Sewer System Problems

“Sutherland said a capital improvements sewer fee for all customers may be the fairest way to deal with the problem. “Having everybody pay $25 to $50 instead of some residents having to pay $2,000 may be a more equitable solution.” ~ from the Westlife. The entire article here: http://westlife.northcoastnow.com/bay-mulling-possible-sewer-capital-work-fee/

Council Raises

At the May 18^th committee meeting, raises for council president and at-large members were discussed. When council members last received an increase council president and at-large members did not because raises cannot be given in the middle of a term.  When compared to salaries in other West Shore communities, Bay Council makes thousands less. Law Director Gary Ebert commented as a side note our council meets more often than other councils in surrounding communities.

Ward 3 Council Karen Leiske stated she recognized it is only about a 2% increase but she was opposed to council raises in the past and continues to be.

Beginning 2016, Lakewood Council members will receive $13,000. Rocky River is at $12,000 and president of council $13,500. Westlake President of Council $21,300.

I do not always agree with council, but, I do recognize the work they do and the knowledge they possess.  The increases listed above total $4,201 over the 2 to 4 year period for 7 people.

If the proposal is accepted the following will be in effect (page 5)

http://www.cityofbayvillage.com/media/257217/2015_council_committee_and_special_5-18.pdf

Response to (Facebook) Recording Concerns

Hardwiring the conference room was never a condition of the gift. It was the way the vendor estimate was written and the Mayor had almost a year to renegotiate that point as well as any other problems she may have had. There has always been and still is flexibility and a willingness on council’s part to adapt. But, they have to know what the concerns are before they can do that.

Regardless of the Mayor’s feelings about the LWV many feel it was unprofessional to name names. As was stated, most are aware of the supporters and opponents. Singling them out was an unnecessary jeer.

The offer of funds for recording equipment was not a set up. Recording benefits all positions. Recordings will show no bias. The moments when the administration and council are heroes as well as the moments they are not will be captured. It is fair and long overdue.

Page 3, line 3 of the link shows monies for council microphones (outside funding). This document prepared by the Finance Director, signed by the Mayor shows their knowledge of the project and the time they had to react.

http://www.cityofbayvillage.com/media/247262/ord._15-15_adopted_3-9-15.pdf

Who's on First?

Council wants to move off the discussion about recording equipment with the assertion it will happen and that should be the current focus. I am not easily moved. I enjoy sharing my experiences with you; I do not enjoy when someone comes along and makes it seem like an illusion.

I follow the process. I attend meetings. I research and reference meeting minutes and newspaper articles. Yesterday I had an email discussion with Renee Mahoney (Finance Director) re: recording equipment.

Mrs. Mahoney tells me she is the one that stopped the project from going through at this time.

For those that have been following, bear with us for a little background for those that have not. You will be glad you did.

May 4 Mr. Vincent announces the LWV donation of funds is to be presented. Mrs. Mahoney states the Mayor does not want microphones in the conference room. She agreed Council appropriates the funds “but I sign the purchase order and I answer to the Mayor.” Mrs. Mahoney further stated that “the Mayor’s thought is to have all the meetings in Council Chambers”.  These are the only points Mrs. Mahoney discusses at this meeting in the Mayor’s absence.

May 18 was the first mention of concern over only one vendor and a desire for due diligence. When I questioned the Mayor regarding the logic of the delay, Mrs. Mahoney was seated next to her. Mrs. Mahoney’s entire email explanation was not offered up that night, even though the opportunity was provided.  I do not dispute the reasons she wants to look at other options. In my email to her I told her the eleventh hour move made these intentions suspect. Even in yesterday’s May 19 cleveland.com article, the Mayor never states any concerns other than hard wiring the conference room and a desire to add video.

It seems like what caused the administration to suddenly step up was the realization that this was actually going to happen and they did not like the definitive terms of the donation. Their inaction to this point was due in part to the fact that they were “not aware that the LWV was truly going ahead with the donation”. And there you have it. Not aware. It was not a secret. I do not understand why they were not aware.  A promise of a monetary gift to the city and administration does not find it important enough to follow through and stay on top of the process to secure the desired outcome. The very idea appears to have been dismissed. No one at city hall takes time to prepare – until the check is made out. Have we missed out on other gestures because someone thought they already knew the outcome?

Yes, Renee, as you stated, you do answer to the Mayor. This is on her. Mrs. Mahoney’s intentions are pure, but with utmost respect to Mrs. Mahoney and her hard work and valid points, when we hear them after the fact - I call shenanigans.

I do believe the projects will eventually happen; no longer the point. It is but a glimpse into how things may or may not get done – no matter the project.

