09/20/1994 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 9/20/94 Mr. Limpert did not have a committee report but wished to speak an the following legislation: a. Ordinance 94-90, which authorizes the Mayor to enter into a conb-act for the purchase of Springvale Country Club. As background information,lVlr. Linal~ert named that, because Council had a concern that as to whether or not there had been fil disclosure on the issues regarding the golf course, the Mayor offered to allow Council to appoigt someone to be a member of the n commatee. Mr. Limpert was appointed. However, no additional information was r From: talking with ;pimple in~ the rc-mmunity, Mr. Limpert found that opinions are faaly as to whether the city siut~ukl buy Springvale. The two principle objec~icros to lxiying Springvale are: One, the concern that it may eventually cost the taxpayers nxmey; Twa, a concern that the city does not have the expertise to run this business. A,s to the first objecting, Afr. Limpert noted that the king of this purchase will be as a revenue issue, which means the golf course and not the General Fund is being p~d~;ed as collateral. The second issue concerning the city running a business is unfmmded b the city currently runs two ~cces~ful lte~oes, the Wastewater Treatt Phmt imd I~iOMBL. 1VIr. LimQert said that the ci#y ~aukl take advantage of this oppartuy whim might not be available in the future. May area golf courses have been said, and Springvak is the only untouched golf course in the ' ' to area. He recommend+ai Council vc~e unanimously for Ordinance 94-90. b. Ordinance 94-120, which amas~ds sewer rate charges. Mr. Lgnpert recomrnded that Council consider a no vote an 94-120, or at the very lead tabl~g it umtfil review can be done. Mr. Limpert said that 94-120 is to cover $10 ~ of unfi~ncked sp ' g by Council. It also paves the way for $4 million of additional fimded borrowing in the next few years. This $4 man will not be the end of the sewer restores program. More spending and nacre borrowing will be required in 1997 to cootie the program, and additional borrowing wiIl mean adional rate increases. As is, 94-120 wifl put the city in the top third of rates in: Cuyahoga County. Though fimding was reduced during the 1994 flood over the 1989 flood, he fees that be credited to cleaner lines and not less infiltration. Tlus is based on the fitct that, after millic-ns of dolinrs spent, 3.1 inches of rain gave us a peak ~w of 34.1 mdlion gallons m 1989 and 4,28 inches of rain gave us a peak flow of 40.2 galkms in 1994. He does not feel that the ffianey spent was wasted, but queens if the ~Y has received the fiill benefit. The last contract, authorized in Ordinance 94-121, was approved without bidding because the price was being held and there were few if any other participants in the last bid. Mr. feels the "game plan" should be reviewed to insure the taxpayers are receiving the maximum benefit for dollars spent. AUDIf~NCE PART`~(~II'.~~'I„QN Dennis Lambert, 25057 Carey Lame, said that he felt the purchase of Spristgvale would enhance the quality of life ict the community. On the issue of Ordinance 94-12U, Mr. Lambert said that this sewer district rates were extremely high compared to the Rocky River Sewer District. He has not attended any of the committee s with regard to this ordinance. However, he would like the comme~tees to examine the posrility of regionalizing the sewer district and making the other commwiities pay their fair share 4 t