06/17/2003 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes 6/17/2003 ~,, than half the city's employees attending the City Council meeting considered an abundance? Sadly, cuts and layoffs had to be made to balance the budget. The Mayor is the executive charged with the responsibility of presenting a balanced budget to the Council and residents. Ms. Cornish alleged that, as a result, the entire community suffered as streets were razely plowed this past winter, children were forced to cross streets without a crossing guard and the Fire Dept. was severely understaffed. He would like to have identified the specific streets which were unplowed and when, what children were forced to cross streets without a guard and where, and what data and standards were used to determine the Fire Dept. was severely understaffed. Ms. Cornish further alleged that within a few week's time the city came up with neazly $3 million to come out of the hole. Has Ms. Cornish contacted the Finance Director to obtain answers to her financial questions? Further, Ms. Cornish said she felt tax dollars should go to insuring the safety of residents, not lining the pockets of certain administrative officials. As a result, she has joined the recall effort. He believes tax dollars akeady go to insure the safety of residents and wants to know what specific administrative officials pockets are being lined, and what is the lining. Without substantiation and evidence, he repeats his request that Ms. Cornish present verifiable findings or submit an apology and statement of misrepresentation to the residents and City Council. He appreciates and respects the input and constructive criticism of all residents. In order to provide an effective and successful response, which all agree the residents of North Olmsted deserve, truthful, factual substantiation is essential. Councilwoman Kasler commented to the Mayor that the Legislative Committee would meet next week to discuss the status of the old library site with representatives of the school system who had previously made a proposal regazding that facility. She asked to be added to the list of invitees should the Mayor have a formal meeting with the school representatives. Mayor Musial said he would do so and had tried to arrange a meeting with the former superintendent, but her schedule did not allow it to occur. With regard to the new library site, Mrs. Kasler said that the report prepazed by Spice Constantino had noted the package for the furniture, fixtures and equipment would be completed by June of 2003, and she assumes that is prepared. However, she is concerned about a statement in the report that said: "Given that North Olmsted City Council will not meet in July, the three readings to approve legislation to bid this package will not be completed until mid- September. This results in a bid date of mid-October and award in mid-November. With a contract completion date of February 2004, only three months will be available to procure and install this equipment. This is very aggressive and some consideration needs to be given to accelerating this process." Her comment to that is that Council should be consulted and aware of that. She suggested that, if the bid package is completed by Spice Constantino, it be added to the agenda of the special Council meeting so that there is no delay in putting that bid forward. President O'Grady agreed that could be added to the agenda if it was ready. Councilman McKay said there already is legislation regarding the library furniture and fixtures that is being held in the Finance Committee. He too read that comment in the report and did not agree with it. He noted it would not take a month and a half to pass the legislation. Mrs. Kasler said that it was not Council who was causing a delay as Council is ready to move on it. Mr. McKay agreed. 3