Meeting Notes September 17, 2019
Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary
• September 17, 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 short and yet quite diverse. First and foremost we had the opportunity to “swear in” two Firefighters. Fire Chief Ungar and Mayor Fiala handled the duties. New firefighter Luke Farshchian was sworn in to serve on the force. Then, Fireman, Joe Iliano was sworn in to serve as Lieutenant. I need to share that Liertenant Iliano was a student of mine at Mentor High School where I taught from 1972-2004. Always a great event to see these first responders and their families. The public portion of the meeting consisted of parties talking about the Laketran Levy and then the Willloughby Eastlake Schools Levy. More on this later.
PRIOR TO THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
SPECIAL MEETING/EXECUTIVE SESSION
The purpose of the Special Meeting/Executive Session in accordance with ORC 121.22(G) 2
and (G) 3 to discuss the sale of City owned property and pending and imminent litigation.
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
September 17, 2019
ROLL CALL
PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES- Regular Council Meeting of September 3, 2019
STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS
Finance and Audit Committee, Mr. Tomaselli - Reported he recently met with Mayor Fiala and Finance Director Bosley to go over some large scale projects and vision for the City and how to finance some of those projects. He will be giving a presentation to Council at some point.
Clean City Commission, Mr. Anderson - Reported the river clean up took place with six canoes that went from Daniels Park to the Chagrin River on Reeves Road.
Planning Commission, Mr. Kary - Mr. Kary asked Council to review the updated zoning code updates that were distributed. The Planning Commission will be recommending the updates to Council soon and will hold a public hearing on the zoning map update.
Shade Tree Commission. Ms. McNeill - Reported that the Commission has a new Secretary, Emily Makela.
CORRESPONDENCE
A request from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control for a transfer from Care Auto Service, Inc. 3525 Lost National Rd., Willoughby, Ohio, 44094 to HB Soni, Inc. 3525 Lost Nation Rd., Willoughby, Ohio 44094. There were no objections.
PUBLIC PORTION
NOTE:
For accuracy, this section has been copied from the "official council meeting minutes."
Ben Capelle, CEO, Laketran: Mr. Capelle said the levy that Laketran operates on was passed in 1988 and has been renewed a few times, but Laketran has never asked for an increase before. He said the levy that will be on the ballot is due to an increase in dial-a-ride services and decreased funding from that state. He said if the levy fails, 30% of Laketrans' services will be cut. Mr. Capelle indicated that Willoughby was the largest recipient of dial-a ride services in the county and 75% of the levy would go for dial-a-ride. The levy would generate about $8.5 million a year through sales tax (.25 cents per $100 spent). Money from the levy would also better serve companies on TylerBoulevard.
Steve Thompson, Superintendent, Willoughby-Eastlake Schools, Bill Parkinson, Treasurer, Willoughby Eastlake Schools - Mr. Thompson thanked the City of Willoughby for the recent building collaboration with them. Mr. Thompson said this is the first time since 2012 that the school district is asking for money for the general operating budget. Mr. Parkinson explained the school district is in its current financial status due to House Bill 920 that keeps property taxes flat regardless of the property values and the reduction of tangible personal property tax (TPP) which is a loss of about 8% of the budget. Mr. Thompson said there are three reasons why the proposed levy is a continuous levy versus an emergency operating which is a time bound levy. First, he explained that the school district will be on the ballot 17 times out of the next 20 years with 5 emergency levies that get continually renewed. Due to House Bill 920, the school district will put a levy on the ballot in another 6 to 7 years regardless of how fiscally conservative the school system is. It would force the school system to pass a new levy while renewing a levy simultaneously. Second, when the school district is on the ballot in odd years, it costs the school district anywhere between $30,000 to $90,000 depending on whose on the ballot with them costing tax payers money. Thirdly, bonding is an issue due to the emergency operating levies that cause instability as a result of having to continually be on the ballot. The school district's rating has been downgraded due to the failed levy in August. The result of that in conjunction with continued renewals will cost the district millions of dollars in the span of 37 years on the bond issue alone. Therefore, it doesn't make sense to go on the ballot for another emergency operating levy. The Willoughby Eastlake School System is one of two districts in the state that primarily operate on emergency levies. Community meetings are set for September 23rd at 6:00 p.m. at South High School and September 25th at 7:00 p.m. at North High School. He asked Council and the City for their support of the levy.
