MEETING NOTES FROM FEBRUARY 15, 2022
Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary
• February 15, 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/
AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
February 15, 2022
APPROVAL OF MINUTES-
Regular Council Meeting of February 1, 2022
STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS
Economic Development Committee
Mr. Anderson - No report. Regarding the bridge art sign that will be placed at the corner of Erie Street and Mentor Avenue, Economic Development Director Thielman said he and the artist, Bill Rigo, went to the fabrication shop in Ashtabula on February 4th. The exterior finish, which is brushed stainless steel, is being applied along with a seal coating process. The lighting controls are programmed and in place and being installed inside. The train topper has been cut out and is primed and ready for paint. The train lighting is being designed for the top which will illuminate the train. The current weight is over 1,000 pounds and once finished, the overall structure will be about 13 feet high. Installation is expected to take place in April with a dedication date to be determined. He would like to coordinate the dedication when the lights are installed on the bridge. The Marous family will be invited along with other donors. Mr. Kary said Mr. Rigo indicated the lighting can be changed with the seasons and the train will look like it’s moving. Mr. Anderson asked if the City will have to maintain the train portion as its stainless steel. The life span of the train should be 10 to 12 years for the coating.
Mr. Thielman said DTW Social Tavern is on the Planning Commission's agenda for February 24th.
The project will transform the old Burgers & Beer. He said it's a big project and there will be a major expansion of the patio area which will require a variance. He said the current code only allows outdoor dining to be 30% of your indoor dining; he said with COVID and the desire for outdoor dining, he suggested Council take a look at that code requirement. There is a new concept for the former Lure Bistro that will include a restaurant inside and a food truck park outside (one food truck). This concept will be presented to the Design Review Board shortly. Lincoln Electric will be going into the 130,000 sq. ft. spec building on Jet Center Drive. Mayor Fiala said the chef that is being brought in for the new social tavern is Dante from Dante's Restaurant in Tremont. There is no movement on the former Willoughby Brewing Company. Mr. Thielman said there has been a lot of interest but those interested want to purchase the property and it's not for sale. Regarding liquor licenses, Mr. Thielman said the license for Lure Bistro is gone and one will need to be brought in (it was owned by the previous restaurant owner and not the building owner). The A1A license that was at the Willoughby Brewing Company is also expired. Mayor Fiala said he would approve any new liquor licenses needed for those locations.
CORRESPONDENCE
No correspondence
PUBLIC PORTION
Gregg Patt, 38005 Brown Avenue, Willoughby - Mr. Patt asked about the status of the lights on the Mentor Avenue bridge and the lights near Erie and Vine Streets. Mr. Palmisano said there is a contractor lined up to install new carriage lamps and install new power wiring from the panel on the east side of the roadway. The City is waiting for The Illuminating Company to do some work so the job can be completed.
NEW BUSINESS
ORDINANCE NO. 2022-19 Motion carried 7 to 0
An ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation for the upgrade of signal timing equipment at the SR-306 and IR-90 EB Ramp intersection, PID 114791, in the City of Willoughby, Ohio, and declaring an emergency.
Service Director Palmisano said the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has conducted a study to synchronize the timing of the lights from Rt. 84 to Rt. 615 at the bottom of the hill. The City has one light involved which is the off-ramp for the eastbound lanes of Rt. 90. ODOT has requested permission to supply the City with a timer that the City will install.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-20 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing an expenditure in the amount of $72,875.30 for the purchase of one (1) new CASE Skid Steer with attachments (base price of $83,875.30 minus a trade-in amount of $11,000 for one (1) 2000 John Deere Skid Steer) from Southeastern Equipment Company through the State of Ohio Cooperative Purchasing Program for use by the Street Department, and declaring an emergency.
Mr. Carr confirmed with Mr. Palmisano this purchase is coming out of last year's capital funds. Mr. Palmisano said this purchase involved a trade-in of the current skid loader that reduced the amount. He said the attachment is a planer that will be used for a lot of the concrete road repairs; he said the old planer is pretty beat up. Mr. Woodin asked if the City owns any current attachments that will work on the new machine. Mr. Palmisano said there is a hammer attachment. Working within the budget of $80,000, Mr. Anderson asked if there were any other attachments that will be purchased. Mr. Palmisano said no; there wasn't enough money left to purchase another attachment. Mr. Woodin asked about a grinder. Mr. Palmisano said the planer will do that; it will grind the concrete and the asphalt.
