Meeting Notes October 6, 2020
Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary
• October 6, 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
This evening Council Meeting recognized one of Willoughby’s finest from the Police Department. A resolution honoring Assistant Chief of Police Thomas Trem commending him for his 33 years of dedicated service to the City of Willoughby.
AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
October 6, 2020
APPROVAL OF MINUTES-
Regular Council Meeting of September 15, 2020
STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS
No significant reports
CORRESPONDENCE
No correspondence
PUBLIC PORTION
Nobody spoke
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
ORDINANCE NO. 2020-59 - SECOND READING Motion carried 6 to 0
An ordinance declaring 100% of improvements to certain parcels of real property to be a public purpose, describing the public infrastructure improvements to be made to benefit those parcels, requiring the owners of the improvements thereon to make service payments in lieu of taxes, establishing a SOM Center I Municipal Public Improvement Tax Increment Equivalent Fund for the deposit of such service payments and related matters, as amended.
Council President Carr thanked Law Director Lucas for his hard work on this ordinance. Exhibit A is now complete.The Willoughby-Eastlake Board of Education and the Lake County Commissioners have both indicated they have no issues with the Ordinance. Mr. Carr said this particular ordinance relates to the townhomes on Rt. 91. He asked Mr. Lucas if the City would need to go through the same procedure for the Millstein development. Mr. Lucas said yes; letters will need to go to the school board and county identifying the estimated cost of the public improvements. It also requires a nexus between each public improvement and a particular development. Economic Development Director Thielman said paperwork needs to be filed with the State of Ohio and the Lake County Auditor's Office.
The city has been awarded $2.5 million from the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA). Former Service Director Bock had initiated that grant submitting an application in the spring. The money can be used for a trail along Rt. 91. He said without the funding for improvements from this ordinance, the City may not have been able to accept this grant.
Councilman Tomaselli asked if the money collected from the Millstein property will be earmarked for a certain project.Mr. Lucas said yes; each project will have a line item in the budget specific to the public improvement project providing a benefit to the development itself.
NEW BUSINESS:
ORDINANCE NO. 2020-94 Motion carried 6 to 0
An ordinance authorizing Amendment No. 1 to Ordinance No. 2020-32, the Manning & Payroll Ordinance, relative to the Building, Planning and Zoning Department, and declaring an emergency.
This increases the manning table temporarily for 30 days in order to train a new employee. Chief Building and Zoning Inspector Keller said that Karen Stewart is retiring and this legislation helps so that she can train the new person.
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-95 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution approving Change Order No. 1 in the Erie Street Reconstruction Project with C.A. Agresta Construction Co., Inc., and declaring an emergency.
City Engineer Lannon sent out a memo with details on this. Mr. Lannon said the change order will be submitted to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) since the project is 100% paid by ODOT.
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-96 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution authorizing an expenditure in an amount not to exceed $40,000 for the study of the required capacity at the East Island Equalization Basin for the Willoughby-Eastlake Water Pollution Control Center, and declaring an emergency.
This is a 50/50 split with Eastlake. Mr. Lannon said this is a regulatory requirement that has to be met. Plans have to be approved to eliminate a sanitary overflow on the East Island in Eastlake by 2023. This is an early study to help size the basin to determine the best location. The City doesn't own property in the neighborhood it may have to be placed.
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-97 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution honoring Assistant Chief of Police Thomas Trem and commending him for his 33 years of dedicated service to the City of Willoughby.
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-98 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution authorizing an expenditure of $127,123.68 for the purchase of three 2020 Ford F350 RC 4x4s from Classic Ford of Mentor for use by the Service Department, and declaring an emergency.
Mr. Lucas said this resolution should be permanently tabled and is now broken down into three separate resolutions. Mr. Carr asked if there would be any additional costs for the three vehicles. Interim Service Director Palmisano said radios are not included but the plow, lights and electronics are. Two of these vehicles are going to the Parks Department and one to the Cemetery. These vehicles are being purchased through the capital fund. Mr. Anderson asked why these vehicles weren't purchased with CARES Act money. Ms. Bosley said based on guidance received, the City couldn't justify purchasing them with CARES money.
ADDENDUM
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-99 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing an expenditure of $42,374.56 for the purchase of one (1) 2020 Ford F350 RC 4x4 from Classic Ford of Mentor for use by the Service Department, and declaring an emergency.
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-100 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing an expenditure of $42,374.56 for the purchase of one (1) 2020 Ford F350 RC 4x4 from Classic Ford of Mentor for use by the Service Department, and declaring an emergency
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-101 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing an expenditure of $42,374.56 for the purchase of one (1) 2020 Ford F350 RC 4x4 from Classic Ford of Mentor for use by the Service Department, and declaring an emergency
NOTE:
For accuracy, this section has been copied from the council meeting minutes
MAYORS REPORT
Reported the market analysis the City had requested from Environmental Design Group (EOG) for the north end and downtown will be completed this week; the findings will be discussed with Council. The City has submitted an application for an Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Coastal Management Grant to help offset the cost of hiring a consultant for the erosion control master plan services. It would be a 50% grant with a savings of $40,000 to $50,000. The Shoreline Special Improvement District (SSID) needs two more signatures that will be forthcoming shortly.