Councilman Carr voiced concerns about public engagement regarding the levies and at school board meetings. Councilwoman McNeil! also voiced concerns about public engagement and educating the residents on the financial issues and levies. Mr. Thompson clarified to Councilman Woodin what a resident would be paying for the levy and confirmed that the levy on the November ballot needed to be in place prior to knowing the outcome of the August levy due to time constraints.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTION NO. 2019-88
Passed
A resolution accepting the amounts and rates as determined by the Budget Commission, authorizing the necessary tax levies, certifying same to the Lake County Auditor, and declaring an emergency.
Council, in accordance with the provisions of law, has previously adopted a tax budget for the next succeeding fiscal year commencing January 1, 2020, pursuant to Resolution No. 2019-67; and
the Budget Commission of Lake County, Ohio, has certified its action thereon to this Council, together withan estimate by the County Auditor of the rate of each tax necessary to be levied by this Council and what part thereof is without, and what part thereof is within, the ten (10) mill tax limitation.
SCHEDULE A
Summary of Amounts Required from General Property Tax Approved
by Budget Commission, and County Auditor's Estimated Tax Rates
Auditor's Estimate of Tax Rate to be Levied
Ten (10) Mill Limitation (Outside) (Inside)
FUND V
General Fund.................................................................... 2.40
1.15
General Bond Retirement............................................... 0.56
1.25
Police Pension Fund.......................................................... .-0-
.30
Fire Pension Fund.............................................................. .-0-
.30
Recreation Fund.................................................................. 50
.-0-
Road Fund......................................................................... 2.00
.-0-
TOTAL 5.46
3.00
SCHEDULE B
Levies Outside Ten (10) Mill Limitation Exclusive of Debt Levies
GENERAL FUND
Levy authorized by voters on
November 8, 2016, not to exceed 5 years................................................. 90
Levy authorized by voters on
November 7, 2017, not to exceed 5 years............................................. 1.50
RECREATION FUND
Levy authorized by voters on
November 7, 2017, not to exceed 5 years................................................. 50
ROAD FUND
Levy authorized by voters on
November 8, 2016, not to exceed 5 years.............................................. 2.00
Amount Authorized by Levy Rate
RESOLUTON NO. 2019-89
Passed
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to accept a 2018 Assistance to Firefighters Grant award through theFederal Emergency Management Agency, and declaring an emergency.
The Willoughby Fire Department desires to purchase turn-key installations of source capture diesel exhaust removal systems; and the City of Willoughby desires to accept the 2018 Assistance to Firefighters Grant awarded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the amount of $154,545.45 to assist in acquiring the turn-key installations of source capture diesel exhaust removal systems.
The Willoughby Fire Department was notified on August 28, 2019 that our department was awarded the 2018 Assistance to Firefighters Grant, EMW-2018-FO-00837; for the purchase of tum-key installations, in both Stations 1 and 2, of source capture diesel exhaust removal systems. This AFG grant award will aid in protecting the health and safety of the public and firefighting personnel.
The total grant award is in the amount of$ 170,000.00 of which the FEMA share is 90% or $154,545.45 and the Willoughby Fire Department share is 10% or $15,454.55.
The goal of this project is to reduce health and safety risks of the public and firefighting personnel.
