MEETING NOTES DECEMBER 5, 2023
Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary
• December 5, 2023 •
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/
ABSENT: ROBERT CARR
Committee Meetings:
No major reports
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING:
Committee: Ken Kary, Dan Anderson, Dan Garry
The committee discussed demolishing the existing building and constructing a restaurant with a drive-thru and patio at 5051 SOM Center Road (Raising Cane's). Legislation was voted on and passed for this EAS
PARKS & RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING:
Committee: Kristie Sievers, Dan Garry, John Tomaselli
Discussion of the financial situation of the POOLS. The Euclid Ave. pool needs major costly repairs. Decisions soon as to what pools will be open this summer in Willoughby. It looks as if the Euclid Avenue Pool may not open this summer. No final decisions have been made to date.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING:
Committee: Dan Anderson, Ken Kary, Mike Merhar
Initial discussion on the proposal to create a RID for the home development going up on Ridge Road behind Andrews/Osborne School. This discussion will continue on December 19th.
AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
December 5, 2023
APPROVAL OF MINUTES-
Regular Council Meeting of November 14, 2023
STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS
No major reports
CORRESPONDENCE
No correspondence
PUBLIC PORTION
Brent Woerner, American Legion Post 215, Pelton Road, Willoughby, Ohio – Mr. Woerner thanked the City, the VFW and the Willoughby Historical Society for their support of Wreaths Across America. He stated the wreath laying will take place on December 16th at noon at both Sharpe Road Cemetery andWilloughby Memorial Gardens. The ceremony will be about 20 minutes, followed by the wreath laying.
Gonzalo Garcia-Pedroso, 38588 Mentor Avenue, Willoughby, Ohio (Andrews Osborne Academy) – Mr. Garcia-Pedroso thanked the men and women of the Willoughby Police Department for making the students at the school feel safe a few weeks ago during a scary situation.
Greg Patt, 38005 Brown Avenue, Willoughby, Ohio – Mr. Patt thanked Chief Schultz and the City administration for not ticketing cars that stayed overnight on Thanksgiving eve.
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-138 MOTION CARRIED 6-0
A resolution congratulating Andrews Osborne Academy Phoenix Boys Varsity Soccer Team on winning the 2023 OSHAA Division Ill Soccer Championship.
Coach Drago Dumbovic thanked the City on behalf of Andrews Osborne Academy for the resolution and for making today such a special day in the school’s history. He thanked the Willoughby Fire and Police Departments for the escort they gave the soccer team on their way tothe championship game. He stated he hoped it wouldn’t be another 114 years for the school to win another state championship.
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-139 MOTION CARRIED 6-0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to accept an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
- Law Enforcement Violence Reduction Grant, in the amount of $18,500, from the Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) through the Ohio Department of Public Safety to supplement the purchase of five (5) Flock Cameras for use by the Willoughby Police Department.
ORDINANCE NO. 2023-140 MOTION CARRIED 6-0
An ordinance amending Chapter 131 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Willoughby, Ohio, titled, "Division of Fire"; specifically, Section 131.08, titled, "Emergency Medical ServiceRates and Regulations", and declaring an emergency.
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-141 MOTION CARRIED 6-0
A resolution authorizing the Council of the City of Willoughby to proceed with the demolition of a garage and non-historic additions to the structure located at 25 Public Square, Willoughby,Lake County, Ohio, based upon significant water and structural damage, and to request the assistance and cooperation of the Lake County Land Reutilization Corporation in affecting the same, and declaring an emergency.
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-142 MOTION CARRIED 6-0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Fourth Amendment to the Purchase Agreement between the City of Willoughby and Liberty Development Company, and declaring an emergency.
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-143 MOTION CARRIED 6-0
A resolution approving EAS #12-9-23 for demolition of the existing building and construction ofa restaurant with drive-thru and patio located at 5051 SOM Center Road (Raising Cane's).
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-144 MOTION CARRIED 6-0
A resolution amending Change Order No. 1 in the Willoughby Osborne Park Coastal Improvements Project with SmithGroup and declaring an emergency.
ORDINANCE NO. 2023-145 MOTION CARRIED 6-0
An ordinance repealing Ordinance No. 2023-16 and accepting the Final Plat for Andrews Ridge Subdivision Phase 1, and declaring an emergency.
ORDINANCE NO. 2023-146 MOTION CARRIED 6-0
An ordinance agreeing to change portions of the boundary of the City of Willoughby with the Village of Waite Hill and superseding Ordinance No. 2023-6.
NOTE:
For accuracy, this section has been copied from the council meeting minutes
MAYORS REPORT
Mayor Fiala stated he sent out a memo to Council regarding traffic remediation options for Lost Nation Road and Hodgson; the best option is also the most expensive option. He stated a meeting will take place with the Lake County Port Authority, the Lake County Executive Airport, and the county administrator to see if there are any funding opportunities through the county or from other funding sources. He asked Council for their input. He stated that a signal would cost $2 million, rerouting Hodgson would cost $3 million, and a roundabout would cost $5 million; the first two options would actually decrease the level of service on Lost Nation Road. Mr. Kary stated he wrote to Commissioner Dan Troy to see if he could help in any way. Mr.Kary expressed his desire to find the money to fund a roundabout.
DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
Service Director Palmisano – Mr. Palmisano stated that crews will be done on December 15th for the leaf pick up; yard waste pick up will end at this time as well from Republic Waste.
Parks & Recreation Director Keller – Reported there were about 200 kids who visited Santa this past weekend at Wes Point Park. Breakfast with Santa is next Saturday.
COUNCIL REPORTS
No major reports
ADJOURNMENT
COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY
We are facing some important decisions soon. The fate of the pools, especially the Euclid Avenue Pool is up in the air. Major costly repairs are needed, and funding those repairs is extremely difficult. If this pool is to be closed for Summer 2024, then Osborne Pool will take on the task as the only city pool in operation. If this happens, Bussing and more equipment will be purchased so this pool can operate accordingly. THE FINAL DECISIONS HAVE NOT BEEN MADE TO DATE. Some major decisions have been made on a proposed property development on Hodgson Road. This is the “STONE FAMILY FARM,” which sits alongside hole # 2. Over the past 18 months, the developer and Planning Commission have been in discussion, and at this point, it looks like an agreement has been made. What started out as over 40 proposed units is now down to 12 or less zoned R-80. This is a major improvement over previous plans in the table. The Planning Commission did a great job of ensuring that the “density” is at a minimum and that all infrastructure issues will be attended to. The developer agreed to:
Sidewalks, open ditches removed, Fencing to provide SAFETY to residents and Golf Course operations, Storm-water addressed, Wetlands addressed, Drives that avoid backing out onto Hodgson, and most importantly, a monetary commitment to a “traffic mitigation solution” for Lost Nation and Hodgson Road. MORE ON THIS IN THE FUTURE. They will return with a Development Plan for the 12 homes and a second Environmental Assessment. My goal as your Councilman is to protect your property values and negate any exacerbation of the traffic issues for Hodgson Road. The fact that we could negotiate density from initially 40 + residences down to 12 is a significant accomplishment. I will continue to work to make this project one that fits the area and does not create issues for the current residents. Remember, we cannot stop someone from developing property if they follow the city’s ordinances.
NOTE: if this land were not approved for re-zoning R-80, it would remain Airport Zoning. That zoning “would allow” development that would not be popular amongst the residents in the area. (warehousing, storage facilities, aircraft storage, package delivery, Motel, Hotel, etc... 12 homes is way better!
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