MINUTES OF THE CUYAHOGA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION

JUNE 13, 2019

CALL TO ORDER
The meeting of the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission (County Planning) was called to order by Chair Kenneth Surratt and the roll call showed a quorum was present.

MINUTES
On a motion by Mayor Bobst, seconded by Mayor Brennan, the minutes of the May 9, 2019 meeting were duly adopted by unanimous vote with Councilperson Simon abstaining.

RESOLUTIONS
On a motion by Mayor Bobst, seconded by Mayor Gammella, Resolution 190613-A, approval of Susan Infeld as Interim Executive Director with all authorities and duties of an Executive Director as of January 28, 2019 until the selection of a new Executive Director, was passed with a unanimous vote. County Planning’s bylaws are vague and will need to be reviewed and updated for succession planning in the future.

Mayor Sellers arrived at 2:22 p.m.

On a motion by Mayor Bobst, seconded by Councilperson Brown, Resolution 190613-B, approval of an Administrative Services Agreement with the District One Public Works Integrating Committee (DOPWIC) Program Year 2020 was passed. The DOPWIC approved the Administrative Services Agreement on Thursday, May 16, 2019 naming County Planning as the program administrator for District One-Cuyahoga County. This not-to-exceed contract of $65,000 is a primary source of outside revenue for County Planning. There was a discussion on the fairness of the methodology for scoring points to award money for projects. It was explained that County Planning’s role is to administer the program – making communities aware of the program, assisting in the application process by offering workshops, and staffing one member among a team of engineers that evaluate the projects for funding. The methodology for scoring projects is not decided by County Planning but rather the DOPWIC who reviews and revises the program as necessary. In consideration of the methodology for scoring projects for funding, the DOPWIC adheres to the rules of the Ohio Revised Code in order to make changes and evaluate the weighted score of each category. After much discussion, Mayors dissatisfied with the methodology were advised to advocate their concerns to the DOPWIC governing body for support of their projects and for the greater good of the entire county.  Motion passed with six (6) approvals and two (2) no votes, Mayor Brennan and Mayor Gammella.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Ms. Susan Infeld, Interim Executive Director, introduced interns Mr. Marcus Strong and Ms. Laura Mendez Ortiz.  Jerad Zibritosky, the representative from the Cuyahoga County Law Department assigned to the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission, introduced Stefanie Deka as his replacement. Ms. Infeld gave an update on the Community Planning Grant applications that were due on June 7^th – County Planning received sixteen (16) applications for a variety of different scopes of work. County Planning has also been working closely with the County Department of Sustainability on the Climate Change Action Plan. An outgrowth of that plan is a proposed grant to promote a healthy urban tree canopy for Cuyahoga County with the financial support and approval of the Cuyahoga County Council for the project.

CHAIR’S REPORT
Mr. Surratt announced that he will be taking a new job at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland and his last day will be June 26^th, 2019.  The County Executive is considering a replacement prior to the next meeting. County Planning’s bylaws, being vague on succession, may necessitate a vote for the vacant Chair position at the next meeting. Vice-Chair Sunny Simon will chair the next meeting and will work with the Law Department for guidance on procedures before the next meeting.

OLD BUSINESS
No Old Business

NEW BUSINESS
A motion was made by Councilperson Simon, seconded by Mayor Sellers, to move into executive session to discuss the hiring of a new Executive Director. Roll call was taken and all voted unanimously.

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
No Comments from the Public

ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Mayor Brennan to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Councilperson Brown. All voted unanimously.

The next meeting to be held will be August 8, 2019.

CUYAHOGA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION

JUNE 13, 2019 MEETING ATTENDANCE