06/20/2006 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 6/20/2006 prices has been escalating each year and is currently quoted as $25 for the influenza and $40 for the pneumonia shot. The Senior Center posts information to notify the senior population. The committee voted unanimously to recommend passage to Council. Council Member Dailey Jones, chairperson of the Streets & Transportation Committee: 1) The committee met on Tuesday, June 13. Present were committee members Jones, Barker and Ryan; Council Members Orlowski, Gareau, Miller, Tallon and Council President Kennedy; Mayor O'Grady, Assistant Law Director O'Malley, Planning Director Wenger, Safety Director Terbrack, Service Director Limpert and Finance Director Copfer. The committee rnet regarding 2006-126, an ordinance dispensing with a formal RFP process and authorizing the Mayor to enter into a professional services contract with the Urban Design Center of Northeast Ohv for the purpose of creating a design plan and redevelopment strategy for the Crocker-Stearns corridor, and declaring an emergency. The Mayor informed the committee that the administration has been actively planning for the changes that will take place on Stearns Road and taking into consideration how these changes will affect the people living on Stearns Road. The Planning Director stated that one of the priorities in the Master Plan is for the city to actively plan the Crocker-Stearns comdor and this legislation is the next step in meeting that priority. In the spring of 2007, the construction on this corridor will begin, putting us in somewhat of a disadvantage in that we did not plan for this area 5 or 10 years ago instead of on the cusp of construction. However, it does present opportunities: regional awareness that the project is happening, development pressure and excitement. It is critical that we have a plan, and while our Master Plan made some recommendations, it is afar cry from a true redevelopment strategy for the area. Approaching the Urban Design Center was in the city's best interest, because they have a lot of regional connections, have a lot of talent at their fingertips and are very respected and well-known. Additionally, they come at amuch-reduced cost to the city. Although they are not a true non-profit organization, they are heavily subsidized by philanthropies and charities. The cost is $12,000, and the Planning Director believes the cost of a private consultant would be three or four times this amount. This proposal has a heavy amount of citizen participation at every level. The Planning Director said the strategy will include making recommendations to the city regarding zoning and land use. When asked about the scope of the project as far as the physical parameters, the Planning Director stated. the scope includes the I-480 interchange, encompasses those parcels that front Stearns Road and as Stearns approaches Lorain it becomes wider because those parcels are deeper, both sides of Lorain at the intersection of Steams, and leading all the way to the city border with Westlake. However, no area has been hard-lined yet, which will be the first thing that the Steering Committee will do when it meets. When asked if the scope of this project could include Lorain Road down to the turnpike connection, it was stated that perhaps that area could be looked at as a "part B" of a future contract down the road, so as not to take away from what needs to be accomplished at the Crocker-Steams corridor location. A question was asked if a current lawsuit in Westlake would have any impact on the project, and the Mayor stated that the lawsuit would not hold up the start of this project. The committee unanimously voted to recommend passage of the legislation. I3