now August 8th uh uh Council caucus before our regular council meeting uh Debbie please call the roll Geronimo here now do you see here tagliotti here and uh we're going to go a little bit out of order so that some of our guests that are here could could uh come first and and speak to Council on everything and be on their way so they wanted to stay for the entire uh caucus uh so we will start with uh its first reading page three of our agenda and it's the ordinance number 2023-88 it's authorizing the Meriden into a job creation and relocation Grant agreement with wealthman Weinberg and Reese company LPA to relocate operations to a location within the city and uh suggested if you wanted to address the council first on this matter I was just I took a ride before our meeting today to go right out there to see that sets the Farmers Insurance building that they're gonna occupy the entire building I believe that Jess will tell us more good afternoon the microphone in me don't always get along so thank you everyone yes the first piece of legislation on the agenda tonight is a a grant for weltman Weinberg and Reese they are a law firm that specializes in the collections industry and they are looking to lease 50 000 square feet of space over on West Creek they plan on leasing that space for approximately 10 years and are committing it to bringing 20 million dollars in payroll as you'll note the offer letter that was in front of you also has some different payroll numbers they project their payroll to actually be closer to 25 million and anticipated to grow closer to 30 million in that five-year period of time in order to relocate them here to the city of Independence we would be offering them a 25 grant for a period of five years and then have a five-year monitoring period associated with that Grant uh just to provide some context for this uh this would easily put a weltman in our top 10 employers amongst our top 10 employers which complements some other grants that we've offered here recently Mai who's been in the city of Independence for just a little under a year is our number four employer currently Garland Industries who we also brought here in Independence uh in the last three years is amongst our top 20 employers so we see these Grant programs are bringing top-tier employers to the city of Independence again 10-year lease a five-year Grant 25 percent rebate back to the company we estimate that to be in the neighborhood of about 120 000 a year for the next five years if anyone has any questions for me or a representative from weltman they are both here also just to provide additional layer of context when we go to these Grant agreements um a lot of times the companies or the Brokers will ask us to sign non-disclosure agreements as well as not provide a lot of details about the whereabouts of the company and so I know this is sensitive this is a company coming from Brooklyn Heights we've had a conversation uh with the mayor of Brooklyn Heights he understands that this is a business transaction feels it's a good decision actually for its company or for the the company he understands that this company one of their decisions for locating here in Independence was they're in multiple buildings this would put them into one building the tax here in Independence is less than what it is in Brooklyn and Brooklyn Heights um so this this actually looks like a good move for the company he understands that while they've been a great Community member he understands the decision the business Factor too and in practice of law for 43 years I I do do a lot of probate estate work so I'm very familiar it's a wonderful family that had really good dealings I have nothing but never I I heard the news I was really uh Overjoyed that their operations were going to come to Independence even though it's at the cost of our neighbor but uh uh still it's one of the top uh collection firms in the country so I I welcome you General and welcome your firm there I hope again that uh he could be a president of Independence for for many many you know decades to come do we have any questions from Council of Jessica and gentlemen would you like to speak uh [Music] attorney for our Cleveland office our managing partner is unfortunately out of town this week or else he would be here as well um but we're very excited about the opportunity to move to Independence and like Jessica said it does it would offer us the opportunity to get all of our folks Under One Roof which which would be helpful for our you know our culture and our cooperation and working with each other um as uh councilman grindel mentioned we are one of the nation's largest creditors rights law firm um we have a number of staff not just attorneys but paralegals legal secretaries Recovery Specialists I.T folks so there it's quite a range of folks that that work for us and and you know we've spent 25 last 25 years Brooklyn Heights and we're looking forward to uh you know a long stay in Independence as well if that should be the case thank you thank you very much any other questions from Council and uh any opposition between this on the consent agenda this evening oh welcome you'll be on the consent agenda so we'll be uh fast tracking this evening thank you very much and thanks for being here okay Jessica Now we move on uh further down on page three the next ordinance is 2023-89. it's our ordinance authorizing the vice mayor to enter into a job creation and relocation Grant agreement with millcraft paper company to relocate operations to a location within the city I believe on Rio Nero correct and that's going to complete the occupancy for that building correct so there's 116 000 square feet of space that is available millcraft is proposing to move into that space the building will be delivered at the end of the month so the first tenant which is uh Faber Castell will be moving in and this will complement and complete that building again similar situation um this company is looking to sign a 10-year lease and we're proposing a five-year Grant uh 25 so same terms and conditions as the previous company again this payroll is five million dollars which would yield to the city about a hundred thousand dollars in local taxes and a grant of about twenty five thousand dollars per year and I believe a representative from millcraft is maybe on Zoom it would have been Alan Alan siba now how about David Hageman that would be correct that's correct yes of course milk has been on Grand Avenue there in Chicago Heights for a number of years yes and again this is the same situation uh you know we're working through a broker for a company that's looking they know they're moving we we have a no poaching policy the Brokers are approaching us um so this isn't somebody that we're trying to go out and NAB a company from a local from our neighboring community so it's really sensitive um but we feel that this is a good company to keep in the region especially since there isn't an opportunity for them to grow in their current location that they can come to the city of Independence and have the space they need any kind of complementary to the other company that's yeah it's kind of a little ironic we'll have pencils and crafts on one side and paper on the other so it's an interesting combination uh and they they will be moving sometime uh what early next year I believe so any questions for Jessica on this uh legislation uh Jim thank you yeah Jessica so precisely what type of operation is this is this Milling of paper how does it work now this is their headquarters and distribution center okay so will they be distribution uh going forward in that yes okay not a manufacturer not manufacturing thank you thank you Jim any other questions I'm curious why uh you're the one that will be signing this bill uh the company that owns the building and everything