Written by the reviewer from the ASR + docket; [verbatim-ASR] = quoted machine transcript; [paraphrase] = reviewer's wording, not a quote.
0:00 All right. We will call the full meeting of council to order.
0:04 If you're able, please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.
0:25 Now, it's our custom to pause for a moment of silence.
0:30 Tonight, as we enter that, it's with heavy hearts that we recognize the sudden
0:35 passing this week of Nancy Fian.
0:39 Having previously served in the mayor's office, Nancy started working at Cove
0:42 Community Center shortly after its opening, and she quickly became the
0:46 heart and soul of the place, a warm, welcoming presence that made everyone
0:50 entering feel part of the community.
0:52 As human services director Barry said when I spoke with him, she knew
0:56 everyone who came through the door immediately.
0:58 Nancy was also a talented photographer, participating in the Lakewood Art
1:02 Festival, and she contributed her skills to document and promote Cove events.
1:07 I expect that we will formally recognize Nancy's contributions at a
1:10 future meeting, and I know the mayor also wishes to acknowledge her.
1:14 So I'll just close by saying, Nancy was a bright light who truly cared
1:19 about the lives of her colleagues and neighbors and served her community
1:23 She will be missed terribly.
1:27 Thank you, council president.
1:29 Yes, it was with very sad news that we had heard that she had passed over
1:34 the weekend, and I'd like to take a moment and share part of an email
1:39 I sent citywide regarding Nancy.
1:43 Nancy began her tenure with the city here in my office and did a
1:48 fantastic job, and she ultimately found her home in human services at
1:54 Cove Community Center.
1:56 Nancy quickly became the face of Cove.
1:59 She built deep and meaningful relationships with the residents she
2:04 Her compassion, humor, and presence made a lasting impact on
2:10 She was a pillar of the Lakewood community in a familiar and deeply
2:17 She dedicated her time and talents to this community, which she
2:20 served faithfully, and her loss will be felt immensely across the
2:26 You know, words can't express how sad we were, and I was thinking today
2:32 about Nancy and how much she loved photography.
2:36 I still had this photo and letter she had sent me with a beautiful
2:42 photograph that she took and a heartfelt note about how much she
2:47 truly enjoyed working for the city of Lakewood, and that's something
2:50 I will personally cherish.
2:52 I think everybody has a similar personal memory and story about
2:55 Nancy, and she will be deeply, deeply missed.
3:02 Take a moment of silence.
3:21 Madam Clerk, please call the roll.
3:23 Vice President Baker.
3:25 Council Member Boak.
3:26 Council Member Evans.
3:29 Council Member Marks.
3:31 Council Member Hamilton-Steiner.
3:33 Council Member Striebig.
3:35 Reading and disposal of the minutes of the regular meeting of
3:37 council held December 1st.
3:39 Move to approve without the necessity of a reading.
3:42 Motion's been made and seconded.
3:48 And that motion passes.
3:50 Item one, report from Committee of the Whole.
3:53 Meeting held December 5th, 2025.
4:06 It's like, that was me.
4:07 So, Committee of the Whole met December 5th to discuss
4:11 resolution 2025-73 regarding the collective bargaining unit
4:21 We had good discussion with the administration about their
4:24 hard work on those agreements, which we very much
4:27 appreciated, and it was referred favorably out of
4:30 committee, out of committee for adoption this evening.
4:33 We have to receive and file that report.
4:36 Motion's been made and seconded.
4:38 The only thing I'll note is we did make a slight amendment
4:43 to it about the next round of bargaining where the
4:48 administration will meet with council to kind of go over
4:50 the high-level strategy in advance.
4:52 Thank you for that reminder.
4:54 Any further discussion?
4:59 And that motion passes.
5:00 Item two, substitute resolution 2025-73, a
5:04 resolution to take effect immediately authorizing the
5:06 mayor of the city of Lakewood to enter into
5:08 agreements with the eight unions representing more than
5:11 450 city employees for a three-year period,
5:13 commencing January 1st, 2026 and ending December
5:16 31st, 2028 and ratifying those agreements.
5:19 And this is the version that includes that change,
5:24 as Vice President Baker mentioned.
5:25 So I will first move to adopt.
5:28 Motion's been made and seconded.
5:31 Again, thank you to Director Dillinger and
5:35 Director Mahoney and Assistant Director Swallow
5:37 in particular, as well as all the administrative
5:39 staff that contributed to getting this done and to
5:42 the unions for having a collegial relationship and
5:47 Any further discussion?
5:49 Hearing none on the motion to adopt.
5:53 And that motion passes.
5:54 Item three, report from finance committee held
5:57 December 8th and December 15th, 2025.
6:01 Thank you, Madam Chair.
6:02 The council, excuse me, the finance committee
6:04 met and did a very robust and thorough job of
6:10 hearing from various departments, developing
6:14 thoughtful questions and all council members
6:16 participated to, which is wonderful and we
6:21 appreciate to the directors about
6:25 accomplishments, trends, plans for next year and
6:28 also the cost for operations and capital as
6:34 So it was very thoughtful and successful
6:35 budget, series of budget hearings, including
6:38 tonight, we talked at length about budget
6:42 I would like to note, I guess I'll save it for
6:50 the next item rather than put it in a report
6:54 that there are cost implications of the
7:00 amount of spending in the budget.
7:01 We've received strong tax revenues, but we've
7:05 also, we're facing a lot of costs thanks to
7:09 capital and then anticipated or are now
7:12 approved staffing costs increases.
7:16 So I have an observation to share about
7:18 that, but I'll save that for following motion.
7:22 Moved to receive and file that oral report.
7:24 Second, motion's been made and seconded.
7:30 And that motion passes.
7:32 Item four, ordinance 31, 2025, an ordinance
7:35 to take effect immediately to establish
7:37 appropriations for current expenses and other
7:39 expenditures of the city of Lakewood for the
7:41 fiscal year ending December 31st, 2025.
7:44 First move to amend by replacing with the
7:46 version recommended out of finance.
7:49 Motion's been made and seconded.
7:52 Madam president, I've got, I guess this is
7:58 good as time as I just want to give some
8:01 big picture comments on the budget process
8:04 and the budget as proposed.
8:07 So this proposable for us is year end 2025
8:10 appropriations and it reflects much stronger
8:14 tax receipts and also disciplined cost
8:20 controls by the administration, which we
8:21 appreciate and it then proposes to you to
8:25 transfer 9.9 million out of the general
8:27 fund to next year's needs for various
8:32 places, mostly capital, but also some
8:37 So it's a prudent, it's a prudent budget on
8:40 the budget for next year.
8:42 I'd like to note that there's a, there's a
8:46 chart in the budget that projects that
8:49 are, there's a decline in the number of
8:55 days that our year end general fund
9:01 So by our financial policies and
9:02 procedures, we attempt to reserve up to 60
9:07 days of unencumbered general fund balance.
9:11 It's a good practice.
9:13 It gives us a cushion if we don't get
9:15 paid, for example, if we're get a delayed
9:17 payment from the federal government for
9:19 community development block grants, and it's
9:21 good for our balance sheet and our
9:25 But let me just go through some figures
9:26 in 2019 we had 7.9 million that was
9:31 good for, that covered 64.9 days of
9:34 operations or $122,000 a day.
9:37 In 2020 we had, we increased that to
9:40 9.1, 9.2 million and that covered 75
9:43 days at about $121,000 a day.
9:46 In 2026 we're increasing the dollar
9:48 amount to 10.7, 10.8 million, but it
9:52 only covers 61 days.
9:54 And in fact, a year over year, three
9:57 So we, we project that in 12 months we're
10:00 gonna have more money in reserve, but
10:02 that same, that larger amount is gonna
10:05 cover three fewer days of operations.
10:07 And so the calculation is that now for
10:10 2026 we cost $175,683.79 per day.
10:18 So that's an increase from the other
10:20 numbers I said, which was around
10:23 That's an increase of 44% since 2020.
10:27 By comparison, U.S.
10:28 inflation is 26, 27%.
10:31 Midwest inflation is 13 and a quarter.
10:34 So our daily cost of operating the
10:39 city is going up more steeply than
10:42 Personnel costs in total, as are
10:45 included in the ordinance before us
10:46 that we're talking about right now, I
10:48 totaled them at 64 million.
10:50 That may be another count if you
10:52 measure across all funds.
10:54 That's a significant one.
10:55 The corollaries or the, the
10:57 implication of this is that our
10:58 staff costs will grow a compounded
11:00 3% in 2027 and 4% in 2028 by the
11:04 agreements that we just approved.
11:08 Our financial strategy I'm inferring
11:10 is that we are counting on tax
11:14 And they have been, and that's
11:16 encouraging, but is that sustainable?
11:18 Is it sustainable for our taxpayers?
11:20 And is it always gonna be that
11:21 the economy is strong or, or
11:24 income taxes are strong.
11:26 With staff costs high and locked
11:28 in, the option for the city to
11:31 have cost control is to reduce
11:35 And if, if needed, then our
11:36 only other choice is reduce head
11:37 count, which is the most painful.
11:40 I'm not advocating for that at
11:41 all, but what I'm pointing out
11:42 is that as our costs have gone
11:44 up and 75% of our budget, our
11:49 general fund is personnel, we're
11:55 And, and I do think that's a
11:57 We, we, our head count has gone
11:58 up by about 10 people or so.
12:01 Um, but, but the costs are
12:03 going up, so that's something
12:04 to watch for all of us.
12:10 And I think, um, it's important
12:12 to note too, in those contract
12:14 agreements in our discussion,
12:16 community hold too at, um,
12:17 reducing over time was one of
12:21 So, but it is worth noting.
12:23 Um, you know, and as you pointed
12:25 out, councilman book before, uh,
12:27 the city has experienced
12:29 hardship in the past and had to
12:31 lay off staff and that's not
12:32 something we ever want to do
12:33 So I'm sure we'll continue to
12:35 keep an eye on that.
12:37 Uh, any further discussion?
