Governing Board Action: January 14, 2005

At their January 14 meeting, the NOACA Governing Board unanimously elected Cuyahoga County Engineer Robert C. Klaiber, Jr. to serve as President of the NOACA Governing Board for calendar year 2005. This marks the first time that a county engineer has been elected NOACA Board President.

“I appreciate the opportunity to serve as president of the NOACA Board,” said Klaiber. “I started my career in public service under Strongsville Mayor Walter Ehrnfelt (1985 NOACA Governing Board President), and I feel honored to now be following in his footsteps.”

The slate of new 2005 officers approved by the Board includes:

President: Robert C. Klaiber, Jr. P.E., P.S, Cuyahoga County Engineer*
First Vice-President: Mark W. Ricchiuto, Public Service Director, City of Cleveland*
Second Vice-President: Stephen D. Hambley, Medina County Commissioner*
Secretary: Mary E. Samide, President, Geauga County Commissioners*
Assistant Secretary: Timothy F. Hagan, President, Cuyahoga County Commissioners
Assistant Secretary: William M. Grace, Mayor, City of Elyria
Treasurer: Betty C. Blair, President, Lorain County Commissioners*
Assistant Treasurer: Erwin J. Odeal, Director of NEORSD (Cuyahoga County)
Assistant Treasurer: James R. Gills, P.E., P.S., Lake County Engineer
Immediate Past Pres. Daniel P. Troy, Lake County Commissioner*

* - Denotes Executive Committee Member

In addition to the above officers indicated by asterisks, Cuyahoga County Commissioner Peter Lawson-Jones and Cleveland Mayor Jane C. Campbell will serve as NOACA Executive Committee members during the next calendar year. The Executive Committee acts as a liaison to the Governing Board, and has the authority to render decisions on behalf of the full Board between monthly meetings.

In other business, the Board approved a resolution requesting that the State of Ohio continue to support the Local Government Fund at current funding levels. Since the 1930s, state dollars supplied to the Local Government Fund, Local Government Revenue Assistance Fund and Library and Local Government Support Fund have enabled many cities and villages in Ohio to fund critical safety and municipal services. These services include support for police officers and firefighters, libraries, and parks and recreation departments. If this funding is reduced or eliminated, many communities may not be able to support these services through locally generated revenues.

Chris Ronayne, Chief of Staff to Cleveland Mayor Jane L. Campbell, presented an update on the Cleveland Lakefront Plan to Board members. Ronayne walked the audience through an eight-mile stretch of downtown lakefront, identifying proposals for redeveloping and changing the current landscape. The City is in Phase 3 of the Plan, which is focused on spurring economic development and improving access to Cleveland’s lakefront.