02/17/2009 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 2/17/2009 ~'~] few years, through the modification of the chipping and brush program- reallocation of resources from a continual all-year-round chipping program to be reduced to a twice-a-year program in spring and fall, and then as needed in the event of a significant storm event. No capital purchases in 2009. Service Department takes pride in stretching out the life of vehicles and equipment. In 2007, $1.342,000 was spent for trash pick-up. In 2009, that amount is $1,914,000. When we talk about a decline of a million dollars in the past two years in the receipt taxation we received through income taxes, during that same two year span, .the increase in trash alone was $600,000. Those are two very narrow issues. That trend has developed in costs in every other department from the purchase of road salt to materials and supplies for cold patch and hot patch for the streets. All of these things have increased in costs as the same time we've seen a decrease in our resources through taxation. • City Council There is a clerk, seven Council Members and a Council President. The budget has no travel, dues, or memberships except for approximately $S90 for the MetroScan program which allows the clerk to find people for purposes of notification. The raises for elected officials cannot be reduced or raised in term. The budget increased 2.52% because most of the budget is wages. As President Kennedy mentioned, the membership to the NOCCA is being paid for by the City Council members individually. • Mayor's Office: There is no travel in the budget. However, a discussion took place concerning memberships. There was a request by the administration to keep NOACA, the U. S. Conference of Mayors, Ohio Municipal League, and the Cuyahoga County Mayors & Managers. The Mayor cut the National League of Cities; Mayors Association of Ohi©; Mayors Secretaries & Assistant Association, which may be paid for by the Mayor's administrative assistant; Northeast Ohio Mayors & City Managers. A discussion took place about the worth and value of the memberships and travel. After some discussion, rather than have Council pick and choose what to belong to or what not to belong to, Council agreed to provide $8,500 for the purpose of enrolling in member organizations of the Mayor's choice. There was little discussion with respect to the Northeast Ohio Area Coordinating Agency (NOACA). That entity has provided millions of dollars to the city over the years for infrastructure improvements and is currently providing funds for Dover Center Road. Of the $8,500 allocated, $4,200 will go to NOACA. The Mayor's budget was down 16.56 % over 2008. Changes to Ordinance 2009-5 include: In Council, the $410 dues to NOCCA will now be paid for by Council Members personally. There was a reduction in the office of Mayor down to $8,500 for purposes of memberships, that caused a reduction from that line item of $3,299. There was a reduction in Information Systems administration of $3,500 for software. There was a reduction in the division of Fire in severance, longevity, shift differential, wages, overtime, and other wages by the amount of $38,284; but there was 9