11/21/2000 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 11/21/2000 Regarding Mr. Burns' comments about selling the taxes to a collection agency, it should ,~:,~~ ~~,,~ be remembered that the city would not get all of the money. The purpose of this ordinance is to get the taxes paid 100% wherever possible. The legislation only applies to new commercial and residential. What we are trying to do is advance the collection of taxes to the highest percentage possible and at the most appropriate and legally responsible way. If the Law Director advises that there are weaknesses in the legislation, he would ask that it come back into committee. Regarding Ordinance 2000-118, Mr. O'Grady said he sees a difference from when a government makes a suggestion and when they tell a business how to do their business. It is at that point that he feels it is crossing the line. When we cross those lines, we limit ourselves and we limit the business and inadvertently perhaps create an environment where the businesses will not put in landscaping but will choose pavers. He sees that as a potential negative for the city and will vote against the ordinance. Law Director Gareau said he believed the city should have the force of law when they suggest that businesses put in irrigation systems. With regard to Ordinance 99-113, he does not disagree with the Assistant Law Director's analysis with respect to what constitutes certifying that the property taxes have been paid. The only problem is that it should come from the County Treasurer. (It was agreed at this point that the legislation would be amended to change County Auditor to County Treasurer.) Mr. Miller moved to amend Ordinance 99-113 by changing the wording in Section 1119.01 (b) from "County Auditor" to "County Treasurer." The motion was seconded by Mr. Nashar and unanimously passed. Ordinance 99-113 is amended and will be read on second reading as amended. LEGISLATION Ordinance No. 2000-118 introduced by Council Members Gareau, Kasler and Miller was given its third reading. An ordinance creating new Section 1139.12 of Chapter 1139 of the Zoning Code, entitled "Irrigation of Landscaped Areas," so as to require that all landscaped areas located on parcels of land within the General Retail Business District be serviced by underground irrigation systems. Mr. Gareau moved for adoption; second by Mrs. Kasler. Roll call: Gareau, yes; Kasler, yes; Limpert, yes, with comment that there is an ability for a developer to get a variance. But, there is not a way without this to get proper green space when it's called for. Roll call continued: McKay, yes, with comment that he has probably had more problems with these kind of things than any other Councilman due to the area that he represents. Just as late as last year, we had a case involving Home Depot where they put in landscaping, didn't water it and it all died. We had to play hardball with Home Depot to get them to re-plant the area and get the water in there. He sees this legislation as a good thing. Roll call continued: Miller, yes; Nashar, yes, with comment that, if there is a business that objects to this, they have a right to go before the Board of Zoning Appeals. He feels that we need to protect our city's green space. Roll call continued: O'Grady, no, with comment that existing laws already require maintenance of landscaped areas. Secondly, this ordinance could lead businesses in North Olmsted to decide not to landscape due to the increased costs. 11 .~.~ _,.. ~.~„ i