11/20/2007 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Council Minutes of 11/20/2007 In other words, any project, even for a few thousand dollars, could potentially at least be subject to a PLA. The floor remained at $500,000. However, it was sent back to committee, where at just this last Council meeting there was a motion to amend it to $100,000 which passed 4-3. The end result of this ordinance and the reason for my voting no is this: Where we now have a process subject to committee meetings, public input and debate on proposed PLA's for any project the Mayor deems worthy in his discretion, the new process is carte blanche approval, without restriction, without debate, without public approval, without parameters set as to what can go into these agreements. It's left to the discretion of the Mayor. However, the Mayor, not necessarily this mayor, chooses to sit down and negotiate with whoever he is negotiating with. Frankly, in my opinion, PLA, with removing City Council, with removing the public meeting process, are now reduced to a closed door meeting where literally millions of taxpayer dollars are divided up between an organized labor organization and whoever happens to occupy the mayor's office. My job as a Councilman is to ask questions, to allow for the opportunity to be heard and to consider your input. Today, if this passes, the majority members will leave said that they frankly don't need to do their job on a case by case basis. But they'll just pass it and let the chips fall where they may. I think the ordinance is completely unnecessary, and I think it does not do the taxpayers a service. My vote is no." Roll call continued: Jones, yes, with comment. "As I stated in committee, I am opposed to the dollar amount that was changed to what I view as an unreasonable amount. I think it's too bad that this Council wouldn't allow this legislation back into committee to let all the voices be heard on this issue. However, I do see the value in PLA's, and my vote is yes." Roll call continued: Orlowski, yes; Barker, no, with comment. "From the beginning of this legislation, I've always been against it only because it takes Council out of the negotiating factor. I think seven more people in discussion regarding PLA's is important. I can't eloquently speak as well as Mr. Gareau did, but from the beginning my objection has been taking Council out of this picture. My vote in no." Roll call continued: Miller, yes, with comment. "It's important to note that Ordinance 2007-96 does not require a PLA. It gives the Mayor discretion Council will also be at the table because, if there's something that Council doesn't feel appropriate for a PLA to be in place, they don't have to fiend it. So, all parties are still at the table. All parties still have discretion, and I believe this should go forward. My vote is yes." The motion passed with five yes votes and two no votes. Ordinance No. 2007-96 adopted. Resolution No. 2007-117 introduced by Mayor O'Grady was given its third reading. A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with the Cuyahoga County General Health District for the year 2008, and declaring an emergency. Councilman "Tallon moved for adoption. The motion was seconded by Councilman Miller and passed unanimously. Resolution No. 2007-117 adopted. Ordinance No. 2007-119 introduced by Mayor O'Grady was given its third reading. An ordinance locally designating and naming the entire section of County Road Nos. 76 and 118 as located within the City of North Olmsted, from the city's southern corporation line to its northern corporation line, Stearns Road. Council Member Dailey Jones moved for adoption. The motion was seconded by Councilman Barker and passed unanimously. Ordinance No. 2007-119 adopted. 13