COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 23, 2015
Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary
• September 23, 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:
SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING:
Committee: John Tomaselli, Ken Kary, Dan Anderson
NEW AMBULANCE PURCHASE
Mr. Tomaselli stated that Chief Ungar had reached out to him regarding an opportunity to purchase a new ambulance. Chief Ungar stated he was contacted by the sales representative from Horton Manufacturing who is currently putting a new chassis on the City’s 2013 ambulance and the City is also purchasing a 2027 ambulance through. He informed Chief Ungar that they had a recent ambulance cancellation and would beoffering it to the City at a discounted price; the ambulance would be ready in May, 2027. The contract would bewritten not to exceed $415,000, which is the same amount of the order currently with them. He stated thatafter reviewing the spec sheet, he believes the cost would come down significantly. He believes it would givethe City the opportunity to get the fleet pushed forward and push back the next ambulance purchase. Hestated if the City purchased the ambulance being offered, it will put the next request for another ambulance into 2029 or 2030. He presented Council with information regarding the current fleet of ambulances noting miles and engine hours. He explained that engine hours are multiplied by 45 and added to the actual miles to receive the total miles an ambulance has on it. Using this calculation, he stated the 2007 ambulance has525,780 miles on it.
Mr. Tomaselli asked when the City would need to let Horton know if we were interested. Chief Ungar statedthat Horton is willing to wait until the next Council meeting on October 7th. Chief Ungar stated the unit Hortonis offering has a diesel engine; he would prefer a gas engine and that would take $8,000 to $10,000 off thecost. Horton has appraised the two oldest ambulances at $20,000 that could be used for a trade in. Those would need to be reappraised 12 months prior to delivery of the new ambulance. He stated there is a lot of equipment that could go on the new vehicle that would depreciate the value of the trade in. He stated theStryker cot loading system can be transferred to the new ambulance. Chief Ungar stated the departmentwas fortunate that the 2019 ambulance that was purchased with COVID (ARPA) funds was fully equipped.He stated that having five ambulances is a good number to have: two in service at each fire station.
Mr. Tomaselli stated he felt purchasing a new ambulance at this time was a good opportunity. Regarding thecons of purchasing another ambulance now, he stated he and Chief Ungar discussed the fact that timingwise, two ambulances may need to be replaced at the same time in the future. The two new ambulancescould be rotated. Chief Ungar stated there are several ways to keep the mileage and hours balanced out.He noted the increase in call volume as well as the out of city transports being done. Mr. Carr stated there hadbeen a concern about paying for the ambulance and reducing the amount in the safety fund, however, thereare several payment options the City could use. Mayor Fiala stated the funds need to be encumbered but not expensed. He stated the City is trying to keep a reserve of about $500,000 in safety levy funds. Ms. Hoffmanstated the once the funds are encumbered, those funds would not be used for anything else. Mr. Carr statedthe safety fund balance would be approximately $100,000 if the funds are encumbered for the ambulance.He asked when the next round of funds would become available for that fund. Ms. Hoffman stated in thesecond quarter of 2026. Mr. Anderson asked if funds were needed for the new police station, could money betransferred from the general fund to the safety levy fund. Ms. Hoffman stated that funds could be transferredfrom the general fund to the police station capital fund. There was a question if money could be borrowed andpaid back to the safety levy fund. Ms. Hoffman stated no. Ms. Hoffman stated that if something were tohappen, money would be transferred from the general fund to the appropriate fund that needed the money. Mr. Anderson asked how many ambulances in the fleet are gas and how many are diesel. Chief Ungarstated there are currently no gasoline ambulances in the department; the ambulance getting a new chassis willbe gasoline. He stated the movement toward gasoline is due to maintenance; maintenance on a Fordgasoline engine is easier than the diesel. He stated that a gasoline engine is a little bit better at running allthe time. He has reviewed the specs for the new ambulance with the Service Garage. Legislation should be before Council on October 7th.
