Friday, January 29, 2010
Paperwork Reduction Ordinance Referral
It is time for Elyria to take additional steps to become greener, as set forth by our green initiatives adopted last year. In furtherance of this goal, and in an effort to save money and improve communications, I have proposed a paperwork reduction ordinance, based on the concepts set forth in the federal Paperwork Reduction Act. This will save paper, copying expenses, time and energy. A copy of this referral is in the Referrals section of this web site.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Interview with Katie Couric on CBS News
Tonight after the President's State of the Union address, Doris Young, Ray Noble and I will be interviewed by Katie Couric for our reactions to the speech. CBS wanted to interview three people from Elyria because of the President's recent visit and they wanted to include a democrat, republican and an independent. The interview will be conducted through Skype, an internet-based technology, and should be available for viewing as a webcast on http://www.cbsnews.com/.
It is very exciting to have national attention spotlighting our city. Hopefully this will lead to more opportunities to assist in this area's economic recovery.
Feel free to send me an email to let me know your thoughts regarding what you believe should be the nation's focus when it comes to helping areas like Lorain County and Elyria.
It is very exciting to have national attention spotlighting our city. Hopefully this will lead to more opportunities to assist in this area's economic recovery.
Feel free to send me an email to let me know your thoughts regarding what you believe should be the nation's focus when it comes to helping areas like Lorain County and Elyria.
Monday, January 11, 2010
2010 Budget
Council has already passed the 2010 temporary appropriations budget, which covers the City until March 31, 2010, the deadline for the 2010 Regular Budget to be submitted. A copy of the 2010 temporary appropriation is below in the Documents section. Also provided is a copy of the final 2009 Budget, showing all monies spent during 2009. This document will be used to generate the 2010 budget, based on the auditor's estimates.
$27,441,558.00 2010 GF Projected Revenues
$ 800,000.00 Carryover from Dec. 31, 2009
$28,241,558.00 GF funds for 2010
$30,338,239.00 Total Expenditures 2009
($2,096,681.00) Cuts needed from 2009 to 2010
Keep in mind that ongoing expenditures, such as personnel cuts, made throughout 2009 will have an impact for the entire year in 2010. Those will be part of the figure shown above as cuts needed from 2009 to 2010.
$27,441,558.00 2010 GF Projected Revenues
$ 800,000.00 Carryover from Dec. 31, 2009
$28,241,558.00 GF funds for 2010
$30,338,239.00 Total Expenditures 2009
($2,096,681.00) Cuts needed from 2009 to 2010
Keep in mind that ongoing expenditures, such as personnel cuts, made throughout 2009 will have an impact for the entire year in 2010. Those will be part of the figure shown above as cuts needed from 2009 to 2010.
SR 57/West River Rd. N Comments
In response to questions and comments received from several residents, below I have copied some information received from the Engineer's office that might help.
Almost all of the changes that were made to the traffic patterns, lane assignments, signal timings and signs were the result of a S.R. 57 Traffic Corridor Study, new lanes pattern and upgrade to current requirements and standards. The coordination of the traffic signals has not been fully implemented. The subcontractor that installed the signals is continuing to work with the manufacturer to modify the programming in the traffic controllers to improve the coordination and efficiency of the traffic signals at the 7 intersections.
Point 1: Prior to the project, there was only one thru lane northbound on West River Rd. The plans called the existing median island on W. River north of S.R. 57 to be removed and two northbound thru lanes to be marked. We currently are keeping the right thru lane northbound closed while modifications to the new traffic pattern is being reviewed with ODOT.
Point 2: The turning movements for the westbound S.R. 57 right turn lane to West River Rd. north are being reviewed. We are having both ODOT and the designer look at the option of adding an additional signal in the traffic island that would have better visibility to the motorists in the right turn lane. We have advanced signs indicating traffic signal for right turn. We need a signal at this location that would stop traffic when the pedestrian crossing signal is activated. There are currently signs in place that prohibit a left turn onto Bell Ave. from S.R. 57 northbound and also prohibit the left turn onto S.R. 57 from Bell Ave.
Point 3: The camera mounted on the pole is specifically for Video Detection Unit and not to monitor any traffic or speed. This unit is in place to detect the movements of the traffic westbound on the westbound lanes of S.R. 57 instead of the normal pavement detector loops. Due to the proximity of the Bridge over the Black River, detector loops could not be cut into the concrete bridge deck and the traffic control designer had the Video Detection Unit installed instead of the loops. This detection unit relays information to the traffic signal controller for westbound thru traffic.
