COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY AUGUST 13, 2024
Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary
• August 13, 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:
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING:
Committee: Ken Kary, Dan Anderson, Dan Garry
*The purpose of the Environmental Planning Committee meeting is to review
EAS #15-10-23(b) - Construction of a subdivision consisting of twelve (12) single family homes located on the north side of Hodgson Road (Williams Glen).
Mr. Kary stated two years ago Mr. Conti applied for the rezoning of the property on Hodgson Road from Airport to Residential Multi Family Low Rise. He wanted to build close to 40 duplexes and tri-plex units onthe property. This plan was met with opposition from the Planning Commission and after several attempts, Mr. Conti returned to the Planning Commission with a request to rezone the property to R60. This was also met with opposition from the Planning Commission due to the number of homes. A rezoning to R80 wasfinally settled on with 12 single family homes. Mr. Kary stated that the Planning Commission is happy with the development and noted that Mr. Conti has donated some of the parcel to the City and the golf course sincethe number of homes has been reduced dramatically.
Regarding stormwater, Mr. Kary stated Mr. Lannon did quite a bit of work regarding stormwater. He stated the sanitary sewer that’s in place is capable of handling the development. It was agreed that high wallplumbing with grinder pumps for the basement connections will be used. The development must have storm water return per code and there will be a storm water pond on site. Drainage must be mitigated withretention for all outlet directions so there are no increases in run off rates in any direction or to any individual outlet. A wetlands walk through is required (Mr. Conti indicated that has been scheduled). Mr.Kary stated the development will extend a new storm sewer line from the existing stub at Lost Nation Road to the project site; the new storm water sewer line will be buried, closed and covered. The plan shows the detention outlet to the golf course pond to the north. The two ponds north of the development have nonatural outlet and are pumped into the ditch on Hodgson Road; for this reason, that solution will not be usedfor storm water.
Mr. Kary stated this development will add to the existing traffic problem on Hodgson and Lost Nation Road. There is a need for traffic mitigation at the site; Mr. Conti has been working with the City’s Law Department to create a TIF in hopes of being approved so it can fund many needs in the area. A sidewalk will be installedon Hodgson Road the length of the current parcel running east to west. There were no concerns from the Fire Department in it’s design, however the Fire and Police Departments want to ensure the homes have turn around driveways so residents don’t have to back out onto Hodgson Road. There are no noise, water or air pollution concerns noted. No concerns for hazardous waste. There is minimal impact on the school system. Mr. Conti agreed to separate the development from the golf course by installing a fence. He also agreed he would include in the homeowners association documents that the golf course is not responsiblefor any damage to any of the homes. Mr. Conti stated the project would take about two years from start tofinish. Mr. Anderson asked Mr. Conti if he could let potential buyers know that there is an airport behind the development. Mr. Conti agreed he would do that. Ms. Sievers asked if there would be information given tothe residents who could potentially back out on Hodgson. Mr. Conti agreed to inform potential residents that the turnaround driveway is for their safety and convenience and that they should not be backing out onto Hodgson.
There were no other comments or concerns. Mr. Kary stated the committee is recommending to Council the passage of EAS #15-10-23(b).
The Environmental Planning Committee adjourned at 6:38 p.m.
AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
August 13, 2024
Board and Commission Members
Mayor Fiala has appointed Nichole Chapman to the Design Review Board. Mayor Fiala stated Ms. Chapman owns a historic building in downtown and is very active in the community; he feels she will bring a lot of knowledge to the board.
Motion made by Mr. Anderson and seconded by Mr. Merhar to confirm the appointment of Nichole Chapman to the Design Review Board.
Roll Call: 7 yes
0 no Motion carried 7 to 0
PUBLIC HEARING-7:10 p.m.
Zoning Text Amendments
Pursuant to Chapter 1115.03(f) of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Willoughby, Ohio notice ishereby given of a Public Hearing to be held by the Council on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at 7:10p.m. in the Municipal Building, One Public Square, Willoughby, Ohio.
