Mentor police get a big grant for traffic enforcement, took part in a heroin sting, and more people are getting help for water woes — those items and more in the latest weekly city manager report to City Council.

Manager Comments
• The police department has been awarded a $50,819.04 High Visibility Enforcement Overtime Grant for 2014. Money from this grant allows for increased patrols during select state enforcement campaigns, such as “Click It or Ticket” and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.” It also allows for increased patrols during certain holidays and at times identified by the department.

• Sanitary Sewer Backup Reduction Grant Program – As of Sept. 19, 101 applications have been received; 23 of these applications have been approved, and 9 residences have completed the work to date and are requesting reimbursement from the city.

Police Department
• On Wednesday morning members of the police department participated in a round-up of people involved in a suspected heroin ring. Heroin dealers and users from Cuyahoga, Lake and Ashtabula counties were involved in the ring, which was investigated by members of the Cuyahoga County Drug Task Force.  Arrest warrants were served on over 90 suspects, including several in Mentor and the Lake County area.  All arrested suspects were transported to Cuyahoga County for processing.

• The police department investigated a complaint regarding a threatening statement directed toward students of Mentor High School, which was posted on Facebook. A 17-year-old male was identified as posting the statement and was arrested for inducing panic.

 Fire Department
• On Sept. 16, the Fire Department responded to a structure fire on Arrowood Drive. The fire department arrived at 2:45 p.m. and the fire was under control at 2:53. The fire originated in the kitchen and a single occupant escaped through the upstairs window with no injuries. The fire department rescued two cats and a hamster, with a third cat escaping. Loss is estimated at $40,000.

• On Sept.17, the Fire Department responded to a motorcycle vs. car accident. The car pulled out in front of the motorcycle. The patient was treated for non-life threatening injuries and transported to Hillcrest Hospital to the Level II Trauma Center for additional treatment.

Engineering
• Newell Creek Phase 9 is currently under review by the Engineering Dept. Newell Creek Phase 9 is a consolidation of the remaining phases 9, 10, & 11. The plans call for the development of 45 single-family sub lots on 11.70 acres. It is located west of Parker Place Retirement Residence and Mentor Senior Living Facility and east of Newell Creek Dr. Sub lots in Phase 9 will have lot dimensions of 60-feet wide by 130- to 140-feet deep. Upon Council approval for this phase of Newell Creek, a permit will be issued to the developer for construction. It is the developer’s intention to try to have this phase paved this year if possible.

• The Beechwood Drive Storm Sewer Improvement from Elm Street to Evergreen Drive began this week. The contractor anticipates the work will take approximately one month to complete. Scheduled completion date is Oct. 18.

• A preconstruction meeting was held Sept. 19 for the Munson Road Resurfacing Project. The project will provide pavement repairs and an asphalt overlay on Munson Road from Center Street to Andrews Road. The Shelly Company is the contractor on the project and they expect to begin construction on or about Wednesday. The completion date for the project is Oct. 26. During construction, the contractor will be responsible for maintaining two-way traffic with flagging operations. Access to all nearby properties and adjoining streets will be provided.

• Sidewalk Replacement and Pedestrian Safety Program – The Engineering Dept. is in the process of completing the notification to residents in Zone 3B of the 2013 Sidewalk Repair and Pedestrian Safety Program for deficiencies that need to be fixed.  The Engineering Dept. will be re-inspecting Zone 3B towards the end of October and beginning of November to determine compliance.

• Brian Ashurst, Assistant City Engineer, attended the Board of Trustees meeting for the Chagrin River Watershed Partners on Sept. 17. Items discussed included storm water restoration projects throughout the Chagrin River watershed, including the proposed infiltration improvements at the Great Lakes Mall. They also indicated that member dues will increase by 1% starting in 2014. Mentor currently pays $4,369.86/year. This will increase to $4,414.00/year in 2014.

Parks
• The Black Brook Golf Course greens drainage project is moving along with 13 greens completed.

• The SRTS Coordinator is busy restructuring the walking program at Sterling Morton. Children will be doing bi-weekly walks. They will receive a token for their chains they receive on International Walk to School Day.

• This weekend is the Ohio Flames Girls “Ignite the Ice Hockey Tournament.” Thirty teams expected.

Economic and Community Development
• The 2013 edition of the Harris Ohio Industrial Directory reported that the City had added six manufacturing firms, but lost 90 manufacturing jobs in the approximately six- month interim between reports. The five-year data indicated a 12 percent increase in manufacturing employment, but a 3 percent decrease in the number of firms.

Public Works Department
•    Inlet basin rebuilds - Cherrystone, Sandtree
•    Sign upgrades ongoing - replaced 525 signs since 2012
•    Repaired inlet basin and re-poured apron on Sweet Hollow
•    Transferred cable and conduit from damaged pole on Mentor Ave.
•    Storm sewer cleaning - Ohio St. and surrounding area
•    Lowered inlet and graded swale on Fairlawn
•    Planting areas disturbed from Cityfest electrical work
•    Crack sealing - Hopkins from Rosewood to Lakeshore
•    Upgrading entrance to the Lagoons at Headlands Road

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