Meeting Notes October 20, 2020

Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary

• October 20, 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

AGENDA

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

October 20, 2020

ORGANIZATIONAL BUSINESS

Mayor’s Appointment - Director of Public Service

Mayor Fiala said resumes were received for Service Director and there were several solid applicants. However, looking back at the past six to eight months and what Mr. Palmisano has given the City during this difficult time and prior to the pandemic, he asked Council for the confirmation of Rich Palmisano as the new Service Director.

Motion made and seconded to confirm the Mayor's appointment. Roll Call 6 yes

0 no Motion carried 6 to 0

APPROVAL OF MINUTES-

Regular Council Meeting of October 6, 2020

STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS

Finance and Audit Committee, Mr. Tomaselli - Reported that on October 13th the City met with the independent auditors used to perform the 2019 fiscal audit. At that meeting, the auditors were happy to report there were no deficiencies, no compliance issues, and no recommendations for improvement. He said he and the Mayor both asked if there was anything that could be improved upon and the auditors couldn't identify one. Even with the new financial compliance standards issued by the state of Ohio, Finance Director Bosley and her team earned a five-star rating. The department was presented with an award with distinction by State Auditor Keith Fabor. The department has qualified for this award since 2010. He congratulated Ms. Bosley and her team on this award.

Planning Commission. Mr. Kary - Mr. Kary reminded everyone that the City is holding a community information meeting to take place Monday, October 26th at 7:00 p.m. at the senior center. The purpose of the meeting is to share information regarding proposed developments in the City. Council, members of the administration, and development project representatives will be in attendance. The proposed projects include Riverwalk Phase Ill apartments, the proposed living units on Lakeshore Blvd. and the Second Street development apartments.

NOTE: at this time, this meeting was canceled and we are now in the process of deciding the best way to involve the public with NEW DEVELOPMENTS taking place in the city.

CORRESPONDENCE

Clerk Novak read a request from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control for a Trex from BFR Ltd, dba Corks Wine Bar & Patio, 4084 Erie St. 1st Floor and Basement, Willoughby, Ohio to Blackwater Willoughby LLC, dba Westels Alibi, 4084 Erie Street, 1st Floor and Basement, Willoughby, Ohio.

Mayor Fiala said Westels was still using Cork's license to operate. The City believes that Cork's license was a Trex license and this is the continuation of that license. There were no objections.

PUBLIC PORTION

Greg Patt, 38005 Brown Avenue - Mr. Patt complimented the administration and the Planning Commission for hosting the meeting next week. He said it's a great idea to give residents the opportunity to let the developers know their concerns.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

None

NEW BUSINESS:

RESOLUTION NO. 2020-102 Motion carried 6 to 0

A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an Ohio Enterprise Zone Agreement with The Lake County Board of Commissioners, Ohio and Prestan Products LLC pursuant to O.R.C. Chapter 5709, Taxable Property - Exemptions, and declaring an emergency.

Economic Development Director Thielman said this resolution is for an enterprise zone agreement. Enterprise zone agreements are multi-faceted and require approval from the Lake County Commissioners as well. The initial application is made with Lake County; they have a tax incentive review board that reviews the application and makes a recommendation to the City. The City puts together the agreement and acts on it and it's finalized by the county.

Mr. Thielman said Prestan Products manufactures mannequins that are used to train health care workers in CPR. They have branched out into some other areas such as automated external defibrillator teaching kits and other items that involve CPR training and supplies. The American Red Cross is one of their biggest clients. They looked at multiple site locations and eventually found the 11.6 acres in the City which is land that has been sitting vacant for some time. It was previously owned by the Millstein family and was bequeathed to the Cleveland Clinic. The property is zoned light industrial and requires no rezoning. They would like to build a 40,000 to 50,000 SF manufacturing and office complex to consolidate all their operations. It is an estimated $8 million dollar project bringing 37 existing jobs to the City with potential growth from there. They have asked for tax abatement on the land which is 50% for 10 years. This is exactly what was offered to the Weston Group that built on Jet Center. This does not require the school board to approve the abatement; however, they are notified of it.