would be a conflict for the mayor to to sign that legislation I believe that's what the reason that's correct just for a level of transparency and separation the mayor had nothing to do with the the grant or the the company and we just felt that it was better for um Optics that the mayor have nothing to do with the grants any other questions and any opposition could be this on the consent agenda this evening I could stand the consent I could have seen all of it or or leave it separate you know why don't we just leave it separate so you'd have to abstain on everything else yeah so we'll we'll vote on this side I forgot about that John so we're voting on 89 we'll be voting on 89 down here okay uh Jessica and we have one more uh that uh thank you and we moved into uh uh ordinance number 2023-94. it's an ordinance granting a special conditional use permit to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and uh if you wish to come forward uh internally we've they've been regulars uh we've been seeing them I think since June right Greg as far as from Planning Commission yes we've had three Planning Commission meetings with them I'll just set it up just saying this this is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints they're proposing to build in approximately 9 000 square foot temple on Brecksville Road and after several meetings the Planning Commission including a public hearing um the Planning Commission is recommended city council approve the special conditional use hi um I'm Jason Simmons I'm the senior project manager and representative for the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints okay shout it out okay um and uh just want to tell you all how excited we are to have selected uh the city of Independence for one of our most sacred and important structures uh that will allow us to be a part of your community and to better serve our members in this area for them to be able to go to this location and worship again we've Chosen and selected this location very strategically noting the city of Independence and the things that we see as far as the economy the strength of the people as as well as the the uh the incredible community that you guys have built here and we want to be able to be part of that and be able to enhance that as we continue to move forward and really become uh you know a really big part of this community and and hopefully enhance what you guys have going on the economy the strength of the people the voice of the Lord yeah and again of course in the legislation you would notice there's three conditions that we have uh one being installing a landscaping plan that will be uh approved by our city planner the other is that the Spire shall not exceed a hundred feet uh from its current established grade and the third was to install a lighting that will be in compliance not only with the Ohio Revised Code but also our city codified ordinances as well as being approved ultimately upon by year Department engineering department to make sure that uh everything is is acceptable like to the neighbors and everything too and correct and those can be a beautiful structure I think mayor we talked about that uh we're we're proud to have you know uh all of our churches that we have in town and we're proud to welcome a year denomination also to to Independence uh Jim I think you had it was more just for you from a Planning Commission perspective because I I re-read and read the notes several times and I really couldn't figure it out so when we say that the lighting is client to city code the concern that the residents had was timing that is that so if I'm right is it like from 6 a.m till 9 pm is that what we're saying the the uh way that was the the stipulation was crafted with respect to the lighting and the the height will speak for itself that's an easy one the lighting and I appreciate the question because it we the lighting and the Landscaping will evolve Don's going to approve initially but the church is going to work with the city continuously in terms of making sure if we have a problem with the lighting that they'll adjust and if we have a additional landscaping that's needed once it's constructed they're going to adjust because there are several lots that are going to have a greater effect and they're willing to put trees on on the adjoining property if there's uh if there's a need so this won't all be established initially but uh it's going to evolve over time and the city will have a constant and continued influence over over the lighting and the Landscaping thank you mayor with respect to that does that mean as like a nine o'clock stop time or it'll be whatever done and the city determines over time if it's nine o'clock it'll be nine o'clock if it if it's eight o'clock it'll be eight o'clock if it's ten o'clock it's gonna be flexible and they've agreed to let the city Monitor and and influence this continuously it'll be seasonal too because of the uh yeah and I think as some of the residents pointed out you know the trees don't have leaves for half the year and that doesn't do any blocking so I think we also have to consider that when we're talking about screening in the the property and that's a triggers that's why with the uniqueness of this understanding between the community and our new customer uh is something that's going to evolve over time because of those circumstance we don't know what the when the foliage is is changes we don't know the time changes and they've been very receptive to that flexibility with respect to those two issues so um let's see how it goes but I'm confident that we'll be able to work with with you your organization the city and the residents to make sure that uh it's something that's unique something that's good for everybody and something that's that's uh attentive to the residence concerns yes okay yep well you're going to the residents let me be clear Let Me Clear residents are going to uh deal through the city and the city will then deal with the church so as as this evolves and we have people that'll come on your property specifically because it's directly affected uh that's when when we have the initial my vision is when we have the initial landscape plan and a year later if if we see where a couple more trees are needed or the different some different uh arrangement of landscaping needs to be incorporated into it that they'll do that at that time if the lights if there's a timing of Lights that's uh unacceptable or it's causing uh challenges then we will work with them when they'll adjust their time period so it's a unique situation it's a code's a code but the actual agreement gives gives a uh a relationship some flexibility and they will adhere to the city's requests okay the answer Castle's questions relative to that so when the when the temple has their grand opening and the first few weeks what is the lighting time frame for that what time will they be on what time will they be off has that been determined no I think that that's they're gonna work with the city uh and here's the way I think it's going to work if we have concerns after that they start they're gonna we're gonna call them and they're going to adjust it accordingly if it's on too long they're going to turn it down they're going to turn the uh timing down if it's too bright they're going to adjust the uh the light itself if and that's the way we envision this in the Landscaping the same way we don't know when they do their landscape plan it looks good on paper but once you install it there may be a void that or maybe something that they may have to uh do something on some of the neighboring properties to make this a long-term uh protection for their own privacy as well as the neighbors so it's going to be something I think is going to adjust and be fluid is really the word I'm looking for fluid as