Meeting Notes June 11, 2019
Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary Notes
June 11, 2019
Tonight's Council Meeting was quite important on several fronts. Committee meetings took place to discuss the
• city going out for bid for trash pick-up
• Erosion at Osborne Park
• review of E.A.S. for renovations to take place in Ward 1 @ Witz End.
All of which led to some significant discussions.
Legislation discussion provided much more clarity to issues on the Agenda.
PRIOR TO THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
SPECIAL MEETING/EXECUTIVE SESSION
None
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
Ken Kary, Dan Anderson, Bob Harrold
The purpose of the Environmental Planning Committee meeting is to discuss: EAS# 7-6-19
The proposed project is for exterior alterations, awning replacement, and new garden patio for Witz End locatedat 38501 Lakeshore Blvd. The E.A.S. review concluded with the approval of the Committee, sending it to Planning Commission for review with attention to:
· The setback from the right of way being addressed
· Attention to the Timber Guardrail: its “function” and “aesthetics” being addressed
It was shared that this is a significant improvement to this business in this location.
SERVICE COMMITTEE MEETING
Chris Woodin, Dan Anderson, John Tomaselli
The purpose of the Service Committee Meeting is to discuss:
• Waste Removal and Recycling
There was a representative from Waste Management at the meeting to share what is happening with this service for the very near future. They will be going to total Automation in the new contract (with some exceptions).
• Improved truck technology
• Reduced risk of Injury
• Operation improvements
• Community Benefits (more curb appeal, safer, quieter)
After this presentation discussion centered around what is happening now, and if Waste Management gets the contract, how service will change.
There were also questions brought up by Councilman Kary, as to why the City Contract excludes private associations that do "curbside pick-up" of trash, recycling and yard waste. There were no real answers as to why this decision was made years back. Because of this, the Service Department is looking at finding out the reasons and seeing if it is possible to include these properties in the cities contract.
Second, if this for some reason is not possible, then-Councilman Kary asked the Service Director and the representative from Waste Management to make sure that the private contracts negotiated between Associations and the trash contractor reflect the same service for the same price (or lower) than the city gets.
The exclusion of Apartments where the residents “do not” operate by curbside pick-up is understandable. More on this question and decisions in the future once the contract goes out for bids.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING
Chris Woodin, Katie McNeil, John Tomaselli
The purpose of the Parks & Recreation Committee meeting is to discuss:
• Erosion
This meeting was cut short due to time constraints, so it will re-convene again at the next Council meeting.
For the benefit of all, I include a statement from the Mayor on the topic to share where we are at this time with the erosion concerns for Willoughby.
MEMO:
At Council’s request we have been researching issues regarding erosion at Osborne Park and other private properties in the City of Willoughby. Following is a brief review of the erosion issues:
Lake Erie’s water levels are at historic levels. In fact ,the lake’s water level has raised 6” since May 1st of this year and we have already broken the historic highest water level of 1986. This is 30” above the average sea level of the lake. May had the highest average monthly water level increase since 1918. Similar, but not as extreme high-water levels occurred in 1973-1974 and 1997-1998 when water levels receded until 2007. Historic patterns indicate we will continue to see elevated lake levels this spring and summer. Lake water levels hould begin to drop after this year.
The issues at Osborne Park are common among all lake front properties in Ohio. We have read about marinas with docks under water and lower lakefront areas experiencing flooding in many cities along the lakefront. In Lake County, Mentor, Fairport Harbor and Perry Village are experiencing significant issues with lakefront erosion.
Over the past weeks we have been investigating erosion control options and funding for these.
We met with Paul Palgyi, Executive Director of Lake MetroParks to review what, if any interest the park system would have in owning and/or operating Osborne Park. Paul explained they are already dealing with their current lakefront properties’ erosion issues and given Osborne does not fit their park “profile” they would probably not entertain owning or operating Osborne Park. Paul did mention that he would provide technical assistance in lakefront planning to help with temporary and short-term erosion control measures including landscape design. We also met with Peter Zahirsky of the Lake County Port Authority and Director of Coastal Management to review any funding sources for erosion control. Peter indicated that there are no funds specifically dedicated to lakefront erosion measures. However, he did state that if we combine erosion control improvements with lakefront master plan improvements, funding may be available. He referenced the work being completed in Euclid as an example. We will be visiting the Euclid Lakefront improvements on Wednesday afternoon, June 12th. We are looking to understand the scale and costs of their improvements as well as how they funded them. This past week the mayors, managers and state elected officials attended a meeting sponsored by the Lake County Port Authority, representatives from Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and the law firm Bricker and Eckler.B&E are experts in Lakefront Special Improvement Districts.
