12/6/2016 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Council Minutes of 12-6-2016 coordinating the volunteers at the pantry has been a wonderful opportunity and a blessing in her life. She thanked everyone for the recognition. Director of Law Gareau: Several weeks ago Mr. Jim Burns brought to Council's attention an issue concerning the appropriation ordinance being passed in 2016 when it was for the year 2017. He cited two sections of the City Charter when he spoke to Council and Mr. Gareau wanted to explain a little bit about what those were. The first one is the annual estimate which says, "Within forty-five days after the beginning of each fiscal year, the Mayor, with the assistance of the Director of Finance, shall prepare and submit to the Council an estimate of the revenues and expenditures of the City for the current fiscal year." So starting January 1, the Mayor is supposed to give you an estimate list. What it reads next is, "The Mayor shall furnish to the Council, with the estimate hereinbefore mentioned, an ordinance making appropriations for the expenditures of the City during the year embraced by said estimate." This has to be done within 90 days. So there is supposed to be an estimate provided to Council after which the appropriation ordinance is supposed to pass. This is all within 90 days of the beginning of the Fiscal Year. Proper credit must be given when due and that is Mr. Burns is correct. What is before Council tonight was once an appropriation ordinance, which will now be called a temporary appropriation ordinance and what will happen after the beginning of the year is Council will pass it again and it will be called the appropriations ordinance. By then the City will have the final numbers for the year and it will firm everything up. This provision no matter what its history does tend to elevate form over substance, but notwithstanding Mr. Burns' observation this is the first time Council has ever done an appropriations ordinance prior to the beginning of the following year, which a lot of communities do. That is excellent. To the Mayor, Finance Director Copfer, City Council, Chairman of the Finance Committee, excellent work and it is very much appreciated and hopefully it sets a great trend moving forward. Councilman Barker followed up asking Law Director Gareau if all the years Council has been complaining to the Mayor, Finance Director and the Law Director about getting the budget done, the staff has been doing it right and Council has been pushing for the wrong reasons. Law Director Gareau responded that's correct. The City of North Olmsted is participating in a mediation conference regarding a workers compensation matter involving former officer Jennifer Hayner on the 13th of January 2017 with the State Industrial Commission. It's a settlement conference. Director Wenger, Director Glauner, Engineer DiFranco, Assistant Law Director O'Malley and I met to discuss small cell towers. This seems to be the way moving forward. We are moving away from the giant cell towers to receive cell phone and data coverage and moving towards small towers throughout the community. Council did pass a moratorium a short time ago. Council may have seen the Plain Dealer today referenced the State House is getting ready to ram through legislation that deprives the City of the right to have a voice. The moratorium is still in effect and as a result of the meeting we have had good conversations and ideas kicked around the table. We expect to be following up the brainstorming session with some proposals in the very near future. 2