Meeting Notes April 21, 2020
Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary
• April 21, 2020 •
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
http://willoughbyohio.com/government/city-council
This Council Meeting was truly historical for the City of Willoughby. OUR FIRST, off-site meeting, using ZOOM as the platform. The evening meeting went off with only one hitch when we lost communication for just a few seconds with one of our Council Members. Other than that, this will prove to be a method to use in the future. I actually spoke to several “attendees”, those who were on phones or online to watch and listen to the meeting and for the most part, everyone felt it worked quite well.
AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
April 21, 2020
APPROVAL OF MINUTES- Regular Council Meeting of March 17, 2020
STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS
No major reports
CORRESPONDENCE
Clerk Novak said she received an e-mail from Greg Hocevar who lives on N. Beachview and wanted an update on the erosion. His e-mail read: "Last September you held a town hall meeting regarding the erosion of lakefront properties. This meeting preceded a tour you had of the Willoughby lakefront properties with Congressman David Joyce. Are there any further discussions or developments regarding erosion control actions needed on the City of Willoughby lakefront properties, specifically on North Beachview?" Clerk Novak said she forwarded meeting minutes from the March 3rd Parks & Recreation Committee meeting where erosion was discussed. Mayor Fiala said he received an e-gov from Mr. Hocevar in which he responded to. He said he had a conference call with the City's attorneys on Monday; he will be scheduling a call with Dave Joyce to discuss the release of some Great Lakes Initiative money.
PUBLIC PORTION
No one spoke.
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-34 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to accept a 2020 Firefighter Exposure to Environmental Elements Grant awarded through the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.
Comments by the Fire Chief:
2020-34: All of our firefighters are issued hoods that are part of their firefighting gear – the current style we wear is made of the flame-resistant material, Nomex. These are fairly thin and provide adequate protection from thermal burns. The hoods that we are receiving through a grant are still made of Nomex, but include an additional layer that will help prevent exposure to carcinogens. Think of it as the difference between a thinner sweatshirt material, like Under-Armour, versus a heavier all-cotton sweatshirt. Both will keep your head warm but the heavier one will do a little better job. This grant is through BWC and will outfit our entire department with a few leftovers for spares.
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-35 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing First Energy to convert approximately three hundred fifty (350) street lights to LED utilizing 2020 NOPEC Energized Community Grant Funds.
Service Director, Lee Bock shared:
Res. 2020-35 The conversion of approximately 350 street lights from Mercury vapor and High-pressure sodium to LED. The cost to change the lights over to LED is 242.00 per light. The 350 lights represent approximately 10% of the Cities street lights. I have chosen commercial and industrial areas in the City. The change out of these lights will garner the largest savings to the City. In addition, residential areas in other cities have had garnered complaints from residents where LEDs have been installed. I feel that converting in the areas chosen will give everyone a good feel for what to expect moving forward as well as allowing technology to make improvements to the products offered. We anticipate the minimum savings to be around $2,000.00 per month. This is based on 50% reduction in changing to LED, I hope to see closer to 60%. This cost would be paid for with the NOPEC Grant money and therefore no cost to the City.
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-36 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution approving Change Order No. 1-Final in the 2018 Asphalt Road Program – Contract A with Karvo Companies, Inc., repealing Resolution No. 2020-30.
City Engineer Sayles said the change order was for the asphalt road program with Karvo, but when the legislation was prepared it was inadvertently noted as the concrete road program. There were no other changes.
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-37 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor on behalf of the City of Willoughby to participate in the ODOT Road Salt Contract awarded in 2020.
Service Director Lee Bock shared:
This is our annual request to purchase salt through the ODOT Salt purchasing program. We have participated in this program for many years and have been consistently received one of the lowest prices in the area. The price did go up last year but with the mild winter, I would hope for prices to drop slightly or at least hold the line for this contract. No guarantees though!!!
ORDINANCE NO. 2020-38 Motion carried 7 to 0
An ordinance providing for the issuance and sale of not to exceed $5,610,000 notes, in anticipation of the issuance of bonds, to pay the property owners’ portion, in anticipation of the levy and collection of special assessments, of costs of improving the Riverside Commons Property identified and described in Resolution No. 2002-134, adopted July 9, 2002, by grading, draining, curbing, and paving, constructing sidewalks and driveway approaches, and constructing sanitary/storm sewers and water lines, and otherwise improving the same in the manner provided in the aforesaid Resolution No. 2002-134.