We currently have a diesel exhaust system in our apparatus bays which functions like a series of vacuum fans with filtration to help remove the exhaust each time a diesel-powered vehicle is operated. This system has been in place for over 11 years and has reached the end of it’s usefulness. Through some additional research, we have also determined that this system may not be as effective in removing contaminants due to the location of each device, which is well over 20’ above the fire trucks. This system is also no longer approved through FEMA as one that can be awarded to fire departments seeking diesel exhaust removal. Furthermore, the cost to maintain the filters is over $4,000 annually.
The system that we applied for is similar to what you see in a repair shop where there is a hose that will fit over the exhaust pipe of each truck and will release as the vehicles pull out of the apparatus bays while the exhaust is directed through an overhead rack assembly and to the outside of the fire stations. This type of exhaust removal has proven to remove more contaminants which further decreases the amount of particulates that end up on all of the surfaces in and around the fire apparatus bay including our turnout gear, fire hose, and all work surfaces. There is an annual maintenance cost but it is far less due to the lack of filtration products needed to effectively remove the vehicle exhaust.
The estimates that we received are for $170,000 which will cover both fire stations; the breakdown for what the grant covers and what the city’s contribution are noted in the resolution. This purchase will be a competitive bid process because none of the systems are available through state bid, however, the Kirtland Fire Department has also received the same grant and we will examine the possibility of bidding both cities’ purchases to ensure that the cost remains well within budget.
RESOLUTION NO. 2019-90
Passed
A resolution authorizing the City Engineer to prepare plans and specifications and to advertise for bids for the revised WPCC (Water Pollution Control Center) Capacity Enhancement Project, and declaring an emergency.
This was attempted once and all bids came in well over the estimated costs, hence bids will go out again for this project.
The city engineer will re-submit bids on a major WPCC Capacity Enhancement Project that desperately needs to be addressed. Many of these upgrades are a result of Ohio EPA mandated improvements.
NOTE:
For accuracy, this section has been copied from the "official council meeting minutes."
MAYORS REPORT
The Mayor thanked Judean, Amy and Stephanie at the Senior Center for their work at the second open house within the month. Councilman Carr asked the Mayor to comment on a recent article regarding the "Soho" project (former car dealership on Euclid Avenue). Mayor Fiala said a plan has not been submitted and that Mark Sims came to the City about six months ago and suggested doing retail on the first floor of the building and micro units and remodel of the existing service area. Mayor Fiala said his comment in the article was taken incorrectly; he said that the City isnot willing to look at micro units but rather higher value apartments.
DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
Service Director Bock - Reported that the supplier for the light poles at Euclid Avenue and Wilson have given a delivery date of October 1st. The installation of the poles will be done in house. He said the City has not received a response back from the railroad regarding the railroad underpass lighting that has been nonfunctional for a while. The lights are the City's responsibility; the wiring, the conduit and the lights all need to be replaced. Pricing fromthree different companies have been obtained ranging from $30,000 to $15,000. The Rt. 2 underpass lights have been turned over to the City and are not currently working. The problem with the lights has been determined and will be repaired soon.
City Engineer Sayles - Plains Road Force Main repair is complete; restoration work still needs to be completed.
Fire Chief Ungar - Thanked Council for allowing the swearing in ceremony this evening and the passage of the resolution accepting a grant.
Building Inspector Keller - No report. Ms. McNeil! asked if the City was planning on having landscapers register to combat final grading issues. Mayor Fiala said there were discussions on having a bond that would be withheld until final grading after landscaping is complete. Mr. Keller said registering landscapers would be difficult because they won't comply. City Engineer Sayles said years ago, money was withheld from the builder but it didn't solve the problem because the builder would walk away from the deposit. Mr. Kary said he is concerned when a landscaper comes in four years after a home was built and changes the grade. He feels that residents need to be educated on this issue.
Parks & Recreation Director Banker - Reported that Representative Dave Joyce came and toured the new Senior Center and gave the City a certificate of recognition and achievement and a flag that flew over the US Capital. She said they are working through a few issues at the Senior Center, but that membership has increased by 300 in the first month.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Mr. Woodin - Thanked Mr. Fiala for all his work with regards to the SID.
