MEETING NOTES FROM MARCH 1, 2022
Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary
• March 1, 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/
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING:
Committee: Ken Kary, Dan Anderson, Dan Garry
*The purpose of the Environmental Planning Committee Meeting is to review:
EAS #15-12-21(b)Construction of a Subdivision consisting of fifty-one (51) single-family homes located on the west side of Johnnycake RidgeRoad (Andrews Ridge).
Mr. Kary said the Planning Commission reviewed and approved this EAS with a few notations. There are no storm-water issues; there will be a retention pond that will exit into the Chagrin River. There is a sightline concern with ingress/egress due to a curve and possibly a sign or landscaping. No concerns from Police or Fire; no noise, water, or air concerns. There are no concerns from the school system. According to Mr. Lannon, there will be a sewage pumping station that will be used to pump to Kirtland Road. Mr. Lannon said gravity is an option if it goes in the right direction and there are known capacity at Kirtland Road. Construction will be split into two phases with the first phase beginning in August 2022 for infrastructure. Mr. Davis said a bat study needs to be conducted after June 1st. Once 50% of the lots are sold in the first phase, they will move to the second phase. Mr. Anderson asked that the dirt and mud be kept in check the first few days of construction. Mr. Davis said they will contract with a street sweeper to clean the street. Mr. Tomaselli asked if the sightline study could change where the street will come out on Johnnycake Ridge. Mr. Davis said that has been determined, but he will work with the City Engineer to verify there are no changes. He will meet with Jody McCue from the Planning Commission to get input on mounding, but there will be nothing within the sightline. Mr. Tomaselli asked if he knew where the pumping station would be located. Mr. Davis said he is an optimist and is hoping for gravity; he will work with the City Engineer on the placement of a pumping station. Mr. Davis said it would be located mostly below grade and hidden by landscaping.
EAS #1-1-22
Renovation of the existing building and enlargement of the patio located at 4027 Erie Street (Social Tavern DTW).
Mr. Langalier said the current building will continue to be used as a restaurant. He said the building will be updated including the infrastructure of the building. Two spaces inside will be combined as well as patio updates. The Erie Street fa9ade will also be restored to mirror more of the buildings downtown. Mr. Kary said there are no stormwater issues. The Planning commission noted the parking in the back will only be for employees and not patrons. The Fire Department was assured the alley will remain a fire lane only. He said the Planning Commission discussed the noise with inside and outside music and the possibility of 100 plus patrons on the patio. Mr. Kary said a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) was issued for only a year and a half and will expire so the Planning Commission can review it. There are no hazardous waste concerns. The construction timeline would be to open in August 2022. Mr. Carr reaffirmed the CUP allows for the patio. Mr. Kary said the Planning Commission has the authority to override the code for the size of an outside patio which is 30% of the interior space. He said the Planning Commission felt comfortable issuing the CUP as it will be reviewed and changes can be made. Mr. Woodin requested an American flag be placed on the front of the building.
There were no other comments or concerns from the committee members or the directors. Mr. Kary said the committee is recommending the approval of EAS #15-12-21b and EAS #1-1-22.
FINANCE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETING
Committee: John Tomaselli, Dan Garry, Ken Kary
The purpose of the Finance & Audit Committee meeting is to discuss the 2022 Budget.
The directors basically laid out their objectives for the 2022 Budget. The practice of enlisting a budget that is fair and realistic with the goal to end the year spending less is still in practice. Budget discussions will continue in the next Council Meeting, March 15th. More on this Committee Meeting when I present the Summary for March 15th, 2022.
AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
March 1, 2022
APPROVAL OF MINUTES-
Regular Council Meeting of February 15, 2022
STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS
No major reports
CORRESPONDENCE
No correspondence
PUBLIC PORTION
No one spoke
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-27 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a lease agreement with Willoughby Union Realty, LLC for the use of unoccupied City-owned real property known as 25 Public Square, Willoughby, Ohio, and declaring an emergency.
Law Director Lucas said the purchase and sale agreement involves, in part, obtaining Ohio Historic Preservation tax credits which are written into the agreement as well. In order to receive the credits, the purchaser must be the owner or a lessee for the property. Mr. Anderson asked if there is any reason not to expect them to receive the tax credits. Mr. Lucas said there is confidence the credits will be obtained.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-28 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a settlement agreement with Browning Willoughby LLC relative to all pending litigation between the City of Willoughby and Browning Willoughby LLC, and declaring an emergency.
Mr. Carr said a detailed memo went out to Council regarding this resolution from Law Director Lucas. Mr. Woodin asked if there is a possibility that the lien for $125,000 won't be paid. Mr. Lucas said the lien is the financial guarantee that the developer completes what they're doing for purposes of the development. The developer needs to fulfill the utility requirements that are listed on the plat. When that is complete, the City will file a satisfaction of mortgage just like a bank would do. An occupancy permit would not be issued if the utilities are not in place.
