Council Meeting Minutes - December 12, 2012

The Council meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Mayor Renda.

PRESENT AT ROLL CALL: Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Fritz, Mr. Richman, Ms. Sturgis,
ABSENT: Mr. Wortzman

Also Present: Ted DeWater, Service Director; Greg Potts, Building Commissioner; Margaret Cannon, Law Director, Jeff Filarski, Village Engineer


Mr. Richman made a motion seconded by Mr. Fritz to approve the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of November 14, 2012.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Fritz, Mr. Richman, Ms. Sturgis
ABSTENTIONS: Mr. Buczek
NAYS: NONE
MOTION CARRIED


Reports from the Mayor & Other Municipal Officials

Mayor Renda stated that she spoke with Robert Koonce from the WRLC. The WRLC is interested in having “Yoga on the Preserve” on the flat land area in front of the House on the Hill, not in Forest Ridge on August 11, 2013. She stated that since they would be using Village land, it would require a Council exception to the Conditional Use Permit. Mayor Renda stated that this event is held once a year with about 500-600 people attending. She stated that the WRLC would give guided tours through the park but promised to stay on the paths and that yoga would not be done on the hill. Mayor Renda stated that parking would be at the Polo Fields and they would have a police presence to get people across the street safely. Mayor Renda asked if Council would like to have Mr. Koonce present this request at the next Council meeting. Council agreed.

Mr. Fritz asked if it may be helpful to have something designated in the roadway, such as a crosswalk, in the future since the WRLC will be having several events throughout the year. Mayor Renda stated that it has been discussed, however, most of the “events” that the WRLC will be having are small groups of 8-20 people.

Mayor Renda stated that she heard from Mr. David Hartt regarding the zoning changes. She stated that Mr. Hartt will have some written regulations for the Village to look at by mid-January. Mayor Renda stated that once they are received, they will be reviewed administratively first then another Joint Council-Planning Meeting would need to be held to review the changes; therefore the zoning changes will most likely not be on the Council agenda until March. She stated that in the meantime, there will no longer be the need to have any extra public hearing meetings for variances. In order to streamline the process until the zoning changes have been made, an application for a variance request was created. The applicant will fill it out by the Planning deadline, and while they will not be able to be on the agenda at the very next meeting (ten days after the deadline) they will be placed on the agenda for the following meeting (six weeks later). This will eliminate the process of scheduling an “extra” public hearing meeting.


REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

Roads & Safety:
Ms. Sturgis reported that the Roads & Safety Committee met on November 26th. She stated that the resident’s concerns that were brought up at the previous meeting have been addressed per the recommendations of the Village Engineer. Ms. Sturgis stated that information regarding the property at River Mountain and Mountainview is being submitted to the Law Director for review and will come before Council for consideration in the future. She stated Chief Zugan and representatives from the Chagrin Falls EMS were present at the meeting to discuss the rates under the current negotiated contract with the Chagrin Falls EMS System. Ms. Sturgis stated that they will not experience a rate increase even though the schedule rate increase was 4%; it will remain at 3% which will result in a $15,000 savings to Moreland Hills. Ms. Sturgis stated that there will be legislation tonight regarding the completion of the 2012 Drainage and Culvert program for which all concerns have been addressed. Ms. Sturgis stated that the Boy Scouts are still in partnership with the Service Department on various projects in Forest Ridge. There will not be a meeting in December.


Facilities:
Mr. Richman reported that the Facilities Committee met on November 26th. He stated that the treatment plant conversion project is complete, under budget and working efficiently. Mr. Richman stated that the total project cost, including Pepper Pike’s share, was 4.8 million. The total cost of the project was under budget as well as Moreland Hills part of the project. Mr. Richman pointed out that Moreland Hills’ share of the project of 2.6 million would have been the cost to replace Jackson Valley if the Village were to keep the treatment plants running.


