MEETING NOTES SEPTEMBER 5, 2023
Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary
• September 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: Councilman Carr, Councilman Kary
FIRE DEPARTMENT SWEARING IN AND AWARDS
Mayor Fiala swore in Battalion Chief Gamiere, Lieutenant McLaughlin, Firefighters Meaney, Ragazzo,Steigerwald and Watral. Fire Chief Ungar presented the 2021 Firefighter of the Year award to Nick Bernakis.
ORGANIZATIONL BUSINESS - COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS
Motion made and seconded to confirm Jerry Ranally to the Civil Service Commission.
ROLL CALL: 5 yes
0 no Motion carried 5 to 0
Motion made and seconded to confirm Jeannie Fleming-Gifford, Jessica Barbarich, Patrick McLaughlin, Maryann Messina and Wade Mitchell to the Public Art Committee.
ROLL CALL: 5 yes
0 no Motion carried 5 to 0
Committee Meetings:
PARKS & RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING:
Committee: Kristie Sievers, Dan Garry, John Tomaselli
*The purpose of the Economic Development Committee meeting is to give an update on the Re Imagined Osborne Park Project.
MORE ON THIS IN A LATER POST AND MAILING
AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
September 5, 2023
APPROVAL OF MINUTES-
Regular Council Meeting of August 8, 2023
STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS
No major reports
CORRESPONDENCE
Clerk Novak read a request from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control for a new license (D5I) for First WatchRestaurants, Inc., 36001 Euclid Avenue, Unit 1, Willoughby, Ohio, 44094. There were no objections.
PUBLIC PORTION
Jennifer Izzy Horvath, 38444 North Beachview Road, Willoughby – Ms. Horvath stated she was advocating on behalf of her neighborhood regarding a persistent issue that has been compromising the air quality, health and safety and overall quality of life over the past year. She stated her Lakeshore neighborhood has seen a dramatic uptick in open burning over the last year with residents lighting large backyard fires that spew excessive smoke and debris. Ms. Horvath stated this prevents her from walking outside and the smoke also enters her home and pollutes the air inside. She stated this causes significant breathing issues for herself and her husband Brian. She believes the size and frequency of the fires are not reasonable, especially given the small yard spaces in her neighborhood. She has reported the fires many times to the Willoughby Police and Fire Departments, who have been helpful and responsive but have not done anything about them due to Willoughby’s lack of open burning regulations, unlike neighboring communities like Mentor, Euclid, Willoughby Hills and Lakewood who all enforce open burning statutes to protect their residents. Willoughby’s silence on the subject defaults the matter to Ohio state law, which is much more permissive and not designed for communities where houses are only a few feet away from each other. In other communities such as Mentor and Euclid, recreational fires cannot be lit within 25’ of any structure and cannot exceed 2’ in height. She is asking Council to protect her quality of life. Mayor Fiala stated the subject of open burning will be discussed in a few weeks during a joint meeting between Council and Boards and Commissions.
Brian Horvath, 38444 North Beachview Road, Willoughby – Mr. Horvath thanked Chief Ungar for speaking to him about the fires. He stated he is not trying to clamp down on people making smores in their backyard or get into a large environmental argument. He stated he is trying to get to a point of reasonableness with the neighbors who have large round fire pits that are burning day after day. He suggested some permitting system.
Bronco Zigman, 3593 Heritage Court, Willoughby – Mr. Zigman stated there are training planes coming out of Lost Nation Road airport (Lake County Executive Airport) that are constantly doing the same pattern day after day, hour after hour. He stated he counted 123 times in one day that a plane went over his property. He stated the plane flies low; approximately two tree lengths high. He stated he can hear the plane noise over the sound of his lawn mower. He would like some sort of resolution to the problem. Mr. Zigman stated he called to talk to the airport manager, but she has not returned his calls.
ORGANIZATIONAL BUSINESS:
Board and Commission Appointments Members Approved
Civil Service Commission - Jerome Ranally
Public Art Committee - Jeannie Fleming-Gifford, Jessica Barbarich, Patrick Mclaughlin, Maryann Messina and Wade Mitchell
NEW BUSINESS:
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-104 Motion carried 5 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Director of Parks and Recreation to prepare specifications and to advertise for bids for the conversion of three (3) tennis courts to six (6) pickleball courts at Osborne Park, and declaring an emergency.
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-105 Motion carried 5 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Director of Parks and Recreation to prepare specifications and to advertise for bids for the leasing of new golf carts at the Willoughby Lost National Municipal Golf Course.
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-106 Motion carried 5 to 0
A resolution authorizing an expenditure of $183,000 for the purchase and subscription of Flock Safety Equipment from Flock Group, Inc. for a five (5) year term for use by the WilloughbyPolice Department.
