Meeting Notes January 5, 2021
Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary
• January 5, 2021 •
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
https://willoughbyohio.com/city-council/
The January 5th Council Meeting was the start to a New Year • 2021. For the record, Council Meetings will now start at 7:00 pm, preceded by the Legislative Caucus and Committee Meetings. For an accurate start time, check the city website https://willoughbyohio.com/city-council/ . There was a bit of organizational business this evening with appointments to Boards and Commissions. Along with that was the election of Council President and Council Vice President for 2021. Serving in those positions for 2021 will be, Bob Carr, Council President and John Tomaselli, Council Vice-President. Congratulations to both.
AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
January 5, 2021
ABSENT Councilwoman McNeill
ORGANIZATIONAL BUSINESS
COUNCIL
Elect Council President
Elect Council Vice-President
MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS (Confirmed by Council)
Board and Commission Members
Planning Commission .......................................................... Mike Merhar (Reappointment)
Zoning Board of Appeals ......................................................... Phil Davis (Reappointment)
Design Review Board ...................................................... John Perkovich (Reappointment)
................................................................................................ Bill Henrich (Reappointment)
.................................................................................................. Dan Volpe (Reappointment)
Sign Review Board ............................................................... Jim Shannon (Reappointment)
........................................................................................... George Phillips (Reappointment)
Board of Building Code Appeals ............................................ Tom Ruple (Reappointment)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES-
Regular Council Meeting of December 15, 2020
STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS
No significant reports
CORRESPONDENCE
No correspondence
PUBLIC PORTION
No one spoke
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTION NO. 2021-1 APPROVED 6-0
A resolution expressing an intent to sell unneeded, obsolete, or unfit property by internet auction and establishing a procedure for conducting the sale.
Council of the City of Willoughby agrees that it intends to sell motor vehicles, road machinery, equipment, tools, or supplies which are not needed for public use, or are obsolete, or unfit for the use for which it was acquired.
Chief Schultz said this is an annual resolution establishing an e-bay account to sell forfeited items through the Police Department.
RESOLUTION NO. 2021-2 APPROVED 6-0
A resolution requesting the Lake County Auditor to make advance payments of taxes to the City of Willoughby.
The Auditor and Treasurer of Lake County, in accordance with Ohio Revised Code 321.34, are requested to draw and pay to the City of Willoughby, upon the written request of Diane C. Bosley, Finance Director and/or Cherrilyn Hoffman, Deputy Finance Director to the County Auditor, funds due in any settlement of 2021 derived from taxes or other sources payable to the County Treasurer, to the account of the City of Willoughby, and lawfully applicable for purposes from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021.
Resolution 2021-2 is now an annual requirement with the County Auditor's office to enable us to receive our property tax advances.
RESOLUTION NO. 2021-3 APPROVED 6-0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to apply for and enter into a contract with the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC), Round 25, for funds necessary to the Meadowlands Basin Outlet Improvements and the Street Improvements Project, repealing Resolution No. 2020-125.
The City of Willoughby is planning to make capital repairs to the Meadowlands Basin Outlet Improvements and the Street Improvements Project; and the City is pursuing funding assistance from the Ohio Public Works Commission to complete these Projects.
RESOLUTION NO. 2021-4 APPROVED 6-0
A resolution honoring Willoughby Eastlake Water Pollution Control Center Plant Maintenance Supervisor Paul Turosky, Sr. and commending him for his 39 plus years of dedicated service to the City of Willoughby.
Under Paul's tenure as Plant Maintenance Supervisor, his ingenuity and resourcefulness saved the Cities of Willoughby and Eastlake rate payers hundreds of thousands of dollars; and Paul's selfless dedication allowed staff to know Paul would come in at any time to fix a problem and not leave until it was fixed; and Paul's vast knowledge made him the "Go to Guy" for problem solving, and his "Lead by Example" and dedication to paper work will be missed.
NOTE:
For accuracy, this section has been copied from the council meeting minutes
MAYORS REPORT
Mayor Fiala reported the $300,000 Chagrin River Trail capital grant from the state of Ohio that the City thought was for the Chagrin River Watershed Partners is actually for the City. The City has actually received a total of $600,000; $300,000 for the amphitheater and $300,000 for the Chagrin River Trail. He said tomorrow, the attorney for the Shoreline Special Improvement District (SSID) has a meeting with Erie Bank to confirm the funding for the lakefront erosion control which will be between $10 and $20 million dollars of funding. There will be a conference call on Friday with the entire team to get an update from Amanda Gordon.
DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
City Engineer Lannon - Mr. Lannon said things are quiet but there is a little construction around town which aren't City projects, but they are affecting traffic. There is utility work on Rt. 91 for the Brooks Townhome project and there have been some road closures on River Street for a water tie in and leak repair near the former Willoughby Junior High School project.
Councilman Anderson asked Mr. Lannon if he was aware of a coastal erosion area that includes four counties west of Cleveland who can receive funding. Mr. Lannon said he wasn't aware of anything but would look into it.
Fire.Chief Ungar - Chief Ungar reported the department went through an ISO rating today. This had been done every ten years but is now completed every 5 years; the department's last rating was done in 2016. He said it took about 4 to 5 hours to measure the effectiveness of the department. He expects to see a rating (number value) given within the next three to four months. This rating affects the insurance rates for residential and other properties within the City.
Police Chief Schultz - Chief Schultz thanked Council for the passage of Resolution 2021-1. Regarding the Flock Safety System, he said the system is set up using solar batteries and unfortunately November and December are not very sunny months. He said the company is working with the department to replace batteries and has developed a good relationship with them. The time clock for the 60 day trial has not started yet. There has been some good information received from the system so far.
Building Inspector Keller - No report. Regarding Courthouse Square, Councilman Tomaselli asked how far the project is away from an occupancy permit. Mr. Keller said he was inside the project recently; it is moving forward but an occupancy permit probably won't be issued until spring.
Finance Director Bosley
Ms. Bosley said the City has been granted an extension for Coronavirus funds which the City had, for the most part, already committed. The extension did allow for some projects that weren't previously able to be completed. The City has until the end of 2021, but she expects the funds to be used shortly. The sick leave that was granted to employees related to COVID has been extended to March 31st. At the end of the year, the City included those payments as part of the COVID relief payments so the City could use some of the money for the extended sick leave. On December 22nd, the City received the anticipated BWC dividend of approximately $1.4 million. The City immediately paid the full premium for 2021 taking advantage of a discount. On December 30th, donation checks were received specifically to be used for Police and Fire. That money went into the capital fund for their shared use.
COUNCIL REPORTS
No significant reports
ADJOURNMENT
COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY
As we move into 2021, I, as your Councilman for Ward 2, am quite optimistic about this next year and Willoughby. First and foremost, I, as all of you, am hoping that we, as a country, can get a “grip” on the pandemic. With the vaccine program starting up, let’s hope there are more confidence and improvement in its implementation. We all agree that we wish the best to all our businesses throughout Willoughby. Their efforts during this time have shown their courage to fight and “hang on.” As you read in summary, the city now has the financial support to start moving forward on some inspiring plans. We are making strides in creating and implementing a city-wide Art Code that will provide the foundation for our city to become a city that supports the Arts truly. This, to me, is personal. My entire career and “family” have been involved in the Arts “forever.” Not only did I teach for 42 years the Visual Arts, but my wife did as well. Our oldest daughter is currently following our steps by teaching the Visual Arts in the Mentor Public Schools. And finally, our youngest daughter, who has spent her entire professional career in New York City, is the Senior Product Designer for Golf Digest. I guess, as they say, the apple does not fall far from the tree!!! More on the cities plans for the Arts as we move forward with this Public Art Code. We also will do our best to, as the Mayor stated, begin a serious effort to re-imagine Osborne Park Summer Events planned for the park LAST YEAR, which had to be canceled due to the pandemic. I have put in a good deal of effort and support to bring to Osborne Park at least two summer concerts. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that we can make this happen in summer 2021! Finally, let me share that I truly appreciate all the calls and emails I receive as a councilman for the city. Your involvement helps me to represent your thoughts and ideas best. Keep the communication coming. Also, as I have mentioned in the past, since we are holding all our city meetings via ZOOM, take the time to go to the cities website and find out how to become a participant or just a passive observer as to what is happening in Willoughby.
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