we progress uh the next couple years correct speak to that specifically the open house doesn't it isn't something that has flashing lights or anything to announce it it'll be the lighting that would be there for the duration and so there's not any special spectacle or additional lighting to for that announcement so it'll it'll still be a really reverent kind of uh sacred kind of procedure as we're as we're entering into that as well right do you anticipate that's about the only time that the parking might be an issue because there'll be more people correct coming to see the The Temple at that time but once it gets back to a normal operation or anything it should the parking should be more than an ample for the correct for the people coming back and we'll make accommodations to make affecting them yeah yes John I was just curious on the timetable for site work and construction we should be Aaron you could probably speak to that a little bit better yeah um Aaron Arbuckle I'm with Haskell company where the architect and contractor on the project and uh as far as schedule goes yeah we'd love to get the permits in place by this fall early fall to get going on site work and things like that construction overall probably is in the range of you know eight months to a year from that time frame so and there'll be one house coming down there would be yeah and the garage is associated with it yeah ideal yeah having attended both public hearings obviously we've heard a great deal of concerns by the residents uh adjacent to the property so it is really critical that we do our due diligence related to making sure that we protect those residents particularly related to light and it sounds like we're going to be working at that Target so I'm pleased to hear that we're going to be working at that because the lighting potentially could always be an issue right well we've been very fortunate you've been very Cooperative in providing you know anything the city would need for uh the Planning Commission would need also bigger decisions so we don't anticipate any problems at this point but a good working relationship between the the church and the city and behalf of the residents that live in the area any other questions from Council any opposition of putting this on the consent agenda this evening uh Debbie will put this on the consent agenda this evening so it'll uh Fast Track if tonight get approval thank you thank you thank you I believe now we can go back to the start of the uh agenda vice mayor yes we're having some Zumba issues so anybody [Music] have to continue to watch there's no issues on YouTube so so there are issues with the zoom this evening so if you can if you are in Zoom if you go over to YouTube we should be you should be able to uh have a better interface with the meeting all right thank you Aaron thank you Debbie I will go back now to page two uh of the agenda and this is a two pieces of legislation that's on second reading uh ordinance number 2023-72 uh it's an ordinance amending ordinance 2021-56 which established the Home Improvement assessment public-private partnership program for the purpose of assisting City residents to maintain and ensure properties remaining compliance specific codified ordinances including but not limited to for storm water management Creek maintenance and Sewer maintenance uh councilman Jim trickus your sponsor of this legislation if you want to give us an update from the utilities meeting that was held yesterday thank you Mr vice mayor um the utilities committee considered both 2023-72 and 2023-73 as companion measures uh in committee both in the month of July and here in August after some rather substantial debate and discussion on the issue um I think these both were referred back to uh council with an affirmative uh vote um one was an amended 2023-73 was amended to state that the appropriation amount is two hundred thousand dollars there was some question about what the specific amount was supposed to be so the number of 200 000 is there uh with respect to 20 2372 and the functionality of the program which took up most of the discussion at the time uh I think the committee had uh wanted a probe a little bit about what were the priorities related to these pieces of uh this type of a program so you know the the legislation is written semi broadly but these are all going to be related to storm water management Creek maintenance sewer maintenance which would be on private property and uh the uh the legislation does spell out uh the details as to how these Pro projects would be uh um evaluated the question came down to prioritization with the committee having a a preference to have priority projects including things like sewer tie-ins that were that had been identified in the past that were not tied in properly and mayor Kirch indicated that was something that would be a priority for him as well there was some back and forth about the uh about the overall management of the program the mayor pledged to bring this to uh Council as frequently as the utilities committee met and to have a report on a regular basis to report what types of projects were looked at the committee ultimately felt that the ordinances were ready for tonight's discussion and we did refer them back to council today I didn't give you all the details but that was kind of a summation of what the the committee work had been done so um obviously we have these on we have a program in existence just as a reminder uh that is currently in existence uh the 2023-72 changes that changes the scope and provides a little bit more guard rails actually on the program and how it's supposed to function uh that we did in conjunction with the engineering department I want to thank Jim Riley in particular who helped us put together some good ideas along with Don Ram about the functionality of the program as well as Emily from Community Services who had had some requests on it so as we roll this out to the public we wanted to make sure that the program was consistent the administration found faults with the original program as it was in conceived and we did make changes to the program to we try to make it something that works both for the city and for ultimately the residents the goal of the program is to allow people who have rather expensive work to be able to be done in a timely manner on their properties to help neighbors to put together neighborhood projects that would be on private property that would obviously be a big part of what we're trying to accomplish as well and we're just kind of rolling this out so we don't know all the different uses of the program and I believe it's in good shape and we recommended it for passers tonight Andrew I believe it's part of the legislation there's uh showing that which projects have been completed it looks like there's been six projects completed the cost of the city for seventeen thousand twenty seven dollars I believe and then it's it's on that table to show what the uh the owners or the residents contributed towards that so correct and that's the kind of report or similar to that that will be given to to Council on a periodic basis as moves forward I believe correct now I know the two other members of the committee uh uh Anthony or Adele would you like to comment thank you well I um shared a lot of concerns at the meeting yesterday and I will not be supporting this legislation initially when this legislation was drafted and brought forth to council and the utilities committee uh the impetus of it was to spearhead neighborhood projects projects that spanned multiple parcels and the city would facilitate working together with the neighbors to bring them into agreement to solve problems that spanned boundary lines looking at the projects that have been completed there's seven of them six of the projects were completed on