Mentor’s K-9 cops get new protective gear, the city’s income dips and the safety forces handle some tough calls. Those items and more in the latest weekly city manager memo to City Council:

Manager Comments
• K-9’s Titan and Bo have received their new ballistic vests. Both handlers will start having the dogs wear the vests in short periods to get used to them and determine how they can react while wearing them.

• Income tax collections for the month of September were down $60,000 when compared to September of last year. The current total year collections through September, as compared to last year, are up about 10 percent.

• Security cameras installed late summer at the Marina are also performing well. The cameras provide real-time, high-definition monitoring and recording. We are hopeful this will be an added deterrent as we move into the off season.

• Equipment was installed and repairs were made to the clock in the Municipal Complex tower. The main mechanism was replaced and it should now keep proper time and remain synchronized with the chimes and music. It is performing well so far.

Fire Department
• On Oct. 3 at 8:18 a.m., paramedics responded to Lincoln Electric for a patient with partially amputated fingers after getting his hand caught in a machine. The patient was treated and transported to the hospital.

• On  Oct. 4 at 10:55 a.m., paramedics were called to the Headlands area for a bariatric patient who fell. The patient was complaining of leg and knee pain and requesting transport to the hospital. The Bariatric Squad and manpower were called to the scene. Fire crews began disassembling the front porch and placed air bags under the decking to extricate the patient to the squads. The patient then refused transport to the hospital. A release was signed and units returned to service.

• Chief Harvey has held meetings with the County’s Medical Director to develop enhanced emergency medical protocols to address emergency responses to “active shooter” incidents.

• Public Education instituted an educational program for Ridge Middle School involving “hands only” CPR, AED training and fire extinguisher lecture and other safety training over four days. We will be doing additional training sessions over the school year.

Police Department
• Officers arrested a male for aggravated menacing after he verbally threatened to shoot his wife. During the investigation officers were able to recover an AK-47 and a handgun from the basement of the house.

• A male was arrested for robbery while stealing video games from Kmart. The male was confronted by store loss prevention staff who attempted to apprehend the suspect after he walked out with the stolen merchandise. The suspect put his hand behind his back indicating he had a weapon. Loss prevention employees backed away from the suspect who then fled in his vehicle. The vehicle was located at Heisley and SR2. The male was arrested and all of the stolen property was recovered.  No weapons were found on the suspect or in his vehicle.

• The police department continues to provide traffic control assistance at Heisley/SR2/Diamond Center and 615/SR2 due to the construction projects. We are typically providing at least three on-duty officers to supplement the projects during peak traffic times.

• Capt. Gunsch and Capt. Knight participated in the Safe Routes to School program. They walked with students from Orchard Hollow and Sterling Morton.  

Engineering
• SR 2 Widening — Weather permitting, final paving operations on Center Street are expected to be completed this week or early next week. Following completion on Center Street, ODOT anticipates moving paving operations to Heisley Road. It is anticipated paving would begin by Monday. Traffic flow will continue to be monitored during the construction operations.

Parks and Recreation Department
• The Civic Center Pool is in the process of being painted so it will be ready when the season begins next year. 

• The Senior Center will hold an Oktoberfest lunch Oct. 18 beginning at 11:45 a.m. There will be traditional music by Eric Noltkamper, along with a traditional Oktoberfest meal. Please call the Senior Center for details and reservations. 

Economic and Community Development
• MEACO has begun celebrating its 30th Anniversary. The nonprofit corporation was formed in November of 1982 and received its certification from the U.S. Small Business Administration to originate SBA loans in early 1983. 

• MEACO closed its SBA 504 loan with Sunbright USA, a Mentor manufacturing company, who purchased a building at 8909 East Ave. The total project cost was $765,000.

• As Oct. 1 represents the beginning of the new fiscal year for the CDBG program, it provides an opportunity to review accomplishments:

o Seventeen families were assisted through the single-family housing rehab program with projects that ranged from roof replacement to hot water tank replacement. This initiative is managed by the Western Reserve Community Development Corporation.

o The Corduroy Road Streetscape Project was another significant initiative resulting in the construction of a sidewalk, tree lawn and street trees.

Finance
• Work continues on the 2013 budget in preparation for a future Council budget work session.

Public Works Department
•    Continued improvements at the Dog Park
•    Winterizing irrigation systems
•    Winterizing pool
•    Durapatching - Jackson Street
•    Concrete replacement - Lori Jean
•    Trouble shooting communication problems on SR 84 traffic system
•    Completed grading and retaining wall reset at Ice Arena - matting and seeding is next
•    Storm sewer inspection/cleaning - S. Camelot, Westmoor, Midland
•    Drainage assistance project - Hallnorth
•    Crack sealing - Kittery Cove, Lori Jean

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