Brecksville Mourns Longtime Police Chief While Council Advances Road Fixes and New Hire

Brecksville City Council held a packed regular meeting on September 1, covering a swearing in ceremony, several finance resolutions, a large road project, and a tribute to a former police chief who died days earlier. Council also heard about two coaches recently inducted into the local athletic hall of fame. New Firefighter Sworn In Council approved Resolution 5892, appointing Thomas R. Carnifax as a part time firefighter and paramedic for the Brecksville Fire Department. Carnifax previously worked as a part time firefighter with the Canal Fulton Fire Department. He is a graduate of Howland High School in Warren and later attended Northwestern University in Illinois. He completed fire academy training at Tri C and paramedic training at Akron General. Mayor Daryl Kingston administered the oath, noting that Carnifax had wanted to join the Brecksville department since he rode along with the crew as an EMT trainee. Carnifax was joined at the ceremony by his fiancee, who pinned his badge. Riverview Road Culvert Project Moves Forward City Engineer Gerry Wise told council that the bid opening for the Riverview Road Culvert replacement project took place the prior Friday. DiGioia Suburban Excavating submitted the low bid of $347,977, about seven percent over the engineer's estimate, largely due to the cost of the precast culvert itself. The project will require a full road closure this fall between Chippewa and Snowville roads. Wise said detour signs will direct traffic around the closure using State Route 21 and State Route 82. Council separately approved a $200,000 cost share agreement with the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District to help fund the work. Council Approves Fee Changes and Routine Business Council passed a resolution amending the city's agreement with PayTrac to let the processor collect a three percent fee directly from customers who pay by credit card at the Community Center and Human Services Center, mirroring a change the Building Department made earlier this year. A companion ordinance extends that same fee structure to electronic payments across every city department, including Mayor's Court. Finance Director Laura Starosta said residents who pay by cash or check will not be charged the fee. Also approved were the annual transfer of funds between city accounts for the fiscal year, a request allowing the county to advance property tax proceeds more frequently, and certification of the city's tax rate to the county at 8.21 mills. Council authorized a memorandum of understanding with seven other communities, including Bedford and Independence, to jointly pursue a regional Assistance to Firefighters Grant for radio equipment. Council renewed its Black Box phone system maintenance contract for $7,960 and approved monthly professional bills totaling $57,089.83. Members also approved a liquor permit transfer for the County Line Saloon to PAC County Line Saloon LLC. Zoning and Signage Items Approved Council approved a variance allowing a 48 square foot ground identification sign at the Compass office building on Brecksville Road, exceeding the standard 30 square foot limit. Members also approved a final revision to the rear yard setback at the Valor Acres residential development on Lavender Lane, adjusting it from 28 feet to 27.2 feet. Athletic Hall of Fame Honors Local Coaches Mayor Kingston announced that the Brecksville Broadview Heights City Schools recently reinstated its Athletic Hall of Fame. Among this year's inductees are gymnastics coaches Ron and Joan Ganim and boys soccer coach Tony Niccoli. A council member with a personal connection to the honorees noted that Niccoli taught for 30 years and coached the soccer program to four state championships. The inductees will be recognized at the varsity football game on October 2. A formal induction ceremony follows on October 3 at Brecksville Broadview Heights High School. City Mourns Former Police Chief Mayor Kingston announced the passing of former Brecksville Police Chief Michael J. Carlin III, who died August 29 at age 77. Carlin served the Brecksville Police Department for 37 years and is remembered as the only officer in department history to hold every rank, from patrolman through captain, before becoming the city's seventh police chief. Before joining the department, Carlin served two tours of duty in Vietnam with the United States Marine Corps. On April 29, 1983, then Sergeant Carlin approached a vehicle near State Route 21 and State Route 82 for what he believed was a routine stop. The driver, who had killed his girlfriend in Akron earlier that day, opened fire and shot Carlin five times. Carlin pursued the suspect before collapsing from blood loss, then recovered and returned to duty. Mayor Kingston thanked retired Lieutenant Jerry N. Hruby, who led the investigation into the shooting at the time and later served for many years as Brecksville's Mayor and Safety Director, for sharing memories of Carlin's career. Carlin is survived by hi