Published February 2017 David H. Roche, Mayor
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Published February 2017 David H. Roche, Mayor INTRODUCTION Richmond Heights is the “City with the Forward Look” that is always geared toward growth and greatness. Being forward-looking is about having goals, appreciating how we are changing and identifying how to celebrate our growing and evolving community. We accomplish many of our goals with a few primary emphases: Increased efficiency, a consistent focus on keeping expenditures lean and ensuring programming and services meet residents’ needs. 2017 marks 100 years of vibrant history in Richmond Heights and will be marked by a series of Centennial Celebrations. We have a lot to be proud of as we celebrate. Through quality leadership and community togetherness, the City has maintained a superb suburban lifestyle for all residents to enjoy; united, we enjoy top-notch safety and Fire/EMS services, family-friendly recreational programming and a community ideal for people from all walks of life. ADMINISTRATION Valerie Stevenson, Special Assistant to the Mayor Kyla Presto, Special Projects Secretary Modes of Communication Modes of communication Administration uses include the Information Line, Message Board at the intersection of Highland and Richmond, City Edition newsletter, Community Conversations, website, ReadyNotify, YouTube video feed of Council meetings and select special meetings (includes archive and live channel), City Hall lobby display board and kiosks, “Connect with City Hall” comment system on our website, and striving to answer phone calls within three rings. By launching an e-newsletter in the summer of 2016, we enhanced our communication system with residents. Sent twice monthly, the e-newsletter keeps subscribers abreast of City-related events, current news and other items of interest. As of winter 2016, we had more than 900 subscribers, and the list continually grows. We’ve also increased our utilization of technology; for example, we now maintain call logs to better assist residents and follow up on pending items. Regional Collaboration As a small City, we outreach and engage in regional collaboration. Groups we belong to include the Heights-Hillcrest Regional Chamber of Commerce (HRCC), Hillcrest Council of Councils, Cuyahoga County Mayors and City Managers Association, Northeast Ohio Mayors and City Managers Association, Suburban Police Anti-Crime Network (SPAN), Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC), FirstEnergy Solutions Aggregation, Cuyahoga County Airport Noise Abatement Council, Northeast Ohio City Council Association, Inc. (NOCCA), Euclid Creek Watershed Council, Friends of Euclid Creek, Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA), Hillcrest Meals on Wheels, Tree City USA, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD), Senior Transportation Connection (STC), among others. Tree Commission The Tree Commission was established to act in an advisory capacity to the Mayor, City Council, employees and residents with respect to matters involving trees within the City. The Tree Commission was also designed to oversee the City’s annual Tree Program. We are planning to revive this commission in 2017. Civil Service Commission The Civil Service Commission is active in the City and is designed to provide rules for the merit, fitness, appointment and promotion of classified employees of the City, provided that such rules are consistent with the Constitution of the State of Ohio. 2017 STATE OF THE CITY, PG. 2 Special Projects Role Special Projects Secretary Kyla Presto was hired in 2016 and provides a variety of support functions to the Mayor and City staff. Her primary responsibilities include updating the City website, crafting brochures and marketing materials, serving as chief correspondent for the City Edition and editor for the e-newsletter, aiding with event planning, answering incoming phone calls, and other varied roles. LAW DEPARTMENT R. Todd Hunt, Director of Law Sara J. Fagnilli, Negotiations Michael E. Cicero, Prosecutor Departmental Activities There were no significant lawsuits over the past year. The one that was filed in 2016 was resolved in the City’s favor. Mr. Hunt regularly provides legal advice and prepares legislation for the City, and we are thankful for his service. Negotiations We have a new contract with Fire/EMS through the International Association of FireFighters (IAFF). We continue to negotiate with the other three unions related to police, dispatch and service. Prosecutor Role Michael E. Cicero serves as the City’s prosecutor and has provided expanded support, performing the duties of prosecutor in the Lyndhurst Municipal Court. He was appointed by the Mayor with approval by Council in 2016. Lyndhurst Municipal Court effectively provides court services to the City under Judge Mary Kaye Bozza. HUMAN RESOURCES Kathy Gamber, HR Manager During 2016, Human Resources Manager Kathy Gamber worked rigorously to ensure the City remained compliant with all employment laws. She managed the recruitment and selection process and worked closely with the Mayor, Fire Chief, and department directors to identify, interview and successfully hire highly qualified individuals for open positions. Other pertinent HR activities during 2016 included: Managed employee relations issues by meeting with Mayor/Directors on matters related to performance, facilitated meetings and ensured open lines of communication, provided guidance for successful resolutions, updated the Family and Medical Leave (FMLA) policy and processed leave requests, collaborated with the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation and City of Richmond Heights Law Department regarding Workers’ Compensation claims, and developed job descriptions along with an attendance policy for the Service Department. Plans for 2017 include rolling out an employee handbook and developing a supervisor policy manual. 