want you to feel comfortable that we are aware and I appreciate your thoughts.
There was no one else who wished to speak.
LEGISLATION PROPOSED – First number will be 2015-052
RESOLUTION NO.: 06-09-(01)
Requested by: Administration A Resolution submitting to the Electors
Sponsored by: Council of the City the Question of the Renewal of an Existing 3.0-Mill Tax Levy for the Purpose of Providing Funds for Road Improvement and Maintenance, and declaring an emergency.
MOTION: Ms. Vaughn moved to suspend the rules requiring separate readings and
reading in full. Ms. DePledge seconded.
ROLL CALL: Yeas unanimous.
MOTION: Ms. Vaughn moved to adopt. Ms. DePledge seconded.
ROLL CALL: Yeas unanimous.
Motion carried. Legislation is adopted as Resolution No. 2015-052.
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RESOLUTION NO.: 06-09-(02)
Requested by: Clerk of Council A Resolution Designating June 20, 2015, as Sponsored by: Council ‘‘American Eagle Day’’, and Celebrating the Recovery and Restoration of the Bald Eagle,
the National Symbol of the United States, and declaring an emergency.
MOTION: Ms. Vaughn moved to suspend the rules requiring separate readings and
reading in full. Ms. DePledge seconded.
ROLL CALL: Yeas unanimous.
MOTION: Ms. Vaughn moved to adopt. Ms. DePledge seconded.
ROLL CALL: Yeas unanimous.
Motion carried. Legislation is adopted as Resolution No. 2015-053.
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RESOLUTION NO.: 06-09-(03)
Requested by: Administration A Resolution of the City of Eastlake Council Sponsored by: Council finding that the submerged lands lease area related to the proposed Willoughby Outfall Sewer Repair Project is not necessary or required for the various uses specified in the Ohio Revised Code Section 1506.11(B) and designating the Mayor of the City of Eastlake as the signatory authority to act on behalf of the City of Eastlake in all matters related to said submerged lands lease area, and declaring an emergency.
MOTION: Mrs. Quinn-Hopkins moved to suspend the rules requiring separate readings and
reading in full. Mr. Evers seconded.
ROLL CALL: Yeas unanimous.
MOTION: Mrs. Quinn-Hopkins moved to adopt. Mr. Evers seconded.
ROLL CALL: Yeas unanimous.
Motion carried. Legislation is adopted as Resolution No. 2015-054.
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LEGISLATION PENDING (Placed on First Reading 05/12/2015)
(Placed on Second Reading 05/26/2015)
05-12-(02) ORDINANCE NO.: ___________
Requested by: Administration An Ordinance to provide for an election
Sponsored by: Ordinance Committee on the adoption of a proposed amendment
of Article VIII. Section 3 of the Charter of the City of Eastlake, and declaring an emergency.
MOTION: Mrs. Quinn-Hopkins moved to adopt. Ms. Vaughn seconded.
ROLL CALL: Yeas unanimous.
Motion carried. Legislation is adopted as Ordinance No. 2015-055.
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UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There was no Unfinished Business.
NEW BUSINESS
There was no New Business.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
MAYOR/SAFETY DIRECTOR – Dennis Morley
Mayor Morley: Welcome everyone to tonight’s meeting. Jan Clair from the Lake County Board of Elections stopped in on Friday. The schools are talking to the Board of Elections. Apparently the parents are upset that the polling places are located at the schools. I have okayed their request to locate at City Hall. They will discuss this at their July Board meeting. Wards 1 and 2 would vote here at City Hall and will no longer vote at North or Longfellow. Ward 3 would vote totally at the Community Center. The only other place would be Ward 4 – Ms. Clair is going to talk to Superintendant Thompson about it remaining at the Eastlake Middle School. Right now we have 6 polling places – that would be reduced to 3. The Board of Elections would send post cards to those in the affected Wards. I have been meeting with the Willowick/Eastlake Library for the last few months. They are looking for a new home and we have discussed them coming to City Hall to take up some of our empty space. They would be bringing 18 employees. Their Board okayed starting negotiations with us so they will be presenting a formal offer. Mr. Slocum and I will run through some of the numbers and when we are ready we will bring it to Council. Safety Town will start on Monday the 15th and will run until the 19th. We have almost 70 kids signed up. There is a morning and afternoon class. The flag retirement ceremony will be here on Sunday, June 14th at 11:00 a.m. with the VFW and American Legion. Also, I would like to wish two of our policemen who are retiring – Patrolman Tim Thompson and Detective Bowersock – there is a little luncheon for them at noon on the 12th and we will be presenting them a proclamation – I wish both the best of health and luck in their newest endeavors during their retirement. I believe the News Herald will have an article tomorrow regarding the great duck saving by our Fire Department. We had a resident call in – there were some ducks crossing S.R. 91 and two ducklings fell into the sewer grate. They pulled the two ducklings out and during his lunch time Chief Reik took them to Penitentiary Glen so they are doing well. This was all recorded and will be on the News Herald web site and Facebook.
Mr. D’Ambrosio: In regards to the Board of Elections and Ward 1 – you mentioned Longfellow but will Taft be affected?
Mayor Morley: All Ward 1 will vote here.
Mr. D’Ambrosio: Did they give you any idea when they will finalize their decision? So we can get it in the Gazette.
Mayor Morley: At their meeting in July. Once I get notified I will let you know
This concludes my report and I am open for questions.
Ms. Vaughn: Is this coming from the Board of Elections or from the School Board?