12:40 Um, hearing none on the
12:42 motion to substitute, yeah.
12:45 Amend by replacing with the
12:47 version recommended out of
12:49 All those in favor.
12:52 And, uh, that motion passes.
12:54 And next I will move to adopt
12:57 motions been made and seconded
12:58 any discussion hearing none.
13:01 All those in favor.
13:03 And that motion passes.
13:05 Item five ordinance 32 2025
13:07 in ordinance to take effect
13:08 immediately authorizing the
13:09 transfer in advance of
13:12 Move to amend by replacing
13:13 the version out of finance
13:16 Motion's been made and
13:17 seconded any discussion.
13:21 All those in favor.
13:23 And that motion passes.
13:24 And I will then move to
13:25 adopt motions been made and
13:28 seconded any discussion hearing
13:31 All those in favor.
13:33 And that motion passes.
13:34 Item six substitute ordinance
13:36 33 2025 in ordinance to take
13:38 effect immediately to establish
13:40 appropriations for current
13:41 expenses and other expenditures
13:42 of the city of Lakewood for
13:43 fiscal year ending December
13:45 31st, 2026 move to amend by
13:47 replacing the version
13:48 recommended out of finance
13:50 Motion's been made and
13:51 seconded any discussion.
13:55 All those in favor.
13:56 I and that motion passes.
14:04 Before moving further I'd like
14:07 to ask colleagues if they'd be
14:09 interested in making one or
14:11 more motions to amend this
14:15 I think we would move straight
14:17 And that's the motion.
14:18 I would like to know if
14:20 council members would like to
14:21 amend exhibit A and B and
14:26 potentially contracting
14:29 authority ordinance.
14:31 If the answer is no, then I
14:32 think we move straight to
14:35 recommending adoption.
14:36 If there's interest by council
14:38 members on the floor of
14:39 making one or more motions
14:41 because I'd like to know that
14:42 So that essentially what would
14:44 then contracting authority in the corresponding different ordinance, we'd have to keep that
14:48 open and I think there's potential interest in a composting proposal and a public art
14:54 proposal and an affordable housing strategy proposal to allocate more resources to Lake
15:02 of the Live for safe accessible and affordable housing to keep older adults safely in their
15:08 I would be happy to make a series of motions on that.
15:10 I don't want to belabor the point, so I guess I'd ask the chair or the council president
15:15 and other colleagues, their interest level, if there's a majority of council.
15:19 I also appreciate the point that it's kind of hard to do this on the floor, so there
15:25 are two views on this, but it's not impossible to do it on the floor, and it's my question.
15:36 You know, as we've worked these past couple months through the budget process and we've
15:42 had a couple of different substituted versions of these ordinances and some of them, a council's
15:47 request for the administration to change and administration updating, you know, we
15:51 see it can get a little confusing.
15:54 We've had multiple red line versions.
15:55 We've gone through all those different changes.
15:58 We've talked about how changing one component, such as the appropriations, affects the contracting
16:04 authority and affects the others, so, you know, we've spent several months working
16:10 to get to this point.
16:14 I'm not sure that it's in the best interest of good governance for us to, in the eleventh
16:19 hour, make a bunch of motions to change that without having extensive conversations
16:25 with the finance department about how such changes would affect other elements.
16:32 I would like more time to look over the proposals that you've had, and I also think that Director
16:37 Mahoney and I had some really good discussions about, as we've seen, these appropriations.
16:43 You know, the finance department does a very good job of conservatively predicting,
16:49 you know, how much we'll actually spend in a year, but as we go through in the first
16:54 few months, we can see where we are as well, and we can always amend the appropriations,
16:59 which is not a thing we've historically done, but I think it is something that the administration
17:03 is open to doing collaboratively in alignment with some of these proposals, and I think
17:08 that would give us all the time to make sure that what we're doing is fiscally responsible
17:14 So, that's my take.
17:16 Thank you, Madam Chair.
17:19 Yeah, thank you, Madam Chair.
17:20 I want to just first thank Councilmember Bullock, Chair of the Finance Committee,
17:26 for all the hard work he did over the last week or so bringing these things together.
17:30 This is a tough one.
17:32 I realize it is late in the process, but I think, I mean, all the things in front
17:36 of us are common sense expenditures.
17:38 We're not, it's not asking for the moon.
17:40 It's a lot of things constituents are asking for.
17:42 So, I'll express frustration in the process itself that we, you know, it took so long
17:48 to get this $11, and I'm not blaming my colleagues, Councilman Bullock, for that
17:53 one, and I'm happy to hear that Finance Director Mahoney is interested in starting these
17:57 conversations sooner in June so that we don't get to the point where we're not having
18:02 time to debate some really important and potentially life-changing expenditures for
18:09 So, I just wanted to, you know, I'm not going to throw a wrench in this thing,
18:13 but I wanted to express that I'm supportive of everything before us.
18:17 If there were other interests to debate those now, which I, there's probably not,
18:21 I would be open to that, but I'm not going to hold up the proceedings for that matter.
18:29 Councilman Bullock.
18:31 I'm going to go ahead and make a motion to amend 33-2025 Exhibit A to add $50,000
18:38 to the amount appropriate for the general fund and to increase the dollar figure listed
18:44 after totals by the same amount.
18:46 For the purposes of a composting initiative under the Climate Action Plan,
18:53 the source would be the Economic Development Account Line.
18:57 That latter portion would be specified in a later motion, but I'd at least like to
19:03 move that first portion to add $50,000 to the amount in Exhibit A.
19:11 That's my motion, Madam Chair.
19:22 Can you repeat that?
19:25 Motion is moved to amend 33-2025 Exhibit A to add $50,000 to the amount
19:31 appropriate for the general fund and to increase the dollar figure listed
19:35 after totals by the same amount.
19:38 And go to the next page to show Exhibit A.
19:42 The motion is the top figure on the top right.
19:46 Add $50,000 to that amount.
20:11 We have a motion and a second.
20:17 Just a couple clarifying questions.
20:19 So the motion is to add $50,000 to the budget out of the Economic Development
20:25 Fund for a city-wide composting program, correct?
20:30 And that number is based on the budget for the city.
20:36 And that number is based on what analysis?
20:46 Thank you, Madam Chair.
20:50 One of my council colleagues is working with the Planning Department
20:52 and has estimates from other cities.
20:54 This is a partial lesser amount compared to what Shaker Heights has.
20:59 So the cost would be less.
21:02 It would provide funds to have a one-year pilot in pursuit of what's called
21:12 for the Climate Action Plan for the solid waste.
21:16 And it would be an amount up to, you know, not to exceed.
21:19 So in other words, if cost came in less, then of course the cost would be less.
21:25 The expenditures would be less.
21:27 I would amend other parts to make this actionable.
21:31 So if the motion were to pass, there would be another motion to amend Exhibit B
21:36 to list the appropriate amount and then the contracting authority would go with that.
21:39 So three different spots.
21:44 And what is the amount Shaker Heights uses today?
21:47 More than $70,000 for a more expansive version.
21:54 I was just under the impression that council is working with planning to kind of
21:57 develop a program, do some survey work to see what the city
22:02 and residents felt towards adding this program.
22:14 And Madam President, I think that to respond to the mayor's point is a good one.
22:18 That's still, that doesn't change because if that same initiative will still need
22:24 all of those things, that dialogue with council, between council and
22:28 administration and potentially residents, it's just that we'd start the year
22:32 with financial capacity for that purpose as opposed to not being sure
22:40 whether we have financial capacity.
22:45 Thank you, Mr. Sandburg.
22:47 So this is, I guess my question would be, well, a couple questions.
22:53 And these are the kinds of things, too, where, you know, we're all shuffling
23:00 through 20 different pieces of paper up here to look at these funds
23:04 and where it's coming out of.
23:06 And I just, you know, we can always adjust the appropriations later.
23:14 I'm a little concerned about doing it right now without having conversations
23:19 with Director Mahoney about where is this money coming.
23:22 Because we do have funds allocated.
23:25 I believe this was marked as, we do have funds allocated.
23:30 If I'm correct, for this, it's just you're asking to increase it?
23:37 I think if I'm understanding it correctly, it's more grant funds.
23:46 So this would essentially allocate actual dollars.
23:52 And if we were successful in getting grant dollars,
23:56 that would be able to supplement it.
24:01 And then when it's proposed to come out of the economic development
24:06 account line, I guess I would have questions, too,
24:09 about how that would affect what is already anticipated to be used
24:14 for the economic development line.
24:16 Yeah, thanks, Council Chair Cuppell.
24:18 Unfortunately, this is just very frustrating.
24:21 $50,000 out of a $200-and-some-million budget.
24:24 It doesn't seem material.
24:26 But just for all the work that the departments have gotten to
24:30 at this point and to throw $50,000 in at the last minute,
24:35 if we were to obtain grants and, you know,
24:39 we would come back to Council then and appropriate the funds
24:42 and accept the grant.
24:43 So we could do that at a future date.
24:46 I don't, you know, for any project that a department comes to me
24:51 to say I want to do this project or that,
24:54 there is very detailed analysis.
24:56 And that's maybe my frustration with any of these Council priorities.
25:01 Like, where did the numbers come from?
25:05 Is it just a guess or, you know, it's very thoughtful.
25:08 And so I would ask Council to consider, again,
25:12 after the planning study coming back
25:16 and whatever needs to be appropriated,
25:18 we can determine at that time.
25:24 So, Council President.
25:25 Councilman Bulloch.
25:26 So as far as the source, that would be a future motion.
25:29 So there'd be a series of motions if Council was interested
25:32 in supporting this concept.
25:33 You move to amend this current motion.
25:35 There'd be a parallel one for Exhibit B.
25:38 I suppose we could group those together.
25:40 And then in contracting authority for a future order,
25:45 36-2023 for the Planning Department,
25:48 you'd have to also add this capacity.
25:51 As far as the pay for,
25:52 that would be a separate amendment to this ordinance 33-2023.
