WATCH ELYRIA’S 2014 HOLIDAY LIGHTS CELEBRATION HERE…

Dear Fellow Elyrians,

Please enjoy this video of you, your friends and neighbors coming together to enjoy this wonderful holiday season.  Elyria is such a caring community and I am so very humbled and proud to be your Mayor.  Because of the generosity of many, every child and youth in our community had an opportunity to experience the joy of the season and make memories that will last a lifetime.  For a complete list of Holiday Lights Donors, please view cable channel 12 or the City of Elyria Website. 

In gratitude,

Holly C. Brinda
Mayor
      

Martin Luther King, Jr. Civil Rights Heritage Tour

The City of Elyria Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission is organizing an historic tour to visit many sites integral to the history of our country and specific to the Civil Rights movement. In our current day, it is more important than ever to remember our history, and there is no better way to teach our future leaders than to show them in person the places of our struggles, our victories, and how far we have come as a country and as a people. For most people this will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the sites we usually only read about.

The tour will run through March 23-28, 2015 and will visit Atlanta, Tuskegee, Selma, Montgomery, Birmingham and Memphis. Specific points of interest will include: National Underground Railroad Museum♦Martin Luther King Jr. Birth Home Museum ♦Martin Luther King Center ♦ Tuskegee Airfield & National Museum ♦ Historic Tuskegee Institute ♦ Booker T. Washington Museum ♦ The Renowned National Voting Rights Museum ♦ Historic Edmund Pettus Bridge ♦ The Rosa Parks Museum♦ Southern Poverty Law Center Civil Rights Memorial ♦ Dexter Avenue Baptist Church ♦ Brown Chapel AME Church ♦ The Famed Sixteenth Street Baptist Church ♦ The Birmingham Civil Rights Museum ♦ Kelly Ingram Memorial Park ♦ Lorraine Hotel National Civil Rights Museum

DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 19th FOR INITIAL PAYMENT.

Tour prices start at $390.00 and include transportation and lodging. More information can be found here, or feel free to contact Commission Chair Dr. LaTaunya V. Conley at (440) 326-1407 or Email her at: lconley@cityofelyria.org.

JumpStart Elyria Designed to Revitalize Elyria’s Downtown, Midway and Cleveland Street Areas

 

The City of Elyria has received a $93,000 federal grant to conduct a market analysis and create redevelopment plans for its commercial business districts, including Downtown, Midway and Cleveland Street.  The City has hired some of the top urban planners and market analysts in the country to help us figure out how to best position Elyria for success in the region.  The entire process will take about 12 months.

The video presented here covers the first two JumpStart community meetings that were help November 12 and 13 at the Elyria Transportation and Community Center and Council Chambers of Elyria City Hall.  The Mayor shared the City’s redevelopment strategy; the City’s planning consultants from the Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative of Kent State University and Streetsense of Bethesda, Maryland made a presentation of local, regional and national market indicators and what they mean for Elyria; and Elyria business owners and residents were offered an opportunity to ask questions and comment on the process.  There were 120 participants at the meetings.  

A second set of community meetings will be help in February to share the full results of the market analysis and initial recommendations for redevelopment.  For more information contact Mayor Holly Brinda at (440) 326-1402.    

Elyrians Encouraged to Access Affordable Healthcare

Now Through December 15 for Coverage January 1
The Health Insurance Marketplace is open for business with a new and improved application process, and access to even more providers in Ohio. Elyria residents are encouraged to visit one of the following healthcare enrollment providers or log on to the Health Insurance Marketplace at healthcare.gov . To find a local assister, view the enrollment providers below or please visit https://connector.getcoveredamerica.org/widget/. For more USDHHS Region V updates, be sure to follow @HHSRegion5 on Twitter and use the hashtag #GetCovered.

2014 Elyria Festival of Lights - December 6th, 2014!

2014 Elyria Festival of Lights

Holiday Kick-off

Saturday, December 6

FREE Events & Activities Throughout the City All Day!

(Made possible through the generous donations of individuals, organizations and the Findley Trust)

Bring the entire family and join the City of Elyria and our partners for a fun-filled day of holiday events and activities designed to bring a smile to every age.  All events and activities in Ely Square, Elyria City Hall and Finwood Estate are FREE and open to the public and are being made possible through the generous donations of individuals and organizations throughout our community and the Findley Trust.

