Medina Council Shifts Sidewalk Repairs to City, Advances Deer Management Plan

Medina City Council took action on seven pieces of legislation during its Monday, July 13 meeting, most notably a sweeping deer management program and a new policy that puts the city in charge of sidewalk repair and replacement. Comprehensive Deer Management Program Approved Council President John Coyne III said the ordinance began as a simple update to the city’s existing deer abatement rules but grew into a much broader plan after months of work with the parks department, police department and the mayor. The plan keeps Medina’s archery program, which harvested more than 100 deer last year. It adds a sharpshooting program that will run between January and March, after archery season ends, with a goal of removing about 200 additional deer. Coyne noted that 142 deer were killed by vehicles in the city last year. Residents will be able to sign up by email to be notified when hunts are scheduled. The city also plans to add signage in areas with frequent deer crossings and to look at replacing native plants that have been wiped out by the deer population. Coyne said the city hopes to set up a program allowing residents, and people from outside Medina, to request donated deer meat once it has been processed. Meat that is not claimed would go to local food organizations rather than go to waste. Council Member Bill Lamb, who worked closely on the plan over the summer, said it will take several years, comparable to programs in other communities that have taken five to eight years, before the deer population reaches a more manageable level. He credited the parks director, police chief and mayor for their cooperation. A council member who chairs the committee that developed the plan thanked city staff for tracking data throughout the process and said residents should expect to see results, though it will take time. The ordinance passed 7 to 0 with an emergency clause attached, meaning it takes effect immediately. Sidewalk Repair Becomes a City Responsibility Council also approved a new ordinance rewriting Chapter 905 of the city code covering sidewalks, curbs and gutters. The change was the product of months of work by the Streets and Sidewalks Committee. Under the previous code, residents were responsible for maintaining, repairing and replacing the sidewalks in front of their own properties. The new ordinance shifts that responsibility to the city, which Coyne described as a public asset used by the entire community. Coyne said the city has more than 200 miles of sidewalk and that damage is usually caused by tree roots, storm sewers or other utility lines rather than resident neglect. The city plans to use grinding equipment to smooth out smaller trip hazards and to replace sidewalks in worse condition over time. Residents will still be required to shovel snow from their own sidewalks and keep them clear of items such as toys, according to the ordinance. One council member raised concerns during discussion, saying a review of sidewalk ordinances from 18 other communities showed that most cities help residents with repairs rather than fully assuming the cost. That member argued sidewalks should remain a resident expense, similar to routine home maintenance, and said covering the cost indefinitely was hard to accept. Coyne responded that differing opinions among the seven council members are part of the legislative process. The ordinance passed 6 to 1, with Council Member Chet Simmons opposed. The emergency clause attached to the ordinance also passed 6 to 1. Voters Will Decide on Expanding Road Fund to Cover Sidewalks A separate ordinance will ask Medina voters in the November 3 general election to expand the allowed use of the city’s dedicated 0.25 percent income tax fund, commonly called the 108 Fund, to include sidewalk repair alongside its current uses for streets, storm water and utility work. Law Director Gregory Huber explained that voters approved the 0.25 percent set aside in 2006 for streets, utilities and storm water, but sidewalks were not included at that time. He said the ballot request would not raise the city’s overall income tax rate, which remains at 1.25 percent. During discussion, one council member asked whether adding sidewalks to the fund would force the city to cut its concrete street repair budget in half to cover both priorities. Finance Director Keith Dirham said the amount spent from the fund varies year to year depending on which projects are underway and what grants become available, and that the city typically carries a balance because it lacks the staff to spend the full amount annually. Huber asked council to pass the measure subject to his final review, since he wants to adjust a few provisions in the draft language before it goes to voters. The ordinance passed 6 to 1, with Simmons again opposed, as did its emergency clause. Council Approves Brownfield Grant Consulting Agreement Council authorized Mayor Jim Shields to enter into a professional services agree