TO:              City Council Members/Department/Division Head

FROM:        Douglas L. Lewis, City Manager

SUBJECT:  City Manager Update

Ashtabula County Mayors/Managers Meeting: As part of the initiative for Voices and Choices, the Ashtabula County Mayors Caucus (Andover, Geneva-on-the-Lake, Jefferson, North Kingsville, Orwell, Roaming Shores, Rock Creek) invited the Ashtabula County City Managers (Ashtabula, Conneaut, Geneva) to join them at their regularly scheduled meeting this past week. The purpose of the meeting was to identify and take action on issues of mutual concern. During the meeting, we talked about various issues surrounding electric service to our communities and constituents. The meeting was very informative and we will be meeting on a monthly basis to share information and discuss additional issues of mutual concern.        

CRA Application for Cleveland Hotel Project: Staff will be meeting with Superintendent Zappitelli, Dr. Brockway and the developers of the Cleveland Hotel on Thursday, March 16, 2006. When we met on March 2, 2006, there were some unanswered questions that the developer needed to address. 

The developers of the Cleveland Hotel are anxious to get started with the demolition and renovation. For this reason, we will be requesting approval of the CRA at the Monday, March 27, 2006, Council Meeting. Work is expected to begin in early April, 2006. 

If the Conneaut City Council or residents are interested in touring one of the developer’s recent projects in Loraine, please contact the City Manager’s Office so that we can reserve a seat on the bus. The bus trip to the “Gardens of Charleston” has been scheduled for Saturday, March 18, 2006.     

State Route 7 Limited Access: Staff is continuing to work with ODOT District 4 regarding the request to break the Limited Access along State Route 7 at Interstate 90. In fact, Councilmember Chris Castrilla and State Representative Distel will be meeting with Gordon Proctor, Director of the Ohio Department of Transportation, and Mohammad Darwish, Deputy Director of ODOT District 4,  on Tuesday, March 14, 2006. 

Thanks Wastewater Department: Late last month, the Wastewater Treatment Department did some camera work on Maple Avenue by CW Ohio and Foseco  They found four (4) spots where the sewers needed to be repaired. The line was shallow enough that the crew was able to do the work themselves – thus saving a considerable amount of money for other repairs. The Wastewater Department did an excellent job and I want to thank them for their willingness to work on Saturday in order to make repairs in front of CW Ohio’s docks. 

Working Under Pressure: In light of the water emergency last week, I want to thank the Water Department for their reaction when the water intake crib froze over with ice. Mr. Harry Runnion, Water Superintendent, and staff acted in a professional and swift manner to resolve the problem. While the general public does not always see what was required to divert a crisis, the Water Department was well prepared. 

In addition to the Water Department, I want to thank staff at City Hall for setting up a call center to answer questions and notify heavy water users of the conservation order, the Fire Department for providing the air boat, the Ashtabula County Emergency Management Agency for activating the emergency call-out system (otherwise referred to as Reverse 911), the divers from Underwater Services, Superintendent Zappitelli and the Conneaut School District for closing early, and LECI and the many industries and residents who conserved water.    

Open House at UHHS Brown Memorial: On Sunday, March 12^th, I attended the UHHS Brown Memorial Hospital Open House. During the Open House, attendees were given a tour of the hospital. Some areas of particular interest included the CT and Nuclear Imaging Cameras.  It was interesting to learn that Brown Memorial has the most advanced Nuclear Imaging Cameras in NE Ohio. In my opinion, the most interesting area was The Ohio Bone & Joint Institute with Dr. Seeds. It was amazing to learn the types of surgeries being performed and the technological capabilities we have at Brown Memorial Hospital.  We are very lucky to have Brown Memorial within our community and I am encouraged by the new President, Ms. Laurie Delgado. 

New Conneaut Community Guide: Gazette Newspaper Publications has published the 2006 Conneaut Community Guide. The Community Guide is available throughout the community and provides excellent information on our City. A copy of the Conneaut Community Guide 2006 has been placed in each of your mailboxes at City Hall.    

2006 Street Improvement Program:  Due to the construction of the Parrish Road Rail Grade Separation Project, it will be necessary to postpone the milling and resurfacing of Maple Avenue from Brown Avenue to Center Street. As part of the ODOT project, they will be replacing approximately 2,100 feet of storm sewers on Maple Avenue. As a result, it does not make sense to pave the road and have it torn up when ODOT replaces the storm sewer. Maple Avenue will be paved in 2007. Staff will be presenting any revisions to the 2006 Street Improvement Program.     

East Conneaut Industrial Park:  After reviewing a number of proposals, the City of Conneaut selected CT Consultants to engineer the infrastructure improvements at the East Conneaut Industrial Park.  The improvements will include the installation of water and sanitary sewer, curbs and roadway, storm sewers and gutters, and lighting. 

MARK YOU CALENDARS – IMPORTANT DATES:

Precision Manufacturing Institute (PMI): Thursday, March 16, 2006 at 8:30 a.m. It is not too late for local industries in Ashtabula County to join us for the tour of PMI. Interested parties and the City Council should contact the City Manager’s Office to reserve a seat on the bus.

Bus Tour – Gardens of Charleston:  Saturday, March 18, 2006 at 10:00 a.m.  For more information, contact Nova Star Reality.

Voice and Choices Community Conversation: Thursday, March 23, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at the Conneaut Human Resources Center. The purpose of the meeting is to identify and present potential solutions on what we can do as a community to help strengthen the region. 

Ward II Community Meeting – Councilmember Joan Norton:  Saturday, March 25, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. at Fire Station #3.

Drug Free Workplace Training:  April 5, 6, or 7 at the Conneaut Human Resources Center.  Please contact Ms. Pat Beckwith in the City Manager’s Office for times the training will be offered.   

UHHS Brown Memorial Hospital Health and Safety Fair:  Saturday, April 1^st at the Conneaut Middle School from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Thank God it’s Friday:   City Offices Closed for Good Friday, April 14, 2006. 

Conneaut Area Chamber of Commerce 2006 Business Expo:  April 25, 2006 from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Conneaut Human Resources Center. The Chamber of Commerce is currently signing up businesses who are interested in participating. The City of Conneaut will be sharing two booths at the Business Expo (Police, Fire and Administration).