MEETING NOTES FROM APRIL 5, 2022
Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary
• April 5, 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
April 5, 2022
APPROVAL OF MINUTES-
Regular Council Meeting of March 15, 2022
STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS
Committee of Full, Mr. Carr - Mr. Carr reported there was an overwhelming response to the Ward 1 vacancy spot due to Mr. Woodin's resignation; nine (9) people have applied. Interviews will take place this Saturday with the goal of appointing the new Councilperson at the April 19th meeting. Council has until the end of the month to make the appointment; if Council does not appoint someone, the Mayor can appoint someone.
CORRESPONDENCE
Clerk Novak read a request from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control for a transfer from Painesville Pizza Inc., dba Pizza Hut, 35050 Euclid Avenue, Willoughby, OH 44094 to SFR X Holdings LLC, dba Pizza Hut of OH,35050 Euclid Avenue, Willoughby OH 44094. There were no objections.
PUBLIC PORTION
Brent Woerner, Commander of American Legion Post 214, 4304 Center Street, Willoughby - Mr. Woerner read a prepared statement regarding the American Legion Post 214 regarding the relationship between the City and the post.
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-38 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution expressing an intent to sell the unneeded, obsolete, or unfit property by internet auction and establishing a procedure for conducting the sale.
The Council of the City of Willoughby agrees that it intends to sell motor vehicles, road machinery, equipment, tools, or supplies which are not needed for public use or are obsolete, or unfit for the use for which it was acquired. The sale will be conducted by internet auction.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-39 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor on behalf of the City of Willoughby to participate in the ODOT road salt contract awarded in 2022, and declare an emergency.
The City of Willoughby hereby submits to participate in the Ohio Department of Transportation's(ODOT) annual road salt bid in accordance with Ohio Revised Code.
ORDINANCE NO. 2022-40 Motion carried 6 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". This is an amendment.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-41 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution authorizing an expenditure in an amount not to exceed $50,000 for engineering costs for the WPCC Belt Press Replacement Project, and declaring an emergency.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-42 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with DiGioia-Suburban Excavating, LLC in the amount of $3,825,968 for implementation of the Meadowlands Basin Outlet ImprovementsProject, and declaring an emergency.
Resolution 22-42, approves the award of the next major part of the city-wide stormwater plan; authorizing a contract with DiGioia-Suburban Excavating for the Meadowlands outlet storm sewer improvements. This significantly increases the capacity of storm sewers from the Meadowlands basin, under the RxR tracks, and north to Lakeland Boulevard in Eastlake. This phase of the project will decrease flooding to the industrial park businesses surrounding the basin along Reading Ave and Hamann Parkway and allow for the extension of larger storm sewers west along the RxR tracks and south up SR-91 to the Aspenwood area. This project allows the Meadowlands basin to sync operation with Nason Basin north of SR-2 to act as a system rather than independent basins. Previous improvements to Nason Basin were made to protect downstream properties along Corporation Creek in Eastlake.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-43 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with J.D. Striping & Services, Inc. in the amount of $113,576.50 for the 2022 Pavement Marking Project, and declaring an emergency.
Resolution 22-43 authorizes a contract for city-wide Pavement Marking. The $113,576 cost is significantly higher than in previous years due to the rising cost of fuel and paint.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-44 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract agreement with Chagrin River Watershed Partners, Inc. is necessary for the East Branch Chagrin River Restoration H2Ohio Project.
