MEETING NOTES APRIL 4, 2023
Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary
• April 4, 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:
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING:
Committee: Ken Kary, Dan Anderson, Dan Garry
*The purpose of the Environmental Planning Committee meeting is to review the following:
EAS #1-2-23{a) Rezoning of 7.72 acres of real property located at 38751 Hodgson Road and further identified as Permanent Parcel No. 2780520000040 from Airport District (A) to Residential One-Family (R- 60)
Issues shared with:
· Traffic concerns
· Storm-water concerns
· Wetlands
· Parking on Hodgson (Councilman Kary would do everything possible to not allow it)
Councilman Kary shared that the Environmental Planning Committee would respect Council’s vote on this legislation this evening.
AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
April 4, 2023
PUBLIC HEARING-7:10 p.m.
Rezoning Hodgson Road
Those Speaking in Favor-
Michael Ross, 4735 Wood Street, Willoughby - Mr. Ross stated that much thought has gone into the second application (for rezoning) from multi-family low rise to R-60 zoning. He feels it will have minimal impact on traffic and the environment in the Ward 2 area. It will add housing stock that is much needed in the City.
Joe Conti, 2760 Loreto Drive, Willoughby Hills - Mr. Conti stated there had been a lot of thought and effort into the development with several iterations they have gone through. He believes the development will add a lot to the community and is a great use of the property.
Those Speaking in Opposition-
Cheryl Skrout, 38710 Avenel Court, Willoughby - Ms. Skrout stated she is not in total opposition (to the rezoning); she would like to understand the development better. She stated the road didn't seem wide enough in that area. She stated it seemed very crowded with a lot of traffic. She asked how far back the homes would be located. She stated she is not totally against it nor totally for it.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES-
Regular Council Meeting of March 21, 2023
STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS
No major reports
CORRESPONDENCE
No correspondence
PUBLIC PORTION
No one spoke
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-45
Roll Call 2 yes
5 no (Tomaselli, Anderson, Kary Merhar, Sievers)
Motion defeated 2 to 5
A resolution approving EAS #1-2-23(a) for the rezoning of 7.72 acres of real property located at 38751 Hodgson Road and further identified as Permanent Parcel No. 27B052000040 from Airport District (A) to Residential One-Family 60 (R-60).
This EAS was discussed during the Environmental Planning Committee meeting.
ORDINANCE NO. 2023-46
Roll Call 2 yes
5 no (Tomaselli, Anderson, Kary Merhar, Sievers)
Motion defeated 2 to 5
An ordinance amending the Zone Map of the City of Willoughby, Ohio to reclassify 7.72 acres of certain real property located at 38751 Hodgson Road (Permanent Parcel No. 27B0520000040) from Airport District (A) to Residential One-Family 60 (R-60).
This ordinance was discussed earlier. Mr. Anderson asked what the conditional uses for the Airport District are. Mr. Lucas stated some of the uses include commercial, either permitted or conditional. Ms.Keller reminded Council that this property is on the golf course. Mr. Kary stated he had addressed putting a fence in with the developer; the developer stated the City could not force him to put a fence in. Mr. Kary indicated that the homeowners would not want the expense of putting up a fence and believes if the development is approved, there will be a battle over fencing. Mr. Kary referenced the Fairway Glen development and the issues due to homes being on the golf course. He stated other issues, such as parking on Hodgson, retention ponds, and storm-water issues.
Mr. Lucas stated that permitted uses for the Airport District under Codified Ordinance 1149.02 are airport uses; airport administration; passenger and freight terminals; aircraft sales; rental; repair; reconstruction; research and development; aircraft hangars; landing pads; aircraft fuel-handling facilities; aircraft handling; training and instruction and communications center and weather bureau. Airport-related uses include motels and hotels; restaurants and cocktail lounges; offices; business equipment and supplies; service establishments, including post offices and package delivery services; auto rental establishments and associated parking lots; and certain retail uses targeted to airport employees, pilots, and travelers, including, but not limited to, barber and beauty shops, gift, and tailor shops.
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-47 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Director of Finance to transfer funds from the General Fund to various other funds.
Resolution 2023-47 is for the Transfers part of our Budgeted Appropriations and Revenues. These include transfers to the Operating funds, Capital, Future Retirement, and Victim’s Assistance funds.
The legislation allows up to the dollar amounts listed, totaling $3,590,000.
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-48 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to accept the 2021 Fire Prevention & Safety Grant from the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, to assist the Willoughby Fire Department in purchasing a Digital Fire Extinguisher Training System.
Chief Ungar stated this grant was applied for at the tail end of the pandemic. Currently, the department has a propane-fired simulator that has limitations; this is a safer and cleaner alternative.