Councilman Kary said he is in favor of the tax abatement and believes it is a good investment for the City. He believes the company will continue to grow. Councilman Woodin asked if they will be taking all of the Cleveland Clinic property. Mr. Thielman said they will be taking 10 separate parcels that are zoned light industrial and commercial manufacturing.

RESOLUTION NO. 2020-103 Motion carried 6 to 0

A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Statement of Work with BPI Information Systems in an amount not to exceed $49,122 for purchase of a Virtual Environment Hardware Upgrade for Willoughby City Hall, and declaring an emergency.

Finance Director Bosley said the systems at City Hall and at the Fire Station are both 10 years old. The Fire Station is still using equipment installed in 2010 and 2011. The new server will help the City with more remote access, more storage and help the Finance Department use some of the paperless functions within the New World software. The server falls into all the categories' for CARES fund money. The upgrade at the Fire Station will take three days and City Hall will take about eight days.

RESOLUTION NO. 2020-104 Motion carried 6 to 0

A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Statement of Work with BPI Information Systems in an amount not to exceed $10,311 for purchase of a Server Upgrade at Willoughby Fire Department Station 1, and declaring an emergency.

Ms. Bosley said this will bring the Fire Department up to the Microsoft Server 2019 licensing where City Hall has already moved in that direction. Chief Ungar said you can't type much more than a paragraph without having to save it. Councilman Tomaselli asked if the servers are physical at both fire stations. Chief Ungar said they are only located at the Euclid Avenue fire station.

RESOLUTION NO. 2020-105 Motion carried 6 to 0

A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with 8 x 8, Inc. to provide VOIP Telephone Equipment and 36 months of Cloud Services for various City Departments, and declaring an emergency.

Ms. Bosley said long distance will be going away but not all hard lines will go away because safety services need that backup. But as contracts lapse, those costs will go away. In the long run, pieces of equipment with traditional hard wire will no longer be needed. Chief Schultz said this VOIP system integrates with the recording system they will be contracting with where the other system wouldn't. A new recording system was approved last year but wasn't purchased until this year. This will also integrate with the Motorola CallWorks.

NOTE:

For accuracy, this section has been copied from the council meeting minutes

MAYORS REPORT

Regarding the upcoming meeting on Monday night, he said they have invited all the developers to attend so they can explain their projects and answer questions. The Mayor requested an Economic Development meeting in November to review with Council the marketing analysis that was done. The Shoreline Special Improvement District (SSID) needs one signature from the city of Mentor. Economic Development Director Thielman did confirm that the lending is moving forward but everything is contingent on Mentor passing legislation. Councilman Carr asked for an update on the art code. Mayor Fiala said the second draft of the art code was delivered today and will be sent out via e-mail to Council and the Planning Commission; it will be discussed at the next Planning Commission meeting. Councilman Woodin asked if the bank will fund the SSID if Mentor is not on board. Mr. Thielman asked that question but hasn't heard back from Amanda Gordon with an answer. Mr. Carr asked how close the City is to meeting in Council chambers with technology that would allow people to attend the meeting remotely. Mayor Fiala said the equipment is in, but Zoom needs to be tested for a live Council meeting.

DIRECTOR’S REPORTS

Service Director Palmisano - Mr. Palmisano thanked Council for the confirmation and support. He reported leaf pick up will begin on Thursday.

Fire Chief Ungar - Chief Ungar thanked Council and the Finance Department for the passage of legislation for the updated server and updated phone equipment. He congratulated Ms. Bosley and her department on her award as well as Rich Palmisano on his official appointment as Service Director.

Police Chief Schultz - Regarding Operation Safe Stay, as of today, there were 318 incidents that include traffic stops or calls for service. Since mid-August, there were a lot of individuals identified at the hotels and arrested including multiple arrests for narcotics, paraphernalia, and firearms. He said the detective bureau has been doing undercover work and patrol officers have been doing traffic stops and patrol activity. There was overtime detail targeting the hotels several nights a week. A grant from the Lake County Sheriff's Department will help pay for the overtime detail going forward while the operation continues. He said incidents at the four hotels include narcotic possessions, drug trafficking, overdoses, thefts, vice crimes, stolen vehicles, and other suspicious incidents. He said he is proud of the work being done by the detectives, patrol officers, and dispatchers on that operation.