Planning Commission:
Mrs. Cooper reported that Planning Commission met on November 26, 2012. She stated that a height variance request for a garden shed was heard but will need to go before the Board of Zoning Appeals on February 25, 2013. Mrs. Cooper stated that two additions and alterations were presented as well. Lastly, Mr. & Mrs. Smith came to the meeting to talk about the plans for their property. She stated that Aimee Lane, Assistant Law Director explained that the Smiths will need to request a Use Variance which will appear before the Board of Zoning Appeals on January 28, 2013. Mrs. Cooper stated that the Board of Zoning Appeals met on December 3rd and granted a height variance for an accessory building. The next Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals meeting will be on January 28, 2013.

Mr. Buczek reported that he attended the Chagrin River Watershed Partners meeting last week. He stated that they recapped what happened throughout the year. Mr. Buczek stated that he was surprised by the number of projects that they are involved in considering that there are only four employees managing these projects. He stated that their dues will increase by 1%, since they have not done so in three years. Mr. Buczek stated that our storm water permit is expiring and Mr. Filarski is working on the reports to the EPA. Mr. Filarski stated that there will be credits available to residents which will be mentioned in the next newsletter.


ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

Ordinance 2012-86 – Introduced by Ms. Sturgis
an ordinance authorizing change order nos. 1 and 2 with monte construction co., inc. for the 2012 culvert and drainage repair program and declaring and emergency.

Ms. Sturgis stated that there are two change orders to close out the Culvert and Drainage Program. The first change order was an increase amount to address two issues; Sterncrest Drive sinkhole and swale at Chagrin Blvd. Change order two is for a decrease based on reconciliation of the accounts to close the project out. The total of the both changes orders results in a slight increase of $159.38.

Ms. Sturgis made a motion seconded by Mr. Fritz for suspension of the rules for Ordinance 2012-86.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Fritz, Mr. Richman, Ms. Sturgis
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED


Ms. Sturgis made a motion seconded by Mr. Buczek for passage of Ordinance 2012-86.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Fritz, Mr. Richman, Ms. Sturgis
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED


Ordinance 2012-87 – Introduced by Mr. Richman
an ordinance amending section 1351.01 of chapter 1351, “maintenance of dwelling structures,” of the codified ordinance of the village of moreland hills and declaring an emergency.

Mr. Richman stated this change to the Codified Ordinances is necessary in order to issue a citation to both the landlord and tenant, the wording needed to be changed from “which he or she occupies and controls” to “which he or she occupies or controls.”

Mr. Richman made a motion seconded by Mrs. Cooper for suspension of the rules for Ordinance 2012-87.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Fritz, Mr. Richman, Ms. Sturgis
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED


Mr. Richman made a motion seconded by Mr. Buczek for passage of Ordinance 2012-87.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Fritz, Mr. Richman, Ms. Sturgis
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED


Ordinance 2012-88 – Introduced by Mr. Buczek
an ordinance amending existing section 153.04, “vacations,” of chapter 153 of the codified ordinances of the village of moreland hills to clarify the village’s vacation policy and declaring an emergency.

Mr. Buczek stated this is just a clarification of a new employee’s vacation time earned during their first year of employment.

Mr. Buczek made a motion seconded by Mr. Fritz for suspension of the rules for Ordinance 2012-88.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Fritz, Mr. Richman, Ms. Sturgis
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED


Mr. Buczek made a motion seconded by Ms. Sturgis for passage of Ordinance 2012-88.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Fritz, Mr. Richman, Ms. Sturgis
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED


Ordinance 2012-89 – Introduced by Mrs. Cooper
an ordinance fixing the compensation of various officers and employees of the village of moreland hills and declaring an emergency.

Mrs. Cooper stated that this ordinance recognizes the strong commitment and excellent service our employees provide to the Village and its’ residents by providing a 2% increase in compensation for various officers and employees.