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-49 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution amending the meeting schedule of Council for the months of June, July, and August, 2023.
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-50 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Association of Firefighters, Local 2291, AFL-CIO (IAFF) necessary to amendArticles XIV, XV and XVII of the agreement between the IAFF and City of Willoughby effective April 1, 2022 through March 31, 2025.
Law Director Lucas stated that after a lot of discussions, it was agreed to provide some balance with the collective bargaining agreement for Local 2291 that had already been agreed to. The sections in the contract affected are the salary schedule, sick leave, and holiday, making it consistent with the unintended consequences of the police collective bargaining agreement matters that went through arbitration. This makes the provisions equal for both police and fire. Mr. Anderson asked if the Service Department (AFSME) contract is being considered. Mayor Fiala stated yes. Mayor Fiala stated one of the unintended consequences of the negotiations was an incentive for non-union supervisors to go back into the union to qualify for sick time buyout. Part of the MOU states a mandatory five-year interval before a supervisor can return to the union. This correction will take place for police and fire as well.
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-51 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Modified Partial Consent Decree with the United States of America and the State of Ohio relative to all pending environmental litigation between the City of Willoughby, Ohio, and the United States of America and the State of Ohio.
Mr. Lucas stated under the original partial consent decree that Judge Boyko journalized, the City wanted to buy the mitigation credits close to home, but that was limited to the Chagrin Valley watershed district. However, there were no credits available for purchase. That resulted in reconfiguring what was originally encompassed in the consent decree. He stated when the modified consent decree is presented, the monetary considerations of the consent decree will be the same ($1.2 million). Several agreements with other parties need to be completed in order to get the partial consent decree modified. Mayor Fiala stated the stipulations in the consent decree was that the City had to create wetlands within the Chagrin River watershed, but there were no credits. The regulatory agency suggested taking the money within the watershed but outside of the Chagrin River corridor. Over the course of 16 months, the City has negotiated with the Holden Arboretum, the North Chagrin Reservation, and others to find projects to fund with the consent decree money. The EPA has accepted those projects, and the last remaining piece is using $400,000 of that consent decree and applying it to the Andrews Osborne property. Any remaining funds will go to the Mentor Marsh. Council will be apprised of the total dollars for each project.
There was a discussion regarding the Riverside Commons property and its development, which is a separate matter. Mr. Lucas stated that as part of the partial consent decree, the City Engineer is doing some work on water flow issues for Riverside Commons.
NOTE:
For accuracy, this section has been copied from the council meeting minutes
MAYORS REPORT
Mayor Fiala thanked Judean Keller and her team for the fastest Easter egg hunt in history; it was a total of seven minutes.
DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
Service Director Palmisano - No report. Mr. Garry thanked Mr. Palmisano for the quick response to a recent power outage on Robinhood. Mr. Kary thanked Mr. Palmisano for filling the potholes on Tamarac so quickly.
City Engineer Lannon - No report. Regarding the field trip for Council to view storm sewer projects, Mr. Anderson said it had been put on hold for now.
Fire Chief Ungar - Chief Ungar thanked Council for the passage of Resolution No. 2023-48.
Police Chief Schultz - Chief Schultz reported on an incident that took place yesterday (April 3, 2023)involving an adult in crisis. He commended Dispatcher Brian Griffith for his outstanding work and stated the use of Flock cameras helped in locating the adult in crises.
Finance Director Hoffman - Ms. Hoffman thanked Council for the passage of Resolution No. 2023-47.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Mr. Kary - Mr. Kary thanked the Jet Center and the Lake County Executive Center for hosting his Ward 2 meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY
I want to take this opportunity to thank all of those who attended my Ward 2 Meeting @ the Lake County Executive Airport. We had great attendance and questions, and of course, my greatest supporter, Beth, had Coffee, Water, Cookies, and Flowers to enjoy!!! The information shared by the Mayor, Fire Chief Ungar, and Police Chief Schultz was very clear to all. The few questions that may have been unanswered were dealt with in my mailing a few days later.
As we move through Spring and into the summer months, I cannot help but get excited about the Concert Series to be held at Osborne Park and Point Park in DTW. We will use a Portable Stage at Osborne to provide a great “focal point” for the groups performing.
I also would like to share that I will be walking the WARD to ask for signatures on my petitions to place my name, once again, on the November Ballot. I am in my sixth year on Council and would like to continue that a bit longer. I would appreciate your vote in the Fall Election for Councilman of Ward 2.
I wish you all the best and hope to see you in person this summer at a City Concert, the Art Festival, Memorial Day Activities, the Outdoor Market, and Downtown Willoughby Events.
Best wishes
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/