MEETING NOTES FROM MAY 17, 2022
Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary
• May 17, 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: Dan Anderson, Dan Garry, Ken Kary
* The purpose of the Environmental Planning Committee meeting is to review:
EAS #3-2-22
The project is for the construction of additions to the existing building, site-reworking for a dual lane drive-thru, and parking lot expansion located at 35441 Euclid Avenue (Chick-fil-A).
EAS #5-4-22
The project is for the construction of a car wash facility located at 34343 Euclid Avenue (Blue Falls Car Wash)
FINANCE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETING:
Committee: John Tomaselli, Dan Garry, Ken Kary
**The purpose of the Finance & Audit Committee meeting is to discuss Capital.
AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
May 17, 2022
APPROVAL OF MINUTES-
Regular Council Meeting of May 3, 2022
STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS
No major reports
CORRESPONDENCE
No correspondence
PUBLIC PORTION
No one spoke
NEW BUSINESS
ORDINANCE NO. 2022-56 Motion carried 7 to 0
An ordinance amending Chapter 550 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Willoughby, Ohio, titled "Fireworks"; specifically, Section 550.02 titled, "Possession, Sale or Discharge of Fireworks Prohibited".
Law Director Lucas said the City vetted the changes that were made under H.B. 172 regarding the state starting to regulate fireworks. These changes were reviewed by Chief Ungar, Chief Schultz, and Fire Marshal Kocab, and, based on this review, the City will add additional language to the current ordinances. Ordinance 2022-57 will opt the City out of H.B. 172. The City will opt out because the legislation that was passed didn't consider the home rule that municipalities have and the City has considerable restrictions on the use of fireworks and in some cases absolute prohibitions regarding shooting off fireworks altogether. The City will continue to regulate the use of fireworks.
ORDINANCE NO. 2022-57 Motion carried 7 to 0
An ordinance opting out of H.B. 172 and reaffirming the ban on discharging, igniting or exploding fireworks in the City of Willoughby, as set forth in Chapter
550 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Willoughby, and declaring an emergency.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-58 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution accepting and thanking the Tigue Family for their generous donation of a LUCAS CPR device, in memory of John Tigue, for use by the Willoughby Fire Department, and declaring an emergency.
Mr. Carr said a memo was sent out by Chief Ungar regarding this resolution; the Tigue family is donating this equipment to the City. Mr. Carr thanked the Tigue family in attendance tonight for their donation. Chief Ungar said after the Tigue family contacted him about purchasing the equipment, he called University Hospitals and asked if the City would be better off buying the equipment from them because of a quantity discount. Ultimately University Hospitals will be donating two LUCAS CPR devices. One will be housed at the Lost Nation Fire Station, one at the Euclid Avenue Fire Station, and one in the shift officer's vehicle.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-59 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution accepting a generous donation of two (2) LUCAS CPR devices from University Hospitals Health System, Inc. for use by the Willoughby Fire Department, and declaring an emergency.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-60 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution by the City of Willoughby, County of Lake, State of Ohio, declaring it necessary to renew a One and Five-Tenths (1.5) Mills Tax Levy for the purpose of current expenses and requesting the Lake County Auditor to certify the total current tax valuation of the City and the dollar amount of revenue that would be generated by the renewal, and declaring an emergency.
Mr. Carr said a memo was sent out by Finance Director Bosley regarding the levies and the dollar amounts involved. Ms. Bosley said the dollar amounts listed should be pretty accurate.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-61 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution by the City of Willoughby, County of Lake, State of Ohio, declaring it necessary to renew a One-Half (.5) of One Mill Tax Levy for recreational purposes and requesting the Lake County Auditor to certify the total current tax valuation of the City and the dollar amount of revenue that would be generated by the renewal, and declaring an emergency.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-62 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with Ronyak Paving, Inc. for the base bid plus alternate in the amount of $866,978 for implementation of the 2022 Pavement Repair Program and Service Yard Pavement, and declaring an emergency.
