COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY MAY 6, 2025
Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary
• May 6, 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:
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING:
Committee: Ken Kary, Dan Anderson, Dan Garry
*The purpose of the Environmental Planning Committee meeting is to review:
EAS #8-3-25 - Restaurant with outdoor patio at the existing building located at 1745 Lost Nation Road (Coppia).
Mr. Kary stated this EAS is for a restaurant located on airport property. The restaurant will have an 832 sq. ft. outdoor patio that will seat up to 44 patrons. It will be located at the new Legends Hangar. Mr. Kary stated that the Planning Commission reviewed and approved this EAS and recommends its passage to Council. There were no traffic concerns from the Police Department. He stated the patio will be located between the front entrance of the restaurant and Lost Nation Road, which is not a big space. Mr. Deming stated bollards will be all around the patio for protection; there will also be masonry pillars and fencing. He stated the sidewalk will be extended from the hangar sidewalk out to the right of way sidewalk. Mr. Karystated there will be underground storm water management for this project. The Fire Department noted thatall needed resources are in place. Outdoor music will be played at conversation level. No demands on the school system. No hazardous waste concerns. Mr. Deming stated the project should be completed by June, 2025.
There were no other comments or concerns. Mr. Kary stated the committee recommends passage of EAS #8-3-25.
The Environmental Planning Committee adjourned at 6:35 p.m.
AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
May 6, 2025
APPROVAL OF MINUTES-
Regular Council Meeting of April 15, 2025
STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS
Parks & Recreation Committee, Ms. Sievers – Ms. Sievers requested a committee meeting on May 20thto review the pool survey results and project updates.
Service Committee, Mr. Anderson – Mr. Anderson stated he would not be at the next Council meeting and wanted to know if the discussion regarding the former landfill could be pushed to the June meeting. Mr. Carr stated that it could be discussed during a full committee meeting.
CORRESPONDENCE
Clerk Novak read a request from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control for a new D5D liquor license forCoppia LLC, dba Coppia, 1745 Lost Nation Road, Willoughby, OH 44094. There were no objections.
PUBLIC PORTION
John Royko, 38195 Strumbly Place, Willoughby – (Previous information regarding flooding at his houseincluding pictures was shared with Council prior to tonight’s meeting). Mr. Royko stated that his backyard is near Grant Elementary and he has struggled with yard and basement flooding for nearly 20 years. He has consulted with private contractors, Willoughby-Eastlake schools and the City including his Ward Councilman Ken Kary to mitigate the flooding. To date, he still has flooding with heavy rain. He stated the flooding has cost him thousands of dollars when his basement floods, replacing carpet and drywall etc. Mr. Royko stated he was before Council tonight asking for their help. Willoughby- Eastlake schools is willing to help. He stated the City, who approved the storm water management for his development, needs to help. He statedhis walk out basement is the lowest point in the area and everything funnels down to it. Service Director Palmisano stated the flooding at Mr. Royko’s house is horrible. He stated that the Sewer Supervisor wentout to the property with a representative from CT Consultants. The result of that was a recommendation toMr. Royko to install a catch basin that ties into his downspouts. Mr. Palmisano stated that in order to alleviatethe problem, the City would have to go on private property. Mr. Royko stated that it seems the area wasn’t engineered properly when the development was put in and he doesn’t feel it’s his responsibility for themitigation. Mr. Palmisano stated he will send the Sewer Supervisor out and look at the property. Mr. Karysuggested an underground retention pond on the school property.
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-43 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution approving EAS #8-3-25 for a restaurant with outdoor patio at the existing building located at 1745 Lost Nation Road (Coppia).
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-44 - First Reading
An ordinance accepting Amendment No. 3 to Ordinance No. 2024-38, the Manning & Payroll Ordinance, relative to the position of Mayor.
Mr. Carr stated these recommended salary changes will take place in 2026 for the Mayor and Council. Mr.Anderson asked Council if they had received any inquiries on the salary increase. No one had any feedback.
