MEETING NOTES OCTOBER 18, 2022
Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary
• October 18, 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/
Committee Meetings:
SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING:
Committee: John Tomaselli, Ken Kary, Dan Anderson
The purpose of the Safety Committee is to discuss the purchase of Municipal property.
• Here are notes from the OCTOBER 4th Safety Committee Meeting:
PURCHASE OF MUNICIPAL PROPERTY
Chairman Tomaselli said the purpose of tonight's meeting is to give an update on the purchase of the Meister Media building on Euclid Avenue that would be used as a Police Station. He said there was a meeting yesterday with himself, Mayor Fiala, Council President Carr, Chief Schultz, Assistant Chief Tartaglia, Cher Hoffman, Tom Thielman, and Shana Boyd to discuss the property with the primary focus on financing. Mayor Fiala presented the options that Bowen had outlined in their report. There was discussion regarding the original proposal, a proposal with a scaled-back tactical range, and other changes. Soft costs not necessarily in the Bowen report were discussed, so the City has a round number to be used conceptually on how much the investment will cost. Sudsina & Associates will help the City how it can creatively finance the building. The first step in that process is the bond anticipation note on tonight's Council agenda. There was discussion surrounding the renovations; Chief Schultz has been doing some needs analysis and visiting other ranges and tactical training facilities. The requirements for the jail need to be determined along with how the jail could be scaled down. There will be another meeting on October 17th, where Bowen will go through the proposal line by line and allow the City to comment.
Mr. Tomaselli said the feedback regarding the purchase of the building has been positive. Shana Boyd has been in charge of talking points regarding the building purchase and project. These talking points and information will be available to Council for ward meetings so that the message delivered to the residents is the same. The Mayor will also host a few sessions at the golf course and the senior center to deliver the message. Mr. Tomaselli is recommending a separate Safety Committee meeting to focus on the financing aspect of the purchase.
AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
October 18, 2022
Absent: Councilman Merhar
APPROVAL OF MINUTES-
Regular Council Meeting of October 4, 2022, and Special Council Meeting of October 11, 2022
STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS
No major committee reports
CORRESPONDENCE
No correspondence
PUBLIC PORTION
No one spoke
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
ORDINANCE NO. 2022-130-Amended 10/4/22, 10/18/22, Second Reading
An ordinance amending Chapter 440 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Willoughby, Ohio titled, "Commercial and Heavy Vehicles"; specifically, establishing Section 440.11 titled, "Local Residential Streets Without Sidewalks.”
Law Director Lucas said he received input from Mr. Tomaselli, Service Director Palmisano, and Chief Schultz, and it is his recommendation, based on the input provided by the parties that were looking at the ordinance, that it can move forward. Mr. Carr said he noticed clarification on the street definition and the addition of a few specific streets and violations. Mr. Lucas said Subparagraph D limits drive-through traffic without being in violation.
Motion made and seconded to adopt Resolution No. 2022-130 as amended in the Second Reading dated 10/18/22.
Roll Call 6 yes 0 no Motion carried 6 to 0
NEW BUSINESS:
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-132 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with The Western Reserve Land Conservancy for the purchase of real property, contingent upon the City receiving funding from grant sources; said real property located in the City of Willoughby, Lake County, Ohio, and further identified as Permanent Parcel Nos. 27A0310000010, 27A0260000040, 27A0260000050, 27A0260000060,
27A0200000090, 27A0200000100, 27A0200000110, and 27A0310000170, portions of
Permanent Parcel No. 27A0310000020, and a portion of Permanent Parcel No. 27A0310000160, and declaring an emergency.
Mr. Carr said this agreement is contingent on obtaining the funding source. Mr. Lucas said there is a contingency within the purchase agreement that if the City doesn’t get the grant money, the City isn’t obligated. The purchase agreement is for $1,650,000, and the service fee (the following resolution) is for $50,000; the total grant sought is $1,700,000. Mayor Fiala said there is no City contribution.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-133 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Service Fee Agreement with the Western Reserve Land Conservancy for services rendered in the Chagrin River Floodplain Restoration and Trail Connection Project, contingent upon the City receiving funding from grant sources and declaring an emergency.
