Westshore Council of Governments (WCOG) meeting, March 11, 2015

by LWV observers Conda Boyd (Bay Village) and Kathy Kosiorek (Lakewood)

This report is not an official LWV statement.  It is an excerpt; full reports are available at www.LWVGreaterCleveland.org.  Mayor Sutherland’s office prepares official minutes.

Present:  Mayors Sutherland (Bay Village), Bobst (Rocky River), Clough (Westlake), Kennedy (North Olmsted), Patton (Fairview Park), Summers (Lakewood)

NOACA:  ODOT recently shifted $1.7 million from other Metropolitan Planning Organizations' unfinished projects to reward NOACA for proven efficiency and efficacy.

Land Bank:  The demolition fund has $41 million available, with only $10 million in project applications.  Mayor Clough sought suggestions for helping the proprietor of Dover Gardens Tavern, whose historic building was rammed by a stolen truck, depriving him of his livelihood.  Mayor Patton noted that Jim Rokakis' Thriving Communities Institute buys underutilized property and turns it into parkland.

WESHARE:  Chief Lyons distributed a report on the WestShore Area Rescue Association benefits and history.  North Olmsted, Lakewood, and Fairview Park have left the Association after forty years.  Mayor Bobst requested that a discussion of their reasons for leaving be put on next month's agenda.

ShareOhio:  Donovan O'Neil of the Ohio Auditor's Office presented an overview of this web-based program, a one-stop shop to inventory, locate, share, track, and analyze utilization of equipment.  The program is free, flexible, and voluntary.  It can be used proactively to share rarely used equipment, as well as for mutual aid during an emergency.

Westshore Enforcement Bureau (WEB):  SAIC Jeff Capretto presented WEB's annual report.  Despite concerted efforts, the heroin epidemic continues.  Agent Capretto noted, "We can't arrest our way out of it."  Prevention and education are key.

Mayor Summers noted that education on medical marijuana is needed.  Agent Capretto characterized today's marijuana as a true hallucinogen, a gateway drug, and an impetus to assaults.

Unit Commander Pat Fiorelli discussed trends for the SWAT unit.  The team's "look" is being demilitarized to emphasize that they are police.  Alert training is being conducted in schools.  Robots are invaluable and frequently used to assess threats from abandoned packages.  Mayor Summers noted that the Republican National Convention (RNC) is expected to make extraordinary demands on local police forces.

Hazmat Team Leader Gordie Polando stated that plans for the RNC are being formulated.  Extra training for WMDs is underway, along with assessment of needed equipment.

Westcom:  Westshore Central Dispatch Acting Supervisor Ronald Barlow presented 2014 statistics.  Fire and EMS runs were up in all five cities and 6.3% overall, with a total of 14,058 runs in 2014.  Bay Village saw an increase of 11.2%, Fairview Park 5.6%, Rocky River 8.6%, North Ridgeville 4.2%, and Westlake 4.9%.

Mr. Greenspan:  Mr. Greenspan will hold a town hall meeting on March 19 at 7pm in Fairview Park City Hall with guest County Executive Armond Budish.

The next WCOG meeting is Wednesday, April 8 at 9:30am in Bay Village City Hall.  All meetings are open to the public.

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Volume 11, Issue 6, Posted 4:41 PM, 03.17.2015