This year’s celebration will bring back many of the traditions you remember from the past, along with some new features.  Enjoy the return of the children’s petting zoo complete with a camel, pygmy goats, a yak, an alpaca, and A GENUINE REINDEER to feed, pet and enjoy!  Events will start at Elyria City Hall at 2pm with crafts, movies, free gift bags for the first 500 children, and Mayor Brinda’s FREE Storybook Giveaway – complete with storybook characters, a coat and accessory giveaway for those in need, TWO caricature artists, story time, Santa’s Workshop, caroling, and of course – Santa Himself!

And, if you’re an art lover, don’t forget to visit the Elyria Art Depot and help them celebrate their 1^st anniversary at 336 Broad Street to admire local art and shop for that unique gift!  Look for discounts and extended hours throughout downtown for your shopping and dining pleasure!

Downtown Elyria Events

2:00-5:00pm
Children’s Petting Zoo
Ely square will come alive with real animals for your child’s petting pleasure, including, a camel, pygmy goats, a yak, Shetland sheep, alpacas, and A REAL REINDEER!

Caricature Artists

Add some cheer to your holiday with a free caricature portrait of your children or your whole family!

Ornament Crafting by Elyria Art Depot at City Hall

Local Artists from the Elyria Art Depot will be helping your children handcraft their own holiday ornaments!

Kids Holiday Movies

Warm up in City Hall to watch some classic Holiday movies and specials!

2:00-6:00pm

Mayor Brinda’s Storybook Giveaway
The first 700 children will receive their choice of a FREE book courtesy of the Mayor!

2:30-3:30pm

Coat, Scarf, Hat, & Glove Giveaway
Grace Community Church will be providing free outerwear for children, youth, and adults in Elyria City Hall

4:00-6:00pm

**FREE GIFT BAGS: TO THE FIRST 500 CHILDREN!**

Update 11/24/2014: Leaf Collection Continues this week

The City of Elyria Autumn Leaf Collection period, previously announced to end on November 21, has been extended through the week of Thanksgiving to compensate for a week of pickup lost to inclement weather.

Residents are encouraged to rake all leaves to their curb lawn by Monday, November 24, 2014 for this final collection cycle. All leaf collection will terminate on November 26, 2014. Leaf Collection, which was abbreviated by snow removal on 11/17 through 11/21 has been extended. City crews will continue to collect leaves – both raked and bagged in paper yard waste bage, provided the area reviews no additional snow or ice. Any remaining leaves MUST be bagged (in brown bags only) and placed on the curb lawn or taken to the City’s yard waste facility on 45 Chesnut Street. Any bagged leaves will be collected by Sanitation workers on regular pick up days and co-mingled with trash collection. Leaves should be raked to the curb in piles or wind-rows as close as possible, but not into the street. No brush, twigs or other material should be mixed with leaves as these items clog the vacuum equipment and slow the collection process.

Crews began covering the entire City of Elyria the third week of October and concentrated in those areas with more mature trees. Routes generally follow sanitation routes but the schedule is greatly influenced by weather (rain as well as snow). Due to manpower and weather variations – no set date for collection on a particular street or area is available.
Residents may dispose of leaves contained in brown paper composting bags at the Elyria Compost Center at 45 Chestnut Street during posted hours of operation.
Please remember these important safety points:

• DO NOT allow children to play in leaf piles or near the street/curb
• DO NOT place branches or other debris in the leaf piles. Doing so may result in non-collection of the leaves
• DO NOT park vehicles on or near leaf piles; we encourage residents to use their driveways during leaf and snow season in order to keep roadways clear and accessible

For additional information or questions – please call the Elyria Street Department at 440-322-3129 or the Safety Service Director’s office (440) 326-1404.

All leaves collected are composted and not dumped at the landfill

Jump Start Elyria

Attend one of two upcoming community dialogue sessions to learn about steps your city is taking to improve Downtown, the Midway Mall area, and Cleveland Street

 

Interested Elyrians and others are invited to participate in a very important initiative designed to jumpstart Elyria’s Downtown, Cleveland Street and Midway areas.  Thanks to a federal grant, the City has commissioned a market analysis and re-development planning process for these areas.  We have hired some of the top urban planners and researchers in the country to help us figure out how to best position Elyria for success.  The entire process will take about 18 months, but your input is important early on and will be requested again as the plan becomes more refined.      