ORDINANCE NO. 2022-21 Motion carried 7 to 0
An ordinance accepting the improvements for Chagrin Mill Farm Subdivision.
Mr. Lannon said this ordinance accepts the improvements. The City is holding a bond for the remaining work; this ordinance acknowledges receipt of the maintenance bond for everything that was installed. Mr. Carr asked if this ordinance included some of the utility work. Mr. Lannon said it includes improvements and most importantly the City utilities; storm sewer, sanitary sewer, and public water main which is actually Lake County.
ORDINANCE NO. 2022-22 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 913.03, titled, "Charges and Rents Generally", and declaring an emergency.
Mr. Carr said this legislation is the result of the previous discussions regarding sewer rates. Ms. Bosley said the .75 cents is the residential rate increase and she recalculated the other numbers using the same percentage increase Oust over 20%) for the non resident and two unmetered rates for residents and non-residents.
ORDINANCE NO. 2022-23 Motion carried 7 to 0
An ordinance authorizing the sale of City-owned real property no longer needed for any municipal purposes located on North Beachview Road, consisting of seven parcels of land and further identified as Permanent Parcel Nos. 27B056F000690, 27B056A000740, 27B056F000700, 27B056F000670,
27B056A000750, 27B057A000430, and 27B056E000010, without public bidding.
Law Director Lucas said the first step was to get appraisals on the properties which the City has done. Council is required under the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) and under the current ordinance to declare property surplus that is no longer needed for a public purpose (which is part one with this ordinance). The second part will be Council's authorization listing the parcels on the market for sale without competitive bidding. He said the City has revised ordinances to effectuate that with a little more clarity. Mr. Lucas said if a purchaser is engaged in the sale of one of the parcels, it will require the approval of the Council to authorize the purchase agreement and the deed itself. Council will have a second "bite of the apple" for each individual parcel. Mr. Merhar asked on what grounds Council can deny the sale. Mr. Lucas said it probably wouldn't be brought before Council. However, if the City has an appraisal for $200,000 for a parcel and the City wanted to sell it for $25,000; that won't happen. Mr. Lucas said some of the parcels require some erosion control; therefore, the purchase price may include the erosion control steps. Mr. Woodin said several similar properties in Eastlake have recently sold for top dollar with no money taken into consideration for the erosion control. He had a thought in the beginning that the City would mandate erosion control, but he said buyers are going to do it anyway if they are going to build a house. He said he would like to sell for as high as possible with the appraised value and not take anything off for the erosion control.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-24 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution approving Change Order No. 2-Final in the Storm Sewer Outfall Repairs Project with Nerone & Sons, Inc., and declaring an emergency.
Mr. Lannon said the deduction is due to added work at the Union Street outfall repair along with the work at 4 outfalls that went much better than expected. This change order also includes an extension of the completion date for restoration in the spring.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-25 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing the City Engineer to prepare plans and specifications and to advertise for bids for the 2022 Highway Pavement Lane Marking Project with a one (1) year renewal option, and declaring an emergency.
Mr. Carr asked if the 2021 striping was skipped and if he had any thoughts about timing on the striping so it lasts longer. Mr. Palmisano said it was skipped last year and that he prefers to do the striping in the summer when the school buses are not out and ideally after the road program is completed. He said last year, he delayed it because it would have gone out to bid right before plow season. Mr. Anderson asked if there has been a discussion about using a higher grade paint. Mr. Palmisano said he wasn't sure why they passed on using that type of paint which is an epoxy type blend. Mr. Lannon said they can look at doing that; studies have shown that the paint costs twice as much and lasts twice as long so there has never been a strong push to use the paint. Mr. Lannon said he is open to suggestions. Mr. Kary asked when the bids for the road paving program will go out. Mr. Palmisano said that bid will go out shortly after this bid; no decisions have been made on what roads will be done. Mr. Tomaselli asked if the City has looked at the condition of the paint from 2020 to see if it can be done every two years. Mr. Palmisano said no; the paint has faded significantly. Mr. Woodin asked if the bid included the painting of crosswalks and stop bars. Mr. Palmisano said yes. Regarding the reflectivity of the lines, Mr. Woodin said there have been times after the roads have been striped they are very bright and other times they are not very reflective; he asked if there was anything in the bid that will ensure the proper reflectivity and they use the right amount of beads. Mr. Lannon said paint doesn't last as long on newly paved roads and that the inspection would have to take place at night to ensure that.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-26 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Municipal Tax Incentive Agreement with the Ericson Manufacturing Company Pursuant to R.C. Chapter 718, and declaring an emergency.
