Village of Boston Heights: Council Meeting February-2006

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This is a publication of Boston Heights Overlook.
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the Village of Boston Heights OH.

VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS

45 E. Boston Mills Road
Hudson, OH 44236

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING - February 8, 2006 - 8:00 P.M.

AGENDA

[and Editor's Notes on Council Meeting.
Please note that these are not official minutes of the Council meeting.
Please contact the Village Hall to obtain a copy of the official minutes.]

[Note: Unless otherwise indicated, Council generally votes to "suspend the rules" and dispense with the three readings of each ordinance otherwise required by ORC 731.17.]

ROLL CALL

Council members present: Bill Goncy (President Pro Tempore), Mike Cheung, Teri Slane, Jim Hudson, Janet Miller, and Paul Palumbo.
Also present: Mayor Ray McFall, Clerk-Treasurer Carol Zeman, Solicitor Russ Pry, and Engineer Steve Schreiber.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

MINUTES PRESENTED FOR CHANGE, CORRECTION OR ADOPTION

Minutes of the January 2006 regular meeting were approved. In addition, the minutes of the special meeting of 18 January 2006 were amended, and approved.

CORRESPONDENCE

Solicitor Russ Pry indicated that the new owners of the Holiday Inn were seeking a routine transfer of the former owner's liquor license. He noted that the Village had the right to hold a hearing on the matter, or make any comment or objection to that transfer. Hearing no salient comment from any member of Council, Clerk-Treasurer Carol Zeman stated that she would send a note indicating that the Village had no objection to the transfer.

Clerk-Treasurer Carol Zeman responded to a question that Councilor Slane had about the Village Park's swimming pool operations.

Mayor Ray McFall pointed out a typographical error in the text of Ordinance E -- the new rate for engineering review of building plans is to be $80 per hour, not $85 as printed.

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

Zoning Inspector David Himes reported receiving an anonymous letter requesting action on a collapsing barn [at 57 Grandview Dr.]. He asked whether the "Christmas in April" program could help the owner address this problem. (This program, operated by Rebuilding Together of Summit County, assists elderly homeowners with repairs.) Mr. Himes suggested that the Village newsletter might call for volunteers to help dismantle the barn; Mayor McFall recalled that while several neighbors had previously volunteered to do just that, the owner had refused to pay for the necessary dumpster.

William Hinkle of Boston Mills Road, referring to Resolution 9-2006, asked whether it was the Village's intention to have the County handle all building code matters, or just those for commercial buildings. (The inquiry was due to the Resolution's abstract mentioning only enforcement related to the Ohio Basic Building Code (sic), which does not cover single family residential buildings.) Solicitor Pry and Mayor McFall indicated that the intention was to have the county handle all building code matters, including residential. (N.B. for some reason, the resolution excepts signs -- which are in fact covered by the OBC).

Mr. Hinkle also asked whether Village officials were participating in the next day's meeting on a proposed major league soccer stadium in the Nordonia Hills City School District. He noted that the Village was partly within that district. It appeared that none of the Village officials were aware of the meeting, which was to take place at the Macedonia Mayor's office and include officials of affected communities. Mr. Hinkle mentioned that an article on the meeting had just appeared in the Hudson Hub-Times. Mayor McFall stated that the Village had not been made aware of, or been invited to, this meeting. Councilor Janet Miller thought she might be able to attend. The Mayor added that he had been made aware that, while the bulk of the proposed stadium project was to be north of Twinsburg Road, several parcels in the Village of Boston Heights may be targeted for inclusion in the project, for additional soccer fields.

LEGISLATION

ORDINANCE D-2006

[Adopted as Ord. 4-2006]

AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE PERMANENT ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS FOR THE YEAR 2006 AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

ORDINANCE E-2005

[Adopted as Ord. 5-2006]

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 1385.02(b)(4) OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS TO MODIFY THE HOURLY FEE FOR PLAN REVIEW BY THE VILLAGE ENGINEER AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

As noted above, the rate for building plan review by the Village Engineer is now $80 per hour. This presumably applies to site plan review as well. The Village Engineer's functions are contracted to ACLA, usually represented by Steve Schreiber.

ORDINANCE F-2006

[Adopted as Ord. 6-2006]

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 1385.01(b)(3) OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS TO CORRECT A TYPOGRAPHICAL ERROR AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

This merely fixed a cross-reference typo in the building code.