2017 STATE OF THE CITY, PG. 3 FINANCE James W. Teknipp, Director Tony Miceli, Tax Administrator Thomas DiLellio, Assistant Director of Finance New Finance Director Thomas DiLellio recently resumed his role of Assistant Director of Finance upon the selection of James W. Teknipp, who now serves as Director of Finance. We thank Mr. DiLellio for acting as Interim Director of Finance while the selection process was underway and welcome Mr. Teknipp to our staff. General Fund The General Fund beginning balance was $3,623,062.64 on January 1, 2016, and the unexpended General Fund balance was $4,399,936.75 on December 31, 2016. Total General Fund revenues received by the City during 2016 were $8,518,359.45, while expenses were $7,741,485.34. At the end of 2016, all of the City’s funds ended the year with positive balances. RITA Collections and Impact of Credit Limit Charter Amendment RITA projects that the City of Richmond Heights 2017 Income Tax Collections will be approximately $6,000,000 to $6,200,000. This figure includes an average growth of 2% for 2017 and the loss of income tax withholdings from Associated Estates and Macy’s. RITA predicts that the first year impact from reducing the credit limit to 1.25% will be 20% ($200,000) for 2017, and $600,000 for 2018. The full impact of $996,000 will not occur until 2019. Auditor of State Financial Audit The Auditor of State has recently completed the 2015 financial audit with good results. This was the first one year audit for the City of Richmond Heights. In the past, the City’s audit period was for two fiscal years. Through the hard work of the Finance Department, we reduced findings for noncompliance. Investment Grade Credit Rating The City of Richmond Heights credit ratings from Standard & Poor’s (AA-) and Moody’s Investor Services (Baa1) are considered investment grade. Standard & Poor’s defines the outlook for the City as stable, and Moody’s has removed the negative outlook on the City. Long-Term Debt Obligations During 2016, the City continued to reduce its long-term and short-term debt obligations. At the beginning of 2016, the City’s long-term liabilities totaled $20,070,920. The City’s long-term debt obligations continue to decrease per our debt schedules. During 2016, the City reduced its long-term debt principal by $1,612,688, ending the year with total governmental long-term liabilities of $18,458,262. The City plans to further reduce its long-term debt in 2017 by paying off the entire balance of the $1,190,000 Street Improvement Bond Anticipation Note. Additionally, the Ohio EPA and the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) implemented an interest rate buy-down program. This refinancing of eight loans under the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) will amount to interest savings of more than $95,000 over the life of the loans. Our savings in interest for 2016 was more than $22,000. Establishment of Tax Subpoena Program and Income Tax Board of Review Tax Administrator Tony Miceli recently implemented a Tax Subpoena Program. The Tax Subpoena Program is for taxpayers who failed to file their City tax returns in the past. They are subpoenaed and are then are required to come to 2017 STATE OF THE CITY, PG. 4 City Hall to obtain assistance in getting their returns prepared. By statute, the Income Tax Board of Review was established. The Income Tax Board of Review is the final appeal process for a business or individual. BUILDING Phil Seyboldt, Building Commissioner James Urankar, Assistant Building Commissioner Richmond Town Square Conditional Uses Currently, we are working with the members of the Richmond Heights Planning Commission and other interested parties to discuss new conditional uses of the Richmond Town Square Mall. Richmond Town Square is interested in development of specialty destination shops. New conditional uses would expand usage possibilities. There are many possible uses found in other zoning districts around the City that may be compatible with a zone flanked on two sides by residential properties, and on the other two sides, by businesses. We want to evaluate alternate uses according to their activity, noise, traffic, or other factors that may render them poor neighbors for the surrounding properties. We also want to expand the possible uses beyond sales and retail, recognizing that big box stores are becoming less viable around the country and that businesses supporting service industries seem to be doing well.