Meeting Notes January 7, 2020
Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary
• January 7, 2020 •
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 started with a fair amount of organizational items to address. Council Members were sworn in for a two-year term. There were council appointments, and mayoral appointments approved. And, finally the election of Council President, Vice President, and Council Planning Commission member. We readdressed the E.A.S. and re-zoning necessary for the Townhomes proposed on S.O.M. Center Rd, that were tabled last council meeting due to the fact we were waiting for a more comprehensive traffic study report. Hopefully, our city engineer will shed some light on the new traffic study and its implications.
PRIOR TO THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
SPECIAL MEETING/EXECUTIVE SESSION
None
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
January 7, 2020
ROLL CALL
PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
COUNCIL SWEARING IN
ORGANIZATIONAL BUSINESS:
COUNCIL
Elect Council President Bob Carr
Elect Council Vice-President John Tomaselli
Elect Planning Commission Member Ken Kary
Appoint Council Clerk Alisa Novak
COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS (Board and Commission Members)
Volunteer Firefighters' Dependents Fund Board............................ Bob Carr, Chris Woodin
MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS (Confirmed by Council)
Board and Commission Members
Planning Commission........................................................... Steve Norris (Reappointment)
Zoning Board of Appeals…………………………………………Phil Davis
............................................................ . .................... Mike Merhar (Reappointment)
Design Review Board............................................................ Paul Garcia (Reappointment)
............................. ................................................... Adam Brown (Reappointment)
Sign Review Board.................................................................. Tara Ward (Reappointment)
Board of Building Code Appeals..................................... Kevin Mccrone (Reappointment)
Shade Tree Commission................................. Katie McNeill, Pat Lewis (Reappointments)
STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS
No important reports
CORRESPONDENCE
No correspondence
PUBLIC PORTION
NOTE:
For accuracy, this section has been copied from the "official council meeting minutes."
Nobody spoke
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
RESOLUTION NO. 2019-108 PASSED
A resolution approving EAS #12-10-19 for the rezoning of real property from Residential One-Family (R-100) to Residential Multi-Family Low Rise (R-MF-L) and construction of eleven (11) buildings which will consist of fifty (50) residential townhomes with private streets; said buildings to be located at 5164 SOM Center Road (SOM Center Townhomes Frontier Land Group).
ORDINANCE NO. 2019-109 PASSED
An ordinance amending the Zone Map of the City of Willoughby, Ohio, to reclassify 6.6 acres of certain real property located at 5164 SOM Center Road (Permanent Parcel Nos. 27-A-006-0-00-025-0, 27-A-006-0-00-024-0, and 27-A-006-0-
00-023-0) from Residential One-Family 100 (R-100) to Residential Multi family Low Rise (R-MF-L).
Motion made by Ken Kary to amend and approve Ordinance No. 2019-109 that it be expressly conditioned upon the applicant’s previous agreement consenting to sign a restriction put in place that all buildings will be fee simple and townhomes. All conditions as expressly agreed to by the applicant with a 30-day recordation of the restrictions.
NEW BUSINESS:
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-1 PASSED
A resolution authorizing the Director of Public Service to prepare plans and specifications and to advertise for bids for the 2020 Highway Pavement Lane Marking Project with one (1) year renewal option, and declaring an emergency.
Service Director Bock said this resolution addresses the annual lane marking that is done every year; he will try to solicit second-year pricing so money can be saved on the advertising. Councilman Anderson asked if a different style of paint that lasts longer was tested as previously discussed. Mr. Bock said the paint is very expensive and will only double the yearly life making it unfeasible. Mr. Bock said the landmarking held up well this year. Both Mr. Anderson and Mr. Kary asked if the more expensive paint could be used to do a parking lot to see how it holds up. Streets under contract to be paved such as Rt. 84 and Rt. 283 will not be striped through the City striping contract.
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-2 PASSED
A resolution authorizing the City Engineer to prepare plans and specifications and to advertise for bids for the 2020 Concrete Pavement Slab Replacement Project.
