Written by the reviewer from the ASR + docket; [verbatim-ASR] = quoted machine transcript; [paraphrase] = reviewer's wording, not a quote.
0:00 Good evening, everyone. I'd like to call to order the regular council meeting for January 5, 2026.
0:07 As a presiding officer, I'm the longest-serving member of council.
0:13 We don't yet have a formal council president or vice president, so we're going to turn to that in a second.
0:19 But I guess that makes me pro tem something.
0:22 So I'm opening the meeting.
0:25 So I'd like to begin by calling for all those who can rise, please do.
0:48 And now, as is city council's tradition, I'd like to observe a moment of silence.
0:55 Madam Clerk, please call the roll.
1:04 Councilmember Baker.
1:06 Councilmember Bullock.
1:07 Councilmember Evans.
1:09 Councilmember Keppel.
1:10 Councilmember Hamilton-Steiner.
1:12 Councilmember Striebeck.
1:14 Reading and disposal of the minutes of the regular meeting of council held December 15, 2025.
1:20 A move that we approve without the necessity of a reading.
1:25 Motion has been made and seconded.
1:27 Hearing none, all in favor say aye.
1:31 That brings us to the election of president of council who serves for the term and is
1:39 elected tonight, our first meeting of a two-year term.
1:44 So I'd like to open nominations for president of council.
1:50 Mr. Chair, I would move to have councilperson Keppel serve as president of council.
1:57 Motion has been made to elect council, rather, Councilwoman Keppel as president of council.
2:05 Motion has been made and seconded.
2:07 Now hold open the floor for additional nominations.
2:14 Are there any other nominations or motions to nominate another councilmember for president
2:23 Any other motions to nominate?
2:26 Any other motions to nominate?
2:27 Hearing none, let's move to vote on the motion before us which is to elect councilwoman
2:36 Keppel to another term as president of council.
2:39 Any discussion on the motion?
2:44 Councilwoman Keppel, you've been a very hard worker and a very thoughtful leader and a
2:52 very strong leader of our community, very diligent.
2:57 And so I'm happy to support the motion to elect you as council president and thank
3:02 you for your continued service to our community and to your council colleagues as we do
3:08 our jobs which is to carry out the will of the public.
3:13 Any other discussion?
3:16 Hearing none, all in favor say aye.
3:22 Congratulations, council president Keppel.
3:27 I don't think I ever had a gavel but the gavel is metaphorically and physically
3:31 returned to council president Keppel.
3:34 Thank you and thank you colleagues for your continued faith in me.
3:39 All right, so now we are on to the election of the vice president of council and I will
3:46 move to elect councilman Kyle Baker as vice president.
3:52 The motion has been made and seconded.
3:54 Any other nominations?
3:57 Any other nominations?
3:58 We're asking three times because that's the rules.
4:01 In case you're wondering, I'm not actually hoping that anyone will put another name
4:04 And any other nominations?
4:06 All right, so with that I will consider nominations closed on the motion to elect and I'll
4:14 move to elect vice president Kyle Baker.
4:23 Well, I need a second first.
4:25 And then discussion.
4:26 Go ahead, councilman Block.
4:27 Thank you, madam president.
4:29 So as before, I think we've certainly gotten hard work, thoughtful service, careful
4:36 preparation, and we've benefited from councilman Baker's career in law and planning
4:44 and development and just knowledge of our community as somebody who's lived and breathed
4:51 and grown up here his whole life.
4:53 So councilman, you've been a great colleague.
4:56 I have every expectation you'll be a great colleague and councilman once again.
5:03 Any further discussion?
5:05 Vice president Baker, or soon to be vice president Baker.
5:08 Yeah, thank you, councilman Bullock.
5:09 And what I will say is, you know, when president Keppel and I kind of talk about
5:14 council leadership in our last term and hopefully in this next term, what we think
5:17 about is how can we best maneuver us as a body to have the biggest effect we can
5:24 So that's the way I view being a part of council leadership is how can we most
5:28 effectively get our shared values and goals accomplished?
5:32 And what can we do to further those?
5:34 So it's really in service to you all as our colleagues and really relish the
5:40 opportunity to do it.
5:45 I'll just add vice president Baker that I very much value your partnership in
5:52 leadership and I'm grateful to have you with me.
5:57 On the motion to elect Kyle Baker as vice president, all those in favor.
6:03 And that motion passes.
