A proposed auto dealership in Mentor means a big payoff on city-owned property, the deer continue to drop and drugs continue to take a tragic toll on area’s youth. Those items and more in the latest weekly city manager report to City Council:

Manager Comments 
• This week, the city received $500,000 from the Penske Automotive Group for the sale of land containing approximately 5.97 acres located on Market Street. (An Audi dealership is planned.)

• The recorded deer harvest number is 66 as of Friday.

Fire Department
• The Fire Department responded to two cardiac arrests that were possible overdoses this past week. One was deceased; the other was treated and transported, but resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. Both were in their twenties.

• The Fire Department provided EMS, Fire Prevention, Haz Mat and Incident Management support at Mentor High School for the appearance of President Obama on Nov. 3. Three people were treated for medical problems during the event. Two of the three were transported to the hospital — one to Lake West and the other to TriPoint.

Police Department
• Two new officers, Bryan Distelrath and Matthew Jacob, were sworn in by Judge Trebets last week. Both officers begin with a two-week orientation phase and then a fourth-month Field Training Program.

• The visit by President Obama on Saturday went well with no major problems encountered. Due to the amount of security needed for this detail, a request for mutual aid was made to all Lake County law enforcement agencies. A total of 45 officers from other agencies participated along with 30 Mentor officers. These officers covered traffic posts for the arrival and departure of the motorcade, exterior perimeter security, to include two mobile tactical teams and interior security.

• One complaint of possible tampered candy was received on Halloween. A box of Wonka Grape Nerds was found to have staples inside the box instead of candy.  The box was received somewhere in the Headlands during trick or treating. 

Engineering
• Storm sewer installation started Nov. 5 for the Station Street Resurfacing and Drainage Improvement project. The contractor is progressing from the existing culvert at 8583 Station St. to the east toward Jackson Street. The contractor is using a temporary traffic signal during construction operations.

• The Engineering Department along with the city manager and Councilman Landeg met with the Lake County Dept. of Utilities on Nov. 6 to discuss the recent sanitary sewer back-ups experienced on 10/29/12 in the area of N. Palmerston and N. Weatherby Drive due to rainfall from Hurricane Sandy. The county has indicated that they are continuing to evaluate the problem and looking into possible engineering solutions. A dye testing program to identify sources of inflow in this area was also discussed.

Parks and Recreation Department
• Terri Rosenwald, Ice Arena Manager, met with a representative of the Collegiate Hockey program to discuss bringing the 2015 Division I, II, III and Women’s hockey tournament to the Mentor Ice Arena. 

• The Special Elders program at the Senior Center will adopt a family for the holidays. They will have a Giving Tree that will be ready by Nov. 20. The tree will have items on it for individuals to select and purchase and return to the Senior Center by Dec. 14. The Special Elders group will wrap the gifts for the family.

• Last weekend began the Teens in Action volunteer program. There will be three groups cleaning up yards and raking leaves at seven low-income seniors’ homes.

• On Nov. 16, the Ice Arena will hold its annual Mascot Day from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Economic and Community Development
• Tom Thielman attended the annual Lake County Development Council Economic Forum at LaMalfa. Michael Chriszt, V.P. of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta predicted continued slow, but bumping growth of 2 percent. Though he did say that the U.S. economy needs to start creating more jobs just to keep up with those entering the work force. Dr. J.B. Silvers, Case Western Reserve University, presented a complete examination of the Affordable Healthcare Act and its impact on business and employees. He believes “in theory” that it can all work, but its success or failure will rely on continuous improvements and how well the plan is executed over time.

Public Works Department
• Chipping storm damage
• Crack sealing - Center Street
• Sewer televising - Melshore
• Right-of-way drainage improvement - S Shandle
• Marina entranceway improvement
• Storm cleanup - Garfield Park and Cemetery
• Inlet basin - rebuilds Bosley Cove
• Replaced traffic control equipment for controllers at Mentor Ave/Hart/Acacia
• HVAC bid opening (2) Nov. 14
• Submitted 3rd  Qtr. ARRA Report

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