MEETING NOTES MARCH 21, 2023
Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary
• March 21, 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:
FINCANCE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETING:
Committee: John Tomaselli, Dan Garry, Ken Kary
The purpose of the Finance & Audit Committee Meeting is to discuss the 2023 Budget.
AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
March 21, 2023
ABSENT: COUNCILMAN KARY visiting family in New Jersey
APPROVAL OF MINUTES-
Regular Council Meeting of March 7, 2023
STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS
Committee of Full, Mr. Carr - Regarding the summer Council schedule, Mr. Carr stated the normal cadence has been to schedule the meetings for the second Tuesday of the month, which is June 13th, July 11th, and August 8th. He noted he is out of town on July 11th and the tax budget needs to be approved by July 15th.
CORRESPONDENCE
Clerk Novak read a request from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control for a new D51 permit for Bholupir Two, Inc. dba Sunoco, 36944 Vine Street, Willoughby, Ohio 44094. A memo was sent out by Chief Building and Zoning Inspector Keller stating the location didn't meet the seating capacity. Mr. Keller stated it is undersized and doesn't meet the regulations. The City can either request a hearing or return with no concerns (a hearing will be requested).
PUBLIC PORTION
No one spoke
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-39 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution authorizing an expenditure in an amount not to exceed $181,000 for the purchase of one (1) Western Star 49X Trailer Hauling Conventional Day Cab Semi-Truck from Valley Freightliner, Inc. through the State of Ohio Cooperative Purchasing Program for use by the Willoughby-Eastlake Water Pollution Control Center.
A memo was sent out by Service Director Palmisano explaining this purchase is coming out of the WPCC replacement fund, which is a 50/50 split with Eastlake. Mr. Palmisano stated passage of this resolution allows the City to place a bid on the truck, and the order will be placed in July or August, with delivery a year later. The current truck is an over-the-road truck and keeps getting stuck in the landfill and will be sold when the new truck arrives.
ORDINANCE NO. 2023-40 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".
Law Director Lucas explained that the pounds for excess suspended solids per day were listed incorrectly on the first ordinance as $.044 per day instead of $0.44 per day. This change affects neighboring communities such as Willowick, which is how Assistant Law Director Landgraf caught the error.
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-41
Roll Call 5 yes
1 no (Sievers) Motion carried 5 to 1
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a First Amendment between the City of Willoughby and SBA Towers IV, LLC.
Mr. Lucas stated this lease has been ongoing since 2007, with multiple parties changing the entity. The City was approached over a year ago by the current lessee, wanting to add additional space on the tower itself and expand the ground area by 680 sq. ft. Ms. Keller had no issues, and it was sent over to the City Engineer for any possible impact. The ground area will be expanded by 680 sq. ft. for a total of 3,200 sq. ft. The City will receive an additional $400 a month to permit the expansion of the tower. The lease has countless escalation periods of time, and with each escalation, that $400 is increased in conjunction with the original base amount. Mayor Fiala stated two to three parking spaces would be lost. Ms.Sievers expressed concern about the lost parking spaces because, in the summer with baseball, there isn't enough parking space currently. Parking across the street would force small children to cross a busy street. There was a discussion regarding the regulation of powers within the City. Mr. Tomaselli asked what the restrictions were. Mr. Lucas stated the tower as it's currently constituted is locked in under the original lease from 2007; they can't change the height or put an ancillary tower next to it. It is limited to the tower that is in place, but more devices can be added to the tower. Mr. Tomaselli inquired about the tower on Pelton Road. Mr. Keller said that area is in a flood plain and is a good use of that property. Mr. Anderson inquired about the cost of a crosswalk on Riverside with flashing signs and a crosswalk. Mr. Palmisano stated the cost would be approximately $10,000.
ORDINANCE NO. 2023-42 Motion carried 6 to 0
An ordinance providing for the Manning Levels and Compensation of Elected and Appointed Officials and Salaried and Non-Union Employees of the City of Willoughby, Ohio; repealing any and all other ordinances or parts thereof which may be inconsistent herewith or which may be redundant hereto.
