09/04/2012 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 09-04-12 by the elected officials and employees that came to speak before Council regarding ,~, Mayors Court. Ask yourself a question before you vote. Are you going to look at cost and money or quality and services? What is our city about? Are we about providing our residents the quality of services that they deserve? Are we going to give them the justice system that they deserve? Are we going to provide services to them in terms of the probation department? The economic need just isn't there. The old saying, "If it isn't broke don't fix it" is squarely applicable to this scenario. My vote is no for the various reasons I have stated. Roll call continued: Kearney, yes; Orlowski, no; Brossard, yes; Schumann, yes; Barker, yes; Williamson, yes. Ordinance 2012-47 adopted 5-2. Ordinance 2012-48 introduced by Mayor Kennedy was given its third reading. An Ordinance amending the rates of compensation for various administrative and legislative personnel for the year 2012 in order to establish rates of compensation for employees of the newly-created Mayor's Court Division within the Mayor's office; and otherwise restate the compensation rates and descriptions for various administrative and legislative personnel for the year 2012, and declaring an emergency. Councilman Barker moved for adoption. The motion was seconded by Councilman Kearney. Roll Call: Barker, yes; Kearney, yes; Brossard, yes; Orlowski, no with comment. At the start of the discussion of a Mayors Court, I was not adverse to the idea. However, I do believe and have expressed on at least two occasions that all OVI citations should go to Rocky River court. They are highly respected in the area of treating these types of offenses. They have the ability to assess offenders and place them in treatment programs. Elimination or reduction in recidivism could be a large savings for all west shore communities. The Mayor, on at least two occasions, has stated the purpose of our Mayors Court is to generate revenue. Allowing OVI cases to plead to a reduced charge of reckless operation and pay a large fine may generate revenue, but may well be creating a larger problem. There is a lack of information detailing the estimated revenue, net income, detailed costs associated with the start-up of a Mayors Court, type of security, additional utility costs and where the Engineering Department is moving to. Creating employment in this economy may be a positive factor. Information presented shows that all types of citations have been declining for the last few years. After all is said and done, the city may only generate a profit of thirty to forty thousand dollars over what we currently receive from the Rocky River Court. If traffic citations increase in North Olmsted, it may become disadvantageous for our local retailers. Roll call continued: Mahoney, no; Schumann, yes; Williamson, yes. Ordinance 2012-48 adopted 5-2. Ordinance 2012-67 introduced by Mayor Kennedy was given its third reading. An Ordinance amending and re-establishing Chapter 155 of the Administrative Code entitled "Parks and Recreation Commission" in order to amend the duties and meeting requirements of the Parks and Recreation Commission. Councilman Kearney moved for adoption. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Williamson and passed unanimously. Ordinance 2012-67 adopted. Ordinance 2012-57 introduced by Mayor Kennedy was given its second reading. An Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 2006-94 to amend the price ranges and to otherwise restate the program fees for use of Park and Recreation facilities, as amended. 8