This Week in Shaker©

An Independent E-Letter for the Residents of Shaker Heights, Ohio

Founded April 14, 2003

     Volume 7, Number 36                  Monday, October 26, 2009

Jane Wood, Editor                                                                 Street and Alley, Proofreaders

This Week in Shaker will be emailed every Sunday night or Monday morning,
if news warrants.  Sometimes that schedule changes.
If you like it, pass it on; if you would like to be on the distribution list, email thisweekinshaker@sbcglobal.net. 

This issue has 6 pages.

News Briefs

• The City Planning Commission will discuss “Coventry Pointe development,” proposed at the corner of Shaker and Coventry (on the north side of Shaker, between Coventry and Haddam), Nov. 4.   According to its web site—http://www.blossomhomes.net/communities/view/coventry-pointe—the housing project is being designed by City Architecture* and will have 8 “uniquely designed green floor plans.”  However, “Designs, Pricing and City Approvals are not yet complete.”  One of the contact people is Brian Cook, a member of the Landmark Commission.
• According to the Finance Committee minutes of Sept. 21 (TWIS did not attend that meeting), the City has a new union: the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers of the AFL-CIO, “which is unionizing three grounds and facilities maintenance employees at the Community Life Department.”
• The City has renewed health benefit contracts with both Kaiser and Medical Mutual.  According to the Finance Committee minutes of Sept. 21, “Kaiser had a 42% decrease in premiums for 2010, and Medical Mutual had a 3.1% increase for a total 1.5% increase in our health insurance for next year.  We were budgeting 7.5%.  For the first time in a number of years Kaiser will be cheaper than Medical Mutual.  Next year the monthly employee contribution goes up $5.  The non-bargaining and 1099 Public Works employees have a separate plan design which increased the co-pay and added in a network deductible.  Police and Fire were not interested in participating with the new plan design as was their option [sic] based on their existing contracts.”
• The City’s 9-month revenue for this year is $1,352,084 less than last year; income tax is $548,357 less.  Through Sept. 30, revenues exceeded expenditures by $949,678; October income tax receipts are $369,900 below last year.  According to a memo from Finance Department director Robert Baker to the Finance Committee, “The year-end deficit will reduce the general fund balance to 15% at year end.”

*City Architecture designed Avalon Station, the condominiums at Shaker Towne Centre.

Possible Merger of City, School, Library IT Operations?

According to the Finance Committee minutes of Sept. 21, (TWIS did not attend the meeting), “We have explored opportunities to work with the School District but the schools have a different focus.  This year however, we discussed the Institutional Network.  The Library also has their own IT staff. 

“Martin Kolb asked if the IT operations could be consolidated throughout the entire City.  Council member [James] Brady [councilmanbrady@gmail.com] asked if there were any possible cost savings from consolidating the IT operations.  Director [Frank] Miozzi stated that the School District has two separate IT operations: a business division; and a curriculum division.  He believes a single IT shop could manage all the environments for the different entities in the City, but there are 3 different administrations with different service level expectations.  We will try to see if there are more opportunities to work with the Library IT staff. 

“Council member [Nancy] Moore [Nrmoore@aol.com] stated that this would be an interesting discussion to have with the Joint Finance Committee.  Capital IT is always funded through the bond issues for the School District.”

The City’s 2009 preliminary IT budget (approved by City Council March 23) is $342,320, including staff.  The library’s budget is $260,204; the school district did not respond to the question.

City’s Property Tax Rate is 9.90 Mills

At last week’s Finance Committee meeting, which TWIS did not attend, Finance Department director Robert Baker made a presentation regarding the City’s tax rate.

According to a memo, “The total property tax rate for tax year 2009 (for collection in calendar year 2010) as determined by the Cuyahoga County Budget Commission will again be 9.90 mills.  The City’s property tax rate has remained unchanged since 1993.  The current rate represents a decrease of

1.60 mills from the 1992 tax rate of 11.50 mills.  The City’s property tax rate has not changed since 1993 because the City has not sought a property tax increase to fund operations or issued any new voter approved debt during that time.”

The memo said the City has the following debt:

• Traffic signalization system
• Various street resurfacing projects
• Firehouse
• Shaker Towne Centre and Sussex Areas economic development projects and construction
• Loans from the Ohio Public Works Commission for sewer and waterline projects

According to the memo, “Real property tax revenues for 2009, not including State rollback and homestead reimbursements and tangible property tax revenue, decreased in the second half, but the total real estate revenue for 2009 totaled $7,045,458.

“Final real estate tax revenue estimates for 2010 will not be available until mid-December because the State has not yet provided the County Budget Commission with the House Bill 920 factors.  As a result, it is not possible to precisely project 2009 property tax revenue to be collected in 2010 at this time.”

Police Department Stats (‘Second Quarter’)

Ed. Note: TWIS was not always able to determine what time period is covered in the Department’s report, the first half of the year (January – June) or the second quarter (April – June) only.

