02/01/2005 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 2/1/2405 Councilman Dailey noted, with regard to reappointments, he is concerned about a vacancy on the Planning Commission caused by the resignation of a Ward 2 resident. Currently, there is only one member on the commission who lives east of Dover Center Road. He has submitted a resume to the Mayor for consideration of Ward 2 resident Gary Conway to fill the vacancy. It is important to have east side representation on the commission. Mayor Musial said he has a number of applicants for the position and Mr. Conway will be interviewed. Councilman McKay asked the Mayor how NOACA felt about the possible takeover of NOMBL by RTA. That organization should carry a lot of weight as they direct all the money that comes into northeast Ohio. Mayor Musial said it is difficult to know what those individuals are thinking. Howard Mayer is the NOACA representative who attended the round table discussion last Wednesday. Mr. Mayer did indicate that he felt a study would be advisable and, in order to conduct a study, the contract would have to be continued for a certain period of time. Of course, monies would have to be raised to conduct a study. He would put Mr. Mayer in the classification of being neutral. Not enough information is available yet for NOACA to make a determination. Councilman McKay expressed the opinion that NOACA should be concerned with the citizens of northeast Ohio, not with RTA itself. They have already funneled a good deal of money into RTA, so it is time to do something for the citizens. Mayor Musial said he agreed. Mayor Musial continued his report: 4) On January 27, he attended the Cuyahoga County Mayors and Managers Association meeting. The association unanimously passed a motion urging RTA to add an additional three months to the negotiation timetable from April through June 2005 so they can also review the proposed elimination of NOMBL. What they would like to do is to hear from both sides as to the pros and cons before a final decision is made. 5) Congressman Kucinich sent the following letter to Mr. Calabrese, the RTA General Manager: "North Olmsted Mayor Norman Musial reported to me today that your negotiating team is operating on instructions from you to not negotiate terms of any agreement other than an acquisition agreement. If this is true, then the RTA is not negotiating in good faith with North Olmsted. I understand that the RTA wants to acquire the North Olmsted Bus Line and that you are seeking acquisition. However, acquisition is not and should not be seen as the only option available to the RTA and North Olmsted. I have asked in previous corres~ndence that the RTA negotiate afive-year extension of its operating agreement with the suburban bus lines. I believe that such an extension is in the best Long-term interest of transit in Ohio's 10`t' Congressional District and Cuyahoga County. In the event that your board should decide that it is in the best interest of transit in Cuyahoga County to extend another five-year agreement to the suburban bus lines, RTA should be ready with appropriate terms of such an agreement. Therefore, I urge you to take this contingency into consideration and act immediately to insure that your negotiating team negotiates in good faith with the suburban bus Lines. This would include negotiating the terms of an additional five-year agreement. Sincerely, Dennis J. Kucinich" Councilman Miller asked the Mayor about the issue of art coordination at the new North Olmsted Library which was to be discussed at a recent Board of Control meeting. Law Director Dubelko said he could make a report on that issue. Only one consultant submitted a proposal, and the Board of Control authorized a contract subject to approval by the Law Dept. There have been some difficulties negotiating the contract, so it was brought back to Board of Control for some direction. Since that time, he has spoken to consultant Sally Julian and the number of issues have been reduced to two and he believes it will be worked out. Councilman Miller felt 3