01/18/2005 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 1/18/2005 was congratulated by members of Council and the administration and was recognized by all present. Resolution No. 2005-6 was introduced and placed on first reading by Councilman Limpert on behalf of the Mayor and all of Council. A resolution commending the achievement by Tim Watson of the Eagle Scout Award in Boy Scouting. Councilman Limpert made a motion to suspend the rules requiring three readings and committee review. The motion was seconded by Councilman Gareau and passed unanimously. Councilman Limpert moved for adoption. The motion was seconded by Councilman Gareau and passed unanimously. Resolution No. 2005-6 adopted. President O'Grady invited Eagle Scout Tim Watson to come forward, and the resolution was read in its entirety. Tim was congratulated by members of Council and the administration and was recognized by all present. REPORTS Mayor Musial: 1) He had the pleasure and honor of attending the Eagle Court of Honor Sunday recognizing these three fine young men. The Eagle Court of Honor was one of the best he has ever attended. Congratulations to each of the Eagle Scouts and to the Scout leaders for their efforts. 2) He attended the NOCOP meeting this week with regards to an appointment of an official and unofficial member of our district representing the administration. He has two applicants in mind and will notify Council when they have agreed to the positions. 3) Congressman Dennis Kucinich sent a letter to Mr. Calabrese, General Mgr. of the Regional Transit Authority, which reads in part: "Dear Mr. Calabrese, thank you for your prompt response to my January 6, 2005 request for information about the RTA's correspondence with the Board of Trustees. I also appreciate that the RTA is still in negotiations with the suburban bus lines, including that of North Olmsted in Ohio's 10th Congressional District. Based on the information you sent and other research in transit efficiency, I remain committed to the survival of the suburban bus lines and ask that you renew your contracts for at least one more five-year period until more needed research is conducted on the needs of the RTA's suburban residents and riders. It also concerns me that much is made in your 'Talking Points' and other materials you sent in response to my January 6 request of the RTA 'subsidizing' the suburban systems. According to the North Olmsted City Council and other representatives, RTA is subsidized to the tune of $15- $20 million per year by the taxpayers in North Olmsted who shop at the Great Northern Mall, the wide variety of retail outlets along Lorain Road from the Fairview Park border to the county line, and other establishments throughout the city. This is approximately four times the cost of running the North Olmsted Municipal Bus Line and exceeds by ten the amount of any supposed inefficiency in retaining North Olmsted in its area of transit operation. Therefore, I propose that RTA renew its five-year contract with the suburban bus lines. Between now and 2009 when the next renewal talks get under way, the community can come together to work with the FTA, NOACA, RTA and the cities of North Olmsted and Maple Hts. to develop an appropriate methodology, provide the right questions for an independent study, and participate in the research. After 18 years without such independent research, we owe it to our constituents to make the right 2