MINUTES OF THE CUYAHOGA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING

August 13, 2020

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cuyahoga County Administration Building was closed for public meetings at the time of the meeting. As a result, this meeting was conducted remotely in accordance with State of Ohio HB 197. Interested persons could access the meeting via livestream by using the following link:

https://youtu.be/IYhVGD9DuBw
No emails were received for public comment.

CALL TO ORDER
The meeting of the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission (County Planning) was called to order by Mr. Michael Dever at 2:00 p.m. and the roll call showed a quorum was present.

MINUTES
On a motion by Mayor Gammella, seconded by Mayor Bobst, the minutes for June 11, 2020, were duly adopted by unanimous vote.

On a motion by Mayor Brennan, seconded by Councilperson Simon, the minutes for June 24, 2020, were duly adopted by unanimous vote.

Mayor Sellers joined the meeting.

OLD BUSINESS
No old business.

NEW BUSINESS

Resolution No. 200813-A
Extending the Original Agreement term and expanding the scope of services to allow County Planning to utilize the services of the Consultant, Ms. Meghan Chaney, AICP, in supplementing other planning and technical services.

Mr. Hewitt explained that the original Agreement was signed October 1^st, 2016 for a one-year not-to-exceed amount of $24,000 and the Agreement has been amended annually to add funds and extend the term. Past work has solely been related to administering subdivision regulation in Olmsted Township.  This is the Fourth Amendment and extends the term of the contract for an addition year to September 30, 2021 and expands the scope of work to areas beyond Olmsted Township; there is no financial impact to County Planning as a result of this extension and change in the Scope of Services. Councilperson Simon asked about full time employment in the future, Mr. Hewitt explained that Ms. Chaney had been a full-time employee for a number of years and was hired back as an independent contractor due to her expertise with Olmsted Township to assist with zoning and subdivision work. County Planning is open to hiring Ms. Chaney on either a part-time or full-time basis but due to the recent County Budget Reductions no additional staff is being hired. Councilperson Simon asked that the hiring question be brought up to Ms. Chaney and then the budget can be reexamined if there is a desire for her to come back. Mr. Dever agreed that Ms. Chaney’s work has been invaluable when working with the Department of Public Works on subdivisions for Olmsted Township. Mr. Hewitt is not sure if Ms. Chaney can return during this current pandemic but will continue the conversation with her. Mayor Brennan asked if there would be any issues with hiring Ms. Chaney in the current contract, Ms. Fisco reviewed the contract and the termination clause would allow the contract to be terminated allowing Ms. Chaney to be hired in the future.  Mayor Bobst had a question as to the review of the independent contractor definition and that Ms. Chaney meets the definition requirements. Ms. Fisco recommends a thorough review of the work Ms. Chaney would perform and the definition of independent contractor. Mr. Dever asked for a report in the future if Ms. Chaney would be willing to return to work as an employee.

On a motion by Mr. Dever, seconded by Councilperson Brown, the fourth amendment extending the Original Agreement term and expanding the scope of services to allow County Planning to utilize the services of the Consultant, Ms. Meghan Chaney, AICP, in supplementing other planning and technical services, was duly adopted by unanimous vote.

Resolution No. 200813-B
Approving the Program Cost Agreement with the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) acting on behalf of the District One Natural Resources Assistance Council (NRAC) for Program Year 2021.

Ms. Ball spoke about the Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program which provides funding for projects that preserve open spaces, sensitive ecological areas, and stream corridors, a program run through the Ohio Public Works Commission. Since 2015, the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission has administered the program on behalf of OPWC and NRAC for $15,000. The Cuyahoga County Planning Commission will administer an allocation of $3.3 million for Program Year 2021 to eligible projects. OPWC has signed the Program Cost Agreement and the NRAC approved the Administrative Services Agreement, Exhibit 1, on July 29, 2020. Work will include coordination of meetings, development of application materials, project evaluation and selection, and assistance to applicants. The contract is for a one-year term beginning July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021 for $15,000. Upon approval, Interim Executive Director will execute the agreement. Ms. Fisco noted that the contract has an updated OPWC control number of CAOZZ.

