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Spring 2009 Wickliffe Connection

Inside City Hall

Updates From Ward 3

By Matt Jaworski

This column is an update on issues concerning residents of Ward 3. Jindra Park Since the demolition of the old Worden Road Elementary School, many residents have asked what is going to happen to Jindra Park. The first step in the renovation process was to build the Community/ Senior Center. Step two will involve the grounds of the park. During the budget process, Council took a major step toward rehabbing Jindra by setting aside $438,000 towards improvements. This amount is hopefully the beginning of what will be several set asides that will help push the total to well over a million dollars. Rebuilding Jindra Park will be costly, but by saving money for this project, rather than borrowing, Council and the administration can be financially responsible with the budget and not limit our ability to undertake further projects. Sewers During 2008, several homes on Regent Road were flooded. The City is continuing to look into the cause of the flooding and $15,000 has been set aside in this year’s budget for continued investigation. A solution needs to be found and the flooding must end. Council is committed to making sure our sewer systems work properly. Last year, the City spent over $20,000 to have our sewer system smoke tested. Unwanted Pests The end of cold weather usually brings about the onset of pests. The Lake County Health Department recommends doing the following to keep your neighborhood critter free: • Garbage containers should have a tight fitting lid on them at all times and preferably be stored in the garage. • Take your garbage out on the morning of pick-up day, rather than the night before. • Clean recyclables before storing them outside. • Do not let yard waste and leaf debris accumulate – dispose of them properly. • Compost in approved containers. • Do not feed wildlife (birds, raccoons, squirrels, skunks, etc.). • Do not store pet food or bird food in your garage or shed. • If you feed your dog/cat outside, feed your pet only what it can eat – try to limit leftover pet food in the bowl. • Woodpiles should be stacked on platforms eighteen inches off the ground. • Keep garage doors closed. • Make sure garage door sweeps are in good condition to keep pests out. this downturn in the economy is only a temporary one and will rebound sometime this year. So in the short term, our finances look good but we will be unable to conduct business as usual if a turn-a-round does not happen as anticipated. Council and the administration will continue to monitor the budget throughout the year and make adjustments as necessary. The Capital Improvement Fund continues to be very healthy and several projects are planned this year. The largest project will be the Empire Road reconstruction and waterline replacement. The entire length from Euclid Ave. to Rush Rd. will be under construction. Total cost of the project is estimated at $1.7 million with $421,400 being Wickliffe’s share. The remainder will be funded through the Lake County Department of Utilities and the Ohio Public Works Commission. Also being engineered this year is the East 290 St., Larchmont, and Fenwick resurfacing project. This work will most likely begin in the spring 2010. There is also repair work scheduled for a sewer line that runs along the railroad tracks from Palisades Parkway to Worden Rd. and also repairs to a sewer line at the Regent Rd. and Worden Rd. intersection. The Mayor and Council have decided to delay the Service Garage project for this year. New ideas have come forward that would reduce the estimated cost. Also considered was the uncertainty of obtaining bonds at a favorable rate to finance the project. Council has set aside $300,000 from this year’s budget for the garage. As always, if you have any questions, comments or need clarification on any of the items mentioned, please feel free to give me a call at 943-1712, or email me at bmargalis@cityofwickliffe.com. Have a great summer!

Budget Updates

By Council President Bill Margalis

Spring is finally here and the daylight hours are getting longer. Council has been very busy working on this year’s budget. Although we were able to finish 2008 with a balanced budget, 2009 looks to be a year of great challenge for our country and the City of Wickliffe based on the uncertainty of the economy. The administration and council began meeting on the 2009 budget in early January and continued through late February. Initially, the General Fund budget presented to the Finance Committee indicated that expenses for 2009 would exceed income by approximately $1 million dollars. So how can the City finish the year with a balanced budget and predict a million dollar deficit the following year? Well our City is not alone in this predicament. Some have called this scenario the “perfect storm”. With the loss of revenue from tax collections, tax dollars received from the State of Ohio, building permit fees and investment income, coupled with the rising costs of wage and benefit contracts, utilities and insurances, balancing the budget was nearly an impossible task. Over the weeks of discussion with the Mayor and the various department administrators, we were able to come within $650,000 of balancing the budget for the year. This budget is not the typical budget for our City or many other government agencies throughout the country. Many surrounding cities are facing employee layoffs in an attempt to balance the budget. Fortunately, Wickliffe has held the line on hiring over the last several years, not filling positions as they became vacant. Another reason our City is in a good position to weather this storm is that we have been able to maintain a very healthy balance in our General Fund, ending 2008 with approximately $5 million dollars. Everyone is hoping that