R-62 – Authorizes contract with Ronyak for the road program streets [Orchard Rd, Bellevue, Shadowrow, South St, St. Clair extension, Adkins] plus service yard pavement. The attached bid package outlines the bids showing base at $706,766 plus service yard at $160,212.
City Engineer Lannon sent out a memo regarding this resolution. The Service Yard paving was part of last year's capital ($160,000). Mr. Palmisano said that will cover more than half of the parking lot.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-63 5 yes, 2 no (Carr, Tomaselli)
A resolution authorizing the City Engineer to prepare plans and specifications and advertise for bids for the Osborne Park Pavement Repair Project, and declare an emergency.
Res. # 63 – authorizing bidding Osborn Park pavement as a separate package subject to Council consideration of the Capital budget.
Mr. Carr said this is part of capital requests and he previously expressed his concerns about doing this work now.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-64 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing the City Engineer to prepare specifications and to advertise for bids for the 2022 Voluntary Sidewalk program with a one- (1-) year renewal option.
Just bidding on the city’s sidewalk program.
Mr. Palmisano said there are a lot of spec changes and additions that need to be made with regards to the sidewalk program. Costs are also increasing. He said there is a backlog from point of sales for sidewalk repairs.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-65 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing the City Engineer to prepare plans and specifications and to advertise for bids for the 2022 Concrete Pavement Slab Replacement Project, and declare an emergency.
Res. #65 – authorizes bidding on the concrete slab program, for replacing slabs on Halle Drive, Colonial Parkway, Polo Park subdivision, Willoughby Parkway, and Western Parkway. We are in line for a $200K OPWC grant for this ~$400K project.
Mr. Lannon said the City is expected to receive OPWC money that will cover about half the cost for this work.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-66 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Service Director to solicit Statements of Qualifications for engineering services for the Lakeshore Boulevard East Equalization Basin Project, and declaring an emergency.
Res. #66 –authorizes the Qualifications Based Qualifications selection process for an engineering firm for the Lakeshore East EQ project, that has a $3.5M Federal earmark in process. We have used the CT city engineer contract in the past to bypass this step but the earmarked grant is a new federal fund source [and the contract is now 22-years old].
In Mr. Lannon's memo, he stated CT Consultants would not be doing the engineering work but it will be bid out due to the size of the project. Mr. Lannon said there is a $3.5 million federal earmark for the project and the expectation is that the engineering firm will be bid out.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-67 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution recognizing the responsibility of the City of Willoughby to Affirmatively Further Fair Housing, and declaring an emergency.
Mr. Lucas said this legislation is passed every year and is a necessary piece of legislation to provide some eligibility for federal funding for other projects including the following piece of legislation (Resolution No. 2022-68).
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-68 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to apply to the Lake County Office of Planning and Community Development for a Community Development Block Grant for the Fiscal Year 2022, and declaring an emergency.
ORDINANCE NO. 2022-69 Motion carried 7 to 0
An Ordinance accepting the Final Plat for the Shepherd's Glen Subdivision and declaring an emergency.
Res. 69 – Shepherd’s Glen plat acceptance that re-plats undeveloped areas of previous condo plat for proposed townhome development.
Mr. Lannon said this is a re-plating for the subdivision going from condo units to townhomes. Mr. Carr said he would like to pursue a conversation regarding a RID for this subdivision.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-70 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution approving EAS #3-2-22 for construction of additions to the existing building, site re-working for a dual lane drive-thru, and parking lot expansion located at 35441 Euclid Avenue (Chick-Fil-A).
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-71 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution approving EAS #5-4-22 for the construction of a car wash facility located at 34343 Euclid Avenue (Blue Falls Car Wash).