Said hearing will be held on the following proposed text changes to the Planning and Zoning Code:
Amend Chapter 1131 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Willoughby, Ohio, titled, "One-Family Residential Districts", specifically Section 1131.10 titled "Accessory Buildings and Uses" amending the square footage of accessory buildings, the requirements for a fence, wall or hedge on a corner lot, and prohibiting "stockade" type fences.
Clerk Novak read the legal notice for the public hearing to be held tonight on proposed text amendments
Those Speaking in Favor – No one spoke.
Those Speaking in Opposition – No one spoke.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES-
Regular Council Meeting of July 9, 2024
STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS
No major reports
CORRESPONDENCE
Clerk Novak read a request from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control for a stock transfer for D & S Tavern Inc.,dba Lakeshore Lounge Patio & Deck, 38770 Lakeshore Blvd., Willoughby, Ohio 44094. There were no objections.
PUBLIC PORTION
No one spoke
NEW BUSINESS
ORDINANCE NO. 2024-83
Roll Call 6 yes
1 no (Tomaselli) Motion carried 6 to 1
An ordinance amending Chapter 1131 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Willoughby, Ohio, titled "One-Family Residential Districts"; specifically, Section 1131.10, titled, "AccessoryBuildings and Uses".
Mr. Carr stated there will be a public hearing tonight on the proposed text changes. He stated this legislationis being brought forward by the administration as a result of several joint committee meetings. Mr. Lucas stated that two of the proposed amendments are a direct product of the joint meetings that were held byCouncil, the Planning Commission, and the Zoning Board of Appeals. The Planning Commission did not recommend the amendments; the administration is asking Council to proceed forward notwithstanding the recommendation to deny it. It requires 2/3 of the voting members of Council to overturn the recommendation of the Planning Commission. Mr. Carr noted that the Zoning Board of Appeals has asked for these changes because a high percentage of their agenda is the same requests. They thought these changes would make iteasier for residents to get approval. Mr. Kary stated that when this request came before the Planning Commission there was a lot of confusion regarding the language and what was being covered; it was overwhelming for some members of the Planning Commission because they didn’t attend the joint meetings.Mr. Kary stated he is now supporting the Ordinance and that he needs to trust the judgement of the Zoning Board of Appeals. Mr. Tomaselli stated one of the issues is a fencing issue and one is a structure issue and asked if those two could have been separate pieces of legislation. Mr. Lucas stated yes, they should have been separated.
Councilman Anderson was excused from the meeting at this time (7:15 p.m.)
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-84 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract from Industrial Surface Sealer, Inc. inthe amount of $49,500 for the application of resurfacer to the Osborne Park Pickleball Courts, and declaring an emergency.
Mr. Carr stated a memo was sent out by Ms. Keller this afternoon. He stated that Council authorized $105,000a few years ago for converting tennis courts into six pickleball courts. During capital discussions this year, Ms.Keller asked to create eight pickleball courts and requested an additional $200,000 for primarily fencing.Council wasn’t thrilled about spending more money. Council has already approved $55,000 for the millingand asphalt work which is already completed. This resolution is for $50,000 for resurfacer. Ms. Keller stated the contractor will put down primer and two coats of color and the lines (this includes the nets as well). Mr.Carr stated the fencing will be $20,000 instead of $200,000 due to the hard work by Ms. Keller. Ms. Kellerstated benches and garbage cans are still needed.
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-85 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution approving the editing and inclusion of certain ordinances as parts of the variouscomponent codes of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Willoughby, Ohio, and declaring an emergency.
Mr. Lucas stated this resolution deals with the updates for traffic code and general offenses which reflect the activity of the Ohio General Assembly. This process is done annually
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-86 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with Cole Burton Contractors, LLC in the amount of $987,000 for implementation of the 2024 Pavement Repair Program, and declaringan emergency.
Mr. Lannon stated there were six bidders which helped with the competition. Cole Burton was the contractor last year.
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-87 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with J.D. Striping & Services, Inc. in the amount of $114,498 for the 2024 Highway Pavement Marking Project, and declaring an emergency.
Mr. Lannon stated this is the third or fourth year in a row that J.D. Striping was awarded the bid; there werethree bidders total. A center line will be added to Atkins; it hasn’t been there in years. Mr. Palmisano stated the Service Department will be painting the interior stop bars and anything on the interior roads.
