Meeting Notes March 2, 2021

Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary

• March 2, 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/

 

AGENDA

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

March 2, 2021

 

This evening’s Council Meeting was once again quite brief.  There were only two items on the agenda.  The first item addressed was to cover the approval of the purchase of firearms for the Police Department.  The second, a minor amendment to the language of the Codified Ordinances dealing with Sanitary Sewer System charges.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES- 

Regular Council Meeting of February 16, 2021

 

STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS

No significant reports

CORRESPONDENCE 

No correspondence

PUBLIC PORTION

Gregg Patt, 38005 Brown Avenue - Mr. Patt said the administrators of the Wonderful Willoughby Facebook page have created a new Facebook page called Wonderful Willoughby Recommendations where people who are members of Wonderful Willoughby Facebook page can go to get recommendations for plumbers and posts regarding lost dogs, etc.

OLD BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

RESOLUTION NO. 2021-14           Motion carried 7 to 0

A resolution authorizing an expenditure in the amount of $17,215.06 for the purchase of firearms (base price $46,280.06 minus trade-in amount of $29,065.00) from Vance’s Law Enforcement; said firearms for use by the Willoughby Police Department.

The primary reason for this purchase is the Police Department placed an order with the State ammunition provider, Vance Inc., last year in the 2nd quarter.  To this date, we have not received the 10,000 rounds of .40 cal ammo we ordered.  Vance Inc. informed us that they have no idea when we would receive this order.  A majority of the ammo manufacturers are only producing 9mm ammo.  9mm ammo has been traditionally more popular ammo with law enforcement and the military and is cheaper to purchase than most other ammo.

A good portion of this investment is coming from the use of funds “donated” to the Police and Fire Department.  We will also be trading in the guns being replaced for a value of approximately $28,000.  ALWAYS working to save money!

 

 

ORDINANCE NO. 2021-15             Motion carried 7 to 0

An ordinance amending Chapter 913 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Willoughby, Ohio, titled, “Sanitary Sewerage System Charges”; specifically, Section 913.10, titled, “Surcharge for Extra-Strength Wastes”.

Mr. Carr said this is the annual review of the extra strength waste charges.  City Engineer Lannon stated the rates depend on the actual documented costs and the number of treated wastes.

 

NOTE:

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

MAYORS REPORT

Mayor Fiala said there have been bi-weekly meetings regarding the code updates. Final drafts are with the Law Department currently.

DIRECTOR’S REPORTS

Law Director Lucas - No report. Ms. McNeill asked if another legal notice will be going out for Browning due to the wrong address listed. Law Director Lucas said the News-Herald printed the wrong day and the address was listed incorrectly for the Browning School. The notice needs to be corrected; the new date will be March 25th.

Service Director Palmisano - No report. Mr. Carr asked if the department was still on split shifts. Mr. Palmisano said the department is still on shifts for at least another two weeks. Mr. Anderson asked if the City could remove the snow that gets piled up on downtown curbs when there is heavy snowfall. Mr. Palmisano said the third shift removes that snow currently; once it piles up it’s removed and taken down to Todd Field.

City Engineer Lannon - Reported he received an early notice about potential clearing at the Chagrin Mill Farm subdivision north of Aspenwood. Permits are in place; they need to do some preliminary erosion control work. Mr. Carr asked if they had to clear the trees by the end of March due to the Indiana bats. Mr. Lannon said yes, they have to drop trees by the end of March.

Police Chief Schultz - Chief Schultz thanked Council for the passage of Resolution 2021-14

Building Inspector Keller - Regarding the Browning School, he said new letters will be going out to residents within 300 hundred feet of the school.

Parks&Recreation Director Banker-Reported she is working with the sponsors of the four main summer events. Plans need to be submitted to the Lake County health department. She is hoping the senior center will be open by June 1st.

Finance Director Bosley - Reported the auditors, Rea, and Associates, started the annual audit this week. She wasn't sure if they will be sending correspondence to any members of the Council this year.

COUNCIL REPORTS

Mr. Anderson - Reported the Ward 5 meeting is March 8th at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. If Council members want to participate, please contact the Clerk.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

The purpose of the Executive Session is in accordance with ORC 121.22(G)3 to discuss pending litigation and ORC 121.22(G)1 to consider the compensation of a public employee(s). 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY

 

OPERATION  •  S.C.R.A.M.

 

The Willoughby Police Department is proud to announce the department’s new Security Camera Registration and Mapping (S.C.R.A.M.). Operation S.C.R.A.M. provides an opportunity for residents and business owners to help officers solve crimes that may occur in our community.  In recent years, video evidence, captured by private surveillance systems, has become a valuable tool to help officers and detectives develop leads, further investigations, solve crimes, and put criminals behind bars.

By registering, your surveillance camera can be added to a secure GIS database which will allow Willoughby Police to see camera locations on a map near the crime. Registration of your video surveillance system DOES NOT grant the Willoughby Police Department, or its agents, access to your system.  It simply lets law enforcement know the location of these systems in Willoughby.

  • Participation is voluntary

  • Registration information will be used by the Willoughby Police Department only for official purposes

  • The Willoughby Police Department will not have direct access to any surveillance cameras registered in this program

  • Any footage containing or related to criminal activity may be collected by the Willoughby Police Department for use as evidence during any stage of a criminal proceeding

  • Under no circumstances should registrants construe they are acting as an agent or employee of the City of Willoughby or the Willoughby Police Department

  • If you wish to withdraw from the program, you can contact the Willoughby Police Department at any time

Questions? Please contact the Willoughby Police Department at (440) 953-4220 or Captain Phil Smith at psmith@willoughbypolice.com. 

Download the Operation SCRAM Registration Form and email it to the Willoughby Police Department to be added to the database.

 

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/

 

Ken Kary