COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY FEBRUARY 3, 2026
Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary
• February 3, 2026 •
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:
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING:
Committee: Dan Anderson, Ken Kary, Mike Merhar
*The purpose of the Economic Development Committee meeting is to discuss a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) and the proposed amphitheater.
TODD FIELD AMPHITHEATER
Mr. Thielman stated that the City originally pursued approximately $1 million through the State of Ohio Capital Grant Program but ultimately received $300,000 from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission. Since the award, several developments shaped the project’s direction. First, the strong attendance and positive community response to the Osborne Park concert series demonstrated a substantial local appetite for live outdoor events. This success contributed to the City’s decision to purchase a mobile stage, now used throughout the year at multiple events and also rented for outside use; an investment that has been highly beneficial. Second, significant momentum on the Chagrin River Trail project including the purchase of 105 acres of land across the river which shifted the City’s perspective on the long‑term vision for the Todd Field area, especially considering the goal of connecting Todd Field to Daniels Park. Third, initial public design meetings conducted with SmithGroup revealed that earlier concepts were too ambitious for the level of funding available or realistically obtainable, prompting the need to scale the project back.
Mr. Thielman summarized the newest design concepts produced by Verdantas, which return to the original intent: a modest, functional riverfront amphitheater that complements existing event spaces but doesn’t compete with them. Because the City now owns a portable stage, the OFCC grant funds can be repurposed to support a phased approach. Phase one is expected to include excavation and shaping of the seating bowl, installation of a concrete pad, and foundational infrastructure. He stated that this work will not disrupt the current baseball field configuration. It will, however, require removal of the existing playground equipment at Todd Field, which is deteriorating, rusting, and already slated for replacement elsewhere per Ms. Keller’s plans.
Mr. Thielman stated there have been concerns about the limited and inconvenient access between downtown Willoughby to Todd Field. The new plan includes improvements to the Glenn Avenue approach to enhance walkability, visibility, and the overall first impression of Todd Field, which is the City’s most heavily used park. This area will also become the gateway to the future Chagrin River Trail, making the design and functionality of the entrance especially important. Mr. Luciano asked about expected amphitheater capacity. Mr. Thielman estimated an intimate venue of roughly 500 people, with opportunities for future expansion. Mr. Luciano asked whether the City would continue its existing concert series at Wes Point Park. Mr. Thielman stated the City would continue the Thursday night concert series at the gazebo noting there is a lot of tradition there. The City began hosting a summer series at Osborne, and the City plans to offer programming at the new amphitheater as well. The City had preliminary discussions with Andrew Osborne Academy (AOA) and the Willoughby Fine Arts about additional potential uses for the space.
Mr. Carr sought clarification on whether the plans shown represented the full scope of phase one. Mr. Thielman explained that the City is getting estimates but he believes the seating bowl, concrete pad, and basic infrastructure can be completed within available funding. He also noted that the City has an additional $300,000 grant from ODNR related to the Chagrin River Trail, with required use on the Todd Field side. While much of that will support the bridge crossing and approach work, a portion may help with amphitheater‑related work.
Mr. Carr asked how soon Council might have a clearer picture of what is financially feasible. Mr. Thielman explained that the funding is reimbursement‑based and was awarded in 2022, making timely expenditure critical. The goal is to have phase‑one work completed by year‑end. Mayor Fiala added that a significant portion of the funds may be used for improvements along Glenn Avenue including clearing overgrowth, enhancing lighting, and creating a more inviting and safer access route; a long term plan would include a walkway. He emphasized that, because these improvements directly support access to the amphitheater, the grant dollars can be justified for use in that area. Mayor Fiala stated that Verdantas is doing some sketches, general engineering, and cost estimates, and then move forward with a design‑build approach. He stated the City will find a contractor with the heavy equipment who can manage it, rather than going through a lengthy engineering process since the funding must be spent this year.