25:57 As we reviewed in the Finance Committee, there's...
26:02 So the economic development account line is not an account.
26:07 It's an internal tracking metric that we use.
26:12 Similar to in our Council office budget
26:15 when we have other or these other lines.
26:17 That's not an official account.
26:18 But it is an important mechanism we use internally
26:21 to track these things.
26:23 What the budget book proposes is a $1.5 million projected year
26:30 and 20-26 year end balance of the economic development fund.
26:38 So this would propose to use a portion of that.
26:41 The current proposed, or excuse me, the current projected,
26:46 December 31 of this year is 1.1 million.
26:50 So the projection is 1.5 million.
26:53 At the end of next year, if we basically obligated up to,
26:57 but not to exceed 50,000, you'd still be ahead
27:01 in the economic development fund of where you are today
27:07 or on December 31, if that makes sense.
27:09 The other thing is, it's all general funds,
27:12 so this is cleaner and easier to dispose of
27:15 as opposed to, say, trying to propose changes
27:18 to the debt financing, debt obligations,
27:20 which is not the proposal.
27:22 It's purely discretionary funds within the general fund
27:27 and within Council's control.
27:29 And to the Director, I would say these are Council's initiatives.
27:32 So it's Council's discretion
27:35 about what is thoughtful and worthwhile.
27:39 I think that's the whole point is the conversation
27:41 is that City Council has work it's doing
27:46 and has done in conversations with the public.
27:48 I know two members of the public are here,
27:50 and they've been consistently coming about this issue.
27:53 And so there's a big difference on January 1
27:56 between saying we know we have funds to implement a program,
28:00 let's go be successful, versus we're not sure,
28:03 and we might pursue and we might get
28:05 or we might be rejected for grant funds.
28:08 Because in the first situation, you can actually go out
28:11 and do things with confidence and speed.
28:13 In the second, you're just hoping.
28:15 Well, I don't even know what we're spending these funds on,
28:18 What, $50,000 to what?
28:22 And from my understanding, planning is working on a study.
28:27 And so I don't understand why.
28:31 We probably have the funding within the budget currently
28:36 if a grant came up and we needed to forward the money.
28:40 I don't feel that there's a need
28:42 for a separate appropriation or to amend
28:45 what we have been working on for months
28:48 in this appropriation ordinance.
28:51 I appreciate and I fully support,
28:54 as this whole body did,
28:55 the idea of the citywide composting.
28:57 We all voted that we were in support of working on that.
29:02 Just as earlier in the year
29:04 when we had our first council retreat
29:06 and then our second council retreat
29:07 talking about budget priorities,
29:08 and everyone was encouraged to then work
29:10 with the administration on those priorities
29:13 and explain what it is you wanted
29:15 and get it in the budget.
29:17 And then we've had, you know,
29:19 weeks of hearings and back and forth
29:23 and substitutions and work on this.
29:25 And I just, I personally do not feel comfortable
29:29 at this time working through a number of changes
29:33 of things that when we have already had these
29:36 recommended out of finance committee as proposed.
29:40 I feel much more comfortable
29:41 that we have gone through that.
29:42 We've had conversation with the administration,
29:44 with the finance department, with each other,
29:47 about what is proposed,
29:48 what was recommended out of finance for adoption
29:51 as part of our budget process.
29:53 And then we're gonna continue
29:55 and you'll see later on the docket
29:56 the conversation about our debt and our bans.
30:01 So we will be continuing to have those conversations
30:06 that all affects our budget.
30:08 I just think that having gone through that whole process
30:12 now going back, adjusting one little thing here
30:16 can affect another big thing there.
30:18 So I would feel much more comfortable
30:20 that we move forward with what was proposed,
30:22 what was recommended out of finance committee
30:26 Councilwoman Striebeck.
30:29 Huge fan of composting.
30:31 I've been doing composting in my backyard
30:33 for probably 16 or 17 years.
30:36 And I am very confident
30:38 that we will have city-wide composting in Lakewood.
30:41 I'm very confident of that.
30:43 I'm not set on $50,000 at this point.
30:47 Maybe it's $75,000.
30:49 Maybe it's $25,000.
30:52 I haven't seen the details
30:55 that we so regularly have on all of these types of projects.
31:01 So I would like to see us just wait on this one
31:08 And I'll just add, too,
31:09 as Vice President Baker mentioned,
31:14 and Director Mahoney and I have discussed,
31:16 we can always amend our appropriations.
31:18 So council could introduce legislation in the new year
31:25 to appropriate these funds.
31:27 And I could fully see that happening
31:30 and being adopted once we have a clear plan
31:34 of exactly how much it would cost,
31:37 what it is for, and who it's going to.
31:40 So I would happily support that.
31:42 Last comment, Madam Chair.
31:44 So to answer the finance director's question,
31:46 which is a good one,
31:47 what would the funds be for?
31:49 It would be appropriation for amount not to exceed.
31:52 So it could be a nickel.
31:54 It could be $50,000.
31:55 But it couldn't be $50,001 penny.
31:58 And then there would be
31:59 some corresponding contracting authority.
32:01 And that would be it.
32:03 And that would also be no different
32:05 than anything else in our budget,
32:07 which is proposed on a routine
32:09 and customary basis by the administration.
32:11 What happens is all the details
32:12 that the council president correctly points out
32:16 get developed all the time on a weekly
32:18 and monthly basis by the administration.
32:22 And the only difference here
32:23 is that we're adding something to the list
32:25 and providing for the financial capacity
32:28 and the contracting authority to do it.
32:31 And so the it and all the detail
32:33 would still need to come
32:34 and can and would and should come
32:37 in the spirit of what we've all been saying.
32:40 And that work would continue
32:41 and all the detail that apparently
32:43 hasn't been fully shared between everyone here.
32:47 That's all still to come.
32:49 And there's nothing wrong or improper
32:51 about the concept of city council
32:53 providing for capacity to pursue another initiative.
32:59 So I guess council president,
33:01 I'm trying to speak to your question too,
33:03 which is that there's nothing incomplete about this.
33:06 we're gonna begin an initiative
33:09 with an allocation reserved for a purpose X or Y or Z.
33:14 And so I'm gonna conclude my remarks.
33:16 I guess I'm interested in hearing
33:19 other council members in the vote.
33:20 I mean, council can work as well
33:22 if there's not interest rate,
33:24 but there's four council members who can support this.
33:27 I'm hearing concerns by three.
33:30 Vice President Baker.
33:31 So I guess I'm the fourth.
33:33 And so reiterating what some of my,
33:36 or then I'm bad at math.
33:39 So that's why you're the finance chair, I guess.
33:41 And so on this particular issue,
33:43 I also, along with my other colleagues
33:45 who supported the resolution in favor of composting,
33:47 support composting the city of Lakewood,
33:50 usually we're the first one in Northeast Ohio
33:52 to do things like this,
33:53 but it turns out we're the third or something on this one.
33:56 So I'd like us to get it off the ground
33:58 as quickly as possible.
34:00 One thing I don't like to do as a matter of course,
34:05 as a representative and a person with a fiduciary duty
34:08 on behalf of the city to account for our budget
34:11 is to make decisions on the floor
34:13 without having to fully consider
34:15 exactly what the ramifications may be.
34:18 I understand sometimes we're required to do that.
34:21 In this instance, I don't think I am.
34:24 And so I want to have city-wide composting in Lakewood.
34:29 I will do what I can as a council member
34:32 to support city-wide composting in Lakewood.
34:35 I do think that procedures and policies matter.
34:39 And even if we would have had this discussion
34:41 in finance committee and talk about it
34:43 as part of the substitute ordinance that we put forward,
34:46 I would have been more comfortable with supporting it.
34:49 On the floor of full council,
34:51 outside of the finance committee,
34:52 I feel even less comfortable supporting it.
34:54 That does not say anything about how I feel
34:57 about city-wide composting.
34:58 It has everything to say about what I feel
35:01 about the separation of powers between the legislators,
35:06 the appropriators, and the people who implement.
35:09 In my day job, I'm an implementer.
35:12 And if the board I work for appropriated money
35:16 but didn't really tell me how to implement it,
35:18 I'd be a little bit miffed.
35:20 And so I want to be conscious of the implementers here.
35:23 That said, there is custom that Lakewood has typically done.
35:26 And there's what four votes on this dais can do.
35:30 And so if three of my colleagues along with it,
35:34 then that's what's going to happen
35:36 because that's the way government works
35:37 and that's the way power works.
35:39 But I will say is if my colleagues introduce
35:43 an amended appropriation in the first meeting of January
35:46 and we send it to committee and we talk about it,
35:48 then I'd be in more of a position to support that.
35:51 But this evening, I am not.
35:55 Other council members?
36:01 So, yes, and it's, you know,
36:03 just I think that's well said,
36:05 and I think it's a good question.
36:07 Thank you, Mr. Chair.
36:10 Thank you, Mr. Chair.
36:11 Thank you, Dr. Baker.
36:13 And as well as that this is one motion, you know,
36:16 it's not the specific issue.
36:22 In the new year I'd be happy to support amending
36:26 the appropriations for this allocation.
36:31 So there's no further discussion on this motion.
36:35 Actually, Councilman Block,
36:36 can you restate your motion one more time
36:37 so we're clear on what it is?
36:39 Thank you, Madam President.
36:40 The motion is to move to amend 33-2025 Exhibit A
36:43 to add $50,000 to the amount appropriated
36:46 to the general fund and to increase the dollar figure
36:49 listed after totals by the same amount.
36:55 Let's do a roll call.
36:57 Vice President Baker?
37:03 Vice President Keppel?
37:08 Councilwoman Hamilton-Steiner?
37:11 Councilmember Striebeck?
37:19 I will then move to adopt.
37:25 There's an accompanying motion
37:27 that would make sense given the earlier motion
37:31 to amend Exhibit B.
37:33 You didn't allow me to entertain a motion.
37:36 I think we'll have to.