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-45 - First Reading
An ordinance accepting Amendment No. 4 to Ordinance No. 2024-38, the Manning & Payroll Ordinance, relative to the positions of Council.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-46 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to accept and enter into an agreement for Lakeshore Improvement Project Osborne Park Project with the Lake Development Authority and Lake County Board of Commissioners to accept funding for the Osborne Park Project, and declaring an emergency.
Mayor Fiala stated that Lake Development Authority, by their Charter, has the ability to grant funding withinone mile of the lake. Osborne Park is within one mile of the lake and the City negotiated the $500,000 forthe park. Mr. Tomaselli asked about the timeline for encumbering the funds. Mayor Fiala stated it was a grant so that money can be encumbered as soon as the funds are released. Parks and Recreation Director Keller stated Lake Development Authority recommended using the funding to remove the current erosion control that is in the lake.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-47 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to review and accept the best pricing and time period proposed by a retail electric supplier for the subsequent inclusion within an agreement for purchase of electricity for the City of Willoughby's Street Lighting, within such time period parameters from twelve (12) to thirty-six (36) months, effective with the May, 2026 meter read date, and declaring an emergency.
Service Director Palmisano stated this legislation was requested by WPCC Superintendent Gorka to enable him to bid. WPCC Assistant Superintendent Brooks stated Mr. Gorka is very diligent in reviewing and monitoring the daily updates on the market. He stated the pricing doesn’t actually expire until next year for electricity and the end of the year for the natural gas. Mr. Gorka will monitor the market and wait for thebest possible opportunity to get the best rate for utilities. With the passage of these resolutions, this will allow Mr. Gorka to move quickly as rates are secured within a matter of hours.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-48 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to review and accept the best pricing and time period proposed by a retail electric supplier for the subsequent inclusion within an agreement for purchase of electricity for the Willoughby-Eastlake Water Pollution Control Center, within such time period parameters from twelve (12) to thirty-six (36) months, effective with the June, 2026 meter read date, and declaring an emergency.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-49 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to review and accept the best pricing and time period proposed by a natural gas supplier for the subsequent inclusion within an agreement for the purchase of natural gas and related services for the City of Willoughby's public buildings, within such time period parameters from twelve (12) to forty-eight (48) months, effective December 1, 2025, and declaring an emergency.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-50 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution recognizing the responsibility of the City of Willoughby to affirmatively further fair housing, and declaring an emergency.
Law Director Lucas stated this resolution is passed annually. This resolution is a prescient to Resolution No. 2025-51.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-51 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to apply to the Lake County Office of Planning and Community Development for a Community Development Block Grant for the Fisal Year 2025, and declaring an emergency.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-52 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing an expenditure in an amount not to exceed $110,000for the purchase of four (4) Dispatch Consoles from Watson Consoles for use by the Willoughby Police Department, and declaring an emergency.
An amendment will need to be made to this resolution tonight because it will be coming out of the Police Safety Levy Fund, not the Capital Fund. Chief Schultz stated these consoles will be going into the new facility. The pricing will go up on the consoles next week. Mr. Tomaselli asked why Chief Shultz isn’t requesting 6 consoles. Chief Schultz stated that funding needs to go to other needs in the new facility.Currently there are three consoles in the current station and throughout the day there are three dispatchers working. He stated they have always had a spare that is used for training or if one console goes down. Withthe new station there will be 4 consoles. If the dispatch center expands, more consoles will be purchased atthat time. However, if other agencies are added, they will help out with those costs. Mr. Tomaselli voiced concerns about purchasing 2 new consoles that wouldn’t fit the space. Chief Schultz stated that WatsonConsoles has been around a long time and had the best pricing. He expects them to be in business a longtime. Mr. Carr stated that it appears communities in Lake County will be keeping their dispatch centers.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-53 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to reject all bids for the Lakeshore Boulevard East Equalization Basin Project, and declaring an emergency.
