COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY APRIL 15, 2025
Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary
• April 15, 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:
COMMITTEE OF THE FULL:
*The purpose of the Committee of Full meeting is to discuss Mayor and Council salaries.
COUNCIL AND MAYOR SALARIES
Mr. Tomaselli stated this meeting is a follow up to a previous Committee of Full meeting concerning compensation for the Mayor, Council and Council President. He stated there was a recommendation at the last meeting for 10% increases which he stated he felt was warranted because it put the Mayor and Council in the middle of salaries in similar municipalities in the area. He stated it was also warranted because there hadn’t been any adjustments to those salaries for 8 years. A 10% increase would bring the Mayor’s salary to $71,800/year. Mr. Anderson had asked to look at what salary raises would have been using a 2.5% increase each year since the last increase. Using the 2.5% yearly increase, that would bring the Mayor’s salary to around $83,000. Mr. Anderson recommended $75,000/year. Mr. Merhar also agreed with that figure. Mr. Tomaselli stated the Council salary is currently at $10,000/year. The original recommendation was to increase that to $11,000/year; the feedback on that salary was that it could be increased to$12,000/year and Council President’s to $14,000/year. Council felt it was important to have three readings for the legislation so legislation would need to be on the next agenda. Mr. Tomaselli asked Council their thoughts on the increase in wages. Collectively, Council agreed to $75,000/year for the Mayor;$12,000/year for Council and $14,000/year for Council President. Mr. Tomaselli asked that a salary review take place again in 4 years and that verbiage of that salary review be written into the legislation. Law Director Lucas will prepare legislation for the next meeting.
The Committee of Full Council Meeting adjourned at 6:41 p.m.
AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
April 15, 2025
ABSENT: Councilmen Carr and Kary
APPROVAL OF MINUTES-
Regular Council Meeting of April 1, 2025
STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS
Committee of Full, Mr. Carr – The committee met this evening to discuss Mayor and Council salaries; legislation for those salary increases will be on the next Council agenda.
CORRESPONDENCE
Clerk Novak read a request from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control for a new D5 liquor license for WineWarehouse, LLC, dba The Wine Warehouse, 37812 Vine Street, Unit E, Willoughby, Ohio 44094. There were no objections.
PUBLIC PORTION
No one spoke
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-38 Motion carried 5 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor on behalf of the City of Willoughby to participate in the ODOT road salt contract awarded in 2025, and declaring an emergency.
Mr. Palmisano stated this legislation is needed in order to be able to participate in the bidding. Mr. Tomaselli asked if there was another option besides ODOT. Mr. Palmisano stated that in 2020 the City wasn’t able to participate in ODOT’s bidding. The City talked to Morton Salt and Cargill; Morton Salt did accept the City but at a higher rate. He feels this is the best option.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-39 Motion carried 5 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Director of Finance to transfer funds from the General Fund to various other funds, and declaring an emergency.
A memo was sent out by Finance Director Hoffman. There was no discussion.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-40 Motion carried 5 to 0
A resolution amending the meeting schedule of Council for the months of June, July, August, and September, 2025.
Mr. Tomaselli stated the new dates are June 10th, July 8th and August 12th. September meetings will be moved from the 1st and 3rd Tuesday to the 2nd and 4th Tuesday.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-41 Motion carried 5 to 0
A resolution declaring April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in the City of Willoughby.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-42 Motion carried 5 to 0
A resolution authorizing the City Engineer to prepare plans and specifications and estimates of the cost of construction for certain new sidewalks in the City.
Law Director Lucas stated this legislation is the initial step regarding the three commercial properties that Councilman Carr discussed at the last Council meeting. He met with City Engineer Lannon and will moveforward with a resolution of necessity. Mr. Lannon is also looking at some other areas that are devoid of sidewalks. Mr. Tomaselli asked if there is a reason sidewalks weren’t put in to begin with. Mr. Lannon stated they are commercial properties and sidewalks should have been installed. He stated that notification letters were sent last year stating the City would start with the assessment process if they didn’t self-perform. Depending on the bid, Mr. Lannon stated it could go out for public bid or performed by the City’s stand by contractor.
The Legislative Caucus adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
NOTE:
For accuracy, this section has been copied from the council meeting minutes
MAYORS REPORT
NO REPORT
DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
Service Director Palmisano – Mr. Palmisano thanked Council for the passage of Resolution No. 2025-38.Ms. Sievers thanked Mr. Palmisano for the work at the end of Lost Nation Road.
City Engineer Lannon – Mr. Lannon reported that construction on the retaining wall on River Street isunderway and is going well. Mr. Tomaselli asked if River Street would be repaved. Mr. Lannon stated it will be paved by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) next year. Mr. Anderson asked when the work would begin on Ridge Road. Mr. Lannon stated he didn’t know but he will find out.
Fire Chief Ungar –Chief Ungar stated he had given Council an update on the production of the ladder truck at the last meeting. Incidentally, he stated he received an e-mail today from the International Association of Fire Chiefs; it revealed that the US Senate is opening a bi- partisan investigation on fireapparatus manufacturers for several reasons; one being the cost of the apparatus outpacing inflation, theback logs they are creating and floating price increases due to having the trucks in production for a long time.Mr. Anderson asked how many fire engine manufacturers there are. Chief Ungar stated at least a dozen, but there are three big manufacturers who have cornered the market and have been buying some of the smaller manufacturers. He stated the fire engine they purchased in 2014 was from a manufacturer in a small town in Pennsylvania. Another manufacturer purchased the company and moved it to Louisiana, combining it with three other manufacturers. There are three big groups that are steering the market.