Mayor Fiala said this ordinance is the result of the consent decree which has been executed but needs to be signed by the federal and state governments. He said these are assessment bonds in which the bonding is tied to the ability to sell the real estate because it will help to pay off the bonds. Law Director Lucas said the judge also needs to sign off on the consent decree.
ORDINANCE NO. 2020-39 Motion carried 7 to 0
An ordinance providing for the issuance and sale of bonds in the maximum principal amount of $6,669,000 for the purpose of paying the City’s portion of the costs of constructing, furnishing, and equipping recreational and educational facilities for senior citizens, with related site improvements and necessary appurtenances thereto.
Willoughby Senior Center
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-40 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with Clean Air Concepts in the amount of $155,461 for the Willoughby Fire Department Vertical Exhaust Removal Systems.
Comments by the Fire Chief:
2020-40: This is the result of the bids that were received following the award of the FEMA grant for diesel exhaust systems for both fire stations. The grant total was for $170,000 and both bids came in well under the grant amount. Both systems had very good reviews and references, and we chose the lower of the two bids which were $155,461.00; the city will only pay 10% of the cost. The winning bidder also happens to be a company that is located in Ohio down near Cincinnati. This system will have a high-temperature hose that connects to each of the diesel-powered fire trucks which capture and safely removes the exhaust through a high-powered fan. The hose is attached with a magnetic device on each truck and is released as the vehicle exits the fire station.
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-41 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution amending the meeting schedule of Council for the months of May, June, July, and August 2020.
We will be meeting only once during the summer months. This has always been the case.
Councilman Carr said this resolution moves the meetings to the second Tuesday of the month including the month of May.
NOTE:
For accuracy, this section has been copied from the council meeting minutes
MAYORS REPORT
Reported that Boards and Commission meetings will resume shortly after some training with Zoom takes place. Ms. McNeill asked when inspections were done throughout the City previously for decking and when inspections will go back to a regular schedule. Building and Zoning Inspector Keller said inspections are being done on Tuesdays and Thursdays and can go back to a full week anytime, but there haven't been many requests for inspections. Prior to the COVID-19, inspections were conducted daily if there was a request.
DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
Service Director Bock - Regarding Republic Waste resuming yard waste pickup, Mr. Bock asked Council not to publish the information until he has confirmation. He said the website would be updated as soon as he receives confirmation. Mr. Tomaselli asked if the yard waste should be in bags or totes. Mr. Bock said he wasn't sure but thought it was totes. Councilman Anderson asked if the yard waste drop off could open on Saturdays for a half day. Mr. Bock said he thought about doing that, but said the City is struggling to get Republic Waste to service the containers that have been filling up very quickly.
City Engineer Sayles
Reported the Capacity Enhancement Project at the WPCC hasn't broken ground yet, but equipment approvals are taking place. The downtown waterline project is on schedule. The East 3641h/E. 365th project is under budget and ahead of schedule; there were a few complaints about standing water on sidewalks so they are looking to add some inlet basins to take care of that issue.
Regarding his upcoming departure as City Engineer, Mr. Sayles requested a meeting with candidate Tim Lannon. Mr. Lannon's resume will be sent out to Council for their review. Mayor Fiala suggested a Committee of Full meeting.
Mr. Tomaselli said he noticed the curbs on E. 364th were 8 to 10 inches higher than what they were previously. Mr. Sayles said the curbs are going in very close to the old asphalt curb elevation; noting the street had a previous problem. He said the street should be fully reconstructed and lowered about 2 feet. He said because it's a storm sewer project, multiple insets and drains are being added to get the water to drain off the sidewalks. Some curbs on E. 365th and Harvard are being saved and some replaced as needed.
Mr. Woodin asked if the Lakeshore Blvd. paving was still on track. Mr. Sayles said plans were submitted and accepted by the state; it should be in the cycle for bidding but doesn't know what will happen due to COVID-19. With respect to the handicapped ramps that need to be completed prior to paving, the project has been advertised for bids. The process of opening bids during the pandemic is not known but it will take place in May with work taking place this summer before resurfacing. Mr. Woodin asked if the right of way issues with high drains will be addressed. Mr. Sayles said the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) will not pay for that work, but the City will add drains; that work would be 100% local items with possibly a separate contractor. Mr. Woodin asked if he was working with Economic Development Director Thielman on a beautification project in conjunction with some of the business owners. Mr. Sayles said that work would have to be a separate project and could take place after the road work.