RESOLUTION J-2006

[Adopted as Resolution 10-2006]

A RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT OF LEWIS KELLER AS A FULL TIME POLICE OFFICER OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS, OHIO.

Officer Keller was sworn by the Mayor, later in the evening.

RESOLUTION K-2005

[Adopted as Resolution 11-2006]

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FOR THE CONTINUATION AND MAINTENANCE OF A MOTORCYCLE DIVISION WITHIN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS.

As last year, the local Liberty Harley-Davidson North company has arranged for the Village Police Department to very cheaply lease a motorcycle suitable for police use. At a recent Finance meeting, Police Chief Varga reported that last year's cycle had been returned to Liberty as agreed, and the police equipment from that unit would be transferred to the new vehicle at little expense. The Village still pays for insurance and various other costs; there are believed to be savings in fuel costs and regular cruiser wear-and-tear. There is some talk of adding a second cycle, as there are now two officers certified for that duty.

RESOLUTION L-2005

[Adopted as Resolution 12-2006]

A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY, 2006

Councilors Mike Cheung and Janet Miller both stated that they had, in fact, reviewed these statements.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Councilor Mike Cheung reported on the Planning Commission & Board of Zoning Appeals meeting of 1 February 2006. The next PC/BZA meeting will be Wednesday, 1 March 2006, 7PM at the Village Hall.

Council President (Pro Tempore) Bill Goncy reported on a variety of fronts:

At a recent AMATS meeting, a report on high-crash-incidence intersections in the area included Route 303 & Akron-Cleveland Road (54th) as a trouble spot, and to a lesser degree, Route 8 & Hines Hill Road, and Route 8 & Boston Mills Road. It was also reported that the stretch of Boston Mills Road from Route 8 to the Hudson city line had a high incidence of deer collisions -- no surprise to the residents there!
In conjunction with the Village's Storm Water Management efforts, information about the Summit County BizMat facility may be relayed to village businesses. This new facility provides a safe and inexpensive way for small businesses to dispose of otherwise hazardous materials.
In a visit arranged by Mr. Goncy, a representive of the US Department of Agriculture had addressed the Village Council Finance Committee on a low-cost loan program for development of village facilities. (There is some talk of the Village building a new town hall and police station, in addition to the fire station expansion already in the works.)
With the Mayor McFall and Fire Chief Jim Robinson, Mr. Goncy attended a preliminary meeting on the coordination of fire departments in northern Summit County (of which more, anon).
At a meeting of the Park Board, Service Director Jim Robinson indicated that he would look into a filter upgrade for the park's pool, and also review the "Baby Pool". The latter has been targeted by the EPA for sanitary improvements, but Mr. Goncy observed that the Park Board is not able to budget the necessary $15K. He also mentioned that the Park Board is looking for volunteers to install new park benches and remove the old dive platform (slide?).
The Park Board also laid out its spring schedule: 18 March: Senior Brunch at the Fire Station; 8 April: Easter Party, 13 May: Park Cleanup.

Village Engineer Steve Schreiber reported that he and Councilor Goncy are still working on the Village's 2005 report on its Storm Water Management Program. He also noted that earlier reports, of possible County funding for repair of the Akron-Cleveland Road bridge, were unfounded -- according to his later conversation with County Council rep. Nick Kostandaris. Mr. Schreiber stated that he was asking ODOT for current Route 8 upgrade plans and drawings, as the details of this project were becoming ever more relevent to current Village developments. Mayor McFall asked whether there was any progress on the planned traffic light at Route 303 and Route 8's northbound ramp (at Chittenden Road). Mr. Schreiber explained that he was still awaiting application information from ODOT, and that the advent of a new City Engineer in Hudson had slowed discussions on that front.

Councilor Jim Hudson relayed a report of the Road Department's usual doings in the area of village facility maintenance and snow removal. He noted the Road Superintendent's concerns with certain problems in the new Meghan's Lane development, e.g. mis-graded ditches that did not drain properly, survey monuments interfering with snow plowing. A special Road Committee meeting had been held to identify needed improvements and to plan for the renewal of the current Road Levy. The issues of equipment replacement and maintenance, and park & cemetery roadway improvements were also reviewed. The Committee also toured the Village to directly inspect the condition of the roadways. Councilor Goncy added that he had given the Committee a list of ditch problems that needed to be resolved. Mayor McFall suggested that the Village newsletter inform residents of their responsibility to keep their driveway culverts clear.