6:11 Item one report from committee of the whole held today, January 5th, 2026.
6:17 Committee of the whole met today to review candidates who had applied for
6:23 the award for vacancy, which has become vacant due to the resignation of
6:28 former councilman Cindy Marks effective at the end of 2025.
6:32 We reviewed those applications.
6:34 We had nine candidates apply, eight, eight, eight candidates apply.
6:42 Eight candidates apply and we council met an executive session after exiting
6:49 executive session and made a motion which was upheld to invite the
6:54 following candidates for interviews for that word for vacancy.
7:00 Those candidates are Jason Frederick, Matt Bixenstein, AJ Pixie Mollo and
7:06 Sydney Lightner candidate.
7:09 Those interviews would be held next week here in the council chambers
7:14 and live streamed so that everyone can view those.
7:17 We anticipate that council will then vote on that appointment the
7:23 following full council meeting.
7:27 And then we also had a little bit of time left.
7:29 We also discussed the sort of process and timeline for our upcoming
7:35 city hall discussions and discussed a little bit of some of the things
7:39 that council would be considering and needed to look at as we went
7:43 through that timeline.
7:44 We have to receive and file that report.
7:46 Motion has been made and seconded.
7:52 And that motion passes.
7:54 And I'm to resolution 2025 77 a resolution to take effect immediately.
8:01 Appointing one person to the ward 4C on Lakewood City Council for the
8:05 remainder of the four-year term ending December 31st, 2027.
8:11 Motion's been made and seconded.
8:17 And that motion passed.
8:19 Item three communication from council member Keppel regarding updated
8:22 schedule for City Hall facilities discussions.
8:26 Your colleagues I am writing to provide an updated schedule for
8:29 discussions with the administration regarding City Hall space
8:32 considerations due to the availability of the bond council.
8:35 Their presentation has been moved to January 26th.
8:39 We will reserve their original date of February 2nd for additional
8:41 dialogue regarding these significant decisions.
8:44 Please find attached my original communication explaining the
8:47 interconnectivity of the debt load and bands timeline and City
8:51 Hall decision relevant information and the amended schedule.
8:55 I encourage City Council members to review the attached presentation
8:59 and the information in the shared folder to ensure a productive
9:02 conversation that will help council make an informed decision.
9:05 I suggest that each council member compile list of critical
9:08 questions that you will need answered in order to make the
9:11 significant financial and operational decision and send them in
9:15 advance to the administration.
9:17 I will move to refer this communication to Committee of the
9:21 Whole second motion has been made and seconded discussion.
9:26 I'll just add this is essentially what we discussed tonight
9:30 in Committee of the Whole just going over the adjusted schedule
9:34 in the timeline and how we need to work backwards from the
9:37 bonds council in terms of the amounts for the bonds and how
9:42 this would move forward.
9:43 All right any further discussion.
9:58 Sorry, my mic was off on this page and this may be partly
10:02 a question for you council president partly for the
10:05 administration on the 2026 line projected cash flow.
10:10 Any of the options are 1.2 1.5 1.6 not a very much
10:15 So those are not small numbers, but they're also not 16 and
10:18 a half million or even 10 million numbers.
10:20 So I guess I'd like to speak to that because on I appreciate
10:24 your anticipation and planning ahead so that we can
10:27 try to integrate all these different timelines include
10:31 for debt financing.
10:32 But if the if the work before us for 2026 for potential
10:38 City Hall improvement renovation upgrade or even multiple
10:45 multiplication into two sites is really architecture
10:48 and plan development.
10:49 Why would we need a debt finance that so the that's
10:55 something that I think is going to be important to get
10:58 our hands around not just tonight, but in the whole
11:01 calendar that you're talking about but traditionally debt
11:06 finances for capital for bricks and mortar and reserving
11:14 you know committing that much debt and started to pay
11:19 interest on that much debt before we're ready to use
11:22 it to me is a question.
11:24 We've got to analyze carefully.
11:29 Yes, I think that's part of as you'll see there's a
11:32 communication from the mayor also with the talking
11:36 about the administration's plan and that's I think what
11:38 we're this schedule that follows all of this lays out
11:42 is that we would be going through that because that's
11:44 exactly the point that we were discussing a little
11:47 earlier tonight was if some of the plans that were
11:50 presented with the consultants or with those three options
11:54 suggested that the 1.2 to 1.6 for the criteria architect
12:00 design process would be in 2026 and then the capital
12:05 major capital expenditure in 2027 the administration.