Point 4: As was mentioned earlier, we are in the process of improving the coordination of the signals from intersection to intersection.
Point 5: The spacing of the lights was designed based on illuminating the pavement area as per the normal design parameters.
Almost all of the changes that were made to the traffic patterns, lane assignments, signal timings and signs were the result of a S.R. 57 Traffic Corridor Study, new lanes pattern and upgrade to current requirements and standards. The coordination of the traffic signals has not been fully implemented. The subcontractor that installed the signals is continuing to work with the manufacturer to modify the programming in the traffic controllers to improve the coordination and efficiency of the traffic signals at the 7 intersections.
Point 1: Prior to the project, there was only one thru lane northbound on West River Rd. The plans called the existing median island on W. River north of S.R. 57 to be removed and two northbound thru lanes to be marked. We currently are keeping the right thru lane northbound closed while modifications to the new traffic pattern is being reviewed with ODOT.
Point 2: The turning movements for the westbound S.R. 57 right turn lane to West River Rd. north are being reviewed. We are having both ODOT and the designer look at the option of adding an additional signal in the traffic island that would have better visibility to the motorists in the right turn lane. We have advanced signs indicating traffic signal for right turn. We need a signal at this location that would stop traffic when the pedestrian crossing signal is activated. There are currently signs in place that prohibit a left turn onto Bell Ave. from S.R. 57 northbound and also prohibit the left turn onto S.R. 57 from Bell Ave.
Point 3: The camera mounted on the pole is specifically for Video Detection Unit and not to monitor any traffic or speed. This unit is in place to detect the movements of the traffic westbound on the westbound lanes of S.R. 57 instead of the normal pavement detector loops. Due to the proximity of the Bridge over the Black River, detector loops could not be cut into the concrete bridge deck and the traffic control designer had the Video Detection Unit installed instead of the loops. This detection unit relays information to the traffic signal controller for westbound thru traffic.
Point 4: As was mentioned earlier, we are in the process of improving the coordination of the signals from intersection to intersection.
Point 5: The spacing of the lights was designed based on illuminating the pavement area as per the normal design parameters.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Trash Pickup Delays
I have received several calls regarding trash pickup delays. The pickup delays are due to equipment issues with the trucks. We have had as few as 1 truck on duty while the others are being repaired. The City appreciates your patience as we work through the equipment issues. On a brighter note, soon we will have brand new trucks as the new automated trucks are delivered and the city switches over to the new system.
New Council Convened (Contact Information)!
On January 4, 2010, the new City Council was sworn in for the 2010-11 term. Congratulations and welcome aboard to new council members Marcus D. Madison (Ward 5), Jerry A. McHugh (Ward 7) and Mary F. Siwierka (At-Large). The updated contact information for Council is now posted under Documents on this web page and also listed below:
Ward 1 Larry W. Tanner 322-2521
Ward 2 Forrest L. Bullocks 322-7370
Ward 3 Garry L. Gibbs 322-6960
Ward 4 Mark F. Craig 366-0608
Ward 5 Marcus D. Madison 323-2817
Ward 6 Donna Mitchell 323-6901
Ward 7 Jerry A. McHugh 366-5150
At-Large Thomas G. Callahan 365-8972
At-Large Michael J. Lotko, III 322-3501
At-Large Mary F. Siwierka 322-0016
At-Large Victor F. Stewart III 284-5848
Best wishes to all!
Ward 1 Larry W. Tanner 322-2521
Ward 2 Forrest L. Bullocks 322-7370
Ward 3 Garry L. Gibbs 322-6960
Ward 4 Mark F. Craig 366-0608
Ward 5 Marcus D. Madison 323-2817
Ward 6 Donna Mitchell 323-6901
Ward 7 Jerry A. McHugh 366-5150
At-Large Thomas G. Callahan 365-8972
At-Large Michael J. Lotko, III 322-3501
At-Large Mary F. Siwierka 322-0016
At-Large Victor F. Stewart III 284-5848
Best wishes to all!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Happy New Year!
Welcome to the new year and the new decade! Let's hope that together we can turn the corner and start to make real progress in improving our community this year!
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