09/16/2003 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 9/16/2003 said, notwithstanding Council's over-reaching with regard to the water rate task force study, he has taken Mr. Pangac's concern into a small group chaired by the City Engineer who is investigating the issue. As he said before, the investigation is being done very carefully because of the potential risk. Law Director Dubelko said he doesn't want Council to feel it is powerless in this azea. Specifically indicated on the last page of the opinion, it was noted that nothing in the opinion should be construed as prohibiting the Council from exercising its legislative powers to appropriate funds and award contracts in order to obtain the feasibility study it desires from the Mayor. Council's authority over the contracting process is extensive, subject only to the Charter's competitive bidding requirements and the limited authority of the Board of Control. Mr. Miller remarked that, as he understood the legal opinion, while Council may not be correct in authority to require the Mayor to do the study, the Mayor is still permitted to do so at his own discretion. It sounds like the Mayor is doing just that, and he would like to recognize the fact that it is going forwazd, although admittedly slowly and cautiously. Hopefully, it will be more cautious than slow. He would applaud the Mayor in proceeding in some attempt to recognize Council's intent in that. Also, in reading the opinion, he believes Mr. Dubelko alluded to the idea that Council could direct directors to perform this function as well. His intention at this point is to let the Mayor proceed. ^ Regarding property maintenance, Mr. Pangac would like the city to ask the State of Ohio to clean the areas of I-480 at Clague Road and Great Northern Boulevard. Both areas are gateways to the city and are an embarrassment. Mr. Limpert said that the Kiwanis Club has taken it as a community project to clean up those areas. They did work there on the north side of the road this past Saturday. Mayor Musial said he had seen the group working on Saturday, and they did a fantastic job. Mr. Pangrac asked how other groups could get involved in voluntary clean-up work. Mayor Musial suggested he speak to Human Resources Director Copeland. ^ About a month ago, he had an opportunity to ride NOMBL. It was a wonderful experience. The bus was on time both ways, it was a pleasant experience, and people were friendly. Jim Burns, president of the North Olmsted Friends of the Library, 27425 Butternut Ridge Road, said that the Friends of the Library have no position on whether or not the city or schools should own the old library building once it is vacated. Jim Burns, 3978 Dover Center: ^ He was asked by Assistant Superintendent Doug Sebring to come before Council and put into the record some information that he believes Council has been made awaze of dealing with cost of operating the old library building. In 2001, the Cuyahoga County Library spent $33,117 on utilities; in 2002, they spent $30,321 on utilities. Add to that, maintenance and repair costs if the city was to own and operate the facility. In addition, that compares to about $14,000 that the Law Dept. is paying for rent. The old library site only has 12 parking spaces. Pazking would not accommodate a number of people attending a program. In theory and waiting to see groundbreaking, a new bus garage is going to be built. When completed, that will free up space in City Halt. Perhaps some of the departments can use the space vacated by NOMBL. 14