02/16/1999 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 2/16/99 AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION ,, p Duane Limpert, 4921 Berkshire Drive, president of the North Olmsted Kiwanis, thanked the city for helping with a service project. The Kiwanis took a group of special needs children snow skiing at Boston Mills. The city was kind enough to provide NOCOP transportation for the children. It was an experience for the children that they have never had in their life! Thanks go to the Human Resources Department for arranging the transportation. Ken Baker, 23254 Mildred Avenue, neighbor to Manor Care. Mr. Baker thanked Council for the time and effort they have put into trying to get Manor Care to conform to the city regulations. They were supposed to have completed the adjustments by February 15 but have not done so. Councilman Gareau said he had driven through the lot and noticed that nothing had changed except that one overhead light closest to Mr. Baker's home was out, either intentionally or unintentionally. Mr. Baker said there are four sets of lights around the back corner near the patio area. Those four pole lights have been out. But on either end of the patio, the pole light is on and also the "sun" on the back of the building is on all the time. Mr. Gareau noted that we have waited a year for Manor Care to comply, and that is well beyond long enough. He will ask the Building Department to inspect the site and then refer the matter to the Law Department to ensure compliance. Paul Barker, 23629 Carriage Lane, is not in favor of Ordinance 99-3 which will change the speed limit on Lorain Road to a uniform 35 mph. Mr. Baker feels it is a safety issue and the change of speed will cause more accidents to occur. Joseph Bouman, 23950 Gessner Road, feels that the Finance Department needs to hire another degreed bookkeeper to act as a backup to the director. He noted that the State Auditor has recommended there be more professional help in the department. Mr. Bouman also noted that the Law Director has an assistant and recently another assistant was added to the Law Department. Law Director Gareau noted that with multiple phases of litigation in discovery and other law issues, having one person in the civil branch is simply not enough. His department was recently reorganized by eliminating two law clerk positions with the appointment of a second civil assistant who is an attorney. As far as Finance Director Copfer's need for an assistant, that is pretty obvious and the auditors have indicated that for a long period of time. Hopefully, Council will look favorably upon that and address that issue during the upcoming appropriations process. Mr. O'Grady noted that Mr. Bowman's comments were well taken and that it is time to provide professional assistance in the Finance Department. Councilman Gareau agreed that this time of year was a good opportunity to create a dialogue on that topic and hopefully come to a consensus. Jim Burns, 3978 Dover Center Road, the former Finance Director, agreed that the position does need aback-up. He said that, in looking at the position of an assistant finance director, Council should take special note of the Ohio Revised Code and the city Charter because there are a number of requirements in place for a city fiscal officer. It is not a position that can simply be filled by putting a line item in the budget. 7