Meeting Notes March 20, 2018

Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary

Notes:  March 20, 2018

Quite a long Council meeting which started out with an EAS review for new homes proposed to be built on the former Johnnycake Ridge Golf Course in Willoughby (intersection of SR 84 and King Edward Court).  There also was a lengthy Service Committee Meeting with a discussion that included the 2018 Road Program, Erie Street Reconstruction Project, as well as discussion of a City Sidewalk Program.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS

 Environmental Planning Committee

The Regular Council Meeting was preceded, by a meeting of the Environmental Planning Committee.  Their task is to review all the E.A.S. papers (Environmental Assessment Statements).  The purpose of the environmental assessment is to require the Council to make an assessment of the environmental effect of any proposed project, construction or change of land use prior to the issuance of a permit pursuant to other ordinances of the City. 

The Environmental Planning Committee looks at reviews of:

·      Traffic impact

·      Stormwater

·      Firefighting demands

·      Noise, water, and air pollution

·      Demands on the school system

·      Hazardous waste and materials

·      Timeline of construction

Upon the review by the Environmental Planning Committee, all EAS Statements go to the Planning Commission for review and approval.

Review of EAS #4-3-18

The Environmental Planning Committee (Ken Kary, Chairman, Bob Harrold and Dan Anderson).

The proposed project is for 7 new home sites on land currently tied to the existing Johnnycake Ridge Golf Course.  The road would be private and maintained by a community association and connect to SR 84 at the intersection of King Edward Court.  Major points reviewed with the applicant (Russell Berzin, Franklyn Development Company)

·      Discussion took place regarding the zoning and keeping it R-60.  This will ultimately be left to the Board of Zoning Appeals.

·      Directives were given to the developer to assure that both Storm and Sanitary sewers travel to Mentor.  There is a mandate to not allow the lines to enter the Gardenside sanitary sewer system.

·      The was a confirmation to see that there would be a Signal study for this intersection.

·      There were no major impacts on

o   Traffic impact

o   Stormwater

o   Firefighting demands

o   Noise, water, and air pollution

o   Demands on the school system

o   Hazardous waste and materials

o   Timeline of construction

·      The committee recommends that EAS #4-3-18 be approved and be sent to the Planning Commission for review.

Service Committee

Three major topics were addressed by the Service Committee.

·      the 2018 Road Program

·      the proposed City Sidewalk Program

·      the Erie Street Reconstruction Project

The 2018 Road Program shared the plans for 2018-2021.

·      We were presented the streets to be addressed for the next four (4) years

o   Streets in all Wards are assessed and ranked according to their condition on a scale from 1-10

·      $797,700 Road Program Expenses for citywide repairs

·      There will also be a $70,000 worth of mill and fill repairs (The concept behind mill and fill entails removing the existing surface layer with a milling machine.  New asphalt is then used to replace the milled location)

o   Hodgson Road

o   Ridge Road SR 84

o   Lakeshore Blvd SR 283

·      Slab repairs on Lost Nation Road (approx.. $35,000)

·      Engineering and inspection $90,000

THEN

o   Spot repairs around the city (slab replacements, curb repairs, slab replacements.

o   The target is to keep the Road Program just under $1,000,000.

§  Currently estimated to be around $987,700.

o   Hopefully, bids will come in low so we can add work to the contract.

o   Conversely, if they are high, the contract will need to be trimmed.

·      For Ward 2 residents these are the primary road repairs to be attended to during 2018

o   Hodgson Rd

o   Slab work on Lost Nation Road

o   Westminster Abbey

o   Strumbly Pl.

The proposed City Sidewalk Program

·      City council last year (2017) passed legislation to have sidewalks installed when they would compliment the cities pedestrian program as well as address issues concerning safety for pedestrians in Willoughby in critical areas.  There are several areas where residents walk and there are no sidewalks.  Council at that time voted to create legislation to offset the inconvenience as well as the danger.  This is not a program to see sidewalks installed throughout the city where they currently do not exist.