Memos were sent out from Ms. Hoffman and Ms. Keller regarding this legislation. Ms. Hoffman stated the manning table contains a 3% increase for non-union employees, and there are changes in the aquatics pay. Ms. Keller reached out to other cities that had higher ranges, and she feels that a higher range it will allow the City to hire experienced lifeguards. In the Building Department, there was a decrease in a full-time position and the addition of a part-time position. Equity pay adjustments are also included. The range for lifeguards is between $12.00 and $14.00, eliminating the previous pay steps.
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-43 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution approving an agreement between the Willoughby Part-Time Firefighter Association and the City of Willoughby, Ohio.
Resolution 2023-43 is for the part-time fire contract. Agreed-upon items include wage increases of 4%, 3%, and 2.5% over years 2022,2023 and 2024, removal of the probationary rate, premium pay for civic activity duty hours, the addition of $2.00/hr for paramedics and an additional $0.75/hr at the completion of 10 and 15 years of service.
This is the final union contract to be settled.
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-44 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution to make appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures of the City of Willoughby, Ohio, during the period ending December 31, 2023.
Resolution 2023-44 is for 2023 Appropriations.
NOTE:
For accuracy, this section has been copied from the council meeting minutes
MAYORS REPORT
Mayor Fiala stated the City received a $1.5 million grant from the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) for the Vine Street Corridor that the City never applied for. The grant is an 80/20 match, and there will be a meeting next week to determine how the money can be used. It will be a challenge in how the money is distributed between the municipalities.
Regarding the safety levy, Mayor Fiala stated the campaign committee is up and running, and they are functioning on their own. There have been three ward meetings and two more in the next few weeks. Palm cards regarding the levy have been made and can be distributed by the City because they only contain the facts. The campaign committee is comprised of Jerry Ranally, Wade Mitchell, Seamus, and McPat Coyne; Mayor Fiala will request a weekly report from the committee. Mr. Carr stated that the committee meets every Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. via Zoom or at TOA if anyone wants to attend. Contributions are being accepted by the campaign committee, and yard signs will be available soon. Information on the levy can be found on the City website and there is a levy campaign website (www.willoughbycitizensforsafety) as well as a Facebook page.
DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
Service Director Palmisano - Mr. Palmisano thanked Council for the passage of Resolution No. 2023-39. Mr.Anderson asked when Euclid Avenue beginning downtown, will be paved. Mr. Palmisano stated it is scheduled for 2025. There are valve replacements taking place on Euclid Avenue, and with the asphalt plant opening soon on April 15th, those will be addressed. Mr. Palmisano said the third shift for snow plowing would end this week.
Building Inspector Keller - No report. Mr. Keller introduced Building Inspector Larry Puskas. Mr. Puskas stated he has been with the City for seven years and has 23 years of the overall experience. He said he feels privileged to step into the position of Chief Building and Zoning Inspector and said the department has a great staff, and works together well as a team. Mr. Puskas will begin his new position at the beginning of April.
COUNCIL REPORTS
No significant reports
*****
Executive Session - The purpose of the Executive Session is in accordance with ORC 121.22(G)3 to discuss imminent litigation.
Motion made and seconded to go into Executive Session in accordance with ORC 121.22(G)3 to discuss imminent litigation at 7:36 p.m.
Roll Call 6 yes
0 no Motion carried 6 to 0
ADJOURNMENT
COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY
A strong Thank YOU goes out to those who were able to attend my Ward 2 Meeting on March 29th at the Lake County Executive Airport (Lost Nation Airport).
Attendance was GREAT
There were outstanding questions posed
The Meeting was a success.
Just a reminder.
I will be taking the questions written down by the attendees of that Ward Meeting and answering them in a mass email to those currently on my e-mail list (I have about 500 email addresses).
IF
IF
If you are not on my email list getting Council Meeting Summaries and more, please write to me, and I will add your name and e-mail to my mailing list.
Thank you all,
Sincerely,
Ken
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/