Police Chief Schultz – Chief Schultz stated this week is National Telecommunicators Week which honors the dispatchers and emergency communicators who are the true first, first responders. He stated that qualities of a dispatcher include integrity, effective communication skills, tremendous decision making abilities, enthusiasm, dedication, the ability to multi-task and strong work ethic. He stated that Willoughby is fortunate to have 10 full time and 6 part time of the finest dispatchers. He thanked the City’s dispatchers for their service and commitment to the City and to the city of Kirtland. Mr. Tomaselli stated he spent the day with the City’s dispatchers and stated it was a great experience. He stated our dispatchers are truly talented.
Chief Building and Zoning Inspector Keller – Mr. Keller reported that Karen Brooks has started her property maintenance inspections; please reach out to her if you have any troublesome streets or houses. Mr. Tomaselli asked if there was a plan for the former Ruple property on Pelton Road. Mr. Keller statedthere is an active site plan which is being monitored by Lake County Soil and Water. Once the grading iscompleted, it is Mr. Keller’s understanding that the owner plans to use the property for his business. The owner is complying right now with the county but the City is overseeing it.
Parks & Recreation Director Keller – The ribbon cutting for the new pickleball courts is May 8th. There are currently 990 pools surveys; it will be open until May 12th.
Finance Director Hoffman – Ms. Hoffman thanked Council for the passage of Resolution 2025-39.
Ohio State Representative Dan Troy – Mr. Troy stated there is an important issue on the May 6th ballot; State Issue 2 renews the Ohio Public Works Program. He stated the program has been around since the late 1980’s. Mr. Troy and Mr. Scott Oelslager teamed up to sponsor HGR7 which put the issue on the ballot on May 6th. The authorization from the voters for this constitutional provision expires on July 1, 2025. Hestated the City has received under the state construction improvement program $8.4 million in grants and $3 million in zero interest loans. The City has also received road grants in the amount of $1.07 million. The City has received about $12 million from this program and he would like to see that continue. He stated the current program is $2 billion over a 10 year period expiring this year. The new proposal is $2.5 billion over the next 10 years or $250 million for these particular projects. He stated it is not a bond issue or a tax increase; it is covered (since its inception) under the existing state revenues. He stated the decisions on what is funded are not made in Columbus but rather made at the local level. He wanted to make Councilaware of how important Issue 2 is. Mr. Troy stated the state budget was passed last week; the localgovernment percentage for Willoughby that had been 1.7% of all state revenues has been raised to 1.75%. Mr. Troy stated there was a substantial reduction for the H2Ohio Program which the City has benefited from.
COUNCIL REPORTS
NO major reports
ADJOURNMENT
The Regular Council Meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m.
COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY
Mayor Fiala shared quite a bit of good information in his April Report, so
I am copying it from the city's website to share with you.
April 2025
With warmer days ahead, many of us will be spending more time outdoors, sprucing up our yards and enjoying the season. As we welcome spring, here are some important city updates and reminders.
Yard Waste Collection Begins April 1st
Republic Services will resume yard waste pick-up starting April 1st, following your regular trash collection schedule. Yard waste should be placed in brown kraft bags (50 lbs. max) or containers labeled “Yard Waste.” Twigs and branches must be bundled in 4-foot lengths and should not exceed 30 lbs.
Lawn Maintenance and Grass Clipping Disposal
With mowing season upon us, please avoid blowing grass clippings into the street, as they can block storm sewers and contribute to flooding. Residents near steep slopes, particularly along the river, should avoid dumping clippings over the edge, as this can accelerate erosion. Additionally, disposing of yard waste in utility easements, environmental easements, or public rights-of-way is not permitted.
Pet Etiquette
As more time is spent outdoors, please be mindful of your pets. Keep them off private property and always clean up after them to maintain a pleasant environment for everyone. Also, please note that all pets must be leashed on public property.
Seasonal Job Opportunities
The Parks and Recreation and Service Departments are now hiring seasonal employees. If you’re interested in joining our team, visit our website for an application or contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 440.953.4200 for more details. These summer job opportunities are a great way to help our community through public service and learn about city government.
Osborne Park Project
We are excited to report that Phase 1 of the Osborne Park Reimagination project has started. Mark Haynes Construction was awarded the construction contract and has begun mobilizing equipment and supplies at Osborne Park. Large armor stone boulders are being delivered to the staging area, marking the start of critical improvements. The initial work includes the creation of small cobble and sand beaches. Also, the severely eroded banks will be stabilized and graded to allow seeding of these areas as well as access to the lakefront. Beyond slope stabilization and beach access, Phase 1 work will protect vital storm sewer and water lines. You can follow the progress of the project on our website.
Lost Nation Road Traffic Calming
The federal government is now accepting grant applications, and we will submit an infrastructure grant for the Lost Nation Road Roundabout, which will connect Lost Nation Road, Hodgson Road, and Willoughby Parkway. The roundabout will help slow traffic along Lost Nation Road, solve a challenging offset intersection, and ensure safe access from our Fire Sation #2. While the applications are due in March, we do not expect to hear if we are successful until late fall 2025.
Wishing you a wonderful spring! Thank you for helping keep our community clean and safe!