MEETING NOTES JANUARY 17, 2023

Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary

• January 17, 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/

Committee Meetings:

PARKS & RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING:

Committee: Kristie Sievers, Dan Garry, John Tomaselli

*The purpose of the Parks & Recreation Committee meeting is to discuss the Osborne Park Re­ Imagined Project, Todd Field Amphitheater, and Chagrin River Trail Project

AGENDA

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

January 17, 2023

APPROVAL OF MINUTES-

Motion made and seconded to approve the Regular Council Meeting Minutes of December 20, 2022.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES-

Motion made and seconded to approve the Regular Council Meeting Minutes of January 3, 2023.

ORGANIZATIONAL BUSINESS

MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS (Confirmed by Council)

Board and Commission Members

Sign Review Board Mr. Will Palmer

Planning Commission Mr. Ben Capelle

Board of Zoning Appeals Mr. Mike Ross-reappointment

STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS

Parks & Recreation Committee, Ms. Sievers - Reported there was a committee meeting this evening to discuss Osborne Park, the Todd Field Amphitheater, the Chagrin River Walk, and the grant monies associated with those projects.

CORRESPONDENCE

No correspondence

PUBLIC PORTION

Jerry Ranally, 37832 Park Avenue, Willoughby - Mr. Ranally asked if Resolution No. 2023- 3 is for police and fire equipment and not salaries. Mr. Carr said that was correct; it's a safety levy for capital needs for both police and fire and no salaries. Mr. Ranally asked if the City determined what the taxes would be on a $150,000 or $200,000 house. Mr. Carr said the City is working to obtain that information for homeowners. Mr. Ranally said he is glad to see the City is putting this levy on the ballot, and he will support it; the safety forces provide a great service to the City. The safety levy will be on the ballot in May. Mr. Ranally asked if there was a resolution with the Police Department regarding union negotiations and what the wage increases were. Mayor Fiala said negotiations led to fact-finding and conciliation. Finance Director Hoffman said wage increases are 9.5% over three years. Mr. Ranally asked where the slope stabilization project would take place on River Street. Mr. Anderson said, right across from South Street on River Street.

Dennis Quigney, 5349 Strawberry Lane, Willoughby - Mr. Quigney said he was concerned about the baseball fields at Todd Field with the talk of an amphitheater and the conversion of tennis courts to pickleball courts on Euclid Avenue. He asked if the City has any plans for the property where the current Police Station stands. Mr. Carr said during the Parks and Recreation Committee meeting earlier this evening; it was stated that the baseball fields and amphitheater would coexist at Todd Field., Mayor Fiala said there would be another community engagement meeting soon regarding Todd Field. Regarding the site where the Police Station is located now, Mayor Fiala said the City would most likely sell the property; the City has a potential buyer. Regarding the pickleball courts at Euclid Avenue, Ms. Keller said there used to be eight tennis courts; one was converted to two pickleball courts. One more tennis court will be converted into two pickleball courts of the seven remaining tennis courts. She said the school needs five courts for a tennis match, so they will have six tennis courts.

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-I) to General Industrial (G-I).

This resolution will remain tabled. Chief Building & Zoning Inspector Keller said he spoke with the applicant’s engineer; a lot of the work is done, but they are waiting on documents out of their control for the wetlands. They would like the legislation for the project to remain tabled for another two weeks.

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-I) to General Industrial (G-I).

This ordinance will remain tabled.

NEW BUSINESS

ORDINANCE NO. 2023-6 Motion carried 7 to 0

An ordinance agreeing to change a portion of the boundary of the City of Willoughby with the Village of Waite Hill.

As part of the H2Ohio Project, Western Reserve Land Conservancy donated a 25.0513-acre parcel of property to the City of Willoughby. The triangle-shaped parcel has a boundary of Rt. 90 on one side and the Chagrin River on the other side and is located in Waite Hill.

An Environmental Covenant has been placed on the property which

will be enforced by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

The Village of Waite Hill is supportive of the H2Ohio project and has

offered a boundary adjustment for this parcel that is on the Waite

Hill-Willoughby border and the City agrees to accept this boundary

line adjustment to include the property within the Willoughby

municipality.

Law Director Lucas, regarding this ordinance, sent out a memo as it relates to the H2Ohio project. This ordinance will change the property line between the two cities. Mayor Fiala said the City would obtain Waite Hill property at no cost; it's part of the property with a conservation easement.

RESOLUTION NO. 2023-7 Motion carried 7 to 0

A resolution determining to proceed to submit to the electors of the City of Willoughby the question of an additional 2.5-mill 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.

This is the second resolution necessary for us to submit to the City voters at an election on May 2, 2023, the question of an additional 2.5-mill ad valorem property tax levy for the purpose of police and fire expenses.

Finance Director Hoffman sent out an e-mail. This resolution is the final step to take the levy to the voters. Mr. Carr asked if what's listed in the resolution will be the ballot language. Ms. Hoffman said to some degree, yes, but she's hoping it won't be as cumbersome. The certificate from the county has already been received and will be sent to the board of elections with the two pieces of legislation passed about the levy.

