Meeting Notes March 5, 2019
Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary Notes
March 5th, 2019
Tonight’s Council Meeting had a “light” agenda. I was very surprised that the Finance and Audit Committee Meeting took place over two hours and there was a sense of calm shared by the Directors as well as the Council Members. This was good. I would suspect that the next meeting on the Budget “may be a bit more intense”. Just my opinion. One issue that is very important to me and the city is the Erie Street Reconstruction Project. Timing and Funding are the keys to this project. Along with this, we had the privilege to recognize two retiring City employees. Patrolman James Lessick and Lieutenant Blaine Sweitzer.
PRIOR TO THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
SPECIAL MEETING/EXECUTIVE SESSION*
• None
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
The purpose of the Finance Committee Meeting is to discuss:
• 2019 OperatingBudget
• The meeting taking around two hours focused on each Departments Director taking the time to present their budget in summary. They basically all shared that their budgets would be consistent to those of 2018 while a few shared some increases. Wages are still being negotiated and will be addressed in our next session.
• For the record
• 80% OF THE OPERATING BUDGET IS FOR PERSONNEL
• THE CITY IS DOING MORE WITH LESS
• 70% OF THE MONIES COMING IN ARE FROM INCOME TAX (WHICH IS FLAT AT THIS TIME)
*More on the Finance Committee and the 2019 Budget in the next Council Summary for March 19th.
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.
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 5, 2019
• ROLL CALL
• PRAYER AND PLEDGE
• APPROVAL OF MINUTES - Regular Council Meeting of February 19, 2019
o Approved
STANDARD AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
• No Major Reports
CORRESPONDENCE
• No Correspondence
PUBLIC PORTION
· The primary comments made here were regarding resident concerns with the Ridgewood Green Development proposed in both Mentor and Willoughby. The Willoughby section would handle only seven (7) homes. The stand-off here is that Mentor is proposing a “construction road” on site that will travel from the Phase 1 of the project, south to Ridge Road. Willoughby’s approval of the Plat did not include that construction road. Work will need to be done between the two cities to resolve this issue.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
• None
NEW BUSINESS
· RESOLUTION NO. 2019-14
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Direct Energy Business, LLC for participation in an electric power demand response program at the Willoughby-Eastlake Water Pollution Control Center for a period of three (3) years, effective June 1, 2019, and ending on May 31, 2022.
WHEREAS, the Willoughby-Eastlake Water Pollution Control Center (WPCC) can be paid to reduce their electric power consumption during peak electric usage periods; and
WHEREAS, the Superintendent of the WPCC requested informal proposals from demand response program providers to determine the best offers for such reduction and participation in an electric power demand response program; and
WHEREAS, Direct Energy Business, LLC was determined to have made the best offer for a three (3) year period; commencing June 1, 2019; and
WHEREAS, the Superintendent of the W-E WPCC has recommended that the Mayor enter into a three (3) year agreement with Direct Energy Business, LLC;
SECTION 1. That the Mayor is hereby authorized to enter into an agreement with Direct Energy Business, LLC, 194 Wood Avenue South, Iselin, NJ 08330, necessary to the participation in the Demand Response Program for the W-E WPCC for a period of three (3) years, effective June 1, 2019 and ending on May 31, 2022; said Agreement substantially in the form now on file in theLaw Department.
This is a Cost Savings for the City
•APPROVED
· RESOLUTION NO. 2019-15
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation for the Erie Street Reconstruction Project located in the City of Willoughby, Lake County, Ohio, and declaring an emergency.
WHEREAS, Section 5501.03(0) of the Ohio Revised Code provides that the Ohio Department of Transportation ("ODOT") may coordinate its activities and enter into contracts with other appropriate public authorities, as necessary, to carry out its duties, powers, and functions;and
WHEREAS, the Erie Street Reconstruction Project ("Project") is a transportation activity, eligible to receive state funding; and
WHEREAS, the City of Willoughby, Lake County, Ohio ("City") has received funding approval for the Project from the ODOT Program Manager having responsibility for the state fund involved; and
WHEREAS, it is the mutual desire of both ODOT and the City to have the City serve as the responsible lead agency for the administration of the Project;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WILLOUGHBY, THE COUNTY OF LAKE, AND THE STATE OF OHIO:
SECTION 1. That the Mayor is hereby authorized to enter into an agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation for the Erie Street Reconstruction Project located in the City of Willoughby to establish the responsibilities for the local administration of the Project.