City Engineer Lannon stated that bids came in very high; he was hoping for bids around
$11 million and the low bid was $14.5 million. This project is a couple years behind schedule largely due toCOVID and the inflation that came with that. He stated the process will start over with an alternate solution.He stated there are commitments that have been made to the EPA because of the scheduling. One of thosewas to build pipeline under the roadway separate from the equalization basin which is part of the operation ofthe facility. There has been a commitment to the EPA to get that done this year. The current thought is to rebid two packages one of which the EPA wants done earlier this year (work in the roadways) and then figure out a more affordable solution for the equalization basin. The property was purchased in Eastlake a while ago. It's an expensive facility because it’s below ground. He stated he is looking at other ways to raise it (the tank) above ground and modify its appearance to make it more acceptable for the neighborhood it’s in. This would also reduce the amount of earthwork and excavation. Mr. Lannon notedthere were only three bidders on this project.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-54 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing Verdantas LLC to re-advertise for bids for the Lakeshore Boulevard East Equalization Basin Project Phase 1, and declaring an emergency.
Mr. Lannon stated plans are done and they have bidders who will be interested. He feels it shouldcome together quickly and hopefully have successful bids in the near future.
NOTE:
For accuracy, this section has been copied from the council meeting minutes
MAYORS REPORT
Mayor Fiala stated that at the request of Chief Schultz and Service Director Palmisano, the City will be installing stop signs on Cheltenham Drive and Gale Road to assist with traffic control. If these two signsdon’t help, two additional stop signs can be added on Hurricane. The City is evaluating on whether or not todrop the speed limit on Kirtland Road to 25 m.p.h. all the way to Rt. 306.
DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
Service Director Palmisano – Mr. Palmisano thanked Council for the passage of Resolution No. 2025-47, 2025-48 and 2025-49. Regarding the information he sent Council from CEP Renewables about the proposed solar panels for the landfill, he stated the landfill is in the process of closing. Testing andmonitoring should be completed by December, 2025. He stated CEP Renewables approached him two years ago; their specialty is placement of solar panels on landfills. The area involved is 8.5 acres out of the 32.7 acres of the landfill. Mr. Palmisano stated that the landfill has a lot of life left; the City has beenusing the landfill for spoils for all of the City’s major projects for as long as he can remember. Using thelandfill for spoils has saved the City millions of dollars and there is at least 15 to 20 years left of capacity for spoils. If the City is successful in closing the monitoring, no more ground water testing would need to be done, in fact, a pump station has been turned off. The pump station gathered all the ground water underneath the landfill and pumped it to a gravity system that went to the plant for treatment. One aspectthat will not change is the methane gas venting; the venting will always be there and it must be tested going forward. He stated that $47,000 has been budgeted this year for the monitoring and the closure of the facility. He stated he would like to have CEP Renewables come in and give a presentation to explain what the process is. It is a marginal amount of money that the City would make but the City would not be responsible for the maintenance; the City is currently mowing the 9 acres. Mr. Carr stated he thought Council should take a step back and look at all the options. He stated he thought the space could be used as a park, leaving it as greenspace. Mr. Carr stated he did some digging around on the internet to see what else the landfill space could be and learned it could also be a golf course or a park. He requested that Councilman Sievers (chair of Park & Recreation Committee) and Councilman Anderson (chair ofService Committee) get together and do some research on the options. He would like to schedule a Committee of Full meeting to review the research. Mr. Tomaselli noted that the site will still be active so itwill be difficult to have a soccer field if there are trucks depositing spoils. Mr. Tomaselli asked if the Citycould bury the old cement slab that the old shredder plant was on. Mr. Palmisano stated that the driveway will be moved over to the west and a new road will be created extending to the back of the landfill so thevalley area will eventually be filled in; the cement slab will be part of the road.
City Engineer Lannon – Mr. Lannon reported that the retaining wall work on River Street was completed last week; restoration work is being completed now including guardrail, grass and paving. The watermainshould be completed in another three weeks. The focus now is the Rt. 84 retaining wall with the OhioPublic Works Commission (OPWC) money becoming available after July 1st. The single State Issue on the ballot today, if passed, would make more money available in the future (a 10 year renewal). There is a list of projects to apply for this year and they will be provisional based on the renewal. Mr. Carr asked how extensive the failure is on Rt. 84. Mr. Lannon stated it’s similar to River Street which is 300 ft. of wall. He stated what is planned for Rt. 84 is an extension of the old sheet pile wall further northeast for another 300ft. The project is roughly $1.5 million. Eventually there will probably be retaining wall all the way to River Road.