12:09 I don't want to get ahead because we're going to get
12:10 to that communication, but the administration's plan
12:12 that they presented moves that timeline up.
12:16 So, you know, that's what we'll be I think to
12:19 look discussing in the next several weeks going
12:22 into that detail of what it is that we would be
12:26 financing when and why and how.
12:30 Mayor George, did you want to add to that?
12:32 Actually, I just had a clarifying question.
12:34 I'm just looking at the amended schedule and I'm the
12:40 It says reserve for additional City Hall discussion.
12:45 Did you want us to present on City Hall on the 26th
12:50 I was anticipating that the initial presentation
12:52 would be on the 26th and then we would have the
12:54 second and the ninth for questions and follow-up
12:58 and anything else that we need to do got it.
13:00 That was that was my question.
13:01 So we'll be prepared to present initially on the 26th
13:05 and then reserve the other meetings for more discussion.
13:07 Yes, kind of like when we did downtown development
13:10 reserving more meetings so that we have plenty of
13:12 time to go through everything we need to go
13:14 through and hopefully make sense.
13:16 I know the 26 may be a kind of a long night
13:18 because it's also the bonds council, but that way
13:21 we get it all kind of together and have time
13:24 to think about that and have thoughtful questions
13:27 to come back with in the next few weeks.
13:29 Any further discussion on this communication?
13:36 Okay, and then on the motion to refer to
13:39 Committee of the Whole all those in favor.
13:41 I and that motion passes.
13:43 Item four communication from Councilmember Keppel
13:46 regarding recodification of ordinances.
13:48 Dear colleagues, the liquid codified ordinances
13:52 is a living document continuously updated
13:54 by City Council approximately three times per year
13:57 new adopted ordinances are batched together
14:00 and sent to the American legal publishing
14:02 to be incorporated into the codified ordinances.
14:05 The following ordinance authorizes American legal
14:07 publishing to perform one of these routine updates
14:10 to incorporate all relevant legislation
14:13 adopted after July 21st, 2025 move to receive
14:17 and file this communication.
14:19 Motions been made and seconded any discussion
14:23 All those in favor.
14:24 I and that motion passes.
14:27 Item five ordinance one 2026 an ordinance
14:30 to take effect immediately to approve the editing
14:32 and inclusion of certain ordinances
14:33 as parts of the various component codes
14:35 of codified ordinances and to provide
14:37 for the publication of such a new matter.
14:41 Motions been made and seconded discussion
14:44 just for anyone following along at home.
14:46 This is these are things that have already passed
14:48 but they just haven't been included
14:50 in the sort of printed ordinances yet.
14:53 All right on the motion to defer.
14:56 All those in favor.
14:58 I and that motion passes.
15:00 I am six communication from Mayor George
15:02 regarding presenting the administration's case
15:05 for relocating to downtown Lakewood 1470 Warren Road
15:09 old Board of Education building or George
15:11 members of council.
15:13 I continue to appreciate the ongoing dialogue
15:16 regarding space challenges.
15:18 The city of Lakewood is facing at City Hall
15:20 and the due diligence process.
15:22 We are jointly engaged in to assess
15:24 the best path forward and furtherance
15:26 of the public discussion held most recently
15:29 at the Committee of the Whole on November 17th 2025
15:33 whereby cost estimates were provided
15:35 by Weber Murphy Fox and project management consultants
15:39 on a variety of construction
15:40 and location scenarios.
15:42 The administration presents this communication
15:44 to update you on recent discussions
15:47 with the owner developer of the BOA Liberty development
15:51 and presenting the information to you and the public.
15:55 Liberty reviewed the presentation
15:56 from November 17th meeting
15:58 and subsequently reached out to the administration
16:01 with a request to present its own apples
16:04 to apples analysis of the cost to rehabilitate
16:07 the BOE for city use.
16:10 Such an analysis should be highly useful
16:12 to the administration and city council
16:14 as we continue our due diligence process.
16:18 Liberty is uniquely positioned to provide
16:20 such an additional layer of analysis
16:23 due to its deep knowledge and understanding of the site
16:26 from its multi-year ownership
16:28 as well as the level of specificity
16:34 Liberty can provide
16:35 after performing multiple analysis
16:37 on the building over time.
16:39 Highly relevant to this analysis,
16:43 Liberty has recently completed a historic renovation
16:46 of the sister building next door
16:48 at 1456 Warren Road, which gives them insights
16:52 which might be otherwise lost in our evaluation process.