Mr. Thielman stated there are some interesting accoutrements of the project: the bridge abutments from the former Glenn Avenue Bridge on the AOA side are deteriorating and must be removed. The City plans to salvage and repurpose some of the large stone blocks, likely sandstone or limestone, into the amphitheater design as aesthetic elements. Mayor Fiala noted that removing these remnants may improve water flow, potentially lowering the river’s high‑water mark. This could reduce costs for the Chagrin River Trail bridge, since a lower high‑water mark allows for construction of a lower bridge, based on bathymetric survey data.
Mr. Thielman concluded with several broader economic development updates. Both vacant brewery properties have strong prospects: a Northeast Ohio entrepreneur is moving forward with a BBQ‑themed restaurant at the former Brim location, and an established regional brewer known for both food and beer is seriously considering the Willoughby Brewing Company site. Additionally, the Reichert Steel building on Elm Avenue has been sold to Gallagher Plumbing, which plans to create roughly 30 jobs through an HVAC fabrication operation. He stated Jeff’s Candy Shop is moving to the north end. He added that more updates could be shared once the City’s budget process wraps up.
DESIGNATED OUTDOOR REFRESHMENT AREA (DORA)
Mr. Anderson thought there were about 200 DORA districts in Ohio, but after personally counting, the number is approximately 160. He encouraged Council members to conduct a small amount of research, noting that searching “Ohio DORA” and using an AI assistant provides clear explanations. He explained that a city of Willoughby’s size may establish up to three DORA locations totaling no more than 320 acres, though it is unlikely Willoughby would ever need more than two. He stated he is still trying to identify a city whose downtown setup closely mirrors Willoughby’s for comparison. For example, Chardon uses its DORA to draw people to their central park, but Willoughby does not have a similar park. Conversely, Cuyahoga Falls has a layout somewhat similar to Willoughby’s, but it is much larger and has far more merchants.
He also observed that downtown Willoughby’s business mix includes many service‑based businesses such as salons, tattoo shops, and law offices; places patrons are unlikely to visit while carrying alcoholic beverages making Willoughby’s potential DORA considerations different from those of more retail‑focused downtowns. He repeated that the topic does not require immediate action but will certainly surface again, especially since Small Nation said that a DORA can act as a “lightning rod” for economic development. Chairman Anderson stressed that the most important question in his mind is identifying who would be responsible for cleanup.
Mr. Luciano asked Chief Schultz whether he had met with the individuals who previously met with Anderson and himself to discuss a DORA. Chief Schultz confirmed that he and Assistant Chief Tartaglia did meet with them, listened to their intentions, asked follow‑up questions, and that the individuals planned to conduct additional research.
Chairman Anderson closed by reiterating that every aspect of a DORA, days, hours, boundaries, rules can be customized by Council and the City, noting that some cities limit their DORA to specific days and short time windows, while others operate daily.
The Economic Development Committee adjourned at 6:56 p.m.
AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 3, 2026
APPROVAL OF MINUTES-
Regular Council Meeting of January 20, 2026
STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS
Service Committee, Mr. Anderson – No report. Mr. Carr stated he had recently met with Service Director Knecht and wanted to revisit a prior idea that had been discussed with Mr. Anderson. He said there had been a conversation about scheduling a “drive‑around” tour of the City to review various locations, especially since there are new members of Council; however, that plan had never materialized. He stated that during Service Director Tomaselli’s tenure there had been a regular annual practice each spring in which Council members would ride together in the Parks and Recreation van to tour the City. Mr. Anderson stated he would find out when the van would be available. Mr. Carr stated he previously mentioned to Mr. Lannon the need for an update on the City’s Storm Water Master Plan. He clarified that he is not proposing a full new study since the current plan already exists, but rather a refresh or review to present at a committee meeting. He noted the existing plan is approximately 10–15 years old. The City has completed substantial portions of the work outlined in it, bringing the plan back to the committee would help clarify what has been completed, what remains, and whether priorities may have shifted based on present‑day knowledge. Mr. Anderson stated he would like to do the tour first, since much of what they would observe relates directly to stormwater issues. Mr. Carr thought it would be helpful to provide all members with a copy of the plan beforehand, so they could reference it during the tour.