ORDINANCE NO. 2022-29 Motion carried 7 to 0
An ordinance accepting the Final Plat for Brown Avenue Subdivision and declaring an emergency.
Mr. Lucas said this involved four parcels that are being subdivided into nine lots.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-30 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Centrica Business Solutions Optimize, LLC for participation in an Electric Power Demand Response Program at the Willoughby-Eastlake Water Pollution Control Center for a period of three (3) years, effective June 1, 2022, and ending on May 31, 2025.
WPCC Superintendent Jack Gorka said the electric grid becomes challenged in times of high demand and the power company aggregates for people to go off the grid to lower the demand. Instead of building a new power plant, reimbursements are made to those who go off-grid during peak times. Mr. Gorka said the WPCC can go partially off-grid or completely off-grid by using generators. He said the plant has not been asked to go off-grid for at least ten years. Once a year (typically in August), the plant will practice going off-grid so that the power company knows the plant is ready. If requested to go off-grid, the plant has 30 minutes to comply.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-31 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution approving EAS #15-12-21(b) for the construction of a subdivision consisting of fifty-one (51) single-family homes located on the west side of Johnnycake Ridge Road (Andrews Ridge).
This EAS was covered during the Environmental Planning discussion.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-32 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution approving EAS #1-1-22 for the renovation of the existing building and enlargement of the patio located at 4027 Erie Street (Social Tavern DTW).
This EAS was covered during the Environmental Planning discussion.
NOTE:
For accuracy, this section has been copied from the council meeting minutes
MAYORS REPORT
No report. Mr. Carr asked if there have been any more parking issues that arose due to the new apartments that Marous is building. Mayor Fiala said he hadn't heard any recent complaints. He said the City met with the library yesterday and agreed, in principle, on some things; one of which is that the library may provide parking on a "tag" or"sticker" basis on their property which may solve some of the parking issues. Both parties agreed to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) so there is an understanding of what the City is expected to do in terms of maintenance and the library in terms of parking on the property. The library would have a relationship with the tenants for permanent parking (overnight permit parking). This would give the library the opportunity to make some money from the parking.
DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
Service Director Palmisano - No report. Mr. Tomaselli asked about some lighting going up on Mentor Avenue toward the bridge. Mr. Palmisano said First Energy has started some of the LED conversions. Regarding the bridge lights, First Energy was able to convert the power over enabling the City's contractor to begin work.
Fire Chief Ungar - Regarding the fire on Ben Hur Avenue, Chief Ungar said the fire is still under investigation and he cannot comment on the fire at this time. He noted the fire was a team effort with a lot of different City departments helping out.
Police Chief Schultz - No report. Mr. Carr asked if there was an update on a new police station. Chief Schultz said the department has been working with the architect to fine-tune some items and should have a report available in the near future. Regarding a recent incident downtown, Mr. Anderson asked if there were any Flock cameras located downtown. Chief Schulz said there is not a camera located that close to downtown, but it is a target area for the next set of cameras. He said Flock recently came out with a portable camera that can be attached to poles; it's more of a temporary camera that can be used for events.
Parks & Recreation Director Banker - Ms. Banker said the City was one of the 4,000 to be selected for the Lions ClubState Farm Insurance grant. On April 1st\ the City will find out if they are one of the 200 finalists for the grant that would be used for pickleball courts. Public voting will take place if the City becomes one of the finalists.
Finance Director Bosley - Ms. Bosley said she had a conversation with the Lake County Department of Utilities regarding the implementation of the new sewer rates. The first bills with the new rates will go out in April and May but they will be prorated.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Mr. Garry - Mr. Gary said the shredding event will take place on August 20th at the Service Garage located at37400 N. Industrial Parkway from 9 a.m. until noon.
ADJOURNMENT
COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY
Last evening March 9th, I attended a public meeting where the topic of discussion was the Vine Street Corridor. The meeting was held at the Willoughby Senior Center.
Laketran is partnering with Willoughby, Eastlake, and Willowick on a revitalization PLAN along the Vine Street Corridor, from Willowick to Downtown Willoughby.
And NOACA is funding a study to explore improvements that could include new streetscape, lighting, transportation, and even housing, down the corridor to make it friendlier for pedestrians and businesses.
Again this is just the Planning Stage of such a project. There will be earnest attempts to secure Federal funding for such a project. The monies are there, we just need to be creative and aggressive in seeking them out. If we don’t partake in the planning like we are we have no chance to seek out the betterment of this corridor through three cities.
This was the first of many public meetings that would take place on the topic.
The following two meetings will take place in Eastlake, then Willowick. Willoughby’s meeting was the first. Watch for FaceBook Posts and the News-Herald to announce the next meeting. This is your chance to get in on the ground floor and offer suggestions.
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