37:38 Move to amend 33-2025 Exhibit B
37:42 to add $50,000 to the amount appropriated
37:45 for planning, development, others, striking,
37:49 excuse me, increasing and increasing
37:52 the corresponding division totals
37:54 and fund totals throughout Exhibit B
37:56 by the same amount.
37:58 Move to amend 33-2025 Exhibit B
38:00 to add $50,000 to the amount appropriated
38:03 for planning and development, other,
38:05 and to increase all corresponding division totals
38:10 and fund totals throughout the Exhibit B
38:11 by the same amount.
38:13 So if I'm, I don't know if we can display on the screen.
38:19 Yeah, can I just have one comment?
38:21 So with this passage,
38:22 if you're increasing $50,000 to the expenditures,
38:24 we will have an unstructurally balanced budget.
38:26 I just want council to be aware of that.
38:29 That's, and to clarify to you,
38:32 that would impact our discussions
38:35 and potential Moody's rating
38:37 if we have a structurally unbalanced budget.
38:42 Corresponding motion that would address
38:44 what the administration just raised.
38:46 Okay, would you care to describe that motion?
38:49 Yeah, it's right here.
38:52 But it's not part of this motion,
38:55 unless you'd like to entertain.
38:58 This is exactly why I didn't want to do this on the floor
39:01 at the last meeting of council,
39:03 is because it isn't about which things we support.
39:07 It's about maintaining a structurally balanced budget
39:10 and our financial responsibility and our bond rating
39:13 so that we can afford to get the bonds
39:18 to fix the roads in the city.
39:20 And so this is, once we start messing with one thing,
39:23 we have to mess with all of it,
39:25 which is why we specifically did not want to do this
39:30 and have said multiple times
39:32 we didn't want to do this at this last meeting.
39:37 I think it's inaccurate, though.
39:38 I don't think it is going to be structurally unbalanced.
39:43 I'm not saying your statement is inaccurate.
39:46 I'm responding to the concern.
39:52 So I guess given the previous motion,
39:59 Director Mahoney, can you explain what would have to happen
40:04 in order for, I guess,
40:08 for this to not be a structurally unbalanced budget,
40:12 You would have to decrease another budget line.
40:15 So then, in essence, ordinance 33-2025
40:22 would have to have the same line balance
40:26 for general fund at the end.
40:28 And again, I'm not sure this is necessary.
40:30 It's $50,000 that...
40:35 I don't know what it's for, again.
40:37 But we have a plan in the Planning Department
40:41 to work on this project already.
40:43 So I'm not quite sure why you would appropriate $50,000.
40:47 Risk our Moody's rating
40:49 by having an unstructurally balanced budget.
40:52 I'm just... I'm confused, to be honest.
41:01 So I guess the question before Council
41:08 is where we're taking this money out of
41:11 in order to maintain a structurally balanced budget.
41:15 Madam Chair, so we're on a different motion right now.
41:18 That's a different issue.
41:20 There's a motion that can be made to address that issue, though.
41:26 So I think the path for the Council right now
41:33 would be to make a second amendment to Exhibit B,
41:36 which maybe could have been more than the previous vote,
41:39 and then afterwards consider an amendment
41:42 to address the structural balance issue,
41:44 which I won't get into right now,
41:49 but it could be dealt with.
41:55 Again, can we just reiterate
41:57 some of the issues that are causing here?
42:00 Because I would veto anything
42:03 that would provide a structurally balanced budget,
42:06 and I'm looking at the charter now.
42:08 That needs to be addressed at the next regular meeting,
42:10 and so now we're beginning to have issues
42:12 with funds for next year.
42:14 This is creating a dangerous level
42:19 for our finances here at the City.
42:21 Over $50,000 for composting,
42:24 which we've all agreed is a priority
42:27 and have all discussed working on into the year next year.
42:31 So I just want to reiterate
42:33 that I firmly believe that we should pass the legislation
42:38 as it was approved out of the Finance Committee,
42:42 which Councilman, you are the chair of,
42:45 that we've had months of discussion on
42:49 and work in the new year to discuss composting.
42:57 Yeah, I mean, I understand that the motion
43:00 to potentially address making this structurally balanced
43:05 with the $50,000 is on a different ordinance,
43:07 but I don't think we can move off of this ordinance
43:09 without understanding what that would be.
43:12 Madam President, if I may, so a couple of thoughts.
43:15 First, I understand that this is apparently redlining everybody,
43:19 and maybe after this disposal of this proposal for composting,
43:23 we take the approach that you
43:26 and the Council Vice President of the Administration request,
43:28 which is to consider other changes after January 1st.
43:31 So happy to do that.
43:33 Secondly, since nobody seconded the motion on 33-25,
43:38 is it B, we could move to considering an offset, okay?
43:48 well, I guess I'd like to ask the Finance Rector.
43:50 Finance Rector, the $277,500 is proposed
43:56 from the General Fund to be allocated to capital, correct?
44:02 Okay, so that's option one,
44:04 and option two is the Economic Development Fund.
44:06 Councilman Bullock, yeah, you had, all right,
44:09 so $277,500 is miscellaneous, like lawnmowers and,
44:16 I don't know, like tractors and things like that
44:19 within the operating budget.
44:21 So if you're going to reduce that,
44:23 tell me what lawnmower you don't want us to buy.
44:25 Okay, second question is the Economic Development Fund account
44:32 is itself in the General Fund,
44:37 and obligating a portion of that does not alone make the change.
44:46 In other words, you can reserve a portion of the amounts
44:50 that you yourself project to have at the year end
44:53 in 12 months from now.
44:56 And that is not a...
44:59 That is not an appropriation.
45:01 So as I said, planning has already planned on working on this.
45:06 It's included in that economic development monies.
45:11 So I don't believe there is a need for a motion by Council.
45:15 We understand that it's a priority,
45:17 and the administration is planning to work on it.
45:20 Just trying to narrowly get clarification on the point that you made,
45:23 which is were the structural balance requirement to be satisfied,
45:33 and if the allocation was going to come from the Economic Development Fund,
45:36 which is already projected to be in surplus at year end,
45:44 and that's already in the General Fund.
45:47 So in essence what you're saying is appropriate $50,000 from a line
45:51 that's already appropriated.
45:53 So it's already in there.
45:56 And then your other two...
45:57 So would that then therefore resolve your concern about the structural balance?
46:01 Yes, but there's no need to appropriate an additional $50,000.
46:05 Because the Economic Development Fund's already appropriated?
46:09 It is reserved funds.
46:14 Can you describe the difference?
46:16 At the end of the year,
46:17 we will encumber some funds to be used in 2026.
46:22 And so it's in essence appropriated in 2026, 2025,
46:30 for use in future years.
46:33 So there's no need for Council to...
46:34 Just repeat that one more time so I follow up.
46:36 At the end of 2025,
46:37 we will reserve funding that can be used in future years.
46:43 So it's 2025 appropriation that can be used in 2026.
46:49 So no need to amend 2026.
46:51 So the $1.5 million year end balance is already encumbered
46:54 by the legislature we just approved and is available for use in 2026?
46:59 Okay, so your point therefore, I think I follow better,
47:03 which is that the appropriation would be redundant?
47:11 All right, that was a helpful clarification.
47:13 So in other words, it's already paid for,
47:16 and there is no structural imbalance.
47:18 So we don't have to worry about that issue now.
47:24 So the concern was, Madam President,
47:28 that using $50,000 would tip the proposed budget into imbalance,
47:36 what the hearing is.
47:37 Yes, but Councilman,
47:38 your motion was to appropriate $50,000 more,
47:42 and you cannot do that.
47:44 I understand what you're saying.
47:45 You're saying that the motion we recently approved is redundant
47:50 because there's already funds appropriated and available.
47:56 So the only difference then is that there should be contracting
48:00 authority and not an appropriation if Council is so interested,
48:04 which is a different audience.
48:07 So we don't want to add $50,000 to what is already...
48:14 Madam Chair, I'd like to move that we strike the previous motion,
48:20 So I'd like to move to amend 33-2025 exhibit A
48:23 to reduce by $50,000 the amount appropriated for the general fund
48:29 and to reduce the dollar figure listed after totals by the same amount.
48:44 I just want clarification that that does in fact undo the previous motion.
48:53 Can we just move to rescind the previous motion, Director Vargo?
48:57 Yes, Council President, that would be the easiest thing,
49:00 and I'm thinking like everybody on the fly here, but yes.
49:06 So if that's sufficient, I'll move to...
49:08 Okay, thank you, Council Member Bullock,
49:10 and I will second to rescind the previous motion.
49:14 And we should, I guess, probably do a roll call again.
49:18 Vice President Baker?
49:20 Council Member Bullock?
49:22 Council Member Evans?
49:26 Council Member Marks?
49:28 Council Member Hamilton-Steiner?
49:30 Council Member Striebig?
49:35 Thank you for that, your expertise, Director Mahoney.
49:41 So we are back to the version that originally passed out of finance,
49:46 so I will move to adopt.
49:49 Motion's been made and seconded,
49:51 and I'll just add that as discussed,
49:54 there's already money planned and a plan for accomplishing.
49:58 We'll continue to work on that.
50:00 I, for one, am very committed to that, as all of the Council.
50:04 Any further discussion?
50:06 Hearing none, on the motion to adopt, all those in favor?
50:10 And that motion passes.
50:12 Item seven, substitute ordinance 34-2025,
50:15 an ordinance to take effect immediately authorizing the Mayor,
50:18 the Director of Public Works, the Director of Law,
50:20 the Director of Finance, and our purchasing manager
50:22 to enter into contracts for professional services
50:24 and to advertise for bids and enter into contracts
50:27 for the purchase of repair, maintenance, and operating supplies,
50:29 services, and equipment as authorized by the 2026 Appropriation Ordinance
50:32 and the Administrative Code of the City
50:34 with the lowest and best bidder or bidders,
50:36 or as otherwise provided by law.
50:40 Motion's been made and seconded.
50:43 Hearing none, all those in favor?
50:46 And that motion passes.
