Willoughby council approves Lakeshore Lounge patio update, accepts VFW donation; mayor seeks board training after heated Planning Commission meeting

Willoughby — Willoughby City Council on March 3 approved an outdoor-area update for Lakeshore Lounge and accepted a $2,000 donation to the police department, and discussed a proposed board onboarding and training program after a contested Planning Commission meeting.

Council voted unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2026-18, approving EAS #1-1-26 to update the existing patio at 38770 Lakeshore Blvd (Lakeshore Lounge). Councilwoman Sievers moved the measure, Councilman Anderson seconded, and the roll-call vote was 7-0.

The council also unanimously adopted Resolution No. 2026-19 to accept a $2,000 donation from Willoughby VFW Post 1500 to purchase training equipment for the new Willoughby Police Department facility. Councilman Tomaselli moved the resolution, Councilman Anderson seconded, and the measure passed on a 7-0 roll-call vote.

Why it matters: The patio update is a locally regulated site improvement that the Environmental Planning Committee recommended for passage, and the VFW donation will fund training items at a facility whose construction is advancing, police officials said. Police Chief Schultz thanked the VFW and said construction crews recently poured the floor of the jail portion of the new facility and will begin framing the remaining structure later in the week.

Liquor license notice and a prospective pins venue Clerk Novak read a notice from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control about a new D-3 application for The Septathlon LLC at 4041 Erie St. Mayor Robert A. Fiala said the Vitalone family owns the building and that a prospective tenant intends to open a pins-mechanical entertainment venue. The mayor said the applicant is applying proactively for a D-3 license and may also seek a D-5 to serve beer and wine; he added that the owner holds any license and could transfer it later if the tenant withdraws.

Public comment and board training proposal During the public-comment period, resident Jeffrey Malecki criticized what he described as rude behavior directed at Planning Commission members at a recent meeting and urged courtesy from both citizens and officials. Malecki also said he supports a proposed gas station project because the city needs revenue and that some residents appeared unclear about the project’s stage in the review process.

Following those remarks, Mayor Fiala told council members that the city should develop an onboarding and training program for board and commission chairs and members to reduce the risk of unruly meetings. The mayor said training would include review of appropriate conduct, Robert’s Rules of Order and crowd-management strategies. Councilman Tomaselli agreed training would be useful and noted the vice chair who presided at the Planning Commission meeting had been placed in a difficult position.

Other business Council received committee updates: Councilman Anderson said he is collecting merchant feedback on whether a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) is appropriate, including signatures from bars and restaurants; Environmental Planning Committee Chair Kary recommended passage of the EAS referenced in Resolution 2026-18; Finance Committee work on the 2026 operating budget will continue March 17; and the WPCC joint meeting is scheduled March 5.

Next steps The council adjourned at 7:59 p.m. The EAS approval and the VFW donation take effect per city procedure; Mayor Fiala said a program to train board and commission chairs will be developed and scheduled for a future date.