 

The City’s partnering consultants on this project will be in Elyria November 11, 12 and 13 and will hold two meetings for interested parties to learn more.  Please try to attend one of these two meetings.  They will each last about 90 minutes.  The agenda will include:  (1) a brief overview of the City’s redevelopment strategy, (2) a presentation of local, regional and national market indicators and what they mean for Elyria, (3) an opportunity for you to share your thoughts and opinions and ask question of the City and planning and research teams.

 

The City’s market analysis redevelopment consultant is Heather Arnold from Streetsense of Bethesda, Maryland – the founder of Vibrant Streets, one of the nation’s top programs to help communities revitalize neighborhoods by creating thriving retail districts through technical expertise and community engagement.  Also involved is the Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative of Kent State University, headed by Director Terry Schwartz.    

 

Please be part of the solution and mark your calendar to attend one of these two meetings.  Your advanced reservation is encouraged, but not required, as seating is limited and is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please make your reservation by calling the Mayor’s Office at (440) 326-1402 by Monday, November 10. 
                                                                                                 

 

JumpStart Elyria Community Meeting #1:

Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014: 6:30 – 8:00pm

Elyria Transportation & Community Center

40 East Avenue - Elyria, Ohio  44035

 

 

JumpStart Elyria Community Meeting #2

Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014: 8:30 – 10:00am

Elyria City Hall – 2^nd Flr. Council Chambers

131 Court Street – Elyria, Ohio  44035

 

I hope you will join us on November 12 or 13 to learn more and become part of the solution for moving Elyria forward.  If you have questions or would like additional information, please feel free to call me at (440) 326-1402. 

Holly C. Brinda

Mayor  

More Questions & Answers Regarding Issue 14

What Are the $2 Million of Workplace Adjustments and Savings By the City?

Below please find a list of workplace adjustments and savings that add up to over $2 million over the past few years.  Taking these steps have helped reduce the amount of additional revenue we are currently requesting from the taxpayers through Issue 14.  Because of the repeal of the estate tax, a decline in the Local Government Fund from the State of Ohio, and the expiration of federal stimulus grants funding safety forces – Elyria must replace at least some of the $4.5 million will are losing to maintain quality safety services.

Workplace Adjustments/Savings Totaling Over $2 Million

	2012	2013	2014
Gen & Enterprise Funds		$19,000		re-bid life insurance contract savings
Gen & Enterprise Funds		$52,660	$60,188	Reduction in sick leave across multiple funds/depts
Gen & Enterprise Funds			$58,206	Fleet management savings, storage savings in repair costs
General & Cem M & I	$47,288	$18,000		increase in cemetery fees & personnel reductions
General & Enterprise Funds	$3,000			elimination of redundant cell phones
General & Enterprise Funds	$5,000		$12,000	replacement of paper forms, bldg dept in house savings on lumber, postage
General & Enterprise Funds	$12,000			elimination of additional take home vehicles
General & Enterprise Funds	$18,865			rebid copier contracts
General & Enterprise Funds	$8,325	$8,475	$8,400	Elimination of Mayor's car mileage, based on IRS rates @ 15,000 miles per year
General & Enterprise Funds	$5,000	$4,200	$5,800	Donation of Mayor's Salary back to the City of Elyria
General & Enterprise Funds	$18,055	$4,760	$7,140	elimination of Senior staff vehicles, longevity
General & Enterprise funds	$36,000	$316,176	$21,104	Energy Savings (ytd 2014, more savings anticipated)
General & Enterprise Funds	$42,093	$213,000		Mid-year health Insurance savings & 2013 Dependent Audit
General & Enterprise Funds	$46,000		$75,000	Auction Proceeds
General & Enterprise Funds	$55,000		$54,000	Prescription rebates received
General & Enterprise Funds	$165,087			Increased employee health contributions
Highway Fund		$79,375		Savings from Engineering Staff reductions
Highway Fund			$20,000	savings on painting done on straight time vs. overtime
Sanitation Fund	$52,000			Sanitation grant for public education
Sanitation Fund	$120,000			removal of dumpter & discontinuation of commercial sanitation routes
Water & Wastewater Funds		$106,420	$104,000	non-replacement of FTEs
Water Fund	$300,000			Sale of additional water to N. Ridgeville, Amherst - lowering production costs
Water Fund		$68,723	$25,000	Staffing reductions & savings from using dive team
Worker's Comp Fund	$69,000		$20,000	Rebate on claims & savings on equipment purchases through grants
	$1,002,713	$890,789	$470,838
Grand total YTD	$2,364,340