50:48 Item eight, substitute ordinance 35-2025,
50:52 an ordinance to take effect immediately authorizing
50:54 and directing the Mayor, the Director of Public Works,
50:56 the Director of Law, the Director of Finance,
50:58 and our purchasing manager to enter into contracts
51:00 in accordance with the Administrative Code
51:02 for the contracts listed below
51:04 not to exceed the specified amount shown
51:06 without separate resolution of counsel.
51:08 I'll move to amend by replacing with the version
51:11 recommended out of Finance Committee.
51:14 Motion's been made and seconded.
51:16 Hearing none, all those in favor?
51:19 And that motion passes.
51:22 And next, I will move to adopt.
51:25 Motion's been made and seconded.
51:28 Hearing none, all those in favor?
51:31 And that motion passes.
51:32 Item nine, substitute ordinance 36-2025,
51:35 an ordinance to take effect immediately authorizing
51:37 the Mayor, the Director of Public Works,
51:39 the Director of Law, the Director of Finance,
51:41 Director of Planning and Development,
51:42 and our purchasing manager to enter into service contracts
51:48 So, in the spirit of the previous discussion,
51:52 Council could consider a motion to add contracting authority
51:55 since the funds are already available
51:59 and appropriate for up to $50,000
52:02 for composting initiative,
52:03 and I have a motion drafted for consideration
52:06 if there's interest in that.
52:08 That would not automatically result in spending.
52:12 It would just make available the contracting authority.
52:15 That would amount to some indication
52:18 of prioritization for that purpose.
52:21 Unfortunately, I don't think it's accurate
52:23 that there are funds for this,
52:25 unless that was kind of a handshake agreement
52:29 between the administration.
52:30 But previous to this discussion,
52:32 the intent was to maybe find grant funds
52:34 and not necessarily to obligate city funds.
52:38 So, that's the live conversation.
52:41 If we were to consider a motion
52:44 to add contracting authority
52:46 after this or substitute to this
52:49 in the version on screen,
52:51 that would be some indication of priority.
52:56 Yeah, I think, you know,
52:58 this is the version that
53:01 Director Mahoney and Mr. Wyman
53:03 worked on at our request with the list of programs.
53:09 probably don't see a great deal of harm
53:13 In fact, it would indicate that council priority.
53:18 So, Director Mahoney, is that correct?
53:27 it would be under the Board of Control amount.
53:30 If it was $50,000 in one penny,
53:33 it would go to the Board of Control.
53:35 So, if we do end up with $75,000 like Cleveland Heights,
53:38 then we would need to...
53:39 Anyway, neither here nor there.
53:40 So, yeah, Councilman Bullock,
53:43 do you want to make that motion?
53:45 I'd be happy to after.
53:46 I think there's a substitute.
53:51 So, first, I will move to amend
53:54 by replacing with the version recommended out of finance.
53:58 Motion's been made and seconded.
54:02 All those in favor?
54:04 And then Councilman Bullock.
54:06 Thank you, Madam President.
54:07 I move to amend Proposed Ordinance 36-2025
54:12 to insert after street resurfacing program, $900,000,
54:16 a new line reading composting initiative, $50,000,
54:20 and to increase the dollar figures listed
54:23 after service contracts by $50,000.
54:30 It would make easier to follow
54:32 if the amended version were on screen.
54:34 I don't know if that's possible.
54:35 That should be in there.
54:48 Proposed substitute, yeah.
54:49 So if you scroll to the next page, Mr. Baker.
54:52 So the motion would be
54:55 is move to amend 36-2025
54:58 to insert after street resurfacing program,
55:00 $900,000, after that line,
55:02 a new line reading composting initiative, $50,000,
55:05 and to increase the dollar figure
55:07 listed after service contracts by $50,000.
55:10 That's just the total at the top.
55:12 So that the totals carry out.
55:15 I will second that motion.
55:17 Any further discussion?
55:19 I'll just note, Madam President,
55:22 that's under the service contract
55:24 as originally proposed, which is 675.
55:31 it's lower than the original ordinance.
55:38 Any further discussion
55:41 on the motion to amend?
55:44 All those in favor?
55:46 And that motion passes.
55:48 And then I will move to adopt as amended.
55:51 Motion's been made and seconded.
55:56 All those in favor?
55:58 And that motion passes.
55:59 Madam 10, ordinance 37, 2025,
56:02 an ordinance to take effect January 1, 2026,
56:05 to provide for creating positions
56:07 and rates of pay for full-time
56:08 and certain part-time annual salaried employees
56:11 and hourly rate employees
56:12 now covered by a collective bargaining agreement
56:14 in the several departments, divisions,
56:16 and offices of the city,
56:17 including chief of fire, chief of police,
56:19 civil service commissioners,
56:20 and superseding all prior salary ordinances.
56:26 Motion's been made and seconded.
56:30 All those in favor?
56:32 And that motion passes.
56:33 Item 11, ordinance 38, 2025,
56:36 an ordinance to take effect January 1, 2026,
56:39 amending section 14908, vacation,
56:42 section 14910, holidays,
56:44 and section 14911, sick leave accumulation
56:46 of the liquid codified ordinances
56:48 to allow the accrual of vacation
56:49 for employees at a faster rate,
56:51 increase the maximum vacation that could be earned,
56:53 add veteran's stay to the list of paid city holidays,
56:55 and to increase the conversion of sick time
56:57 upon separation of employment with the city.
56:59 Move to amend by replacing
57:01 with the version in Granicus.
57:04 Motion's been made and seconded.
57:08 All those in favor?
57:10 And that motion passes.
57:12 And then I will move to adopt.
57:15 Motion's been made and seconded.
57:18 All those in favor?
57:20 And that motion passes.
57:21 Item 12, ordinance 29, 2025,
57:24 an ordinance to take effect January 1, 2026,
57:27 amending section 12953, petty cash fund,
57:31 and 12954, operational cash funds
57:33 of the codified ordinances
57:35 to better meet current needs
57:36 for both petty cash and operational cash
57:38 within the departments of the city.
57:45 Do we need, do we have a substitute?
57:46 Yeah, I believe there's a substitute, so we may need.
57:49 I'll rescind that motion.
57:51 First, do we have a,
57:57 there were so many,
57:58 this was the, this was the petty cash, right?
58:02 Yeah, so you just keep your motion.
58:04 Okay, all right, and I will not rescind my motion.
58:06 I will keep my second.
58:07 So, motion's been made and seconded.
58:13 All those in favor?
58:15 And that motion passes.
58:20 I object to item 13 to the end,
58:24 but I see that the subject of item 14 has left,
58:29 given the length, lengthiness of this discussion.
58:32 So, let's, yeah, without,
58:42 I think we'll get to these next ones, truly, quickly.
58:45 I did think we were gonna get through everything else
58:47 on the agenda quickly,
58:48 but I really do think we'll get to these,
58:50 so we can save item 13 for the end without objection.
59:05 Sure, yeah, we'll just give them more.
59:07 Item 14, resolution 2025-76,
59:10 a resolution to honor Lakewood Community Services Center
59:13 Executive Director Trish Rooney
59:15 and convey the community's enduring gratitude
59:17 for 18 years leading the agency
59:19 with exceptional vision, compassion,
59:21 and steadfast devotion
59:22 to Lakewood's most vulnerable residents.
59:25 I will first move to adopt.
59:29 Motion's been made and seconded,
59:31 and unfortunately I see that
59:34 Chief Executive Rooney has left this evening,
59:41 so this resolution honors Trish Rooney.
59:45 As the resolution notes,
59:46 Lakewood Community Services Center existed before Trish,
59:51 but I think it's extremely difficult
59:53 for many of us to imagine it without her.
59:55 For the past 17 years, Trish's tenacious advocacy,
59:58 strategic planning, financial expertise,
1:00:01 and strong leadership has established LCSE
1:00:03 as a bedrock in the community,
1:00:05 a vital and recognized resource
1:00:07 for our community's most valuable citizens.
1:00:09 I started on council in February of 2020,
1:00:12 and less than a month later,
1:00:13 we as a community were facing
1:00:14 an unprecedented challenge with COVID-19
1:00:17 causing uncertainty about neighbors' income,
1:00:19 housing, and food security.
1:00:21 Trish led LCSE through crucial transformation of services
1:00:25 to adapt and meet the needs of our neighbors
1:00:28 to keep our neighbors housed and fed.
1:00:30 I had the opportunity to tour LCSE's new headquarters,
1:00:33 the beautifully transformed former youth services building.
1:00:36 Trish's joy at what they had been able to accomplish
1:00:42 she has consistently strengthened the organization
1:00:45 and worked to improve service to our Lakewood community.
1:00:48 Thank you, LCSE Executive Director Trish Rooney
1:00:51 for 17 years of incredible service to our community.
1:00:58 Thank you, Madam President.
1:01:00 Trish Rooney is a tough lady,
1:01:03 and she really did a tremendous job
1:01:06 for an organization that was quite small
1:01:10 And I think she, you know, quintupled or times 20
1:01:14 their kind of capacity in what they do.
1:01:17 And I think it's an organization like that,
1:01:19 Lakewood is a community of extreme wealth and extreme need.
1:01:22 We have both here in this town.
1:01:24 And I think what Trish was able to do
1:01:27 through her stewardship was, if you look at that board,
1:01:30 it's a lot of people that work
1:01:32 at some pretty big organizations that have means.
1:01:35 And she understands that there's a social contract in Lakewood
1:01:38 that if you have means, you need to give
1:01:41 to the folks in your community that don't.
1:01:44 And I think she did a good job of kind of pushing that forward
1:01:48 as the mission of the organization
1:01:50 and look at where they're at now.
1:01:52 So the next executive director,
1:01:54 while they have big shoes to fill,
1:01:56 they certainly have nicer shoes to sit in
1:02:01 The old building they were in was a little rough,
1:02:03 but they still did the work.
