Village of Boston Heights: Council Meeting November-2004

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VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS

45 E. Boston Mills Road
Hudson, OH 44236

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING - November 10, 2004 - 8:00 P.M.

AGENDA

[and Editor's Notes on Council Meeting.]

ROLL CALL

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

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

MINUTES PRESENTED FOR CHANGE, CORRECTION OR ADOPTION

Minutes from the October regular meeting were not available, so not approved.

CORRESPONDENCE

Solicitor Russ Pry commended the Village for passing the "much needed" income tax increase at the recent General Election.

Mayor Ray McFall mentioned that County Councilor-elect Nick Kostandaras had planned to be at this meeting but had a conflict that prevented his attendence.

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

From the audience, Bill Hinkle, of Boston Mills Road, asked whether Engineer Steve Schreiber was satisfied that his concerns about the Village's commercial building code were met by this month's Ordinance Z-2004 (below). Mr. Schreiber, stating that he was not a certified building inspector, did allow that this version was "better" than the code language passed last month (as Ordinance 21-2004). Solicitor Russ Pry reported that he had consulted with the Bob Wrentmore, the County Building Inspector, in creating the revised language in Ordinance Z-2004.

ORDINANCE Z-2004

[Adopted as Ordinance 25-2004]

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 1301 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS AND ADOPTING THE INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE, 2000, AND THE MARCH, 2001, "SUPPLEMENT TO THE INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE" AS AN OFFICIAL STANDARD BUILDING CODE FOR THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

This seems to override last month's Ordinance 21-2004, which directly adopted the International Building Code of 2003. It was later pointed out that the Ohio Building Code had not yet incorporated IBC 2003; it was still citing IBC 2000/2001.
The ordinance adopts IBC 2000/2001 "as adopted by the Ohio Board of Building Standards". It remains to be seen whether that means the same thing as adoption of the Ohio Building Code itself, which incorporates and modifies the IBC 2000/2001.

ORDINANCE AA-2004

[Adopted as Ordinance 26-2004]

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 1309 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS AND ADOPTING THE INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CODE OF 2004 AS THE OFFICIAL STANDARD RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CODE FOR THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

This seems to override last month's Ordinance 20-2004, which directly adopted the International Residential Code of 2004. This version adopts that code "as adopted and modified by the Ohio Building Officials Assocation (OBOA)".

ORDINANCE BB-2004

[Adopted as Ordinance 27-2004]

AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE AS CHAPTER 1313 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

This supplements last month's Ordinance 23-2004, which repealed Chapter 1313 (the BOCA Maintenance Code) but did not put a new code in its place.

RESOLUTION MM-2004

[Adopted as Resolution 40-2004]

A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, 2004.

There was no mention of who on Council, if anyone, had actually reviewed the various financial statements.

RESOLUTION NN-2004

[Adopted as Resolution 41-2004]

A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE SUMMIT COUNTY ENGINEER'S OFFICE COMPLETE THE PLANS FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE AKRON-CLEVELAND BRIDGE.

Engineer Steve Schreiber had reported, last month, that no state funding was forthcoming for this project. At the recent Finance Committee meeting, he reported that the Summit County Engineer's office had backed out of its commitment to perform the engineering work for the rehabilitation of this bridge. This is the Akron-Cleveland Road bridge spanning the Bike-and-Hike Trail, just south of Route 303 (at Tequila Pancho's).

RESOLUTION OO-2004

[Adopted as Resolution 42-2004]

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE APPROPRIATE OFFICIAL OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE SUMMIT COUNTY DUI TASK FORCE TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG RELATED CRASHES.

From the audience, Police Chief Joe Varga reported that the Summit County DUI Task Force had already begun work. As he explained at the recent Finance Committee meeting, the task force would participate in occasional "sobriety checkpoints", and (if funds allowed) finance extended DUI enforcement in participating communities.
Read: On Lookout..., Akron Beacon Journal article, 13 Oct 2004.