individual Parcels there's one project that spans property lines so that has been removed from this amendment of the legislation it is very vague in general the way this legislation is written the original intent of it was also to assist residents who may have a financial hardship and that was also removed from the amendment and I've read through the minutes of the July 10th 2023 utilities committee meeting and engineer Ram stated relative to the seven projects that had been completed he states that they were probably going to move whether we were helping them or not and then he goes they're just asking us to cut them a reimbursement check so these were projects that the residents were going to do on their own anyhow but now we're subsidizing them for whatever reason we are also financing projects on personal property through the assessment process these are two very unique aspects of local government that we have not done in the past we are budgeting two hundred thousand dollars for this program Council has never met with the finance committee to just to discuss the impact on the budget the allocation of these funds how we came up with two hundred thousand dollars um there is no prioritization of projects there's no true criteria of projects the legislation does state that we're trying to maintain compliance on Residential Properties but I am not aware that these seven projects that have been completed were correcting any violations and the amendment that I proposed or suggested at the utilities committee meeting was to prioritize no one violations and known Parcels that are not in compliance in 2012 the city did a very extensive smoke and die test throughout many neighborhoods dozens if not hundreds of parcels were identified to be in violation of cross-connections and I'm sure our engineering department still maintains that information we could go back through look at permits that have been issued to those individual Parcels to see if they've corrected these violations if the permits haven't been issued then we would assume that these violations still exist and if that's the case those should be the highest priority if we're going to do anything on public property because those are known violators known issues potential EPA violations the legislation also allows the city to go five feet from a resident's home and do major excavation work and the city will pay for it it's a very unique project it's very vaguely written it gives the administration a pretty much a two hundred thousand dollar blank check to do work on private property and what they determined to do and I can't support the program because of that ideally of any coming soon I just wonder burn where where exactly are we gonna where's the two hundred thousand dollars what kind of line item are we going to have for that in the uh the email that I sent out yesterday with the um with the budget amendment we I mentioned we were increasing the 430 fund which is the drain water fund by 200 000 and we're able to do that plus the amendments to the 410 account the capital Improvement fund uh through through increased Revenue just by governmental Finance 101 we could appropriate funds that we have that are unencumbered as well as reasonably anticipated revenue and uh based on the increased interest income that the city has had this year we can increase the revenue estimate to allow us to appropriate the additional 200 000 in the 430 drain water fund and we increase the uh the 410 Capital Improvement fund for both the cemetery Expansion Project if that passes this evening as well as some possible um up up quickening the timetable of the acquisition of some rubbish trucks in the service department no I just think it's a program that was initiated by Council and the Administration has embraced it it resolves labor issues neighborhood issues and it'll continue to work on that vein and give us some flexibility the administration continually works every day to solve residents problems that they're that they come to the city with Council meets once a month maybe twice there are usually questions at those meetings so a protracted timetable of two or three months to get a simple approval for a simple project is Way Beyond the scope of uh of what good government stands for and serving the public so we'll continue to use discretion and when council members call and they ask us to review specific situations that are brought to their attention we will continue to send the Engineering Group out do the assessment and determine the best strategy to solve that neighbor's problem thank you mayor uh arrested Council any questions or comments I mean just if you if you do look at any pets it's what makes it impacts these kind of these kind of initiatives or whatever you want to call them but we subsidize everything in this time so this helps people that would never take care of these problems on their own and if we have to get involved that if we have to to throw a little money and to make something right to make Independence better to make a neighborhood better I'm all for it and I mean that's what this is all about we're not trying to give somebody something for nothing that we never did before every mayor and every city goes on private property to help residents out if there's a tough situation and a lot of these we've been doing it for years and years and years now all we're doing is actually I feel we're getting reimbursed for some of these issues and we're putting more of the more of the depth of what you want to call it on on the homeowner so I think it's a great thing I think we're going to be able to help a lot more people out that would never even think about taking care of a situation that they can't do on their own thank you Tom uh we'll be voting on this this evening this is on second ring so we'll be voting separately on each of these uh just comments I mean to second on Tom Tom I agree with you I think this is going to help a lot of people in a lot of neighborhood neighborhoods and and Jim give you credit for getting this together and off the ground um specific to the program and brought it up yesterday seven a of eligible properties it actually excludes properties that are non-owner occupied I would be in favor of eliminating that exclusion again I think we've got a lot of rental property a lot of residents that are non-owner occupied homes still an issue I think if there's a worthy project in a worthy neighborhood I would not want to exclude those properties if we want to make a I'd make a motion to revise that language or if that's later on if you feel if that's what your uh you want to make an amendment to the legislation now is the time to do it then I'll make a motion to revise 7A to read eligible projects Shelby exterior of dwellings for existing addressed property located in residential zoning within the city limits we want to include owners just to make sure that the renters don't actually ask for this without the owner's permission the owners has to be involved with willing owners Homes located in residential zoning that'd be great I would second that motion sure sorry did Geronimo yes grindel yes narduzi yes cagliati no trachus aye Rivera no what channel yes motion passes okay I'd just like to comment on councilman narduzzi's comments about how we've been doing work on private property forever um in reality the majority of the work that was done on private property is diagnostic work cameraing maybe cleaning some laterals not heavy excavation I mean we're doing heavy excavation five foot from a residence exterior walls and replacing laterals and downspouts no we're not we have not done that Tom but it allows us to do that so our job is to craft legislation so if you would you don't think that's going to happen it's gonna because it's written into the legislation Tom well time will