Mr. Lucas said this fee is for obtaining grant money and additional money beyond the $1.7 million grant to cover transactional purchases, i.e., title insurance, etc.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-134 Motion carried 6 to 0
A final resolution proposing to cooperate, enter into a contract and request the Director of the Ohio Department of Transportation to proceed with the resurfacing of Kirtland Road (C.R. 513) between just west of Sherwin Road and the eastern Willoughby corporation limits within the City of Willoughby, Lake County, Ohio, and declaring an emergency.
City Engineer Lannon said in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT); they will bid on the project, and the City will provide the plans and 20% of construction costs. Mr. Tomaselli asked if the state had come to the city and said they wanted to resurface Kirtland Road. Mr. Lannon said he believes that former Service Director Bock actually applied to have this work done.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-135 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Board of Lake County Commissioners is necessary to establish funding and reimbursement procedures for the Meadowlands Basin Outlet Improvements Project and declaring an emergency.
Mr. Lannon said this resolution is specific to the Meadowlands Basin project, a multimillion-dollar project. The City is taking out low-interest loans, and the stormwater funds will pay the loan back. Finance Director Bosley said all residents pay stormwater fees as well as businesses; there is approximately $700,000 that goes into that fund. She said this will be the third loan in the program. By 2024, there will be payments to three separate loans: Two-Town Ditch, E. 364th/365th and Meadowlands. The interest rate is 1.56%. Mr. Lannon said the City will receive a $350,000 grant from the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) for this project and a 50-year, $100,000 zero-interest loan.
Mayor Fiala suggested having a Service Committee meeting regarding stormwater projects and the program through the county. There was further discussion regarding City-wide stormwater projects.
NOTE:
For accuracy, this section has been copied from the council meeting minutes
MAYORS REPORT
Mayor Fiala said the last Transportation for Livable Communities Initiative (TLCI) meeting for the Vine Street corridor project was the previous night in Willowick. The presentation included all the design schemes broken down into the three cities, Willowick, Eastlake, and Willoughby, into sensitive portions and allocated costs for the improvements. One of the improvements includes murals under the Rt. 2 and railroad underpasses. He said the final report would be out soon and available for Council review. The American Planning Association’s Ohio has awarded the City one of three design awards for the state of Ohio. The City’s downtown commercial district was awarded for its historic downtown. Mayor Fiala said surveys for the summer concerts and one for the amphitheater project are on the City website.
DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
Law Director Lucas – No report. Mr. Carr asked about Shepard's Glen's Residential Improvement District (RID) status. Mr. Lucas said the City is trying to restrict the homeowner’s association, which the developer agrees with. Still, the legal counsel for the homeowner’s association feels the City is trampling on private property rights. This is holding up the plat that was amended. He feels there will be a resolution by the end of the week.
Service Director Palmisano – Mr. Palmisano reported the leaf truck would be out this week or the beginning of the following week, depending on how many leaves are on tree lawns. Trucks are being outfitted in anticipation of future weather.
City Engineer Lannon – Mr. Lannon reported that the concrete slab program would be starting soon; he hopes it will be completed this year, but it is a $400,000 project. Osborne Park pavement should receive its final coat this week. Mr. Carr asked about the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency’s (NOACA) shared use path on Rt. 91. Mr. Lannon said the City filed a notice with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) that the City is ready to start the project. There is $1.8 million in federal funds, which would require a match of about a half million in City funds, but he does not think that is enough money to build the trail from Pine Ridge Golf Course to Rt. 20. There needs to be a discussion on the next step to complete the project.