 On a motion by Mr. Dever, seconded by Mayor Sellers, the contract approving the Program Cost Agreement with the Ohio Public Works Commission acting on behalf of the District One Natural Resources Assistance Council for Program Year 2021 (amended to correct the agreement control number CAOZZ), was duly adopted by unanimous vote.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Mr. Hewitt reported on the following:

Our Communities: The 2020 Data Book
First in an annual series of data books giving insights into the communities that comprise Cuyahoga County. The purpose of the data book is to assist communities in understanding their metrics and provide recent data in an accessible format, and to be updated regularly.

The report includes 36 metrics across five topic areas:

• Demographics
• Economy
• Housing
• Land Use
• Transportation

Data available in six geographies:

• State of Ohio
• Cleveland Metropolitan Area
• Cuyahoga County
• Cuyahoga Communities
• Inner Ring Suburbs
• Outer Ring Suburbs

It is available for download with an online version forthcoming:

www.CountyPlanning.us/Databook

Councilperson Simon agreed with Mr. Dever that the 2020 Data Book is a great document and she asked how the information was being distributed. Mr. Hewitt answered that an email went out to all Mayors, City Managers and Administrators throughout the County. Cuyahoga County Communications put out a press release through the Executive, and social media and County Planning website.   Council-person Simon stated that County Council would have been interested in a press release and being informed about the 2020 Data Book. Mr. Dever and Mr. Hewitt can work with communications to make sure the Council and their Districts are notified. Mr. Hewitt stated that the press roll out continues, and he wanted to present at this meeting to make all aware. Mayor Bobst commented that she presented the Data Book to Westshore Mayors, and that she finds it helpful that external sources were provided which can be helpful for municipal decision-making.

Community Planning Grant Awards
Applications for the 2020 Round of the Community Planning Grants Program were due at 4:00pm on June 30, 2020 and County Planning received 15 eligible applications. A total of $250,000 in grant funding will be awarded:  $150,000 available from County Council and the County Executive and an additional $100,000 available through in-kind work from County Planning.  There were four successful applications awarded in this round:

• Brookpark Road Corridor Plan
  (Cities of Brooklyn and Parma, Old Brooklyn CDC)
• Garfield Heights Master Plan
• Maple Heights Zoning Map and Broadway Corridor Zoning Update
• Rocky River Development Code Phase 3
  (Partial Award)

Scoping and contracts/MOUs are forthcoming.

Subdivision Regulations were approved by Cuyahoga County Council Public Works Committee on Wednesday, July 29 and are scheduled to go before the Administrative Rules Board on Tuesday, August 18 then will continue back to County Council for third and final reading on Tuesday, September 15, 2020.

Wetland Mitigation research and outreach has continued regarding wetland mitigation efforts in Cuyahoga County. Meetings were held with The Nature Conservancy, Western Reserve Land Conservancy, West Creek Conservancy, and NEORSD and technical teams continue to meet on wetland mapping.

Remote Operation, with the County Administration Building reopening, the County Planning offices have reopened with a very limited staff presence. Public, Steering Committee, and Project Team meetings continue to be held virtually and County Planning has continued to refine its virtual toolkit for meetings.

Parma Garage Zoning, County Planning has been contacted by the City of Parma with a small zoning research request for appropriate garage standards to update its zoning code.

State & US Bike Route System is coming to Ohio, ODOT is undertaking an effort to establish a State and US Bike Route System that includes Cuyahoga County. County Planning has worked with ODOT to align official routes with current trail planning. Communities with a route are being asked to pass a resolution of support and that would allow them to get signage.

Census 2020, self-response is still open and available. Field operations are getting underway, but field time has been reduced and advertising and outreach is ongoing.

DOPWIC, contract to be introduced at the next meeting in September, 2020.

Lakefront Public Access Plan, contract is to be introduced at the next meeting in September, 2020 and is a joint effort between Department of Public Works and County Planning. A vendor from the competitive RFQ process has been selected and a scope of work and contract are being compiled for review and approval by the Commission.

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
No comments from the public.

ADJOURNMENT

On a motion by Mr. Dever, seconded by Mayor Procuk, the meeting was adjourned with unanimous vote.

Next Scheduled Meeting: Thursday, September 10, 2020

CUYAHOGA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION

MEETING ATTENDANCE
August 13, 2020