September 4, 2018

Rocky River City Council Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting September 4, 2018 Page 1 of 4

CITY OF ROCKY RIVER

September 4, 2018

The meeting of the Committee-of-the-Whole was called to order by Mr. Moran, President of Council, at 7:00 p.m. in the David J. Cook Council Chambers.

Council Members Present: Mr. Hunt, Mr. Shepherd, Mr. O’Donnell, Mr. Furry,

Mr. Sindelar, Mr. Klym, Mr. Moran

Administration: Mayor Bobst, Director Costello

The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Moran welcomed Council back after the break and turned the meeting over to Mayor Bobst to administer the Oath of Office to Patrol Officers Eric M. Hageman and Jonathan B. Bugara.

Oath of Office

The Mayor introduced Patrol Officer Eric M. Hageman. Patrol Officer Hageman was a patrol officer for the City of Cleveland for several years. The Mayor met with Officer Hageman and discussed community policing and the many opportunities in Cleveland that he rose to the occasion and did a tremendous job. Following the meeting, the Mayor was very impressed with all the commendations listed throughout his file that Officer Hageman never discussed during their meeting. The Mayor feels this speaks to the character of Officer Hageman. The Mayor then administered the Oath of Office to Patrol Officer Eric M. Hageman.

Officer Hageman said he is very happy to be here and will take what he learned from Cleveland and make Rocky River as great as it can be. Officer Hageman introduced his family saying he could not do this without their support.

The Mayor then introduced Patrol Officer Jonathan B. Bugara. The Mayor said how lucky the City is to have these two individuals join the Police Force. Officer Bugara was honorably discharged from the United State Marines where he held many leadership positions. He was awarded for initiative beyond his rank and maturity beyond his age. He received commendation for outstanding achievement in performance of his duties. Officer Bugara is a recent graduate of the University of Akron Police Academy where he also served as Class Captain. The Mayor then administered the Oath of Office to Patrol Officer Jonathan B. Bugara.

Officer Bugara thanked his family and said he would not be here without their support. Officer Bugara said his uncle paved his way and is close to his heart. Officer Bugara will uphold the city in its high standards. He is looking forward to working together with his team and doing the best he can do.

Chief Stillman thanked the Mayor and City Council for their support and guidance along the way and allowing an additional Patrol Officer to be hired. Chief Stillman thanked Eric’s shift, Sgt. Bunner, Officers DiOrio, Camp and Bowen for attending this evening’s meeting in support of their new shift mate. Chief Stillman said that there is nothing greater in his career than to offer fine men who desire to be great police officers a job. The City of Rocky River is bringing on two blue chippers. The City of Rocky River is a great community to work for. The Chief and the Mayor said that the department will do everything they can to make sure these two men are well trained and come home safe and sound each night. Chief Stillman then introduced his lovely wife, Trish.

President Moran thanked the Mayor and the Chief for the opportunity to witness the Oath of Office in Council Chambers. Mr. Moran added that the members of the police department are the shepherds for all of us. Thank you for putting your lives on the line and guarding all of us. Thank you for everything you do. Rocky River City Council Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting September 4, 2018 Page 2 of 4

MAYOR’S REPORT:

The Mayor said that Cuyahoga County added an additional session to meet with residents and property owners to discuss the proposed valuations that were mailed out. The Mayor thanked the County Fiscal Officer and his staff as well as Cuyahoga County Councilmember Nan Baker who was very instrumental in adding this additional session. Residents were pleased with the level of detail that they received. There is a two-week extension to dispute the proposed value of property.

The Mayor has been working with the County Board of Elections on consolidating polling locations. The Mayor received a request to consider moving the polling location from Goldwood due to the security of the students. Only the Board of Elections can determine polling locations. The polling locations of Goldwood School and St. Demetrius Church will be consolidated and will report to Memorial Hall for the November election. The Mayor thanked Pat McDonald and his staff for their help. Affected residents are being notified by the Board of Elections.

The Mayor distributed information regarding recycling that was received from Diane Bickett from Cuyahoga County. This information states that China’s National Sword Policy is impacting curbside recycling because household recyclables tend to be contaminated and are costly to process. Because of this there are more strict standards applied to recyclables along with the task of finding alternative markets for recycled items. The City of Rocky River’s recyclables are managed by Republic. Republic has complimented the City of Rocky River on the quality of recyclables and they will continue to pick up Rocky River’s at no charge. Bins may need to be used as opposed to blue bags in the future. Education is important regarding recycling and contamination. If a resident is confused on recycling, please look at the city’s website along with the county website. Rocky River is still comingling recyclables. The orange bags are still being utilized for recycling materials.

The tree planting surveys will be mailed out. The 2019 Free Tree Lawn Planting Program will include Laurel, Purnell, Lakeview between Center Ridge and Westway, Hampton between Center Ridge and Hilliard, Homeland and Parklane both east and west of Wooster.

The Mayor said that the City has received the R.I.T.A rebate for the year in the amount of almost $187,000. R.I.T.A. withholds 3% of the city’s filings and operations performed at 1.72%.