tell time will tell and and Council sees the report console will know what's going on so I I defer to the Future defer to the Future so we have a sort of amendment's been approved and continue vice mayor this was on uh 72 as amended we'll vote on that as amended yes on 72. yes thank you uh so we'll be voting in this evening we'll move now to page three of the agenda we've already discussed uh ordinance the 88 in ordinances 89. be moved out to ordinance number 2023-90 its Origins accepting the bids for snow plowing services for senior citizens disabled persons active military residents for the 2023-2024 snow season yes good evening mayor and Council uh yes the legislation before uh Council today is to award 15 of the 21 routes within the city the invitation a bid went out to uh 20 contractors we received four bids at the council Workshop that we had a week or so ago I was at council's recommendation that we accept the bids that we did receive and rebid the remaining route status approximate that would be approximately 200 driveways in six routes that we don't have coverage for and then when the notice for the it went out to this uh the notice goes in on this Sunday the the 13th the 20th and then the bid will close on uh August 28th if it opens rather and we intend to have uh you know we will have some other contractors interested in the project in request Council you know have it before Council the September meeting and any questions one question I do have Council we did talk about it committee that if there's an interest in making sure that the the uh the price would go to fifty dollars a year from the current 25 a year I don't think we had any objection to that mayor so that we think we have to we have to uh agree to that it's not in the windows we would have to add it we'd have to add that to the legislation this is just accepting the bids yeah yes yeah you need to we would need to propose that for next month's uh council meeting okay so think about it because that's something we talked about and I didn't I thought that we we talked about uh the possibility of being reasonable and realistic thank you thank you we'll prepare that for next month thank you very much thank you Dennis so is that a consent agenda yeah is any position putting this on a consent agenda this evening nope singing on that Debbie who I had this to the consent agenda to page four of the agenda and that's orders number 2023-91 uh the 2023 annual Appropriations ordinance and attorney if you wish to to comment I know you said the memo and everything it's self-explanatory but you wish to comment on on this sure just uh your your correct Place mayor the the memo that I sent last night very self-explanatory kind of minimal changes this month just some general fundinger fund transfers no change in the total appropriation I just talked about the the amendments in the 410 the fort Capital Improvement fund the 430 fund the drain water fund and uh going with that Revenue estimate we're able to increase the revenue estimate both in the law enforcement fund 280 the federal forfeiture fund 285 due to the number of cases settled in the law enforcement fund and the Equitable sharing received from the strike force in the federal forfeit response so so I'll Finance governmental accounting geek stuff but it allows us to keep doing what we do here any questions for the finance director putting this on the consent agenda this evening uh yes please leave it on yes yeah I just want to uh again uh remind anybody any public that is on Zoom if they're having trouble uh with the zoom and there's technical issues the audio seems to be dropping out everyone can watch the live console meeting by going to the city YouTube channel search City of Independence Ohio and click on live to add the live tab at the top and Debbie has posted it okay okay great thank you uh we moved right along uh ordinance number 2023-92 this is preliminary legislation I believe it's for uh is with the state uh uh don they're going to do some repaving on seven Route 17 Granger Road correct by smear it's a typical Urban resurfacing program and the it's a typically an 80 20 split between the state and the local entity and because we were to have a nice maintenance program and do a lot of crack sealing they gave us a little bit of a credit so we're only obligated for it's an 85-15 split and they are have a preliminary estimate of 560 000 would be the city's work at 84 000 ends up being the exposure to the city for our 15 they have been a project later this uh later this year and we'll be able to program in 20 it's 2024 work is when 2024 scheduled to be performed and how much is the city share again 84 000. that's preliminary it'll be adjusted with final legislation the secondary component of this all that's processes they they bid it and then the secondary final legislation is from secured bids is it that they say that a mental health type of thing that correct we're servicing doing anything with the curbing or that or any other or just strictly the the pain of the road I don't think there's any curbs yes I do believe joint repairs if there's any need for full depth joint repairs that would probably be included in the uh in the bid or at least the same Pro rat a share yeah how much is in Independence not uh just a section from the uh the river bridge to uh uh Valley belt I see and they aren't going to do I think the ramps the Cloverly grams and the Cloverleaf ramps but that's not that's what that's the Valley View there as well two of them ones in any pants I think two tour Valley View one might be kyga Heights it's a com it's all comes together hey Don what happens at these other cities I mean there's Garfield Heights in here Brooklyn Heights Valley View yeah I don't know that the project would get completely eliminated or they would just do the the work of the you know communities that would be willing I'm not sure I'm sure they have a pretty good feel for it's a good deal for most communities it'd be hard to be hard-pressed to not afford a small percentage of the time it seems like they just go from uh tuxedo east of tuxedo which should be Brooklyn Heights then through Independence and then Valley View I don't think they go to Garfield Heights he stops at the garage so yeah any other questions for them not just curious I mean Don or mayor of the Cloverly such a unique design I don't think they build them anymore I mean different you know but such a cool you know the brickwork and everything but it's overgrown yeah I don't know if that could be on us of cleaning up you know it'd be one of those landmark kind of areas if you could light it or uh in addition Let's uh I'll have uh dad why don't you and uh service director we'll review the logistics and the legal component of it and if there's something that can be done because it is a uh unique situation more or less we'll look about uh if the minimum we should clean it up and I have no objection I think that the Valley View and everybody participates and then the lighting might be something uh something when we do the North and North of before 80. but then also I've seen Oda taking out Clover like old design maybe more like Highway expansions I don't know if they'd ever look at something and say maybe this is a you know that you could maybe do a four-way and well I know three have a lot of maps so we're uh Lombardo Brothers Construction did that uh section of the willow freeway at the time it was called so yeah we it's something we can we could look at down the road but I think from uh we'll try to assess everyone's participation and involvement but that I'm north of i-480s when we should really incorporate that into a project from Aesthetics as well as function you should probably take do we still have money set aside from here for that Lighting on Rockside Road it's in Valley