16:56 Finally, this track record as developer
16:59 and general contractor includes a heavy focus
17:02 on an experience with similar adaptive reuse
17:06 of historic structures in this region,
17:08 the Bulkley building in Playhouse Square
17:10 and the Union building developed
17:12 with a public entity partner, Cleveland State University.
17:16 All of the factors indicate that Liberty's evaluation
17:19 of costs should be helpful to the administration
17:24 The city hall building discussion in 2025
17:27 largely centered around projected costs.
17:30 The aim of this communication is to attempt
17:32 to answer the most basic question.
17:35 What would the actual cost be to relocate
17:38 several administrative departments
17:40 into our core downtown?
17:42 Once this cost is accurately determined,
17:44 we will also have this figure validated
17:46 and confirmed by our bond council and lender
17:49 and ensure that it aligns
17:50 with our ongoing financial health of the city.
17:54 The administration will also publicly present its rationale
17:57 as to why the downtown administrative office
18:00 and police headquarters slash justice center model
18:03 at 12650 Detroit Avenue makes the most sense
18:07 operationally, serves the community
18:09 in the best manner of all options presented
18:11 and provides all city employees
18:13 with a professional and equitable setting in which to work.
18:18 To summarize the graphs,
18:20 essentially the actual costs presented by Liberty
18:24 are nearly 8 million less than PMC
18:27 and Webber Murphy Fox presented.
18:29 It's important to note that Liberty
18:31 will guarantee their pricing
18:34 and this new process eliminates a need
18:38 for a criteria architect.
18:41 The cost comparison becomes even more compelling
18:43 when compared to the proposed addition
18:46 to the existing City Hall
18:47 as it provides 21% more square feet
18:51 at nearly equal cost.
18:53 Some of the rationale and benefits
18:55 of a downtown City Hall
18:58 include that the police department
19:00 now has the square footage
19:01 in line with industry standards
19:04 in similar cities and suburbs.
19:07 Costs, estimates provided by PMC
19:09 and Webber Murphy Fox
19:11 came in at nearly 50% higher
19:13 than actual construction
19:14 and build out price from Liberty,
19:16 again, who will contractually guarantee such pricing.
19:21 best option to create a one-stop shop,
19:24 high quality customer service experience
19:28 for residents, tax or bill payers,
19:31 permit seekers, and the public.
19:33 And then unified departmental operations,
19:36 consolidate customer-facing departments
19:39 under a single roof
19:40 allows the best operational efficiency.
19:44 Flexibility and growth,
19:45 long-term solution with room to grow
19:47 and operate with flexibility over time.
19:51 Equitable and transit-friendly access,
19:55 location at East-West and North-South
19:59 70% of the 30 largest Ohio cities
20:04 have a city hall that is downtown.
20:06 And then finally, adapted reuse of a historic building.
20:11 Understanding that KeyBank and Bricker-Gradon
20:13 will be offering their expertise on all the above
20:16 and to answer questions you or the public may have
20:19 regarding the financial impact of this project,
20:22 we look forward to further discussion
20:24 of this critical analysis in 2026.
20:31 All right, I will move to refer to Committee of the Whole.
20:37 Motion's been made and seconded.
20:42 Thanks, Madam President.
20:45 I know we're gonna have more time to talk about this,
20:49 is the only option to have two campuses
20:51 or could you see supporting a larger expansion
20:56 of the current building
20:58 and not displacing commercial tenants
21:02 from a downtown building
21:04 that could generate taxes for the city?
21:09 Well, I think it makes sense to finally get
21:11 the administrative, customer-facing departments
21:15 in one building, in one central building.
21:18 Remember, we have the annex across the street as well.
21:21 So, and I know we've discussed this before,
21:24 we would, when those individuals are moved to a new site,
21:29 we would put that site up for commercial use.
21:35 Okay, so it sounds like the administration's
21:38 got a preferred option,
21:39 but I guess what I'm asking is,
21:41 do you know for sure that's the only option
21:43 that you support or could,
21:45 as we engage in this analysis,
21:47 find that you support
21:49 or would consider some of the other alternatives?
21:53 Yeah, I think as we've gone through this process,
21:56 we've identified the build-out out front option
21:59 is just not suitable based on a variety of reasons
22:04 that we can certainly go into in more detail,
22:08 but that is not a good option,
22:11 I would say, for City Hall.
