|
Council Minutes of 12/2/2008
<br />Ordinance No. 2008-149 introduced by Mayor O'Grady was given its third reading. An
<br />ordinance revising the organizational chart of the Division of Parks and Recreation by
<br />abolishing the position of Maintenance Foreman in order to deliver services in a more
<br />efficient and economical manner, and declaring an emergency, as amended. Councilman
<br />Mahoney moved for adoption, and the motion was seconded by Council Member Jones.
<br />Roll call: Mahoney, yes; Jones, yes; Kearney, yes; Orlowski, no; Ryan, yes; Barker, yes;
<br />Gareau, yes. The motion passed with six yes votes and one no vote. Ordinance No.
<br />2008-149 adopted.
<br />Ordinance No. 2008-142 introduced by Council Members Barker, Jones, Kearney,
<br />Mahoney, and Orlowski was given its second reading. An ordinance establishing and
<br />fixing the compensation for the President of Council of the City of North Olmsted for the
<br />term of office commencing January 1, 2010 and ending December 31, 2013 and declaring
<br />an emergency, as amended. Councilman Gareau moved for suspension of the rule
<br />requiring three readings noting the legislation had been reviewed in committee, and the
<br />motion was seconded by Councilman Orlowski. Roll call: Gareau, yes; Orlowski, yes;
<br />Jones, yes; Barker, yes; Mahoney, no, with comment. He would not be in favor of
<br />suspending any of the ordinances 2008-142, 2008-143, 2008-144, 2008-145, 2008146 or
<br />2008-159 and 2008-160 with the idea that by suspending it, we cut offthe opportunity for
<br />participation by our citizens. His vote is no. Roll call continued: Kearney, yes; Ryan,
<br />no, with comment. He agrees with Mr. Mahoney and also would like to point out the
<br />administration made a very strong request that they have the opportunity to offer
<br />additional information on this. He firmly believes we should respect that request,
<br />especially since the stand that we're holding administration to straighten out this financial
<br />crisis. He thinks they should have that opportunity. The motion passed with five yes
<br />votes and two no votes. Dennis Lambert, 25057 Carey Lane, said his comments would
<br />also extend to 2008-143. Rushing this through and rushing people's layoffs through is
<br />not the way to do business. The biggest argument he heard at the committee meetings for
<br />maintaining these wages at this level was parity with those people in the off year. But
<br />that can be corrected in two years. He would suggest Council reconsider a $4,000 pay
<br />cut. This doesn't look good, and is nothing but a show piece with a $600 pay cut with
<br />what's going on in this community. Council needs to step up and take responsibility and
<br />lower it, Councilman Gareau responded to the suggestion that this is rushed by
<br />explaining this was discussed at two committee meetings. Every person in the room had
<br />an opportunity to speak if they wished to be heard. The meetings went on for about three
<br />to four hours of total discussion time devoted to this. These were not rushed. With
<br />respect to the comments concerning layoffs. Nothing is going to be rushed with respect
<br />to that. That issue is not even on the table yet, and he has said we're going to take as
<br />much time as we need to address that. Mr. Lambert said it was correct that everyone had
<br />a chance to speak, including himself. But the public is slow to get this information.
<br />Three readings is for the public, not for the people who get notice of the meetings or take
<br />an active part all the time. Councilman Barker moved for adoption, and the motion was
<br />seconded by Councilman Orlowski. Roll call: Barker, yes; Orlowski, yes; Kearney, yes;
<br />Ryan, no; Mahoney, yes, with comment. His position on the merits is that he is in favor
<br />of this particular piece of legislation. His vote of no to suspend was merely in terms of
<br />his philosophy and public notice, allowing the people to have an opportunity to speak.
<br />16
<br />
|