MEETING NOTES JANUARY 4, 2022
Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary
• January 4, 2022 •
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/
Absent: Councilman Woodin
AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
January 4, 2022
Swearing-In - Law Director Lucas swore in Councilmen Anderson, Carr, Garry, Kary, Merhar, and Tomaselli
ORGANIZATIONAL BUSINESS
•Motion made and seconded to elect Councilman Carr as Council President.
•Motion made and seconded to elect Councilman Tomaselli as Council
Vice-President.
•Motion made and seconded to elect Ken Kary to be the Council representative on the Planning Commission.
•Motion made and seconded to appoint Alisa Novak as Council Clerk.
COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS
Motion made and seconded to appoint the following individuals to the following boards:
Volunteer Firefighters' Dependents Fund Board - Bob Carr, Chris Woodin
Income Tax Board of Review - Paul Korst, Birket Gibson
MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS (Confirmed by Council)
Directors
•Director of Finance – Diane Bosley
•Director of Law - Mike Lucas
•Director of Public Service - Rich Palmisano
BOARD AND COMMISSION MEMBERS
Mayor Fiala appointed the following members to the boards and commissions:
Planning Commission - Mike Wildermuth, Jim Cook
Zoning Board of Appeals - Bruce Shade
Design Review Board - Paul Garcia, Adam Brown
Board of Building Code Appeals - Mike Gallagher
APPROVAL OF MINUTES-
Regular Council Meeting of December 28, 2021
STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS
No major reports
CORRESPONDENCE
No correspondence
PUBLIC PORTION
No one spoke
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
RESOLUTION NO. 2021-115 This resolution will remain tabled.
A resolution approving EAS #11-9-21 for demolition of the existing building and construction of a multi-tenant strip center located at 36001 Euclid Avenue (USA Management Strip Center Development).
Councilman Carr said this resolution will remain tabled. Technically the Environmental Planning Committee isn't established yet. He said Clerk Novak reached out to the applicant who indicated there wouldn't be any hardship if it was addressed later.
NEW BUSINESS
ORDINANCE NO. 2022-1 Motion carried 6 to 0
An ordinance accepting the final plat for The Standard on Lakeshore and declaring an emergency.
City Engineer Lannon sent out a memo regarding this resolution. Mr. Carr asked about a sliver of land on the plat and whether or not it was going to be a utility easement. Mr. Lannon said that just happens to be the shape of the parcel.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-2 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with C. Crump, Inc. in the amount of $357,200 for implementation of the Ward Creek Improvements Project, and declaring an emergency.
Mr. Lannon said this resolution covers the Ward Creek improvements from North Bay Drive west to the golf course. He said access will be through the golf course so he would like to get going on the project to minimize any impact it would have on the golf season. He said it was a good bid compared to the engineer's bid. Mr. Tomaselli asked if the City has ever worked with C. Crump, Inc. Mr. Lannon said no, but CT Consultants has worked with them and they have done creek work in western Pennsylvania.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-3 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution honoring, commending, and thanking Katie McNeill for 4 years of service as Councilwoman at Large to the City of Willoughby.
NOTE:
For accuracy, this section has been copied from the council meeting minutes
MAYORS REPORT
Mayor Fiala thanked Council for the confirmation of directors and board members. He said he asked the two returning Design Review Board members their opinion on merging the Design Review Board and Sign Review Board; they will be providing feedback. He said he will not be filling an opening on the Sign Review Board for now. Please pass along any names of anyone who may be interested in serving on a board.
Mr. Carr asked about the "bridge" art piece. Mayor Fiala said Mr. Thielman was able to see the piece under construction a few weeks ago; delivery should be early February. As soon as a hard date is made, a notice will go out to Council to establish a ribbon-cutting date.
DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
Law Director Lucas - Mr. Lucas thanked the Mayor for his appointment as Law Director and confirmation received from Council.
Police Chief Schultz - Chief Schultz recognized the passing of Patrol Officer Shane Bartek from the City of Cleveland who lost his life on New Year's Eve. He said many officers from the Cleveland area put forth the effort that night to catch the suspect. Chief Schultz thanked Katie McNeill for her service to the City and congratulated Council on their swearing-in. Mr. Kary asked if there were many carjackings in Lake County. Chief Schultz said no, but there are incidents that take place in Lake County that are tied back to carjackings elsewhere.
Service Director Palmisano - Mr. Palmisano thanked the Mayor and Council for the appointment and for their support. He thanked Katie McNeill for her service. Mr. Anderson said he had someone reach out to him about electric vehicle charging stations in downtown Willoughby. Mayor Fiala said there is a NOACA grant and Mr. Palmisano had mentioned putting one charging station at City Hall and one at the Court.
City Engineer Lannon - Mr. Lannon said there will be an additional culvert replacement under Lakeshore Blvd. as part of the Two-Town Ditch project; there will be some clearing done at the Willoughby-Eastlake line on Lakeshore.
Building Inspector Keller - Mr. Keller congratulated Council and thanked Katie McNeill for her support.
Parks & Recreation Director Banker - Ms. Banker congratulated everyone. She applauded her staff for their hard work this past year dealing with COVID. She said the pools covered 92% of their expenses. She said they probably covered 100% of their operating expenses, however, at the end of the year some money was used to upgrade some pool pumps, etc. She said the recreation program covered 74% of their expenses. The senior center covered 84% of its expenses. The golf course covered 107% of their expenses; 7% percent over their expenses with revenue. This year was the first time in over 20 years the golf course didn't receive a transfer.
Finance Director Bosley - Ms. Bosley said the Finance Department was able to close the books today for the year. After transfers were completed, the general fund balance is $6,370,000 which is much higher than the original budget. She said sewer rates will be discussed at a Finance Committee meeting; she will be getting some information to Council. Mr. Anderson asked what the carry-over difference was from last year to this year. Ms. Bosley said it was $7,500,000 last year and $6,300,000 this year in the general fund. She said there was $8 million, but there was a decision to transfer more money into capital and future retirements.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Mr. Anderson - Mr. Anderson welcomed Mr. Merhar to Council. Regarding the electric vehicle charging stations, he said having a charging station downtown could promote Willoughby.
ADJOURNMENT
COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY
I have been quite busy trying to get out the minutes from the last meeting in 2021, and this Council Meeting for January 4th. I need to take a moment to share my EXTREME PLEASURE to see two major Storm-water mitigation projects be approved and in the works for Ward 2. First, there is the storm-water project for Two Town Ditch which travels west through Ward 1 and Ward 2. Council has approved the funding and the work will begin soon to add a second culvert under Lakeshore Blvd. to increase the flow of stormwater out to Lake Erie. This will certainly relieve issues that have plagued the area for years.
Second, and equally important to the North Bay area in Ward 2 is the Ward Creek Storm-water project.
Council approved RESOLUTION NO. 2022-2 tonight which will begin to alleviate MAJOR flooding in that area.
A special “thank you” goes out to former city engineer Jim Sayles, and current city engineer Tim Lannon for all your hard work on these two projects.
GOOD NEWS FOR THE RESIDENTS OF WARD 2.
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/