Council President Carr asked about the art code that was discussed at the last meeting. Mayor Fiala said it needs to go to the Planning Commission first and then to City Council. Chris Hopkins from CT Consultants is working on a draft to be presented to the Planning Commission later this month.
Councilwoman McNeill asked if there was an update on the "welcome" corner at Erie and Mentor Avenue. Mayor Fiala said he believes the City has collected $5,000 to $10,000 with a possible pledge of $25,000 that won't reach the City until after the first of the year. The City needs $65,000 to $75,000 to complete the project. Donors are being sought along with the naming rights.
Regarding the SSID, Councilman Woodin asked if the remaining signatures are needed to get the funding mechanism to go through or is there enough to satisfy the lending institution The Mayor didn't know but will find out.
DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
Law Director Lucas - No report. Regarding a tree removal on Chestnut that requires a crane, Mr. Woodin said he could reach out to the homeowners who are not permitting the crane on their property. He asked Mr. Lucas if the City is at risk for potential litigation as the City has deemed the tree to be unsafe; would the City or the homeowners have to file a claim. Mr. Lucas said it would be the responsibility of the homeowners. Mr. Lucas said there is a warrant out for the arrest of the homeowner for failure to comply with the order to remove the tree. There was a discussion regarding contacting tree services that may have a larger crane.
Interim Service Director Palmisano - No report. Councilman Tomaselli asked when the three vehicles approved tonight will be in service. Mr. Palmisano said all three are on the lot at Classic Ford; he anticipates receiving them before the end of the year.
City Engineer Lannon - Regarding the SOM Center multi-use trail, Mr. Lannon said the City is on the list for 80/20 funding. The original program that Mr. Bock applied for was for the fiscal year 2025 funding which translates to July 1, 2024. Engineering is slated for next July and the design is the responsibility of the City. The City should schedule a programming meeting with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to get the City on the books. There is potential the construction schedule could move up.
Fire Chief Ungar - Reported the annual pump tests on Willoughby fire trucks were conducted today at the Eastlake Fire Department. The exhaust system extension that was approved by Council in September was completed today. He said the department hosted a class last week and is happy to report the City has 12 more certified fire investigators in the department. One detective from the Police Department was also trained. All Fire Lieutenants and above are required to take the class and some other personnel were added due to retirements.
Police Chief Schultz - Chief Schultz thanked Council for the passage of Resolution 2020-97 honoring Assistant Chief Tom Trem. He worked with Tom for 27 of his 33 years with the department. He said Mr. Trem set the standard with regards to work ethic and will be helping the department out in the future. Reported that this next Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. all Lake County police departments will be holding the first Trunk or Treat at the Captains Stadium parking lot in Eastlake. Chief Schultz gave a brief update on Operation Safe Stay. Chief Schultz said he will have an updated spreadsheet on the arrests for this operation within the week.
Building Inspector Keller - Mr. Keller thanked Council for the passage of Ordinance No. 2020-94.
Parks & Recreation Director Banker - No report. Mr. Anderson asked what the City's position was on trick-or-treating this year. Ms. Banker said it is a national holiday and residents can choose not to participate. Mr. Carr asked if seniors can still use the walking track at the YMCA because the senior center won't be opening. Ms. Banker said there are some pre-school classes currently operating at Daniel's Park. That session is over next week so they will move inside the senior center on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Parks and Rec are operating on Tuesdays and Thursdays offering some services. Seniors can walk the track on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and the remainder of the week from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. through the YMCA doors. She has inquired about opening the weight room and should find out soon. Mr. Tomaselli asked about tree lighting this year. Ms. Banker said the Lake County Health Department has asked to review all events for the next few months. She isn't sure it will happen this year or not, but different ideas are being reviewed.
Finance Director Bosley - Reported the remaining CARES Act monies ($828,000) will be received tomorrow. A health care committee meeting took place last week; there will be a zero premium increase this year for both medical and dental insurance for 2021. This is partially due to the consortium the City is part of but the City also had a good year. The City has committed to the Ohio Government Benefit Cooperative (OGBC) to become the fiscal officer. Ms. Bosley would be the treasurer and the City would be the custodian of the funds for the group. The legislation will need to be passed. RITA is working on developing a model to assist the City with continued work at home and the potential impact of lost revenue or gains of revenue for those working from home into 2021. Projections will be provided to Council when received from RITA. Mr. Anderson asked if the City will spend the $828,000 in CARES money. She said she is seeking advice from the state auditor's office on some questions on how the money can be spent.
COUNCIL REPORTS
No significant reports
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion made and seconded to go into Executive Session to discuss imminent litigation per ORC 121.22G (3).
*The Council meeting reconvened at 9:35 p.m. from the Executive Session.
ADJOURNMENT
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 Minutes are posted on the
City of Willoughby Website