Mrs. Cooper made a motion seconded by Mr. Buczek for suspension of the rules for Ordinance 2012-89.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Fritz, Mr. Richman, Ms. Sturgis
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED


Mrs. Cooper made a motion seconded by Ms. Sturgis for passage of Ordinance 2012-89.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Fritz, Mr. Richman, Ms. Sturgis
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED


Resolution 2012-90 Introduced by Mr. Fritz
a resolution requesting the county auditor to make advances from the proceeds of real and personal property tax levies and special assessments during the fiscal year 2013 pursuant to the ohio revised code section 321.34 and declaring an emergency.

Mayor Renda stated that on the actual Resolution, the term “Auditor” has now been changed to “Fiscal Officer.” Mr. Fritz stated that per Ohio Revised Code, the Village has to put a request in writing to draw upon funds owed to the Village of Moreland Hills for the year ending December 31, 2013.

Mr. Fritz made a motion seconded by Mrs. Cooper for suspension of the rules for Resolution 2012-90.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Fritz, Mr. Richman, Ms. Sturgis
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED


Mr. Fritz made a motion seconded by Mr. Buczek for passage of Resolution 2012-90.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Fritz, Mr. Richman, Ms. Sturgis
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED


Ordinance 2012-91 Introduced by Mr. Richman
an ordinance providing additional appropriations, transferring items already appropriated and declaring an emergency.

Mr. Richman stated that during the year it is required to make transfers from general funds to various accounts and also to reconcile what was budgeted originally in the initial appropriations ordinance to what needs to be expended.

Mr. Richman made a motion seconded by Mrs. Cooper for suspension of the rules for Ordinance 2012-91.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Fritz, Mr. Richman, Ms. Sturgis
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED


Mr. Richman made a motion seconded by Mr. Buczek for passage of Ordinance 2012-91.

Mr. Richman gave a summary of the amendments to the appropriations ordinance.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Fritz, Mr. Richman, Ms. Sturgis
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED


Ordinance 2012-92 Introduced by Mr. Fritz
an ordinance establishing the temporary appropriations for the first quarter of the fiscal year of 2013 for the village of moreland hills, and declaring an emergency.

Mr. Fritz stated that this is an appropriation of expenditures for the first quarter of the year, ending March 31, 2013 for the Village of Moreland Hills.

Mr. Fritz made a motion seconded by Mrs. Cooper for suspension of the rules for Ordinance 2012-92.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Fritz, Mr. Richman, Ms. Sturgis
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED


Mr. Fritz made a motion seconded by Mr. Buczek for passage of Ordinance 2012-92.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Fritz, Mr. Richman, Ms. Sturgis
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED


Ordinance 2012-93 Introduced by Mrs. Cooper
an ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract with medical mutual for the provision of health care insurance to village employees, at the total estimated monthly cost of $25,700.00 and declaring an emergency.

Mrs. Cooper stated that this is addressing next year’s health care and is a tremendous savings from what the Village currently has.

Mrs. Cooper made a motion seconded by Mr. Fritz for suspension of the rules for Ordinance 2012-93.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Fritz, Mr. Richman, Ms. Sturgis
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED


Mrs. Cooper made a motion seconded by Mr. Buczek for passage of Ordinance 2012-93.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Fritz, Mr. Richman, Ms. Sturgis
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED


MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS:

Mr. Buczek made a motion seconded by Mr. Richman to grant the Village employees time off on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Fritz, Mr. Richman, Ms. Sturgis
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED


Mayor Renda stated that since this is Council’s last meeting of 2012, she would like to let everyone know that she has thoroughly enjoyed working with them. She stated that she is very proud of what they have done and what they will continue to do.

Mr. Buczek made a motion seconded by Mrs. Cooper to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 p.m.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Buczek, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Fritz, Mr. Richman, Ms. Sturgis
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED


The meeting was adjourned at 7:45p.m.

Attest: 
Sherri Arrietta, Clerk of Council
Steve Richman, Council President