The President's Corner

This month I will continue a series of columns begun last month that are meant to inform you about the committee structure of Parma City Council. Last month I focused on why Council committees are formed and how they operate, as well as a synopsis about the Finance Committee. This month I hope to inform you about some of the other working groups of Council.

The Public Safety Committee is headed up by Council veteran, Ward Four Councilman Brian Day. Ward Seven Councilman Brian Brochetti serves as the Vice Chairman of the committee. The Safety Committee is charged with dealing with all matters relating to the Fire Prevention Code, the Building Code, the Housing Code, the Traffic Code, the improvement, repair and construction of municipal properties and ways, public health, the Building Department, use of public streets and sidewalks, penal ordinances and public nuisance abatement. For instance, this is the committee that worked with the Building Department to craft the new ordinance that authorizes building inspectors to ticket chronic nuisance properties.

Next, the Public Service Committee is chaired by Ward Two Councilwoman Debbie Lime with Ward Six Councilman Larry Napoli serving as Vice Chair. This committee handles legislation relating to public parks, playgrounds, recreational sites, the Ridgewood Municipal Golf Course, recreational buildings, such as Ries Ice Rink, swimming pools, recreational programs, public charities, direct and work relief, hospitals, social services, Senior Citizen programs, and the maintenance of and cleaning of public streets and sidewalks.  It is in this committee where new recreation programs, such as this year’s new evening youth baseball and softball leagues, are discussed.

Ward Six Councilman Larry Napoli has always been an advocate for making Parma’s environment even better. This is why his colleagues have granted him the chairmanship of the Environmental Standards Committee over the years. Ward Three Councilman Mark Casselberry serves as Vice Chairman. All matters relating to natural watercourses, streams, creeks, brooks and the pollution thereof; the water supply, smoke abatement, air pollution, street lighting, surface and storm water drainage, the construction, maintenance and repair of storm and sanitary sewers, sewage disposal and the collection and disposal of refuse and other waste are the issues heard in this committee. For example, Councilman Napoli’s committee played a key role in protecting the West Creek Preserve, which is now the Cleveland Metroparks' West Creek Reservation.

More about the other committees of Parma City Council next month. Committee meetings generally take place on the first Monday of each month at 6:00 pm and the second Monday of the month at 7:00 pm. The public is encouraged to attend and participate in these informative meetings, which take place at Parma City Hall in City Council Chambers. To enter Council Chambers, simply park behind City Hall and enter through the back doors. Meeting dates and times are posted on the City’s website at www.cityofparma-oh.gov or you may simply call the Council office for information at 440-885-8091. Happy St. Paddy’s Day and here’s to a warm spring!