·      During the Service Committee meeting, there was a vigorous discussion on

o   Goals for the Sidewalk Program

o   Funding for the Sidewalk Program

o   Locations that are the most critical

o   The expense for residents as well as expense for the city

o   SAFETY

o   Involving the residents of Willoughby in the discussion

o   Engaging the community by way of mailings, newsletters, etc.

o   We also have a number of locations throughout the city where there are single lots, in subdivisions, upon which homes have not been built, hence no sidewalk section at these vacant lots.  These incomplete sidewalk runs may also need to be assessed.

With the discussion, there was a decision and motion made to table this issue until Council has the time to address some of the issues listed above.

The Erie Street Reconstruction Project

·      Plans to address Erie Street between the tracks

·      This is a two-million-dollar project

·      The city has been promised $560,000 for ODOT to help fund this program

·      There is the possibility that there would be an additional 1.5 million dollars needed to address Railroad work needed.

·      Due to the level of uncertainty on several issues this project is still “unclear”. 

·      The primary concern is to commit to the best use of the monies from ODOT before they are taken away for lack of action.

Public Portion

·      During the public portion of the meeting, residents spoke on the Sidewalk Issue as well as the Budget for the City.

·      On the Sidewalk issue, concern was expressed

o   to take the time to do what is right for Willoughby and its residents

o   Be consistent in the program

o   Keep the residents informed

o   Have a clear plan of action

·      On the Budget

o   Remain cognizant of the seriousness of the operating budget, without any increased income

o   Avoid unnecessary expenses

o   Suggestions for trimming the budget

NEW BUSINESS

 Summary of the more significant Ordinances and Resolutions addressed

·      Resolution No. 2018-28

o   This was approved to authorize the City Engineer to prepare plans and specifications and to advertise for bids for the 2018 Asphalt and Concrete road Programs.

·      Resolution No. 2018-30

o   This resolution was “tabled” authorizing the City Engineer to prepare an estimate of the cost of construction and specifications for the 2018 Sidewalk Installation Project located on the west side of Rt. 91 between Euclid Ave. and Ridge Road.  Council will meet to decide a plan of action on this project.

·      Resolution No 2018-33

o   This resolution authorizes the Mayor to enter into a purchase agreement for the sale of 16.0952 acres of City-Owned Real Property located on Erie Road, Eastlake, Ohio.  Council approved the sale of land, back to Eastlake, that was given to Willoughby to build and operate the WPCC (Water Pollution Control Center).  The amount of land given to Willoughby has far exceeded what is necessary for the successful operation of this plant.  Because of this, the land will be sold back to Eastlake for $1.  The activities at this location such as the kayak livery plus, are all available to the residents of Willoughby.

·      Ordinance NO.2018-34

o    This ordinance was approved to accept the Final Plat for the Fairway Glenn Subdivision Phase 1, being constructed on Lost Nation Road.

·      Ordinance NO 2018-36

o    This ordinance was approved for the EAS #3-3-18 for the clearing of seven (7) acres of land located at Jet Center Place.  This land is part of the Lost Nation Airport property owned by the Lake County Port and Economic Development Authority.

o   Weston Inc. purchased this land in hopes of leasing it (they have several possible tenants) This information was not part of the particular EAS, hence it was not pursued (the building will be approximately 120,000 sq.ft).  Weston Inc. is one of Greater Cleveland’s largest privately held industrial property owner and developer, Weston owns a national industrial real estate portfolio of approximately 12 million square feet serving over 550 tenants. For nearly 50 years, it has exhibited experience and expertise in the areas of building ownership, development, acquisitions, facilities management, tenant services, financing, and leasing.

·      Resolution NO. 2018-39

o   A resolution declaring April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in the City of Willoughby     

·      Resolution NO. 2018-41

o   This was a special resolution honoring Law Director, John W. Wiles and commending him for his 26 years of service to the City of Willoughby.  A great honor to someone who truly “LOVES AND SERVED FOR MANY YEARS THE CITY OF WILLOUGHBY”.

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/