At City Council on June 18, 2008

(as reported by Richard Leskovec)

City Rezones House Next to City Hall

 At a public hearing on June 21, 2008 City Council passed a resolution rezoning the adjacent residential property (owned by the City) at 28150 Shaker Boulevard.  The City Charter requires all rezoning to be approved by the voters.  Accordingly, the City plans to put this issue on the November ballot.  

Snowberry Lane Re-Paving 

The road surface of Snowberry Lane is to be completely rebuilt (cost: $693,300).  The new road will be concrete, which is unusual (perhaps the first time in the City’s history) in that the concrete bid was lower than asphalt (by about $55,000).  Other roadway resolutions included road striping and resurfacing.

Good Fiscal News: Revenues Up, Expenses Down

Finance Director, Prashant Shah, reported that for 2008 year-to-date (end May) versus 2007 General Fund Revenues increased $0.80 million (to $5.55 million from $4.75 million), primarily as a result of larger ($0.68 million) estate tax revenues ($2.35 million versus $1.67 million).  General Fund Expenditures decreased slightly (to $4.66 million from $4.86 million).  Long Term Debt, which peaked in 2006 at $12.4 million, now stands at about $11.1 million.  Of the total debt, about $8.5 million are Special Assessment Obligations (Special Assessment Obligations, such as sewer projects, are paid off by additional real estate taxes of the specific residents who benefit).  However, since the City guarantees these bonds they are considered debt of the City.  Mr. Shah also presented various scenarios of the cost of borrowing, and the repayment thereof, should the City elect to borrow funds to build a new police station.

Oil & Gas Wells Not Governed by Home Rule

 Mayor Akers indicated that seven mayors, along with their legal/legislative advisors met with representatives of ODNR (Ohio Department of Natural Resources) to discuss recent problems with gas well drilling.  There appears to be no hope for changes in the law stripping local communities of home rule governing gas well drilling and safety.  However, there is some hope for the legislation to be revised to include tighter safety standards.

Fiscal Caution: Some Expenditures Postponed

In light of the deteriorating economic outlook and the need to maintain its infrastructure and services, the City is looking to defer a number of items.  These include a proposed recreational path on New Brainard, proposed weather sirens, and permanent rest rooms for the City Park.  Also, replacement of police cruisers will be extended to four years from three, as will a number of other such “stretch-outs”.