Meeting Notes November 17, 2020
Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary
• November 17, 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
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
Committee: Ken Kary, Dan Anderson, Dan Garry
*The purpose of the Environmental Planning Committee meeting is to review:
• EAS #8-9-20 – Residential development consisting of 27 townhome units on Lakeshore Blvd.
A Storm-Water detention pond is required on-site
As well, the developer will work with the City Engineer not only on Detention but Grading and Yard Drains.
Finally, I would like to mention that the Planning Commission worked with Mr. Davis who agreed to commit to revisiting the site to correct any future storm-water issues that could arise for THE NEIGHBORING STREETS IN THE AREA ( EAGLEWOOD DR. & PLAINS CT. )
Fire Chief Ungar shared these residential units would increase the demand on the Fire Department.
We are currently waiting for updated Development Plans for this project before it moves any further.
We recommended that Council pass this EAS with these items addressed.
• EAS #9-9-20 – Demolition of existing building and construction of a new building at 34725 Euclid Avenue (Swensons).
Storm-water mitigation is of primary concern with this site and this project. As a redevelopment of this area, storm-water retention is required. Also, MITIGATION may be necessary for the discharge at peak flow to the properties to the NORTH. Finally, additional retention may be required under the pavement.
We are also placing a restriction on Ingress and Egress for the main drive off Euclid Ave. This is currently right turn ONLY entering and exiting.
Noted also is the Developer has agreed to install a sidewalk along RT. 20 in front of the Swenson’s site. There is not a sidewalk there now.
Finally, the developer has agreed to add more green space in the parking area by the addition of landscaped islands on the East Side.
We recommended that Council pass this EAS with these items addressed.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING
Committee: Katie McNeill, Chris Woodin, Ken Kary
**The purpose of the Economic Development Meeting is to discuss:
• Market analysis performed by Environmental Design Group
This analysis shared information regarding our city and the prospect for residential multi-family dwellings. Surprisingly there is a need and a strong desire for these types of living spaces.
Residential product in the area has not seen the same rent declines as major urban centers such as Downtown Cleveland, and rents are projected to be stable through 2022. The market still shows activity for multi-family development, and low-interest rates make single-family homes attractive as well.
Residential development in and around Downtown Willoughby continues to attract developer interest. The nearby Chagrin Riverwalk property features higher than average asking rents, and lower vacancy, due to its proximity to the vibrancy and activity of Downtown.
The recent expansion of Riverwalk (Phase 2) and the in-progress residential conversion of Willoughby Junior High will continue to drive baseline rents higher, despite the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
November 17, 2020
ABSENT:
Councilman Anderson
APPROVAL OF MINUTES-
Regular Council Meeting of October 20, 2020
STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS
No significant reports
CORRESPONDENCE
No correspondence
PUBLIC PORTION
Brent Woerner, 39385 King Edward Court – Mr. Woerner asked if the City would be posting “no construction” signs on Rt. 84 when the road for Ridgewood Greens is complete to keep the traffic off Rt. 84. Mayor Fiala said signs will go up. He said there have been issues through the construction with contractors driving through the grass. Mr. Woerner if a sidewalk is still being planned to go in from Polo Park to King Edward Court. Chief Building & Zoning Inspector Keller said that was still the plan but asked Mr. Woerner to call him tomorrow which would give him time to look at the site plan. Councilman Tomaselli said he felt the developer would put the sidewalk in as he gets closer to Rt. 84 with the road. Mr. Woerner asked if the City development meeting that was planned has been rescheduled. Mayor Fiala said it will be rescheduled and asked that he check the City’s website for the new date.
NEW BUSINESS:
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-106 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution approving EAS #8-9-20 for construction of nine (9) buildings which will consist of twenty-seven (27) residential units; said buildings to be located on the south side of Lakeshore Boulevard west of and adjacent to Willoughby Memorial Gardens (The Standard on Lakeshore).
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-107 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution approving EAS #9-9-20 for the demolition of the existing building and construction of a new building located at 34725 Euclid Avenue (Swensons).