Mr. Carr asked if other money from the county can be used for this project. Mr. Bock said the Lake County Commissioners are giving grant money that has to be used for local roads which is about $148,000 which fits nicely with the slab replacement project. A grant from Issue 2 was received for $140,000 which is a 50% grant. Hopefully, the City won’t have to use road program money for this project. Mr. Sayles explained how he determines what needs to be replaced. There are four failed slabs where Lost Nation meets Lost Nation Road that needs to be replaced. Airport Parkway is also part of this work.
Mr. Anderson asked about resurfacing streets in asphalt. Mr. Sayles said when there is enough money in the road program; the goal will be to resurface almost all side streets that are concrete because maintenance is easier.
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-3 PASSED
A resolution amending Resolution No. 2019-21 to adjust the allocations identified within a Special Revenue Fund entitled, Municipal Probation Services Fund, Fund No. 2113, and declaring an emergency.
Law Director Lucas said this resolution is for a fund in which the amount has already been approved. This amendment is necessary to reallocate the total fund as approved between wages and benefits and services and supplies. There is no change in the dollar amount just the allocation.
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-4 PASSED
A resolution declaring a 2009 Police Crown Victoria K9 vehicle owned by the City of Willoughby as obsolete and not needed for public use and authorizing the sale thereof to the Village of Sebring, Ohio.
Chief Beckwith said this vehicle was taken out of service but not repurposed and put out on the internet for sale. Sebring has a canine unit with a similar car that was no longer functional and they were going to have to disband their 1-year-old canine. The offer was accepted as they are in dire need.
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-5 PASSED
A resolution expressing an intent to sell the unneeded, obsolete, or unfit property by internet auction and establishing a procedure for conducting the sale, and declaring an emergency.
The sale will be conducted by internet auction.
Chief Beckwith said this resolution is needed yearly under the Ohio Revised Code in order to do internet auctions for surplus equipment.
ORDINANCE NO. 2020-6 PASSED
An ordinance granting an easement for electric facilities to the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company on a portion of Permanent Parcel No. 278-36-62, and declaring an emergency.
Previously and by Ordinance No. 2016-100, the City granted an easement to the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company for a portion of its property, to install and maintain an easement with the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company for utility services provided to the Courthouse Square Apartments. It has now been determined that this Easement and the electrical utility services permitted thereon will have an adverse impact on the utility services to the Willoughby Municipal Court.
As such, an alternate easement is required and which, again, is partially located on City-owned property. As such, it is necessary to establish a new and independent easement for the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company and Courthouse Square Apartments. The legal description for the Easement has been reviewed by the City Engineer who has no objection.
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-7 PASSED
A resolution in commendation and appreciation to Bob Harrold for 14 years of service to the City of Willoughby as Ward 6 Councilman.
ORDINANCE NO. 2020-8 PASSED
An ordinance naming the City of Willoughby Service Garage Facility the Angelo Tomaselli Service Center.
NOTE:
For accuracy, this section has been copied from the "official council meeting minutes."
MAYORS REPORT
The Mayor congratulated the sitting Council and Dan Garry and said he was looking forward to working with them. He congratulated the Tomaselli family and Bob Harrold.
DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
Service Director Bock – No report. Councilman Anderson asked for an update on the light at Park and Euclid Avenue. Mr. Bock said as of yesterday, the poles are on schedule to be delivered at the end of the month. Mr. Anderson asked when the work on Erie Street is starting. Mr. Bock said there was a pre-construction meeting today; final contracts need to be signed with work to begin within the week.
City Engineer Sayles – Reported the road program will be late and funding will be limited due to expenditures coming out of the road fund i.e., Lakeshore Blvd. and Rt. 84 resurfacing (including handicap ramps), slab replacement project, contributions to the downtown water main project and resurfacing of downtown areas that are not affected by the waterline. He will meet with Service Director Bock and Finance Director Bosley regarding the remaining funds.