The question was raised about the Mayor’s relationship with the League of Women Voters. It is not a secret the Mayor does not have respect for the Bay Village Chapter.

Taken from Mayor Sutherland’s re-election Facebook page:  (she named names, I replaced them with Xx’s)

“Re-elect Mayor Debbie Sutherland: With members like Xxxx and Xxxxx Xxxx and Xxxxx Xxxxx, you just have to wonder what the heck has happened to the Bay LWV.

Re-elect Mayor Debbie Sutherland: The LWV no longer apperars [sic] non-partisan and objective. We have valued them for guidance and wisdom in the past, but the current group, Xxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx Xxxx, and Xxxxx Xxxxxx have undermined any confidence in the LWV due to their active participation in the mayoral campaign.”

One of the members singled out is on the Cleveland Board and recently has been named to the National League of Women Voters' Money in Politics Committee. Only 10 members are chosen from a national pool of scholars and legal experts. 

Recording Equipment Delay

Stonewall: delay or block (a request, process, or person) by refusing to answer questions or by giving evasive replies, especially in politics.  I dare say I was stonewalled last night. I got evasive answers when I addressed the Mayor about why she waited until 2 weeks ago to express herself regarding recording equipment for Council Chambers and the conference room.  Her unanticipated concern for due diligence and additional estimates has done nothing but delay a project that is long overdue.  The Mayor should have stated her apprehension months ago at the inception of this project. She had over a year to ask questions and make suggestions and roll up her sleeves and help get the best equipment at the best price. She. Did. Not. With a donation for the equipment about to be presented, suddenly she has issues with the project.

I expressed concern a second time about the fact that she did not speak up sooner. She cited new elements in a letter from the League that she had not heard before. (A member of the League who attended every meeting where the equipment was discussed wanted the record to show that all these issues had in fact been deliberated, there were no new items for consideration and this is a matter of public record.)

Again addressing the Mayor, I followed with a “to be clear” if you have any other concerns you should let everyone know now. I did not want this process to hit another roadblock. She says until she gets into it, she has no other concerns.

She stated she is not against the project. She stated that the meetings are already recorded. Yes, we know. And we could come in and listen. Yes, we could. This misses the point of the issue.

Council President, Paul Koomar, keeping true to his diplomatic position, stated that this is where we are now. He assured us he will work on this as well through the summer as they all want this to happen.

Ironic that the very reason Council, the League of Women Voters and so many residents want clear audio or video of meetings may be the very reason the project was stonewalled. Transparency.

Walker Road Park Deer Culling

I attended a meeting held by the Walker Road Ad Hoc Committee on April 21^st. The purpose of the meeting was to give an overview of the Avon Lake deer management program and seek partnership with Bay Village to cull in Walker Road Park.

Facts and figures and comments:

Avon Lake’s cull over 2 nights took 16 deer and resulted in 670 pounds of meat donated to Second Harvest.

Initially 30% of Avon Lake residents were in favor of culling. Now, 60 to 70% of residents in Avon Lake want something done.

Avon Lake deer carcass pickups through the years: 2011-32; 2012-48; 2013-89; 2014-105

The results of Avon Lake’s 3 helicopter surveys in 3 separate years showed an overpopulation of deer. Increasing in numbers, officials fear more deer human conflict. The concern of the committee is safety for residents.

The audience, comprised mostly of Bay residents commented.  One said she has never seen a deer in Bay or the park, while another resident from the same area sees as many as 15 a day make their bed in her yard 3 feet from her windows. The sentiment ranged in favor of culling, doing nothing at all, finding compassionate methods and other interesting suggestions.

The following statement was made at this meeting by Mr. Reitz (Avon Lake Public Service Director) and days later retracted by Mr. Reitz. Taken from the meeting minutes: “Mr. Reitz stated that the habitat in Avon Lake is going to change this year because Holly Hill Horse Farm on Krebs Road (30 acres) has been sold to a developer, which will increase the deer problem.” I and another resident posted the statement heard at the meeting. We immediately removed the posts when told this was a rumor. I learned of miscommunication and Mr. Reitz corrected himself “Holly Hill Horse Farm has not been sold.” To be clear; there was no creation of a falsehood on my part or by the other resident that posted information heard at the meeting. 

Community Cable Access - WOW

Who knew?? Did you?? Bay has a community access channel. “The community cable access channel is only on WOW and it is channel 21. It is a scrolling slide show of events and other community information. It has a lot of information on Rec. Dept. offerings, Community Service events and civic organization activities. The same kind of information that goes out in the Mayor’s email blasts and is on the web site."