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-108 Motion carried 6 to 0
A final resolution proposing to cooperate, enter into a contract and request the Director of the Ohio Department of Transportation to proceed with the resurfacing of Lakeshore Boulevard (S.R. 283) between the western and eastern corporation limits within the City of Willoughby, Lake County, Ohio, and declaring an emergency.
Resurfacing of Lakeshore Boulevard (S.R. 283) between the western and eastern corporation limits, including pavement markings, lying within the City of Willoughby.
The cities cost for this project will be approximately $168,000. The project is expected to start on April 1, 2021.
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-109 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution approving Change Order No. 1-Final in the E. 364th/E. 365th, Harvard Storm Sewer Project with D.B. Bentley, Inc., and declaring an emergency.
2020-109 is the final change order to revise the contract price for the E 354th, E 365th & Harvard Street storm sewer project to reflect actual installed quantities. This change order reduces the contract by $176,000 from $2,227,000 to $2,051,000. The most notable items were: adding catch basins; reducing surface restoration items and reducing utility relocation items.
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-110 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution approving Change Order No. 2 in the Erie Street Reconstruction Project with C.A. Agresta Construction Co., Inc., and declaring an emergency.
2020-110 is the final change order for the Erie Street Reconstruction project adjusting the contract for final installed quantities. The change order adds completed asphalt and concrete work at the south end of the project into the NS Railroad Right-of-Way and reduces multiple minor items that were not completed. This change order reduces the contract by $4,560.21 from $492,926.23 to $488,366.02.
Motion made and seconded to adopt Resolution No. 2020-110 as amended in Section 1, That Change Order No. 2, replacing the word increasing with the word decreasing, the contract amount in the Erie Street Reconstruction Project with C.A. Agresta Construction Co., Inc., a copy of which is attached hereto, is hereby approved in accordance with the recommendation of the City Engineer, and to that extent, said Contract is amended.
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-111 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to accept the proposal for medical insurance coverage for the eligible employees of the City of Willoughby and the Willoughby Municipal Court provided by OGBC Consortium and administered by Medical Mutual for health care and prescription coverage, effective December 1, 2020 through November 30, 2021, and declaring an emergency.
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-112 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with Truassure to provide dental insurance coverage for the employees of the City of Willoughby and the Willoughby Municipal Court, effective December 1, 2020, and declaring an emergency.
ORDINANCE NO. 2020-113 Motion carried 6 to 0
An ordinance amending Chapter 107 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Willoughby, Ohio, titled, “Public Meetings”; specifically, Section 107.03, titled, “Public Notification”.
During the first fifteen (15) days of January, the Clerk of Council and the Chairman of all other public bodies of the City shall post the date, time, and place of all regularly scheduled meetings of Council and other public bodies for the calendar year on the City of Willoughby's website, on the community television channel and in a conspicuous place in City Hall, the police station and fire stations. Nothing contained herein shall restrict the right of Council or other public bodies to conduct any meetings or to adopt a different schedule at any time during the year.
ORDINANCE NO. 2020-114 Motion carried 6 to 0
An ordinance amending Chapter 111 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Willoughby, Ohio, titled, “Council”; specifically, Section 111.01, titled, “Rules”
Regular Meetings.
The regular meetings of Council shall be held on the first and third Tuesday of each month unless otherwise ordered by a vote of Council. Such meetings shall begin at 7:00 p.m. and continue until adjourned.
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-115 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution urging Governor DeWine and the Ohio Legislature to extend the deadline for operating public meetings electronically, and declaring an emergency.
Ohio has experienced a large spike of positive COVID-19 cases recently; and with the increase of the COVID-19 cases and the deadline of December 1, 2020, quickly approaching, there is an immediate need to address the safety and security of our Ohio communities by extending this deadline; and it has been announced that Senator Fedor has introduced SB 365 to extend this deadline, which is a measure to fight the spread of the coronavirus and minimize risk to both officials and the public.
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-116 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution amending Resolution No. 2020-29 to provide for current expenses and other expenditures of the City of Willoughby, Ohio, during the period ending December 31, 2020, and declaring an emergency.
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-117 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution authorizing an amendment of the Ohio Enterprise Zone Agreement with Prestan Products LLC, and declaring an emergency.
