12/02/2008 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 12/2/2008 pledge. In the meantime, the transition from what was a poor economy to a miserable economy continues. In the meantime, he pledges he will continue to do what he can do locally here, in meetings with the Ohio General Assembly, and directly with Gov. Strickland. There is some hope that the federal government will be looking for relief to local government because they see it at their level as clearly as we see it at ours. They understand that the effect of this economic downturn, now that we have cut away all the fat, is we're now cutting away muscle and bone and it's hurting. 2) He is bringing a draft budget to City Council today. Never before has an administration provided Council a budget for the corning fiscal year during the previous fiscal year. This is part of his and the Finance Director's long multi-yeaz effort to change the process. As in the past, they are introducing legislation that will provide a temporary budget for the city to continue to operate next year because the budget will not be concluded in December as there are still pieces of the puzzle, such as the carryover, which will not be available until the middle of January. The administration looks forward to getting the budget process started and an open and honest discussion. 3) He is proud to have represented our community today at a press conference of the mayors against illegal guns where he joined with Boston Mayor Tom Menino and other governmental, law enforcement, and civic persons to emphasize the need for greater efforts in this area. We must roll back the effects of the Tiahrt amendments that have interfered with law enforcement's ability to track the origin of an illegal weapon used in a crime. We have to continue to close loopholes that still allow people to purchase handguns and other weapons without background checks. People whose names are on the terrorist watch lists cannot board an aircraft, but they can purchase a gun. There are a number of loopholes that responsible legislation will close. 4) The ribbon cutting for the new Crocker-Stearns extension will be held on December 18 at 10:30 a.m. at the city line between North Olmsted and Westlake. Attending will be Westlake Mayor Clough and County Engineer Klaiber who will officiate. All are welcome to attend. 5) The Dept. of Community Life Services is pleased to announce that it was awarded the Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources grant for 2008. North Olmsted is one of just two communities in Cuyahoga County to receive the award. The grant will be used for the installation of new ADA playground equipment at the Barton-Bradley Park. 6) The Recreation Center is proud to be hosting a part of the 2008 Special Olympics on Sunday, December 14. Over 100 different competitors will participate in events that wil? be at the North Olmsted ice rink. This is a free event and any and all are welcome and encouraged to attend. 7) The Division of Youth Services is holding a fundraiser at the Beck Center on Sunday, December 14, at 3 p.m. Peter Pan is the featured show, and tickets are available by calling the Division of Youth Services and Chris Allegra. 8) Leaf pick-up remains on schedule and is in the final round. 9) I-480 sound walls should be completed by the end of this week. The final landscaping will be done in the spring. 10) The final report is coming from HNTB's water study that was commissioned jointly by the city of North Olmsted and the city of Westlake to look at alternatives that would reduce the cost of water for our citizens. The presentation to Council should be made within the next couple of weeks. 2