22:13 Okay, all right, thanks.
22:14 Thanks for the starting point to more deliberation.
22:20 Any further discussion on the motion
22:22 to refer to Committee of the Whole?
22:24 Yes. Vice President Baker.
22:26 To the administration, I'd really like to understand
22:28 the process that would eliminate the need
22:33 for a criteria architect,
22:36 so if that could be in the presentation,
22:39 it would be very helpful.
22:44 Yes, absolutely, that will be, and we do have,
22:47 we are working with outside council on that,
22:49 so we will definitely discuss that.
22:54 Any further discussion?
22:57 All right, hearing none on the motion
22:59 to refer to Committee of the Whole,
23:00 all those in favor?
23:02 And that motion passes.
23:04 M7, communication from Mayor George
23:06 regarding mayoral appointments to boards and commissions.
23:12 It's my pleasure to announce following appointments
23:14 to the City of Lakewood boards and commissions.
23:17 We have Amanda McCready, Ashley Matanas, Angela Hare,
23:22 Matthew Wilson, Tim DeWald, John Mazze, Jordan Rush,
23:29 Michelle Meno, and Meredith Danko,
23:32 to various boards and commissions
23:34 that you can see up here on your screen,
23:35 and just, again, want to thank these individuals
23:38 for volunteering their time and efforts
23:41 to these important boards.
23:45 Move to receive and file.
23:47 Motion's been made and seconded.
23:50 Hearing none, all those in favor?
23:53 And that motion passes.
23:54 M8, communication from Mayor George
23:56 regarding mayoral reappointments to boards and commissions.
23:59 More appointments and, pardon me,
24:02 reappointments to Loan Approval Board,
24:05 Mac Doyle, Civil Service Commission, John Mills,
24:08 Citizens Advisory Committee, Dan McCown, and Garrett Oster.
24:12 And again, thank you for these individuals
24:15 who want to continue to serve in their board
24:18 and commission appointments.
24:21 Move to receive and file.
24:23 Motion's been made and seconded.
24:26 Hearing none, all those in favor?
24:28 And that motion passes.
24:30 Item 9, communication from Mayor George
24:32 regarding mayoral appointments to case board.
24:36 It's my pleasure to announce my initial appointments
24:38 to the newly formed case board, John Mitterhoser,
24:42 Jeff McCourt, and Kyle Robinson.
24:45 And again, with the others, appreciate their willingness
24:48 to volunteer and spend their time
24:52 for the benefit of the city.
24:55 I'll move to receive and file that communication.
24:58 Motion's been made and seconded.
25:00 And I know we had the planning department
25:04 as the administrative support on that.
25:09 Do we know who from the planning department
25:11 is going to be working with them on that?
25:13 Thank you, President Keppel.
25:15 It'll be Dave Boss.
25:16 He'll be the secretary on my behalf.
25:18 And we're looking to schedule a meeting,
25:19 hopefully, in February.
25:21 So we're working on everything now.
25:25 On the motion to receive and file the communication,
25:28 any further discussion?
25:30 Hearing none, all those in favor?
25:32 And that motion passes.
25:34 Item 10, communication from Director Vargo
25:36 regarding submerged lands lease at 1040 Forest Cliff.
25:46 Dear President Keppel and members of City Council,
25:49 this is in reference to 1040 Forest Cliff.
25:53 This resolution is required by the Ohio Department
25:56 of Natural Resources as it permits lakefront property
26:00 owners to obtain submerged land leases.
26:05 In this instance, the property owners
26:07 are seeking the lease to construct coastal erosion
26:12 This matter has been referred to the Division of Engineering
26:16 The property currently is the site of the city's outfall,
26:19 one of the city's outfall, and an easement
26:21 has been recorded that will protect any future work that
26:25 may need to be done to maintain or reconstruct
26:30 That easement was designed and addressed
26:35 by the city's engineer and Assistant Director Swallow.
26:40 Therefore, the resolution approves
26:42 to submerge lands lease, subject to the city's easement.
26:53 Before I do that, so Director Vargo,
26:55 just so I understand, this is the matter
26:57 was referred to Division of Engineering,
26:59 so that review has been completed.
27:01 And so the, yes, I'm seeing, OK.
27:05 All right, so that everything's
27:08 satisfied from the engineering department
27:10 that with this easement that all outfall work
27:14 I'm seeing nods from both Director Gordon
27:17 and Director Vargo, so just for anyone
27:20 who can't hear nods at home.