It is necessary to amend the previously adopted Ohio Enterprise Zone Agreement to add NIAS Realty Holdings, LLC as a party to the Agreement in the place of Prestan Products LLC and thereby to extend the benefits of the Enterprise Zone Agreement to NIAS Realty Holdings, LLC to create and retain jobs in the City of Willoughby.
Prestan will be building on the corner of Aquarius and Lost Nation Road (property that was originally owned by the Cleveland Clinic). PRESTAN develops and markets medical training products serving the needs of the Emergency Response and Healthcare Markets worldwide.
NOTE:
For accuracy, this section has been copied from the council meeting minutes
MAYORS REPORT
Mayor Fiala thanked the Fire Department and the Service Department for their work over the last few days with the power outages. He said it was a team effort with Marlene Matteo coming in to help out at the dispatch center. He said a memo went out to Council with an outline of what the holidays will look like this year; he complimented Judean Banker and Shana Boyd for the new activities and programs. Councilman Carr asked if there was any progress with the new art code. Mayor Fiala said it will be going to the Planning Commission at their next meeting with some changes that the Law Department had caught followed by a public hearing in front of City Council. Councilman Tomaselli said the new smoke shop on Erie Street has some obnoxious signage and wanted to know if it had been approved. Mayor Fiala said on Sunday they put up their third banner; he said they are entitled to one temporary banner. Their sign was rejected because it wasn’t appropriate. There is a question about their lighting as well. Councilman Kary said he attended the Design Review Board meeting where the sign was denied and applauded the board for denying its approval.
DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
Fire Chief Ungar – Chief Ungar said he received an update this morning from the Illuminating Company and they were down to about 6,000 customers that were still without power with a goal to have everything done by tomorrow morning. He said it seemed that those residents who live south of the railroad tracks took the biggest hit. He said that the one dispatcher who was on duty during the storm on Sunday processed 58 emergency calls. He said that is normally a several day total between the Willoughby and Kirtland Departments. He said Michelle Burnett did a phenomenal job and Marlene Matteo came in to help out. He said it was a good test for the new dispatch center with the addition of Kirtland dispatch.
Police Chief Schultz – Chief Schultz said he concurred with the Mayor and Chief Ungar regarding the excellent job the dispatch center did this past Sunday.
Parks & Recreation Director Banker – No report. Mr. Carr and Ms. McNeill thanked Ms. Banker for the new ideas she came up with for holiday activities. Mr. Kary asked when the ideas would go public. Ms. Banker said in the next day or two it will be public. Regarding the Santa Parade, each Councilman can go through their ward in a golf cart or walk.
COUNCIL REPORTS
No significant reports
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The purpose of the Executive Session is in accordance with ORC 121.22(G)(2) to consider the purchase or sale of property.
ADJOURNMENT
COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY
I have some very important information to share. I have worked hard over the past several months to help start a plan for Public Information Meetings. By this, I mean an opportunity for the citizens of our city, to have the chance to see and hear about projects that are in process or planned for the city of Willoughby. With the support of the Mayor, this is starting to happen. YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD regarding Development or Re-Development. Certainly, I am not talking about EVERYTHING that will take place in Willoughby. But I am talking about the “more significant” projects that are proposed. Here, for you, is the PLAN for the first Public Meeting to take place.
Community Information Meeting – Dec 7th, 2020
The purpose of this meeting is to share information about proposed development projects in Willoughby. The city administration, council members, and development project representatives will be present. This meeting will be hosted online via Zoom.
Date: Monday, December 7th (rescheduled from Oct 26th)
Time: 7 pm – 8:30 pm
Location: Zoom
Meeting ID: 881 0135 1775
TO LISTEN AND WATCH (and speak during the Q & A portion of the meeting), download the Zoom App on your smartphone or computer and enter the Meeting ID number or go to https://zoom:us/join and enter the Meeting ID number. Attendees will be muted and must use the “raise my hand” icon if they wish to speak during the Q & A portion at the end of the meeting. Please remember to enable your microphone and speakers. Attendees will be asked for their name and address for the record before making a comment or asking a question
To LISTEN ONLY through your phone, please dial 1-312-626-6799 or 1-929-205-6099
MEETING ID: 881 0135 1775
Agenda:
1. Development Project Process and Zoning Types
2. Riverwalk – Phase 3 (proposed project)
3. Second St Development (proposed project)
4. Updates on current development projects
Click here for a video of the zoning types and the development project approval process.