View remember we uh we kind of question I know that case that was always I wonder why you're putting money aside you know to help Valley View but we should take that money and put it towards this uh joint project since it doesn't at least by the time that bridge gets built at 75 000 I believe I was just talking to Don about that if I do 250 pounds yeah oh yeah yeah that was we're talking many years ago at that assignment receive money maybe for for this project is there still 35 000 from haydite to take to redo the Stone Road Bridge somewhere in the archives Maggie they put 35 000 back in the uh 60s I believe to redo the Stone Road Bridge [Music] sorry about that any opposition of putting this on the consent agenda this evening for the Granger Road very good Debbie will do so we move to ordinance number 2023-93 asaurus authorizing Chi drawer number two to the city's 2022 asphalt road maintenance and repairs contract with aroniac Paving I guess basically done this really doesn't increase as far as any money it just extends the time out to uh December 21st 31st correct my experience releases a Time extension we did approve some prior change orders to authorize some funding and uh knowing that no work's been performed to date their contract expires uh next week and it was really just an attempt to gain the rest of the paving season to allow them to perform work once they're directed to go so there's still a great decision for me as far as how that uh what projects that that money will be spent on correct I'm going to meet with raniac tomorrow to look at a couple potential work locations all right so you're going to get pricing from The Impossible correct very good any opposition to putting this on the consent agenda this was part of the streets of sidewalks a meeting from last Tuesday uh artist number 2023-93 is put on the consent agenda I will on two orders number 2023-95 is orange amending chapter 1366 lease rental occupancy certificate of the codified oranges of the city of independence co-sponsored by councilmanuel chanowitz and councilman Drake so do you have any any comments on this sure thank you obviously it would be on first reading and I believe the law director says that it would be subject to a public hearing because it uh because it's a use permit uh essentially what this legislation would do it's fairly simple it changes it adds and enhances uh to uh chapter 1366 of of our code to have a definition of of temporary uh rentals as a 30-day period so we would not have rentals of less than 30 days and the purpose for this legislation I think we see what's going on all across Northeast Ohio is that you have situations where in Richmond Heights just is dealing with this same issue there's been a number of communities who are also dealing with the issue where uh you had a good intent of individuals who thought perhaps they would you know lease their homes for vacation purposes I know when the Republican National Committee came in there was a a thought that you know people would go into homes or a week you know on a temporary basis during convention season and that type of thing and that did indeed happen however what we've seen is not these types of rentals used for for uh your short-term rentals used for business purposes but they're being used for pleasure so we have an Entertainment District we have a commercial District here in town which has our hotels and motels which are rentable for uh evenings and short-term stays the concept of this legislation would be to keep residential zoning to be residential and to not have commercial Enterprises operating in and out of their neighborhoods the reality is that these become essentially party houses we've had news reports and I could send them to you dozens upon dozens of news reports of drug activity of parties of excessive alcohol and other activities going on at what are supposed to be residential residences in zoned residential so being proactive this has not become a problem in Independence but let's make sure it doesn't become a problem in Independence the concept is to have an enforceable uh ordinance that would be legally sound and that's what this ordinance uh intends to do and uh obviously it's in it's in construction so if there's other ideas that anyone has we're certainly uh I think Chris and I are willing to entertain anything that continues the intent of what the legislation does but you know we want to increase the quality of life for our residents and you know if you've got homes being rented out on various streets in various neighborhoods uh may start out at one then it gets to two or three and then it's more um you know for a temporary basis uh and now you're talking about a commercial structure that's operating in a residential neighborhood we do have laws on the books about how many times a day people can come and go and if they can park on the street that type of thing so I think this is within uh certainly the um the the grasp of what our current uh ordinances do for residential neighborhoods uh just try to strengthening that because you need to update things as as Innovations uh kind of spin out of control at times so we just want to keep our residences residences and we want to make sure that people uh have uh who live in Independence continue to have uh High pleasure and being able to have a a house in a neighborhood that is uh based on residential and based on the ability for uh you know to have high housing values uh continue to be maintained that's the intent of the legislation so we can add in in [Music] you know what kind of fall under the rule but what you can specifically say that I don't I don't know um for sure because I know I had to wear something on my street that's using bedrooms physics so I I I received uh that certainly from now until the public hearing if we want to add or subtract from the proposed amendment uh obviously we wouldn't write into the legislation Airbnb because that's a platform but if there's a particular activity that you want to review and discuss and maybe limit or prohibit we certainly can put that in to the legislation and by the way this concept of this legislation has been proved out in other communities and has been effective so we didn't uh this isn't not this would not be a unique attempt I really applaud the law director we looked all across the country and found a number of various uh regulatory uh opportunities and this one seemed to be the least intrusive and most effective so we'll keep this on first reading and then will there be a public hearing uh next month if that's your will yeah okay five o'clock next month that'd be great man thank you we move on now to page five of the agenda it's uh harness number 2023-96 it's hard it's accepting the bid of febrezi trucking and Paving Company Inc for the Maple Shade Cemetery expansion phase two improvements project construction contract all right again down would you like to comment certainly vice mayor yeah we are internally we put these uh plants and specks together we did this thing out a project out to late middle of the last month of July bids were opened last Thursday August 3rd the engineer's estimate was seven hundred thousand dollars and we had a lot of good bids that were submitted we had nine plan holders seven bids were received from many well-known reputable contractors seven uh five rather the seven bids were below the individual estimate for the base bid plus alternate a we bid it out two ways alternate day was for asphalt roads and the alternate B was for concrete roads and we had to seemingly seemed to have a good amount of money in The Five-Year Capital plan that was under the Maple Shade Cemetery category of 650 000 so we did recommend that because the money seemed to be available we we feel like concrete is a is a nice option for an additional fifty nine