27:21 OK, so I will move to receive and file
27:31 the communication unless we want it.
27:34 I'm not sure if we really need to send this to committee.
27:37 I know Vice President Baker, you've
27:39 been working with some of the, this isn't that project,
27:42 but some of those projects.
27:44 Yeah, I think I'd like to understand.
27:47 No, I don't want to get in the administration's way
27:50 I think I would like to understand this project.
27:53 So the other times we've done submerging land leases,
27:56 we've sent it to Public Works and Sustainability, I think.
28:00 But I don't want to mess up a timeline.
28:05 Sure, thank you, President Capel and Vice President Baker.
28:09 This is primarily focused for private development
28:12 at 1040 Forest Cliff.
28:15 We just needed an easement there for the outfall.
28:17 That is included within the submerged land lease.
28:20 So everything's included within the submerged land lease
28:25 that is being submitted to ODNR.
28:28 So the resident has been patient,
28:31 would be the best wording that I would use,
28:33 and is certainly hoping to get this moving forward.
28:39 So Public Works and Sustainability.
28:46 So Councilman Evans, do you have a preference?
28:52 No, I'm happy to have the meeting to talk about it.
28:55 And I don't think it would be a terribly long meeting.
28:57 So we could probably hopefully schedule that sometime
29:01 over the next several weeks, as soon as possible.
29:05 We could actually get that in before the next full
29:07 council meeting, I think.
29:09 I think we have a little time on the schedule on the 20th.
29:15 So we could adopt it that night, potentially.
29:19 I was just adding that to Director Gordon's comment,
29:22 these residents are waiting on the formal approval
29:28 So time is of the essence.
29:33 If we, okay, so let's go ahead.
29:35 If you want to, let's go ahead and refer
29:36 the communication to you for clarity.
29:39 And then we'll get it on for the 20th,
29:40 so we can potentially pass it
29:42 that next full council meeting.
29:46 Yeah, I would want to not let them wait another meeting,
29:49 but I, as a matter of course,
29:50 I mean, it's like 30 or 40 pages of documents.
29:53 I'd prefer time to review it
29:55 before we formally approve as a body.
29:57 So I think if we can commit to get it on a committee
30:01 before our next full meeting,
30:02 and then for passage to the next full meeting,
30:04 I think that's appropriate.
30:05 Yeah, and I'm flexible to call that meeting whenever,
30:07 so whatever works with the schedule for,
30:09 I'll yield to council leadership.
30:12 All right, so we'll try to get that on the,
30:14 that meeting on the 20th then.
30:16 So, all right, so we will,
30:18 I'm gonna move to refer the communication
30:19 to public works and sustainability.
30:22 Motion's been made and seconded.
30:25 We've kind of already had some discussion.
30:26 Any further discussion?
30:29 Hearing none, all those in favor?
30:31 And that motion passes.
30:34 Item 11, resolution 2026.01,
30:37 a resolution to take effect immediately,
30:39 approving the use of submerged lands
30:41 for property located at 1040 Forest Cliff Drive,
30:43 Lakewood, Ohio, in order to permit the owners
30:47 the opportunity to construct the proposed shore structure.
30:50 I move to refer to public works and sustainability.
30:53 Motion's been made and seconded.
30:57 Hearing none, all those in favor?
30:59 And that motion passes.
31:01 Item 12, December 2025,
31:03 Finance Department vendor report,
31:04 submitted pursuant to Lakewood Codified Ordinance 11103.
31:08 Move to receive and file?
31:10 Motion's been made and seconded.
31:14 Hearing none, all those in favor?
31:17 And that motion passes.
31:18 All right, we have reached public comment.
31:22 I think we have a couple e-comments.
31:25 And we're gonna have she come up.
31:27 If you have signed in for public comment,
31:30 when I call your name,
31:30 you'll come up to the microphone,
31:33 push the button so that it turns green.
31:37 You'll have up to five minutes to address the chair.
31:43 Keep remarks civil, avoid personalities,
31:46 and oh, and state your name and address
31:48 for the record, please.
31:56 And then our first up is Robert Organ.
32:04 Thank you, President Keppel.
32:05 It's great to be back.
32:07 We find ourselves in a fresh hell
32:08 that the administration has thrown us into three days.
