02/17/1998 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 2/17/98 2) The Recreation Commission met following the committee meeting and continued its own meeting with issues discussed such as field maintenance and the requests for improvement in notification and late maintenance of fields on rainy days. Recreation Department officials will monitor this situation. Field improvements are taking place; one completed is on Diamond 1 in North Olmsted Park, which is the drainage problem. The installation of a slag walkway to the field behind Chestnut is also being done. The Commission subcommittee on budget reported their general approval of the budget draft for the Parks and Recreation Department with noted concerns over the following issues: disrepair of the rink and its effect on revenue; the need for a fitness area in the Rec Center to increase clientele; the need to downsize the pro shop for financial reasons. The Recreation Commissioner requested increased funding for the building repair and maintenance line item in order to keep up with increasing repair needs in this facility. A visitor, Mr. Bouman, expressed a concern over the structure of the hot stove baseball organization and members of hot stove board will be invited to the next commission meeting to continue that discussion. The land acquisition for recreation purposes was a major discussion that evening. This purchase was weighed against the need for critical repairs and renovation of the ice rink. The commission was unable to make any recommendation at this time without the benefit of budgetary decisions by the administration for parks and recreation. The Safety Director was asked to provide revenue sources and budget proposals which would demonstrate whether or not rink renovation and/or land acquisition can be considered. The Recreation Commission hopes to review these prior to its next meeting. Mr. Miller, Chairperson of the Transportation Committee: 1) The committee met on February 11. Present were Council members Gareau, Nashar, McKay, Limpert, O'Grady, Kasler, Miller and Safety Director Jenkins. The committee discussed the question of the city taking a position on the proposed merger of rail companies in light of the projected, sizable increase in rail traffic on the rail lines dividing Westlake and Bay Village. Safety issues were discussed primarily. Mr. Jenkins was asked to get the input of the Police and Fire Chiefs and the Westshore Council of Governments since they control the hazmat unit that is stored in our city. When this information is forwarded, the committee will revisit this issue. Mayor Musial asked if the widening of I-71 has been discussed in the current or previous Transportation Committee. Mr. Miller stated that the current committee had not discussed this issue. Mr. McKay said that it had been discussed previously and the recommendation from the County Commissioners was that it did not seem to be a good idea. The County Commissioners felt they needed more information on the effect the widening would have on the communities with I-71 exits. Also, there are environmental effects that have to be studied. 7