MEETING NOTES DECEMBER 20, 2022
Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary
• December 20, 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:
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING:
Committee: Ken Kary, Dan Anderson, Dan Garry
*The purpose of the Environmental Planning Committee meeting is to review: EAS #16-8-22
For the construction of a three (3) unit townhome, four (4) unit townhome, two (2) duplex units, and one (1) triplex unit located on Center and River Streets (The Enclave at Literary Point, formerly known as a portion of Willoughby Union Point).
Mr. Kary asked Mr. Davis to explain the project noting that it is a major development. Mr. Davis said the property is located near ThenDesign Architecture. He said on each side of the ThenDesign Architecture building; there would be vertical townhomes that are three stories high and similar to what you might see in the more urban areas of Cuyahoga County. This includes seven units total; one three-unit building and one four-unit building. He said where the old industrial education building once stood; there will be a private drive and seven single-story ranch homes. He said there would be 14 units one block away from downtown Willoughby. He said the price point would be $400,000 plus. Mr. Kary commented that Mr. Davis had worked closely with the Design Review Board to have the units fit architecturally into the area. Mr. Davis said the units would mimic the former school with brick faces and shingle roofs. He believes it will keep with the historical flavor of downtown.
Mr. Kary said the Planning Commission approved this EAS with a few notations. There were no stormwater concerns or concerns from the Police Department. The Fire Department initially had concerns regarding the cul-de-sac's turning radius, but that has been resolved. Mr. Davis said there would be a "hammerhead T" and "no parking signs" on the cul-de-sac, so it's never blocked. No concerns with water, air, and noise pollution. There is minimal impact on the schools and no hazardous waste concerns. There will be no sprinklers in the buildings, but there will be firewalls between the units. Garbage pick-up will be done through the homeowner's association because it is a private street. Lake County Water mentioned that each unit would have a separate water meter. Mr. Davis confirmed that and stated each unit would have a separate sewer connection. Regar
ding the timeline of the project, Mr. Davis said there are two projects within the project. He said the private drive they call the Enclave at Literary Pointe would be the ranch units. A road needs to be installed, and he has filed for permits with the Ohio EPA and is working through some final issues with Mr. Lannon. Once Council approves that plat, they will start the roadway, followed by a model, etc. Regarding the townhomes, they will be starting on the four-unit building on River Street in about a month or two and will need to sell three or four units before they can start the third building. They hope to close by December 2023. Mr. Garry asked if the retaining wall behind the former welding building would remain. Mr. Davis said there wouldn't be a retaining wall, but they will be grading to it, and there will be perimeter yard drains. All the water from the neighbors will be accepted through those drains. The fence will be determined at a meeting tomorrow night.
Mr. Anderson asked how stormwater would be managed. Mr. Davis said the site is more permeable than previously because the site was a building and parking lot. Less stormwater is going into the sewer; he worked with Mr. Lannon to create a rain garden or structure to slow down the water.
There were no other comments or concerns. Mr. Kary said the committee is recommending the approval of EAS #16-8-22.
The Environmental Planning Committee adjourned at 6:31 p.m.
AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
December 20, 2022
APPROVAL OF MINUTES-
Regular Council Meeting of December 6, 2022
STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS
No major reports
CORRESPONDENCE
No correspondence
PUBLIC PORTION
Zachary Zabata, (stated his mother-in-law lives at 5329 Nan Linn Drive)- Mr. Zabata said his stepson attends Edison Elementary, and he currently maintains one of the pads where one of the crossing guards stands for Edison Elementary. He said the pad is very slippery when it snows. The pad gets salted on one side but not the other, and he is concerned about safely getting the children to school. He said he had witnessed snowplows plowing snow onto sidewalks in Ridge Acres. Service Director Palmisano said to call the Service Department if he has concerns during the snow season. Mr. Zabata said he called twice last year with no resolution.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-138 -Tabled
A resolution approving EAS #12-6-22(a) for the rezoning of 17.416 acres of real property located on Pelton Road and further identified as Permanent Parcel No. 2780390000300 from Limited Industrial (L-1) to General Industrial (G-1).
ORDINANCE NO. 2022-139 -Tabled
An ordinance amending the zone map of the City of Willoughby, Ohio, to reclassify
17.416 acres of certain real property located at O Pelton Road (Permanent Parcel No. 2780390000300) from Limited Industrial (L-1) to General Industrial (G-1).