The Army Corps of Engineers offered:
· The ODNR, Office of Coastal Management is issuing Temporary Shore Structure Permits to allow home owners to act faster than the normal permit process that can take three months or longer. Permit applications for this work can be found at: http://coastal.ohiodnr.gov/Portals/coastal/pdfs/tssp/TSSP_Application_Form%20_fillable.pdf
· The Technical Assistance phone number for ODNR is (419)626-7980. Their website is: http://coastal.ohiodnr.gov/tssp
· Information from ODNR and a permit sample are attached.
· There is no financing assistance for landowners using the Temporary Shore Structure Permits.
· The temporary permits can be issued in 1–2 weeks and are good for 2 years.
· There are Coastal Assistance Planning Grants, for planning only, from ODNR. Willowick, Eastlake and Willoughby are jointly pursuing these.
Bricker and Eckler offered:
· Bricker and Eckler explained that homeowners have the option to create a SID to help finance erosion control measures. Municipalities sponsor the SID and it may contain both public and private properties, and the properties do not need to be contiguous.
· A SID could combine multiple municipalities.
· The SID would allow home owners to amortize the cost of erosion control improvements over 30 years.
· SID financing travels with the land, meaning if someone sells their property, the debt transfers to the new landowner.
· Willoughby ,Eastlake and Willowick have set a meeting up with Bricker and Eckler and a land planner to begin the SID process.
Finally, as mentioned to Council, temporary erosion control measures at Osborne are not currently funded. If we develop a master plan that includes erosion control, they may befunded. One cautionary note, the Master Plan needs to be thoroughly evaluated before proceeding. There is a 2012 lawsuit filed by Madison Township land owners against North Perry Village and an engineering firm for damage caused to their properties due to the construction of the Towline Park Marina. What we’ve learned thus far is design and engineering associated with lakefront improvements may, and probably will have an impact on neighboring land owners and we should carefully examine our options.
More will be certainly shared on this as we move through this issue and its resolution.
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
June 11, 2019
ROLL CALL
PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
SPECIAL RECOGNITION - Eagle Scout Ryan Bailey
Ryan Bailey was recognized by Council and the Administration for his accomplishments.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES-Regular Council Meeting of May 21, 2019
STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS
No major committee reports presented
CORRESPONDENCE
There was correspondence for a request for a transfer of a liquor license for Young’s Sushi.
They are currently located on Clark Ave.
They are moving to a newly remodeled facility on Sharp Ave.
This will be a great move for this Restaurant.
PUBLIC PORTION
There was a significant representation of residents from the Melrose Farms Development and surrounding areas. They were at the meeting to share their concerns with this development and all the storm-water issues they are experiencing. They shared a petition with approximately 80% of the residents signing to ask the city to help address the current issues and those that may be exasperated by the completion of this development. Currently, all the plans for the development have been approved by the Planning Commission. The final step is when they will come in front of the Council in July to be addressed. The residents were thanked for their attendance and sharing their concerns, and were advised to attend the Council Meeting in July to share their positions again. Most of the flooding in neighboring areas (as described by the residents in attendance) are attributed to the construction elevations the contractor is using. Second, to the flooding are the concerns that the residents are against connecting the development a second time to Lost Nation Road. This would provide two points of ingress and egress which the Fire Department would like. It currently ends in a cul-de-sac where there is now only one ingress/egress.
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTION NO. 2019-60- passed
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to submit a funding application for Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Projects administered by the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency for the purpose of installing a Sidewalk and Bike Trail on SOM Center Road (Rt. 91).
The United States Congress has set aside monies for Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) projects through the State of Ohio, Department of Transportation (ODOT) and administered by the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA).
Local Public Agency's (LPAs) can apply for these monies and be selected for funding by the Ohio Association of Regional Councils (OARC), who has been charged with management of a statewide CMAQ program by ODOT.
The installation of a sidewalk and bike trail on SOM Center Road (Rt. 91), is a transportation activity eligible to receive federal CMAQ funding.
If requested funds are granted, the City of Willoughby (LPA) shall be responsible for twenty percent (20%) of the eligible costs.
