06/19/2012 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 06-19-12 Accounts Receivable Court Costs: By ordinance, court costs collected will be restricted Q to Capital Expenditures of the Court. This will include but is not limited to technology, office machines, special security equipment, major renovations of Court areas and all other special capital expenditures as established by ordinance. Further, surpluses occurring thereafter shall be restricted for the pay down of principal balances of preexisting outstanding city debt in the form of notes and bonds. The surpluses from this account are prohibited from being used to pay for scheduled debt obligations that are already established by the terms of the notes or bonds. The only exception is borrowing for capital expenditures for the Mayor's Court. It is further recommended that the fiscal year for the Mayor's Court begin on June 1, and end on May 31. In compliance with restrictions, the transfer of surpluses identified in Court Accounts thereafter, should be considered at the next regular meeting of the Finance Committee or thereafter, when the committee normally considers City Budget and appropriation ordinances. Final comment: It is the obligation of City Council to restrict and regulate the resources of the City Of North Olmsted. While the Director of Finance may make recommendations, it is the responsibility of Council to control the appropriation of funds by ordinance. Many will agree and I contend that it is irresponsible for unused funds to be place in a "General Fund" and this practice should be avoided when ever possible. Copfer thanked Lambert for his comments. She said they are looking at proper accounting for Mayor's Court. The fines already go to the general fund. When you are earmarking fines for something other than that, then you are taking more money out of the general fund that is there for regular operations over and above the million and a half they are already losing through intra-governmental revenues. There is a bigger picture that needs to be considered. Surpluses will not go to the general fund. Court costs are covered by the court costs that are collected, and those are transferred to the general fund. Alex Rychlik, 27900 North Park Drive advised Council and the Administration that people are speeding on North Park, including school buses. He also pointed out that people are not cleaning up after their dogs in the parks. Charles Dial, 27959 Gardenia Drive said he was unable to attend the committee meeting regarding Mayor's Court. He is concerned because it sounds like there are less than good faith negotiations with Rocky River Court. Rocky River Court is run very well and Clerk Comery and her staff are very professional. Dial said North Olmsted also runs the risk of giving off the perception that the city is going to become like Linndale or the city will hire political people to run the court. Also, the Mayor has the authority to create this court, and Council should make sure there is no funding for it to guarantee it won't move forward until all concerns are addressed. Mayor Kennedy clarified that North Olmsted is not leaving Rocky River Court. Most cities have Mayor's Courts. The Mayor does not run it, there is a Magistrate and Clerk of Courts that runs it. Money will be kept in North Olmsted, and the fines will be less costly. Having a night court will be more convenient 5