NOTE:
For accuracy, this section has been copied from the council meeting minutes
MAYORS REPORT
Mayor Fiala reported that Liberty Development Group will be hosting a public engagement meeting for the Willoughby Union High School Project and associated townhomes on Wednesday, May 25th at 5:30 p.m. in the lower level of City Hall. The intent is to spend about an hour or so at City Hall and then do a site tour (weather permitting). Flyers have been distributed by Liberty Development and the City will be posting the event on social media. There is no update on the Bridge artwork. Regarding the public parking at the library, Mayor Fiala said the City received confirmation the parking lot can be used for the rib burn-off and Law Director Lucas has a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), however, an exhibit needs to be put together that will show where the public can park.
DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
City Engineer Lannon - Mr. Lannon said last year's road program has restarted with contractors working on Wood Road and Parkway Blvd. The remaining streets are Comanche and Elmwood off of Lakeshore Blvd. The Ward Creek Improvement Project is moving along and is two to three weeks away from having work done on the creek followed by a large culvert installation on North Bay Drive which will require road closures.
Fire Chief Ungar - Chief Ungar thanked Council for the two resolutions and thanked Mr. Kary for his help writing the resolution for the Tigue family donation.
Police Chief Schultz - Chief Schultz said the City's dispatchers and clerks were honored recently as part of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. This week is National Police week where men and women in blue are honored as well as the police officers who gave their lives He said the Touch A Truck this past weekend was very well attended. He thanked Judean Banker, Service Director Palmisano, and Chief Ungar for their help.
Parks & Recreation Director Banker - Ms. Banker said the Memorial Day parade is Monday, May 30th. Jim Clark will send out information regarding start times. She said she has about 48 pool employees with a few more applications that were received today.
Finance Director Bosley- Ms. Bosley congratulated Mr. Carr on the medals he received recently at the Senior Games.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Mr. Anderson - Mr. Anderson reported he will be having a Ward 1 meeting on June 7th at the McKinley Center where he will introduce Ms. Sievers to her constituents. Tours of the new food pantry will be given that night as well.
ADJOURNMENT
COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY
First and foremost, I would like to welcome
Kristie Sievers Named Ward 1 Councilwoman
Newly appointed Ward 1 Councilwoman Kristie Sievers was sworn in at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, May 3rd. Councilwoman Sievers will complete the unexpired term previously held by Councilman Chris Woodin, who recently resigned in March.
Sievers has been a Ward 1 resident for 23 years. She is an active member of the Willoughby community, volunteering for the Willoughby Baseball League as a coach and board member and supporting local road races in various capacities, including race director for a non-profit race held annually at Osborne Park.
“I would like to thank all the applicants who expressed interest in becoming the new Ward 1 councilperson. Each applicant showed enthusiasm for the position, and we are pleased to appoint Kristie Sievers as the next Ward 1 Councilwoman,” said Council President Robert Carr. “Kristie offers a passion for youth, fitness, and Parks and Recreation. She will be a real asset as we move forward with the Osborne Park revitalization project.”
“I look forward to serving the constituents of Ward 1. Through my years of service to local organizations, I understand the importance of the process of coordinating details and working with others to create successful, safe outcomes for community interests,” said Councilwoman Sievers.
NEXT, a lot is happening in Willoughby!!!! Please join us on Wednesday, June 15th at Todd Field at 6:30 pm. The purpose of this meeting is to share ideas and gather community feedback about the
Todd Field Amphitheater and Chagrin River Trail project.
The city administration, city council members, and representatives from SmithGroup’s design team will be in attendance.
We have also held meetings on:
Community Meeting – Osborne Park Re-Imagined Project Update
The purpose of this meeting is to provide an update on the Osborne Park Shoreline Re-Imagined project. The city administration, council members, and representatives from SmithGroup’s design team will be in attendance. This is a major renovation of the Osborne Park Shoreline which now is a major plan for the Administration and Council. More on this in the future!!!!
We have been holding public meetings on:
The Historical Renovation and Development of the old Union High School Building at Point Park in downtown Willoughby.
This property and building will be converted into Apartments and adjacent Townhomes. More on this in the future.
Join Liberty Development Company as they share a proposed concept for the former Union High School building and adjacent property. Their concept strives to support the ongoing vibrancy of Downtown Willoughby and create new housing that is respectful of the community.
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/