Meeting Notes February 4, 2020
Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary
• February 4, 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 the swearing-in of two firefighters. If you have never witnessed this at city hall, it is truly a special event. I really enjoy the ability to shake the hands of these first responders after the ceremony. Along with that, I need to mention the "FAMILY" of firefighters who show up for these events. Not two, not six, but DOZENS!!!!! There is a real FAMILY that exists among these employees in our city. Very Very Special.
AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
February 4, 2020
The meeting was led in Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance by Councilman Carr. A moment of silence was held in honor of former Finance Director Ray Rogowski who recently passed away.
FIRE DEPARTMENT SWEARING IN CEREMONY
Mayor Fiala swore in Fire Lieutenant Andrew Powalie and Firefighter Pete Mancisio.
PUBLIC HEARING – 8:15 p.m.
Rezoning of Parcels located on Vine Street
Those Speaking in Favor – No one spoke.
Those Speaking in Opposition – No one spoke.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES- Regular Council Meeting of January 21, 2020
STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS
Finance and Audit Committee, Mr. Tomaselli – Reported he will be requesting a committee meeting prior to the March 3rd council meeting to review the 2020 budgets.
WPCC Committee, Mr. Anderson – Reported the annual joint WPCC meeting will be held on February 26th at Eastlake City Hall at 6:00 p.m.
Clean City Commission, Mr. Garry – Reported that four new members were welcomed last Monday. The Eco Fair and Earth Day are scheduled for April 18th at the senior center from 9 a.m. until noon. The river clean-up is scheduled for September 12th. The Todd Hill clean-up will take place in March.
CORRESPONDENCE
Clerk Novak read a request from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control for a new liquor permit for Dolgen Midwest LLC dba Dollar General Store 19506, 38878 Mentor Avenue, Willoughby, Ohio 44094. There were no objections. Clerk Novak read a request from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control for a new liquor permit for Ohio Springs, Inc., dba Sheetz Convenience Store, 6035 SOM Center Rd., Willoughby, Ohio 44094. There were no objections.
PUBLIC PORTION
Kathryn Beal, 36470 Carriage Lane – Ms. Beal said she was before Council tonight asking for help and support with Issue 1. She invited everyone to a meeting at Willoughby South High School on February 19th at 6:00 p.m.
Steven Thompson, Willoughby-Eastlake Schools Superintendent – Mr. Thompson asked if he could attend any ward meetings if there are any scheduled in the near future.
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-14 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution approving EAS #15-10-19 for construction of an addition to the existing building located at 32711 Ben Hur Avenue (Timperio Roofing).
Councilman Kary said when this EAS was before Planning Commission, it focused on combining the two parcels and stormwater.
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-15 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to accept a 2020 Lake County Road Improvement and Economic Development Grant Program Award from the Lake County Board of Commissioners in an amount of $148,808.18 to be used for the 2020 Concrete Pavement Slab Replacement Project.
Service Director Bock said the money received from this grant will be dedicated to the slab replacement project; this combined with another grant will pay for the entire project. Slabs on Lost Nation Road will be part of this project.
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-16 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution approving EAS #14-10-19 for the rezoning of real property located on Vine Street and further identified as Permanent Parcel Nos. 27-B-888-0-10-100-0, 27-B-888-0-11-100-0 and 27-B-034-A-00-026-0 and a portion of Permanent Parcel Nos. 27-B-034-0-00-001-0, 27-B-034-0-00-002-0, 27B-034-A-00-001-0 and 27-B-034-A-00-002-0 from General Business (G-B) to Commercial Manufacturing (C-M), and Permanent Parcel No. 27-B-034-A-00-004-0 and a portion of Permanent Parcel Nos. 27-B-034-A-00-003-0 and 27-B-034-A-00-025-0 from Commercial Manufacturing (C-M) to General Business (G-B), and for partial demolition of the existing building and construction of a new building to be used as a Multi-Tenant Office Building.
Law Director Lucas said the reason there are a lot of parcels that there is a strange layout on the site map with several parcels that will be zoned both classifications. Mr. Kary said the Planning Commission felt this was the best use for these properties with the adjoining properties; all EAS issues were dealt with. Councilman Woodin inquired about the grading going on at the property. Mr. Keller said they were asked to stop because a development plan hasn’t been approved.