The City received a Fire Grant from the Bureau of Worker’s Comp for Health and Safety initiates. This is for the Fire Department in the amount of $15,000 with another $2,900 in local match for an extractor that will clean the firefighter’s turnout gear, gloves and hoods. Thank you to the Fire Department for securing these funds.

The City also received the County check for the Bradstreet’s Landing Grant and Design and Engineering has commenced. The information has been updated at the Pier and Pedestrian Bridge. Per the Smith Group, JJR, the demolition and reconstruction will be mobilized at the same time this spring.

The Mayor participated at a ribbon cutting today at Polpetta’s and Councilman O’Donnell participated at the ribbon cutting at the Med Spa on August 21st.

The City of Rocky River was recognized as the 6th safest community in Ohio. This is based on FBI crime statistics in communities over 5,000 residents. There were 198 communities across Ohio and Rocky River was number six.

Council should have received a Nixel Alert or Ready Notify regarding some break-ins over the weekend. One burglary entered from an open second floor window. The Mayor asked residents to please be vigilant with locking homes, cars and garages. Rocky River City Council Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting September 4, 2018 Page 3 of 4

The Community Emergency Response Team will be holding their training beginning September 22nd. If anyone in the community has questions regarding this training Council President Moran will answer any questions.

The Dog Swim was this evening. The pool closes tonight but the spray ground will be open until the end of September.

The Mayor announced that John Corry passed away. John served on City Council for several years and was an appointee to the Civil Service Commission. His Memorial Service was this past Friday. Ruth Regula also passed away over the weekend. Ruth served the schools for many, many years and served on the Charter Review Commission as the secretary and was very active at the Senior Center on Senior’s Council. Ruth’s services will be held later this week.

There will be a 9/11 Motorcycle Ride through the city on Sunday, September 9th. On Tuesday, 9/11 the City will have a Remembrance Ceremony by the flagpole beginning at 8:30 a.m. The entire community is invited.

 Councilman O’Donnell suggested that there be many notifications regarding the change of polling location for Goldwood and St. Demetrious. Councilman Shepherd said he received the first card over the weekend.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: President Moran said that there were Planning Commission Meetings and BZA Meetings during the month of August. Mr. Moran shared information with Councilman Shepherd regarding his district.

COMMUNICATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: President Moran said that Council received a Liquor Control request regarding Polpetta. The police department and Council approved this request.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

AMENDED ORDINANCE NOS. 87-17 and 90-17: Mr. Shepherd said that these are still on hold waiting for the Planning Commission’s recommendation. Mr. Moran said that he was at the Planning Commission Meeting that Ordinance No. 87-17 was being discussed.

AMENDED ORDINANCE NO. 50-18: Mr. Hunt Council received this legislation in the middle of July and it has been read twice. Council has received an amended exhibit. Prior to reading this a third time, Mr. Hunt would like to discuss this further with Mr. Bemer. Mr. Hunt asks Council to be sure to read the exhibit before next week’s meeting. The most recent exhibit has added a new Penalty Provision on the last page regarding Wildlife Feeding. Please review this and it will be discussed further at next week’s meeting.

NEW BUSINESS:

RESOLUTION NO. 51-18: Mr. O’Donnell said that this is a resolution accepting amounts and rates as determined by the Cuyahoga County Budget Commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the County for the inside and outside millage to be billed on the real estate tax bills. Mr. O’Donnell said that this is a yearly ordinance and given everything that is happening with the reappraisals, Mr. O’Donnell sees this as an opportunity for Council to look and decide if this should be modified from what has been done in the past.

 President Moran said that it is the County that has done these reappraisals and the city receives a very small percentage.

Rocky River City Council Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting September 4, 2018 Page 4 of 4

 Councilman Klym asked for a specific breakdown on how much is brought in by each of these millages currently and then what it would be with the revised amount. The Mayor added that if valuation increases 30% that does not mean property taxes increase 30%. Voted millage often times remains flat and does not necessarily grow with increased valuation. The Mayor will have this information shortly from the County. The Mayor suggested that because of the two notes the city has that produce property tax revenue to pay down debt, to take those additional dollars from the next couple of years, set them aside and then pay the notes off. It would be a good use of those dollars, the city saves money and it takes it off the property tax duplicate for property owners. For every $100.00 that residents spend on property taxes, the City of Rocky River collects less than $8.60. The schools depend on property taxes.

ORDINANCE NO. 52-18: Mr. Sindelar said this ordinance is for the purchase of one 2018 Ford F-150 Extended Cab Pick-up Truck for the Service Division. This is being purchased from the State Cooperative Purchasing Act. This is replacing the Service Commissioner’s 2007 Impala that was an old police car. This will have full three reads.

ORDINANCE NO. 53-18: Mr. Sindelar said that this ordinance is to renew a contract for one year for the purchase of janitorial supplies from Ohio Valley Supply and Maintenance Co. The amount exceeds the vendor limit by $5,000. The prices will be maintained from last year. This will have three full reads.

MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: Mr. Moran announced Larry’s Trivia Luncheon this Friday at 11:30 a.m. at the Senior Center. Mr. Moran also wished Councilman Furry and Sue Pease a happy birthday!

As there was no further business by members of Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:02 p.m.

________________________

James W. Moran Susan G. Pease

President of Council Clerk of Council