Westshore Council of Governments (WCOG) Meeting, Nov. 18, 2020

This report contains member observations and selected highlights of a meeting of the Westshore Council of Governments, and is not an official statement by the League of Women Voters, nor does it represent the official minutes of the meeting, which are prepared by Mayor Koomar's office.

Present: Mayors Koomar, Bay Village; Bobst, Rocky River; Clough, Westlake; Cooney, Fairview Park; George, Lakewood. Guest: Chris Lyons, Bay Village Fire Chief

The meeting was held in the Bay Village Police Station community room. It was called to order at 2 p.m.

Executive Session: Meeting began with a short executive session to discuss a personnel matter.

Fiscal Officer’s Report – Renee Mahoney: Budget will not exceed forecast. There will be a payment to a retiree, but there’s a reserve to cover it.

RTA – Clough: Budget is in good shape due to $11 million in federal funding; in fact it is in the best shape since Clough has been on the board. There will be no need for a ballot initiative for more taxing. Board is nearly finished with the redesign of the system, and is replacing rail cars. Ten million dollars have been earmarked for future capital needs.

NOACA – Bobst: Nothing new to report.

Land Bank – George: Progress is slow, but moving along.

County Planning Commission – Bobst: New director should be chosen by the end of the year.

County Mayors and Managers Association – Koomar: There is a question (at State level?) about whether or not cities can collect income taxes from people who work from home now, as opposed to their Cleveland workplaces.

New Business: Bay Village Fire Chief Chris Lyons explained the city’s new fire alarm system, which has eliminated the third-party monitoring server that relayed alarms to the central dispatch device, saving about $6,000. They have also replaced separate landline phones with a one-time investment in an I.P. system, that saves time in relaying alarms to the central WestCom service, as well. Lyons offered to provide more information to other cities who are considering a similar switch. Both Fairview Park and Lakewood are looking into it.

There was discussion of the rescue boats deployed by Rocky River, Lakewood and Huntington Park. A new boat will be purchased for Lakewood, Rocky River and Bay Village, through a grant from the Metroparks (?). The role of the rescue boats has changed from writing tickets for safety infractions, but they can patrol the lakeshore and promote education. The boats and their crews aren't equipped nor specially trained for deep-water rescues; Rocky River’s boat mainly has to rescue kayakers in the river. Further discussion among the cities will take place after Jan. 1.