CRWP in coordination with the City of Willoughby, Western Reserve Land Conservancy (WRLC), and Andrews Osborne Academy (AOA) plans the inclusion of the following components in the Project:
a) Stabilization of 685 linear feet of streambank on the Chagrin River using bioengineering methods and bend way weirs or boulder toe;
b) Creation of a bank full bench along the Chagrin River;
c) Removal of a point bar on the eastern bank of the Chagrin River and re-alignment of the transverse riffle;
d) Restoration of 1.5 acres of riparian area along the Chagrin River;
e) Removal of dam remnants and stabilization of a 0.5-acre area to improve stream hydraulics and aquatic habitat;
f) Realignment of 700 linear feet of the East Branch of the Chagrin River to a more stable configuration that removes the hydraulic influence of the former water plant intake structures and uses toe wood to stabilize the new channel;
g) Restoration of 1 acre of old East Branch of the Chagrin River channel to oxbow wetland habitat to provide nursery areas for young fish and waterfowl habitat;
h) Invasive species management for at least 1 year for 74.8 acres; and
i) Protection of riparian lands within the Chagrin River and East Branch corridors (78.4 acres) from the risk of future development, including the acquisition and permanent protection of fourteen (14) City-owned parcels and permanent protection of two (2) Western Reserve Land Conservancy(WRLC)-owned parcels (the West Property), including 25 acres of Category 3 wetlands;
NOTE:
For accuracy, this section has been copied from the council meeting minutes
MAYORS REPORT
Mayor Fiala reported that the county has been releasing some of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) monies to municipalities, townships, and villages for projects. He said Eastlake has been granted $800,000 for lights and $200,000 for paving and they are seeking a few million for improvements to the Lake County Captains stadium. TheCity has requested about $1.4 million for water quality projects along the Chagrin River and flood management specifically at the Vine Street overpass bridge; if flooded it could impact the safety forces. Regarding the comments made earlier by the American Legion Post 214, Mayor Fiala said he was saddened by their comments. He said he believes, along with former Mayor Anderson, has kept open lines of communication with them and met with them when they requested. He said the City's obligation is to the people of Willoughby. The first goal was to sell the property and make it developable. This doesn't lessen his support and respect for what veterans have done in serving their country.
DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
City Engineer Lannon - Mr. Lannon reported he is pursuing funding for the S.R. 174-River Street slope stability projects (at South Street). As part of the application requirements for FEMA funds, a notice needs to be published in the local paper. Councilman Kary thanked Mr. Lannon for all his hard work on the Ward Creek Project.
Fire Chief Ungar - Chief Ungar reported the department has started the spring hydrant flushing and maintenance program. Signs will go up 2-5 days prior to each shift that goes out. He noted that the water will turn rust-colored due to this process.
Police Chief Schultz - Chief Schultz thanked Council for the passage of Resolution 2022-38. Chief Schultz reported on a case that was recently in the news regarding the death of a three-week-old infant. Chief Schultz acknowledged the sacrifice that Blufton Police Officer Dominic Francis gave as he was killed in the line of duty on 1-75.
Building Inspector Keller - Mr. Keller reported that property maintenance inspections have begun. Any questions or concerns should be reported to the Building Department.
Parks & Recreation Director Banker - Ms. Banker reported that to date, there are 38 employees for the pools which include managers and cashiers. This includes about 28 lifeguards; typically 80 are utilized to operate both pools. There is one more spring break lifeguard class with two more in June. Pool passes have gone on sale. She said the toddler pool will be open at the Euclid Avenue location and the entire pool will be open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The Osborne pool will be open 7 days a week with reduced hours on Monday and Sunday evenings (closing at 5 p.m. versus 7 p.m.).
Finance Director Bosley - Ms. Bosley said the audit is 43% complete. This year, Deputy Finance Director Chef Hoffman has taken the lead on the audit. She received notification the department received the GFOA Comprehensive Annual Award from the 2020 audit. She said the state had overlooked the City on the Auditor of State Award for the 2020 audit. There was only one comment for the Comprehensive Annual Report.
COUNCIL REPORTS
No major reports
ADJOURNMENT
COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY
City Council experienced a recent resignation by Councilman Chris Woodin, Ward 1. His departure from Council was a difficult one. He did share that the decision was based on health issues. I had the opportunity to sit next to Councilman Woodin for several years on the bench. I must share that his attention to detail and ability to ask difficult questions at the right time was invaluable. I will miss his openness and sincerity in serving Willoughby's City. The process of replacing him was a task for the remainder of the City Council. A public request was placed that asked for any residents of Ward 1 that met the residency requirement to apply.
Little did we know that there would be nine applicants to fill the seat for Ward 1. The task at that point was for Council to interview the applicants. This took an entire Saturday starting at 8 am and ending around 3:30 pm. After that round of interviews, the field was narrowed down to three candidates. At that point, the final 3 were brought back for a final round of interviews. As of this writing, a final appointment has not taken place. I will post the news on the appointment after Council makes the approval.
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