Meeting Notes October 15, 2019
Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary
• October 15, 2019 •
Ken Kary • Councilman Ward 2
NOTE
These notes “are not” the official minutes for Willoughby City Council.
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
Tonight's Council Meeting was quite short, with only a few items of legislation. Unusual, no residents requested to speak during the Public Portion, which usually provides some very significant comments. It’s always good to hear from our residents be it a comment, criticism or compliment.
REMEMBER, VOTING DAY
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 5TH
PRIOR TO THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
SPECIAL MEETING/EXECUTIVE SESSION
None
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
*The purpose of the Environmental Planning Committee Meeting is to discuss:
EAS #10-10-19
The proposed project is for a 4,913 square foot. self-service Sheetz located at 6035 SOM Center Road and will include convenience retail sales and a restaurant.
This EAS was reviewed and will go to Planning Commission for review and a vote. There will be a need for some variances for Parking Setbacks due to the unique location of the business (basically they will have 3 front yards). That will be Planning Commissions’ duty to address these in detail under the recommendation of the Environmental Planning Committee.
EAS #11-10-19
The proposed project is for an addition including a covered patio bar and outdoor patio and interior alterations to Zeppe's Tavern located at 5680 SOM Center Rd.
This project will require some variances, attention to storm-water removal, as well as a close look at “noise mitigation” due to the outside patio/bar location. Again that will be Planning Commissions’ duty to address these in detail under the recommendation of the Environmental Planning Committee.
LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS
The general purpose of the Legislative Caucus meeting is to review and discuss the legislation on the Regular Council. More on the legislation covered later in this summary.
AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
October 15, 2019
ROLL CALL
PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES- Regular Council Meeting of October 1, 2019
STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS
No major reports
CORRESPONDENCE
No correspondence
PUBLIC PORTION
NOTE:
For accuracy, this section has been copied from the "official council meeting minutes."
NO SPEAKERS
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTION NO. 2019-93
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to support an application submitted by the Lake County General HealthDistrict to the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordination Agency (NOACA) for the purpose of acquiring federal funds through the Transportation for Livable Communities Initiative Program for the Chagrin River Corridorand Lakefront Trail Connection Plan.
The City is supporting the "Chagrin River Corridor & Lakefront Trail Connection" planning grant application to be submitted by the Lake County General Health District to the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) for funding through the Transportation for Livable Communities Initiative (TLCI); and the TLCI Program provides federal funds for projects that integrate transportation and land use planning, increase transportation options, promote livability, and advance the goals of NOACA's Strategic Plan for Northeast Ohio; and the TLCI Program is paid on a reimbursement basis, requiring the applicant first to expend funds (if matched) and then request reimbursement from NOACA. The City of Willoughby will participate and commit its required $5,000 matching share. NOTE, the $5000 will only be spent if the City gets the GRANT.
This is an extensive project, which could create a trail from the mouth of the Chagrin River in Eastlake to Waite Hill!
SECTION 1. That the Mayor of the City of Willoughby, Ohio, is hereby authorized to support an application submitted by the Lake County General Health District to the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) to secure federal funds from the Transportation for Livable Communities Initiative (TLCI) for the Chagrin River Corridor & Lakefront Trail Connection Plan and to appropriate a required match of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000).
SECTION 2. That the Mayor is further authorized to execute any and all additional documents and forms necessary to properly secure such federal funds.
Mayor Fiala said planning funding was received about a year ago through NOACA through their TLCI program. This is a planning effort that will start in Eastlake at the mouth of the Chagrin River and go to the Waite Hill border. He said there are about 13 to 14 partners including the cities of Willoughby, Willowick, Eastlake, Willoughby Hills, Lake Metroparks, Cleveland Metroparks, ODNR, Western Reserve Land Partners and others. The project will complete the river walk in Willoughby and could extend to Lake Erie and to Cuyahoga County's Metroparks. The cities of Willoughby, Eastlake, and Willowick will contribute $5,000 as part of the application; contributions from the other partners will vary. Eastlake is in negotiations to acquire a portion of the First Energy property that's at the mouth of the Chagrin River which is a critical piece of the development. The Lake County Health District is spearheading this project.
Passed
RESOLUTION NO. 2019-94
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to accept the 2019-2020 Training and Equipment Grant Award from the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Division of EMS in the amount of $2,765 for the purpose of acquiring EMS Training and Equipment for the Willoughby Fire Department.
That the Mayor is authorized to execute any and all additional documents and forms necessary to properly secure such financial assistance and administer and implement the grant.
Chief Ungar said this grant allows the department to purchase equipment; funding comes from seat belt fines.
Passed
RESOLUTION NO. 2019-95
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Constellation New Energy, Inc. for thepurchase of electricity for the Willoughby-Eastlake Water Pollution Control Center for a period of thirty-six (36) months effective June 20, 2020.
In Ohio you can choose the electric supplier that provides the generation of your electricity; and it is the intent of the City to determine the best provider of electricity for the Willoughby-Eastlake Water Pollution Control Center (WPCC).
The Superintendent of the WPCC requested formal proposals from regional providers to obtain the best price; and
Constellation New Energy, Inc. provided the lowest proposal to supply electricity for the WPCC for a thirty-six (36) month period commencing June 20, 2020.
The Superintendent of the WPCC has recommended that the Mayor enter into a thirty-six (36) month agreement with Constellation New Energy, Inc. to provide the electricity for the WPCC.
