08/06/2002 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 8/6/2002 LEGISLATION a Ordinance No. 99-126 introduced by Council Members Gateau, Miller and Kasler was given its third reading. An ordinance creating an new Chapter 177 of the city Administrative Code, entitled "Department of Planning," in order to establish a Department of Planning for the City of North Olmsted and to create the position of Director of Planning and declaring an emergency as amended. Councilman Gateau moved for adoption, and the motion was seconded by Councilman Miller. Roll call: Gazeau, yes, with comment that he votes in support of the legislation and seeks to create a Department of Planning. It is a matter that he personally believes in, and he has consistently and repeatedly brought this to the city when he was elected in 1998. Unfortunately, since 1998 the financial condition of the has changed. The position will remain unfilled and perhaps will not be filled this year or even next year. He will continue to pursue alternative funding sources and promises not to create this position based upon extra revenues based upon layoffs. Roll call continued: Miller, yes, commenting that the position will be unfunded and, therefore, unfillable for at least the remainder of this year and possibly imo next year. Having been on two city boards and ~, commissions, he has seen a strong need for this position. One drive down Lorain Road can reveal how badly we need such a position. However, he is considerate of the current economic situation. He would like to thank Mr. Gateau and Mrs. Kasler for their leadership in creating this ordinance. Roll call continued: McKay, yes, commenting that prior to this yeaz he was against creating any more departmems for the city because, when you create one, a lot of things follow. A director needs a secretary, needs an office, etc. which all costs money. However, the city was taken to court on Parcel E and is being required to rezone that property. It was through a planner that we were able to come to a solution that the judge will accept. This planner will be worth a lot more than he originally thought. This is one case where we could have used one in-house. Roll call continued: Dailey, yes, commenting that he is thrilled that the position is being created but not being funded for now. He believes having a planner will help the city attract and retain other corporations similar to Moen Corporation. A business recently moved out of Rocky River and didn't even consider North Olmsted. What's a better location than when you're close to 77, 480, 71, the turnpike and 90? You can't get a much better location than North Olmsted. Hopefully, this position will eventually be used to attract businesses to our city. Roll call cominued: Kasler, yes, commenting so that it is very, very clear to the people in attendance who have a financial concern and a personal career concern, that this is a two-step process. The process of approving the creation of the position has nothing to do with finances at this point. The reason she supports it is because she strongly supported and promoted for over a year additional planning and overall city planning so that we can progress and can improve the appearance and detail in this city. Now that we have come to agreemeirt among Council members, it appears the majority of Council feels this is a necessity. She would like to support the creation of the position. Right now, she will in no way vote to fund the position anytime in the near future until the city is totally removed from the financial situation as it is right now. The position being created does not create a financial impediment in any way. Funding is the second step, and she won't go that far at this point. Roll call continued: Limpert, yes, commenting that he echoes what everyone else said. This is to create the position, not to `"" fund it. We have two ways of addressing the financial situation: one is cutting costs and 18