Welcome to the Village of Chagrin Falls, Chagrin Falls, Ohio, USA

VILLAGE OF CHAGRIN FALLS
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 01-11-10

The meeting of the Council of the Village of Chagrin Falls was called to order at 8:00 p.m. by Mr. Patton.

Member present: Evans, Jacobs, Lutz, Milko, Patton, Subel, Williams
Members absent: None.
Officials present: Mayor Brick, Bloom, Himes, Zugan, Byron, Brosius, Lannon

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Moved by Mr. Jacobs, seconded by Mr. Williams that the minutes of the meeting held October 26, 2009 be approved. Carried. Ayes: Evans, Jacobs, Lutz, Milko, Patton, Subel, Williams. Nays: None.

Moved by Mrs. Evans, seconded by Mr. Williams that the minutes of the meeting held November 9, 2009 be approved. Carried. Ayes: Evans, Jacobs, Lutz, Milko, Patton, Subel, Williams. Nays: None.

Moved by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mrs. Evans that the minutes of the special meeting held November 18, 2009 be approved. Carried. Ayes: Evans, Lutz, Milko, Patton, Williams. Abstain: Jacobs, Subel. Nays: None.

Moved by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mrs. Evans that the minutes of the meeting held December 14, 2009 be approved. Carried. Ayes: Evans, Jacobs, Lutz, Milko, Patton, Subel, Williams. Nays: None.

Moved by Mrs. Evans, seconded by Mr. Williams that the minutes of the organizational meeting held January 4, 2010 be approved. Carried. Ayes: Evans, Jacobs, Lutz, Milko, Patton, Subel, Williams. Nays: None.

REPORT OF THE MAYOR

Mayor Brick announced his appointments and reappointments to the following positions:

Lisa Fredrickson Re-appointment Architectural Review Board - 3-year term

Susan Harris White Re-appointment Board of Cemetery Trustees 6-year term

Michael Houston Re-appointment Planning and Zoning Commission 4-year term

Terry Rounds New appointment Shade Tree Commission - 3-year term

Anne deConingh Re-appointment Parks Commission - 3-year term

Steve Miller New appointment Parks Commission - 2-year term

Scott Lax Re-appointment Arts Commission - 3-year term

Rick Brown Re-appointment Parking Commission - 3-year term

Moved by Mrs. Evans, seconded by Mr. Subel to confirm Mayor Brick’s appointments. Carried. Ayes: Evans, Jacobs, Lutz, Milko, Patton, Subel, Williams. Nays: None.

Mayor Brick thanked all of the members of all of the boards and commissions for the hard work they do to maintain the fine quality of life that we are able to have in the Village. People work awfully hard on those different committees; as many of you do as well.

Mayor Brick reported that the 2009 deficit was more than a million dollars lower than their budgeted deficit. He said they do not have details on that; they will get the complete report within the next couple of weeks.

Mayor Brick mentioned that everyone should have received a modified copy of the accomplishments of 2009 and the 2010 priorities.

Mayor Brick announced that they met with a professional campaign advisory company regarding the police station situation. No decisions have been made yet but they have invited a representative of the campaign advisory company to be available at a meeting of the Committee of the Whole Council before their next meeting on January 25, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.

Mayor Brick reported that over the next three months they will be working with another student team from Case Western Reserve Weatherhead Business School. It will be on identifying the best municipal web-site practices.

Mayor Brick said earlier this evening he presented a proclamation to the 2009 Chagrin Falls High School football team. With the record they had, they really deserved it.

Mayor Brick introduced Paul Antonelli, a musician and composer, who expressed to Council his thoughts and experiences concerning the Village. He also explained why he wrote an album about the Village. In closing, he said he hopes that everyone finds their shangri-la.

REPORT OF THE FINANCE DIRECTOR

No report.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO SPEAK TO AGENDA ITEMS (NOT TO EXCEED TWO (2) MINUTES PER PERSON)

On behalf of Valerie Bertsch of 97 Williams Street, Ellen Hunt of 56 East Orange Street read a letter in opposition to the granting of the variances in Administrative Order No. 2010-01.

Kathy Watterson spoke in opposition to the granting of the variances in Administrative Order No. 2010-01. She asked that this be removed from the agenda tonight until such time that they have the minutes of the BZA meeting where this was discussed.

REPORT OF THE LAW DIRECTOR

FINAL ORDER OF COUNCIL AND CONCLUSIONS OF FACT
Mr. Williams introduced Administrative Order No. 2010-01 entitled:

FINAL ORDER OF COUNCIL AND CONCLUSIONS OF FACT REGARDING A VARIANCE REQUEST OF ROBERT J. VITT FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT PERMANENT PARCEL NO. 931-12-023.

Moved by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mrs. Lutz that the administrative order be adopted. There was no roll call. Mr. Williams explained the specifics of the variance requests. He said the BZA deliberated over this matter at their last meeting and testimony was taken from those who were in attendance. The BZA did unanimously approve the variance requests, four to nothing. They found that there is a practical difficulty with this particular lot because of the conditions that are on this lot, its proximity to the Village, and the uniqueness of the slope that is there. The BZA also found that the character of the neighborhood would not be negatively impacted. Their determination was that this would be an improvement to the Village. They found that the variances as requested would be a substantial improvement. One comment that was made was regarding the closeness of the development to the Bertsch household. A comment was made by one of the BZA members that it is typical for houses in the Village to be very, very close together and found that the request was very reasonable. Comments were heard and questions were answered. Mr. Patton said they will table this administrative order until they have received the minutes from the BZA meeting where this was heard.

FINAL ORDER OF COUNCIL AND CONCLUSIONS OF FACT
Mr. Williams introduced Administrative Order No. 2010-02 entitled:

FINAL ORDER OF COUNCIL AND CONCLUSIONS OF FACT REGARDING A VARIANCE REQUEST OF MR. AND MRS. DEGREEN FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 195 NORTH MAIN STREET.

Moved by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mrs. Evans that the administrative order be adopted. Carried. Ayes: Evans, Jacobs, Lutz, Milko, Patton, Subel, Williams. Nays: None. Mr. Williams explained the specifics of the variance requests. He said the BZA voted unanimously to approve the variance requests. They determined that the fact that they are improving this house is not only not a harm to the neighborhood, but an improvement to the neighborhood. Because of the nature of the house itself, they found that there was practical difficulty in rehabilitating and renovating this house as well. Ultimately, they determined that these variance requests were not substantial at all.

STREETS AND SIDEWALKS COMMITTEE

No report.

FACILITIES AND SERVICES COMMITTEE

No report.

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION

No report.

SAFETY COMMITTEE

No report.

UTILITIES COMMITTEE

No report.

BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS

No report.

ADMINISTRATION AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

No report.

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Mr. Patton acknowledged that Council did receive the monthly expenditure reports as well as the monthly statement of cash receipts and disbursements for December, 2009.

PARKS COMMISSION

Mrs. Lutz announced a meeting for Monday, January 25, 2010 at 8:30 a.m.

SHADE TREE COMMISSION

No report.

ARTS COMMISSION

Mr. Milko announced a meeting for Monday, February 1, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.

PARKING COMMISSION

No report.

REPORT OF THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

Mr. Himes reported that, weather permitting, Christmas trees will be picked up on Saturday, the sixteenth and the twenty-third.