City Council Committees Move Ordinances Forward

Monday's meeting included business in the Finance & Appropriations, Public Improvements and Public Affairs committees.

In committee action:

• Finance director Joe Brodzinski recommended that the city join the Central Collection Agency of Cleveland to collect "underreported" income tax. Cuyahoga Falls would keep 95 percent of what is collected by CCA, Brodzinski said. Stow has used the service for about a year now, and it has generated about $50,000 in a year for the , Brodzinski said. 

The advantage is CCA has better access to federal tax records. Currently the city uses a combination of Cuyahoga Falls law department and an Akron credit bureau. CCA would not replace existing collectors, at least for the time being, Brodzinski said. The Finance Committee voted 3-0 to bring the ordinance for a vote by the  on Oct. 24. 

• The Finance Committee OK'd authorizing the director of public service to enter a contract with a cooperative procurement agreement with the North Central Service Cooperative to purchase services, materials and supplies. It goes before the full council on Oct. 24.

• The Finance Committee approved accepting an amended rates of taxation as certified by the Summit County Budget Commission. Lower property values are expected to reduce property tax collections by $600,000 to $625,000, Brodzinski said.

• The Public Improvements Committee approved projects to appear before the full council including the reconstruction of Broad Boulevard between Second Street and Newberry Street, a nearly $1 million project (the city's share would be about $190,000, said engineer Tony Demasi); reconstruction of Howe Avenue between Main Street and Buchholzer Boulevard, which could begin in 2016; and resurfacing Tallmadge Road between Newberry and Clyde roads. These projects would be funded largely by grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (AMATS).

• The Public Affairs Committee moved forward an ordinance to amend rules on construction that affect stormwater runoff and pollution to comply with Ohio Environmental Protection Agency regulations.   

• Thomas Pozza recommended that Public Affairs Committee approve a plan to seek restitution from homeowners and operators of "clandestine drug labs" for the cost of emergency cleanup. See .