Meeting Notes July 10, 2018
Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary
Notes: July 10, 2018
The July 10th Council Meeting started out with 15 Legislative items on the Agenda. The vast majority were EAS (Environmental Assessments). The environmental assessments deal with the assessment of the environmental impact a new building or development will have in the city. Along with these, there were several agreements approved by Council for the city to purchase equipment as well as working to secure details on developments taking place in the city in the near future. Finally, the public portion of the meeting brought both praise and criticism of the administration and council.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
· One committee meeting took place July 10th, 2018
o Environmental Planning Committee
o Two EAS Plans were reviewed by the Committee, which is chaired by Councilman Ken Kary and assisted by Councilman Dan Anderson and Councilman Bob Harrold.
· The Environmental Planning Committee
o EAS #10-6-18
o The proposed project is for a 4 unit micro townhome development at 6 Public Square. The existing structure will be removed. There will be two structures for a total of 4 units on a 54' x 134' site. The front structure will have two attached units with a total footprint of 40' x 34' and will be setback to match the adjacent properties. The back structure will have two attached units with a total footprint of 44' x 40' and will be 27' from the rear of the front structure. There were no major environmental concerns from any of the director’s reports so the Committee approved the EAS and passed it on to the Planning Commission for review.
o EAS #11-6-18
o The proposed project is an addition to Paulo Products Company at 4500 Hamann Parkway. The addition would be approximately 50,000 SF and would consist of pre-cast concrete or masonry bearing walls with a 40' maximum height. This company has been growing dramatically over the past several years. Their specialty is advanced heat-treating processes and technology. The only concerns were parking and storm-water management both of which have been addressed to the satisfaction of Council.
COMMITTEE OF THE FULL
· ThepurposeoftheCommitteeofFullmeetingistodiscuss: 2018 Charter Review commission recommendations
o The Committee of the Full heard from the Charter Review Commission who asked Council to vote on and approve 4 major points they would like to see changed in the City Charter. These 4 major points will be addressed under the Legislative Caucus below.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
· No significant reports
LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS
· The general purpose of the Legislative Caucus meeting is to review and discuss the legislation on the Regular Council.
PUBLIC PORTION
· During this session, a few residents took the opportunity to speak to Council.
o The City was complimented on several occasions for the continued work to make Willoughby an aesthetically pleasing environment by the use of Hanging Flower baskets as well as the use of Planter Boxes throughout the entire city. This year the Planter Boxes were placed at all the “entry” points to Willoughby.
o Former Councilman, Mr. Ranally criticized the city for it slow movement on several projects facing the city. Comments were made regarding the removal of some of the Planter Boxes in downtown. The lack of movement on the start of building the Townhomes planned to be constructed next to the City Court Building. There was also criticism of the cities slow movement on the installation of sidewalks that have been enforced in areas on Euclid Avenue. This project has been in the works for well over a year!
SPECIAL ITEMS
2019 TAX BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
Pursuant to ORC Section 705.17, notice is hereby given that the Council of the City of Willoughby will hold a Public Hearing on the proposed 2019 Tax Budget on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, at 8:15 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Willoughby City Hall, One Public Square, Willoughby, Ohio.
The proposed Tax Budget of the City of Willoughby, Ohio for the year 2019 and is on file in the office of the City Finance Director and available for public inspection from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Any person interested in being heard on the proposed 2019 Tax Budget of the City of Willoughby will have an opportunity to be heard at the date and time stated above.
During this public hearing, there were no individuals that spoke for or against the 2019 Tax Budget.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
RESOLUTION NO. 2018-63 - TABLED
A resolution approving EAS #2-1-18 for the renovation of the existing building and construction of four (4) townhomes and three (3) duplex units located at 4320 River Street (TOA Architecture). This resolution addressed the environmental concerns for this development. All of these have been addressed by the Planning Commission to the satisfaction of all the cities Directors (Police, Fire, Building, Engineering, etc).