Mayor Morley: The School Board wants it changed.
Ms. Vaughn: Why, after all these years, does the School Board want it changed?
Mayor Morley: I guess there are more parents complaining.
Ms. DePledge: It is safety. I vote at Longfellow and literally walk by all the classrooms with children in them to vote. I always have felt that was a safety concern. I am glad to see they are making the changes. And, it does not have to be a voter walking through that day – it could be anyone. Anyone has access to the building that day. North is a little different – their classrooms are more segregated but Longfellow is different.
Mayor Morley: The Joe Haden event at the stadium went really well. There are about 300 people. We parked over 730 cars in our parking lot – that is $7,300 – and, we will probably get about $10,000 from the Captains – that is about $17,000 for the City on that event. There were no issues for the police or fire. The next thing at the stadium will be wrestling on July 11th and the Celtic Festival in August.
There were no further questions of Mayor Morley.
FIRE CHIEF – Ted Whittington
Chief Whittington: This weekend the Captains are doing the Heroes Weekend. We were able to send in nominations for recognition. The Fire Department sent in Fire Marshall Futchi’s name who is retiring this year and has spent a tremendous amount of time at the Captains stadium. He will be throwing out the first pitch on Friday night. This will be his last hurrah after 30 years in the City. I am open for questions.
There were no questions of Chief Whittington.
POLICE CHIEF – Larry Reik
Chief Reik was absent and excused.
CHIEF BUILDING OFFICIAL – David Menn
Mr. Menn: We received word last week from the County land bank program giving us the go ahead to look into demoing more homes this year. It looks like possibly six homes. We will be coming to Council at some point for a resolution on this. I cannot say where the homes are because we have not legally notified everyone – we are working on that right now. This concludes my report.
SERVICE DIRECTOR – Nick Rubertino
Mr. Rubertino was absent and excused.
CITY ENGINEER – Tom Gwydir
Mr. Gwydir: I have been working with the Mayor on our OPWC applications which are due the end of this week. We are putting three in for local roadways – Ridgewood, East 344th and Willowick Drive. I am open for questions.
There were no questions of Mr. Gwydir.
FINANCE DIRECTOR – Mike Slocum
Mr. Slocum: The transition to RITA is moving along. Already in the mail our resident should be receiving the notice of the move to RITA directing them where to send payments in the future. The cut over on July 1st is going as planned. I am open for questions.
There were no questions of Mr. Slocum.
LAW DIRECTOR – Randy Klammer
Mr. Klammer: Madame Councilwoman Mrs. Quinn-Hopkins mentioned Mr. Getzys’s property. This is the property that was hanging over the edge of the cliff. The City filed a lawsuit and got a nuisance finding and spent the better part of the last year and one half trying to work with Mr. Getzy to get his permitting through the ODNR and Army Corp which was part of the process and some soil testing to determine whether the slope would be sufficient for what he is proposing to save his home. It is a scary looking condition but we are trying to give him some accommodations to try to save his home himself – he is doing a lot of the work himself. It took a while but he finally did come into some compliance and received permitting. I am not sure of the status but will check with Mr. Menn and see if he can do a drive by to see if he is still working on it. I have nothing further to report and I am open for questions.
Mrs. Quinn-Hopkins: In one of the pictures the resident showed me you can see the crane had fallen into the lake and is right on the edge of the water.
Mr. Klammer: At one point it was in the water. He is taking it apart himself and bringing it up piece by piece with a tractor. It is a complicated affair. He did not have the money to remove it if we forced him to so we are trying to be a accommodating as we can.
Mayor Morley: You were at meetings every two week with the Judge.
Mr. Klammer: We were and we have stopped doing that because he got some level of permitting and a construction schedule on lose terms and was getting started.
Mr. D’Ambrosio: Is the crane his or was it rented?
Mr. Klammer: I thought it was his and the slope gave way one winter and it tumbled in. The Army Corp waived off and said it was not their issue. He was taking it apart and dragging it up. Needless to say he is a complicated fellow who loves his home and seems to be making a tad bit of progress.
Chief Whittington: We have all be working on this and working with Mr. Gwydir. Mr. Gwydir has overseen all the engineering and that type of thing. Mr. Klammer has provided all the legal background. And between myself and Chief Reik regarding the safety – when it came to our attention we developed specific plans in case of catastrophic failure which include regional assets. This is all on our radar and we have all contributed whatever expertise we may have to make sure we monitor it.
Mayor Morley: We have met with Mr. Getzy’s neighbors and had a meeting with the engineer in case something would happen. As Mr. Klammer said the Court has sided with Mr. Getzy.
Mr. Klammer: They sided with us but we are trying to accommodate because the only option was to drag his family out.
There were no questions of Mr. Klammer.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Mrs. Quinn-Hopkins: In light of the events going on this week in regards to the fabulous team in Cleveland – and as many times as our town has come close to having a national championship – all I can say is Go Cavs.
Mr. Evers: E-PAL will be sponsoring a spaghetti pasta dinner on Sunday, June 21st which is Father’s Day. Come to the Community Center and bring your Dad for a great meal and Chinese Auction. The cost is $7 per person and goes to a great cause to support E-PAL – Eastlake Police Athletic League. I have tickets or you can get them at the door.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:38 p.m.
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JOE D’AMBROSIO, COUNCIL PRESIDENT
APPROVED: __________________________
ATTEST: _____________________________
DEBORAH A. CENDROSKI,
CLERK OF COUNCIL