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Council Minutes of 03-01-2016 <br /> The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Hemann and passed unanimously. <br /> Resolution 2016-7 adopted 6-0. <br /> Ordinance 2016-10 introduced by Mayor Kennedy was given its third reading. An <br /> Ordinance authorizing the Mayor of the City of North Olmsted to enter into a two-year <br /> agreement with Imperial Vending Company in order to provide for vending machine <br /> services at the North Olmsted Recreation Center. Councilman Brossard moved for <br /> adoption. The motion was seconded by Councilman Kearney and passed unanimously. <br /> Ordinance 2016-10 adopted 6-0. <br /> Ordinance 2016-11 introduced by Mayor Kennedy was given its third reading. An <br /> Ordinance to make appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures for the <br /> City of North Olmsted for the year ending December 31, 2016, and declaring an <br /> emergency, as amended. Councilman Kearney moved for adoption. The motion was <br /> seconded by Councilman Barker. Roll Call: Kearney, yes; Barker, yes; Hemann, yes; <br /> Limpert, yes; Brossard, yes; Williamson, yes with comment. Budget hearings have <br /> always been Council's opportunity to hear from each department about their needs, future <br /> plans, and sometimes the successes of the programs or additions approved in previous <br /> budget years. Our city budget is extremely important, and I will not hold it up because of <br /> two concerns I currently have. One of those concerns is the change in job title and raises <br /> for Administrative Assistants. I do not feel that this issue should have been brought to <br /> Council bundled into the annual budget. This should have been brought to Council <br /> separately so that Council could have made a decision independent of the budget. The <br /> other major concern is the staffing of our Police Department. With nearly half of our <br /> police force eligible for retirement in August of 2017, it is very concerning that the Police <br /> Chief does not have a plan in place to begin hiring officers. As we can learn from our <br /> most recent retirement this week of one of our officers, retirements will come with <br /> simply two-week notice rather than the long-term notice that the Administration would <br /> expect. This retirement also leaves the department with 42 active officers, of which the <br /> average age is 48 years old. It is a known fact that training one officer takes <br /> approximately 6-9 months of training before they can begin patrolling our streets. At this <br /> rate, we will not have new officers in place until at least January 2017. The expense of <br /> the overtime that this shortage will bring will be great. In addition, the safety of our <br /> officers could potentially be at risk because of the shortage and our residents' safety as <br /> well. It would be beneficial if we could have more collaboration between the Police <br /> Department and the Administration so that we can work together to address the <br /> manpower issues before they become any more of a safety concern for the officers of the <br /> department and the residents we serve. Thank you. Ordinance 2016-11 adopted 6-0. <br /> Resolution 2016-12 introduced by Mayor Kennedy was given its second reading. A <br /> Resolution authorizing the Mayor to purchase a new Ford F-550 Truck and related <br /> equipment from Middletown Ford at a cost of $62,899.69, through the State Purchase <br /> Program; and further authorizing the Mayor to execute all documents necessary to <br /> effectuate such purchase. Councilman Kearney made a motion to suspend the rule <br /> requiring three readings as this was discussed in Finance Committee. The motion was <br /> seconded by Councilman Barker and passed unanimously. Councilman Kearney moved <br /> for adoption. The motion was seconded by Councilman Barker and passed unanimously. <br /> Resolution 2016-12 adopted 6-0. <br /> 5 <br />