09/16/2008 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 9/16/2008 Councilman Barker commented on what Mr. Gareau had alluded to when he said there are some significant projects coming forth. One is the Hampton Inn where we had vacant land that is now becoming a building which is going to increase property taxes, employment taxes, and HoteUMotel taxes. It's athree-hit win. In time, there may be plans for an office building east of that, and that brings in even more employment. Those are good things for North Olmsted and that is what we are all looking forward to. Councilman Orlowski commented that he was recently contacted by Mr. Bob Wharton of the North Olmsted Golf Club who praised fire fighters Hehnen and Mecklenburg for their time, expertise, explanation, and demonstration of the new defibrillator which Mr. Wharton purchased for the golf club. There was no end to his praise for the professionalism and enthusiasm which they provided for him and his employees on the proper use of the defibrillator. Councilman Kearney, chairperson of the Public Safety, Health & Welfare Committee: 1) The committee met on September 9. Present were Council President Kennedy, Councilman Barker, committee members Orlowski, Kearney and Mahoney; Safety Director Thomas, Chris Aliegra the Division of Youth Services Administrator, and Police Chief Wozniak. Agenda items: • Resolution 2008-114 which authorized an agreement with the Cuyahoga County Commissioners to receive funds fora 2007 State Homeland Security Grant Program allotted for the Citizens Emergency Response Team equipment and training expense reimbursement. (CERT) The committee discussed pros and cons and voted 3-0 to recommend passage of the legislation and to recommend passage under suspension of the rule. • Division of Youth Services Administrator Chris Allegra gave a very informative presentation on a new policy designed to encourage minors to call 911. When a friend has consumed too much alcohol and is in medical distress, the current policy is to charge both the intoxicated individual and the person who called 911. The city is proposing a new program called Good Samaritan whereby anyone who calls for help, he and his friend will still be entered into the criminal justice system but will receive counseling on the alcohol and drugs and not suffer any more legal consequences. Presently a teenager may hesitate to call 911 for a friend who is in peril because he is afraid of criminal consequences. This new policy hopefully will encourage teens to call 911. Ms. Allegra, a very talented woman, came up with the "NiLL" policy which stands for "No Lives Lost." She is preparing at no cost to the city, wallet-sized cards for the youth of the city. On this evening's agenda is Resolution 2008-119 in support of Red Ribbon Month in October which focuses parents, educators and community members on alcohol and drug prevention, and is a call to action to students to say "No" to drugs and alcohol. The committee voted 3-0 to recommend passage of the legislation and to recommend passage under suspension of the rules. 12 :~,:a