Please understand, the meetings taking place, in person, would be “the best.” The decision to use ZOOM as the format, and allow as many residents as possible the ability to attend, was the goal of these meetings. So, “get comfy” and sign in to the meeting on December 7th. Again, if you would like to offer any comments, and they have not already been shared, feel free to “raise your hand” to speak at the appropriate time. Hope to see you in attendance.
CITY OF WILLOUGHBY
Holiday Events and Activities
Willoughby Holiday Lights
While we are unable to host our traditional Thursday evening holiday lighting celebration this year due to covid-19, our team is still decorating the city for you to enjoy at your leisure from December 2nd through the New Year. We look forward to celebrating in-person in 2021!
North Pole Calling – December 1st and 2nd
Your child can receive a call from the North Pole this year, with help from our friends at Willoughby Parks & Recreation and the Willoughby Evening Lions Club! For children ages 3 years old through 2nd Grade. Please complete the registration form and return to the Parks and Recreation Dept by noon on Dec 1st.
DTW Holiday Stroll – December 4th – 5th
The annual kick-off to holiday shopping continues this year! Local merchants offer a safe shopping environment and are ready to help you select that perfect gift! For more information, follow ShopDTW.
Willoughby’s 12 Homes of Holiday Lights – December 7th
Whether you choose “the more lights the better” or a more traditional holiday look, you can show off your holiday spirit by entering the holiday lights contest:
1. Enter the contest by 4:00 P.M. on Monday, Dec. 7th
2. Have your holiday lights on and prepared for judging on Wednesday, Dec. 9
3. We will post photos of the top 12 homes; one house each night from Dec. 12th-23rd
4. On Christmas Eve we will announce the winning home
Fee: $10 to enter the contest
Top Prize: Lowes Gift Card
Gingerbread House Building – December 10th
Enjoy a great holiday favorite…family gingerbread house decorating! Pick up supplies at the Willoughby Senior Center on Thursday, Dec. 10th from 5:00-7:00 pm and create your masterpiece on Friday or Saturday. After the fun, email some photos of your house to parksandrec@willoughbyohio.com for a chance to win four daily admissions to the Willoughby Pools! Participants will also receive a certificate for Panini’s which includes a cheese pizza and salad for your family (must be used on Dec. 11-13, 2020). Register online or call (440) 953-4200.
Cost: $25 per family
Pick-up Location: David E. Anderson Senior Center, 36939 Ridge Rd. Willoughby, OH. 44094
Drive-in Holiday Movie “Elf” – December 13th
Celebrate the season with this holiday family favorite. Your family will be safe & warm as you’re tucked in your car. Audio will be transmitted via FM radio. Please consider bringing a non-perishable food item for donation to local food banks. Register online or call (440) 953-4200.
Cost: $5 per car
Time: 4:00-6:00 P.M.
Location: David E. Anderson Senior Center Parking Lot 36939 Ridge Rd. Willoughby, OH. 44094
Santa Fire Truck Parade* – December 19th and 20th
It’s 2020 and we all “Need a Little Christmas!” So Santa and his City of Willoughby friends are going to parade in your neighborhood. A map and estimated times will be posted to the website prior to the parade. During the parade, we will be collecting non-perishable food items for local food banks. Please keep socially distanced on tree lawns.
Wards: 1, 2, 3 – December 19th – 12 pm – 4 pm (approx)
Wards: 4, 5, 6 – December 20th – 12 pm – 4 pm (approx)
*The Santa House will not be in Wes Point Park this season
Ring Out 2020! – December 31st
At exactly 7:00 pm (until 7:02 pm) on New Year’s Eve, let’s say thank you and show our support for our essential workers: first responders, medical professionals, grocery store, restaurant, delivery, utility workers, educators just name a few! These “everyday heroes” have worked to keep all of us healthy, fed, sheltered, supplied, and safe. So, grab your sleigh bells, cowbells, or even pots and pans, and make a thankful, joyful, noise to celebrate our heroes and say good riddance 2020!
Wishing you and yours a safe and happy holiday season!
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