1:02:05 Now they're in a more modern space,
1:02:07 and they've kind of streamlined their operations
1:02:09 in a way that, you know, will bear fruit
1:02:11 for those in our community that need help
1:02:13 for the next 50 to 100 years.
1:02:18 I'm sure I'll catch up with her afterwards,
1:02:19 but I really appreciate her service to our community.
1:02:29 Food for the hungry, shelter for the homeless,
1:02:31 and safety for the fearful.
1:02:33 I cannot think of any more noble work.
1:02:37 Thank you, Trish, for serving our community for 17 years
1:02:40 with a smile and extended hand.
1:02:42 You will be greatly missed.
1:02:44 Best wishes to you on your next adventure.
1:02:51 We do also have an e-comment from Director Barry,
1:02:54 who unfortunately is ill this evening,
1:02:56 but Human Services Director Barry
1:02:58 has worked closely with Trish
1:03:00 and noted, you know, all that she has accomplished.
1:03:04 So thank you, Director Barry, for that.
1:03:08 Just echoing what all of you have been saying.
1:03:11 LCSE has been a vital, vital partner
1:03:14 and is in our budget, proposed budget,
1:03:17 or just past budget for the coming year,
1:03:20 to continue to provide homelessness prevention
1:03:23 and food assistance and case work services.
1:03:26 And as Councilman Baker said, you know,
1:03:28 that helps make Lakewood a successful
1:03:34 for a big portion of our community.
1:03:38 And without that, we would be less diverse.
1:03:42 Secondly, Trish personally is highly expert
1:03:45 and has been a source of strategic insight
1:03:48 and technical answers and knowledge to me over the years.
1:03:51 I really appreciate that and respect that.
1:03:53 So she'll be a big loss, have big shoes to fill,
1:03:56 but I think she's leaving the organization in good hands.
1:04:01 We're in a strong position to continue,
1:04:03 and that's a wonderful legacy.
1:04:10 I don't have anyone signed in to speak, I think.
1:04:17 So on the motion to adopt the resolution,
1:04:23 Item 14, communication from President Keppel
1:04:25 regarding process to fill soon-to-be-vacant
1:04:30 Dear colleagues, on December 1st,
1:04:32 our friend and colleague Cindy Marks announced
1:04:34 that she will resign from the Ward 4 Office of Council
1:04:37 to pursue an exciting new chapter of life
1:04:39 that will prevent her from continuing her service
1:04:45 With the Ward 4 Office of Council being vacant
1:04:47 starting January 1st, 2026,
1:04:50 the following resolution proposes to appoint
1:04:52 a yet to be named individual to serve out the remainder
1:04:55 of the unexpired term, which ends December 31st, 2027.
1:04:59 Following Councilwoman Marks's announcement,
1:05:02 the Council Office has been accepting applications
1:05:04 for the Ward 4 position and will continue to do so
1:05:09 Per the charter, an applicant must be a city resident
1:05:12 for at least one year, a registered Lakewood voter,
1:05:15 and live in Ward 4 to qualify for consideration.
1:05:18 I also recommend that applicants review
1:05:20 the attached job description and determine
1:05:22 if they have the time, skills, knowledge,
1:05:25 and experience to meet the expectations
1:05:27 of the demanding and public-facing role.
1:05:30 Interested and qualified individuals must submit
1:05:32 a cover letter and resume in PDF format
1:05:37 Optionally, candidates may also coordinate letters
1:05:39 of support to be sent to the Council Office.
1:05:42 All letters should contain the sender's name and address.
1:05:46 Applications and letters of support will be accepted
1:05:48 until January 2nd, 2026, at 12 p.m.
1:05:52 Council will meet in Committee of the Whole
1:05:54 on Monday, January 5th, to review the applications
1:05:57 and establish the next steps in the selection process.
1:06:00 I look forward to an open and deliberative process
1:06:03 to select the most qualified individual
1:06:05 to represent the people of Lakewood.
1:06:07 Move to receive and file that communication.
1:06:10 Motion's been made and seconded.
1:06:13 Hearing none, all those in favor?
1:06:17 Item 16, resolution 2025-77,
1:06:20 a resolution to take effect immediately,
1:06:22 appointing one person to the ward 4 seat
1:06:25 on Lakewood City Council for the remainder
1:06:27 of the four-year term ending December 31st, 2027.
1:06:31 Move to refer to Committee of the Whole.
1:06:34 Motion's been made and seconded.
1:06:37 Hearing none, all those in favor?
1:06:41 Item 17, communication from President Keppel
1:06:43 regarding City Hall space considerations
1:06:50 but the letter's not that long.
1:06:52 Dear colleagues, I'm writing to provide a follow-up
1:06:55 to my attached October 20th communication
1:06:57 and subsequent November 17th Committee of the Whole
1:07:00 presentation from Webber Murphy Fox
1:07:02 and project management consultants
1:07:04 regarding City Hall space options
1:07:06 and estimates also attached.
1:07:08 The presentation presented high-level
1:07:10 conceptual cost estimates for three options
1:07:12 as well as projected cash flow needed
1:07:15 for each option summarized below.
1:07:17 The administration has expressed a desire
1:07:19 to use $1.5 million from the land acquisition fund
1:07:22 to purchase the Warren Road building
1:07:24 and include $16.5 million in the city's
1:07:26 2026 bond anticipation notes
1:07:29 for renovation of the Warren Road building.
1:07:32 Page 160 of the budget book also reflects
1:07:34 an additional $5 million in 2027
1:07:38 and indicates an estimated cost of criteria architect
1:07:41 of 2026 and 2027 to be $1.8 million.
1:07:45 Each year, the city's bond council
1:07:48 comes before city council to discuss the city's debt
1:07:51 and the impacts of proposed bans.
1:07:53 Because the city plans to go out for a bond rating this year,
1:07:56 the finance department has requested
1:07:58 that the bans legislation be adopted by February 17th.
1:08:02 Working backwards from the state
1:08:04 and considering that it will be important
1:08:06 for the new Ward 4 council member
1:08:08 to be included in the interwoven topics
1:08:10 of the city's debt, rating, and proposed bans
1:08:13 and the administration's proposed City Hall plan details,
1:08:16 I propose the following timeline and process.
1:08:19 And I lay out the times there essentially
1:08:21 so that we have time to select and swear in
1:08:25 our new council member, hear from the bonds council
1:08:29 as well as the administration about their plans.
1:08:33 just based on the availability of the bonds council,
1:08:35 we'll actually be hearing from them on January 26th now,
1:08:39 but we'll reserve February 2nd still
1:08:41 for additional conversation
1:08:43 as needed with the administration.
1:08:45 I encourage city council members
1:08:47 to review the attached presentation
1:08:49 and the information in the shared folder
1:08:51 that Director Buyington set up for us
1:08:54 to ensure a productive conversation
1:08:56 that will help council make an informed decision.
1:08:58 I suggest that each council member compile a list
1:09:01 of critical questions that you will need answered
1:09:04 in order to make this significant financial
1:09:08 and send them in advance to the administration.
1:09:17 I'll just move to receive and file that communication.
1:09:21 Motion's been made and seconded.
1:09:24 Hearing none, all those in favor?
1:09:28 Item 18, communication from President Keppel
1:09:30 regarding council appointments to Liquid Animal Safety
1:09:33 and Welfare Advisory Board.
1:09:35 Your colleagues, this letter serves to make official
1:09:37 the following reappointments to the liquid animal,
1:09:39 oh, a new appointment actually,
1:09:41 to the Liquid Animals Safety and Welfare Advisory Board.
1:09:44 Because of the long-standing service
1:09:46 and leadership of these members,
1:09:48 two of the members, one is new, Lee Stevens,
1:09:52 La Swab is one of the city's most active
1:09:54 and engaged volunteer boards.
1:09:56 Please join me in congratulating all members
1:09:58 on the reappointments and wishing them all the best
1:10:00 for another meaningful and productive term
1:10:04 I'll move to receive and file that communication.
1:10:07 Motion's been made and seconded.
1:10:09 Hearing none, all those in favor?
1:10:13 Item 19, communication from city planner,
1:10:16 Sophia Zelez, regarding acceptance
1:10:19 of Neighborhood Opportunity Grant Award,
1:10:22 2026 Tree Giveaway Program.
1:10:25 Thank you, President Keppel,
1:10:28 The City of Lakewood is once again partnering
1:10:30 with the Tree Advisory and Education Board
1:10:32 to host the third annual Tree Giveaway Program.
1:10:35 This year, 400 trees will be given out in total
1:10:37 with 200 being distributed at both spring and fall events.
1:10:40 The Tree Giveaway Program provides Lakewood residents
1:10:43 with the opportunity to receive a free native tree
1:10:47 The trees are container-grown in three-gallon pots
1:10:50 and grown to four to five feet tall.
1:10:52 They are small enough to easily transport and plant,
1:10:55 yet large enough to get a good start
1:10:57 towards establishing the tree on the residents' property.
1:10:59 The City of Lakewood has been awarded $7,500
1:11:03 through the Neighborhood Opportunity Grant
1:11:05 from the Healthy Liquid Foundation
1:11:07 in support of the 2026 Tree Giveaway.
1:11:09 This letter serves to formally thank
1:11:11 the Healthy Liquid Foundation and Notify Council
1:11:13 of our acceptance of their grant award
1:11:16 that will help grow Lakewood's tree canopy,
1:11:18 advance sustainable efforts,
1:11:19 and positively impact Lakewood residents.
1:11:24 Move to receive and file at communication.
1:11:27 Motion's been made and seconded,
1:11:28 and this is a fantastic program,
1:11:30 and we appreciate the planning department's support,
1:11:34 and the support of Healthy Liquid Foundation.
1:11:43 Item 20, communication from Assistant Planning Director Voss
1:11:46 regarding Community Health Action Team,
1:11:51 Thank you, President Keppel
1:11:52 and members of City Council.
1:11:54 Since our establishment by resolution 2023-09,
1:11:59 the Community Health Action Team has worked
1:12:01 over the past two years to review, assess,
1:12:03 and develop through committees those specific interventions
1:12:06 recommended by the community and captured
1:12:08 in the 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment Action Plan.