The Safety Committee meeting adjourned at 6:52 p.m
AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
September 23, 2025
APPROVAL OF MINUTES-
Regular Council Meeting of September 9, 2025
STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS
No major reports
CORRESPONDENCE
Clerk Novak read a request from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control for a transfer from D & S Tavern Inc., 38770 Lakeshore Blvd., Willoughby, Ohio to PKA Enterprises LLC, Lakeshore Lounge, 38770 LakeshoreBlvd., Willoughby Ohio. There were no objections.
PUBLIC PORTION
No one spoke
NEW BUSINESS
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-116 Motion carried 7 to 0
An ordinance accepting Amendment No. 1 to Ordinance No. 2025-79, the Manning & Payroll Ordinance, relative to the Water Pollution Control Center Division, and Hourly Personnel, Full Time, and declaring an emergency.
Service Director Palmisano stated this change will restructure the organizational chart to improve efficiencyat the WPCC by reinstating a previous job title. There will be no change in the pay grade for this supervisory position. This supervisor will be in charge of two departments and ensure the plant is complying with EPA regulations.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-117 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution amending Resolution No. 2025-30 to provide for current expenses and other expenditures of the City of Willoughby, Ohio, during the period ending December 31, 2025,and declaring an emergency.
Ms. Hoffman stated these changes are for the court with a net effect of zero.
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-118 Motion carried 7 to 0
An ordinance declaring that any funds remaining unclaimed for a period of five (5) years are hereby forfeited and the Willoughby Building Department is hereby authorized totransfer said funds into the Willoughby General Fund, and declaring an emergency.
Mr. Carr stated these deposits are forfeited after five years. Ms. Hoffman stated that they have had people come forward after the fact and they did receive their refund. Mr. Anderson asked if other cities forfeit thismoney after five years. Ms. Hoffman stated that the five years is per the Ohio Revised Code (ORC).
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-119 Motion carried 7 to 0
An ordinance authorizing a development agreement with Riverside Commons @ RT 2 LLC for the Riverside Commons Phase One Development Project, and declaring an emergency.
Law Director Lucas stated that this is the finalization of the TIF. This encompasses the development agreement with the developer for Phase I of Riverside Commons. One of the components is the 1984 establishment of the Community Reinvestment Area (CRA), the developer has agreed to establish a TIF in which they are providing back to the City 50% of the tax savings. He stated within the agreement is a “declaration of TIF” that will protect the City on the tax incentive. This will bind the developer and any enduser; anyone who may purchase property. Mr. Tomaselli stated there was specific language in the agreement regarding creation of jobs and payroll and asked if that never happened, would that affect the City. Mr. Lucas stated the value of the increase in the improvement from the tax auditor’s standpoint is what gives the City the 50% increase. So, in other words, that language in the agreement does not impact the City.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-120 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution accepting a donation of $50,000 from the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Willoughby Aerie No. 2300, to be used for the purchase of fitness equipment at the new Willoughby Police Department Facility.
Chief Schultz stated the Eagles is an outstanding organization and he is truly grateful for their generosity.
The Legislative Caucus adjourned at 7:03 p.m.
NOTE:
For accuracy, this section has been copied from the council meeting minutes
MAYORS REPORT
Mayor Fiala reported that the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) will be releasing the City’s permit for Osborne Park; construction should begin the second week of October. Ms. Keller will be in touchwith the contractor to get the work started. Regarding the work being done at Andrews Osborne Academy,Mr. Tomaselli asked if the work is being done to remove the invasive species. Ms. Keller stated invasivespecies removal work has taken place over the last two months.
DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
Service Director Palmisano – Mr. Palmisano thanked Council for the passage of Resolution 2025-116. Mr. Carr asked if the trees in the tree lawn that need to come down need to be marked. Mr. Palmisano stated the trees that have been reported will be assessed by the arborist and will either be removed or pruned. Tree planting will take place in December. Mr. Anderson asked about the final paving on Rt. 84near Rt. 91. Mr. Palmisano stated the paving is being completed by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) who made the decision to do the work during the day because of the noise restrictions. He stated he has made arrangements with ODOT so that the final phase will be done at night.