The importance of clearly visible house numbers

According to City of Wickliffe ordinance, both residential and commercial properties must be clearly identified with the street number at the nearest practical point to the entrance of the building, in such a manner that the number is at all times plainly legible from the sidewalk in front of the building. The numerals must be on the side of the building that faces the street on which the number has been assigned. Check out your house number. If on the lawn area, did it disappear with the snow piles? Is it clearly visible from the street? Are any of the numerals missing? The posting of your address need not be a fancy piece of art. The important thing is that in an emergency, our police and fire responders will be able to find you quickly. If you have any questions concerning the proper posting of your address, feel free to call the Building Department 440-943-7115.

Wickliffe Environmental Commission Deer Survey 2009

Do you have concerns about the deer in Wickliffe? yes no Have deer destroyed your property, foliage or vegetation? yes no How many deer have you viewed at one sighting and where?

Annual fire hydrant program begins in spring

By Firefighter Tony Zorko

The coming of spring marks the beginning of Wickliffe Fire Department’s annual hydrant program. You’ve probably seen your friendly firefighters on the tree lawns flowing water. Here’s some information about what we’re actually doing. The City of Wickliffe has nearly 900 fire hydrants maintained by the Lake County Water Department. Hydrants are spaced approximately 300 feet apart and most are capable of flowing up to 1,000 gallons of water per minute. Although the water system is maintained by the Lake County Water Department, our Fire Department is responsible for twice yearly inspections and service. This is done in the spring and fall. Fire Department personnel post hydrant signs in the neighborhoods designated for inspection. When you see a sign posted, you can expect your hydrants to be tested within the week. We are looking to ensure the hydrants work properly. Any repair issues are forwarded to the Water Department for prompt service. So what are the firefighters doing to your neighborhood hydrants? The hydrant is visually inspected for damage. The caps are removed and a food-grade lubricant is applied to the threads since your home and the hydrants use the same water supply. The hydrant is pressurized by turning it on fully to ensure it opens completely. Water is then flowed from the hydrant until it runs clear. The caps are replaced and the information is logged to be entered into the Fire Department’s records database. Maybe you have seen the brown, discolored water that is flushed from hydrants. It is actually built up sediment in the water line from lack of regular use. This sediment, once agitated, can flow through your home’s water when you turn on a faucet. We recommend that after your neighborhood’s hydrants are tested you flow your cold water for a few minutes. This will help clear any discoloration from sediment in your water pipes. If you wash clothes or use hot water before running your cold water supply, this sediment may appear

The Wickliffe Connection is published quarterly by a volunteer staff with editorial rights reserved and is not responsible for advertising content. It is mailed at no cost to Wickliffe residents and businesses. Funding is provided by advertising revenues. No City of Wickliffe tax dollars are used for its production. Please support our advertisers. Please send articles and photographs to Loretta Dakes, 29440 Ridge Rd. Wickliffe, OH 44092. (Telephone: 440-585-9329).

What action, if any, should the City take?

Please mail or drop off to: Wickliffe City Hall c/o Environmental Commission 28730 Ridge Road Wickliffe, Ohio 44092

in your washing machine or collect in your hot water tank. Our fall inspections are similar to the spring. In addition, we ensure problem hydrants have been repaired and that they drain properly. If a hydrant does not drain, with the onset of freezing weather, it may render the hydrant unusable in an emergency. You can help us protect you by ensuring hydrants aren’t blocked by landscaping, trash, snow, or automobiles. Particularly in winter, hydrants can become partially or completely covered by fallen snow. If you are able to keep your hydrant’s top visible from the street, it would be a great help. The intention is that if a hydrant is needed during an emergency, it can be completely exposed at that time. If you are a neighbor of someone with a covered hydrant, please help keep it clear as it affects your safety too. Don’t forget to change the batteries in your smoke alarms and CO detectors. For other Department and safety information, visit our website wickliffefire.org.

Your Wickliffe Connection

Mayor Tom Ruffner Managing Editor Loretta Dakes Production Manager & Advertising Dolly Hillier Ad Chairman Assistant Editor Sue Iafelice Dee Aufuldish Business Section Editor Ronnie Bubonics Sports & Recreation Editor Maureen Webster Senior Editor Patty Fowler Beautification Editor Contributors City Council City Administrators Kathleen Cintavey Wickliffe City Schools Fr. Thomas Behrend Lisa Iafelice Angela Trimboli Distribution Pete Cicora Loretta Dakes Al Silvestro Louise Ruffner Deadline for articles for the July 1 issue is June 15.

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