1:12:12 As required by our charter,
1:12:14 the attached annual report of activities
1:12:18 We request this communication and report be referred
1:12:20 to a committee deemed appropriate by City Council.
1:12:25 I'll move to refer to Health and Human Services.
1:12:28 Motion's been made and seconded.
1:12:35 Item 21, Liquor Permit Notice
1:12:37 regarding Cooth Collective,
1:12:43 showing no statutory reason to object.
1:12:46 Thank you, Chief and Director Vargo.
1:12:50 go to the ward council member,
1:12:52 which in this case is Vice President Baker.
1:12:54 I see no statutory reason to object.
1:12:57 So we'll move to file without objection.
1:13:00 Motion's been made and seconded.
1:13:06 And we're finally at the reason we're all here tonight.
1:13:10 Or many of us are here tonight.
1:13:18 a resolution to commend Cindy Marks
1:13:20 for exemplary public service
1:13:22 as a member of Lakewood City Council.
1:13:28 So I'm gonna first move to adopt.
1:13:33 Motion's been made and seconded.
1:13:35 And as we go into discussion,
1:13:37 I'll take that moment of privilege to go first.
1:13:42 of knowing Cindy Marks for many years.
1:13:45 I knew of her as my stylish councilwoman at large.
1:13:48 But when I began organizing as an activist,
1:13:53 And I realized how deeply invested
1:13:55 Not only as an elected official,
1:13:59 One of my favorite memories of Cindy
1:14:01 is from the Hate Has No Home Here rally
1:14:04 after the Charlottesville riots
1:14:06 and swastikas were spray painted on Lakewood sidewalks.
1:14:09 Cindy was currently running for office,
1:14:11 but she showed up not expecting to speak
1:14:13 or to make it about her or her campaign in any way.
1:14:17 Rather, she asked how could she help, and she did.
1:14:20 Cindy's service mindset is apparent
1:14:24 not only serving on council,
1:14:26 but also on Lakewood Arts Festival,
1:14:28 the Beck Center for the Arts,
1:14:30 the Lakewood Historical Society,
1:14:34 and Cleveland Stonewall Democrats.
1:14:36 She's never stopped giving to the community,
1:14:38 while she also took tireless and loving care
1:14:42 of her beloved late husband Jake
1:14:47 Cindy was one of the earliest voices
1:14:49 urging me to seek the at-large appointment.
1:14:51 Even coming up with my re-election slogan
1:14:55 she has been an outspoken advocate
1:14:59 long before many elected officials
1:15:01 were willing to take a stand.
1:15:04 thank you for your service and friendship.
1:15:06 While we are sad to lose you,
1:15:08 we are so happy for you and for Ken,
1:15:10 and we hope you enjoy wonderful adventures together
1:15:28 And Cindy, I was thinking back,
1:15:30 I don't know if you remember meeting me,
1:15:32 but the first time I ever met you,
1:15:37 and it was a Lakewood Rangers Education Foundation lunch.
1:15:41 And you came up to me and you said,
1:15:47 You have a way of making people feel
1:15:53 And that's the point of that statement,
1:15:55 not to say that you call me a movie star.
1:15:57 And then another distinct memory I have
1:16:02 you talked about kind of the way you analyze things
1:16:04 and the way you analyze people,
1:16:06 and you talked about it from a sales perspective.
1:16:09 And I think a lot of people think of salespeople
1:16:11 as like, oh, they're trying to sell you something
1:16:15 it reminds me a lot that she's in sales,
1:16:17 and the way she approaches sales is
1:16:19 by creating relationships and warmth with people
1:16:21 and really understanding what they want
1:16:25 and not what you think they want and what they need.
1:16:27 And so in all my times of working with you,
1:16:30 you've always listened more than you've talked,
1:16:33 and then you've let people develop solutions
1:16:36 and you need to help them accomplish those solutions.
1:16:39 And it's taught me as a council member
1:16:42 and as a father and as a person, a professional,
1:16:47 and maybe not tell people what their problem is
1:16:49 and tell people what their solution is,
1:16:51 but actually listen to them
1:16:53 and help them find that solution
1:16:55 once they've identified the problem.
1:16:57 And so it's been such an honor to work with you.
1:17:00 I treasure you as a colleague and as a friend,
1:17:03 and I'm so excited for your next chapter in your life,
1:17:05 and thank you for your service to Lakewood.
1:17:07 There's no higher calling in life than public service,
1:17:10 and you've devoted your life to it,
1:17:11 and so you deserve some time to go have some fun, too.
1:17:23 Last Saturday, a young man greeted me,
1:17:28 and asked me when I was moving to Shaker Heights.
1:17:34 This is not the first time,
1:17:36 nor will it be the last time,
1:17:38 that people confuse the East Side Cindy's.
1:17:42 Please know that there is no one
1:17:44 that I would be more honored to be confused with than you.
1:17:49 Your selflessness is admirable.
1:17:52 Through easy and difficult times,
1:17:54 you have been a pillar of grace, dignity, and common sense.
1:17:59 A role model for council members across the region,
1:18:04 you have been a voice of thoughtful consideration,
1:18:09 I'm thankful for this time that we've served together,
1:18:12 and sincerely thank you for your support,
1:18:15 encouragement, and guidance.
1:18:21 to another book in the encyclopedia of your life.
1:18:25 I'm thrilled, truly thrilled,
1:18:30 and anxious to see what you'll do next.
1:18:32 I wish you the very best of luck
1:18:34 and look forward to seeing you again very soon.
1:18:43 Councilman Hamilton-Steiner.
1:18:52 Sorry, let me start over, or start over again.
1:18:56 congratulations on the next chapter of your life.
1:18:59 You deserve all of the happiness coming your way.
1:19:02 Thank you for your commitment to public service
1:19:04 and for your advice and guidance to me along the way.
1:19:07 Even when what you said I did not want to hear,
1:19:10 but I knew then and I know now it was the truth.
1:19:14 I am just sad we do not get to work together longer
1:19:17 and have only had a year and some change
1:19:19 counting my work in the community outside of council
1:19:21 of having worked together and knowing you.
1:19:25 and I hope to still see you around
1:19:27 at various shared interests, events, functions, and activities.
1:19:31 I'm not letting you get away that soon
1:19:33 because I need to hear some more truth from you.
1:19:44 I think Tom's going to go last.
1:19:48 Now, Cindy, you know, we go way back.
1:19:52 through our love of public arts and the arts in general.
1:19:55 And we did some really cool things
1:19:58 on a grassroots level in the city many years ago.
1:20:01 And you've been just a really good friend,
1:20:05 I'm sad I didn't get to spend more time on council with you
1:20:08 because I really cherish you as a colleague
1:20:10 but more as our friendship.
1:20:12 I mean, you're just such a great and loving person.
1:20:15 It's so nice to have a mentor like you.
1:20:20 it was just one of those nice little moments
1:20:22 when I came up to the dais.
1:20:24 It's a little intimidating, you know,
1:20:26 coming up here and just padded the seat and said,
1:20:33 I'll be excited to move over one chair,
1:20:35 but I'm sad I won't get to sit next to you any longer.
1:20:40 It just made a, you know, a real big difference in,
1:20:43 you know, my young life as a public official.
1:20:46 So thank you for everything you've done for Lakewood
1:20:48 and personally what you've done for me.
1:20:50 And just I wish you absolutely nothing but the best.
1:20:57 All right, Council Member Bullock.
1:21:03 You've been a long, long-serving colleague, friend, leader,
1:21:11 We've seen tough times and seen them through together,
1:21:16 and that's come and gone in a couple of different waves
1:21:20 And so you've persisted throughout all the city business,
1:21:23 but really, you know, on the resolution,
1:21:26 it says in one of the whereas clauses,
1:21:29 all the boards that you've served on,
1:21:33 Lakewood Arts Festival, Beck Center for the Arts,
1:21:35 Lakewood Historical Society,
1:21:37 Cleveland Stonewall Democrats,
1:21:38 we could add Iowa Women's Democratic Caucus.
1:21:41 I'm sure we're missing double that
1:21:43 because your sense of leadership is not just governmental,
1:21:47 it's community-wide, it's people,
1:21:49 it's connections like everyone else has said.
1:21:51 And just for those who don't know, although I suspect you do,
1:21:55 Cindy has this unique blend of strength and compassion,
1:22:00 assertiveness and willingness to listen and team up and persist.
1:22:09 And so one of the things that we owe you as a thank you gift
1:22:14 is an allocation for public art,
1:22:19 By the year 2026, we hope, we'll see.
1:22:23 But that's a perfect example of Cindy still,
1:22:26 when she could be doing something different,
1:22:29 she's constantly looking to connect and power
1:22:35 And so I just appreciate that so much that, you know,
1:22:39 if the old saying about, you know, they come for you,
1:22:42 they come for me, and nobody was left to stand up for me,
1:22:44 not on Cindy Marks's watch.
1:22:45 She stands up and she makes damn well sure
1:22:50 that Lakewood's looked after
1:22:52 and people who need an ally are looked after.
1:22:55 So your heart and integrity are second to none
1:23:00 and we're congratulating you and Ken on your new chapter.
1:23:05 And I'm glad the two of you have found one another
1:23:08 and are going to enjoy the east side,
1:23:10 but please come to the west side too.
1:23:18 Thank you, and I will keep it short
1:23:20 because I guess I am the last one,
1:23:22 but I just want to truly say, Cindy,
1:23:24 how much it's been a pleasure truly to work with you
1:23:29 We've always had such good dialogues, good discussions,
1:23:32 and I think it's truly benefited the Lakewood community,
1:23:37 and I truly wish you the absolute best in this next chapter
1:23:42 because you certainly deserve it.
1:23:44 And I do have a mayor's proclamation for you as well,
1:23:49 just something special from me,
1:23:52 just acknowledging you and your hard work
1:23:56 and again, wishing you the best in the future.
