Here is the agenda for tonight’s Council meeting:
https://bedfordohio.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/5-6-19-Council-Agendas-PDF-2.pdf

5-6-19 Council Agendas PDF (2)Download

My apologies for there not being a video last meeting. There was a technical difficulty and the video was not available. The issue should be resolved and there will be a video for this meeting. I have been told that the videos from now on will be broadcast live at this URL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBBgBDh11jKNhKtA1NIOZZA

After the meeting, the recording of the video will be available at this URL as well. I will add my report to the video after it is posted.

In the Work session, we will be discussing:

  • How to change the fine structure for leaving trash cans and other refuse out on non-trash days. The plan had been to start fining for this starting this month, but it was determined that the current structure could cause an overly heavy burden on the court system, plus  reports from other cities that have the same structure we do have reported that fined residents are not showing up to court. We will be looking at how to streamline that process, perhaps by making it more like a parking fine.
  • Continued to discuss the sign ordinance. We are still waiting on feedback from the Building Commissioner. He has reviewed sign ordinances from other cities and will be sharing those findings with us.
  • We had a signage audit done last year, and now that we have some grant money, we will be looking at what recommendations from that audit we will be starting with.

In the Regular session, we will be voting on:

  • Rezoning the Meadowbrook area. The City had a consulting firm look at best use of the area and it was determined that the areas there should be rezoned in the following ways:
    • Rezoning B-3 at Northfield & Rockside to M-U
    • Rezoning B-3 at 22800 Rockside, 22737-69 Rockside & 300 Bartlett to R-4
      (2nd reading)
  • Replacing Chapter 1939 entitled “B-3” with Chapter 1939 entitled “M-U” (2nd reading)
  • Entering into a contract with RKS Management Company  to clean the Police Department. There was some questions last time as to why the Police Department needed a separate cleaning contract and why the City does not use the cleaning staff for City Hall for this. The reason for hiring outside is that it costs less to hire this company that it would to hire 2 part-time staff to do that job. In addition, this company provides its own cleaning supplies, where if we hired people, we would have to pay for those supplies. (2nd reading)
  • Making the Recreation Rebate Program an official part of the ordinances. While the Recreation Rebate Program, which allows Bedford residents to get a $50 rebate when they get a membership to the Bedford Heights Recreation Center, has been around for quite some time, it appears that it was never an official part of the Codified Ordinances. This will add it officially to that.
  • Several resolutions and ordinances pertaining to improving the lighting in the City. It appears that this is basically just approving that some of the tax dollars that are already being collected can be used for this purpose.
  • Approving the 2019 Tax Budget – This is a requirement of the State of Ohio. Basically we are stating how we plan on using the tax money collected in 2019 for the 2020 fiscal year.
  • Requesting that the County Auditor release funds from the tax levy to the City. This is a formality required by the State. Basically, we are asking them to give us what is ours.
  • Approving to pay for the ordinances changes that we have made to the Codified Ordinances to be updated in both the print and online versions. This is done about every 6 months and must be done by a company that is authorized by the State to do so.
  • Approving that part of the tax money collected goes towards paying for garbage collection
  • Approving a contract with Barbicas Construction and the funds to pay that contract so that this company can handle the Street Improvement Project for the City in the upcoming months.
  • Approving payment to GPD Group for administration and inspection of the Street Improvement Program
  • Approving a new piece of equipment for the Fire Department, specifically a new cot for the ambulance. A significant part of the cost of this will be covered by a grant.

There will also be a public hearing at 7pm for the Tax Budget.