MEETING NOTES JANUARY 2, 2024
Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary
• January 2, 2024 •
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:
No Committee Meetings
AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
January 2, 2023
ABSENT: Councilman, Mike Merhar
ORGANIZATIONAL BUSINESS to start the New Year
COUNCIL ELECTIONS
Elect Council President Robert Carr
Elect Council Vice-President John Tomaselli
Elect Planning Commission Member Ken Kary
Appoint Clerk of Council Alisa Novak
COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS (Board and Commission Members)
Volunteer Firefighters' Dependents Fund Board......................... Bob Carr, Dan Anderson
Volunteer Peace Officers Dependents Fund Board ...... John Tomaselli, Ken Kary
Income Tax Board of Review Paul Korst, Birkett Gibson
MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS (Confirmed by Council)
Board and Commission Members
Planning Commission............................................................. Steve Norris (Reappointment)
Zoning Board of Appeals...................................................... Mike Maniche (Reappointment)
Design Review Board............................................................... Paul Garcia (Reappointment)
..................................................................................................... Adam Brown (Reappointment)
Board of Building Code Appeals............................................... Jay Byram (Reappointment)
Sign Review Board...................................................................... Tara Ward (Reappointment)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES-
Regular Council Meeting of December 19, 2023
STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS
No Committee Reports
Council President Carr stated the committee assignments will be finalized prior to the next Council meeting. He asked Council to reach out to him regarding any requested committee changes.
CORRESPONDENCE
Clerk Novak read a request from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control for a transfer from Lost Nation SportsPark LLC, 38630 Jet Center Drive & Patio, Willoughby, Ohio, 44094 to Club Lounge LLC, dba The ClubLounge, 38630 Jet Center Drive & Patio, Willoughby, Ohio, 44094. There were no objections.
PUBLIC PORTION
No one spoke
OLD BUSINESS
ORDINANCE NO. 2023-146 - Tabled
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.
NEW BUSINESS:
ORDINANCE NO. 2024-1 Motion carried 6 to 0
An ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into an Environmental Covenant with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources on a portion of Permanent Parcel No. 27A0190000010, anddeclaring an emergency.
ORDINANCE NO. 2024-2 Motion carried 6 to 0
An ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into an Environmental Covenant with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources on a portion of Permanent Parcel No. 27A020C000160, and declaring an emergency.
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-3 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution approving Change Order No. 2-Final in the 2023 Concrete Pavement Slab Replacement Project with T.C. Construction Co., Inc. and declaring an emergency.
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-4 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution approving Change Order No. 1-Final in the 2023 Pavement Marking Project Contract with J.D. Striping & Services, Inc., and declaring an emergency.
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-5 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution approving Change Order No. 1 in the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) Contract for the Meadowlands Basin Outlet Improvements Project, and declaring an emergency.
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-6 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution requesting the Lake County Auditor to make advance payments of taxes to the City of Willoughby, Ohio, and declaring an emergency.
ADDENDUM
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-7 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution establishing a Special Revenue Fund titled, Safety Tax Levy Fund, Fund No. 2250, and declaring an emergency.
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-8 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Motorola Solutions, Inc. through Ohio State Term Schedule #573077-0, necessary to the purchase of Motorola Console Equipment and Services to be used for the Willoughby Police Department, and declaring an emergency.
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-9 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Motorola Solutions, Inc. through Ohio State Term Schedule #573077-0, necessary to the purchase of Motorola VESTA 911 Equipment and Services to be used for the Willoughby Police Department, and declaring an emergency.
NOTE:
For accuracy, this section has been copied from the council meeting minutes
MAYORS REPORT
No Report
DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
Service Director Palmisano – Mr. Palmisano reported that temporary shifts are in place for the snow plowing season.
Police Chief Schultz – Chief Schultz thanked Council for the passage of Resolution Nos. 2024-8 and 2024-9. He thanked Clerk Novak for her work on the Volunteer Peace Officers Volunteer Fund Board.Chief Schultz reported on an incident that took place in October, 2023. During the incident, Patrol Officer Stacey Wright, who has advanced medical training, was able to stabilize a wound suffered by a male. Ms. Wright will be receiving her second life saving award from the Lake County Chief’s Association. Officers Taylor Zana, Kyle Bucher, Kyle Dunphy and Sgt. Neath were also on scene that night and provided medical assistance. Dispatch personnel also provided information to the officers.
Parks & Recreation Director Keller – Ms. Keller reported that the Downtown Bar and Restaurant Association are having their Fire and Ice event on Saturday, January 13th, from 12:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
COUNCIL REPORTS
No major reports
ADJOURNMENT
COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY
Mayor Fiala put out a good Mayor’s Report for January 2024. I feel duplicating it here would be valuable in case some of you just don’t have the time to explore the cities website. Here it is in full.
Mayor Fiala wrote:
A top priority in 2024 is the restoration of the Osborne Park Shoreline. As part of a long-range master plan, we have identified a phase one project that will include stabilizing the failed slope and installing erosion control measures to prevent future erosion. This work will include creating a slope to the waterfront, allowing public access. It will also protect this area’s existing storm sewer and water line. We estimate this work to be about $3 million, excluding engineering fees, and we have about $1.8 million dedicated towards this project. The engineering documents for the phase one project have been submitted to the permitting authorities for review and approval.
We are also working on other improvements for our lakefront district, including creating new branding elements and other enhancements to help spur economic development in the area and providing economic incentives for investment along the Lakeshore corridor. We hope these improvements will provide the impetus to resurrect the area business owner’s association to help with planning more events along our lakefront.
Our Chagrin River Trail connection between Daniels Park and Todd Fields is moving forward, helped in large part by a federal grant from NOAA to acquire over one hundred acres from the Andrews Osborne Academy. We expect to have the final design and engineering documents completed within the next year, and we are hopeful that some construction can begin in 2024.
In our continued effort to curate the tenant mix in downtown Willoughby, we are adjusting our codes and ordinances to ensure the area is family-friendly with a focus on great shopping and entertainment experiences. We also hope to begin replacing outdated and non-functioning decorative lighting along Erie Street and elsewhere. Our goal is to maintain the reputation of our historic downtown as one of the most walkable areas in Lake County.
I also want to share with you that I am still doing all I can to talk to property owners, potential business owners, residents, and city and county officials to help develop the properties across the street from the airport in Ward 2. I know that residents do not want to see any more housing. Some would love to see the re-birth of the Penny Pincher Grocery Store. And some would like to see nothing go there. I hear and understand all positions. The concern I have, and it is difficult at times to digest, is that WE CANNOT STOP PROPERTY OWNERS FROM DEVELOPING THEIR LAND. If they follow the zoning and city ordinances, they can develop. To date, I have been successful in steering away homes and apartments. At this point, the properties are zoned General Business and Light Industry. The largest property owner is the Cleveland Clinic, which I believe is an asset. I have had at least two meetings with them and our city's Economic Development Director, and they do know what we would like to see and what we would like to avoid. They are in a holding pattern with the property, and I’m sure they are rethinking their plans. I do know that they do not want to keep the land. They do want to SELL. Just remember, if they do sell, someone will not buy it and let it sit. They will come to the city with plans to DEVELOP. That’s where I feel I have my greatest strength. As the City Council Rep on the Planning Commission, I will be involved with reviewing any development. My voice as a member of the Planning Commission and the Councilman for this Ward strengthens me in the negotiation process. Remember, I work for you, and I depend on your communications to help in the process.
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/