Parks & Recreation Director Keller – Ms. Keller reminded everyone that the Trick or Treat trail is this coming weekend at Osborne Park from 12 to 2:30 p.m.; please be there about 11:30
a.m. Pumpkin Chunkin’ takes place before that.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Mr. Tomaselli – Mr. Tomaselli thanked Law Director Lucas for his help with the commercial truck legislation (Resolution No. 2022-130). He also thanked the Mayor for his help. He said his Ward meeting is October 25th in the basement of City Hall at 7:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY
As your Councilman for Ward 2, and the Council Representative on Planning Commission, I would like to share an honor the city received from the American Planning Association (Ohio).
APA OHIO PRESENTS OHIO APA GREAT PLACES IN OHIO
Three communities recognized as great places in Ohio
CLEVELAND, OH (October 12, 2022) – The Ohio Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA Ohio) is pleased to announce the 2022 Ohio APA Great Places awards, winners. The biennial awards program honors outstanding physical spaces that planners have made permanent through careful planning and unbridled imagination in Ohio.
APA Ohio presented the following awards at the 2022 Cleveland Planning and Zoning Workshop on October 12, 2022. APA Ohio President Rachel Ray, AICP, noted that the Great Places Awards “2022 designees were selected from submissions for great commercial districts, public places or spaces, and neighborhoods from large and small communities across the state. The entries represented beautiful designs, inspiring stories, and community-led transformations that honor their unique histories.”
The applications were reviewed and scored by members of the Awards Committee of the Ohio APA Board that have representation throughout the state. They evaluated the nominations based on the following criteria:
• ● Character, personality of place
• ● Uniqueness of the place
• ● Special history
• ● How the space is used
• ● Planning initiative
• ● Visual attributes through photographs
The following three nominations were selected as the 2022 Great places of Ohio Award Winners.
Public Space or Place – Jackson Street Pier:
In operation since 1900 as a parking lot and waiting area for oncoming ferries, the Jackson Street Pier was transformed in 2019 into the City of Sandusky’s premier open space. This four-acre destination waterfront amenity invites tens of thousands of residents and visitors to enjoy year-round family-friendly entertainment, scenic views of Sandusky Bay, daily recreational opportunities, dynamic festivals, and events of all scales, and remains in operation as a local and international port. Jackson Street Pier’s unique characteristics include its status as Ohio’s only non-airport border crossing.
While the idea had been around for many years, the transformation of Jackson Street Pier was elevated as a priority in the City of Sandusky’s 2018 Bicentennial Vision comprehensive plan (adopted in 2016). Through that process, city leaders identified project funding and pursued an inclusive design process driven by public engagement to transform this waterfront amenity into a fully functional, flexible public space. Adopted in 2021, the Downtown Plan prioritized the programming budget that supported (along with sponsorships) the purchase of the stage and movie screen and dedicated annual budget for marketing and event production. The pandemic brought community attention to the value of high-quality outdoor public spaces and programming. The design of Jackson Street Pier allowed families and community members in 2020 and 2021 to gather safely outdoors and enjoy live music, movies, speakers, vendors, and more. This flexible space invites people throughout the day to enjoy a walk, watch the sunset, go fishing, or throw a picnic. City staff get daily feedback from residents how cherished the Jackson Street Pier has become, and the 2022 events are expected to attract more visitors to the waterfront than ever before.
Commercial District – Downtown Willoughby
Historic Downtown Willoughby is a beautiful, quaint and charming neighborhood and even goes by the nickname of the “Courtesy City” was listed as a Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995 for its commerce and architectural significance from the 1850s to the 1940s. Downtown Willoughby now is a bustling, eclectic community with something to offer everyone who lives, works and plays in the area. Unique characteristics: There are over 65 buildings and sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These buildings range from Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, Italianate and Classical Revival styles. Today, they serve as boutiques and shops, restaurants, churches, coffee shops, bars, bed and breakfasts and residential homes. But, it is said that the spirits of Downtown Willoughby’s past still occupy these buildings and streets. Besides ghosts and historic buildings, the neighborhood offers plenty of outdoor public green spaces.