The MAJOR concern for this legislation and a vote is, where will the city get $460,000 to cover this cost!!!!!!!!!
After a good deal of discussion, it was explained that this request for funds, in the form of a grant, is a very competitive application. We may get it, we may not get it, we may only get a portion of the monies. It was also shared that this initial request in no way commits the city to the project. The KEY position here is that if we receive a grant, is it financially responsiblefor the city to commit to the funds, they must contribute to addressing the project. That vote will be left up to council based on receipt of the grant, and the financial status of the city at that time. The grant will not take effect until 2025, so the city has time to assess the possibilities. Again, it will take action by the Council as a whole to move forward on this or not.
RESOLUTION NO. 2019-61-passed
A resolution authorizing the Director of Public Service to prepare specifications and to advertise for bids for the collection and disposal of solid waste, yard waste, and curbside recycling from single family residences and municipal buildingsintheCityofWilloughbyforaperiodoffive(5)yearswithafive(5)year renewal option.
RESOLUTION NO. 2019-62-passed
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to reject all bids for the Plains Road Force Main Replacement Project.
Bids that were received on this critical project all came in too high. This legislation provides the opportunity to reassess the costs of the project, make adjustments, and go out for bids AGAIN.
RESOLUTION NO. 2019-63-passed
A resolution authorizing the City Engineer to re-advertise for bids for the Plain Road Force Main Replacement Project.
Council of the City of Willoughby authorized the City Engineer to prepare plans and specifications and to advertise for bids for the work and material necessary to do the Plains Road Force Main Replacement Project; and
The lowest bid received was over 10% higher than the engineer's estimate and was not awardable; therefore, the Council rejected all bids; and
The City Engineer has requested permission to make modifications to the plans and specifications for the Plains Road Force Main Replacement Project and re-advertise for bids.
ADDENDUM – The following resolutions were all tabled because they were not presented to the Council in a timely manner. They will be addressed in the future.
RESOLUTION NO. 2019-64-tabled
A resolution approving the Petition for Special Assessments for Special Energy Improvement Projects and Affidavit under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1710 and approving the Necessity of Acquiring,Installing, Equipping, and Improving Certain Public Improvements in the City Of Willoughby, Ohio in Cooperation with The Lake County Communities Energy Special Improvement District (Todd Field #2 Project), and declaring anemergency.
This resolution deals with a lighting project for Field 2 at Todd Field
RESOLUTION NO. 2019-65-tabled
A resolution declaring an intent to proceed with the Acquisition, Installation, Equipment, and Improvement of Certain Public Improvements in The City of Willoughby, Ohio in cooperation with The Lake County Communities Energy Special Improvement District (Todd Field #2 Project).
RESOLUTION NO. 2019-66-tabled
An ordinance Levying Special Assessments for the purposeof Acquiring, Installing, Equipping, and Improving Certain Public Improvements in the City of Willoughby, Ohio in Cooperation with the Lake County CommunitiesEnergy Special Improvement District (Todd Field #2Project).
MAYORS REPORT
The mayor shared that, today, June 12threpresentatives for the city will meet with Euclid to discuss how they handled their erosion issues and more importantly, the financing of their solutions.
It was essential to share that Councilman Woodin shared his opinions with the Mayor that while we are holding discussions with other cities, and may even go together with Eastlake and Willowick to brainstorm for solutions, we focus our primary attention ON WILLOUGHBY!
DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
SERVICE DIRECTOR, LEE BOCK
Paving is moving forward in the city. The weather has impacted all work, but we are moving forward.
The Street striping crews are out at night, painting the streets. They have about four (4) weeks of work left. We are also close to negotiations with Waste Management for our trash and recycling.
The Erie Road Construction Project (between the tracks) has been sent to ODOT. We should have responses back by the end of June. Approval will be asked for bidding after the 1stof the year.
COUNCIL REPORTS
No major reports to share
ADJOURNMENT
COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY
I would appreciate all the support
Since I have declared that I will be placing my name on the ballot in November, for a second term on Council, I would certainly appreciate your support to help this become a reality. I have tried my best to be open and transparent on all issues, as well as crusade for what is best for Ward 2 and the City of Willoughby.
I may be asking for supporters to help with the display of signs “LATER THIS SUMMER/FALL”.
If you are a resident in Ward 2 and you would like to help, please e-mail me at
Please share your Name and Address with permission to place a campaign sign in your yard. I promise to try and not place any signs up EARLY!!!!!!!!
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