05/02/2000 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 5/2/2000 was made to upgrade the non-union benefits to equal the union employees benefits r;.,.. ~,~: before passing the increase in the premium costs. There was a difference in opinions in this regard. A vote was taken with two votes for enacting the legislation now and one vote to pass the legislation and benefits at the same time. At the suggestion of the Mayor, another vote was taken to hold this issue in committee until details could be worked out. The committee voted three to zero to hold the ordinance in committee. • Ordinance 2000-34, which is a proposal to require entities who receive a tax abatement for commercial and industrial projects to make a contribution of up to 3% to a bona fide apprenticeship program. The Mayor felt that this would make a statement that North Olmsted desires to have qualified workers, and it is his belief that the companies also desire to have qualified workers. He also made a proposal that, while the Mayor is negotiating for the tax abatement, he would have the authority to set the amount of the contribution up to 3%. He also defined a bona fide apprenticeship program as an apprenticeship program as one regulated under the auspices of the Ohio State Apprenticeship Council of the State of Ohio as approved by the U. S. Department of Labor and the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training. The apprenticeship programs are union and non-union. Some members of Council felt that requiring a company to contribute to an apprenticeship program could discourage the companies from coming to North Olmsted as this is the reason for the tax abatement. Councilman Gareau believes that the Mayor already has the authority to regulate this proposal due to the fact that he is the person who negotiates the tax abatement contract. The final committee vote was two against passage and one for passage. 2) The Finance Committee met on Wednesday, April 26, to discuss 2000-35. Present were Service Director Bohlmann; Council President Saringer; Councilpersons O'Grady, Nashar, Gareau, Limpert and McKay. Ordinance 2000-35 authorizes the Director of Public Service to advertise for bids to purchase a vehicle lift for the Service Department garage. The committee recommended approval. Councilman O'Crrady, member of the Finance Committee, gave a minority report regarding Ordinance 2000-34: First, the apprenticeship program is not aimed at only union efforts, it is any apprenticeship program, union and non-union. Second, the Mayor retains the ability to negotiate with the entity to come in and request tax abatements with the city. It is up to the Mayor and his designated representative to determine what percentage up to 3% would be appropriate for the donation for the apprenticeship program. Finally, he sees this Ordinance 2000-34 as a statement on behalf of the City of North Olmsted expressing our dedication to professionalism in both the construction and building trade ranks. He thinks it sends a very strong message and a good message, and he would hope that the balance of Council would consider these comments as this comes up at the next Council meeting for a vote.