RESOLUTION PP-2004

[Adopted as Resolution 43-2004, as amended]

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE POLICE CHIEF TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT FOR THE RENTAL OF CRUISERS TO OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND ESTABLISHING A ~~DAILY~~ HOURLY RATE FOR SAID RENTALS.

From the audience, Police Chief Joe Varga explained that this would allow off-duty officers to rent the village's police cruisers when doing contract traffic control work. The ordinance establishes the rate at $6.00 per hour. An amendment corrected the language from "daily rate" to "hourly rate".
Councilor Annette Miller asked how liability insurance would be handled; Chief Varga and Clerk-Treasurer Carol Zeman stated that the Village's usual liability insurance would continue to apply for this kind of use.

RESOLUTION QQ-2004

[Adopted as Resolution 44-2004]

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CLERK-TREASURER TO ADVERTISE FOR QUOTES FOR TRASH REMOVAL FOR THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS.

This idea has been languishing for over a year, until flogged back to life by Mrs. Jane Robinson. The Village will be seeking a preferred contract rate, for residents and for the Village Hall complex, from a single trash removal firm. However, residents will still contract privately for this service -- the Village is not going to pick up the tab, and the Village does not (currently!) plan to force residents to contract with the selected firm.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

As Councilor Mike Cheung was absent, there was no report on the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals meeting of 3 November 2004. The next PC/BZA meeting is 1 December 2004 at 7PM.

Council President (Pro Tempore) Bill Goncy stated that he had reviewed the Mayor's Court reconciliation statements for August and September 2004.

Engineer Steve Schreiber reported on the Planning Commission's sign approval for Meghan's Lane, and its debates over the development's gateway paving and maintenance. He mentioned that the developer, Mr. John Carse, hoped to place the plat approval before the Planning Commission at the December meeting; Mr. Schreiber had given the developer's engineer a list of five matters that remain to be resolved.

Mr. Schreiber also mentioned that the contractor who installed the Meghan's Lane sanitary sewer line, along Route 8, had damaged a drainage pipe connection near Rainbower Gallery. He had asked the contractor to quote replacing part of the drainage line at the same time as they repaired the damaged connection to it. The contractor has returned a quote of $12,000 -- which Mr. Schreiber seemed to think was very excessive. This caused Mr. Goncy to cry out indignantly.

Finally, Mr. Schreiber reported that Karvo Paving had completed the crack sealing of Olde Eight Road (as required by their paving contract of last year); they must still do Boston Mills Road sometime this fall before they get paid. (Presumably there was a holdback from the original contract).

Councilor Jim Hudson asked Chief Varga to crack down on speeding construction workers entering and leaving the Meghan's Lane construction area (he lives nearby). He also asked that the police department try to clear up the Olde Eight traffic backups resulting from that construction.

Councilor Janet Miller asked Chief Varga whether any progress had been made in forming a "police auxiliary" for the Police Department, mirroring that of the Fire Department. The answer was, essentially, "no".

Mrs. Miller also mentioned the recent Marginal Road Stakeholder's Meeting, and a meeting with Hudson officials concerning growth in the Hudson School District. Mayor McFall and Councilor Goncy made a few remarks on both of those meetings. Of interest on the Route 8 project: ODOT is planning to close Twinsburg Road for two years, during Phase 1 construction (2007-8?), and is likely to replace the grass median in Boston Heights with a paved median and barrier wall during Phase 2. The Hudson meeting was merely organizational.

OLD BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS

Councilor Bill Goncy thanked all who worked on the recent successful effort to pass an income tax increase, singling out Kevin Lightner, chairman of the promotional committee.

Councilor Janet Miller asked the Village administration to consider reviving the Boston Heights Report newletter mailer, which had been cancelled during this year's financial difficulties. She offered her assistance on the project.

Mayor Ray McFall reminded everyone of the upcoming Village Santa Gift Delivery: Sunday, 12 December 2004 - packages to Village Hall by 10 December. (see our Village Calendar).

ADJOURN

Some documents are Public Domain Information from the Village of Boston Heights OH or other public entities.
Other materials Copyright 2001-2004 W.J.Hinkle and Boston Heights Overlook
Boston Heights Overlook and BostonHeights.Org are not affiliated with the Village of Boston Heights OH.