1:24:13 This is a difficult night for me.
1:24:31 I feel so lucky to have served the city
1:24:34 for as many years as I have,
1:24:37 and I have to thank Mayor George's father
1:24:41 for introducing me to the city,
1:24:44 so it's ironic that I'm leaving with you as mayor,
1:24:48 but I'm so grateful that he first encouraged me
1:24:58 It has a lot more coffee shops than Shaker Heights,
1:25:03 and I feel so blessed also that at this time in my life
1:25:07 that I should meet somebody and fall in love,
1:25:11 and I'm able to start all over again,
1:25:16 recreating my life with somebody who has the same values
1:25:20 and commitments that I have.
1:25:22 I couldn't be luckier to have found Ken,
1:25:26 and we both have lost the loves of our life.
1:25:29 Of course, most of you knew Jake,
1:25:33 and he was the love of my life,
1:25:35 and I never thought I would find somebody again,
1:25:37 but one of my friends said to me,
1:25:40 Ken was like a star that dropped out of the sky
1:25:42 and landed in your lap to create a cushion
1:25:45 for you to fall into, and I believe that.
1:25:50 We're going to have a great life together,
1:25:52 even though it's going to be on the east side,
1:25:58 And I will stay active on the Lakewood Arts Council
1:26:01 and however else I can in the city,
1:26:04 but it's been a real pleasure to work
1:26:08 and it's been inspiring to see so many of you
1:26:11 come up in ranks in politics,
1:26:14 and unfortunately, I started politics
1:26:16 much later in my life and often regretted that.
1:26:20 If I was younger, I would have had more opportunities,
1:26:23 but to see so many people who desire
1:26:28 and really want to make a difference,
1:26:30 like you, Angelina, you're great on council
1:26:33 and you really care a lot about the city
1:26:35 and know so much about board four,
1:26:39 and I know that you'll see a big difference there,
1:26:47 and thank you so much for being so kind
1:26:50 and thoughtful to me over the years.
1:27:23 I have someone signed in to speak.
1:27:25 Jason Frederick, if you want to come on up.
1:27:36 I'll be reiterating many of the same sentiments,
1:27:38 but I wanted to get a chance to just say thanks.
1:27:43 Members of council, city officials, mayor,
1:27:46 my name is Jason Frederick.
1:27:48 I live here on Alameda Avenue.
1:27:52 I became immediately interested in the history of this town,
1:27:56 and one of the first resources I made use of
1:28:00 where I found several books on the history of Lakewood.
1:28:03 I found information about the Connecticut Western Reserve
1:28:06 and the arrival of Rockport's first pioneering residents.
1:28:09 There were stories of Detroit Road
1:28:11 being a Native American hunting trail,
1:28:13 tales from rowdy inns on the old Plank Road,
1:28:17 about how the streets got their names,
1:28:22 And my interest in Lakewood's history led me quickly
1:28:24 to want to know more about how the city was operating today,
1:28:27 and so I started attending city council meetings,
1:28:30 and this is when I first met Cindy Marks.
1:28:33 She was then an at-large representative,
1:28:36 but when she became our Ward 4 rep,
1:28:38 I had so many questions for her,
1:28:40 and she was so open and responsive
1:28:43 and offered up context for many of the current initiatives,
1:28:47 backstory and answers for all of my questions
1:28:50 or questions my neighbors might have had
1:28:52 that I had tasked myself with investigating,
1:28:57 Cindy nominated me for the Public Art Advisory Board,
1:29:00 and this was invaluable in teaching me
1:29:03 how the government projects come into being,
1:29:06 from inception to discussion of budget concerns
1:29:09 to the process of voting and scheduling complications
1:29:12 and implementation and completion
1:29:14 to impact and community response,
1:29:17 and it's been a wonderfully enlightening experience
1:29:20 for which I have her to thank,
1:29:22 and I just can't thank you enough for that.
1:29:25 In my experience, some people are door openers
1:29:28 and some people are gatekeepers,
1:29:31 and for me, Cindy has always,
1:29:33 without question, been the former.
1:29:35 She's been encouraging, supportive,
1:29:37 and responsive every step of the way,
1:29:39 and I'm just so grateful for that.
1:29:41 With her resignation, we in ward four
1:29:44 are losing not only an engaged
1:29:46 and conscientious representative,
1:29:49 the kind of person you want to be your neighbor
1:29:53 That said, I'm an avid reader,
1:29:55 and all of my favorite books,
1:29:57 I've always wished they were a little longer
1:29:59 to have a few more pages, another swell or two,
1:30:02 and when she told me she was getting married
1:30:05 and moving to Shaker Heights,
1:30:09 Did anybody see that coming?
1:30:10 Because I didn't see that coming.
1:30:15 And so, me and everybody else here
1:30:17 are just so excited for you
1:30:20 as you add this and many, many more pages
1:30:24 Thank you so much for everything.
1:30:33 That's the only person I've signed in
1:30:35 Did anyone else want to make public comment?
1:30:55 Aren't they just the cutest?
1:31:01 So, with that, we have a motion in a second
1:31:05 to adopt the resolution 2025-75,
1:31:10 assuming it's passage, which I do.
1:31:12 We'll come down and do a picture.
1:31:15 All who are here to celebrate Cindy,
1:31:17 you're welcome to come up and join us
1:31:19 and we'll present her with the ceremony resolution.
1:31:22 And directors, if any of you want to join in as well,
1:31:26 So, we have a motion in a second
1:31:32 We're going to come down for a photo.
1:34:02 I still think we can close all the roads
1:34:09 Just like the roads are closed.
1:34:13 We're going to have to drone her out.
1:34:18 Ever since this relationship started,
1:34:29 And it was really, for me, very difficult
1:34:34 to encourage her to do it again.
1:34:36 I don't know if that's true.
1:34:37 I said, you know, we want to find a house.
1:34:40 We're going to put it together.
1:34:44 We don't really do it, but.
1:34:48 We do technically still have a little bit more business.
1:34:51 So, we have public comment.
1:34:57 And a lot of folks I see on this list that signed in have left.
1:35:03 So, Barb, if you want to come up, you know the drill, Barb Rhodes.
1:35:07 And I think that's everybody who's still here to do public comment.
1:35:15 I live at 1475 Grace Avenue.
1:35:18 I have only been observing the council for about two years.
1:35:22 So, I'm not familiar with a lot of your customs.
1:35:26 I certainly don't know your bylaws.
1:35:28 But it's frustrating to come to watch the council having looked at the agenda
1:35:33 and looked at the attachments and see the council voting on amendments
1:35:39 that were made in the committee meeting that was still going on at 730
1:35:44 without those amendments being described in any manner for the public
1:35:50 who's watching either in person or on video to know what you're voting on.
1:35:56 Maybe it's not important, but it just seems to me that perhaps it's
1:36:02 something you might consider is just, you know, if there is an amendment
1:36:06 that hasn't been published before the meeting,
1:36:10 if it could be summarized when you make the motion to substitute.
1:36:18 I missed you on the city hall communication before.
1:36:24 So, and I think that's good feedback.
1:36:26 And often we do in the, if it's, if the committee happens on the same night
1:36:32 as the night that we would potentially adopt,
1:36:35 a lot of times in the committee report that happens that night,
1:36:39 But it is good feedback, I think, for us to,
1:36:42 probably a good practice for us to describe those in detail.
1:36:45 Sometimes they're more lengthy than others.
1:36:48 And this particular evening we did go through them in detail in finance,
1:36:52 but you're right that not everybody who was,
1:36:55 not everyone watching would have necessarily watched the finance
1:36:57 committee meeting or been here for it.
1:37:01 That's everybody I have signed in for public comment who's still here.
1:37:08 So announcements from council members.
1:37:12 So first, happy holidays to all.
1:37:17 Also don't slip on the ice.
1:37:19 And I hope you get some enjoyment.
1:37:22 I will announce that I will follow the advice of colleagues and introduce
1:37:26 in early January the set of proposals that was considered tonight.
1:37:31 One was disposed of, but others weren't.
1:37:33 I also heard feedback from one colleague that the list,
1:37:38 as it was outlined, was just one council member,
1:37:42 this council member's stab at trying to summarize what a whole body of
1:37:50 So there should be an opportunity for more authors to,
1:37:55 you know, work on that together.
1:38:00 I also want to thank everybody for the hanging in there,
1:38:04 working through the process.
1:38:05 I mean, sometimes we get a little bit outside of our comfort zone.
1:38:08 Sometimes we get a little bit outside of a customary process.
1:38:13 But I also did also hear and wanted to acknowledge that there's
1:38:16 feedback that some of my colleagues would prefer it differently.
1:38:19 And so I want to respond to that and thank everybody for the endurance
1:38:32 Just your calendar update, everyone.
1:38:34 December 21st, winter starts.
1:38:39 Shortest day of the year, winter solstice.
1:38:42 We all know the 25th is Christmas and Kwanzaa begins the day after on the
1:38:47 New Year's Eve, we know, and New Year's Day is coming up and happy
1:38:55 Other announcements from council members?
1:38:58 And on the topic of snow, thank you again to Public Works for your
1:39:02 continuing hard work to keep our streets safe.
1:39:05 Announcements from the administration?
1:39:10 I just want to thank the community.
1:39:11 We had our cram the cruiser event this afternoon.
1:39:14 It was a tremendous success.
1:39:16 People walking into a giant eagle came out, cash donations.
1:39:19 People were going in, buying stuff and bringing it out.
1:39:22 We literally ran out of room in the cruisers.
1:39:25 So we will be giving a very, very good donation to the LCSC.
1:39:32 Which ward has bragging rights?
1:39:36 So the police department, I think, beat you all.
1:39:39 We crammed 220 before we brought it.
1:39:47 And thank you to the neighborhood officers also.
1:39:49 That was a great initiative and great to see with Timmy back, too.
1:39:56 Any further announcements from the administration?
1:39:59 Then no further business to come before council.
1:40:01 Without objection, we are adjourned.