Ever wonder how your public servants are investing their time and your tax dollars? Here are some tidbits I gleaned from Mentor City Manager Ken Filipiak's weekly memo to City Council (words in bold added by me):

Drainage woes being addressed
 •   As part of our ongoing efforts to alleviate potential flooding concerns in the city, the Lake County Department of Utilities is televising sanitary sewers east of SR 306 in the “President Streets” area. They recently installed a flow meter in the sanitary sewer on SR306, just south of Chestnut Commons. A device to measure sanitary sewer surcharges was installed in the sewer serving Bellflower Terrace. We will continue to communicate and coordinate efforts with the County and report the findings.


Heroin a growing problem
•    We continue to respond to calls related to heroin use. The most recent occurred on Wednesday, Sept. 7 at 4:06 p.m. Paramedics responded to 6305 Meldon to treat a 28-year-old female, who was experiencing bad withdrawals from recent heavy use of the drug. She was treated and transported to Lake West Hospital.

Black Brook Golf Course is the bomb?
•    On Sept. 7 at about 1:20 p.m., officers responded to Black Brook Golf Course for a reported suspicious device located near the 10th green. The item was about the size of a cigar box, wrapped in duct tape, and had some sort of wick or fuse coming out one end. The Bomb Squad was called and determined the box contained fireworks. Due to the nature of the package, the fireworks likely would have caused no damage and minimal injury to anyone in the vicinity if set off. Two other firework devices were found nearby; one had been used, the other had a burned fuse, but had not functioned.

Weather delays Route 2 project
•    SR2 Widening Phase 3: ODOT’s contractor is approximately 30 days behind schedule due to weather delays and issues regarding the roadway subgrade. Subgrade issues have been worked out and mainline construction has resumed. The contractor is attempting to finish the mainline asphalt base paving from Newell Creek to Hendricks Road. When the asphalt paving has been completed, noise barrier foundations will begin to be installed. Ramp work at SR 615 continues. Upon completion of the ramp work, SR 615 widening will proceed.

Catching a vision for kick-starting economy
•    (Economic Development Director) Ron Traub and I attended a very informative presentation by Mark Kvamme, President and Chief Investment Officer of JobsOhio sponsored by the Ohio Venture Association. This organization is predominately made up of venture capitalists and Mr. Kvamme presented his Ohio vision and what it will take to jumpstart investment interest in the state. Ron and I represented the only city there, and we were fortunate enough to speak with Mr. Kvamme about Mentor. We also unexpectedly met up with Ray Kralovic (STERIS founder) and talked with him about his newest projects.

Wet weather didn't dampen pool season
•    The summer swimming season is over and all facilities are closed. We had an annual attendance of 84,240 swimmers, 15 percent above the five-year average. The revenue was $315,420, 2 percent above the five-year average. Considering the late start due to the rain, the numbers are good.

To read the entire memo, see below.

-- Betsy Scott, BScott@News-Herald.com

Mentor City Council Memo Sept. 9