4.15.19 MEETING MINUTES - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Minutes ofkhe Regular Meeting of Council Monday, April 15, 2019 Page 5 We have experienced some leadership changes with the recent retirement of Police Chief Richard Edelman and the appointment of Chief Paul Matias. Chief Paul Matias stood out among three well-qualified candidates for Police Chief. His experience, education and leadership have earned him the respect of his comrades, as well as of the Administration and Village residents. Chief Matias has taken on a wide range of responsibilities throughout his career in Mayfield Village, and has worked with former Chief Edelman to ensure a smooth transition. I am confident in Chief Matias' leadership, and recognize that he has assumed his responsibilities with strength, intelligence, wisdom, cutting edge knowledge and a genuine desire to keep our Village and first responders safe and protected. Council recently approved the purchase of new body cameras, and I know we are all committed to providing our safety forces with the best equipment and training possible. We have also hired a new Assistant Chief/Fire Marshal in the Fire Department to replace soon - to -be -retiring Assistant Chief Michael Girbino. Michael Libens, a 31 -year veteran of the Fire Service and a Fire Lieutenant in Richmond Heights, began today and is currently working with Assistant Chief Girbino in order to be fully ready to assume his duties when Assistant Chief Girbino retires on May 31. The Fire Department will soon have a new ambulance as, there too, we want to provide them with the equipment they need so that they can continue to keep us safe. All other Departments continue to run smoothly. The Building Department reported 452 residential building permits issued with an almost doubled construction valuation in 2018 due to the addition of two new homes built at an estimated total value of $755,000. Commercial activity was down slightly in 2018, and our Economic Development Manager has already proposed several ideas to address the needs of our businesses. We continue to work with Mayfield Schools to advance a strong school system that strives to help each student reach his or her full potential in a challenging, nurturing and positive learning environment. This partnership is crucial to our future, and so I am proud to work with Dr. Kelly and the School Board, Administration and students as a member of the Mayfield Schools Advisory Council and at many occasions and events throughout the year. As for the future, our new long-term Master Plan is nearing completion. After conducting Village -wide surveys and holding three public meetings, we found, not surprisingly, that the vast majority of residents are extremely happy with the services and amenities we offer here, and do not want to change the character of the Village, increase our size in any meaningful way, or disturb the services and programs we now provide. Although we've grown in income, technology and infrastructure since that fateful schoolhouse meeting in 1819, we are still a community of families, friends and neighbors, working together to preserve and enhance our outstanding Village, and we are in the fortunate position of planning to improve upon that which is already good. Many of you have participated in our planning process, either by completing your survey or attending a community meeting. Your voices have helped to define the hopes and dreams of our community, and the final plan will reflect your wishes. That summarizes the State of the Village for 2019. Finance Director Ron Wynne and I will host our annual Town Hall Meeting on Finances on April 29 at 7 p.m. where we will provide more detailed information, including a presentation that will provide a clearer picture of our finances