City Engineer Lannon – Mr. Lannon reported the work being done on Third Street near the post office is work on a sewer lateral project that came from an Ohio EPA audit because the sanitary sewer was basically connected to the storm sewer which ended up in the Chagrin River. The U.S. Government refused to do anything about it for years but it’s finally being completed.
Fire Chief Ungar – Chief Ungar thanked Council for the discussion on the new ambulance; he will work on getting legislation ready for the next Council meeting.
Police Chief Schultz – Chief Schultz thanked Council for Resolution No. 2025-120. He thanked theWilloughby Fraternal Order of Eagles including President Jerry Frye and Secretary Ed Glass for their continued support of the Police Department. The FOE and the VFW have been very supportive of Willoughby’s public safety forces.
Chief Schultz gave an overview of the homicide that took place at Fox Run Apartments last Monday (September 15th). He stated the entire police staff that was working that day was working the case alongwith other neighboring agencies and K-9’s. Within two and a half hours from the 9-1-1 call, the department had a suspect in custody. He stated that the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) was on scene at 6:30 p.m. to document the crime scene which is protocol for major incidents. Search warrants were issued and conducted throughout the evening. A press release was sent out about 8:30 p.m. that evening. Officers were back on scene about 7:00 a.m. the next day, canvasing the crime scene for more evidence includingK- 9’s. He stated that throughout the week many more suspects were identified. A total of six people are currently in custody related to the incident: all felony charges. Two individuals are juveniles and four individuals are adults. Chief Schultz stated it was an isolated incident. He stated there was a lot of chatter in the community regarding the communication about the incident. He stated again that the official press release went out about 8:30 p.m. which is the department’s standard protocol. There was concern that information should have been sent out to the community earlier. He stated this incident was very fluidand different from static incidents the department responds to such as a car accident. He stated that at notime did any of the officers, detectives or himself feel that the public was in danger. He stated that sometimes providing information can hamper an investigation and could possibly put the officers working the scene in danger. He stated there was a social media post about 6:40 p.m. that created a lot of the confusion. Hestated he will provide information in a timelier manner moving forward.
Chief Schultz updated Council on an incident that took place earlier this year regarding a pursuit of anindividual that took place through Lake and Geauga Counties. The individual was charged with several felonies and was recently sentenced to a minimum of 11 years in prison with a maximum of 16 years.
Regarding the homicide on Lost Nation Road, Mr. Kary asked how residents are notified of a lockdown incase the public was in danger. Chief Schultz stated there are a few methods; one of easiest methods is a reverse 9-1-1. This involves setting up a geofence to target a certain area and an automated messagewould go out to those residents. He stated that based on the information at the scene, his department did not believe that the public was in danger.
Finance Director Hoffman – Ms. Hoffman thanked Council for the passage of Resolution No. 2025-117 and Ordinance No. 2025-118.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Ms. Sievers – Ms. Sievers thanked the Police and Fire Departments for their efforts last Monday (incidenton Lost Nation Road). She expressed her condolences to the victims family. The annual White Cane Safety Walk is scheduled for October 11th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
The Regular Council Meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m.
COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY
Just a few comments to share. For the residents in Ward 2 who followed the sale and plans for the development of 7.72 acres of land on the North side of Hodgson Road near hole #2 of the city's Golf Course, I have some sad news to share. Mr. Conti, the purchaser and planned developer of this property, unfortunately, passed away this summer. The plans now are to put the property up for sale again and see who is interested in pursuing its development. Those who followed Mr. Conti’s plans saw me fight hard to stop a planned residential multi-family plan from going into effect. That would have been 30-40 units composed of duplexes and triplexes. We eventually agreed to a plan to place 12 homes at this site, and some of the property was to be donated to the city to stay “undeveloped”. Now that Mr. Conti has passed, I expect that we will be starting the process over again with a new owner. I promise to do my best to ensure that, if and when the property is developed, it will be in the best interest of the neighborhood, the golf course, Ward 2, and the city. I will keep you posted on any action regarding this parcel of land in Ward 2.
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/