COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY JANUARY 21, 2025
Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary
• January 21, 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/
Committee Meetings:
NO COMMITTEE MEETINGS
AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
January 21, 2025
ORGANIZATIONAL BUSINESS
Board and Commission Members
Mayor Fiala reappointed Greg Schmidt to the Civil Service Commission.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES-
Regular Council Meeting of January 7, 2025
STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORT
Safety Committee, Mr. Tomaselli – Mr. Tomaselli stated an e-mail was sent out by the Mayor regarding the bids for the new Police Station. He asked the Mayor to elaborate further on the bids. Mayor Fiala stated that 12 bids were received last week; of the 12 bidders 4 were below the base bid estimate. The low bidder was Infinity Construction and he stated he has worked with Infinity Construction in the past and feels they are a solid contractor. He stated that the building of the firing range is included in the base bid and Alternate #1 is the build out of the range. Alternate #2 is for the deletion of lockers; if deleted the City would have to buy the equipment and install it. He stated it doesn’t seem feasible to accept that alternate. Allowance #1 would provide labor only from the contractor for equipment that is purchased or provided by the City. If everything was accepted the contract would be $12,811,000. The administration is recommending not including the alternate bid for the firing range build out; this would lower the bid award to $11,560,000. The Mayor stated the City has investment income from the sale of bonds to cover the $1,251,000 for the firing range build out.He stated that the City needs time to evaluate how the equipment for the firing range can be purchased; thecontractor is willing to hold the pricing of that bid Alternate #1 for 90 days. The Mayor is recommending awarding the base bid only. The owner contingency is $1,075,398 and can be used for items that were unforeseen in the bid package. The existing range at the current Police Station can be used until that buildingis sold. Mr. Carr asked if the City could potentially bid out the firing range separately later. The Mayor statedthe City could do that but he would like time to investigate the difference in the bid numbers for that alternate.
CORRESPONDENCE
No correspondence
PUBLIC PORTION
No one spoke
NEW BUSINESS
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-5 Motion carried 7 to 0
An ordinance approving the adjustment of the boundary lines separating the Village of Waite Hilland the City of Willoughby by mutual consent and directing the processing of the boundary adjustment.
2025--5 is the adjustment of the boundary with Waite Hill at the 2 locations where the Waite Hill boundary extends north of the I-90. At these locations, the boundary is being adjusted to align with the south side of the I-90 Right-of-Way. This was initiated by the village to simplify emergency response. This process was started over a year ago but stalled out due to some complications.
Mr. Lannon sent out an e-mail stating the issues with the boundary have been resolved and the boundary isbeing changed primarily due to safety. Mr. Lucas stated that the area is a very small and during emergenciesWilloughby would frequently respond faster than Waite Hill. The boundary line will be shifted to the south of Route 90 so Willoughby will respond to incidents on Route 90. Mr. Carr asked about the parcel near the riverthat was in the name of Willoughby Village. Mr. Lannon stated that missing records were found from the 1950’s and the mystery was solved. He stated that the annexation was done in pieces for some reason.
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-6 Motion carried 7 to 0
An ordinance accepting the re-subdivision plat of Shepherd's Glen Townhomes and declaring an emergency.
2025- 6 approves a replat of the Shepherds Glen development. This adjusts internal property lines due to changes in building dimensions from the original development plan.
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-7 Motion carried 7 to 0
An ordinance amending Chapter 913 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Willoughby, Ohio,titled "Sanitary Sewerage System Charges"; specifically, Section 913.03, titled, "Charges and Rents Generally", and declaring an emergency.
2025-7 is the result of an issue with the new software system at the County. When a quarterly bill run coincides with an interim bill run, the system does not apply the intended service charge of $8.25 to the quarterly bill as stated in our Ordinance. Identifying these overlapping instances during bill runs has proven to be quite challenging for the County. The easiest and best solution advised by the County is to change the language from “quarterly billing” to “service charge per bill”.
Ms. Hoffman sent out an e-mail regarding this Ordinance stating the word “quarterly” was causing challengesso it will be changed to “service charge to bill.” Ms. Hoffman stated if there is any type of interim bill, it wouldnot apply the service charge to the bill. This is due to the county changing it’s billing software.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-8 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement between the Board of Lake CountyCommissioners and the City to utilize proceeds from the FY 2025 Senior Levy Fund for the purpose of support of the senior citizens services or facilities for the Willoughby Senior Center,and declaring an emergency.
Resolution 2025-8 is for the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the County for the City to receive Senior Levy proceeds for the purpose of administering senior services. From our funding request, we have been approved for an amount not to exceed $213,000 for 2025.
Mr. Carr stated the City is approved for over $200,000 from the levy. Ms. Keller stated this amount is higherthan what was received in the past. She said the county purchased statistical software for all the senior centers (that receive levy money) so the true attendance numbers can be counted. Our senior center averages 225 people each day; the senior center is open on Saturday and on Sundays during the winter months. The increase in the levy fund money to due to a higher attendance. This money cannot be used for capital projects such as a new bus.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-9 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement to accept a 2024 Transit Accessibility Grant from Laketran in the amount of $159,880 to provide financial assistance in the Ridge Road Sidewalk Project, and declaring an emergency.
2025-9 accepts a ~$160K grant from Laketran for new sidewalk along Ridge Road from the Wickliffe line to Bob Evans sidewalk.
Mr. Lannon stated this money is the same type of funding used for SOM Center Road, which was acombination of COVID money and funding to make Laketran’s transportation routes safer. This route wasn’taccessible because there weren’t sidewalks. He feels the amount received will cover all expenses for thesidewalk installation. Mr. Carr asked if the sidewalk would connect into Wickliffe. Mr. Lannon stated that issue will be addressed if they don’t connect.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-10 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement to accept a Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC) 2025 Energized Community Grant in the amount of $62,395.00, and declaring an emergency.
