Councilman Richard Banks and Jonathan Jobe
The Cleveland City Council on Tuesday approved a $40,000 fix for an inequity in fire department pay.
That comes after the council recently approved spending $61,982 to adjust pay inequities going back to 2005 for 14 police officers.
The fire department adjustment goes back to last November when city officials said the matter was brought to their attention, though City Manager Janice Casteel said it was discussed back in 2007.
Officials said some fire personnel were advancing from grade 25 to grade 26 (engineer position) and then onto grade 27 (leadership posts), while others went straight from grade 25 to grade 27. Those who went the later route did not get the amount of raises as those who did all three grades.
The council approved an overall study of the city pay plan - the first in many years. City Manager Casteel said it will be updated every five years.
Council members said they want to be alerted concerning any other existing inequities. City Manager Casteel said she does not believe there are any.
City Councilman Richard Banks said he had a call about city employees working on private property at the location of a planned new McDonald's at Paul Huff Parkway and Highway 60.
Jonathan Jobe, city public works director, said the work is a planned extension of the parkway. He said the city had gotten an easement at the site, but no deed. Councilman Banks said the work should not resume until a deed is in place. Mr. Jobe said the McDonald's developer should be able to quickly supply a quitclaim deed.
Mr. Jobe acknowledged that the current work "does look like a driveway" for McDonald's. Councilman Banks got a resolution passed that specifies that the deed to the city takes the parkway extension all the way across the McDonald's property to where it can eventually connect with another road. He said, "Otherwise, we are building a road to nowhere."
Officials said it will eventually connect to the Candies Creek section.
Council members indicated that a deal may be possible for Cleveland to again resume animal pickup out in the county under a $300,000 contract with the county.
Vice Mayor George Poe said he has been working closely with County Commissioner Thomas Crye.
One possibility is the SPCA would continue to operate the county facility and the contract would be deducted by the $80,000 the county pays the SPCA.
Cleveland animal control officers would take stray animals picked up in the city to the city facility and those in the county to the SPCA facility.
Council members were showing a rendering of planned new upgrades to seven tennis courts at Tinsley Park. There will also be a pavilion/rest rooms, parking lot repairs, new seating and new landscaping and water gardens.
The council also approved $60,000 for 10 new cameras along the city greenway, where there has been extensive vandalism.
Officials said the cameras are durable and bullet proof. They can also be voice activated.
The council approved a requirement that there must be a sprinkler system when five or more townhomes are attached.