Mayor's Report

As we begin the last month of summer, we would once again like to thank our residents for helping us celebrate our country’s 250^th birthday on July 4^th. Along with our partners, The Andrews Osborne Academy and The Fine Arts Association, and the generous support of our sponsors, we enjoyed an evening of family-friendly activities and a wonderful performance by the Cleveland Pops Orchestra.

We’ve also had a busy road construction season with multiple projects on Rt 84 and Vine Street which will be winding down as we approach fall. We recognize the inconvenience these projects have caused, but they were necessary to take advantage of the grant funding awarded to the city. Thank you for your patience and caution while traveling through the construction zones and detours.

We would also like to provide background on our property maintenance program, which is designed to protect the appearance, safety and value of our neighborhoods. Each year, city staff conduct inspections throughout Willoughby to identify potential property maintenance violations. Occasionally, we also receive calls or emails from residents who pass along concerns.

When a violation is identified, the process begins with a notice explaining what needs attention and providing time to make corrections. If the issue is not addressed, a second notice is issued. Should a violation continue, a prosecutor’s hearing is scheduled to help the property owner understand the requirements and identify resources that may assist with completing the work. Only after these steps have been exhausted, or when a property owner refuses to respond, is a summons to court issued.

If you receive a letter from the city regarding a property maintenance issue, please don’t ignore it. Contact our Zoning Inspector so we can assist with a solution. Most property maintenance issues are resolved through communication and cooperation.

City council is currently reviewing legislation to regulate the use of e-bikes, golf carts and ATVs within our city. Our goal is providing ordinances that balance the use of these micromobility vehicles with the safety of the riders, pedestrians, and motorists. We welcome your thoughts and comments on this important issue, and we will be discussing this at upcoming council meetings.

Finally, council has enacted a one-year moratorium on data centers. Given the uncertainty surrounding energy consumption and other environmental impacts, as well as a state committee currently studying these issues, a cautious approach to this building type is well-advised. Again, we welcome resident input on this issue.

We hope you enjoy the final weeks of summer and remember that our Gazebo and Osborne Park concert series are still underway. Be sure to join us for Neighborhood Night Out, sponsored by the Willoughby Police Department, on August 4th at Daniels Park. Then, on August 8th, enjoy two great community events in Downtown Willoughby: Last Stop Willoughby, a family-friendly event sponsored by The Heart of Willoughby, and Chalkfest, hosted by the Willoughby Arts Collaborative

We hope to see you at these events, and as always, please check our Facebook page and website for city updates or feel free to call or email with thoughts, comments and ideas.