WPCC Committee, Mr. Garry – Mr. Garry reported the annual joint meeting is scheduled for March 5th at 6:00 p.m. at Willoughby City hall.
CORRESPONDENCE
Clerk Novak read two requests from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control. The first was for Rockdirt LLC, 3941 Erie Street Willoughby, Ohio. This location is the former Brim site. There were no objections. The second was for Boutique Croatian Wines LLC, Boutique Croatian Wines Retail and Shipping, 4964 Campbell Road, Willougby, Ohio. There were no objections. Mr. Thielman stated that the people who own the Croatian Boutique Winery own a Croatian import export business out in Avon Lake and many other businesses.
PUBLIC PORTION
Tina Ludwig, Northeast Regional Liaison for Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber – Ms. Ludwig presented the Auditor of State Award to the City of Willoughby. She recognized the Finance Department’s outstanding work in attaining accounting excellence every day and also Finance Director Cherilynn Hoffman for her leadership, professionalism and exceptional commitment to fiscal integrity.
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-6 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement to accept a Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC) 2026 Energized Community Grant in the amount of $62,821.00, and declaring an emergency.
Mr. Carr stated Ms. Hoffman had sent out an e-mail memo that included examples of eligible uses such as HVAC and LED lighting upgrades done is the past. Ms. Hoffman stated that the Service Director will decide how the funds would be used for the year. Mr. Knecht stated he has been working on updating the HVAC units at the two fire stations; he is close to determining a scope that would fit within the grant parameters to complete the remaining updates so that both stations would be completely updated.
Mr. Luciano stated that some residents had expressed concerns about the LED lights disrupting sleep, altering the neighborhood ambiance, and affecting nocturnal wildlife. Mr. Carr stated that LED installation had been intentionally limited to commercial districts early on because such concerns had been long‑standing and were becoming increasingly relevant. Mr. Luciano stated that some LED lights were close to homes and could shine into bedrooms, understandably causing frustration.
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-7 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution approving Change Order No. 2 in the Willoughby Police Station Project with Infinity Construction Co., Inc., and declaring an emergency.
Mr. Carr stated that Mayor Fiala sent out a memo regarding project contingencies. Mayor Fiala stated that just over 60% of the schedule of values had been completed. He added that the remaining 40% should be easier because most unforeseen conditions in the existing building had already been addressed, though some additional change orders were still expected. He explained the industry standard of a 5 to 10% range for contingencies and noted that they remained below 5%, expressing hope that the most challenging issues were behind us.
Mayor Fiala stated he would prepare a spreadsheet categorizing change orders into three types: unforeseen existing conditions; code requirements or structural issues (including items not shown on architectural documents); and owner‑requested changes. He stated that owner changes had been reasonable so far. For example, the decision to use high‑impact drywall in the interview room after Assistant Chief Tartaglia noted that the originally specified height would not be sufficient to withstand potential damage. Mr. Carr stated he went on a tour recently and had seen significant progress and hoped that most code‑related or unforeseen issues had now been identified. Mayor Fiala agreed and described the extent of completed work: finished flooring being installed on the first floor, hard surfaces nearly completed in locker rooms and bathrooms, carpet and grid installation underway throughout the building, and pads being put in place. He noted that progress was moving quickly within the renovation portion, but the jail addition was experiencing delays due to extreme weather, as construction could not continue safely or cost‑effectively under such conditions.
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-8 Motion carried 7 to 0
A resolution to approve a Then and Now Certificate and to authorize the Finance Director to draw a warrant for the invoices associated with such certificate for payment of Court expenses, and declaring an emergency.
Ms. Hoffman confirmed this is for a current‑year purchase order for a prior‑year expense.
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-9
A resolution honoring Zoning Inspector Karen Brooks and commending her for her 36 years of service to the City of Willoughby.
Mr. Carr stated that Mr. Keller will read this resolution in it’s entirety.
