COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY OCTOBER 1, 2024

Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary

• October 1, 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:

No Committee Meetings

AGENDA

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

October 1, 2024

Absent: Councilman Merhar and Councilwoman Sievers

APPROVAL OF MINUTES-

Regular Council Meeting of September 10, 2024

STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS

No committee meetings

Parks & Recreation Committee, Ms. Sievers – There will be a committee meeting on October 15th.

CORRESPONDENCE

No correspondence

PUBLIC PORTION

No one spoke

NEW BUSINESS

RESOLUTION NO. 2024-102 Motion carried 5 to 0

A resolution authorizing the Mayor to accept a 2023 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Award through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to be used by the Willoughby Fire Department, and declaring an emergency.

Mr. Carr stated this is a three year grant that will fully fund three firefighters at Station #2. In two and a half years there will need to be discussions if the grant renews and if not, the question will be whether there are the operating funds to keep fully staffed. If there aren’t enough funds staffing would be reduced through attrition. Chief Ungar stated that if these three positions were to be “let go,” the City would never obtain this type of grant again. Chief Ungar stated the grant writing staff did a great job securing radios and firefighters.He stated the City has 180 days to hire the three firefighters (before March). He stated there is an active CivilService list to hire from. Mr. Anderson asked when Mike Kocab will be retiring. Chief Ungar stated he will retire next April; a firefighter has been working with Mike Kocab to learn about grants.

RESOLUTION NO. 2024-103 Motion carried 5 to 0

A resolution authorizing the Mayor to submit a loan application and enter into a loan agreement with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance, and the Ohio Water Development Authority, through the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) for construction of the Lakeshore Boulevard East Equalization Basin Project; designating a dedicated repayment source for the loan; and declaring an emergency.

City Engineer Lannon stated this resolution covers the initial step in applying for low interest loans, which isthe primary source of funding for the project. The project is slated to begin at the beginning of the year and could take a year and a half to complete.

RESOLUTION NO. 2024-104 Motion carried 5 to 0

A resolution approving Change Order No. 1 in the SOM Center Road Sidewalks Project with Fabrizi Trucking and Paving Co. Inc., and declaring an emergency.

Mr. Carr stated this change order is for an additional section of sidewalks that will be done this week. Mr. Lannon stated the contract was going to be under budget so that opened up the way for the additional work.The addition falls under Laketran’s funding; the City is funding half of the additional work. Regarding bus stop shelters, Mr. Lannon stated he didn’t have a schedule but the work on the shelters could begin immediately.

NOTE:

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

MAYORS REPORT

ABSENT

DIRECTOR’S REPORTS

Fire Chief Ungar – Chief Ungar thanked Council for the passage of Resolution No. 2024-102. He statedthat adding one firefighter per shift north of the freeway will make a big impact on the department.

Police Chief Schultz – Chief Schultz congratulated Ross Shirey and all members of the Willoughby PoliceDepartment because their agency was recognized as the September agency of the month by the OhioAssociation of Chiefs of Police for community engagement and programs. He stated this had a lot to do with Officer Ross Shirey’s creativity to inform and educate and improve community policing throughout the City specifically through the cadet program, the Touch a Truck event, National Night Out and Stuff the Cruiser.

Parks & Recreation Director Keller - Ms. Keller reported the pickleball courts at Osborne Park have been painted and the nets are up; they were open but will be closed starting tomorrow for the installation of the exterior fencing.

COUNCIL REPORTS

Mr. Tomaselli – No report. Mr. Tomaselli gave kudos to Officer Shirey and Mike Kocab for doing such a great job within the community.

ADJOURNMENT - The Regular Council Meeting adjourned at 7:17 p.m.

COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY

Just a quick note to share that the City has completed three “Ground-breaking” ceremonies recently

The Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Osborne Park Shoreling Protection Project

This project, supported by the significant $2 million state grant secured through the efforts of Ohio State Senator Jerry Cirino and supported by State Representative Dan Troy marks the beginning of this transformational project aimed at preserving Willoughby’s shoreline.

The Groundbreaking for the Union High Renovation Project

Mayor Bob Fiala was joined by city and county officials, project developers, and community leaders to commemorate this transformative project. The renovation of the historic school, which has been a community landmark for over 100 years, serves as a capstone project in preserving the downtown historic district.

The Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Chagrin River Floodplain Restoration and Trail Project.

The City of Willoughby is excited to announce the ceremonial groundbreaking and official launch of the Chagrin River Floodplain Restoration and Trail Project, a vital initiative to protect precious land along the Chagrin River and enhance public access to the area.

This project has been made possible through federal, state, and local funding.

On another topic, I have been extremely busy with Tom Thielman, our Economic Development Director, and the purchasers of Lost Nation Road properties across from the Airport. We are discussing several options being proposed. (General Business, to Light Industry). One that I am pressing forward on is a smaller Grocery Store. I appreciate any comments you have and are willing to share with me to help see this land be developed in a manner that suits the needs of our area.