• 165 “part 1” crimes* reviewed
• 380 cases investigated; 25 sent to Common Pleas Court; 28 sent to Juvenile Court; 17 sent to Shaker Municipal Court; 45  “prosecution declined or prosecution withdrawn”; 9 had warrants issued; 11 turned over to other agencies; 9 “lacked victim cooperation”; 8 “were unfounded”; 4 sent to Community Diversion Program
• 91 cases “had No Solvability letters sent”; 55 “were unsolved after investigation”; 27 of 127 cases carried over from previous years closed; 0 hate crimes reported; 10 domestic violence cases (all prosecuted)
• 5 intelligence reports initiated
• 2 confidential case investigations initiated
• 533 hours of surveillance
• 5 search warrants
• 0 hours “spent on assisting on housing issues” (Investigative Bureau); however, “the department assisted Housing Inspection 11 times during the quarter with various tasks” (Uniform Bureau)
• 20 juveniles “sent through Community Diversion Program; 3 referred to other agencies
• 16,300 pieces of “property/evidence” in property room; 159 pieces auctioned; 460 pieces destroyed; 1 auction held
• average response time 2:34 minutes; average “priority 2 call” response time 5:12 minutes
• 87 “community policing oriented” calls received during 2nd quarter
• 314 adults, 184 juveniles arrested during 2nd quarter
• 1,079 incident reports filed; 170 accident reports during 2nd quarter
• 11 traffic complaints from residents, 88 citations issued “as a result;” 106 citations and 2 warnings issued as a result of monitoring 3 intersections
• 128 bicycle helmet warning letters
• 91 bicycle registration warnings
• 26 bikes impounded
• 74 letters sent for violations of criminal activity nuisance ordinance
• traffic enforcement numbers up 40% over 2nd quarter last year; speed violations up 176%
• 108 “short forms” issued in lieu of arrest
• 21 prisoners received emergency medical assistance
• 616 prisoners booked into jail in first 2 quarters; 16 in outside facilities
• “Both Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams are currently inactive”
• Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association assisted with 4 City-sponsored events in first half of year; donated 771 hours in support of events and on patrol in first half of year
• 9 complaints from citizens during first half of year
• 12 crime prevention meetings; 10 home security surveys; 2 personal safety programs in first half of year

* Burglary, robbery, auto theft, theft, rape, assault, homicide and arson

Fire Department Stats as of June 30

·         “Jump squad” responded to 54 EMS “incidents” in first half of year

·         1,833 children have received instruction on fire safety “to date”

·         8 hydrants have defects; 26 out of service; 150 flow-tested “to date”

Law Department Stats as of June 30

• Prepared documents for waiver of Van Sweringen deed restrictions for sale of south side of Chagrin parcels to allow consolidation of public parking area into a development parcel
• Approximately 22 hearings were held for Housing Code violations
• 125 contracts reviewed or prepared (21 for Public Works)
• 2 claims as a result of contractor defaults; 1 for sewer backup
• 400 pre-trials scheduled
• 367 trials scheduled
• 25 felony cases filed; 37 misdemeanor cases; 76 housing summonses; 1 prosecutor hearing; 2 building code pre-prosecution hearings
• 46 general citizen inquiries; 4 regarding electrical services; 16 regarding gas service; 3 regarding fair housing
• 67 pieces of legislation prepared for Council; 3 codified ordinance amendments that were enacted
• 2 fair housing complaints
• 5 appeals heard and decided by Board of Appeals

Finance Department Stats as of October 8

• 4,538 purchased orders processed
• 9,800 payments made on invoices
• 239 checks issued for each pay (pay of 10/9/09)
• 258 direct deposits for each pay (pay of 10/9/09)
• 3,610 vendors in City file
• 22 bids completed 2009
• $17.5 million invested (“laddered” investments)
• proposals received from 7 banks; being reviewed (RFP and select banking institutions)
• Shaker Towne Centre urban renewal bonds, “including bond rating,” issued 4/9/09; rated AA+
• $250,000 new nuisance abatement notes issued; “$500,000 paid off; reduce interest rates”

Following Up . . .