ORDINANCE Z-2004 [Adopted as Ordinance 25-2004]	AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 1301 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS AND ADOPTING THE INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE, 2000, AND THE MARCH, 2001, "SUPPLEMENT TO THE INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE" AS AN OFFICIAL STANDARD BUILDING CODE FOR THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. This seems to override last month's Ordinance 21-2004, which directly adopted the International Building Code of 2003. It was later pointed out that the Ohio Building Code had not yet incorporated IBC 2003; it was still citing IBC 2000/2001. The ordinance adopts IBC 2000/2001 "as adopted by the Ohio Board of Building Standards". It remains to be seen whether that means the same thing as adoption of the Ohio Building Code itself, which incorporates and modifies the IBC 2000/2001.
ORDINANCE AA-2004 [Adopted as Ordinance 26-2004]	AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 1309 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS AND ADOPTING THE INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CODE OF 2004 AS THE OFFICIAL STANDARD RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CODE FOR THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. This seems to override last month's Ordinance 20-2004, which directly adopted the International Residential Code of 2004. This version adopts that code "as adopted and modified by the Ohio Building Officials Assocation (OBOA)".
ORDINANCE BB-2004 [Adopted as Ordinance 27-2004]	AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE AS CHAPTER 1313 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. This supplements last month's Ordinance 23-2004, which repealed Chapter 1313 (the BOCA Maintenance Code) but did not put a new code in its place.
RESOLUTION MM-2004 [Adopted as Resolution 40-2004]	A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, 2004. There was no mention of who on Council, if anyone, had actually reviewed the various financial statements.
RESOLUTION NN-2004 [Adopted as Resolution 41-2004]	A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE SUMMIT COUNTY ENGINEER'S OFFICE COMPLETE THE PLANS FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE AKRON-CLEVELAND BRIDGE. Engineer Steve Schreiber had reported, last month, that no state funding was forthcoming for this project. At the recent Finance Committee meeting, he reported that the Summit County Engineer's office had backed out of its commitment to perform the engineering work for the rehabilitation of this bridge. This is the Akron-Cleveland Road bridge spanning the Bike-and-Hike Trail, just south of Route 303 (at Tequila Pancho's).
RESOLUTION OO-2004 [Adopted as Resolution 42-2004]	A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE APPROPRIATE OFFICIAL OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE SUMMIT COUNTY DUI TASK FORCE TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG RELATED CRASHES. From the audience, Police Chief Joe Varga reported that the Summit County DUI Task Force had already begun work. As he explained at the recent Finance Committee meeting, the task force would participate in occasional "sobriety checkpoints", and (if funds allowed) finance extended DUI enforcement in participating communities. Read: On Lookout..., Akron Beacon Journal article, 13 Oct 2004.
RESOLUTION PP-2004 [Adopted as Resolution 43-2004, as amended]	A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE POLICE CHIEF TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT FOR THE RENTAL OF CRUISERS TO OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND ESTABLISHING A ~~DAILY~~ HOURLY RATE FOR SAID RENTALS. From the audience, Police Chief Joe Varga explained that this would allow off-duty officers to rent the village's police cruisers when doing contract traffic control work. The ordinance establishes the rate at $6.00 per hour. An amendment corrected the language from "daily rate" to "hourly rate". Councilor Annette Miller asked how liability insurance would be handled; Chief Varga and Clerk-Treasurer Carol Zeman stated that the Village's usual liability insurance would continue to apply for this kind of use.
RESOLUTION QQ-2004 [Adopted as Resolution 44-2004]	A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CLERK-TREASURER TO ADVERTISE FOR QUOTES FOR TRASH REMOVAL FOR THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS. This idea has been languishing for over a year, until flogged back to life by Mrs. Jane Robinson. The Village will be seeking a preferred contract rate, for residents and for the Village Hall complex, from a single trash removal firm. However, residents will still contract privately for this service -- the Village is not going to pick up the tab, and the Village does not (currently!) plan to force residents to contract with the selected firm.