Mr. Kary -Reported he has been working on getting street lighting replaced on Lost Nation Road particularly the area where poles were taken out when Fairway Glen was built and a light near the airport. He reported that he hasheard from Patty at the airport and a contractor would be coming out to look at the poles needed and hopefully installthem. He said the other lights near Fairway Glen have been scheduled and should be taken care of by mid-October.
Mr. Carr - Reported that the primary topic at the recent Ward 4 meeting was proposed rezoning for a parcel on the west side of Rt. 91 between the apartments and the church (across from Big Turtle I). A developer would like to putin fee simple townhomes. There were a lot of comments regarding traffic concerns.
ADJOURNMENT
COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY
For those that follow me closely let me share the status of some of the items we have been working on over the past several months.
· The Culvert Enlargement that travels under Lakeshore Blvd. This is a planned expansion of this culvert to allow a greater flow of storm-water traveling west from the Two Town Ditch. It’s expansion was designed to decrease erosion and flooding in both Ward 1 and Ward 2.
In July of this summer B&N (Burgess and Niple) said they will have the hydraulic analysis done by the end of July. At that time will be working to convince the Eastlake homeowners to agrees to this project, assuming the hydraulics work out in our favor. (this culvert is actually in Eastlake). More on this as we move through 2019.
· Soon, the Plans will be submitted to Planning Commission to assess the Final Plat Design for Phase 3 of Fairway Glenn. For me, as a member of Planning Commission and the Councilman for this area, I want to make sure that we get the completion of this project to provide the best for Ward 2 and the residents of Fairway Glenn. I know, from the residents, that we want sidewalks installed in Hodgson Road. I also understand a need to assure that the project commits a percentage of monies to a possible traffic signal if that were to take place. I have also been working on the replacement of missing Street Lights on Lost Nation Road, that were removed when the development was started. I have noticed recently the installation of a Solar Panel near the entry that I was not in favor of when it came in front of the Sign Review Board. It is essentially a power generation unit that will power the Entry Sign. I have my concerns with these popping up throughout the city to power signage. I am not against Solar Power, but I have my design concerns with large solar panels being placed in locations where they may just add to the “visual clutter” of our streetscapes.
· I am also continuing my efforts to get a street light replaced on the east side of Lost Nation Road, near the Airport. You may notice a base that still exists where a shorter light pole once existed. To me the lighting on Lost Nation Road needs to be addressed considering the number of residents that walk.
· I hope everyone is seeing the positive impact of the Traffic Calming Devices installed on both Hodgson and Adkins Roads. I know they are not perfect but I have heard positive comments from residents residing on both these streets. We still need our police to monitor Adkins and Hodgson, as well as the use of the Calming Devices.
· Some constituents have asked me about my comments regarding a possible Laketran Stop for Route 3 at the corners of Lost Nation Road and Hodgson and Adkins. I was informed this summer that my request for these two stops to accommodate residents in Ward 2 would happen in January of 2020. All I can hope is that the reality of that happening will not be tied to the November passage or failure of Issue 2 for Laketran. The quarter of one percent sales tax levy will allow Laketran to improve service to job corridors and meet the growing demand for accessible transportation for Lake County seniors, people with disabilities, and veterans. Laketran is proposing a 1/4 of 1% sales tax. = Every time you spend $100 in taxable goods in Lake County, Laketran will receive 25 cents. Not a property tax!
o FACT SHEET ON THIS ISSUE FOR YOUR INFORMATION
https://laketran.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/LaketranIssue2LevyFacts_FINAL.pdf
· I will continue my efforts in seeing the properties that are now vacant in Ward 2 get the best considerations possible if and when they are developed. Some have been recently sold, and when the owners decide to develop them, I will take your comments and suggestions to the table.
· 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