Minutes of the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission/Solid Waste Policy Committee
November 8, 2007
ATTENDANCE
Attachment A lists the attendance at this meeting, at which the following matters were discussed.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mr. Patrick Smock, alternate for Commissioner Dimora,
chair of the Planning Commission and Solid Waste Policy Committee.
MINUTES
On a motion by Mayor Gorden, seconded by Mayor Kelley, the minutes of the September 19, 2007
meeting were approved. Mayor Ken Patton abstained.
COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL ISSUES
NOACA Draft Regional Bicycle Plan
Mr. Alsenas stated that as a continuation of the September meeting's discussion on Building
Healthy Communities, Claire Kilbane would be presenting the CPC's comments on the NOACA Regional
Bicycle Transportation Plan, which is out for public comment until September 14, 2007.
Ms. Kilbane reported that the Draft Bicycle Plan is the first update since 1997. Ms. Kilbane explained that bicycle facilities are an important component to a multi-modal transportation system. NOACA's transportation model indicates that 15%, or 500,000 miles, of all two-way single occupancy vehicle trips in the NOACA region are 3 miles or less which if the necessary facilities were implemented could be replaced by bike trips. Bike facilities are integral component to achieving air quality attainment, are an amenity to a communities and also improve homeland security and greenspace preservation.
Ms. Kilbane reported that since 1997, NOACA's actions to encourage biking has been to require project sponsors to consider incorporating bike facilities when proposing major projects, establishing a Bicycle Advisory Committee, providing bike maps for each of the NOACA counties and holding conferences and workshops on biking safety, etc.
Ms. Kilbane noted that in 1997, there were seventy-four (74) miles of bike facilities in Cuyahoga County and most of these were located in the Cleveland Metroparks. As a result, bike facilities are inadequate as a mode of transportation; they are mostly used for recreation and provide limited destinations to major attractions. According to the Draft Plan, only fifty-three (53) additional miles are planned or proposed in Cuyahoga County.
Ms. Kilbane summarized the CPC's comments on the NOACA Draft, which were: the plan should have more substantial robust goals than just stating that there should be more bike planning and workshops and getting private sector funds to pay for the facilities. The CPC recommendations include developing a master bike plan for each of the 5 counties, coordinating interconnections between state and federal trail plans and identifying and allocate funding for the preparation of county plans.
Mr. Alsenas then gave a brief presentation on the CPC's work in developing a bike plan network in the County through the developed concepts of the Greenspace Plan and that NOACA should embrace this structure.
Mayor Gorden, in response to a comment from Ms. Aveni about the Beachwood trail, indicated that the City receives a lot of accolades about the trail and that Beachwood is working with the City of Pepper Pike and Cleveland Heights to extend the trail into these communities. Mayor Gorden stated that what the city is doing is not cost prohibitive, it designate major streets as safe routes and has the City's Service Department staff monitor the trail weekly to keep up on the maintenance. He asked if there was any type of credit that cities can get that would have more cities doing this type of thing.
Mr. Alsenas reported that Congressman Oberstar of Minnesota has proposed that forty (40) cities receive $50 million over five years to develop bike facilities. Mr. Cantor indicated that the City of Cleveland has applied for these funds. Mr. Alsenas explained that a development project that provides a connection to a trail can be an eligible element if the development is attempting to get LEED certification. Mr. Alsenas used the Flats East Bank project as an example.
Mr. Cantor commented that NOACA should provide technical assistance to communities to help the cities articulate a vision, how to select a consultant, etc. He stated that the City was lucky that it had local development corporations to assist city staff in implementing projects.
Public Hearing on the Proposed Amendments to the Subdivision Platting Rules for the Unincorporated Areas of Cuyahoga County, Ohio (Cuyahoga County Subdivision Regulations).
Mr. Smock opened the Public Hearing. He indicated that the last update to the Subdivision Regulations was in 1941. He asked if there was anyone present that wanted to comment on the proposed amendments.
There were no public comments. Mr. Smock closed the Public Hearing.
Transportation Funding
Mr. Alsenas explained that Ms. Virginia Ainslie, NOACA's Washington legislative liaison, has
been sounding the alarm for the past several months about an impending shortfall in the
Highway Trust Fund that could result in a 42% across the board reduction in transportation
funding. She stated that for federal fiscal year 2009, a $5 billion transfer from the General
Fund to the Highway Trust Fund is needed and that a permanent fix is needed for the upcoming
years.
The CPC viewed a short portion of a video of Ms. Ainslie addressing the NOACA Transportation Summit about this issue in June. Mr. Alsenas reported that Ms. Ainslie had also addressed the NOACA Transportation Advisory Committee several weeks ago. Ms. Ainslie has said that it is very important to inform the region's communities about this situation so that each one can send a message to the Northeast Ohio U.S. Congressional delegation to pressure them into advocating for the $5 billion transfer.
Mayor Gorden asked what individual communities should do. Mr. Alsenas recommended that the communities send a resolution along with a list of projects and pictures showing the need. Mr. Alsenas said that the CPC would draft a sample resolution and provide the names and contact information of the Northeast Ohio U.S. Congressional delegation.
Lake Erie Allegheny Partnership for Biodiversity
Carol Thaler introduced an example of regionalism that is happening in three states. She
showed a map of the Allegheny region and reported that state agencies, non-profit agencies and
park districts in this region are coming together to protect the biological diversity in this
region. She reported that the natural systems are under stress and that a lot of effort is
going into preserving and restoring the area. The first step is to plan and prioritize the
areas that need to be protected and to bring in funding to get the work done.
