Politics & Government
City Council Passes Towing Fee, Tables Redistricting
Development director provides update on Portage Crossing progress.
The Cuyahoga Falls City Council passed an ordinance that could add thousands of dollars to city coffers at the expense of car owners whose vehicles have been impounded.
During last week's committee meetings, Police Chief Tom Pozza told that had the fee been in place since Jan. 1, it would have already generated $39,000 (780 vehicles times $50) that could be used to fund police training and equipment purchases.
The council tabled ordinances that would have established new boundaries for wards to conform to 2010 Census figures and one that would have established a contract with a company to operate a automotive parts shop at the city’s facility at 2560 Bailey Road. The Ward redistricting will be discussed and possibly voted on at a special meeting on Dec. 5.
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The Council also passed:
• an ordinance authorizing the director of public safety to buy SCUBA equipment and other rescue equipment;
Find out what's happening in Cuyahoga Fallswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
• An ordinance dealing with sick leave and vacation time for eligible employees;
• A resolution expressing support for the construction of the Cuyahoga Falls/Silver Lake Police Memorial;
• An ordinance authorizing the demolition and removal of building debris at various locations in the city.
Community and Economic Development Director Susan Truby presented an update to the council about progress at the development. The developer, Stark Enterprises, was not available for Monday’s presentation, but Truby said members would be available Dec. 12.
Truby said the plans have expanded a from a planned 270,000 square feet to about 400,000 square feet, and the budget has grown from $40 million to more than $60 million, but the developer still plans to break ground in spring of 2012.
The developer and city closed the purchase of the BP station at the intersection of Portage Trail and State Road in September, and Truby said demolition is expected by year’s end.
Pressed for details on what specific retailers had committed to the development, Truby said she didn't have specifics yet.