MEETNG NOTES DECEMBER 7, 2021
Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary
• December 7, 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/
SPECIAL EVENT
•CERTIFIED MUNICIPAL CLERK (CMC) DESIGNATION PRESENTATION
Council President Carr presented Clerk Novak with her Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) designation plaque. CONGRATULATIONS ALISA NOVAK, a great honor.
•PUBLIC HEARING- 7:10 p.m. - In Recess
Proposed Zoning Map Amendment
Pursuant to Chapter 1115.03(f) of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Willoughby, Ohio notice is hereby given of a Public Hearing to be held by the Council on Tuesday, October 19, 2021, at 7:10 p.m. (remote access through Zoom) in the Municipal Building, One Public Square, Willoughby, Ohio.
Said hearing is for a rezoning application initiated by George Davis of GD3 Ventures, 9124 Tyler Blvd., Mentor, OH 44060 for the rezoning of PPN #27-A-031-0- 00-017-0 and the partial rezoning of PPN #27-A-031-0-00-002-0, #27-A-031-0-00-016-0, and #27-A-031-0-00-018-0 from an R-100 zone district to an R-80 zone district.
Council President Carr said the public hearing is currently in recess and will be reopened this evening. Mr. Carr said the applicant has withdrawn his rezoning application request; therefore, there will be no legislation tied to the public hearing before Council this evening. Law Director Lucas said the public hearing cannot remain in recess; it needs to be opened up to allow the public to speak. The public hearing will be formally closed this evening.
Those Speaking in Favor – No one spoke.
Those Speaking in Opposition – No one spoke.
AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
December 7, 2021
ABSENT: Councilman Woodin
APPROVAL OF MINUTES-
Regular Council Meeting of November 16, 2021
STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS
Finance and Audit Committee, Mr. Tomaselli – Mr. Tomaselli said he would like to have a committee meeting on January 4th to discuss sewer rates. He said the rates haven’t changed since 2014.
CORRESPONDENCE
Clerk Novak read three requests from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control for stock transfers for three Speedway locations: Speedway LLC, dba Speedway #3350, 38700 Mentor Avenue, Willoughby; Speedway LLC, dba Speedway #3998, 4189 SR 306, Willoughby and Speedway LLC, dba Speedway #3529, 34740 Euclid Avenue, Willoughby. Mr. Carr said there was a change of ownership request for one of the Speedway locations, but it is not an issue that those two items run parallel. There were no objections.
PUBLIC PORTION
Jerry Ranally, 37832 Park Avenue – Mr. Ranally congratulated Alisa Novak on her CMC designation stating he was part of the team that hired her. As former Council President, he said he appreciated all her hard work. Mr. Ranally thanked the team responsible for the Christmas lighting; he said it was outstanding. Mr. Ranally asked if the agreement with Liberty Development was being tabled this evening. Mr. Carr said it was coming off the table and will be voted on.
Bob Sabetto, Tioga Trail – Mr. Sabetto voiced concerns about a motion light at his neighbor’s house that goes off when cars go down the street. He said it’s very bright and shines into the front of his house. Chief Building and Zoning Inspector Keller said there was a recent complaint about a light on Tioga Trail. He said the Zoning Inspector was unable to cite the homeowner because the motion light didn’t trip for her when she went to investigate. He will look into the matter further.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
RESOLUTION NO. 2021-111 -Tabled/Untabled Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement for the sale and development of 2.337 acres of real estate and building with Liberty Development Company, and declaring an emergency.
A memo went out today from Law Director Lucas along with the agreement. Mr. Carr said he wanted to make sure that the school couldn’t be demolished and was pleased to see that was covered in Section 15. Law Director Lucas said this resolution was tabled at the last meeting due to some minor revisions that needed to be made. He said the Mayor wanted to ensure that the basic original development plan that was presented for purposes of the prior Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was protected. Mr. Siley did add a few new apartments which were provided for in the MOU. Mayor Fiala said the number of fee simple townhomes did not change. Ms. McNeill asked if there was a provision in the agreement that would keep the project on track. Mr. Lucas said there isn’t anything specific in the agreement that addresses that. He said Liberty Development is a very prestigious developer and Mr. Siley is very committed to the project.