With Downtown Willoughby being considered a Historic District, the City of Willoughby follows strict planning initiatives to protect the historic integrity of the neighborhood. The City of Willoughby provides detailed design guidelines that must be followed in the historic downtown district. These guidelines include everything from rehabilitating windows, walls, paint, foundations to demolition and new construction. With these standards, Downtown Willoughby is able to keep a concise and historically accurate look. Downtown Willoughby’s distinctive character and charm help attract events, business and visitors from all over Northeast Ohio. The
small-town feel and planning initiatives that support that are what make this place so great. The city also provides the parks and streets with fresh flowers in the spring and summer, creating barriers between the streets and sidewalks. This helps make the town not only look beautiful, but encourages a safe and walkable neighborhood.
Public Space or Place – Mentor Marsh State Nature Preserve
The Mentor Marsh is a lively and buzzing place to be! It is maintained, protected and restored by the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, the City of Mentor and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Natural Areas and Preserves. Throughout the years, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History has acquired over 690 acres of wetland area and manages the majority of the marsh. The marsh is home to many different local plant and animal species. Animals include leopard frogs, northern pike, yellow perch, bald eagles, owls, marsh wren, bitterns, sparrow, river otters, beavers, monarchs, turtles, and so much more. Unique characteristics: Because of the rate of development in Ohio, over 90 percent of wetlands in the state have been drained. In the 1960s, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History obtained the marsh in order to save it from becoming a marina. Today, Mentor Marsh is one of the largest natural marshes that still remains along the shores of Lake Erie. The wetland is situated between Mentor Lagoons and Headlands Beach State Park. This makes the area a great place for different animal and plant species to thrive.
One of the biggest planning initiatives taking place at the Mentor Marsh are the restoration efforts being led by the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. The first major step of the restoration process was to reduce the amount of phragmites in the marsh. With the guidance of restoration ecologists, the invasive plants were sprayed from helicopters with an aquatic-safe herbicide and mashed to the ground to allow native plants to grow through. With the help of staff, contractors, partners, volunteers and inmates, more than 19,000 plants of 23 native species have been planted. As part of a horticulture job skills program at a local prison, inmates collected and propagated seeds to be planted here, while other plants were purchased from sustainable nurseries and seed growers. Aerial seeding was also used to cover the grounds. Because of these efforts, native plants are sprouting, rare birds are returning, frog habitats thrive, fish are utilizing the water as a nursery and the marsh is becoming a stopover habitat for many animals, such as otters, beavers, waterfowl and shorebirds. While the efforts thus far have been very positive, the protection and restoration is not complete. The marsh is currently working with the Ohio EPA to keep the public informed and up to date on the remediation project of the salt fill.
APA Ohio offers the utmost congratulations to this year’s Great Places in Ohio designees – Jackson Street Pier in Sandusky – Downtown Willoughby in Willoughby – and Mentor Marsh State Nature Preserve in Mentor.
Please visit the Great Places page on the APA Ohio website to see our previously designated Great Places, where this year’s designees will be added. But most certainly, go and visit each of these, and we hope you’ll be as inspired as we are by what has made them Great Places.
Because we plan, great places exist all across Ohio. ###
About APA Ohio:
APA Ohio is a statewide, non-profit association of citizens and professional planners committed to promoting and enhancing planning and the quality of planning for all governmental entities in order to maintain and improve the quality of life for all Ohioans. APA Ohio is a state chapter of the American Planning Association (APA). APA Ohio encourages legislation and action programs to enhance sound planning at the state, regional and local levels. APA Ohio operates under the guidance of a volunteer Board of Trustees elected from the general membership. Chapter sections include Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Miami Valley and Northwest. Visit www.ohioplanning.org for additional information.
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/