Mayor’s assistant requests apology before a busy meeting
by Sue Serdinak
Oct. 20 village council meeting
Laura Lytz, executive assistant to Mayor Michael Wheeler, was given an opportunity to speak at the beginning of the meeting. She stated that when Councilperson Marty Kruszynski accused her of potential ethics violations regarding permits for an Oktoberfest event at the Oct. 6 council meeting, his comments were “slanderous and damaging to the daily efforts” that she puts in for the village.
Her statement said that Kruszynski’s statement violated professional and personal protocol in a work environment. She asked that Kruszynski recant the accusations at the next meeting.
Council President Rick Hudak said he learned that the minutes of that meeting were distributed to a few people who are not authorized to receive them until they are approved. He added that Kruszynski asked Council Clerk Jeff Gorman to amend a small section of the minutes.
Gorman reported that the minutes presented to council at this meeting are accurate based on the recording of the meeting.
By a vote of 4-1-1 council approved the minutes as amended. Councilperson Jeff Stoppenhagen voted against the approval and Kruszynski was absent. Hudak was absent from the Oct. 6 meeting and abstained.
Councilperson Bobbie Beshara reminded council that all changes to the minutes should be made at a council meeting.
New police sergeant
Robert Moderwell was promoted to sergeant in the police department following competitive assessment by an outside firm. Moderwell has nine years of law enforcement experience, three years with Richfield. Prior to that he served as a Summit County corrections deputy and a patrol officer for two other departments.
Security
Wheeler asked council to suspend readings and approve a contract with Southeast Security to design and install security equipment for Village Hall and the Jan Weber Social Center at a cost of $73,000 plus $2,184 for 60 months of monitoring services. Council approved the contract.
When neighboring resident Marilyn Bode asked what the system would include, Wheeler said they would never publicly discuss security.
“It is a lot,” he added.
No Zoom
A new sound system for council chamber has been purchased from MediaNet. It should be installed in December. Until that time the meetings will not be recorded live on Zoom. However, the company has provided microphones that can be used in council chambers.
The administration has requested pricing to install a new sound system in the zoning office conference rooms.
Senior snow removal
Council approved appropriation changes recommended by Finance Director Sandy Turk, which would move $20,000 from the senior center account that was not utilized for a part-time salary. Of that amount $10,000 would be available for the snowplowing program.
Councilperson Carol Campbell organized the program through which each qualified homeowner could receive up to seven free snow pushes during the season. She said she has been soliciting donations from local businesses and has already received over $2,500.
Campbell reported that applications for the program would be available at the Jan Weber Social Center from Nov. 5-30. Eligibility requirements will also be provided at the social center.
Finances
Zoning Director Brian Frantz reported that the Tax Increment Financing Fund from the Briarwood development would pay for three significant village projects, including the $2.6 million pump station under construction on Brecksville Road.
Culver donation
Council approved the donation of four trees, valued at $850, from the Jim Collver Celtic Club. The program donates, delivers and plants trees in honor of Tuskegee veterans.
Zoning
Council approved the rezoning of a Richfield Town Trust parcel of land from R-4 to CH-1. The land is located between Richfield Auto Parts and the U.S. Post Office. The planning commission recommended the change.
Council had a work session to discuss the draft of the zoning code that was revised and approved by the planning and zoning commission. Frantz had reported that the webpage on the Konveio website would accept comments through Oct. 23. He said council could vote to make changes to the proposed code or send it back to the commission to prepare a final document.
Councilperson Sue Ann Philippbar summarized some of the revisions in the proposed code and asked for comments from council. She said many of the changes were designed to maintain the rural character of the village.
Campbell commented that council members are limited in the number of members who can discuss a topic, so it is essential that they talk about it together at a council meeting.
Councilperson Jim Smith said there are changes in the new code that were not discussed with the commission and more time is needed to review the code line by line. He said the proposed code would give the planning director more authority with the board of zoning appeals than is included in the village charter.
“I think we need to evaluate the whole way the BZA operates,” said Smith.
Beshara countered, “It doesn’t make sense to take [the director’s input] away. It is good to get a professional opinion.” She later added, “I think this is personal.”
“I evaluate and may make comments based on the code; but I don’t make recommendations. I only make an evaluation,” said Frantz.
“Zoning compliance certificate procedures were not really talked about [by the zoning commission],” Philippbar added.
Frantz reminded council that they could recommend changes to the proposed code before returning it to the commission.