RESOLUTION NO. 2018-64- TABLED (Amended)
A resolution approving EAS #4-3-18 for construction of seven (7) single-family homes and public roadway which are part of a Mentor Development to be located on Johnnycake Ridge GolfCourse. This to was assessed and approved addressing all the environmental concerns for these 7 homes that will be built in Willoughby, where the remaining number will be built in Mentor. The primary concerns here were to see that all the Storm-water and Sanitary lines will travel to the city of Mentor.
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTION NO. 2018-84
A resolution approving EAS #9-6-18 for the construction of a building to be used as a Warehouse Facility located at 38585 Jet CenterPlace. This was approved for the EAS where the primary concerns addressed was again, storm-water management. Along with this the compliance to provide the required parking for such a large facility.
RESOLUTION NO. 2018-85
A resolution approving the editing and inclusion of certain ordinances as parts of the various component codes of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Willoughby, Ohio. This was approved as a book-keeping task for Ordinances edited since 2017 through today. It involved the editing, arranging, and numbering.
RESOLUTION NO. 2018-86
A resolution amending Resolution No. 2018-82 and approving a contract for a 2019 Sutphen Custom Pumper with Sutphen Corporation, in the amount of
$457,710.47, through the State of Ohio Cooperative Purchasing Program, necessary to the operation of the Willoughby Fire Department. This resolution was approved by Council.
RESOLUTION NO. 2018-87
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an Ohio Enterprise Zone AgreementwiththeLakeCountyBoardofCommissioners, Ohio and Weston Inc. pursuant to O.R.C. Chapter 5709, Taxable Property - Exemptions. This is a tax reduction for this new business with the understanding that they must expand, renovate, hire employees, and preserve jobs in Willoughby to get this tax credit. This is not a 100% tax credit.
RESOLUTION NO. 2018-88
A resolution approving the Lake County Solid Waste ManagementDistrict Amended Plan 5-year Update March 2018. This is a 5-year update to the original plan created in 1992. The plan is on file in the cities Finance Department.
RESOLUTION NO. 2018-89
A resolution authorizing an expenditure in the amount of $118,550forthe purchase of (1) Hyundai Model HL940 Wheel Loader from Reco Equipment, Inc. for use by the Service Department. The purchase of this front-end loader was approved by the council. There was a “trade-in” made bringing in $17,500.
RESOLUTION NO. 2018-90
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Second Amendment to the Purchase and Sale Agreement between the City of Willoughby and Willoughby Union Point Associates LLC, to extend the closing date on Parcel 2 to August 31, 2018. This resolution enables Willoughby Union Point till August 31 to secure the financing needed to purchase Parcel 2 of the Union Point project (the Annex building and properties to the rear of the main building).
RESOLUTION NO. 2018-91
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Lease Agreement with Willoughby Union Point Associates, LLC for the use of unoccupied City-Owned Real Property known as the Willoughby Career Academy. This lease agreement with Willoughby Union Point Associates, LLC, gives them the ability to apply for Grant monies to aid in the funding necessary to develop Parcel 1 of the Willoughby Union Point project.
ORDINANCE NO. 2018-92
AnordinanceprovidingforthesubmissionofaproposedamendmenttoArticleIll oftheCharteroftheCityofWilloughby, Ohio, titled, the Council, (Section 1, titled, Powers, Number, and Terms) to the electors of the City. This amendment to the cities charter will call for the members of Council to start their term on January 1 following the Council member’s election.
ORDINANCE NO. 2018-93
An ordinance providing for the submission of a proposed amendment to Article Ill of the Charter of the City of Willoughby, Ohio, titled, the Council, (Section 5, titled, President of Council) to the electors of the City. This amendment to the cities charter clarifies that the Vice President of Council will have the authority to perform the duties of President of Council in the event that the current President of Council is unable to perform that task. (if the President of Council must take over for the mayor, who in turn is unable to perform those duties)
ORDINANCE NO. 2018-94
An ordinance providing for the submission of a proposed amendment to Article IV of the Charter of the City of Willoughby, Ohio, titled, the Mayor, (Section 1, titled, Term) to the electors of the City. This charter amendment will secure that the term of Mayor will start on January 1 following the Mayor’s election.
