Westshore Council of Governments (WCOG) meeting, Sept. 14, 2016

This report is not an official statement of the League of Women Voters. Mayor Bobst's office prepares official minutes.

Present: Mayors Bobst (Rocky River), Patton (Fairview Park) and Kennedy (North Olmsted)

Absent: Mayors Clough (Westlake), Summers (Lakewood) and Sutherland (Bay Village)

Director of Regional Collaboration Ed Krause, Director of Public Safety & Justice Services Brandy Carney, and Director of Regional Corrections Ken Mills spoke about the value of consolidating police, fire and EMS dispatch services within and across city lines. Centralized dispatch, now the national standard, changes the dynamics of responding to and resolving crimes and emergencies. Rather than transferring calls among agencies, all required services are marshaled at once. County Councilman Dave Greenspan noted that decreased response times translate to lower homeowner's insurance.

Rocky River's police facility renovation offers an opportunity to create a shared facility. The county helped fund an eastside consolidation and is open to discussing a westside project. Ms. Carney stated that consolidation always brings cost savings, and dispatch must be the first step. October's WCOG meeting will continue the discussion with police and fire chiefs present.

Officials from Cleveland Hopkins Airport and the Federal Aviation Administration discussed the Metroplex project.

Rocky River Municipal Court has lost grant funding for domestic violence advocacy services and is seeking a new fee proportional to cities' case numbers. Ms. Carney noted that services are also available through the county's Domestic Violence & Child Advocacy Center.

Councilman Greenspan announced that the county makes portable cameras available to cities without charge for special events and short-term use. The county will sell foreclosures to a debt collector.

Mayors Patton and Bobst described upcoming recycling and shredding events. The Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District awards grants to promote recycling. Their website, CuyahogaRecycles.org, is robust and engaging, with comprehensive information on what, how, and where to recycle and donate items.

Bay Village Law Director Gary Ebert will circulate a new draft Westshore Enforcement Bureau/WCOG agreement. The Republican National Convention agreement was never signed.

The next WCOG meeting will be Wednesday, Oct. 12, 9:30 a.m., in the Rocky River Memorial Hall Community Room, 21016 Hilliard Blvd. WCOG meetings are open to the public.