thousand dollars between the two bids of fabrizi we felt it was the more appropriate material to use for the expansion her and I understand uh financially we have the money set aside to pay for this project this was the 600 000 I mentioned in the memo that we we increased the Appropriations Amendment for it this would pass under the The Five-Year Capital plan we had 650 set aside 650 000 I believe at least that's what the well technically in the Fiverr Capital we didn't have anything there's nothing there that states Cemetery expansion there was money for fencing there was money for mostly in Colorado and that's what that's where where the money was right but we're finishing up the columbarium project and we're well under the money appropriated but there's also the slash Mausoleum and if we're going to do that I don't want to get in the in the habit of oh hey we had money set aside for this future project where we have an immediate need now and we take that money and use it but then when we go to do that other part of the project say the mausoleum a year or two a row or three down the road and then everybody looks to me and says hey we put that money away I said I'll remember you guys reallocated that for something else so I'd rather leave that money for the mausoleum there and just about amend the appropriation amendment to try to pay for the uh this for breezy contract separate very good I wanted to clarify that because this was part of the legislation just wanted to make sure there's no confusion regarding that but again you did specify as part of the amendment to the uh Appropriations that that's that covered this this cost and then we saw the issue I believe it was brought up about the fencing to and all of a sudden done as far as the fencing for the cemetery we're not we're not uh we're not dismissing the fencing but this had putting having available cemetery plots is a priority and the loop that so we can uh as far as I'm concerned we can continue that discussion for next year's uh capital projects and the 150 000 in the five-year Capital plan that's allocated for the fencing will remain allocated for the fencing that's correct and then uh will there be any stone work at the entrance way or the gaslights will remain will make that uh that bid does not uh incorporate that structure but that will be part of the the fencing project or you need a standalone project but yes it'll be treated because it will be accessing Brecksville Road South of uh south of the Cab's driveway and we'll we will extend the goal is to extend that mounding uh soften the mounding as we make that turn going further south from the Cab's Mound but that would be a separate project buildings good idea one of our topics so now we know moving into next year you know so with the grading work that's going to be done that extending that mound is not part of this project uh the extending them out I think if there's excess dirt it's what we're going to extend the mound is part of it yes we have to mount dirt we had it initially located it in the northeast corner we could certainly push it up to where we desire it closer to the brexit so if you would uh consistent with the questions if you could put that together and show after we accept the bids good have the mound show the mound show the Landscaping show the uh entrance similar to what we did with the the other phases and then we can have it put us in a better position to talk about uh the fencing also then so that'd be a 2024 2033 discussion 20 potentially a 2024 project fencing cost will increase because our Frontage is greatly increasing as well correct that's correct and then that's true that this phase two will increase the number of gravesites the 1481. yeah we won't be in uh we won't be in uh down to 22 anymore yeah and I think maybe maybe by the September reading or maybe or October we'll talk about pricing for right we need to follow up uh Council approved the columbarial wall pricing at a workshop session we're gonna we're going to uh continue that discussion to address the the cemetery plots going forward so that should be at a public Blaze and lands committee meeting also so we should be we'd be prepared to discuss that and see if we can come up with a Direction on that issue consistent with what we're doing with respect to the column barrier walls and then we have something on the agenda after the uh public bill is a lands committee meeting okay I believe in the last last week you've had two or three families that were in my office asking about you know when they'll be able to buy a lot so people are yeah they're all right about uh you blocking me I would I'd like to get a public Billings and lands committee we'll we'll take the basic uh information that we supplied to council if you would uh each council member would then uh Mark that up with their thoughts and submit that uh then we can synthesize it and see if there's a close to a consensus in terms of the of the the cost of this using a framework that the the administration supplied if you can do that then we'd be in a better position to expedite a discussion and uh a decision so that we can we can pass out legislation too so as soon as we get that information from everybody the quicker we can uh call a meeting okay and if you're if you don't submit Austin that what we submitted is acceptable okay good any other comments and uh just put this on the consent agenda this evening okay we move on to ordinance number 2023-97 it's the ordinance authorization the mayor to enter into an agreement but the state of Ohio office of budget and management to apply for and accept coronavirus state and local fiscal recovery Grant funds through the Ohio ambulance Transportation program and see who you had sent us I think we saw a couple different uh memos on this he'd like to comment yeah so I was made aware of this opportunity on Friday so I just apologize for the last minute um this particular application is due by August 14th basically it is providing uh an opportunity for to provide premium pay to essential workers during the covet pandemic which ran from January of uh 20 to April of this year so we're able to go back and provide uh premium pay to those essential workers that were involved with care of patients and so forth Independence is currently allotted twenty thousand dollars that we would be applying for with this application any questions not a question so much about that but they're also in the in the data listed Independence fire district is that the one that's out west not really sure it could be it's not us though no I think we're listed under the city of Independence so Chief we paid our employees over time and this is reimbursement or this no this is not a reimbursement this is just to add above the regular rate of pay or during that time yeah and that would be split up amongst the line uh firefighters those that were in direct contact with patients during that time so we're talking basically our shift personnel admin is excluded from this opportunity so it's up to us internally to figure out yeah when we submit for that we'll have to show how we calculated that basically I think it's going to be a few extra you know 50 cents per hour per guy and it's going to be marched out until the funds are exhausted all right she likes me hi Jim thank you yeah I would say Chief thank you for bringing this to our attention I enthusiastically for it and I just wanted to compliment you and the department uh you know you are you were the front line of covet you went into people's houses who had uh coveted you didn't know people had covered during car accidents and uh uh you and your whole department handle it professionally and about as great as anybody could do and and I really congratulate you on it I I hope we get this grant uh uh the troops are certainly deserving