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-88 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to apply for and enter into a contract with the Ohio PublicWorks Commission (OPWC) Round 39, for funds necessary to the SR- 84 Slope StabilizationProject, and declaring an emergency.
This resolution deals with the slope failure near Shankland. This project will most likely eat up most of the road program funds. Mr. Lannon stated the preapplication process is complete and the City is in great shapefor funding next July 1, 2025 for the $600,000. He stated the streets that are being paved this year will be paved again in 40 years. It’s unfortunate to divert the money to a non-paving project but it’s necessary.
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-89 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution declaring it necessary to improve the streets and public thoroughfares of the City ofWilloughby, Ohio, within the termini designated herein, by supplying said streets and public thoroughfares with street lighting, and declaring an emergency.
This resolution is passed every three years.
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-90 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution amending Resolution No. 2024-39 to provide for current expenses and other expenditures of the City of Willoughby, Ohio, during the period ending December 30, 2024, anddeclaring an emergency.
A memo was sent out by Finance Director Hoffman on this resolution. Ms. Hoffman stated Laketran’s portion increased (for the SOM Center Sidewalks) and the revenue side will be increased the same amount; this willbe a wash. Regarding the RIDs, money has been received and the expenditures will be put in to do sidewalk work. Mr. Carr stated all the sidewalk work will be completed on SOM Center; a phase II will not be needed because there is RID money. Notification has been sent to the commercial properties giving them six months to comply with the installation of sidewalks.
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-91 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution approving EAS #15-10-23(b) for the construction of a subdivision consisting oftwelve (12) single family homes located on the north side of Hodgson Road (Williams Glen).
This EAS was discussed earlier this evening.
NOTE:
For accuracy, this section has been copied from the council meeting minutes
MAYORS REPORT
Mayor Fiala thanked Council for reconsidering the text amendments to Chapter 1131. Mr. Carr asked what the current status is concerning the 911 (PSAP) systems in Lake County. Mayor Fiala stated that Eastlake and Kirtland need to pass resolutions; once that is done the meetings will commence.
DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
Service Director Palmisano – Mr. Palmisano stated Dispatch, the Police and Fire Departments and theService Department did an incredible job last Tuesday responding to the storm. He stated the majority of the hazards were stabilized that evening. He stated the in- house paving projects have been put on hold due to storm clean up. Mayor Fiala stated he received a call from Mayor Vanni of Willowick who stated our Fire Department responded to fires in their community while responding to the rain event in our City; he complimented Chief Ungar.
Assistant Police Chief Tartaglia – Chief Tartaglia thanked the Service Department and Fire Department for their assistance the night of the storm last Tuesday.
Parks & Recreation Director Keller – Ms. Keller thanked Council for the passage of Resolution No. 2024-84. The second master plan meeting for the Euclid Avenue pool was held; two different ideas were discussed. One plan includes the current Police Station property and one did not. Three residents are onthe committee and she feels they are in favor of selling the property. Demolition pricing as well as pricing forfixing the pool is being done. The next meeting is Monday, October 19th. She stated she was hoping tocome to Council in October to present ideas.
Finance Director Hoffman – Ms. Hoffman thanked Council for the passage of Resolution Nos. 2024-81 and 2024-9
COUNCIL REPORTS
Ms. Sievers – Ms. Sievers stated the final concert is tomorrow night as Osborne Park at 6:30
p.m. She gave kudos to Ms. Keller for the work on the pickleball courts.
Mr. Carr – Mr. Carr reminded everyone there will be one meeting in September on September 10th.
ADJOURNMENT
COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY
I have no comments on this mailing. I know, I know, how can that be? HE ALWAYS HAS COMMENTS!!!
Just one brief announcement: I plan on holding a Late Fall Ward 2 meeting this year. It will most likely be at Lost Nation Golf Course. I will do my best to get as many Directors as possible to attend based on when they're free.
I will also keep you posted on the Auction that will take place SOON to sell the properties on Lost Nation Road!!!!!
Take care.
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