Councilor Paul Palumbo reported that the Safety 1 Committee had met and been informed that the new police cruisers were in hand and being equipped. and that the old cruisers had been successfully sold off.

OLD BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS

Council President Pro Tempore Bill Goncy presented a letter from Mayor Kutcha of the City of Macedonia, inviting the Village to participate in a proposed study of coordination of local fire departments. A common fire district is one possibility, as is a less restrictive arrangement for regional fire department coordination. The goal of the effort, currently involving Northfield Village, Northfield Twp, Sagamore Twp and Macedonia, is to improve response time and manpower utilization (and, presumably, equipment utilization). Mr. Goncy explained that no financial committment was required now, but that the other communities wanted a formal expression of the Village's interest, if any.
This led to a rather energetic and extensive debate.
Fire Chief Jim Robinson stated that the other communities only wanted the Village's participation if it was "serious" about the possibility of joining a district or regional agreement. The Chief expressed his objection to participating in the project and getting involved in "other departments' problems". Mayor McFall apparently objected too, suggesting that the Village would end up paying for Macedonia's fire truck acquisitions.
Mr. Goncy expressed a concern that the Village could be left out of discussions that impacted its use of Macedonia's EMS service. Councilor Janet Miller expressed a similar concern about the Village's use of Macedonia's dispatching service as well as the EMS service, and thought that the Village would be "remiss" if it did not participate in these discussions. She noted that the eventual costs of the study were expected to be about $20K, divided among the participating communities, and felt that the research alone was a good value.
Chief Robinson pointed out that the dispatching was a currently a function of Macedonia's police department and so ought not be affected by this project.
Councilor Jim Hudson thought it was "unwise" for the Village to have no interest at this stage, despite Chief Robinson's misgivings. He thought that Council's Safety 2 Committee should discuss the matter further.
On this note, Mr. Hudson moved that Council send a letter of interest on the fire study to the Mayor of Macedonia. Seconded by Dr. Cheung, the motion passed unanimously.

Mayor Ray McFall formally swore newly-appointed Police Officer Lewis Keller, who then received a round of applause from Council, officers and the attending citizens.

ADJOURN

Some documents are Public Domain Information from the Village of Boston Heights OH or other public entities.
Other materials Copyright 2001-2006 W.J.Hinkle and Boston Heights Overlook
Boston Heights Overlook and BostonHeights.Org are not affiliated with the Village of Boston Heights OH.

ORDINANCE D-2006 [Adopted as Ord. 4-2006]	AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE PERMANENT ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS FOR THE YEAR 2006 AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
ORDINANCE E-2005 [Adopted as Ord. 5-2006]	AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 1385.02(b)(4) OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS TO MODIFY THE HOURLY FEE FOR PLAN REVIEW BY THE VILLAGE ENGINEER AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. As noted above, the rate for building plan review by the Village Engineer is now $80 per hour. This presumably applies to site plan review as well. The Village Engineer's functions are contracted to ACLA, usually represented by Steve Schreiber.
ORDINANCE F-2006 [Adopted as Ord. 6-2006]	AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 1385.01(b)(3) OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS TO CORRECT A TYPOGRAPHICAL ERROR AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. This merely fixed a cross-reference typo in the building code.
RESOLUTION J-2006 [Adopted as Resolution 10-2006]	A RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT OF LEWIS KELLER AS A FULL TIME POLICE OFFICER OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS, OHIO. Officer Keller was sworn by the Mayor, later in the evening.
RESOLUTION K-2005 [Adopted as Resolution 11-2006]	A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FOR THE CONTINUATION AND MAINTENANCE OF A MOTORCYCLE DIVISION WITHIN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS. As last year, the local Liberty Harley-Davidson North company has arranged for the Village Police Department to very cheaply lease a motorcycle suitable for police use. At a recent Finance meeting, Police Chief Varga reported that last year's cycle had been returned to Liberty as agreed, and the police equipment from that unit would be transferred to the new vehicle at little expense. The Village still pays for insurance and various other costs; there are believed to be savings in fuel costs and regular cruiser wear-and-tear. There is some talk of adding a second cycle, as there are now two officers certified for that duty.
RESOLUTION L-2005 [Adopted as Resolution 12-2006]	A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY, 2006 Councilors Mike Cheung and Janet Miller both stated that they had, in fact, reviewed these statements.