09/17/1996 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 9/17/96 ,,,~ LETTERS AND COMMUNICATIONS ~ A letter was read from the organization, Blanketing Our City with Prayer, expressing gratitude to the entire Council and especially thanking Councilman McKay for his excellent presentation on their behalf at the meeting of August 20. The committee appreciates the concern and support received from city officials and know it will benefit our city. Prayer request forms were given out at Homecoming and will soon be distributed door-to-door by volunteers. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Dennis Lambert, 25057 Carey Lane, expressed concern about the downsizing of private power companies and their practice of contracting out. This is especially relevant because many residents rely on electric power to run sump pumps during rain storms. Mr. Lambert suggested that the city investigate the possibility of creating their own power company, North Olmsted Electric Light (NOEL). He feels the city's power company could maintain lines, purchase power at lower prices and possibly some day provide service to smaller communities. Mayor Boyle said it might not be a bad idea to look into in the future. It may very well be a viable option. Mr. McKay said he was surprised that North Olmsted had not received offers from other electric power suppliers as they have in the gas industry. Also, Mr. McKay noted that the city does have standby power in case of a CEI failure at the city pumping stations. Bethia Kummer, 4845 Porter Road, wanted to clarify some points she felt had been "left up in the air" after Monday night's meeting regarding the widening of Porter and Mill Roads. She would like all the residents to be notified when the plans go to the Streets & Drainage Committee. She would also like to know who gets the final say on this matter; it is her understanding that Council is able to rescind the project. Mrs. Kummer said that none of the residents who attended the meeting wanted the project the way it was presented. As to the notification, Mayor Boyle stated he would notify the residents if Council agrees because it is a Council committee meeting. Mr. McKay said Mr. Bohlmann had requested he hold off setting the committee meeting to allow time for the engineers to review the project. He has no problem with the administration doing the notification of residents. As to the project itself, Mr. McKay told Mrs. Kummer that the procedure is going forward. However, because of concerns expressed at the meeting, there may be some changes in how it is done. Mayor Boyle agreed that the work would be adjusted to include some of the comments/ requests that were made at the meeting. Mrs. Kummer expressed concern that she did not want to be "too late" to provide input. She is concerned because the residents meeting had been delayed from June to September and Council passed legislation regarding the purchase of property, bids went out and a contractor has taken the project. Mrs. Saringer explained that the legislation passed at the last meeting were already discussed in committee and approved. The legislation cannot be rescinded after this evening. As the Mayor said, the suggestions that were made at the meeting will be taken under consideration but that will not affect the basic legislation that was already passed. Mr. Bohlmann said that three items discussed at the residents' '°~'` meeting would be considered: the storage lane for the left hand turn onto Mill Road ,~ 9 _~~,.~