2025-10 is for acceptance of the 2025 NOPEC grant in the amount of $62,395. We are fortunate to receive this grant for another year. It has been utilized in past years for energy related projects such as HVAC replacement, LED light conversions and the EV charging stations in front of City Hall. The use of this year’s funding will be determined by the Service Director.
Mr. Palmisano stated he would like to move the current generator at the new Police Station to the SeniorCenter because it’s not big enough to meet their needs. The money will be used for the transfer switches, pads and any other prep work so when the generator becomes available it can be moved to the Senior Center. The new Police Station will receive a new generator.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-11 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution accepting a total donation of $47,000 from the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Willoughby Aerie No. 2300, to be used to assist the Willoughby Police Department in the purchase of radios, EMT ballistic vests and to support the Cadet Program.
Assistant Chief Tartaglia stated that the Eagles have been very generous over the last few years.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-12 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution honoring Willoughby-Eastlake Water Pollution Control Center employee Robert (Bob)Law and thanking him for his twenty-one (21) plus years of service to the City of Willoughby.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-13 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution honoring Willoughby-Eastlake Water Pollution Control Center employee Gordon(Scott) McCallister and thanking him for his twenty-seven (27) plus years of service to the City of Willoughby.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-14 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution amending Resolution No. 2024-141 authorizing temporary appropriations totaling$57,023,134 for current expenses and other expenditures of the City of Willoughby, Ohio during the period ending March 31, 2025, and declaring an emergency.
2025-14 is a change to temporary appropriations for 2 funds not budgeted for originally.
2630 ARPA Fund budget for $300,000 for Willoughby Union Realty Property Window Replacement that is being reimbursed by Lake County ARPA Funds.
3022 NOPEC Fund budget for $62,395 for the recently awarded grant for 2025.
Mr. Carr stated this amendment allocates money for the NOPEC grant and ARPA money for the windows at Willoughby Union. Ms. Hoffman stated that the county encumbered the ARPA funds to the City by the end ofthe year. They will distribute the funds once the City has proof of payment for the windows. She will then request the money from the county.
NOTE:
For accuracy, this section has been copied from the council meeting minutes
MAYORS REPORT
Mayor Fiala stated the City is working with Frank Manning and the businesses around Glen Avenue to work through the paid parking issues. Regarding ARPA funds, Mr. Carr asked about the ARPA money that wasallocated for Lakefront District signage. Ms. Hoffman stated the money had to be encumbered by year endso it was encumbered and given to the Chagrin River Floodplain Project and the Osborne Park Project. The City is still pursuing the signs but the money will come from a different fund. Regarding vape shops, Mr. Kary stated he’s willing to work with him and the Planning Commission as to how the City wants to handle vape shops going forward. Mayor Fiala stated he and Law Director Lucas recently discussed getting the language cleaned up. He also stated he is working with the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) for funding the roundabout (on Lost Nation Road).
DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
Law Director Lucas – No report. Regarding moratoriums, Mr. Tomaselli asked if the state doesn’t want municipalities to have a moratorium longer than 18 to 24 months. Mr. Lucas stated he doesn’t like to have a moratorium longer than a year. He stated that the Ohio General Assembly still hasn’t provided any guidance on the subject (adult use marijuana).
Service Director Palmisano – Mr. Palmisano thanked Council for passage of Resolution Nos. 2025-12 and 2025-13. Ms. Sievers thanked the Service Department for the recent clearing of sidewalks. Mr. Anderson asked about the City’s salt stock. Mr. Palmisano stated the City was in good shape.
City Engineer Lannon – Mr. Lannon stated the River Street waterline project could start in a week or so. The traffic pattern will be one way northbound during the waterline portion of the project through March. The retaining wall project will require the road to be closed.
Fire Chief Ungar – No report. Mr. Tomaselli asked if there were any updates on the ladder truck. Chief Ungar stated he hasn’t heard anything, but the plant building it slowed down due to the hurricanes in the fall.Chief Ungar stated the company doing the refitting of an ambulance is being delayed due to the company’s restructuring.
Assistant Police Chief Tartaglia – Assistant Chief Tartaglia thanked Council for the passage of Resolution No. 2024-11.
Finance Director Hoffman – Ms. Hoffman thanked the Council for the passage of Ordinance No. 2025-7 and Resolution Nos. 2025-8, 2025-10 and 2025-14.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Mr. Carr – Mr. Carr reminded Council to file their financial disclosure statements and election petitions.
ADJOURNMENT
COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY
As I stated before this summary, I have a lot of work to do yet as Ward 2 Councilman. Just look at the comments made by the Mayor in the Mayor’s report.
Mayor Fiala stated the City is working with Frank Manning and the businesses around Glen Avenue to work through the paid parking issues. Regarding ARPA funds, Mr. Carr asked about the ARPA money that wasallocated for Lakefront District signage. Ms. Hoffman stated the money had to be encumbered by year endso it was encumbered and given to the Chagrin River Floodplain Project and the Osborne Park Project. The City is still pursuing the signs but the money will come from a different fund. Regarding vape shops, Mr. Kary stated he’s willing to work with him and the Planning Commission as to how the City wants to handle vape shops going forward. Mayor Fiala stated he and Law Director Lucas recently discussed getting the language cleaned up. He also stated he is working with the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) for funding the roundabout (on Lost Nation Road).
These are all things that I feel strongly about, and now it is time to see them resolved and come to a reality. Always working for Ward 2 and the entire city of Willoughby.
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/