Councilman Anderson asked if he knew how much the City would be receiving in gas tax due to an increase in that tax in June. Mr. Sayles said he didn’t have an answer. Ms. Bosley reminded Council there has been a transfer into that fund in recent years and is hopeful that transfer can be reduced due to the increase in tax.
Councilman Tomaselli asked if money from the road program will be used for the concrete road program. Mr. Sayles said the money from the county can’t go towards any of the engineering and design work or inspection work so the City may have to use some money from the road program. A portion of the engineering work will have to come out of the road program.
Police Chief Beckwith – Chief Beckwith thanked Council for the passage of legislation relating to his department. He congratulated Council, Bob Harrold, and the Tomaselli family.
Building Inspector Keller – No report. Mr. Carr asked about the patio that Zeppe’s was proposing. Mr. Keller said they have eliminated the patio but there will be an addition. Mr. Carr said neighbors in the area were concerned about the noise from the patio.
Councilwoman McNeill asked how the Courthouse Square apartment building is going. Mr. Keller said the work is slow but it is progressing; contractors were there today. He said there is nothing the City can do to speed up the work but he can call and ask if the windows can be covered.
Finance Director Bosley – No report. After final entries, the fund balance in the General Fund will be slightly above last year.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Mr. Woodin – Mr. Woodin said it was an honor to name the Service Garage after Angelo Tomaselli.
Mr. Kary – Mr. Kary congratulated former Councilman Harrold on his retirement and to the Tomaselli family. He congratulated the Garry family as well as Bob Carr and John Tomaselli as President and Vice president of Council.
Mr. Tomaselli – Mr. Tomaselli thanked Jerry Ranally, Mayor Anderson, Mayor Fiala, members of Council, Service Director Bock for their efforts in naming the Service Garage after his Father, Angelo Tomaselli. He said his father would be very proud of the gesture. He thanked Council for entrusting him to be Vice President of Council.
Mr. Anderson – No report. Mr. Anderson congratulated the Tomaselli family, Bob Harrold and Dan Garry.
Mr. Garry – Mr. Garry congratulated Bob Harrold for his years of service and the Tomaselli family.
Ms. McNeill – No report. Ms. McNeill said she missed Mr. Harrold already. She congratulated the Tomaselli family and Councilman Garry.
Mr. Carr – Mr. Carr thanked Council for the vote of confidence in electing him President of Council again. He congratulated Bob Harrold, the Tomaselli family, and Councilman Garry.
Mr. Carr said there is one seat on the Income Tax Board of Review that needs to fill, please reach out if anyone knows of someone with an accounting background who would like to serve.
ADJOURNMENT
COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY
Let me take a moment to share with you that the past two years have been an authentic learning experience for me. I have spent many years serving the City on several boards, but serving on City Council offers a whole new perspective on the City, its residents, and its operation. For me, one who loves a challenge and enjoys being busy, the task as a councilman was comfortable. I used my 35 years of experience as a High School Instructor to communicate the best way possible to my constituents. I already knew that if you present the facts, tell the truth, and show that you tried and care, you will gain their respect. Above all, YOU MUST LISTEN. I also followed a learning style that was useful in teaching.
Whenever you differ in opinions or solutions, it is best to allow all sides to share their thoughts (present THEIR picture of what the issue is.) After all the ideas, answers, and pictures are on the table, you then work together to create a solution. You quickly learn that just saying NO, or IT CANNOT BE DONE, is not an answer that sits well with many. I guess in summary; good communication is key to success. Let me end with the clarification that I have not made some mistakes. I have. But for me, as I am sure many of you will agree, you learn from those. One of my favorite statements comes from a website called MindTools.com. Admit to your mistakes, then take ownership of them. Inform those who need to know, apologize, and tell them that you're working on a solution. Saying "sorry" takes courage, but it's far better to come clean than to hide your error or, worse, to blame others for it.
Okay, enough Kary philosophy. I end with a sincere WISH TO EVERYONE TO HAVE THE BEST 2020 POSSIBLE.
· 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
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