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 provided an update regarding the school district’s anticipated plan to place an income tax levy on the May ballot. He explained that there was a meeting last Wednesday including himself and four mayors (from the district) in which during the discussions, they urged the school district to reconsider not the need for additional funding, but whether an income tax was the best mechanism to pursue. He stated that both the Willoughby‑Eastlake School District and Parma operate under unique five‑year emergency renewal levies, and the state has created conditions that will cause the district to lose a substantial amount of revenue, putting them in a difficult financial situation. While acknowledging the district’s need for funding, the group including State Senator Jerry Cirino and the four mayor’s raised concerns that imposing an income tax could unintentionally drive away the City’s highest wage earners, ultimately harming both the school district and the City of Willoughby. The school board had been scheduled to pass the final resolution for the May ballot at a meeting Wednesday evening, but after the discussion that morning, the board chose not to hold the meeting and will forgo the May ballot. Mayor Fiala stated that he expects the district to return with a levy proposal in November, but emphasized that, in the meantime, the four mayors have committed themselves to working collaboratively with the district to identify a rational funding strategy that protects both the City’s future and the students of the Willoughby‑Eastlake Schools. He noted that the next three months will involve significant work and he will provide updates as progress continues.
DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
Service Director Knecht – Mr. Knecht stated that the winter continues, he expressed appreciation to Council members who had reached out with concerns. Mr. Garry asked about the City’s salt supply, and Mr. Knecht stated that salt levels were holding up, with several loads arriving daily. All orders had been placed, deliveries were continuing, and although the department was being conservative when possible, the City remains in a good position and is halfway through the annual quota. Mr. Knecht explained that the salt comes from Morton Salt through the ODOT contract and that the company has been delivering reliably, allocating their truck fleet to ensure all customers received what they ordered. Mr. Kary thanked Mr. Knecht, noting that after reporting concerns about handicapped residents in the Ward 2 area, the Service Department responded extremely quickly. The residents were thrilled with the prompt service.
City Engineer Lannon – Mr. Lannon stated that Trax Construction has resumed on Vine Street and, despite weather‑related shutdowns, completion is still expected in roughly four weeks. Pavement replacement will extend the work into early April, and because a temporary pavement option is unlikely, at least one lane will remain closed until then. Mr. Carr asked about a discrepancy discovered between the City’s ward maps and those posted by the Lake County Board of Elections. He noted that others had independently noticed the issue, particularly inconsistencies involving Wards 2 and 3, and asked Mr. Lannon to investigate. Mr. Lannon stated he will check the legal ward descriptions in the code and ensure they match the county’s official data. Mr. Carr stated that recent website updates may have contributed to the mismatch and suggests confirming which map is legally correct before updating anything. Mr. Kary provided examples of the discrepancies, noting changes on Atkins Road and Hurricane, which differ between the City and county maps. Mr. Carr stated that the county’s map should reflect the legal boundaries used for voting, but the priority is to confirm accuracy and then decide whether any anomalies need further discussion.
Police Chief Schultz – Chief Schultz stated that over the weekend, several Police and Fire Department members met Noah Coughlin, a man currently on his fifth walk-run journey across the United States. He began this trek in December in Maine and is traveling through all the northern states; by the end of this trip, he will have visited every state except three. His mission is to promote the spirit of America and raise money for rare disease research and related charities. He was described as a genuinely kind person and an inspiration. Anyone interested in learning more can visit his website, run4usa.com. It was truly special that he passed through Willoughby.
Chief Building and Zoning Inspector Keller – Mr. Keller thanked Council for the passage of Resolution No. 2026-9.
Finance Director Hoffman – Ms. Hoffman thanked Council for the passage of Resolution Nos. 2026-6 and 2026-8.
COUNCIL REPORTS
NO MAJOR REPORTS
ADJOURNMENT
The Regular Council Meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m.
COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY
I felt the Mayors report from January 2026 was very informative, so I decided to share that in my summary.