ORDINANCE NO. 2020-17 Motion carried 7 to 0
An ordinance amending the Zoning Map of the City of Willoughby, Ohio, to reclassify certain real property located in part at 36933 Vine Street and further identified as Permanent Parcel Nos. 27-B-888-0-10-100-0, 27-B-888-0-11-100-0 and 27-B-034-A-00-026-0 and a portion of Permanent Parcel Nos. 27-B-034-0-00-001-0, 27-B-034-0-00-002-0, 27B-034-A-00-001-0 and 27-B-034-A-00-002-0 from General Business (G-B) to Commercial Manufacturing (C-M), and Permanent Parcel No. 27-B-034-A-00-004-0 and a portion of Permanent Parcel Nos. 27-B-034-A-00-003-0 and 27-B-034-A-00-025-0 from Commercial Manufacturing (C-M) to General Business (G-B).
NOTE:
For accuracy, this section has been copied from the "official council meeting minutes."
MAYORS REPORT
Reported the State of the Cities Breakfast is February 13th at the Patrician Party Center.
DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
Service Director Bock – Reported the traffic light at Euclid and Park Avenue is up and working. The downtown water project will begin tomorrow. Erie Street through downtown will become one way; northbound only through approximately mid-May. The detour will be on Clark Avenue. Making Erie Street one way will make the project safer and help the project move quicker. This is not a City project; it is through the Lake County Department of Utilities who are responsible for everything involved with the project. City personnel will be checking on the project daily.
Regarding the Erie Street reconstruction project, a pre-award meeting took place yesterday with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). There were seven bidders with numbers well below the projections. The project should begin mid-May.
Councilwoman McNeill asked if the City could put a sign up for the library during construction. Mr. Bock said he can approach the library and see if they would like assistance. Mr. Bock said deliveries can be made on Erie Street for businesses. Councilman Anderson asked about the location of the work on Erie Street and where the new line will be located. City Engineer Sayles explained the contractor will be able to put the new line in with the old line still in service and add each customer onto the new line. Once everyone is off the old line, it will be abandoned. Mr. Anderson asked if the City will hold off the other Erie Street project if the one downtown isn’t finished. Mr. Bock said he doesn’t want to commit to doing that and take the chance of disrupting the other job. Councilman Woodin asked if the contractor is going to backfill the road with stone and tamp it and when it will be paved. Mr. Bock said the entire road will be paved. Mr. Sayles said no traffic will drive on the stone. The County will be doing all the repairs and resurfacing curb to curb from Second Street to Spaulding. The City will be paving curb to curb from Second Street to Mentor Avenue.
City Engineer Sayles – Reported that the E. 364th/E.365th Harvard project is going very well and is under budget. He said residents have given the City compliments on the project. Mr. Carr asked if this will help with basement flooding for the homes in the area. Mr. Sayles said yes, particularly for those living on Stevens but also E. 365th and Harvard.
Building Inspector Keller – No report. Councilman Tomaselli asked if he received any response from Courthouse Square in response to a letter that was sent. He said the City has been assured that the project is continuing. Mayor Fiala said he met with Bo Knez and Bill Martin about the project; he was assured they will finish the project. Mr. Knez said the delay was due to a series of mishaps including a design flaw and the foundation. Mr. Woodin asked if the City has received any assurances that the building is structurally sound. Mr. Keller said the building was originally designed to be built in Colorado and some things were overlooked when it was built here. He said the foundation is solid; alterations needed to be made to it.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Mr. Anderson – Reported he will be having a ward meeting on March 9th at 7:00 p.m. at the senior center. Representatives from the Willoughby Eastlake schools will be at the meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY
I have only one comment to make and that is to share with you an invitation to attend the Ward 2 Meeting I will be hosting on
March 4th
6:30 pm
@ Lost Nation Municipal Golf Course
Come and hear Mayor Fiala address the residents with his comments on the state of the City. I will also provide my Question and Answer period for those who have questions, comments or concerns.
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