Chief Schultz reported that in the last two years, a new type of grant funding has been identified through the state of Ohio called the Ohio Law Enforcement Body Armor Grant. This grant helps pay for 75% of the ballistic vests purchased. In the past, the department utilized a federal grant that paid for 50% of the vests. The department was awarded $11,000 to help pay for the vests. He thanked Kim Pintar for securing this grant as well as the federal grant.

Chief Schultz said two of the new cruisers have been stripped and the third is being wrapped and stripped soon; all three will be outfitted shortly. Regarding the Kirtland Dispatch transition, he said the dispatchers have done a tremendous job and the transition has been very smooth. Call volume has gone up 25%. He said the department participated this past weekend in a fundraiser for Ashton Stanton whose family has strong ties to Willoughby.

Councilman Tomaselli asked if there was a decrease in call volume or activity stemming from the efforts of Operation Safe Stay. Chief Schultz said, unfortunately, it has remained the same with multiple calls a day. He said he is meeting with Mr. Keller in an effort to go after the hotels in another direction. He said other communities have nuisance ordinances in place and he believes that will be the next step.

Finance Director Bosley - No report. Mr. Carr congratulated Ms. Bosley on her award. He asked about the study coming from RITA regarding the work at home impact. She said she hadn't received anything on that yet.

COUNCIL REPORTS

No reports

ADJOURNMENT

EXECUTIVE SESSION

The purpose of the Executive Session is in accordance with ORC

COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY

A few comments to share. Regarding Ward 2, I will share again that we as council passed legislation to provide a tax incentive for Prestan Products LLC (currently located in Mayfield Village).

They would like to build a 40,000 to 50,000 SF manufacturing and office complex to consolidate all their operations. It is an estimated $8 million dollar project bringing 37 existing jobs to the City with potential growth from there. Prestan Products manufactures mannequins that are used to train health care workers in CPR. They have branched out into some other areas such as automated external defibrillator teaching kits and other items that involve CPR training and supplies. The American Red Cross is one of their biggest clients. They have entered into a purchase agreement for 11.6-acres at the corner of Lost Nation and Aquarius Parkway. This land is zoned Commercial Manufacturing and Light Industrial. For the record, the land they are purchasing is owned by the Cleveland Clinic, who was donated the land by the Millstein Family. The Clinic had no plans to use the land themselves.

Second, many of you have already been using the new sidewalk installed on Hodgson Road. Enjoy the walk!

We are still deeply involved in a significant Storm-water Project that has had severe adverse effects on homes located at Kyle Cove off North Bay. The Ward Creek floods dramatically in that area, and we have plans in the works for significant changes in that area. The city engineer has been working to secure all the easements and permits necessary to start the project. Major work will begin in 2021.

The City is facing some significant new developments over the next few years, and we are trying our best to involve the citizens of Willoughby for input. I have been a strong supporter of this plan, where we do our best to involve the residents in a variety of forums to provide opportunities to voice suggestions and concerns. Some feel this is a poor decision because all we will hear is "complaints" and "stop building." To me, that decision is not one that sits well. I have learned, from years of experience, that providing an opportunity for our residents to communicate their thoughts, ideas, and concerns may at times be overwhelmingly negative, BUT, if you take those comments and use them to improve what is "on the table" GOOD THINGS HAPPEN. I will continue my efforts to provide opportunities for you, Ward 2, and Willoughby's residents a chance to be heard.

Using whatever means possible, whether it is a Ward Meeting, a Public Forum, or a Zoom Meeting, many residents genuinely like the opportunity to meet with their neighbors and city officials to hear what is planned and then have a chance to voice their opinions.

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

http://willoughbyohio.com/government/city-council