Minutes of the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission/Solid Waste Policy Committee
December 8, 2005
ATTENDANCE
Attachment A lists the attendance at this meeting, at which the following matters were
discussed.
MINUTES
On a motion by Mayor Blomquist, seconded by Mayor Patton, the minutes of the October 21, 2005
meeting were approved.
RESOLUTIONS
On a motion by Mr. Shannon, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Resolution No. 051208-A, personnel actions,
was unanimously approved.
On a motion by Mayor Blomquist, seconded by Mayor Eileen Patton, Resolution No. 051208-B, authorizing a contract with the City of Bedford Heights for a fiscal analysis of the former Mr. Coffee site, was unanimously approved.
On a motion by Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mayor Blomquist, Resolution No. 051208-C, approving a facilities agreement with the Senior Transportation Connection of Cuyahoga County, was unanimously approved.
On a motion by Mayor Blomquist, seconded by Mayor Eileen Patton, Resolution No. 051208-D, a resolution of appreciation to Mr. Chris Ronayne, was unanimously approved.
COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL ISSUES
Mr. Alsenas announced that the staff would provide a year-end review of the five major
initiatives that were identified at the beginning of the year.
Solid Waste Plan Update - Mr. Pat Holland reported that the District had received 18-pages of comments on the draft Solid Waste Plan update from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA). Mr. Holland stated that there was only one key deficiency that the OEPA found which dealt with the budget. Mr. Holland explained that the District provided a 15-year plan based on increasing the disposal fee from $1.00 a ton to $1.50 a ton. However, the OEPA is concerned that when extended out 15 years, the revenue will start to fall short in the 13th year.
Mr. Holland stated that the remedy is not to raise the fee, but to trim expenses to meet the revenue stream as the plan is implemented. He added that during the implementation of this 15-year plan there will be two updates which can include a remedy.
Mr. Holland stated that the remaining comments were more technical in nature. He used two issues as examples. First, the OEPA is concerned about the definition of "metal" which is included in the commercial or residential waste stream recycling survey but may be industrial waste, which is not counted. Second, the District must address the lack of curbside recycling in Cleveland. However, Mr. Holland stated that the District doesn't have the authority to mandate Cleveland to do anything. Mr. Holland stated that he has contacted the city to set up a committee with district, city administration and council representatives to discuss how to implement such a program.
Senior Transportation - Claire Kilbane reported on the actions taken by the CPC to implement the strategic plan for senior transportation. Ms. Kilbane reported that a non-profit corporation, the Senior Transportation Connection of Cuyahoga County (STC) was established, a Board of Directors was appointed and that the Board had met 3 times to start implementing the components of the strategic plan. In addition, Mr. Don Copeland was hired as the Interim Executive Director, a senior transportation website was developed, a 1-800 number was established and an interim call center, with a state-of-the-art dispatch and scheduling program obtained through RTA was up and working and helping coordinate trips. In addition, the program had successfully obtain funding from the U.S. Congress ($800,000) and $144,000 from the Ohio Department of Transportation.
Cuyahoga Valley Initiative - Carol Thaler provided an update on the various projects that were being worked on through the Initiative:
Towpath Trail - The County was awarded approximately $6 million from the federal highway bill for the engineering, design and construction of the Trail from Harvard Avenue to Canal Basin Park. The Cuyahoga County Engineer will begin design, engineering and environmental review in 2006. The goal is to have construction begin in 2008.
Whiskey Island - The BOCC purchased the property and working with former owner Dan Moore, established Wendy Park.
Regeneration Zone - This targeted area located in the Cuyahoga Valley is the subject of a study by the Rocky Mountain Institute with funds awarded by the Joyce Foundation. The Institute is working with property owners in the Zone regarding stormwater management, industrial clean-up, land assembly and river water quality issues.
Green Bulkheads - This area is the recipient of a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Energy and Water Development Appropriation Bill to implement three different prototypes of a green bulkhead in the Cuyahoga River navigation channel. Many of the bulkheads in the river need to be replaced and the implementation of green bulkheads will provide environmental and economic benefits. Green bulkheads improve water quality and fish habitats; they provide a rest area for young fish as they make their way up the river to spawn in Lake Erie. In addition, the design and implementation of a successful prototype in the county will provide a business opportunity to sell the technology to other port cities.
In terms of the CVI project, Ms. Thaler reported that the CPC staff had provided dozens of tours to a variety of groups and that the CPC had applied for a $500,000 grant from the Gund Foundation to develop an organization to implement the CVI projects.
Innerbelt - Mr. Alsenas reported that the staff was still working on maximizing leverage for the valley and the core area of Cleveland through the Innerbelt study by proposing different engineering design concepts. However, ODOT has announced their preferred alternative for the Innerbelt even though other organizations have serious concerns about the proposal.
Port Study - Chris Alvarado reported on the status of the maritime study that is centered on the Port of Cleveland but encompasses the maritime activities throughout the Cleveland Lakefront and the Cuyahoga River. The CPC is managing the study on behalf of the BOCC which has provided $100,000 for the study. Mr. Alvarado reported that the CPC issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and that five outstanding firms applied, possibly the best teams from around the country.
The BOCC is interested in this study because of the port's location, the competing interests for access to the Lakefront and Riverfront, the port's ties to the transportation network and its affects on people, neighborhoods and the environment.
Mr. Alvarado stated that it will take approximately one year to complete the study and that additional funding may have to be pursued.
Commissioner Dimora presented Resolution 051208-D to Mr. Chris Ronayne in appreciation for his services to the CPC as both a staff member and a Commission member.
Commissioner Dimora adjourned the meeting.
Attachment A
Cuyahoga County Planning Commission/Solid Waste Policy Committee
OCTOBER 21, 2005 ATTENDANCE RECORD
| Member | Present |
|---|---|
| Ms. Virginia Aveni | Yes |
| Mayor Robert Blomquist | Yes |
| Mr. Robert Brown for Mayor Campbell | Yes |
| Commissioner Jimmy Dimora | Yes |
| Mayor Merle Gorden | Yes |
| Commissioner Timothy Hagan | Yes - represented by Marvin Hayes |
| Mayor Jerry Hruby | No |
| Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones | Yes - represented by Hugh Shannon |
| Mr. Jack Licate | Yes |
| Mayor Thomas Longo | Yes |
| Mayor Eileen Patton | Yes |
| Mayor Kenneth Patton | No |
| Mayor Judith Rawson | Yes |
| Others: Paul Alsenas, John DeMuth, Ed Hauser, Kristin Hopkins, Patrick Holland, Claire Kilbane, Marionette Richardson | |
