02/19/2002 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 2/19/02 assessments. Finance Director Copfer said she is not collecting any special assessments for the purpose of putting in sidewalks. She has looked back into the 1980's and has not found any occasions of assessments for sidewalks. Mr. McKay said there had not been sidewalks assessments for at least twenty years, and landowners are responsible for putting in their sidewalks. Mayor Musial said that Mr. Nashar's request had been forwarded to the Service Director's office and the cost had been investigated. The cost will be between $95,000 and $100,000, and it is being looked into. Mr. Nashar noted that the Metroparks would be responsible for the sidewalks on their property. Mr. Miller noted that commercial developments are required to put in sidewalks, and Mr. Gareau noted that is also a requirement for new residential construction. Mr. Limpert noted that the Metroparks probably hadn't extended the sidewalks through to North Olmsted as there were no sidewalks to connect with on our end. He is fairly confident that, if the city has sidewalks on the non-Metroparks property, the Metroparks will join them. Mr. Davis again indicated that this is a serious safety problem. Jim Burns, 3978 Dover Center Road, said he believed the last special assessment for sidewalks was paid off in 1994, and that was a 20 year assessment. The general reason why special assessment hasn't been used for sidewalks is because new developments and developers now are required to put them in at the time of construction. The city did not feel it was fair to charge the old-time residents to have the sidewalks put on their streets. Tom Gallagher, 6853 Chadbourne, said a utility company had broken up sidewalks on property that he owns. He paid for the repair of 21 pieces of sidewalk, and the utility was only witting to pay for 7 of the sidewalk pieces. Also, the utilities have broken sidewalks at his home and have not repaired them. Mr. Gallagher said he has tried to get police reports as he feels this was a case of trespass but has not been able to get the police to come out. He feels that Council should do something about the situation. Mr. McKay explained that Council is not responsible for the repair of the sidewalks as Council's responsibility is to legislate. The sidewalk problem would be an administrative responsibility. Also, Mr. Gallagher should contact the utility as they would be required to repair the sidewalks. Mr. Gallagher is frustrated as he has had television and newspaper publicity on this problem and still cannot get satisfaction. Mayor Musial introduced Mr. Gallagher to Safety Director Thomas and suggested that he discuss his concerns with her. Daniel Gallagher, 6853 Chadbourne, wondered who investigates the Police Department as his family feels that the police have not investigated their complaints. Mr. Miller said that the Law Department is accessible to the Police Department, and it is possible that they may have perceived this to be a civil issue rather than a criminal issue. If so, they would not investigate. Mr. Nashar suggested that, if Mr. Gallagher has a problem with the police, he should conaact the Prosecutor. Mr. Gallagher said he had sent two certified letters to the city regarding a complaint against the Police Department. He has had conversations with the Mayor and received letters from the Safety Director but does not feel his family's concerns have been properly addressed. Mr. Gallagher was encouraged to take his concerns to Safety Director Thomas. 8