RESOLUTION NO. 2023-8 Motion carried 7 to 0

A resolution approving an agreement between the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association (Police Sergeants and Lieutenants) and the City of Willoughby, Ohio, and declaring an emergency.

Mr. Carr said this piece of legislation and the next two are all related to the union contracts for the Police Department.

RESOLUTION NO. 2023-9 Motion carried 7 to 0

A resolution approving an agreement between the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association (Police Officers below the rank of Sergeant) and the City of Willoughby, Ohio, and declaring an emergency.

RESOLUTION NO. 2023-10 Motion carried 7 to 0

A resolution approving an agreement between the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association (Communications Clerks, Communications Operators, and Police Records/Communications Supervisor) and the City of Willoughby, Ohio, and declaring an emergency.

RESOLUTION NO. 2023-11 Motion carried 7 to 0

A resolution authorizing the Mayor to accept the State of Ohio Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Grant No. FEMA-DR-4507.30-R-OH from the State of Ohio, Department of Public Safety, Ohio Emergency Management Agency to implement the River Street Soil Stabilization Project and declaring an emergency.

City Engineer Lannon said the City would receive a 1.8 million dollar grant toward a 2 million dollar project (90% grant). The grant money is 80% federal and 10% state; the City will need to pay the remainder. The project has been on the City's radar for several years. Mr. Carr asked what the project entails. Mr. Lannon said along River Street, retaining walls hold up the edge of the road; the guardrail is at the top of the slope with a 100 ft. drop at the end of a T intersection. The grant allows for relocating utilities that are in the way. The work will include a low-impact method of construction similar to a sound wall along the highway where you see piers and concrete panels slid between the I-beams that sit below grade. Mr. Lannon said the project would start this year. The project is about 200 feet long on River Street, where South Street intersects.

NOTE:

For accuracy, this section has been copied from the council meeting minutes

MAYORS REPORT

Mayor Fiala said as a result of the Parks and Recreation meeting held tonight; he will schedule another public information meeting for Todd Field and the Chagrin River Trail. Now that the legislation regarding the safety levy has passed, the ward meeting dates will be firmed up. A volunteer group must be formed to head the campaign for the safety levy. Mayor Fiala said the City had retained someone to coach the City on how to promote the levy within the law and provide a proposal that can be given to the volunteer committee.

DIRECTOR’S REPORTS

Service Director Palmisano - Mr. Palmisano said the City is losing the services of two long-time vendors; one of them being Middle Ridge Nurseries (provided flowers). He said Urban Growers had been chosen to supply the City. However, they do not offer the same services as Middle Ridge. He thanked Ms. Keller for arranging to have the Girl Scouts plant all the ground flowers at the park entrances. The other vendor is Animal X (Ken Smith); he has been a trapper for the City since the 1990s. Due to pricing, Mr. Palmisano said trying to find a reasonable replacement would be very difficult. The City may reduce the number of animals it will pay to be removed. Mr. Tomaselli asked if the cut in services by Middle Ridge Nurseries would be noticeable to the residents. Mr. Palmisano said he hopes not; they did maintenance on the planters and ground flowers. He will contact the individual who did the maintenance to see if they are interested in doing it for the City separately. Mr. Palmisano said the new company would build boxes (two per planter) so that all plants would be in place and then placed in the City boxes. Mr. Anderson asked if someone within the City could do the flower maintenance. Mr. Palmisano said there was someone, but it was a matter of pulling them away from their other job responsibilities to do the work.

Police Chief Schultz - No report. Mr. Anderson asked if there were two flock cameras at the exit of Giant Eagle. Chief Schultz said there had been some success with private organizations getting involved with the flock cameras; he said there might be one or two cameras.

Parks & Recreation Director Keller - No report. Mr. Kary said he applauded the City for looking into purchasing a portable stage. He asked how long it would take to get it. Ms. Banker said it would be a year; the purchase would be discussed during capital. She said she would go out to bid so she can be ready when approved.

COUNCIL REPORTS

No major reports

ADJOURNMENT

COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY

We, the City Council Members, and the Administration plan to hold “Informational Meetings” in each ward to discuss the Levy the city is placing on the ballot on election day, May 2, 2023. The question of an additional 2.5-mill ad valorem property tax levy for police and fire expenses is the ballot item.

Monies will be used for the renovations and additions to the Meister Building the city recently purchased to house our Police Department. In addition, the levy will provide for ongoing capital needs for both our Fire and Police Departments. The capital items include Fire, EMS, and Police vehicles and equipment.

NO monies will be used for wages or salaries.

I will keep you posted on the specific dates, times, and locations of these Public Meetings for our residents.

On a second note, I would like to share with the residents of Ward 2 and others that the “Extended Housing” (17 Apartments) that Rev. Mike Currier was proposing (behind McKinley Elementary), was put to rest after a meeting he held for the residents of Ward 1 and beyond at the McKinley Community Outreach Center @ 1200 Lost Nation Road, Willoughby (Tuesday evening January 31, 2023).

After the presentation of the proposed “idea” and a fair amount of discussion, the residents voiced their opinions. At the end of the meeting, Pastor Mike shared with all that his idea in this location “will not happen.” He thanked all for their attendance and the sharing of their opinions.

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/