32:12 So hopefully my comments can be a little bit
32:14 of a distraction from that
32:17 because we can't really do anything
32:18 about invading a foreign country illegally
32:24 That said, I was in the middle of drafting
32:27 an email to all of you today.
32:29 And I just felt like being here
32:32 and not sparing you all my presence
32:36 would be more effective.
32:38 I've talked about this before.
32:40 Snow removal in our bike lanes
32:43 and on our sidewalks is currently left up
32:46 to the homeowner slash business owner.
32:51 I think we all can agree that it's ineffective.
32:53 The sidewalks are not cleared.
32:55 Often the bike lanes are not cleared.
32:58 I understand that it's difficult to keep up
33:00 when we're in the midst of a large snowstorm
33:03 and things like that.
33:04 But I'm currently confined to only walking.
33:08 And I'm not even supposed to be out on slippery sidewalks.
33:11 But don't tell my doctor.
33:13 I've been doing it.
33:16 You know, I just can't imagine how somebody
33:20 that has serious mobility issues,
33:23 somebody that is aging
33:25 and maybe requires the use of a walker
33:28 or something like that can get around in this city,
33:32 especially someone that maybe can't afford a car
33:35 or has lost the ability to drive for whatever reason.
33:41 Yeah, so, you know, there are people in this room
33:43 that will say that different phases of your life
33:47 mean that you have to rely on a car.
33:51 As I've pointed out, there are people
33:52 that can't drive for whatever reason.
33:55 There are people that will hand wave safety
33:56 because at some point in time,
33:58 we didn't have maybe bike lanes that we have today.
34:02 Or, you know, they don't have to get around
34:05 by foot or by bike.
34:07 So they drive and they don't really see these issues.
34:10 I just can't get on board with any of that.
34:14 We need something new,
34:15 whether that's an ordinance or better enforcement
34:18 to go around for an average person
34:21 and point out and report all of the sidewalks
34:24 that are not clear.
34:25 That's gonna be basically a full-time job.
34:28 I have dozens of pictures just over the last couple weeks
34:31 of sidewalks that are not clear
34:34 after three days of clear weather,
34:38 both on our main commercial corridors
34:41 as well as on our side streets
34:44 and our residential streets.
34:46 How are people supposed to get around?
34:48 So, you know, people are confined to their houses
34:54 if they can't afford a car
34:55 or they can't drive for whatever reason.
34:58 So we need an ordinance or some other method
35:01 for the city to oversee
35:04 and ensure that our sidewalks are getting cleared.
35:07 I really appreciate that the city provides salt
35:10 free of charge to everybody in the city.
35:12 And often there are people coming from outside the city
35:15 because they know about it.
35:17 I don't care, that's great.
35:19 As long as, you know, the sidewalks are getting cleared.
35:21 But we see that that's often not the case.
35:24 Whether a homeowner is unable to clear, they don't care.
35:28 Business owners, you know,
35:30 are not taking care of their sidewalks.
35:31 And then there's also the issue of like crosswalks
35:35 that aren't cleared because they're not directly
35:36 in front of a business.
35:38 How are people supposed to cross the street?
35:42 It's a real hazard and it makes, you know,
35:45 getting out of the house for a lot of people
35:48 much more difficult or discourages people
35:51 from walking or biking when they otherwise could.
35:56 So I'm asking the city to either come up
35:59 with a new ordinance that would assist with this
36:04 or some other method to oversee
36:06 and supervise the clearing of our sidewalks.
36:09 Hopefully that is done by next winter.
36:13 I know that things move slowly.
36:15 So if we could get it done next winter,
36:17 that'd be fantastic.
36:20 Oh, and I have great news.
36:22 I don't have class on Monday night this semester.
36:24 So I'll be seeing a lot more of everybody.
36:30 And just appreciate that topic too.
36:33 And just, we do hear a lot from folks around that topic,
36:38 especially when we have big snows and, you know,
36:42 we do actually have an ordinance
36:45 that folks are supposed to be clearing their sidewalks
36:48 on both commercial and residential.
36:50 And I know our building department has been
36:52 busy handling those complaints,
36:54 particularly when it comes to commercial properties.
36:56 You know, it's, for me personally,
36:59 it's one thing if you're, you know,
37:02 you're not physically able to clear
37:05 your residential property sidewalk,
37:07 there's folks in that situation.
37:09 But if you're a commercial business,
37:12 it's your responsibility for sure.
