08/03/2004 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 8/3/2004 _ the present building is somewhat hollow underneath, and it is poternially in danger of collapse in the area where the trucks are parked. It was described that the building in many functions is duck taped at this poirn and literally on its last legs. Council has been aware, as has been the administration, for some time that this building needs to be replaced soon. The questions were related more to size. No Council members objected to a new station. The questions from Council members were an obligation on their part to be fully informed before approving the ordinance. As previously reported, the piece of equipment to be purchased is a Quint. The purchase price is estimated to be between a half million and seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and perhaps more depending on purchasing requirements. The number of $4 million for the total project includes engineering, property acquisition, the structure and the new piece of equipment. The potential site and property acquisition were discussed in regards to the funding sources. There was some concern that the funding source that was in existence in the past for pieces of fire equipment such as this has been used to balance the budget and whether that should continue. That is not necessarily a hurdle in regard to this particular resolution. He believes the issue will be brought up again and that there is a perception that we may be paying for this equipment twice-one through Hotel/Motel taxes and then again through a new tax levy for the residents. We need to make sure that we are not asking the residents to pay for something twice. The committee discussed the floor plans, the dormitory areas, and the size of the building needed for the engines that will be stored. The committee agreed to continue with their recommendation for approval of Ordinance 2004-107. Finance Director Copfer asked Councilman Miller to clarify his statement regarding not paying for the equipment twice. Mr. Miller answered Mrs. Copfer had said at a recent meeting that we have a tenuous situation here in North Olmsted. It is not as good here as it is in other parts of the state and nation, and there are serious problems in this city. There is a perception in the public sector that the HoteUMotel tax was meant for purchase of fire equipment and potentially a new fire station. However, we are now proposing a levy. Mrs. Copfer said the EMS billing for residents was irnended to pay for the fire station. The Hotel/Motel tax was to pay for safety equipment. Mr. Miller said that is what needs to be clarified, and it will be the administration's job to explain that to the taxpayers if this is to go through. Councilman Dailey, chairperson of the Recreation, Public Parks and Buildings Committee: 1) The Recreation, Public Parks and Buildings Committee met on Tuesday, June 22, to discuss Resolutions 2004-108, 2004-109 and 2004-110, legislation dealing with payments to the vendors for the 2004 ice show held at the Recreation Cerner. In attendance were committee members Nashaz, Miller and Dailey; Council members Kasler, McKay and Limpert; Mayor Musial, Safety Director Jesse, Recreation Commissioner DiSalvo and Director of Law Dubelko. Discussion regarding the three resolutions centered on the payments that are due to the vendors and why there were no contracts signed by the vendors. The Recreation Commissioner explained contracts were not needed for this event because of the low cost. Talks then moved on to the overall cost for the annual ice show. Commissioner DiSalvo advised that we did lose some money again this year, but they are looking at changes to help reduce the overall 6