09/07/1999 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 9/7/99 ,~ Mr. Limpert, chairperson of the Intra-Governmental Relations and Legislation; Long- Range Planning Committee: 1) The Community Development Block Grant Citizens Advisory Committee met on August 24 to discuss possible options. We have been very successful over the years in receiving CDBG grants, which can be up to a $150,000 grant to use toward community projects. The first public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 9, at Old Town Hall to receive input from the public. Also, mini- public hearings will be held tentatively on October 5, 19 and November 3 at approximately 7:15 p. m. Mr. O'Grady, chairperson of the Finance Committee: 1) The committee met on September 7 at 6 p.m. Present were committee members O'Grady, Kasler and Limpert; Council member Nashar, Gareau, McKay and Miller; Mayor Musial; directors of Finance, Service and Safety. The committee discussed the following legislation: • Ordinance 99-112, which amends Section 745 of the Hotel and Motel Tax Code in order to impose a duty upon the Director of Finance to conduct annual audits of excise tax returns filed by those hotels and motels. Finance Director reported with regard to this ordinance that it may not be required, because the Codified Ordinances currently authorize her to conduct the audit as requested. Currently, it is the procedure within the Finance Department to follow income streams, and they question the need for the ordinance in the first place. Secondly, it was pointed out that this would now impose a mandatory requirement upon the Director of Finance and remove her discretion to audit as needed. Former Finance Director Jim Burns was in attendance and commented that making audits at each year and at each location mandatory may not be advisable. He felt the work load would be high, and the effectiveness of continued auditing might be questionable. He later recommended the removal of any requirement for annual audit. In response to some of the concerns raised, changes were made to the ordinance that, although still required the Finance Director to conduct an annual audit at all locations that are occupied by hotel or motel vendors, gave the Finance Director the discretion to decide the extent that the audit could take. Based upon those recommendations and comments made, the joint Finance and Public Safety Committee voted to recommend approval by four to two, with Mr. O'Grady and Mr. Limpert dissenting. • Ordinance 99-105, a boiler plate ordinance reflecting RTA wages. This legislation will bring the wages of NOMBL employees in line with the wages of RTA personnel. The Finance Committee unanimously recommended approval. • Ordinance 99-110 was brought to the attention of the committee. However, due to time constraints because of the Council meeting, it was decided to hold this legislation in committee. This ordinance will again be discussed at a joint meeting of the Finance and BZD Committee on September 15. • Ordinance 99-107 was reviewed. This legislation puts in place structure within the North Olmsted Police Department called "STOP", which stands for Safe Traffic Oriented Policing. The objective of STOP is to increase police officer coverage on the streets of North Olmsted without increasing the cost to the citizens of North Olmsted. STOP is a self-sustaining program where the revenues generated will pay for the program. Police Chief Ruple was in attendance and noted that this 4