NEW BUSINESS:
ORDINANCE NO. 2022-160 Motion carried 7 to 0
An ordinance authorizing Amendment No. 1 to Ordinance No. 2022-114, the Manning & Payroll Ordinance, relative to the Division of Police, and declaring an emergency.
Chief Schultz confirmed this addition to the manning table would be for 60 days. He said one employee is out on maternity leave and should be back by February 28th. Sue Schilling has been with the City for over 20 years and has volunteered to fill in; she has been trained as a dispatcher.
ORDINANCE NO. 2022-161 Motion carried 7 to 0
An ordinance authorizing Amendment No. 2 to Ordinance No. 2022-114, the Manning & Payroll Ordinance, relative to uniform maintenance, firearm proficiency allowances, and service weapons, and declaring an emergency.
Mr. Carr said Deputy Finance Director Hoffman, regarding this ordinance and the CDL reimbursement, sent out an e-mail. Finance Director Bosley said this would provide CDL reimbursement to non-union supervisors.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-162 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution accepting the amounts and rates as determined by the Budget Commission, authorizing the necessary tax levies, certifying same to the Lake County Auditor, and declaring an emergency.
2022-162 is for the acceptance of amounts and rates approved by the County for our tax levies, including our two most recent renewals for operating and recreation.
Mr. Carr said this resolution includes the most recent voted-on levies. Ms. Bosley said the general bond levy (outside mill) for the Fire Stations is .48 mill instead of .50 mill. There are other changes on the inside millage for the general fund and general bond fund.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-163 AMENDED Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution amending Resolution No. 2022-37 to provide for current expenses and other expenditures of the City of Willoughby, Ohio, during the period ending December 31, 2022, and declaring an emergency.
Ms. Bosley said this resolution would make some adjustments for rate increases which weren't done until union contracts were settled. Some funds were adjusted, such as the fire pension, sewer, and street fund. The maintenance fund was increased for sidewalk repairs, Osborne improvements, and Chagrin River floodplain restoration. The court made two adjustments last week to some wages of employees that will be paid from a special revenue fund instead of their general fund. Changes were made to the senior capital fund to purchase the bus.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-164 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing temporary appropriations totaling $20,433,622.00 for current expenses and other expenditures of the City of Willoughby, Ohio, during the period ending March 31, 2023, and declaring an emergency.
2022-164 is our temporary appropriation for 2023, allowing us to operate for the first three months of 2023 before passing the Budget.
Mr. Carr said this is a standard end-of-year resolution to carry the City through the first quarter.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-165 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution declaring it necessary to levy an additional tax levy for
(I) providing and maintaining fire apparatus, mechanical resuscitators, underwater rescue and recovery equipment, or other fire equipment and appliances, buildings and sites therefor, or sources of water supply and materials therefor, for the establishment and maintenance of lines of fire-alarm communications and the purchase of ambulance equipment, and (II) providing and maintaining motor vehicles, communications, other equipment, buildings, and sites for such buildings used directly in the operation of a Police Department, pursuant to Sections 5705.03 and 5705.19(JJ) of the Revised Code, and declaring an emergency.
2022-165 is the first step in getting the proposed 2.5 mill tax levy on the ballot for May. Safety Levy, Police, and Fire
Mr. Carr said this is the first step in the safety levy process. Mr. Anderson asked if part of the levy money could be used for personnel. Mr. Lucas said that the statute authorizes use for personnel but it was decided this safety levy will not be used for personnel.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-166 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a lease agreement with Meister Media Worldwide, Inc. to use a city-owned commercial building located at 37733 Euclid Avenue and declare an emergency.
Mr. Lucas said the City entered into a lease agreement with Meister; they agreed to a $1 lease and a term of one year subject to renewal. It also has a 30-day clause without cause to terminate the lease (for the lessee and lessor). When the City needs to go into the building for the improvements, the lease will be terminated. Meister is paying monthly utility bills, and this also helps with insurance costs for the building.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-167 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution approving EAS #16-8-22 for the construction of a three (3) unit townhome, four (4) unit townhome, two (2) duplex units, and one (1) triplex unit located on Center and River Streets (The Enclave at Literary Point, formerly known as a portion of Willoughby Union Point).
