TO:             City Council Members/Department/Division Heads

FROM:      Douglas L. Lewis, City Manager

SUBJECT: City Manager Update

 

 

CLEVELAND HOTEL PROJECT: Mr. Don Longwell, Esq. of Lighthouse Historic Development, Inc. informed me that they received confirmation from the Ohio Historic Preservation Office that the Cleveland Hotel was determined eligible to be placed on  national register for historic places.  As a result, he informed me that the closing would take place on or before September 1, 2005. Staff is currently working with them and Michael White of Property Investment Enterprises to address the need for additional parking spaces for the Cleveland Hotel. It is hopeful that the original agreement between the two investments groups can be worked out prior to the closing. If an agreement is not forthcoming, the City of Conneaut will have to pursue alternatives which may include eminent domain for economic re-development.   

 

 

REFUSE COLLECTION/RECYCLING SURVEY: Geneva City Manager Jim Pearson, North Kingsville Mayor Ron McVoy and I met to discuss contracting out for refuse collection and recycling services. This past week I was preparing a survey that will be sent to surrounding communities. The purpose of the survey is to determine what services are being offered to residents by Waste Management and the cost of services.  It is anticipated that the survey will be faxed out by the end of this week.   

 

 

BUDGET PREPARATION: A tentative 2006 budget schedule has been distributed to Department Directors. We are starting early this year in order to conduct a thorough review of the budget. In addition, we will be preparing and presenting a 5-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Budget review with the City Council is currently scheduled for the Work Session on October 17, 2005. 

 

 

SCENIC AND WILD RIVER: Mr. Samuel Speck, Director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, sent a legal notice stating ODNR’s intent to designate Conneaut Creek as State Wild and Scenic River, as well as a copy of the designation study. After designation, Conneaut will join only 11 other high quality streams in Ohio’s system of state scenic rivers. 

 

Comments and/or concerns on the Conneaut Creek Wild and Scenic River Designation Study are being accepted by the ODNR. If Councilmembers would like to review the document, please contact me and I will make sure you receive a copy. 

 

 

Credit for the pending designation must be given to Friends of the Conneaut Creek and Mr. Steve Roloson of the ODNR. It is anticipated that ODNR will hold a ceremony along Conneaut Creek once the designation has been finalized. We will keep you updated as more information becomes available.

 

WATER LEAK ON BROAD STREET: Mr. Harry Runnion, Water Superintendent, informed me on Monday, August 8, 2005, that there was a water leak on Broad Street.   Unfortunately, this required the Water Distribution Crew to make repairs on the newly paved roadway. 

 

RAILROAD TRACK CLOSINGS:  Norfolk & Southern contacted the City of Conneaut to inform us that they will be making repairs to the following rail grade crossings in Conneaut:  Buffalo Street, Harbor Street, Sandusky Street and Mill Street. The work is anticipated to begin on August 15^th and extend through the first week of September.  N&S plans to close one or two crossings at a time until the work is completed. We have asked them to work with us as Mill Street was originally scheduled to be closed the first week of school.   

 

 

WOODWORTH ROAD PUMP STATION:  There was a break-in at the Woodworth Road Pump Station on Thursday, July 27, 2005. Our fence and lock suffered some damage and the contractor working on the upgrade project had some tools stolen. The fence and building have been secured and a reward is being offered for prosecution of the individual/s.

 

This past week, the bore pit was dug for Woodworth Road. The actual boring will begin on Monday, August 8, 2005.

 

WWTP IMPROVEMENTS: The new digester cover was set into place this week and all went well. The contractors are installing the ballast weights after which they will begin the weld the cover plates on top.

 

CLINTON AVENUE: Storm sewer repairs were completed by the Public Works Department on Clinton Avenue. The final restoration of grass areas will be completed once the area has settled. This should take a few weeks, depending on the amount of rain that we get.

 

HARRINGTON POINT COMPLAINT: The Public Works Department investigated a drainage complaint on Harrington Point Drive. This street has been determined to be a private drive. Two neighbors expressed concerns about excessive drainage runoff created by the installation of a new driveway. They were advised that this is a private drive and a civil matter between the homeowners.

 

ASPHALT GRINDINGS:  At the request of Lukjan, asphalt grindings were installed at the intersection of Industry Drive and West Main Road. This will help eliminate rutting in the berm created from the trucks making the hard turn toward Lukjan Metals.

 

EMS GRANT: The Fire Department was notified this past week that they would be receiving a $1,000 EMS grant.  

 

PARRISH ROAD BOOSTER PUMP STATION IMPROVEMENTS: The Water Treatment Department has been meeting with CT Consultants regarding final details for the Parrish Road Booster Pump Station Improvements. Since it is a replacement and upgrade of equipment, EPA approval is not necessary. We anticipate putting the project out to bid by the end of August. 