MAYORS REPORT • JANUARY 2026
Happy New Year! 2025 was a year of growth, creativity and momentum, particularly in its historic downtown and lakefront districts. Last year the city welcomed two new events in Downtown Willoughby —
Chilloughby, a festival celebrating the winter season, and Nashwill, an all-day music fest hosted by the Downtown Willoughby Bar and Restaurant Association. Both events were extremely well-received by residents, visitors and local businesses, and demonstrated the community’s enthusiasm for new experiences. We thank our Parks and Recreation Department, whose planning and support were key to their success. We continue to create new, family-friendly experiences in our historic downtown and we are actively planning for an exciting 2026.
Additionally, Willoughby supported a new holiday shopping initiative, Shop the Block — Golden Ticket Raffle, which was hosted by the Downtown Willoughby Merchant Association. The city worked closely with local merchants to help coordinate, promote and support the program, which encouraged residents to shop
locally during the holiday season while offering the chance to win cash prizes. The initiative successfully boosted foot traffic downtown and reinforced the importance of investing in our small businesses.
Meanwhile, the city’s Osborne Park Concert Series continues to draw strong crowds with an engaging and a diverse lineup. With ongoing improvements at Osborne Park, we see even more opportunities for events and programming in our lakefront districts.
Willoughby has several major projects and initiatives underway that will carry strong momentum into 2026, and beyond. One of the most significant is the construction of our new police station. Bids were received in January 2025 and the construction contract was awarded to Infinity Construction. The project remains on schedule and we are looking forward to a mid-summer 2026 grand opening of this state-of-the-art facility. The renovated and expanded former Meister Media Worldwide building will ensure the men and women of the Willoughby Police Department have the modern facility they need to carry out their important mission. As construction nears completion, we are also planning a spring ‘Hard Hat Tour’ to give residents an opportunity to see the progress firsthand.
Additionally, contracts were awarded for one rebuilt ambulance and one new ambulance for the Willoughby Fire Department. Both the new police station and fire department vehicles are funded through the recently approved Safety Levy, reflecting the commitment to providing the highest level of public safety services for residents.
The year also marked the start of the planning process for the city’s amphitheater project. We are hopeful that the initial work on this project will begin in 2026 with completion timed alongside the Chagrin River Trail project, funded through a combination of state and federal grants, as well as ARPA funds. The initial phase will include a pedestrian connection to the Chagrin River Trail project and entrance improvements to Todd Field. We are planning our new amphitheater to not impact the existing baseball fields. Construction on the Chagrin River Trail itself is expected to begin in 2026 and continue through 2027.
The city is also preparing for the start of the Osborne Park shoreline protection project, which will include the slope stabilization, erosion control measures and improved access to the city’s lakefront. Additional
enhancements at Osborne Park will include a new monument sign and an electronic reader board, intended to improve communication and enhance the visitor experience in the city’s lakefront district. Funding for the Osborne Park project comes from grants and ARPA funds. The city continues its efforts in providing controlled traffic along the Lost Nation Road corridor with plans for the installation of a new roundabout. These traffic improvements are proven to slow traffic and reduce accidents, and this project is already included on NOACA’s list upcoming funding. Together, these projects demonstrate Willoughby’s continued investment in public safety, infrastructure, recreation and quality of life as we move into 2026, and beyond.
Willoughby is launching a new campaign focused on promoting and re-energizing Downtown Willoughby. To support this effort, the city has engaged Small Nation, a firm with extensive experience in helping small communities develop cohesive leasing strategies and effective marketing
programs that strengthen downtown districts. Small Nation has a proven track record of working with historic downtowns to support local businesses while creating safe, welcoming and positive experiences for residents, and visitors. We are currently reviewing their initial feedback, insights and recommendations, and we look forward to sharing those findings with the community. As this initiative moves forward, Willoughby plans to engage residents, business owners and stakeholders through a series of outreach efforts to ensure this vision reflects the needs, and priorities of the entire Willoughby community. This campaign represents another important step in our continued commitment to preserving the character of our historic downtown while
positioning it for long-term success.
article featured in the News Herald
The best to everyone!
Ken
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/