11/12/2009 - West Side Leader
     

Cuyahoga Falls City Council is seeking to strengthen the city’s sanitation division by addressing vehicle issues and making available funds to pay for numerous city improvement projects.

During the Nov. 9 meeting, Council authorized Falls Service Director Valerie Wax Carr to enter into a contract for the preventive maintenance and repair service for several specialized vehicles and equipment used by the sanitation division. In addition, new legislation was introduced that would allow for the purchases of one international cab and chassis and a 2008 Curbtender demonstrator, both for use by the sanitation division.

Also during the meeting, Council approved five ordinances providing for the issuance and sale of notes in anticipation of the issuance of bonds. According to the ordinances, the sale of $700,000 of notes is to pay for the work at Falls River Square, a festival site including an amphitheater, pavilion, outdoor ice skating area and water foundation; $150,000 of notes is for the State Road improvements from the south corporation line to Portage Trail; and $1 million of notes is for the improvements at the city’s Brookledge Golf Course.

Council is selling $500,000 of notes for the improvement work on Front Street, from state Route 8 to Oak Park Boulevard; Hudson Drive from Front Street to state Route 8; and Bailey Road, in and around its intersection with Front Street, according to the ordinance.

The fifth ordinance approved by Council provides for the issuance and sale of notes in the maximum principal amount of $11 million in anticipation of the issuance of bonds for the purpose of paying a portion of the costs of the community recreation center construction.

At the Nov. 9 meeting, Council also adopted ordinances allowing for the purchase of fitness equipment for the Natatorium Recreation and Wellness Center and the purchase of a New Holland backhoe.

Council additionally adopted ordinances authorizing contracts for the replacement of a waterline on Tudor Street, from Highland to Stuart avenues; the replacement of storm and sanitary sewers on 11th, 12th and 13th streets and Jefferson, Phelps and Leavitt avenues, near Oak Park; and for repairs to the Green parking deck.

At the close of meeting, Council excused the absence of Councilman Terry Mader (R-Ward 8) and scheduled committee meetings, including a meeting of the Public Affairs Committee to discuss creating a resolution to congratulate St. Joseph School, 1909 Third St., for being recognized recently as a Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. According to that department’s Web site, the Blue Ribbon Schools program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools that are either academically superior or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement to high levels. In addition to being honored at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., where each school receives a plaque and flag signifying their status, these schools serve as models for other schools throughout the nation, the site stated.

In other city news:

• Council held a special meeting Nov. 2 to vote on a cost-saving measure that Falls Finance Director Joe Brodzinksi said would address about $1.5 million of the nearly $3 million he is projecting the general fund to be short next year.

The ordinance, unanimously approved by Council, requires nonunion employees to take six unpaid furlough days in 2010. In addition, the ordinance puts an end to the vacation time and sickday sell-back programs, halts a 2.25 percent cost-of-living increase for nonunion employees next year and cuts their pay up to 2.3 percent in 2010.

Mayor Don Robart has said this ordinance also affects him, City Council and the Council clerk. The city currently is asking the unions to take the same steps to save the city financially during this tough economic time, Robart has said.

• Wax Carr announced last week the annual leaf pickup program is under way, but due to the weight and increased volume in leaves this year, the leaf crews may run 24 to 48 hours behind schedule. Residents are asked to rake their leaves to the curb on their scheduled pickup day, as crews are working to stay on track, she said. The city also is continuing bulk routes this year, which means crews first will make a pass and pick up the bulk of the leaves and then return on the scheduled pickup day or shortly thereafter to collect the remainder of the leaves. For more details, visit the city’s Web site at www.cityofcf.com.

City Council will gather for committee meetings Nov. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Cuyahoga Falls Natatorium, 2345 Fourth St., and for a regular meeting Nov. 23 at 6:30 p.m., also at the Natatorium.

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