uh of any type of compensation because they put their lives on the line and we had many a firefighter and first responder who lost their life during covet during the the two terrible years that we endured that uh and it's still going on in our society so uh you know you're you you're quiet but particularly effective uh as is your organization and I really want to compliment you for it you handled it very professionally you gave them the tools that they needed and uh um I know you were at my mom's house a number of times uh during covid and um was not an easy thing to do and go into people's homes when you just didn't know what was going on so I really applaud you and your whole department for doing such a great courageous job thank you any opposition putting this on consent agenda this evening we'll place this on consent agenda Steve and our last piece of legislation is resolution number 2023-5 uh it's a resolution authorizing Michaels have the only to retain possession of its firearm and Badge of office upon retirement there was four he had 49 years of service to the to the city so that's a tremendous uh accomplishment and uh you know we should be very indebted to to Michael for his uh the services that he's he's rented to our city we are so fortunate to have had him for as long as we did even if the class of 71 call them ravioli he did a great job for the good people of Independence for many over the years that's for sure and that uh and we'll put that on the consent agenda right yes very good that completes the caucus okay good evening we have the regular meeting of Consul City Council of August 8 2023 click a call to roll Geronimo here Grendel here tagliani here present yeah here and we have the prayer this evening by Finance director Vern Blaze thank you mayor let's pray father God we know that it's always helpful to look at the past the present and the future to make the best decisions possible when Looking Backward help us not to dwell on our own failures and mistakes as they've been swallowed up by your grace help us to recall your faithfulness to us when looking at the present help us to not be overwhelmed by the difficulties and challenges of today help us to remember your constant presence and we're looking when looking ahead help us to not be afraid of the future help us to remember your promises to us you who have blessed us is with us and you will guide us to the end we pray this in your holy awesome name amen thank you Vern please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all audience participation and Blake okay do I have a motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of July 11 2023 the utility committee meeting of July 10 2023 and the council Workshop of July 25th 2023. so Moon second all in favor aye opposed they are adopted legislation we have ordinance 2023-72 will that be read by title only second all in favor I opposed an ordinance amending ordinance 2021-56 was established the Home Improvement assessment public private partnership program for the purpose of assisting City residents to maintain and ensure properties remain in compliance with the codified ordinances including but not limited to for storm water management Creek maintenance and Sewer maintenance as amended motion adapt second any questions on the adoption I would move a technical Amendment mayor I think in the uh in 2023-72 uh it uh we have a misspelling it says the condified ordinances instead of the codified ordinances and oh yeah or codified it okay this is the title agenda yeah okay foreign on the adoption of 2023-72 Colorado yes yes and it's adopted we have word of 2023-73 and would that this be read by title only second on favor aye aye opposed an ordinance authorizing the appropriation of two hundred thousand dollars and the payment of the city's proportional share of participation in qualified and approved projects relative to the property Improvement assessment public private partnership program revision one move the adoption any questions on the adoption call the roll grindel yes now do you see yes tagliani no trachus hi nope yes teacher animal yes and it's adopted the approval of the consent agenda items will be read individually into the record and the consent agenda will then be voted on as a whole by one motion and roll call there will be no separate discussion on these items do I have a motion to read the consent agenda by title only second all in favor aye opposed ordinance 2023-88 an ordinance authorized the mayor to enter into a job creation and relocation Grant agreement with weltman Weinberg and Reese company LPA to relocate operations to a location within the city Ordnance 2023-90 an ordinance accepting the bids for snow plowing services for senior citizens disabled persons active military residents for the 2023-2024 snow season ordinance 2023-92 preliminary legislation LPA ODOT let project agreement participatory ordinance 2023-93 an ordinance authorizing change order number two to the city's 2022 asphalt road maintenance and repairs contract with raniac Paving ordinance 2023-96 an ordinance accepting the bit of a breezy Trucking and Paving Company Inc for the Maple Shade Cemetery expansion Phase 2 improvements project construction contract ordinance 2023-97 and ordinance authorized in the mayor to enter into an agreement with the state of Ohio office of budget and management to apply for and accept coronavirus state and local fiscal recovery Grant funds through the Ohio ambulance Transportation program resolution 2023-5 a resolution authorizing Michael savioli to retain possession of this firearm advantage of office of hungry Chinese he wanted I think we were taking 88 uh right yeah 94. ordinance 2023-94 an ordinance granting a special condition to return to the Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints motion to suspend the rules so moment second all in favor aye opposed motion adapt second any questions on the adoption of the consent agenda Colorado yes yes Grendel yes and the consent agenda is adopted we have ordinance 2023-89 title only second all in favor aye aye opposed an ordinance authorizing the vice mayor to enter into a job creation and relocation Grant agreement with mealcraft paper company to relocate operations to a location within the city motion suspend second all in favor aye aye opposed motion adopt second any questions on the adoption Colorado yes aye Rivera yes well chanowitz yes did Geronimo abstain Glendale yes now doozy yes and it's adopted and we have uh ordinance 2023-91 title only second all in favor aye opposed 2023 annual Appropriations ordinance motion adopt I suspend emotions I'm sorry second all in favor aye opposed motion adapt second any questions on the adoption Colorado yes well chanowitz yes D Geronimo yes Grendel yes now do you see yes chocolate no and it's adopted we have ordinanced 2023-95 will be read by title only second all in favor aye aye opposed an ordinance amending chapter 1366 lease rental occupancy certificate of the codified ordinances of the city of Independence and that'll remain on first reading and the public hearing is set for five o'clock September 11th with that there being no additional business before this admirable body I want to again uh report the agenda reiterate and comment about the success of Home days but I'd be remiss if I didn't publicly estate and I appreciate the uh the extra effort hard work dedication and passion for on behalf of the city employees for all the hard work and their effort in making the 2023 home days a huge success so thank you to everyone that made a contribution and and supported the uh uh the event it was it was phenomenal with that I'll entertain a motion to adjourn so move second all in favor aye aye opposed thank you for everyone for being here on zoom on YouTube and in person God bless recording stopped