• Outside Legal Counsel: The Finance Committee (TWIS did not attend) last week approved a recommendation that fees for outside legal counsel be raised to $225/hr. effective June 1, 2009.  In 1990, according to a memo, “the City increased the hourly rate for outside legal counsel from $150/hr. to $175/hr.”  The memo also said, “As you can see the hourly rate of $175/hour is no longer sufficient to meet the needs of the City when specialized legal services are needed.  An ordinance allowing the Mayor and CAO to pay up to $225/hour when an extraordinary legal matter arises would enable the Administration to proceed with hiring outside attorneys within a range of hourly rates, not to exceed $225/hour, without having to seek Council’s approval after the fact.”  The Law Department’s preliminary approved budget for 2009 was $876,768; however, TWIS was unable to determine the budgeted amount for outside legal counsel, either this year or for the last 2 years.  In 2006, it was $125,000.  In 2005, the City paid $431,899 for outside legal counsel (TWIS Vol. 7, Issue 16, April 27, 2009).
• Library Court Apartments: A public hearing (site plan review) will be held Nov. 4 by the City Planning Commission.
• Winslow Road: The Planning Department will submit a grant application to the Cuyahoga County Department of Development for $100,000 for street improvements.  The Landmark Commission and Architectural Board of Review this week will consider a “certificate of appropriateness” for a window replacement at 18401.
• Kingsbury Building: The Landmark Commission and Architectural Board of Review this week will consider “certificates of appropriateness” for awnings and new “signage.”
• Gridley Triangle: The Planning Department will submit a second grant application (see Winslow Road, above) to the County for $100,000 for park improvements.  Just 1 grant will be awarded, and Winslow Road was ranked “first” (it was ranked “second” last year).  Gridley Triangle will be ranked “first” next year.
• Police Digital Management System: The Finance Committee (TWIS did not attend) last week approved a recommendation from the Police Department that the City waive its regular competitive bidding and award a contract not to exceed $100,000 to Linear Systems, which bid $88,703.40, for the Police Department’s digital management project.  The Department was awarded a grant to pay for it.  The other bidder was Foray Technology ($87,210).
• JCU Student Housing:  City Council will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. Nov. 9.

Real Estate Report

As of yesterday (Sunday), Realtors had listed 228 single-family houses for sale* (excluding condominiums and townhomes) in Shaker Heights, as follows:

• $100,000 - $199,000: 77 (81 last issue)
• $200,000 - $299,000: 57 (55 last issue)
• $300,000 - $399,000: 27 (28 last issue)
• $400,000 - $499,000: 20 (20 last issue)
• $500,000 - $599,000: 14 (13 last issue)
• $600,000 - $699,000: 8 (9 last issue)
• $700,000 - $799,000: 7 (8 last issue)
• $800,000 - $899,000: 5 (5 last issue)
• $900,000 - $999,000: 4 (4 last issue)
• $1,000,000 - $1,999,000: 7 (6 last issue)
• $2,000,000 - $2,999,000: 2 (2 last issue)
• 3,000,000+: 0 (0 last issue)

In addition, there are 25 (25 last issue) houses priced under $100,000, for a grand total of 253. 

As of Friday, there were 29 foreclosure sales pending (including 5 condominiums) and listed on the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s web site.**  In addition to those, there are sometimes foreclosure sales listed by the U. S. District Court.

[Editor’s note:  TWIS has been reporting these numbers since March 12, 2007.]

*231 last issue

**29 last issue; addresses include 16625 Aldersyde, 17450 Aldersyde, 17623 Chagrin, 3356 Daleford, 3536 Daleford, 3663 Daleford, 22450 Douglas, 3598 Glencairn, 22700 Holmwood, 3450 Ingleside, 3612 Ingleside, 3292 Milverton, 3585 Normandy, 3601 Normandy, 17600 Parkland, 3618 Rolliston, 18231 Sherrington, 3714 Sudbury, 3348 Sutton, 3367 Sutton, 15820 Van Aken, 15820 Van Aken #103, 16100 Van Aken #402, 2705 Warrensville, 3271 Warrensville #2A, 3333 Warrensville #204, 3158 Warrington, 17408 Winslow and 17705-07 Winslow. [Editor’s note: This week’s foreclosed properties include those listed for Sheriff’s sale on Oct. 26 and Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30.  Foreclosed properties are listed every week until they are sold or withdrawn; the total listed here, therefore, always includes some properties that have been listed in previous issues.] 

The following commercial properties are for sale: gas station, 3746 Lee; Tower East (designed by Walter Gropius), 20600 Chagrin; 3393 Warrensville Center (“redevelopment opportunity”—“The owner will consider leasing, ground leasing, joint venture or selling the property,” which “sits at the signalized intersection of Warrensville Center Road and Farnsleigh Road, across the street from Van Aken Shopping Center”); Kingsbury Building, 3427 Lee (corner of Van Aken); Warren Gardens, 3610 Warrensville; Lewis Electronics, 3536 Lee: http://www.loopnet.com/Ohio/Shaker-Heights-Commercial-Real-Estate/

FEEDBACK

“Thank goodness for Dan Hoffman!  He is one of the few community members still trying to get through to our Superintendent and School Board in regard to the achievement gap.  Instead of the ‘Fact Book,’ what about just facing the facts.  The Administration and School Board still seem to be fixated on AP level students instead of all of the students.  School Board members have come and gone: one is still hanging around after numerous terms and nothing seems to have changed as to how Shaker students rank with our surrounding districts.  Clearly, until there is a change in the administration and school board members, the continuing spin on Shaker’s achievement gap will just be talk and no results.  Don’t Shaker residents wonder why so few residents run for School Board?  Maybe it’s because they don’t realize that the Superintendent actually works for the School Board!   Maybe the Board should take control, reduce the number of administrators, take the savings and focus on the kids that need help and utilize the same amount of resources-and more- that the AP kids get and maybe the achievement gap would close.  Is that too simple?”

                                                                                                                         —Ian W. Freiberg, ’73

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