The Mayor is hereby authorized to enter into an Agreement with Constellation New Energy, Inc., 1001 Louisiana St., Constellation Suite 2300, Houston, TX 77002 for the purchase of electricity for the Willoughby-Eastlake Water Pollution Control Center for a period of thirty-six (36) months, effective June 20, 2020, said contract substantially in the form now on file in the Law Department.
Mr. Bock said getting competitive rates is getting tougher but Mr. Gorka has secured this pricing. The agreement doesn't begin until next June.
Passed
ORDINANCE NO. 2019-96
An ordinance accepting the Final Plat for Fairway Glenn Subdivision Phase Ill.
Berardino Palmieri, Managing Member, On the Greens Development, LLC, has filed the Final Plat of Fairway Glenn Subdivision Phase Ill ("Final Plat") with the Planning Commission of the City of Willoughby, Ohio, and has requested approval thereof; and the Planning Commission and the City Engineer have reviewed and approved the Final Plat and the City Engineer has further certified said approval.
NOTE:
There were several agreements made that would benefit the Residents of Fairway Glenn, the Developer, and the City. Let me list just a few.
Councilman Kary said that the Planning Commission had a very productive meeting with the developers of Fairway Glenn. Several items were negotiated at that meeting that would benefit the City, the residents and the developer.
· There will be a sidewalk installed on Hodgson Road traveling East from Lost Nation Road down, past the Golf Course, connecting with Willoughby Crossings. This will create approximately a 2.5-mile path of sidewalk for the residents of this area.
· The Developer is required to place in an Escrow Account, monies that they are committing to help fund a Traffic Signal at Hodgson Road and Lost Nation Road if needed. Those funds will stay in the escrow account for three (3) years. If a light does not go up in that timeframe, the funds will be returned.
· Additional white fencing will be put in place to define the Fairway Glenn Development better. NO FENCING will go in along hole # 13. All fencing will be owned and maintained by the Fairway Glenn Homeowners Association.
· A four-foot high fence will be installed as a temporary property line between the Golf Course and the homes being built on Hole # 1. This will stay up and be maintained until the permanent white PVC fence is installed. The current fence is inadequate.
· The triangular property that will not be developed, due to restrictions in place from the Airport and the FAA will remain as a "natural area." There are designated "wetland" areas in this location. The owner of this property will maintain its border on Lost Nation Road and Hodgson Road, by keeping the grass cut down low.
Passed
NOTE:
For accuracy, this section has been copied from the "official council meeting minutes."
MAYORS REPORT
Mayor Fiala said the legal issues for Building B (former Junior High) have been resolved; they are currently removing underground storage tanks that needed to be done to trigger their financing. Regarding the Vine Street TLCI grant that was awarded, MKSK and DLC have been selected as the consulting team for the project. Public engagement meetings will take place over the next several months. Regarding the RFQ for the Glenridge Project, a draft will be sent to Council in the next week or two.
Regarding the Special Improvement District (SID) for the erosion on Lake Erie, two residents will petition the Council to establish the SID. The legislation will be on the next agenda to form the SID.
DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
Law Director Lucas - No report. Regarding residents who reside in condominiums but are renters, Councilman Woodin asked what their rights are with regard to communications between them and the condominium association. Law Director Lucas said the owner of the unit has the standing with the condominium association. He suggested having the tenants communicate with the unit owner and request the information be passed on to them. He further suggested contacting a lawyer for assistance.
Service Director Bock - Regarding a tree at the golf course, he is sending an arborist out to evaluate the tree again. He will communicate the findings to the Council and if the City will remove or trim the tree. Mr. Bock updated Council on the traffic light at Park and Euclid Avenue stating it would be another six to eight weeks before it's replaced.
City Engineer Sayles - Reported that ODOT intends to resurface both Lakeshore Blvd. and Ridge Road in the Fiscal year 2021. Lakeshore Blvd. would be done after July 1, 2020, when ODOT's fiscal year begins and Ridge Road in the spring of 2021 at the end of the fiscal year. This would help spread out the City's contribution out of the road fund. He said Rt. 174 will be done in the fiscal year 2023. Mr. Sayles said he believes the water main replacement in downtown will begin after the first of the year and should be wrapping up when the asphalt plants open in the spring. Bidding on the Erie Road reconstruction project will take place after that with construction through next summer.
Fire Chief Ungar - Thanked Council for the passage of a resolution for the fire department.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Mr. Anderson - Reported he is having a Ward 5 meeting on October 28th at 7 p.m. at the Senior Center. Representatives from the library, Laketran and the W/E Schools will be there to discuss their levies.
ADJOURNMENT
COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY
I have decided that my next Ward 2 meeting will take place EARLY in 2020. Again I will keep you well informed as to the DATE, TIME, and LOCATION
GOOD NEWS WAS SHARED BY
CITY ENGINEER JIM SAYLES
REGARDING
THE RE-SURFACING OF LAKESHORE BLVD.
IT WILL BE ADDRESSED AFTER JULY 2020
NEXT YEAR!!!!!!!!!
Thanks to our city Directors for helping to push this work to get done SOONER than expected.
· IN CONCLUSION: If you have any topic you want to discuss, CONTACT ME. I can easily be reached by email @ kenkarycouncil@gmail.com OR call me @ 440-537-2841
Best Wishes, Ken
NOTE
These notes “are not” the official minutes for Willoughby City Council.
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