ORDINANCE NO. 2021-112 – Tabled/Permanently Tabled Motion carried 6 to 0
An ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Andrews Osborne Academy for the purchase of real property; said real property located with frontage on Mentor Avenue and Ridge Road and further identified as Permanent Parcel Nos. 27A0310000160, 27A0310000170, and 27A0310000020, and declaring an emergency.
Law Director Lucas sent out a memo regarding this Ordinance earlier today with a strong recommendation this piece of legislation be permanently tabled. Council can ask questions during the executive session later this evening. Mr. Lucas said basically this ordinance was part of what was presented to the Department ofJustice and the Ohio Attorney’s office with reference to an alternate plan in conformity with the partial consent decree that the federal court required. He said it just didn’t work out; the plan was rejected.
Motion made and seconded to permanently table Ordinance No. 2021-112.
NEW BUSINESS:
RESOLUTION NO. 2021-113 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution accepting the amounts and rates as determined by the Budget Commission, authorizing the necessary tax levies, certifying same to the Lake County Auditor, and declaring an emergency.
Finance Director Bosley sent out a memo regarding this resolution stating the last certification didn’t include levies that were on the November ballot. Ms. Bosley said there were two renewal levies that could not be certified prior to the election.
ORDINANCE NO. 2021-114 Motion carried 6 to 0
An ordinance repealing Ordinance No. 2021-33 in order to adjust a lot line and amend the Zone Map of the City of Willoughby, Ohio, to reclassify 3.0694 acres of certain real property located at 37100 Euclid Avenue(Permanent Parcel Nos. 27A0150000050 and 27A0150000040, and a portion of Permanent Parcel Nos.27A0150000170 and 27A0150000180) from Residential Multi-Family Low Rise (R MF-L) to GeneralBusiness (G-B).
Mr. Lucas said there was a prior rezoning and in the follow-up paperwork, both Mr. Lannon and Darryl Keller noticed there was an additional lot area to the east which required an adjustment. Administratively, the Chief Building & Zoning Inspector can make a lot line adjustment which was necessary to accurately reflect the zoning change on the zoning map.
NOTE:
For accuracy, this section has been copied from the council meeting minutes
MAYORS REPORT
No report.
DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
Service Director Palmisano – No report. Mr. Carr commented that quite a bit of work was done to complete the paving project on Rt. 84. Mr. Palmisano said the majority of the project is done with a few items to be completed next year. Mr. Anderson asked how long the Service Department will be out picking up leaves. Leaf pick-up has been extended to December 17th. Mr. Anderson asked if the City put up the wreath on the old Burgers-N-Beer building. Ms. Banker said the City did put up the wreath; she said it’s the biggest wreath in the state of Ohio at10’ wide.
City Engineer Lannon – Mr. Lannon said the Ward Creek improvements are out for bid; therefore, bids should be in front of the Council for consideration soon. Mr. Carr asked about a pipe that was on backorder for a project. Mr. Lannon said that the pipe was for Topps Industrial Parkway; the pipe for that outfall project is in and almost complete.
Fire Chief Ungar – Chief Ungar said he was happy to report there were no injuries at an accident that took place yesterday at the end of Lost Nation Road. However, the front of the building did sustain pretty significant damage. The East Side Technical Rescue Team was called in to shore up the remaining portions of the building.
Parks & Recreation Director Banker – Ms. Banker said the Santa Parade will take place on December 18th and 19th with routes posted on the website on December 13th as well as Facebook. Contact her if you would like to participate in the parade. Mr. Carr said the holiday lighting this year was spectacular.
Finance Director Bosley – Ms. Bosley said there was a preliminary Finance meeting last week to discuss transfers for year-end. Recommendations for year-end transfers will be before Council at the next meeting. She said there will not be a transfer to the golf course this year recognizing Ms. Banker and the golf course staff for their hard work this year.
COUNCIL REPORTS
No major reports
ADJOURNMENT
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The purpose of the Executive Session is in accordance with ORC 121.22(G)2 to consider the purchase and sale of the property.
COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY
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
https://willoughbyohio.com/city-council/
MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS
TO ALL