Mr. Kary confirmed with Mr. Sayles that a meeting will take place with the North Bay residents to finalize plans that will include erosion protection on the south side of the stream and bid the job this summer with work taking place in the fall or winter to minimize disruption to the golf course. Mr. Sayles said the only potential snag with the plan is the additional erosion protection depending on how extensive they want; it could push for another permit from the Army Corp of Engineers. (Several minutes of the recording at this point in the meeting was not audible.)
Fire Chief Ungar - Chief Ungar thanked Council for the passage of the two resolutions relating to his department this evening and thanked Ms. Bosley for supporting the grant initiatives. Chief Ungar thanked the Service Department and Paul Turosky Jr. specifically in his efforts to make sure the buildings are clean and sanitized.
Police Chief Beckwith - Mr. Carr noted that this is Chief Beckwith's last report as he is retiring. He mirrored Chief Ungar's comments on Paul Turosky Jr. obtaining the needed supplies for his department. He thanked everyone who worked with him over the years and said it has been a pleasure and honor to work with everyone.
Parks & Recreation Director Banker - No report. Mr. Carr thanked Ms. Banker for her communication on updates regarding the activities within the Parks & Recreation Department. Mr. Tomaselli asked if thermometers are available. She said thermometers have been ordered by the Service Department.
Finance Director Bosley - Ms. Bosley said the audit is ongoing and progressing.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Mr. Woodin - Mr. Woodin congratulated Chief Beckwith on his retirement. Mr. Woodin said he received three phone calls regarding lakefront erosion. He said he reached out to Senator Portman, Sherrod Brown, and John Rodgers and was able to receive some information. He said he has witnessed 60 feet of erosion at a resident's house coming very close to their back deck. Erosion is getting bad and it is unfortunate that it is happening at this time with COVID- 19 and loss of income tax to the City. He said temporary shore permits are available as well as free on-site technical assistance. Grants and loans are available for residents. He asked that discussions continue with regards to planning phases and available resources for the residents. He asked information be made available on the website. Mayor Fiala said residents can get started anytime using the temporary structure permits. The port authority is trying to find a bank to help fund the Special Improvement District (SID). Tom Thielman is in the process of writing letters to all lakefront property owners to outline the next step. He said there is no federal or state money available.
Mr. Kary - Mr. Kary thanked the Mayor for his weekly updates. He congratulated Chief Beckwith on his retirement.
Mr. Tomaselli - Mr. Tomaselli thanked Chief Beckwith for his many years of service and recognized the passing of Ward 3 resident Don Lewis who was also a family friend.
Mr. Anderson - Mr. Anderson congratulated Chief Beckwith on his retirement.
Mr. Garry - Mr. Garry congratulated Chief Beckwith on his retirement and for keeping Willoughby safe all these years.
Ms. McNeil! - Ms. McNeil! thanked Chief Beckwith for his service.
Clerk Novak - Ms. Novak thanked Shana Boyd, Judean Banker and Paul Turosky Jr. for their help with Zoom and congratulated Chief Beckwith on his retirement.
Mr. Carr - Mr. Carr recognized the team in getting Zoom up and running for tonight's Council meeting. He congratulated Chief Beckwith on his retirement and hoped to get together for a retirement celebration this summer.
ADJOURNMENT
COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY
For the record, I am a loss for words!!!! I know, I have my constituents out there that feel, that's impossible. As we all move along this Spring into Summer, let's hope everything calms down and we can start to move ahead at a bit faster pace.
I do realize that for those of us that are following what we believe is best practice, we have become a bit more resourceful in how we manage our time. I saw more commitment to helping my wife, Beth, with anything and everything to keep active. In fact, I can brag now that after years and years of "no kitchen time," I have become a pretty good "chopper and dicer." We also have both enjoyed more walks in our great parks with our daughter and granddaughter (at a safe distance). That's the most difficult, seeing your grandchild and not being able to pick her up and hug her. Things will get better.
Best of health to all, and I look forward to seeing everyone soon, WITHOUT a MASK when the time is right.
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