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-168 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution honoring Finance Director Diane Bosley and commending her for her 27-plus years of service to the City of Willoughby.
NOTE:
For accuracy, this section has been copied from the council meeting minutes
MAYORS REPORT
Mayor Fiala said he wanted to personally thank Finance Director Diane Bosley for everything she has done for him. He never imagined the complexity of the City finances; he said she always took the time and had the patience to walk him through some very challenging accounting principles. At Council's request, the administration identified six possible dates for public meetings regarding the safety levy, which will be sent to Council tomorrow.
DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
Law Director Lucas - Mr. Lucas wished everyone a happy holiday season. He said he wanted to thank Diane Bosley for the guidance and assistance she constantly provided to the Law Department.
Service Director Palmisano - Mr. Palmisano congratulated Diane Bosley on her retirement and the guidance and assistance she provided over the years. Mr. Anderson said he had a few residents who asked when the City would be back to collect leaves; he informed them that leaf pickup was complete. He asked if, during the next garbage and lawn waste pick-up negotiations, the City could request lawn waste pick-up through December, so residents have an option after leaf pick-up is complete. Mr. Palmisano said he is already working on that and would like it extended through December 15th.
Assistant City Engineer Cyvas - Ms. Cyvas congratulated Diane Bosley on her retirement.
Fire Chief Ungar - Chief Ungar thanked Diane Bosley for being patient with him while learning about his department budget. He congratulated her on her retirement. Regarding the upcoming storm, he said he would send out the information from the Emergency Management Agency closer to the storm.
Police Chief Schultz - Chief Schultz congratulated Diane Bosley on her retirement. He thanked Council for the passage of Ordinance 2022-160. Chief Schultz thanked the community for supporting the Stuff the Cruiser and Toys for Tots events this year.
Building Inspector Keller - Absent.
Parks & Recreation Director Keller- Ms. Keller thanked Diane Bosley. She thanked the Fire and Police Departments for their help with the Santa Parade this past weekend.
Finance Director Bosley - Ms. Bosley said she could not think of a better place to work. She is grateful she was given the opportunity to work for the City as well as a resident. She trusts that the administration and Council, particularly the Finance Department, will continue in the same stead. She thanked her husband for being able to spend 15 years at home with her children prior to working for the City.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Ms. Sievers - Ms. Sievers congratulated Diane Bosley on her retirement.
Mr. Kary - Mr. Kary said Diane Bosley should be really proud of all her accomplishments. He said he enjoyed running into Diane at City events, always with a smile on her face.
Mr. Tomaselli - Mr. Tomaselli said he echoed everyone's sentiments regarding Diane Bosley. He said when he became chair of the Finance Committee; he said he didn't know what he was getting into. He thanked her for her patience with him.
Clerk Novak - Ms. Novak wished Diane Bosley a happy retirement. She said it's been an honor and privilege to work with her.
Mr. Merhar - Mr. Merhar congratulated Diane Bosley on her retirement. He wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
Mr. Garry - Mr. Garry congratulated Diane Bosley on her retirement. He wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Mr. Anderson - Mr. Anderson congratulated Diane Bosley on her retirement.
Mr. Carr - Mr. Carr wished everyone a happy holiday and congratulated Diane Bosley on her retirement.
Motion made and seconded to hold an Executive Session to review negotiations or bargaining sessions with public employees concerning their compensation or other terms and conditions of their employment in accordance with ORC 121.22(G)4 at 7:36 p.m.
Executive Session -The purpose of the executive session is to review negotiations or bargaining sessions with public employees concerning their compensation or other terms and conditions of their employment in accordance with ORC 121.22(G)4.
ADJOURNMENT
COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY
I will hold a Ward 2 Meeting in February @ Lost Nation Golf Course. Watch FaceBook, my emails, and signage advertising this event. The primary purpose of the meeting will be to have the city share “in person” the plans for the “re-development” of the Meister Publishing Building into a new Police Station. We will also be discussing other safety improvements planned for the city. I will make every effort possible for residents to pose “other” questions for the city officials and me. I will be working out the best way to accomplish this, given the limited time we will have and the topics of discussion on the table.
I will keep you posted!
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/