03/16/2004 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 3/16/2004 ,,~> AUDIENCE PARTICIPAT,~ON ' Dennis Lambert, 25057 Carey Lane, expressed his opinions about revamping Council with regard to the recommendations for Charter changes. He noted that at-large members of Council pay a vital role as they do represent all residents. Also, he suggested that two- year terms, instead of the current four-year terms, be considered. Mr. Lambert renewed his belief that the rules of Council should be codified, and he felt the duties of the council president could be specified which would give the position more legal standing and clearly articulate the powers of Council. Law Director Dubelko explained that once every five years the Charter Review Commission has a duty to look at the whole Charter and would look at the big picture as to whether or not things such as staggering elections and having ward council versus at-large council should be addressed. In the other four years, the commission would be limited to looking at special needs to amend the Charter. Don Pangrac, 23470 Sharon Drive, asked the Finance Director about the status of the water usage refunds. Finance Director Copfer said she had received information in an electronic format which she then compared to the paper format. They were two totally different lists, so she is back at square one. She will not send out checks until she has confidence in the data. On the matter of the $30,000 to pay for the water line at the soccer fields, Mr. Pangrac felt that money might better be appropriated to street repair. Also, he felt that, since city employees are not receiving a raise this year, the salary increases received by some of the elected officials should be returned by those individuals. Mr. Gareau noted, with regard to putting more money into street repair, that many city programs could be eliminated and the money put into the streets and it still wouldn't be enough. There has to be a balance of providing and funding various city services. Mr. Dubelko noted that the salary increase for some of the elected officials is a complicated issue. Those salaries were set before the individuals filed petitions to run for office. This year, city employees are not getting a raise but there is a 27a` pay amounting to 3.85%, whereas the annual salary of the elected officials is being divided into 27 pays. Regarding the regionalization issue, Mr. Pangrac asked that the Mayor report on all future meetings he attends so that every citizen can be made aware of what is happening with that issue. Mayor Musial noted that all residents of the county will have an opportunity to vote on the $500 million bond issue. Charles Dial, 27959 Gardenia, commented that during the past few weeks he had attended many of the Finance Committee budget meetings. There was a tremendous quantity of information that had to be dealt with. It was a difficult job, and he warned to thank all who worked on that so long and hard trying to get it right. LEGISLATION Ordinance No. 2004-24 introduced by Mayor Musial was given its third reading. An ordinance providing for the issuance and sale of $1,165,000 of notes, in anticipation of the issuance of bonds, to pay costs of improving certain designated struts in the city, in cooperation with Cuyahoga County and otherwise, by grading, draining, widening, replacing sections of concrete pavement, preparing the surface and surfacing and resurfacing and constructing and reconstructing sidewalks, manholes, catch basins and 7