League of Women Voters of Shaker Heights

Shaker Heights City Council

Nov. 23, 2009

Present: Mayor Earl Leiken; Council members James Brady, Lynn Ruffner, Earl Williams, Brian Gleisser, Nancy Moore, Rob Zimmerman, Al Foster (arrived late)

Also present: William Gruber, Chief Counsel; Jeri Chaikin, CAO; Robert Baker, Finance Director

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. Minutes of the special meeting of Oct. 13, 2009, and the regular meeting of Oct. 26, 2009, were approved.

The first item of business was the confirmation of Mayor Leiken’s appointment of William Gaskill to the Civil Service Commission for a period of six years, beginning Jan. 1, 2010. Approved by acclamation.

The mayor next called for public comments regarding any agenda items. There were none.

Mayor Leiken next elaborated some on the new contract with the Police Department. Some of the provisions in the contract:

• · They will forgo the 3% wage increase scheduled for 2010 and will accept a wage freeze
• · They will use the same health care program as all other city employees, which will provide a significant saving to the city
• · There will be no police layoffs from now until 2012
• · 12-hour shifts to be maintained as well as off-duty employment opportunities

The meeting continued with agenda items:

Service Payment Agreement with Bluewater Capital Partners: Council approved an ordinance authorizing execution of a Service Payment Agreement with Bluewater Capital Partners for the redevelopment of city-owned parcels as part of the city’s economic development program. A new CVS Drugstore is proposed at the site, 17100 Chagrin Blvd.

Lief & Karson Contract: Council approved an ordinance authorizing a professional contract with Lief & Karson Communications in the estimated amount of $42,000 for Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2010, for implementation of the city’s 2010 public relations and marketing campaign.

Thornton Park Ice Rink: Council amended an ordinance relating to various fees for the use of Thornton Park Ice Rink to allow the Shaker Figure Skating Club to pay a temporary reduced rate of $60 per hour for the 2009/10 season (reduced from $75 per hour charged during the 2008/20 season) for the early morning. The rate will be in effect through June 5, 2010. The reduced rate was inadvertently omitted from an ordinance enacted by Council on July 28, 2009.

Funds from Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging: Council approved the application for and acceptance of a grant in the amount of $40,470 from the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging for senior adult transportation services from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2010, and authorizing a contract for the same.

Equipment for Thornton Park: Council approved an ordinance to appropriate $20,000 from the General Capital Fund for the installation and rental of a temporary chiller unit for Thornton Park Ice Rink due to the Oct. 23 breakdown of the rink’s chiller compressor.

Lee-Shaker Day Care: Council approved the City Planning Commission’s granting of a conditional use permit for a child day care facility, Lee-Shaker Child Care Center, at 3625 Lee Road.

Sidewalk Repair: Council approved an ordinance to: (1) make it clear that property owners are responsible for the maintenance and repair of the sidewalk, driveway apron and tree lawn in the public right-of-way adjacent and contiguous to the owner’s property (the current ordinance implies but does not clearly state this responsibility); (2) allow the Director of Finance to assess the cost incurred by the City without going to Council; (3) give a right to appeal a notice to repair a sidewalk.

Ciuni & Panichi, Inc. Auditors: Council approved an ordinance accepting the proposal and authorizing a contract in the total amount of $39,000 for professional auditing services for the City of Shaker Heights for the year 2009.

Budget Corrections: Council approved an ordinance repealing ordinances which appropriated funds from the General Capital Fund rather than the General Fund and authorized transfer of funds to the appropriate fund.

Council approved an ordinance to provide for the transfer of estate tax receipts from the General Fund to the Self Insurance Reserve Fund and the Economic Development Fund, to adjust yearend budget numbers and to correct the appropriations in the General Fund, the Economic Development Fund, the Police Pension Fund, the Fire Pension Fund, the Law Enforcement Grants Fund, the Nuisance Abatement Fund, the Debt Service Fund, the Central Service Fund and the Self Insurance Fund.

Public Comments

Jerome Silver, a resident, complained about work being done on a house next door to his, trucks parked there and in his driveway and the constant noise. He wanted to know if permits were granted for the work and what can be done about the trucks encroaching on his property. Mayor Leiken promised to look into the matter.

The next public comment came from Mr. Foster, a resident, who complained about racism in the Police Department. He said he and his son have been constantly harassed by some members of the Police Department for years and he wanted it to stop. He said police would follow his son in hopes of catching him doing something. Mayor Leiken promised to look into the matter.

Budget Presentation

Ms. Chaikin gave a presentation on the 2010 operating budget and capital budget. Various line items were questioned by Council and Mr. Baker addressed each question.

At 10:45 p.m. Council went into executive session.

Joyce Shaw, 921-6820