The Cleveland City Council on Monday had a split decision that ultimately led to the city not requiring taxpayers to pay a convenience fee for payment made to the city using credit cards.
Currently, there is no convenience fee when residents pay fines, fees, court costs and other city-related charges. This lack of convenience fee is forcing the city to absorb the fees demanded by credit card companies.
The proposed ordinance would have allowed the city to charge a convenience fee to equal the fee charged by credit card companies.
“I have had somebody approach me who said if we’re going to do that, we should wait until next year to allow people adequate time to know we’re going to do it,” Councilwoman Bambi Hines said. Enough council members agreed, and the motion failed.
In other matters, it was announced that Councilman Bill Estes is running in the upcoming New York Marathon.
The council also approved the following items on the consent agenda:
Reappointment - Board of Zoning Appeals - Bruce Renner for an additional three-year term to expire November 2012.
Reappointment - Housing Board of Adjustments and Appeals - Dee Frisbee for an additional three-year term to expire October 2012.
Appointment - Shade Tree Board - Jennifer Norton to fill the unexpired term of Sam Bracato with a term to expire August 2010.
Street Light Recommendation - Lyle Korn located at 2042 & 2044 White Street SE (Cleveland Utilities recommends no additional lighting; meets guidelines. However, trees are obstructing adequate light from reaching the requested location).
Finally, council members approved the following new business and ordinances:
Resolution No: 2009-118 - authorizing the mayor to sign loan documents for QSCB funding for the Cleveland High School science wing.
Resolution No: 2009- 119 - amending the Authorized Position list for the FY2010 Budget.
Zoning Ordinance No: 2009-73 - to rezone 0.4 acres on Michigan Avenue Road NE (Tax Ma p 043 Parcel 4) from low density single and multi-family residential (R2) to commercial general (CG) (request by Henry Schroeder; Planning Commission approved 6:0).
Motion - to purchase property on Hill Street for $3,500.
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