ORDINANCE NO. 2018-95
An ordinance providing for the submission of a proposed amendment to Article VI of the Charter of the City of Willoughby, Ohio, titled, Planning and Zoning, (Section 5, titled, Construction) to the electors of the City. This charter amendment was recommended by the cities legal department. It entails the removal of language from the Planning and Zoning section that may be interpreted several different ways. Hence, it would be best to remove it.
Reports from the Directors, Mayor and Council Members
o MAYOR
The mayor thanked the members of the Charter Review Commission for their time and effort reviewing an offering edits to the current City Charter.
He also shared that Senate Bill 51 currently is being discussed which will allow for monies to help with the funding of Erosion Control. We are all watching this closely for this will not only help the city but also residents on the shoreline of Lake Erie.
o SERVICE DIRECTOR, LEE BOCK
Mr. Bock was asked to have the service department address the un-kept property in downtown Willoughby where the BP Gas Station sits. The property is in the process of being sold and the weeds and site have become a visual nuisance. Especially with the Willoughby Arts Festival taking place soon.
Mr. Bock was also asked to keep vigilant on the pressure placed on the property owners of undeveloped properties on both Brighton Path and in the Meadowlands. The city has been enforcing that these property owners keep their grass cut to the standards of the cities ordinances. He agreed and stated that his crews are on top of this.
o CITY ENGINEER, JIM SAYLES
Construction will take place soon on the improvements being made to Two Town Ditch in helping to control problems with Storm-water flow.
o FIRE CHIEF, TODD UNGAR
Chief Ungar reported on a fire a Big Turtle. There were 2 units involved with no injuries.
o RECREATION DEPARTMENT, JUDEAN BANKER
Judean shared that the summer concerts, at Point Park, started.
There will also be a City Wide Picnic to commemorate the improvements on Osborne Park. It will take place on Tuesday, July 24thfrom 5-6:30 pm. JOIN US FOR A HOTDOG AND ENJOY THE PARKS NEW ADDITIONS.
SUMMER CONCERT SCHEDULE
Wes Point Park Gazebo
July 5 – August 30 — 7:00 p.m.
Patrons are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, coolers and picnic baskets, (no alcohol is permitted).
Ice cream is available for purchase at all concerts thanks to the Willoughby Senior Center Board of Trustees
July 5 – Found Sounds: Alumni of the University of Akron Steel Drum Band is a unique ensemble made up of alumni and faculty performing a variety of authentic calypso, soca, reggae, and Island music for your enjoyment.
July 12 – GeezeCats (geez kats) n. Slang 1. Some cool old guys. 2. Aging hipsters, hepcats. 3. A topnotch premium quality Doo-Wopp band from Cleveland, Ohio!
July 19 – The Chardon Polka Band is not your average polka band. They are a group that brings new life and energy to this traditional music. While the group has an extensive catalog of traditional polkas, they are not afraid to bring their own tunes into the mix along with polka-pop covers of artists like Justin Bieber and Lady Ga Ga; the band loves pleasing crowds anywhere and everywhere.
July 26 – The Diamond Project is a premier Neil Diamond cover band dedicated to performing a true replication of the musical stylings of a live Neil Diamond concert.
August 2 – Dave Anderson presents The Sounds of Willoughby with his guitar talents to the summer concert series along with a few of his talented friends. You never know who might show up!
August 9 – Out Of Eden is 6 piece Tribute Band who have replicated the music and vocal harmonies of the Legendary Eagles, Don Henley & Joe Walsh. All of The Eagles classic songs are performed!
August 16 – Pieces of Eight featuring the Lakeside Brass is a Classic Rock tribute band well known to Northeast Ohio. Eight veteran musicians with a dynamic horn section highlight the rest of the lineup of guitars, keyboards, and drums.
August 23 – The Karma Kings are an experienced cover band, playing some of the great tunes of the past decades through to the popular hits of today.
August 30 – Abbey Rodeo plays the Beatles or the early Mersey Beat & 60’s sound but also with an element of hillbilly and country music to it. They add a combination of bluegrass and country sounding instruments that have the ability to transform a song. It is amazing how well a fiddle or banjo works in many Beatles songs.
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/.