Fire Chief Ungar – No report. Chief Ungar stated the recent charity basketball game was well attended.
Police Chief Schultz – Chief Schultz thanked Council for the passage of Resolution No. 2025-52. Chief Schultz stated the ground breaking for the new Police Station was last week; he thanked Communications Director Shana Boyd for her hard work on that. Ms. Sievers asked when the portable speed radar trailer would be out. She has residents concerned about speeding on Windermere and College Court and on Commanche. He stated it is on the schedule to go up on Lakeshore Blvd. shortly.
Chief Building and Zoning Inspector Keller – No report. Mr. Carr asked about property inspections. Mr. Keller stated that letters are going out; they are mostly complaint based. Ms. Brooks will be looking atneighborhoods as well including the downtown area in early summer. Mr. Tomaselli asked about letterssent to residents on St. John Bluff near the conservation easement. It is his understanding that wood piles, sheds and swing sets are a violation. He stated there are residents simply cutting the grass; he askedwhy cutting the grass is a violation. Mr. Keller stated that the land conservancy considers that area a conservation area where it should remain in its natural state. He stated it’s a bigger issue when they cross over onto the City property and cut grass. The Western Reserve Land Conservancy makes those determinations but the City sends the letter. Mr. Keller stated they would not be prosecuting anyone.
Parks & Recreation Director Keller – Ms. Keller reported that the pickleball courts grand opening atOsborne Park is this Thursday. The rib burn off is May 17th and 18th. The Memorial Day parade is May 26thwith a 9 a.m. line up time. Osborne Park pool opens Memorial Day weekend. The pool survey closes nextMonday. She stated there was an ad in the Willoughby Times about the survey which really boosted the survey; there were over 1,100 surveys.
Finance Director Hoffman – Ms. Hoffman stated she will be presenting capital requests for approval at the next Council meeting.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Ms. Sievers – Ms. Sievers reported the annual Ward 1 meeting will be May 21st at the Osborne Park Lakeside Pavillion at 6 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY
I wanted to share some information about the “NEW RESTAURANT” that will be moving into the newly built, JTV LEGENDS HANGAR at Lake County Executive Airport. Yes, that is correct. Not only is there a new Hangar created, but they will also host a very popular restaurant. The restaurant, originally in Chesterland, will now take up residence in Willoughby. I had the opportunity to review all their design plans for the restaurant and “OUTSIDE PATIO”, and they will be providing a very special dining experience.
Check you their Website: https://coppiarestaurant.com
Hedy & Talia Trovato
Chefs/Co-Owners
Food Network Chopped Champions
Though shaped by different culinary traditions and techniques, their vision is united, rooted in creativity, balance, and integrity.
Coppia is our canvas, where we explore personal expression and the interpretation of responsibly sourced ingredients.
This is a typical review of Coppia:
“This is one of the most creative and exciting restaurants we have been to in the Cleveland area in the past ten years.”
“Let’s wish them the best of success in this new location.”
I also want to share that I will continue my pursuit to alleviate the traffic and speeding issues on Lost Nation Road, specifically north of Adkins Rd. to Lakeshore Blvd. With my plans now set to serve another term on City Council, I am committed to this goal.
DO NOT FORGET THIS WEEKEND 2025 Rib Burn Off
The Marous DTW RIB BURN OFF returns to downtown Willoughby THIS WEEKEND – May 17th and 18th!
This two-day event features beer, craft cocktails, local vendors, a Meijer’s Kids Zone, live music on three different stages, and of course, RIBS from participating downtown Willoughby restaurants and national vendors. Erie Street will be closed to all traffic for both days.
This FREE event will take place on Saturday, May 17 from Noon – 10 p.m. and Sunday, May 18 from Noon – 8 p.m.
For more details about this year’s event, please visit http://dtwrbo.com
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