Kirtland Mayor Kevin Potter dug into some of the city’s goals this year during the Jan. 22 Kirtland City Council meeting.
Kirtland Mayor Kevin Potter dug into some of the city’s goals this year during the Jan. 22 Kirtland City Council meeting.
“Mayor Potter met up with David Radachy from Lake County Planning (Commission) and also with Rhea Benton, who is the community development block grant manager, regarding community development block grant opportunities,” said Economic Development Director Monica Drake.
Drake said Radachy mentioned LCPC provides 12 hours of free service to every community in Lake County every year.
“That’s a potential opportunity,” she said.
During his update, Potter thanked Kirtland Fire Chief Tony Hutton and Police Chief Lance Nosse for recent service.
“We had an unfortunate situation in the city last week — someone had lost a family member,” explained Potter. “Both of our chiefs were lauded in this Facebook post, by the family member, for going above and beyond what you’d probably get in some other (communities). Our chiefs stayed with the family members … (it) brought … a lot of comfort to the situation, which ultimately ended in a loss for that family.”
Potter said he spoke to Willoughby Hills Mayor Andy Gardner regarding road repair and opportunities they might be able to tag team on.
“He and I talked about (doing) a joint venture where we go out and bid along with Willoughby Hills. So economies-of-scale kind of thinking,” Potter said. “If not (this year), certainly next year. Maybe (with) some of the other surrounding communities, as well.”
Potter discussed the still-forming Charter Review Committee.
“Thanks to everyone who submitted names. I’ve reached out to just about all of the suggestions,” he said. “I’m really excited about the group that we have coming in for that for that charter review committee. It’s a very talented group, very reasonable group. Not any one person is going to come in with their own agenda. I see them working very well together, so I’m excited about that.”
Potter said the city has applied for state funds to furnish outside bathrooms for the community center.
“I thank Monica Drake for bringing (the chance to apply for funding) to my attention,” he said. “I thank (Kirtland Community Center manager) Jenna Hull and (Executive Assistant) Helen Petersburg for working very quickly to have something submitted to the state by late afternoon today.”
Potter said the application process will take some time.
“We’re not going to hear right away. There’s a process down in Columbus, obviously. Both Sen. (John Eklund) and Rep. (Jamie) Callender assured me that they would get those requests in as part of their funding request” he said. “That’s exciting.”
Potter reported he is collaborating with the Kirtland Kiwanis Club, the baseball league and the soccer league to bring a playground to the community center.
“The Kiwanis and the soccer league have gone after some grant opportunities, so hopefully it will be funded through those mechanisms,” he said, adding facilitating pickleball is also a point of discussion.
“We’ve got a site selected on the east side of the building that, with the help of our service department, should be able to get that done relatively inexpensively,” Potter said. “(Service Administrator Duane Martz) is going to go out and get the costs on some materials — fencing, nets, those kinds of things. Still preliminary, but (pickleball) is certainly an intent of mine.”
