West Shore Council of Governments (WCOG) meeting, March 9, 2016

This report is not an official statement of the League of Women Voters. Mayor Bobst's office prepares official minutes.

Present: Mayors Bobst (Rocky River), Clough (Westlake), Patton (Fairview Park), Summers (Lakewood), and Sutherland (Bay Village). Mayor Kennedy (North Olmsted) was absent. 

County Office of Sustainability Director Mike Foley spoke. His department, formed 13 months ago, was created to encourage use of greener energy. He spoke about the Clean Energy Finance Hub, which will help businesses, institutions, local governments and homeowners reduce their energy costs and access affordable clean energy retrofits and renewable power supplies. This bundling would take advantage of a 30 percent tax credit for solar power installations. His department will also help cities by performing energy audits.

Newly appointed County Chief Economic Development Officer Ted Carter introduced himself. He is from Jacksonville, Florida. He outlined how the county can assist communities in economic development. He will attend the May WCOG meeting.

Bay Village Law Director Gary Ebert spoke about the Mutual Aid Agreement to provide security for the Republican National Convention. Cleveland has asked cities for use of half of their police force – especially those that are Westshore Enforcement Bureau (WEB) trained. He asked mayors to check with their law directors about their city's liability insurance.

Fiscal Officer Renee Mahoney presented WEB's January financials and consideration of new WEB pay rates.

Susanne Blackburn, CERT Coordinator candidate, was introduced and spoke briefly about her qualifications. The position will be 10-15 hours per week, with an office in Westlake.

NOACA will discuss the funding of Fix-It-First project.

County Planning Commission – there is a need to train cities' citizens who volunteer for this job.

Cuyahoga County Mayors & Managers Association (CCMMA) will discuss the impact of loss of funding previously attained through the Local Government Fund. They will meet in Columbus to educate our state legislators.

District 1 Cuyahoga Council Member David Greenspan and CCMMA Executive Director Lisa Barlow were also in attendance.