03/02/2010 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 03-02-2010 positions with ad-hoc people -people that can step in and then be taken out -things like ~~ that. You're going to get rid of the departments. The worst thing anybody can do is put '""" dollars into the general fund. So, where did the dollars go that are no longer earmarked for safety and for service? They're going to go into the general fund -that big black hole. There will be no responsibility for those dollars once you get rid of the departments. Ordinance 2010-12 was probably one of the most irresponsible pieces of legislation that the voters are going to have to step and say no to it. To throw out the entire department of service and safety is to throw out the guarantees that the people of North Olmsted have that those services will ever be performed for them. Council President Limpert pointed out that the Charter amendment is not to eliminate the departments. It's to address the directors where the directors would not be Charter positions. Mayor Kennedy said it's not eliminating departments. They will be whatever department the Council and Mayor agree upon in the future going ahead. Jeff Sturgeon, 3092 W. 231 asked if there's any way the city can force the gas company to shut the gas off at the street on empty, foreclosed homes. The gas company, when they shut the gas off, nine times out often will shut the gas off at the meter. He referenced the homes blowing up in Cleveland on West 83rd Street. He doesn't think that people should have to live in fear of a neighborhood blowing up or a house blowing up. He had a water main break in front of his house. When the Cleveland Water Department came out and fixed it, they broke a sewer line. North Olmsted repaired the sewer line. He doesn't think the city should fix it at their expense. Is the city able to bill the water department for that? Council President Limpert said if the city can show where the water department has actually broken it, then the city can bill them. Mayor Kennedy said the city bills them. He requested that Sturgeon send him an E-mail about this issue. Sturgeon asked Council how they feel about getting the gas company to shut off gas at the curb on a foreclosed house that is empty. Councilman Barker said he agrees with Mr. Sturgeon. On West 83rd, a lot of those homes were built a long time ago, and there are no shut offs on the street. He thinks the Building Department and Police Department watch those homes regularly. It's part of their job. He and the Mayor will discuss maybe possibly trying to come up with something to deal with Dominion, but he can't guarantee anything. Sturgeon said other cities are shutting the gas off at the curb. They're forcing the gas company on foreclosed homes. Councilman Barker said they will try their best to see if that can be accomplished with Dominion. Councilwoman Jones asked the Mayor what procedure is used for foreclosed homes dealing with the gas company. Mayor Kennedy said Dr. Thomas had just informed him that once they get into foreclosure, they sell relatively quickly. He and Councilman Barker will get together and discuss it. Jack Boss, 31084 Lorain Road said he is a life long resident. He is in the concrete business which was started by his dad in 1932. He is the oldest Chamber member of the Chamber of Commerce. North Olmsted is a great town. It's been very profitable and very good to him. He was taught at an early age to give back. When you take from your community, make sure you give back. He has done that. What has happened in the last five years is something that he never experienced. He didn't cut his men's wages. He kept them at the wage they were entitled to. He got out of the union thirty years ago so that he could better service the people of North Olmsted. He has lost money; this past 7