 

OLD MAIN ROAD BOOSTER PUMP STATION:  Lightning hit the Old Main Road Pump Station on Tuesday, July 26, 2005, and knocked out two units in the PLC modem and the software to the station. All repairs have been made and the station is back to normal operation.

 

North Shore Pump and Equipment Company submitted a proposal of $7,792 to upgrade the pumps in the booster station. Since the amount is below the bidding threshold and the bidder is the local representative for the original manufacturer of the Old Main Road Booster Station, we are recommending the authorization to award the bid.

 

BACK UP PUMPS:  We are having problems with the two pumps that lift the backwash water to the backwash holding tank. During the filter backwash cycle, both pumps are needed to keep up with the flow of water during filter backwashing. The Water Treatment Plant is checking into the cost of a new pump to replace one of the existing pumps while it is being repaired. Once both existing pumps have been repaired and are back in service, we will place the new pump in storage to be used as a future back up pump.

 

 

DORMAN ROAD PROJECT:  The week of July 25, 2005, the inclement weather stopped some of the construction work at the Dorman Road Pump Station. The bore at Dorman Road went off course and was abandoned. As a result, Chiver’s Construction decided to contract out the next bore.

 

We are glad to report that the bore under the tracks on Dorman Road was completed.  The contractor is in the process of making a temporary tie-in for the forced main at Dorman Road. This will enable them to start digging in order to install the new waterline.

 

VALLEY STREET PROJECT:  The water line replacement on Valley Street is complete and the restoration work is 90% complete. All the road cuts have been patched with cold mix and the ditches were cleaned up to handle storm water runoff. Topsoil and grass seed will be put down in this area as weather permits – preferably rain.

 

DETECTIVE ASSIGNMENT:  Effective August 13, 2005, Officer Matthew Fetters will be appointed as a Detective for the Conneaut Police Department. Congratulations to soon to be Detective Fetters. 

 

POLICE CALLS/CITATIONS/ARRESTS:  During the week of July 21 through July 28, the Police Department logged 502 service calls and logged 76 arrests/citations.  Included in these numbers were 19 speeding violations, eight overweight vehicles, 14 alarm calls, 12 animal calls, 12 accidents, 11 disturbance calls, 11 domestic situations, nine juvenile complaints and five narcotics violations.  In addition, there were 21 registration checks, 12 thefts, 81 traffic stops and 10 traffic violations.

 

POLICE CALLS/CITATIONS/ARRESTS: During the week of July 29 through August 4, the Police Department logged 596 service calls and logged 87 arrests/citations. Included in these numbers were 42 speeding violations, 8 overweight vehicles, 7 alarm calls, 13 animal calls, 6 accidents, 9 disturbance calls, 4 domestic situations, 7 junk vehicle complaints, 6 juvenile complaints, 6 narcotics violations and 5 ATV/dirt bike complaints.  In addition, there were 79 registration checks, 17 thefts, 152 traffic stops, 5 traffic violations and 3 operating under the influence.

 

PREDATORY LENDING:  Ms. Linda Eager of Don Eager & Associates will be attending the City Council meeting on August 22, 2005 to present information on predatory lending. Given the requests for subordination through the C.H.I.P Program, it is evident that some lenders are inflating property values to make the loans.  As a result, we will be examining and make a recommendation with regards to continuation of the subordination program.   

 

 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

 

NIMS TRAINING:  August 8, 2005 at 12:00 – 3:30 PM. at Millennium Corporation location at 2870 Middle Road in Ashtabula Township. The training is a requirement for all employees in order to receive future federal funding.

 

CONNEAUT APPRECIATION DAYS:  August 3^rd – 14^th, 2005.  Contact the Conneaut Chamber of Commerce for more information.

             

SENIORS TOGETHER LUNCHEON:  Wednesday, August 10, 2005 at 11:30 a.m. at the CHRC.  

 

TREE COMMISSION AWARDS CEREMONY:  Saturday, August 13, 2005 at 4:00 p.m. at Malek Park. 

 

RIBBON CUTTING:  August 17, 2005 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) at Kid’s Only Early Learning Center, 660 Clinton Avenue in the Lakeview United Methodist Church.

 

EMPLOYEE PICNIC:  August 19, 2005 from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Township Park, Lower Pavilion.

 

C.A.M.A. BLOCK PARTY: August 20, 2005 from 4:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Dean Avenue Park. Conneaut Area Ministerial Association is sponsoring games, dunking booth, food, music and fun for the whole family. The entire community is invited to join and there is no charge. 

 

D-DAY EVENT:  September 17, 2005 at 12:00 and 4:00 p.m. at Conneaut Township Park

 

BEST OF THE COUNTY AWARDS DINNER – GROWTH PARTNERSHIP:  Tuesday, September 20, 2005 at 5:30 PM. If you plan on attending, please RSVP to Ms. Pat Beckwith in the City Manager’s Office.