FOR THE RECORD
The Erie Street Reconstruction Project is a road replacement project of approximately 1,200 feet in length. This is from Elm Street to Stevens Blvd.. Erie Street in this area is in poor condition with improper grading allowing flooding of the roadway and water to drain onto private property. Sidewalks, drive aprons and curbs are likewise in poor condition and a hazard to residents. The project will encompass improved drainage, new pavement, new curbs, new drive aprons, new sidewalks and possibly a retaining wall along the eastern side of the roadway. This portion is under study as part of the engineering plan. We are currently in the Engineering phase of the project, which is scheduled to be completed in 2019. The completed proposals will be sent to ODOT for review, and with approval, we hope to be able to advertise for bid in October of 2019. Construction is set to begin in early 2020. NOACA does not fund road projects by themselves. They are more in tune to support project studies such as the Vine Street Project. We have applied to OPWC, and we were unsuccessful in being awarded funding there. However, we were close and had therefore completed the full application should monies become available. We will reapply in 2019 with a slightly different approach in the hopes of being successful in some type of funding. We currently have received the earmark funds of $ 500,000.00. In addition, we have an additional 40,000.00 from the Norfolk and Southern Railroad, which can be used here if we so desire. We also have a commitment of $10,000.00, which can be used on a preapproved safety project and an additional $5,000.00 to be used for the closing of the Church Street Crossing. These funds are also coming from the Ohio Railroad Commission and Norfolk and Southern Railroad. All rail funding comes with the condition that we close the rail crossing on Church Street.
It is the intention that we fund the project with a State Infrastructure Loan for any balance of the project. As of now, the project has an estimated construction cost of $2,088,000 minus the earmark monies of $500,000, leaving a balance of $1,588,000. Railroad funds would come off of that if we so chose. I will also state that I will be meeting with ODOT to discuss this project.
This information was provided by the City of Willoughby Service Director, Mr. Lee Bock.
•APPROVED
· RESOLUTION NO. 2019-16
A resolution honoring Patrolman James Lessick and commending him for his 32 years of dedicated service to the City of Willoughby.
James Lessick began his service with the Willoughby Police Department on March 11, 1987, as a Patrolman and was thereafter assigned to Court/Jail Officer in March 2003; and
WHEREAS, Patrolman James Lessick worked with and was respected by other agencies in northeastern Ohio throughout his employment with the Willoughby Police Department; and
WHEREAS, Patrolman Lessick enjoyed his job, was hard working and very dedicated to the Willoughby Police Department; and
WHEREAS, Jimmy was known for his great sense of humor, was easy to work with, and was well-liked and respected by all of his co-workers in the Department;
•APPROVED
· RESOLUTION NO. 2019-17
A resolution honoring Lieutenant Blaine Sweitzer and commending him for over 34 years of dedicated service to the City of Willoughby.
Blaine Sweitzer began his service with the Willoughby Police Department in June 1984 as a Special Officer; was hired full-time as a Patrolman in 1985; served as a Detective in 1996; was promoted to Sergeant in 1998, and promoted to Lieutenant in 2006; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Blaine Sweitzer worked with and was respected by other agencies throughout northeastern Ohio during his employment with the Willoughby Police Department; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Sweitzer, during his tenure, was in charge of the Crash Investigative Unit and Bike Patrol, and further served as a Firearms Instructor;and
WHEREAS, Blaine enjoyed his job, was hard working and very dedicated to the Willoughby PoliceDepartment;
•APPROVED
REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR, DIRECTORS, AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
No major reports from the Mayor, Directors, and Council to report
COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY
These comments may or may not be related to what took place at the Council Meeting
· The announcement of my Spring Ward 2 Meeting.
o Monday, May 6th, 2019
o 6:30 pm
o 1969 Lost Nation Road
o CLASSIC JET CENTER
· There have been a ton of questions, on Social Media, regarding the trees being cut down across from the Airport. Let me clarify what is happening.
o The Airport, now owned by the Lake County Ohio Port & Economic Development Authority has required the privately owned properties across from the airport to have the trees on their site removed. This is being done to create the required "clear zone" that leads to the runway traveling East and West. The airport is covering the cost of tree removal. "The trees are not being removed because the properties are sold and being developed at this time.”
o Further South, on the corner of Lost Nation Road and SOUTH of Western Parkway there is a lot, that sold recently to a developer that will build on that land. He is also in the process of purchasing the next lot traveling north between Western Parkway and Aquarius Parkway.
o The next TWO lots on the same side, again traveling North
§ Between Aquarius Parkway and Tamarac AND the empty lot north of Tamarac are all owned at this time by Cleveland Clinic. They are currently working to sell these properties for Development.
o NOTE:
ALL THESE LOTS ARE ZONED GENERAL BUSINESS
· I am still putting time into the following
o Burned out Street Lights
o Missing Street Lights
o Traffic Signal issues
o Ward Creek Storm-water Management (the final work)
o The Budget for the City 2019
o Communication with the residents of Ward 2
o Working with property owners and developers regarding the lands on Lost Nation Road
Feel free to contact me via email with your comments
Hearing from YOU is important to ME
NOTE
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 Minutesare posted on the City of Willoughby Website http://willoughbyohio.com/government/city-council/.