Ms. Thaler reported that at least two sources of new funds have been identified. The first one is to have the U.S. Attorney's Office designate the fines paid for violations of the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act to the region. Second, it that the National Fish and Wildlife Commission has reported that a multi-national corporation has entered into a "handshake" agreement to make the first donation to a fund that would be used to protect this area.
Ms. Thaler stated that one of the resolutions to be presented was a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the CPC to join. She stated that more than thirty (30) other organizations working on this project have already joined onto the MOU.
Mr. Alsenas stated that this project started in Cuyahoga County but when the local group realized the breadth and depth of the region and that by working together it could be more powerful they County group began to reach out other organizations.
RESOLUTIONS
General
On a motion by Mayor Procuk, seconded by Mayor Blomquist, Resolution No. 071108-A, adopting a
Public Records Request Policy, was unanimously approved.
On a motion by Commissioner Jones, seconded by Mayor Ken Patton, Resolution No. 071108-B, amending the Facility License Agreement between the Cuyahoga County Board of County Commissioners by and through the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission and the Senior Transportation Connection of Cuyahoga County to extend the time period until June 30, 2008, was unanimously approved.
On a motion by Mayor Ken Patton, seconded by Mayor Blomquist, Resolution No. 071108-C, approving an amendment to Resolution No. 070921-C, to increase the amount of the contract with the Cuyahoga County Department of Children and Family Services to $8,500.00, was unanimously approved.
On a motion by Mayor Kelley, seconded by Mayor Ken Patton, Resolution No. 071108-D, approving a Memorandum of Understanding among the members of the Lake Erie Allegheny Partnership for Biodiversity, was unanimously approved.
Olmsted Township
On a motion by Mayor Blomquist, seconded by Mayor Kelley, Resolution No. 071108-E, approving
and adopting amendments to update the "Subdivision Platting Rules for the Unincorporated
Areas of Cuyahoga County, Ohio" commonly known as the Cuyahoga County Subdivision Regulations,
was unanimously approved.
On a motion by Mayor Kelley, seconded by Mr. Cantor, Resolution No. 071108-F, approving the Final Plat for Galway Bay Subdivision, Phase 2, located in Olmsted Township, was unanimously approved.
On a motion by Mayor Blomquist, seconded by Mayor Ken Patton, Resolution No. 071108-G was withdrawn from consideration.
SOLID WASTE DISTRICT REPORT
Mr. Holland reported that the Board of the Greater Cleveland Ecological Association had met
and voted to suspend operations at its East 55th compost site and to dissolve the corporation.
Mr. Holland reported that two issues caused this decision. First, since the compost facility
is located on a closed landfill it is subject to Ohio EPA regulations. The Ohio EPA mandated
a series of costly site improvements for which the association did not have the funds to pay
for. The second issue was that the cities using the facility dwindled to just two: University
Heights and Lyndhurst so the Association was not getting the volume of raw material it needed
to make a profit.
Mayor Gorden inquired as to whether the Association was going to look for another site. Mr. Holland stated that when it became clear that the East 55th operation would need to be closed, the Association hired a real estate agent who canvassed the east side of the county, but could not find an appropriate site. Mr. Holland stated that is very difficult to site facility such as this in an urban setting due to the odor and other complaints.
Old Business
Mr. Alsenas introduced Ms. Elaine Price, who was hired by the CPC at the September 2007
meeting as the new Greenspace Program Manager.
Public Comment
Mr. Smock expressed the Commission's condolences to Mr. Ed Hauser on the loss of his brother.
Mr. Hauser addressed the CPC about the current status of Whiskey Island and his concern that the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority was still indicated the property as a site for expansion of its bulk terminal. In addition, Mr. Hauser stated that it was imperative that the Cleveland Metroparks begin maintaining Whiskey Island as soon as possible.
Other Business
Mr. Alsenas reported that Cleveland Magazine's most recent issue about the best of Cleveland
cited the CPC's weblog as best civic weblog and that a state conference in California used the CPC
weblog as a best practice model. Mr. Alsenas recognized Kevin Leeson and Chris Alvarado for
developing the idea and putting it into action.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Mayor Ken Patton, Mr. Smock adjourned the meeting.
Attachment A
Cuyahoga County Planning Commission/Solid Waste Policy Committee
| November 8, 2007 Attendance Record | |
|---|---|
| Member | Present |
| Mayor Robert Blomquist | Yes |
| Mr. Robert Brown for Mayor Jackson | Yes - represented by Mr. Cantor |
| Commissioner Jimmy Dimora | Yes - represented by Mr. Smock |
| Mayor Merle Gorden | Yes |
| Commissioner Timothy Hagan | Yes - represented by Ms. Forbes |
| Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones | Yes |
| Mayor Edward Kelley | Yes |
| Mayor Thomas Longo | No |
| Mayor Eileen Patton | No |
| Mayor Kenneth Patton | Yes |
| Mayor Michael Procuk | Yes |
| SOLID WASTE POLICY COMMITTEE | |
| Ms. Virginia Aveni | Yes |
| Mr. Jack Licate | No |
| Others: Paul Alsenas, John DeMuth, Ed Hauser, Kris Hopkins, Claire Kilbane, Marionette Richardson Scott, Carol Thaler | |
