The speculation centered on whether the losers in the Old Church Building debate---Mayor Coleman and Councilmen Frank Legan and Ed Hargate---would put on a show or otherwise try to pressure the remaining council members into changing their minds about demolishing the building.
That didn’t happen. In fact, it was a quick and sedate council meeting.
One fact did come to light: as of Tuesday night, the mayor still had not signed the demolition resolution—thereby (at least temporarily) preventing it from taking effect. That fact was revealed when City Engineer Steve Hovancsek reported that he was, “still waiting for authorization to send out the notice of award” (notifying all bidders that the contract had been awarded to Ace Demolition).
By law, Mayor Coleman has 10 days from the resolution’s enactment (on Spet. 21st) to either sign or veto it; if he does neither, the resolution will automatically take effect on Oct 2nd.
Tough Decisions Ahead
Two items caught my interest on Tuesday night.
Item One.
During a Safety Service Committee (SSC) meeting, Fire Chief Bill Turner brought up the subject of replacing the city’s ladder fire truck. Although it is still functioning, the truck is getting towards the end of its normal 20 year life span.
A 75 foot ladder truck currently costs about $700,000, and a 100 foot ladder truck costs a cool $1 million.
Chief Turner’s immediate top priority is replacing the city’s well-used but ageing ambulance/rescue squad vehicle, but he wanted to get the ladder truck “on the radar,” he said, so the SSC could start thinking about it.
Item Two.
Councilman Ed Hargate announced that the Hillcrest Council of Council--- a group that he heads, which serves elected and appointed officials from several local cities—would be discussing joint police/emergency dispatch centers and joint fire departments at its December meeting.
And there you have the rub.
Chief Turner, justifiably proud of his department, wants to keep it equipped at current levels. Cash-strapped cities, however, are increasingly thinking about joining together and sharing resources, as a way to maintain services, while stretching tax dollars.
Chief Turner may have opened the door to such a discussion in our city, now that he’s put replacing the city’s ladder truck on SSC’s “radar”.
Meanwhile, here are some miscellaneous pertinent facts to ponder:
- Highland Heights’ zoning and building codes limit buildings to two stories.
- The city hasn’t always had a ladder truck. The one it has now was purchased second-hand from Mayfield Village in 2006.
- In addition to the ladder truck, the city has two pumper trucks. The ladder truck is used as the first response vehicle. Usually four firefighters ride with the ladder truck.
- During the day, up to 7 firefighters and/or fire personnel may be on duty. After 5 pm, usually 4 are on duty.
- Mutual aid (i.e., assistance from surrounding communities) is called for, whenever smoke or fire is reported.
- The city receives additional points from its insurance rating agency because it owns a ladder truck.
