02/20/2007 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Council Minutes of 2/20/2007 residents call him with problems. Mayor O'Grady said the Service Director will provide emergency numbers to all Council members. Councilman Barker commented, regarding the Cleveland Water Dept., he had raised the question of response time during the presentation held last week. There was a problem on Walter Road last night, but as of 6:30 this morning he did not believe they had responded. He too wants to thank the Service Director for the snow removal of last week. He received calls complimenting the Service Department Council President Kennedy announced a public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Apri13, 2007, with regard to Ordinance No. 2007-20. Law Director Dubelko: 1) Spent time on February 9 conducting research for Finance and Building Departments on the issue of city improvements being automatically placed on the tax rolls, and the Finance Dept. having to turn around and apply to remove them from the tax rolls. That research is on-going. 2) February 12, did research and provided advice to the administration and members of Council on the current Cleveland water agreement as well as the proposed two new agreements. 3) February 13, conducted a review of a new state campaign finance law regarding the awarding of city contracts to firms that have made contributions to political campaigns in the city. There are some new requirements including, after April, contractors will have to certify that they haven't made contributions to officials in the city over a certain level as a condition of receiving a contract. 4) February 15, provided two formal legal opinions on the subjects of duties, if any, of the Finance Director regarding Rocky River Court finance operations and duties of the President of Council regarding audience comments. Both were posted on the city website. 5) He has done some research on the issue of vicious dog legislation. We did have an attack in North Olmsted by a pit bull attacking a German shepherd. There are some issues with our local ordinance; and there are also some issues with the constitutionality of the state law. He has communicated with the Animal Warden, and they are looking at whether or not it would be appropriate to improve our local ordinances so that we can find out about these dogs before an attack occurs. Right now, our ordinances require registration after there has been an attack or a threatened attack on an individual or a dog. At that point, the Animal Warden requires certain conditions of confinement and insurance requirements. He would like to make changes to get one step ahead of attacks by certain dogs. He has spent considerable time talking with the Ward II Councilman who has communicated the issue to the Law Dept. Hopefully, if we can legally do it, there will be some legislation forthcoming. Councilman Miller brought up the issue of the legality of residents putting fences on top of mounds to meet the six foot height requirement. The Law Director will look into this issue. 3