37:13 And there's no, you know,
37:14 you're making money off of people coming in,
37:15 you can clear the sidewalk.
37:17 So I know the building department,
37:20 you know, they have a lot on their plate,
37:21 but that is something that they're busy enforcing.
37:24 if you see those properties that are not cleared,
37:27 please do report them to the building department
37:29 so that we can enforce the laws that we have.
37:33 And also please be responsible
37:35 about clearing your sidewalks.
37:36 And if you have time to clear other neighbor sidewalks
37:39 that is also a very neighborly
37:42 and community focused thing to do.
37:44 All right, next up we have Chris Binder.
37:50 Hi there, Chris Binder, 1212 Hathaway.
37:53 I have a feeling you can probably guess why I'm here.
37:56 Last time I was here was in July,
37:58 talking about ring choice voting.
38:00 And we kind of discussed, you know,
38:01 we're gonna put things on hold,
38:03 get through the budget season, things like that.
38:04 Well, budget season's over.
38:06 I know you have a lot,
38:07 I've been keeping up on council meetings,
38:09 so I know you have a lot of new things on your plate.
38:11 I mean, there's the city hall, you know, issue,
38:14 and there's the composting thing
38:15 that you guys have been discussing.
38:17 And I know you talked about starting budgeting season in June.
38:21 So that doesn't give us a whole lot of time.
38:23 That's like six months.
38:25 It's been two years now since the,
38:30 sorry, the charter review committee met.
38:32 So we need to kind of get moving
38:34 on some of those recommendations.
38:36 Ring choice voting was one of those.
38:39 I'm just kind of here as a reminder.
38:41 I don't really have much to talk about besides that.
38:43 Although this month, January 23rd,
38:46 is ring choice voting day.
38:48 So just to keep it in your mind.
38:50 And I might be here, you know,
38:53 in two weeks' time, I might do that again.
38:56 As far as deadlines for getting things on the ballot,
39:00 as far as I could look up,
39:01 it says that for local issues,
39:06 which is right around your summer recess.
39:10 So it would be best to get it in before that.
39:12 There was something that said that
39:13 charter amendments can get on the ballot,
39:16 it seems, as late as September 4th.
39:19 But I think considering we were talking about budgeting,
39:22 or starting the budget conversation in June,
39:25 it might be best to try and get
39:26 these charter review recommendations done prior to that.
39:30 So just here as a reminder,
39:32 I know you have enough on your plate already,
39:33 but just keeping the conversation open.
39:37 Yes, it is on my radar to make sure
39:39 that we get it in in time.
39:41 We had talked potentially about doing it for the,
39:44 trying to get any of the charter amendments
39:47 that we're going to put on the ballot
39:49 for the November election,
39:53 expect would be the highest voter turnout
39:55 at the November election,
39:57 rather than in the May special election.
40:01 So I think that's a good way to look at it.
40:04 I'm not sure if we're going to do it for the November election,
40:07 rather than in the May special election or primary.
40:10 So keeping those deadlines in mind,
40:13 but definitely thank you for the reminder as well.
40:17 All right, that's everybody I've signed in to speak.
40:19 Did anyone else wish to speak tonight?
40:26 Then I'll take announcements from Council.
40:29 I just wanted to before I turned over
40:31 had some snow again over the holidays and appreciate you know all of our city
40:40 staff, our public works, our public safety for keeping everybody safe and
40:44 working over the holidays. We appreciate you so thank you. Other
40:49 announcements from council colleagues? Councilmember Stubing. Thank you. Just a
40:56 couple calendar updates. January 16th is religious freedom day. We still have that
41:03 in our country. And January 19th is Dr. Martin Luther King day. We still
41:11 celebrate in our state. Not everywhere in the country though. Thank you. Thank you and
41:21 actually it's a good reminder too that the council meeting would be will be on
41:25 that Tuesday of that week because of Martin Luther King Day. Alright any further
41:30 announcements from council members? Announcements from the administration?
41:35 Hearing none. Oh I was just gonna say Ward 3 won cram the cruiser. Oh ward 3.
41:43 Alright cram the cruiser given time of need. That was a great event and we
41:49 appreciate them but way to go Ward 3. Alright we'll have to have a yes you
41:55 know as an at-large member I win no matter what so alright so we'll have
42:01 to have a rematch next year though for the other wards to try to catch
42:04 up. Alright any further announcements? Hearing none. No further business
42:08 before council. Without objection we are adjourned.