Meeting Notes February 20, 2018

Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary

by Councilman, Ken J. Kary (Ward 2)

Notes:  February 20, 2018

 

After being absent for the February 6th Council Meeting (spinal surgery), I was fortunate to make my return Tuesday, February 20th.  As we move through the early months of 2018, the council is addressing issues that continue to keep Willoughby strong and pro-active.  There is a feeling that whatever is addressed will be done with the attitude that we move forward to provide the best solutions for the city and its residents.  Major issues being addressed are “the” Budget, revisions to the City Charter, and the final edits and approval of the cities Zoning and Planning Code.  This document is created and adopted to promote and protect the residents of the city by regulating the use of buildings, other structures and land for residential, business, service, industrial, institutional, public or other uses.  It is intended that the provisions of this document protect the character and value of all properties within the city.  In simple terms, it serves as a roadmap for the operation of the city so that we follow a consistent and logical Design Plan.

 

FEBRUARY 20TH COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETINGS

·      No special Committee Meetings

 Special Council/Executive Session

·      Council did meet in executive session February 20th, 2018.

 

NEW BUSINESS

  • Summary of the more significant Ordinances and Resolutions

 

  • Resolution # 2018-23

A resolution approving EAS # 1-1-18 for the construction of a building to be used as a retail store located at 38878 Mentor Avenue (Dollar General).

This “newly proposed” store came in front of Planning Commission and was approved with a substantial number of improvements agreed to by all parties.  There was a major change to the exterior building materials, as well as the façade of the building.  The goal here was to not see the “baseline” Dollar General Store, be constructed at this location.

 

  • Resolution # 2018-24

A resolution authorizing an expenditure of $90,320 for the purchase of nineteen (19) Getac F110 fully rugged tablet computers and accessories from Mobile Tek Consulting for use by the Willoughby Police Department.

Efforts to provide our ‘first responders” with the best supplies possible.

Funds for these items have been allocated last year.  The department was also awarded a grant for approximately $28,000 in federal monies.

 

  • Resolution # 2018-25

A resolution authorizing an expenditure of $118,171 for the purchase of sixteen (16) WatchGuard Digital in Car Video Systems and Accessories from Computech International through the Federal GSA for use by the Willoughby Police Department.

Again, support for our Police and Fire whenever possible.

Funds for these purchases have been allocated last year.

 

  • NOTEWORTHY NEWS

March 1, 2018, there was a Service Committee meeting (all Council in attendance) where the topic of Stormwater Management was addressed for the entire City of Willoughby.  Here are a few critical points from that meeting.  Members of the Service Committee are Chairman, Chris Woodin, Dan Anderson and John Tomaselli.

The City of Willoughby has determined the need to develop a comprehensive long-term stormwater management program.  The goal of this program is to continuously evaluate, monitor and upgrade the stormwater system for possible deficiencies and maintain the stormwater management facilities of the City of Willoughby.  This plan is the first step in identifying, ranking, and planning for implementation of stormwater system improvements within the program.  

The plan utilizes such tools as GIS mapping, public complaints, and hydraulic studies to identify system issues and improvements.  Studies done between 2007 and 2015 have been created to establish the improvement plan.

Utilizing the tools listed above, a variety of proposed projects were identified, constructions costs developed, and prioritized.  Prioritization was developed based upon hydraulic requirements, neighboring coordination of shared watersheds, project costs, and community needs.  The plan includes approximately $44 million in proposed projects.  Funding comes to the city from property tax dollars collected by the county.  The city acquires approximately $750,000 annually for stormwater management.

Flooding in Willoughby is a reality, and everyone is affected in one way or another.  What is critical here is that we need to understand that excessive water in our yard may be critical to us, BUT there are large numbers of homes where total basements flood every time it rains.  Areas of Willoughby that effect dozens of homes and businesses may be graded High while the stand-alone home with yard flooding is graded low.  After you get a chance to see the severity of flooding ranging from High to Low, one starts to understand that the City needs to work off this ranking to address first the most critical areas in the city.  This is a complex problem with many components.  The city is doing the best job possible to spend the funds available to solve the problem in a logical and practical manner.  Some of us may be fortunate to be acted upon first, while others may need to be patient to see their issues on hold.  The bottom line is we do not have $44 million dollars in the budget to do all that is necessary NOW. This is why this program will take several years to address.

 

The views I express in these Council Meeting Summaries are my own and do not reflect any official view or position of the City of Willoughby.

The “official” Council Minutes are posted on the City of Willoughby Website    http://willoughbyohio.com/government/city-council/

Ken Kary