09/03/2013 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 09-03-2013 that O'Grady meet with Finance Director Copfer before he releases any public statements on the Mayor's Court. O'Grady said he did meet with Copfer. He asked for the revenues generated in the first three months. Mayor Kennedy said the numbers were successful; on projection or will be above projection. O'Grady asked for the numbers and Mayor Kennedy said he does not have the numbers off the top of his head. Copfer said the fines for 2013 are $256,259 which includes the fines collected from Rocky River Court and from the Mayor's Court which is very comparable to the fines for 2012 when the Mayor's Court was not in existence yet. She said she did mention to O'Grady the difference is that the court costs collections were $190,000 so far this year but the court costs have only been around $73,000. That difference is what the Mayor is referring to and what O'Grady might not have factored into his analysis. O'Grady asked for the fines generated by the Mayor's Court the first six months of 2013 separate from Rocky River. Mayor Kennedy said Copfer has the numbers which have been shared with Council. O'Grady asked if Mayor Kennedy had a business plan for the Mayor's Court. Mayor Kennedy said he did and his plan was reviewed by a committee of people that understand Mayor's courts. His numbers are spot-on. Projections were based on 7500 tickets which is what the city did in 2011. The extra revenue collected above and beyond fines covering expenses from court costs was around $250,000. O'Grady asked Mayor Kennedy how many additional cases he had the first six months this year versus 2012. Mayor Kennedy said he thinks there were less cases. O'Grady said he thinks Mayor Kennedy is mistaken. O'Grady said what if I were to tell you that you had hundreds of more cases and tens of thousands of dollars less revenue with Mayor's court than with Rocky River court last year? Mayor Kennedy said everything O'Grady is saying is half- truths and not looking at the total picture. Jennifer Rudolph, 3329 Walter Road said that it was not her understanding that politicians are up here to debate with the Mayor when they are running against him. Just food for thought. LEGISLATION Ordinance 2013-66 introduced by Councilman Orlowski was given its third reading. An Ordinance amending Section 1901.11 of the Fair Housing Code in order to increase the term of office for Council members to four (4) years. Councilman Orlowski moved for adoption. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Williamson. Roll Call: Orlowski, yes; Williamson, no; Brossard, yes; Smith, yes; Barker, yes; Schumann, yes; Kearney, yes. Ordinance 2013-66 adopted 6-1. Ordinance 2013-68 introduced by Councilman Orlowski was given its third reading. An Ordinance amending Section 172.01 of the Tax Incentive Review Code in order to increase the term of office for Council members to four (4) years, as amended. Councilman Orlowski moved for adoption. The motion was seconded by Councilman Smith. Roll Call: Orlowski, yes; Smith; yes; Williamson, no; Brossard, yes; Schumatui, yes; Barker, yes; Kearney, yes. Ordinance 2013-68 adopted 6-1. Ordinance 2013-69 introduced by Councilman Orlowski was given its third reading. An Ordinance amending Section 1501.2501 of the Taxation Code in order to increase the term of office for Council members to four (4) years. Councilman Orlowski moved for 6