COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY FEBRUARY 18, 2025

Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary

•  February 18, 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: Councilwoman Sievers

Committee Meetings:

No Committee Meetings

AGENDA

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

February 18, 2025

APPROVAL OF MINUTES-

Regular Council Meeting of February 4, 2025

STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS

Committee of Full, Mr. Carr – Mr. Carr stated there has been talk recently regarding an increase in salary for the Mayor and Council. He stated the City charter stipulates that any changes made to the Mayor’s salaryor Council needs to be approved 30 days prior to the filing deadline for the election. Changes to salarieswould need to be approved by June or July, 2025 to be effective January 1, 2026. Unless there is opposition to the discussion, he asked Councilmen Tomaselli and Merhar to review comparative salary information that Clerk Novak has as well as legislation that would increase salaries on a more regular basis. He would like to hold a meeting after the budget is discussed perhaps in April or May.

CORRESPONDENCE

No correspondence

PUBLIC PORTION

Pat Carroll Bonander, 35616 Timber Ridge Lane, Willoughby – Ms. Bonander stated she is the current President of the Willoughby Arts Collaborative (WAC). She thanked Council for the passage of legislation to create a public art fund. The WAC is a 501(C)3 and receives grants and private donations and they are excited that the City supports and values their mission. She stated the WAC has applied to the Public Art Committee for review and funding and she hopes that Council supports it. Mr. Carr stated that a memoregarding that application was sent to Council and there was no opposition.

NEW BUSINESS

RESOLUTION NO. 2025-18.                                  Motion carried  6 to 0

A resolution expressing an intent to sell unneeded, obsolete, or unfit property by internet auction, establishing a procedure for conducting the sale, and declaring an emergency.

Mr. Carr stated this resolution needs to be passed annually.

RESOLUTION NO. 2025-19                                   Motion carried  6 to 0

A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Enerwise Global Technologies, LLC dba CPower for participation in an electric power demand response program at the Willoughby-Eastlake Water Pollution Control Center for a period of three (3) years, effective June 1, 2025 and ending on May 31, 2028.

WPCC Superintendent Jack Gorka stated that the WPCC has participated in this type of program for about 20 years. He stated that when the electrical grid is at capacity and there is a strain in the system, you canvolunteer to go off grid or reduce your consumption and you can receive compensation for doing that. Mr. Carr asked why the City couldn’t do this at other buildings. Mr. Gorka stated the WPCC is a bigger facility but hedidn’t say other buildings couldn’t do it. Mr. Carr suggested having buildings use their generators; Mr. Gorka stated that you can’t run your generator in order to participate in demand response programs.

RESOLUTION NO. 2025-20                                                                                Roll Call         5 yes

1 no (Tomaselli)                                            Motion carried 5 to 1

A resolution authorizing a limited further extension until June 20, 2025 of the temporary moratorium on the issuance and processing of permits allowing retail dispensaries, cultivators, or processors of adult use marijuana within the City of Willoughby, Ohio, and declaring anemergency.

Law Director Lucas stated that the current moratorium is ending and the City is awaiting guidance from the Ohio General Assembly. He stated there was a new bill introduced in the state house in January, 2025 thatcould affect this guidance. The administration would like to make zoning changes which will require action by Council and the Planning Commission, which is why the moratorium has been extended to June, 2025. Hesaid the Mayor has been communicating with a zoning consultant regarding this issue. He stated he doesn’t believe guidance will be received from the state by June. The City would like to have zoning text in place notlater than June 20th and amendments can be made after receiving the guidance from the state if required.Mr. Tomaselli asked if the City is receiving any requests for permits and or dispensaries. Mr. Lucas stated thatthe Clerk of Council has received several inquiries regarding the expiration of the moratorium.

NOTE:

For accuracy, this section has been copied from the council meeting minutes

MAYORS REPORT

Regarding the recent executive orders reducing funding, Mayor Fiala stated he didn’t see anything impeding the funding for Osborne Park project or the Chagrin River Trail. The City is in receipt of the funding for Phase I work at Osborne Park; he is monitoring the anticipated $3 million funds closely. There ismonths of planning ahead for the Chagrin River Trail which there is funding for; the City will watch closely tosee if the $2 million from Dave Joyce is withheld. Only work that currently has funding will be completed for that project.

DIRECTOR’S REPORTS

City Engineer Lannon – No report. Regarding the sidewalks on SOM Center Road near the water tower, Mr. Carr stated he noticed a lot of footprints in the snow along the Maplegrove Road side. He stated there is a sidewalk on the other side. Mr. Lannon stated the triangle of property between Ridge Road and SOM Center Road where the water tower sits is owned by the Lake County Commissioners and the City. Heindicated there is a possibility of doing a joint project with the Commissioners for sidewalks in that area.

COUNCIL REPORTS

No major reports

ADJOURNMENT

Executive Session - The purpose of the Executive Session is in accordance with ORC121.22(G)1 to consider the compensation of a public employee.

Motion made and seconded to go into Executive Session in accordance with ORC 121.22(G)1 to consider the compensation of a public employee.

Roll Call          6 yes. 0 no

The Regular Council Meeting adjourned at 8:14 p.m.

COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY

SUMMER JOB OPPORTUNITIES

I recall very clearly 1968-1972, my time working for the City of Willoughby during my years of study at Kent State University.  At first, I served as a laborer collecting trash.  Then, because of my background and education, I was moved to the Traffic Department.  That is where I spent the majority of my time.  As a city, we took care of all traffic issues, from traffic signals to painting the streets.  I will never forget the hard work and the friends I made.  For those who will remember our leader at the time, Willoughby Mayor Harold E. Brichford.

JOBS • JOBS • JOBS

Spend your summer with us! The City of Willoughby is currently accepting seasonal employment applications for help in our Parks and Recreation and Service Departments. Click here to download the application or apply online through the link below. Please call 440.953.4200 for more information.

Parks and Recreation:
Camp Counselors
Office Aide
Golf Course
Park Laborers

Aquatics:
Pool Managers
Lifeguards (lifeguard course information)
Water Safety Instructor 
Cashiers

Service Department:
Laborers

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/