Minutes of the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission

October 8, 2015

CALL TO ORDER
The meeting of the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission (CCPC) was called to order by Councilperson Simon with attendance as reported in Attachment A. Councilperson Simon welcomed Warrensville Heights Mayor Brad Sellers as the new Chagrin/Southeast representative.

MINUTES
On a motion by Councilperson Simon, seconded by Mayor Procuk, the minutes of the July 9, 2015 meeting were unanimously approved.

RESOLUTIONS
On a Motion by Councilperson Simon, seconded by Mayor Infeld, Resolution No: 151008-A, approving a Professional Planning Service with the City of Bay Village to prepare a Community Survey in the amount of $16,000.00, was unanimously approved.

On a Motion by Councilperson Simon, seconded by Councilperson Brown, Resolution No: 151008-B, approving the acceptance and expenditure of funding and the authorization to enter into contracts with the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) for a Transportation for Livable Communities Initiative grant for the Northfield-Warrensville center corridor project and to act as the Fiscal Agent, was unanimously approved with Mayor Sellers abstaining.

Mr. Collier joined the meeting.

On a Motion by Mayor Sellers, seconded by Mayor Byrne, Resolution No: 151008-C, approving an Agreement with the Cuyahoga County Department of Development for planning services, was unanimously approved.

On a Motion by Mayor Procuk, seconded by Trustee Lippus, Resolution No: 151008-D, approving an Agreement with the Cuyahoga County Department of Development to provide Professional Planning services in the preparation of Community Master Plans, was unanimously approved.

FISCAL REPORT
Ms. Karaffa gave a financial report on the status of the CCPC’s 2015 operating and the proposed 2016 Budget. Ms. Karaffa stated that the CCPC’s revenues are expected to exceed the 2015 outside revenue expectation. However, Ms. Karaffa stated that 2015 expenditures are expected exceed the original Council appropriations because of the salary and merit increases per the CCPC’s new compensation policy, the two percent (2%) COLA provided by the County Executive that the CCPC accepted and because there will be a 27th pay in 2015.

Ms. Karaffa pointed out that the $150,000.00 Council appropriation for the County-wide Housing study was not recognized as revenue by the Office of Budget and Management but as an expenditure under a contract.

Ms. Karaffa stated that County Planning expects to close out the 2015 budget below the original Council approved appropriation and that revenue collections have been increasing since 2012 and will are projected to increase in 2016.

Mr. Coyne noted that all County departments and agencies have been required to cut their operating budgets by ten percent (10%) for 2016; however, County Planning has requested that the projected outside revenue be used to offset the reduction. The 2016 proposed budget projects a twenty-five (25%) obligation from outside revenue and a smaller general fund subsidy.

Mr. Coyne explained that the agency was also asking for additional appropriations in 2016 to continue to implement its for salaries to recognize merit awards and existing and future COLAs. Mr. Coyne stated that additional funds are being requested in Contracts and Other Expenses to cover the upfront costs for professional planning services incurred for the communities. Mr. Coyne noted that the County Planning has provided feed back to OBM has not received a response. County Planning is scheduled for the budget hearing on October 23, 2015 with County Council.

SOLID WASTE DISTRICT REPORT
Ms. Diane Bickett reported on the Environmental Crimes Task Force and proposed recycling facility regulations. Ms. Bickett reported that the Solid Waste District had received good bids for the recycling and disposal consortium. Ms. Bickett reported that the scrap tire round-up is in full swing and a grant was obtained for a tire sweep in Cleveland.

A presentation on the County-Wide Recycling Awareness/Branding Campaign which was approved in the Solid Waste Management Plan was given by Ms. Bickett.

NEW BUSINESS
Councilperson Simon discussed the environmental problems associated with blue plastic bags and how the UK has attached a fee with plastic bags.

Mr. Coyne noted that the terms for the representatives from the City of Cleveland, the South Central Region, and South West Region would expire at the end of the year.

The meeting was adjourned and the next meeting on Thursday, December 10, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. was announced.

Attachment A

Cuyahoga County Planning Commission