COUNCIL MEETING NOTES MAY 7, 2024
Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary
• May 7, 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:
NONE
AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
May 7, 2024
ABSENT: Councilman Anderson
APPROVAL OF MINUTES-
Regular Council Meeting of April 16, 2024
STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS
NO major reports
CORRESPONDENCE
Clerk Novak read a request from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control for a transfer from HB Soni, Inc. 3525 Lost Nation Road, Willoughby, Ohio to G & HR Gas LLC dba Harrys Beverage, 3525 Lost Nation Road, Willoughby, Ohio. There were no objections.
PUBLIC PORTION
No one spoke
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
ORDINANCE NO. 2023-146 – Tabled PERMANENTLY TABLED
An ordinance agreeing to change portions of the boundary of the City of Willoughby with theVillage of Waite Hill and superseding Ordinance No. 2023-6.
The Council of the City of Willoughby agrees to a boundary adjustment with the Village of Waite Hill. It requests the Board of Lake County Commissioners adjust the boundaries of the City of Willoughby and the Village of Waite Hill so that the land area will now be included in the City of Willoughby and excluded from the Village of Waite Hill.
Law Director Lucas stated there will be changes made to the boundary due to recent developments with this Ordinance and rather than keep it under discussion, he advised that Council permanently table it. Mr. Lucas stated a meeting should take place and a new Ordinance will be brought before Council with boundary modifications from this current piece of legislation.
ORDINANCE NO. 2024-52 - Second Reading
An ordinance declaring 100% of the improvements to certain parcels of real property to be apublic purpose, describing the public improvements to be made to benefit those parcels, requiring the owners of the improvements thereon to make service payments in lieu of taxes, establishing a Willoughby Union Realty, LLC Municipal Public Improvement Tax Increment Equivalent Fund for the deposit of such service payments and related matters, and declaring an emergency.
Council determines it would be in the City's best interests to enter into a tax increment financing agreement (the "TIF Agreement") with the Developer to provide for the Historic preservation and redevelopment of the former Willoughby Union High located within the Willoughby Historic District.
Mr. Carr stated there will be a public hearing for the third reading of this Ordinance at the next meeting where Council will vote. Mr. Lucas stated that Council should waive the three reading rule and it should be passed as an emergency.
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-57 MOTION CARRIED 6-0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor on behalf of the City of Willoughby to participate in the ODOT RoadSalt Contract awarded in 2024.
The City of Willoughby, hereby submits this written agreement to participate in the Ohio Department of Transportation's (ODOT) annual road salt bid by Ohio Revised Code 5513.01(B) and hereby agrees toall of the following terms and conditions in its participation of the ODOT road salt contract:
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-58 MOTION CARRIED 6-0
A resolution by the Willoughby City Council appointing City Council President Robert E. Carr to the Lake County 9-1-1 Program Review Committee pursuant to Section 128.06(A)(5) of the Ohio Revised Code.
Mayor Fiala stated the 911 committee is underway and may lead to the rules regarding how many PCAPs(personal safety answering points) will be permitted in Lake County in the future. A very narrow definition of the statute has been given to which a member of the legislative body needs to be approved by all members of five legislative bodies to sit on the committee. The Mayor is excluded because he is not legislative eventhough he is the Safety Director. He has asked Councilman Carr to sit on the committee. The Mayor has met with Kirtland, Willoughby Hills, Willowick requesting they pass legislation to appoint Bob Carr. He stated that all cities will receive committee updates.
NOTE:
For accuracy, this section has been copied from the council meeting minutes
MAYORS REPORT
No report. Mr. Tomaselli asked about the property for sale across from Wes Point Park (owned by former councilman Jeff Black). Mayor Fiala stated that Economic Development Director Thielman has been in touch with the real estate broker and there are a few people interested in the property. He suggested TomThielman come to a meeting and do an economic development update for Council.
DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
Service Director Palmisano – Mr. Palmisano reported that the first two columbariums have been delivered and installed at the Sharpe Avenue cemetery with the remaining four to be delivered tomorrow to Memorial Gardens. Sales for the columbariums will not start until June 3rd. It was noted there are 48 niches in eachcolumbarium. Regarding animal trapping, Ms. Sievers asked how much the trapping is after a residenthas used their two free trappings provided by the City. Mr. Palmisano stated the cost is $65 per animal.
Police Chief Schultz – No report. Mr. Carr asked if Council would be receiving an update on the new police station anytime soon. Chief Schultz stated they have been meeting with the architect every other week and alot of progress has been made. A Safety Committee meeting will be planned for June for an update with Bowen.
Parks & Recreation Director Keller – Ms. Keller stated she will be sending out some dates for Council todo a tour of Daniels Park with Kevin from Biohabitats. Early bird swim pass sales ended this past Sunday; 660 passes were sold compared to last year’s 697. The department is getting busy with summer approaching; two part time summer help employees started this past week. After school is out, three or four more will begin. Grass will be cut twice a week.
Finance Director Hoffman – No report. Capital expenses will be discussed at a Finance & Audit Committee meeting prior to the next Council meeting.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Ms. Sievers – Reported she is having a Ward 1 meeting on May 30th at 6:00 p.m. at Osborne Park lakeside pavilion.
ADJOURNMENT
COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY
MEETING OF INTEREST IN WARD 2
There will be a meeting May 22 of the Board of Zoning Appeals regarding the plans for new homes on Hodgson Road. There are concerns with the lot size that need to be addressed. Sublots 1 and 9 are 80ft wide and should be 100 ft. wide. Those interested in this development are invited to attend.
Current Employment Opportunities
·
Part-Time Communications Operator – Police Dept
Part-Time Firefighter
Communications Clerk Exam Scores
Patrol Officer Exam Scores (NTN)
Service Department Exam & Application Information
Applications
Online Application – SEASONAL positions
Yard Waste Collection Begins in April
Republic’s yard waste collection will begin on April 1st. It is picked up the same day as your regular trash collection.
Grass, leaves, and twigs can be placed in biodegradable paper bags or in open garbage cans (no lids). Yard waste will not be collected if in plastic bags.
Branches should be bundled and tied, no larger than 3” in diameter, and no longer than 4 feet.
Special Note
Several calls and emails have come to me recently asking if there has been any progress on installing some “TRAFFIC MITIGATION” plan on Lost Nation Road. We all know the problems with traffic and speeding. This is a two-mile stretch of road that, just by design, invites serious concerns. I want to share that I am still working diligently on plans to alleviate as many negatives as possible with TRAFFIC. I am exhausting all my resources and have the Administration's support on this goal. Mayor Fiala and I have had several conversations leading to increased activity. We are moving in the right direction between my city resources and my efforts. I am keeping a very optimistic outlook on a SOLUTION. Please keep your faith and confidence that I will continue working towards a solution. WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS!
FINAL COMMENTS:
I want to share with all that I am a member of the Willoughby Arts Collaborative.
The Willoughby Arts Collaborative (WAC) is a charitable non-profit corporation whose mission is to create and support a community rich in the arts. The arts include Dance, Drama, Performing, and Visual Arts. The Arts Collaborative's vision is to improve the lives and livelihoods of residents, visitors, and businesses in and around Lake County through a robust connection to and genuine investment in the arts and culture.
The Willoughby Arts Collaborative is holding its first Community Meeting this month. I, as a Board Member, would like to invite you to attend and join our efforts to promote the Arts in our great city and beyond.
WAC Community Meeting
Thursday, May 23, 7-8pm
Downtown Willoughby Public Library
All welcome!
The Willoughby Arts Collaborative is inviting you to a community meeting. We need YOUR input as this non-profit arts organization continues creating community programs. RSVP is requested but not required. Adults and children are welcome (kid-friendly arts activities will be offered), and refreshments will be provided. This is an excellent opportunity to make your voice heard and impact Willoughby's creative economy.
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