Greetings Ward 3 Resident,
The verdict is in the groundhog Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow which means six more weeks of winter. Looking outside today I’m not too sure if he is correct about that. Regardless Spring will be here before we know it! City government remains relatively busy with a number of things to report on below.
Have a great rest of the week!
Dan Langshaw
Ward 3 Councilman
North Royalton City Council
Council Update
Highlights from Council Meetings
Some highlights from the City Council Meetings for January. Council approved Resolution 16-171 establishing a blanket purchase order amount limit as required by Ohio Revised Code 5705.41(D)(3). Council also approved Ordinance 17-01 establishing a 90 day moratorium on the issuance of permits for wireless communication facilities. The moratorium is necessary because the Ohio General Assembly last year stuck new telecommunication regulations in Senate Bill 331 during the lame duck session. The bill was supposed to regulate dog licenses and pet stores. They stick this telecommunications section in and it gave no chance for residents or communities to testify on the issue. The city needs additional time to review the new law so we can make appropriate changes to our existing ordinances on this. Read More. Council approved Ordinance 17-06 a new five year contract with Rumpke for rubbish and recycling collection.
Ward 5 Vacancy Update
On January 24th City Council had a Special Work Session to interview the two candidates Cheryl Hannan and Kathy King that applied for the open Ward 5 vacancy due to Steve Muller resigning from council on January 1st due to moving out of the city. Later that evening City Council held a Special Council Meeting and Cheryl Hannan was unanimously appointed by Council to be the new Ward 5 Councilwoman. Congrats to Mrs. Hannan! I look forward to working with her on City Council. Read More.
If you like to learn more about what is going on in City Council check out the minutes online by Clicking Here.
City Update
Combating Blight
The Administration and City Council are working on legislation to improve the city’s nuisance ordinance to better define the process to condemn and demolish blighted homes and recover some of the costs associated with it. I am supportive of this effort and it will help in addressing blighted properties here in Ward 3 as well. Read More.
Turnpike Mitigation Program
The turnpike noise wall project which includes North Royalton. Also portions of Strongsville, Olmsted Falls, Olmsted Township and Hudson is expected to start some time this year with a completion date of late October. This project is part of the Turnpike Mitigation Program, developed back in 2013 by the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission and the Ohio Department of Transportation. The focus of the program is to help minimizing the adverse effects to communities caused by the turnpike’s presence. Read More.
Rubbish & Recycling Contract Update
City Council has approved a new five year contract with Rumpke for rubbish and recycling collection. The new contract has rubbish collection remaining the same as it is with manual pick up. Starting in May recycling collection will change to semi-automated pick up where residents can only use a free 65 gallon bin with wheels at the bottom provided for weekly recycling only. Read More. Since December 6th residents have emailed and called me about this issue. I even did quick online ward survey. Click Here for survey result details. Some results that stood out to me were when folks were asked “Would you be supportive of automated recycling if given a free 65 gallon bin with wheels for weekly curbside collection?” 64.38% said Yes, 23.29% No, and 12.33% Maybe. When asked later a follow up question of “Would you be more supportive of automated recycling if it would help you avoid paying a fee for curbside pickup in the future?” support for semi-automated recycling increased with 76.39% said Yes, 11.11% No, and 12.5% were Maybe. The phone calls, emails, and survey results helped reinforce the majority of feedback I heard from residents on this issue that they support semi-automated recycling collection. As such I supported the change based on what I heard from residents. Thank you to all those who contacted me regarding this issue. Our city must recycle more or we will have to join the other half of the cities in Cuyahoga County that charge their residents a fee for rubbish/recycling. Residents especially those on a fixed incomes in our ward have made it clear to me that as their Councilman they want me to fight against that and to take action such as this to prevent them from having to pay a fee in the future. Landfill cost are rising and by recycling more it will help prevent a fee. Starting this month I will also provide a Monthly Recycling Tip in my newsletter to help provide better recycling education for residents as well. In April there will be community meetings to give residents more information about the new recycling program and answer any questions residents have. Recycling is voluntary in our city. If residents do not want to participate in the curbside recycling program they can still drop off their recycling on Saturdays at the City Service Yard. Residents who have any issues recycling due to a disability or some other circumstances can contact the City Service Department or Rumpke and they will review things on a case by case basis. Sorry, if this is a lot of information I just wanted to keep you all updated. I will provide more information in the coming months when I have more to report.
Around Ward 3
Woodbury & West Hampton Annual HOA Meeting
On January 14th attended the Woodbury & West Hampton Annual HOA Meeting. I enjoyed getting feedback from residents and learning more about what the HOA is doing for their neighborhoods.
Snow Parking Ban Reminder
Since we are approaching the start of winter. Here is a reminder about snow parking bans and where to find out if one is in effect. A snow parking ban pertains to all city streets is not cancelled until a North Royalton Police Department supervisor deems all roads safe and clear, which typically occurs after snow plow operations have been completed. Violators of the snow parking ban are subject to parking citations and/or impoundment of their vehicles. If you like to find out if a snow parking ban is in place you can check out the NRPD Facebook page. You can also see updates in the Facebook and Twitter feed portions of my website’s homepage at www.danlangshaw.com
Recycling Tip of the Month
Make a household goal to recycle more and recycle better in 2017. Start by putting the correct items such as: cans, cartons, glass, paper and boxes plus plastic bottles in your recycling bin. Click Here to learn more.
Send In Your Feedback
Got an issue you are concerned about? Is there a Homeowner Association Meeting, Condo Association Meeting, Community Organization Meeting, Block Party, or Event that you would like for me attend? Email me your feedback at ward3@northroyalton.org
Upcoming Events
City Council Streets, Storm Water, Utilities, and Special Review & Oversight Committee Meetings February 7th at 6pm at City Hall. Click Here to view agendas.
City Council Meeting February 7th immediately following the Committee Meetings but no sooner than 7pm at City Hall. Click Here to view agenda.
City Council Finance, Safety, and Building & Building Codes Committee Meetings February 21st at 6pm at City Hall. Click Here to view agendas.
City Council Meeting February 21st immediately following the Committee Meetings but no sooner than 7pm at City Hall. Click Here to view agenda.
Monthly Coffee with Councilman Dan Langshaw
If you are a constituent living in the North Royalton Ward 3, you are invited to attend my monthly constituent coffee. I hold these coffees in order to stay in touch with fellow residents and listen to their feedback. There is no appointment necessary. Simply stop by and talk to me. The next coffee will be held on:
When: February 25, 2017
Time: 10:00am-11:00am
Where: Subway
5660 Wallings Rd.
North Royalton, OH 44133
2017 North Royalton Baseball & Softball Registration
Register online at www.nrbb.org
Contact:
Dan Langshaw
Ward 3 Councilman
North Royalton City Council
14600 State Rd.
North Royalton, OH 44133
Phone: 440-785-4240
E-mail: ward3@northroyalton.org