Economic Development Director Thielman said this is one of the programs to help businesses either expand or relocate to the City or even retain them in the City. This is an annual grant based on an increase in payroll taxes. He said Ericson Manufacturing has been around for 104 years and are locally and family-owned. They deal in temporary power and lighting power. They are located on Hamann Parkway and lease a 69,000 sq. ft. building. They have 65 employees and $5.4 million in payroll. They plan on purchasing the building and expanding with an 11,000 sq. ft. addition and making other improvements. There will be a modest increase in payroll; they qualify for a 3-year term on the program at a 30% rebate which is roughly about $3,500 a year. Mr. Thielman said they also qualify for the CRA program which is the Community Reinvestment Area; this would provide them an 8 year, 100% abatement on the increase in property tax value when they build the addition.
NOTE:
For accuracy, this section has been copied from the council meeting minutes
MAYORS REPORT
Mayor Fiala said all Boards and Commissions will now be available for viewing via Zoom. Regarding the state grant application for the Chagrin River Trail, Mayor Fiala said Tom Thielman will be updating Council on the application at a later date. Regarding the poor condition of the train trestle that goes over Vine Street, Mr. Woodin asked if there is anything the City can do to have it repaired and painted. Mr. Palmisano said he was recently approached by a representative from Norfolk and Southern and now has a contact at the railroad. It was inspected by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and has been cited in the past with no repairs made. He will pursue the contact regarding the repairs.
DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
Service Director Palmisano - No report. Regarding potholes, residents can call Ally Cooper in the Service Department at 440-953-4111. Regarding the road program, Mr. Tomaselli asked if the streets left off the program last year will be included this year. Mr. Palmisano said the missing streets from last year will be completed first thing this year along with Orchard Road. He said the City is working with less money this year and he and Mr. Lannon are reviewing streets and looking at the ratings. Mr. Woodin asked about South Elmwood. Mr. Palmisano said that street is also on the list.
Police Chief Schultz - Chief Schultz presented videos showing two recent incidents that took place in the City on January 20, 2022. Both videos highlighted the department’s training and procedures.
Building Inspector Keller - Mr. Keller said after several years, a certificate of occupancy for Courthouse Square has been issued.
Parks & Recreation Director Banker - After speaking with Councilman Woodin, there will be two committee meetings scheduled. The first one will be to invite the Chagrin River Watershed Partners (CRWP) and Western Reserve Land Conservancy (WRLC) to discuss the Chagrin River project funded by the H2Ohio initiative and the second one will be with the Smith Group regarding Osborne Park.
Finance Director Bosley - No report. Ms. Bosley said she appreciated the Council's passage of the sewer rate increase.
COUNCIL REPORTS
No major reports
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion made and seconded to go into Executive Session in accordance ORC 121.22(G)2 to consider the sale of property, ORC 121.22(G)3 to discuss pending litigation, and ORC 121.22(G)4 to prepare for, conduct, and review a collective bargaining strategy and to invite Jeremy losue as a guest in the executive session at 8:03 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY
Currently, I have no comments to share. I am working on my next Newsletter, which should be complete in a week or two.
I am waiting on confirmation of dates for programs and activities for the city. I also am hoping to share some information regarding our safety services.
Take care, and please feel free to contact me regarding any questions or concerns in Ward 2. If I cannot give you the answer or information regarding the city, I will definitely work to address the appropriate source.
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