COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY JANUARY 7, 2025
Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary
• January 7, 2025 •
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
Committee Meetings:
NO COMMITTEE MEETINGS
AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
January 7, 2025
COUNCIL Elect Council President Robert Carr
Elect Council Vice-President John Tomaselli
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
MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS (Confirmed by Council)
Board and Commission Members
Planning Commission......................................................... Jim Cook (Reappointment)
Zoning Board of Appeals................................................... Phil Davis (Reappointment)
Design Review Board. Amy Bell
................................................................................. Nichole Chapman (Reappointment)
............................................................................ John Perkovich (Reappointment)
Board of Building Code Appeals............................. Kevin Mccrone (Reappointment)
Sign Review Board ............................................Josephine Begin
............................................................................................ Will Palmer (Reappointment)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES-
Regular Council Meeting of December 17, 2025
STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS
No major reports
CORRESPONDENCE
No correspondence
PUBLIC PORTION
No one spoke
NEW BUSINESS:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-1 Motion carried 5-0
A resolution requesting the Lake County Auditor to make advance payments of taxes to the City ofWilloughby, Ohio, and declaring an emergency.
Ms. Hoffman stated this resolution is passed at the beginning of the year so the City can receive advance tax payments.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-2 Motion carried 5-0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding between the cities of Willoughby, Wickliffe, and Willowick, and declaring an emergency.
Mayor Fiala stated that Wicliffe is spearheading the paving project on Euclid Avenue from Wickliffe through Willowick and through Willoughby up to Rt. 91. The work is scheduled for early 2026 but it hasn’t gone out tobid yet. The City will be responsible for 20% of the costs for paving in Willoughby.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-3 Motion carried 5-0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Motorola Solutions, Inc. through theState of Ohio Cooperative Purchasing Program in the amount of
$257,114.89 for the purchase of Motorola Radios necessary to the operation of the Willoughby Police Department, and declaring an emergency.
Chief Schultz stated his department was informed two years ago that Motorola would be phasing out the current radios and found out a year later that Motorola would not be servicing them. He stated that the department worked with other agencies to reduce the costs of the radios to a little more than $3,500 along with other car software upgrades. This price is 3.5% below the current state bid price. The current radios areabout 12 years old and the funding will come from safety levy funds.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-4 Motion carried 5-0
A resolution to approve a Then and Now Certificate and to authorize the Finance Director to draw a warrant for the invoices associated with such certificate for payment of fuel expenses, and declaring an emergency.
Ms. Hoffman stated the City received invoices for a large amount of fuel expenses that didn’t come in in time to issue a purchase order before the end of the year. The auditor doesn’t allow the City to issue payment on invoices over $500 without a purchase order. Passage of this resolution will allow payment on a current year purchase order. Service Director Palmisano stated that there was a miscommunication with the servicegarage on the invoices and steps have been made so this doesn’t happen again.
NOTE:
For accuracy, this section has been copied from the council meeting minutes
MAYORS REPORT
Mayor Fiala thanked Council for confirming his appointments for the Boards and Commissions. He stated thebid results for the new Police Station are due prior to the next Council meeting and he will have a list of all the fundings sources and expenses to date for the Osborne Park project, the Chagrin River Trail Connection Project and the new Police Station by the next Council meeting.
DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
Service Director Palmisano – No report. Mr. Anderson asked if the Service Department was able to complete the leaf pick up. Mr. Palmisano stated the majority of the leaf pick up and storm clean-up iscomplete. If the snow melts, the crews will be back out again. Mr. Tomaselli mentioned that a lot of light bulbs were out on the Christmas decorations in Wes Point Park. Mr. Palmisano stated crews started to work on replacing bulbs yesterday. Mr. Garry asked when the sidewalk would be replaced from Ridge Acres to Lowe’s. Mr. Palmisano stated the work will be done as soon as the weather breaks.
City Engineer Lannon – Mr. Lannon stated he’ll have more information about the schedule for the RiverStreet watermain replacement prior to the next Council meeting. Regarding street closures, Mr. Lannon stated there will be closures during the slope stabilization work but that won’t start until after the watermain iscomplete. Traffic will be maintained during the watermain work but with some delays.
Fire Chief Ungar – Chief Ungar stated his department surpassed 6,200 calls this past year and it will be outlined in the annual report.
Police Chief Schultz – Chief Schultz thanked Council for the passage of Resolution No. 2025-3-
He stated this past weekend the department held an event at the YMCA called Sports with the Force which was an event created by Community Involvement Officer Ross Shirey. He stated the event includeddodgeball, wiffleball, basketball and football and was a huge success. The next Sports with the Force will beheld on February 2nd and the first weekend of March and April as well. The event is free but registration isrequired. Coffee with Cops at Fiona’s this past Saturday was also a success.
Chief Building and Zoning Inspector Keller – No report.
Parks & Recreation Director Keller – Absent.
Finance Director Hoffman – Ms. Hoffman thanked Council for the passage of Resolution Nos. 2025-1 and 2025-4. Mr. Garry asked when the golf course debt will be paid off. Ms. Hoffman stated the first debt is paid off and she wasn’t exactly sure when the second debt will be paid off but she would let him know.
COUNCIL REPORTS
No major reports
ADJOURNMENT
COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY
This would be an appropriate time to share some of my goals for 2025.
· First and foremost, I will continue to address any email or phone call within the same day it appears. I have done this since being elected, and it is one of my strengths that I hear back from my constituents.
· Next, I will do everything I can to ensure that Osborne Park's redevelopment becomes the asset our city deserves. I took on this position and will work feverishly to see it through.
· Next, I have promised you that I will do all I can as your Councilman and longtime member of the Planning Commission to ensure that whatever happens on the properties (now that they are sold) on Lost Nation Road, across from the Airport, is in the best interest of Ward 2 and its residents.
· I will continue my efforts to ensure the development of Lake County Executive Airport is in line with Ward 2 and those who live nearby. This is an asset to Willoughby and Ward 2, but we must also be cognizant of its impact on the many homes in the area.
· I assure you that you have the BEST Police and Fire Protection possible. That is the case now, and I will do all I can to support these services for Ward 2 and Willoughby.
· I will continue communicating and putting efforts in place to offset the traffic issues with the northernmost 2 miles of Lost Nation Road. We do not need to elaborate on the problems; we need to continue with what has been started to eradicate them.
· I promise to continue my efforts to bring to the North End activities and events that seem “to fit.” I helped start the Concerts @ Osborne Park, and now we need to continue them and look at even MORE!
· We must take care of and help maintain the Osborne Park Pool and amenities. We have done much over the past few years at this site, and we need to continue.
· I want to use my role on the Planning Commission to provide me the opportunity to have a voice in all development in our great city. I have been doing this for quite some time now and want to continue as long as I feel I can “make a difference.”
· Finally, I would like to share that this year, 2025, my current term will end. I would like to, with YOUR SUPPORT, serve one final term. That term would start on January 1, 2026. I need this one more term to see many of the above goals become a reality. With YOUR help, I believe we can do all of this “together.” If you see me walking the Ward this Spring/Summer asking for signatures on my petition to run for Ward 2 Council, I would appreciate the support.
Thank you, and TAKE CARE
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