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-107 Motion carried 5 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to accept the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Grant through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), to implement the Chagrin River Floodplain Restoration and Trail Project.
ORDINANCE NO. 2023-108 Motion carried 5 to 0
An ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Grant of Conservation Easement and Covenant for Stewardship Fees to Western Reserve Land Conservancy on approximately 105.1486 acres of real property located on Permanent Parcel No. 27A0310000270 and Permanent Parcel No. 27A0310000010.
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-109 Motion carried 5 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to negotiate and enter into an agreement with Comresource, Inc. to provide telephone service for 36 months for all City Departments.
ORDINANCE NO. 2023-110 Motion carried 5 to 0
An ordinance certifying to the Auditor of Lake County certain unpaid bills owing to the City of Willoughby, Ohio.
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-111 Motion carried 5 to 0
A resolution approving Change Order No. 1 in the 2023 Pavement Repair Program with Cole Burton Contractors, LLC.
ORDINANCE NO. 2023-112 Motion carried 5 to 0
An ordinance authorizing the sale of real property located at 38393 Beachview Road, consisting of a 0.1825 acre lot identified as Permanent Parcel No. 278056F000670, without public bidding, for the sum of One Hundred Fifty-Four Thousand Dollars ($154,000.
NOTE:
For accuracy, this section has been copied from the council meeting minutes
MAYORS REPORT
Mayor Fiala stated he would like to invite the Willoughby Stingers swim team to the next Council meeting to acknowledge their victory in the Suburban Swim League this year.
DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
Service Director Palmisano – Mr. Palmisano stated there were two recent storms. The Sewer Department has resolved most of the flooding issues. The Service Department started working 10-hour days the Friday after the storms; they will be working through the end of this week doing cleanup. Mr. Tomasell complimented the Service Department on their clean-up efforts.
City Engineer Lannon – No report. Mr. Garry asked how long it will take to tear down the dam. Mr. Lannon said it will take about a month. Ms. Banker the dam is about 75% complete with removal. The contractor needs to be out of the dam area by September 15th; the permit was supposed to be issued in July but that didn’t happen. Rocks were being hauled away today.
Fire Chief Ungar – Chief Ungar thanked the Mayor and Council for allowing the swearing-in tonight.
Police Chief Schultz – Chief Schultz thanked Council for the passage of Resolution 2023-106. He stated the project was started back in 2020 and he acknowledged Assistant Chief Tartaglia who worked hard and negotiated this past deal for the Flock cameras. The Flock cameras have added safety and security to the City and he is glad to see the program grow throughout the county.
Building Inspector Puskas – No report. Mr. Tomaselli asked if the City has any say if a tree has landed on a home and it needs to get back up to code. Mr. Puskas stated its on a case-by-case basis and insurance companies are involved in that.
Parks & Recreation Director Keller – No report. Mr. Tomaselli asked if the City can put out signs when a concert is canceled at Wes Point Park.
Finance Director Hoffman – Ms. Hoffman thanked Council for the passage of Resolution No. 2023-109 and Ordinance No. 2023-110.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Ms. Sievers – Ms. Sievers thanked Chief Schultz for the portable speed trailer set up in her ward; she believes it has made a difference.
Mr. Merhar – Mr. Merhar thanked the Service Department for their efforts with the storm clean up
Mr. Anderson – Mr. Anderson also thanked the Service Department for the city-wide clean up.
ADJOURNMENT
COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY
I apologize for my attendance in the past few meetings. I had a bit of a struggle health-wise, and I am NOW getting back to my normal activities.
Heart Attack was a bit disturbing, but because of the FANTASTIC WORK OF OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, I was at the hospital, under doctor’s care, in minutes. Their “on-site” efforts had a great effect on the outcome.
The results from that medical visit were GREAT. I had a great team of doctors and caregivers. CRAZY, but I was home the next day!!!
I’m making a few adjustments in my life now, but everyone medically agrees my staying active is an asset."
I want to say THANK YOU to all those who wrote and called. Your support for my work as your Councilman is greatly appreciated.
NOTE
Just for the record, the City Council Meeting coming up on September 19th will feature the “2023 TRAFFIC STUDY on LOST NATION ROAD.” I know everyone is concerned with the Traffic and Speed of vehicles on Lost Nation. Let’s hope that THIS PERSONAL GOAL OF MINE since I started on Council will bring to light and reality some solutions!!!!
If you are interested, take the time to attend this meeting on Tuesday!!! I believe the Traffic Study will be discussed before the City Council Meeting at 6:00 pm.
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/