Following are updates on various topics for your information. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you!
Oberlin’s ISO Rating to Remain at Current Level Due to Staff Intervention: The Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO) is one of the property/casualty insurance industry's suppliers of statistical, actuarial, underwriting, and claims data. Among other services, ISO supplies data to help insurers make independent decisions about their pricing. Several months ago, we received notice from ISO that they intended to downgrade the insurance classification rating for Oberlin for residential properties. Staff was concerned that the information on which ISO based its decision was out of date or changes were pending implementation, and that such downgrade could adversely impact Oberlin rate payers. Accordingly, Oberlin’s Planning and Development Director and our Building Officials appealed the rating decision. One factor in the ISO decision was the delay at the state level to adopt the latest version of the international residential building code. We were notified this week by ISO that the rating will remain at the previous level, through April 2010 and the status of code adoption will be reviewed at that time. Accordingly, we will be monitoring the state’s progress in adopting the latest version of the residential code.
City Manager’s Office
Transit Cuts Result in Several Initiatives: The recently implemented cuts by Lorain County Transit have resulted in concern by residents and Councilmembers. First, here is some basic information about the budget cuts:
When the cuts were announced in May, savings through the end of the year were presented by LCT. On an annualized basis the County’s cost reduction for Route 21 is approximately $124,000 and for the Route 33 is $56,000.
The majority of the complaints regarding service reductions received by LCT staff have been related to the elimination of Route 33. LCT staff is monitoring and tracking those complaints. One complaint has been received at City Hall regarding the need for reinstatement of the 33 for commuters to Cleveland and the need to preserve the dial-a-ride service.
County Administration and LCT are still looking at other scenarios for the system to address funding constraints. The goal is to have other scenarios and options ready for discussion and presentation at public meetings June 22 and June 25.
Here is an update of several initiatives underway:
Staff has been meeting for some months about the possibility of a local circulator with LCT, Oberlin College, and Oberlin Community Services. The College and LCT have little or no money to put into this. Accordingly, other alternatives are being explored. Additionally, the cuts to regular service were announced during this time, so we began exploring options related to those services as well. Meetings are likely to continue this summer.
At my request, LCT staff is analyzing ridership changes on Route 21 to compare levels before the cuts and afterwards.
Since LCT service reductions diminished Oberlin's connection with the rest of the County and Cuyahoga County, this affects persons getting to jobs, medical appointments, etc. We have been in communication with Oberlin Community Services to learn/monitor the impact service cuts. The OCS board is interested helping to find creative alternatives or other means to improve the situation.
It has been suggested that the County investigate if impacted communities could pull together to fill the void in LCT funding. According to Lorain County officials, there has been limited interest expressed to date for such support. I have asked to place this item on the next agenda for the Lorain County Mayors and Managers Association.
At my suggestion, LCT has added NOACA’s Rideshare program link to its website and LCT has had discussions with VPSI, the major national vanpool company. Carpooling and vanpooling may be two alternatives to restoring/maintaining fixed route service. LCT is sharing information about these two options to help employers maintain mobility to workplaces.
The City of Vermilion is investigating beginning its own circulator bus service that would begin in 2010. I have contacted Mayor Anderson and the city’s consultant to learn more about their plans and any opportunities to collaborate.
City Manager Elected to Team Lorain County Board of Directors: Team Lorain County (TLC) is an independent economic development organization that develops county-wide economic development programs, representing all communities located in Lorain County. TLC works as part of a regional coordinated strategy to attract, retain and expand businesses in Northeast Ohio. Recently, I was unanimously elected to the Team Lorain County Board of Directors. My first meeting as a board member will be September 2, 2009.
No comments:
Post a Comment