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 meeting of council to order. If you're able, please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.
0:23 Now pause for a moment of silence.
0:30 Madam Clerk, please call the roll.
0:36 Vice President Baker?
0:39 Councilmember Bixenstein?
0:40 Councilmember Bollock?
0:42 Councilmember Evans?
0:46 Councilmember Hamilton-Steiner?
0:48 Councilmember Striebig?
0:50 Reading and disposal of the minutes of the regular meeting of council held February
0:53 Move to approve without the necessity of a reading?
1:01 And that motion passes.
1:03 Without objection, I would like to move items 15 and 16 to the top.
1:10 Communication from councilmember Bollock and council colleagues regarding recognizing
1:14 the contributions of city crossing guards.
1:16 Councilmember Bollock?
1:20 Thanks, Madam President.
1:29 First I'd like to say if you're a crossing guard, please raise your hand.
1:34 Look at that full house tonight.
1:45 Dear colleagues, please consider the attached resolution to recognize the important
1:49 contributions of Lakewood crossing guards to our community.
1:52 As we know, the goals of the city of Lakewood include both active transportation
1:56 and active healthy lifestyles which make safe walking and cycling conditions a high
2:00 priority for our community.
2:02 In addition, our identity as a streetcar town, long ranked as Ohio's most walkable
2:07 city and Lakewood city school status as a walking school district mean that Lakewood
2:14 crossing guards are essential personnel.
2:17 The benefits of crossing guard service help not only Lakewood school children
2:20 but also adult pedestrians as well as motorists who are aided by accident
2:25 prevention at the increased visibility of pedestrians and cyclists for
2:30 pedestrians and cyclists at a crossing guard provides.
2:33 The presence of crossing guards significantly improves safety including for
2:37 vehicle pedestrian collisions and dangerous near misses.
2:40 Combined with safe routes to schools and intersection improvements, crossing
2:44 guards are key components of interventions that can reduce child pedestrian
2:48 injuries by 20 to 50% according to federal statistics.
2:52 In addition, Lakewood is served by this dedicated group of individuals who
2:56 perform crossing guard duties on every school day in our community
2:59 regardless of weather conditions and boy have we noticed that recently.
3:03 They do so for modest pay and are required to work a unique split schedule
3:08 and that requires dedication and that dedication helps others be safe.
3:14 Just as importantly, Lakewood crossing guards perform their duties with
3:17 kindness, courtesy and friendliness that bring smiles and neighborliness to
3:21 our mornings and afternoons and thereby enrich our community.
3:25 For all these reasons, I hope you will support these important public
3:28 servants by considering this resolution for adoption tonight.
3:36 Thank you. I'll move to receive and file that communication.
3:40 The motion has been made and seconded.
3:45 Vice President Baker.
3:47 Yes, thank you Councilman Bullock for bringing this forward and thank you
3:52 to all the crossing guards out there.
3:54 I know on my walk to Hayes I encounter no less than three crossing
3:59 guards every day and I'm thankful for their presence in our community.
4:03 You know, I have to cross with my kids the marginals in I-90 which can become
4:09 a challenge and other families have their own, you know, routes that have
4:14 trouble intersections and the amount of times that the crossing guards
4:17 have pointed out, hey, that light's not working or hey, the walk sign is
4:21 out so that we can quickly then, you know, let public works know and
4:26 So not only are they providing, you know, safe visibility for our students
4:30 and everyone that's walking in the morning and then after school, not just
4:33 students, but they're also kind of doing walk audits every day for the
4:37 city to make sure some of our infrastructure is working and that it's
4:42 So I certainly owe just personally as a parent and also as a student at
4:47 Lakewood when I was a kid a debt of gratitude to a few dedicated folks
4:50 out there and it's an odd schedule so we appreciate that you're willing to
4:54 do it and this is long overdue so thank you for coming and thank you
4:58 for your service to Lakewood.
5:02 Councilwoman Hamilton-Steiner.
5:04 Thank you President Keppel and thank you Councilman Bullock for bringing
5:07 this resolution and just for recognizing our crossing guards.
5:11 I think crossing guards, the crossing guard position is probably one of
5:16 the most underrated positions perhaps in our community but absolutely
5:22 probably one of the most important because the crossing guards are
5:26 responsible for ensuring the safety of our children and making sure that
5:29 they get across the street safely and but also making sure that your kids,
5:36 you know, the kids get to school and I grew up in Lakewood and I remember
5:41 my crossing guard Mrs. Williams and the relationship that we all had with
5:46 her and she knew all the kids.
5:50 She also lived in the neighborhood on the street where my grandparents
5:54 lived and I remember trick-or-treating and being so excited and going to her
5:58 house and seeing her like oh my gosh this is your house and so that was the
6:03 relationship that we had with the crossing guard and the crossing guard is
6:07 you know it also was our mentor because I also was a safety patrol
6:12 member and so you got to work closely with that crossing guard so I
6:17 think that you know thank you so much to all the crossing guards that
6:22 are here and the dedication and your work and your commitment to the safety
6:27 of our children in Lakewood. I promise you you are making an impression on
6:31 them and they won't forget you so thank you so much.
6:37 Councilmember Striepig.
6:39 Thank you President Keppel. Thank you Councilmember Bullock for bringing
6:43 this forward and I'd also like to share my thank you with all of you
6:47 that stand out in every weather condition year-round ushering our
6:52 children safely back and forth to school.
6:55 I live near Roosevelt Elementary and I see our crossing guard there at
7:00 Lincoln in Athens all the time and I sometimes see kind of a shrug when a
7:08 car isn't doing the right thing, isn't operating appropriately and I often
7:14 wonder if we shouldn't arm you with paintball guns to help the chief
7:19 identify cars that are maybe breaking the law as they turn onto streets that
7:26 you're not supposed to be going on or are not doing 25 miles an hour.
7:32 On a serious note though, thank you very, very much for all that you do
7:38 to ensure their safety.
7:42 Councilmember Evans.
7:43 Thank you President Keppel.
7:45 Thank you Councilmember Bullock for bringing this forward.
7:49 Crossing guards is just a nice thing to have.
7:52 You're critical for the safety of our community and I'd like to just
7:57 echo what Councilperson Hamilton-Signer said.
8:00 It's beyond just the safety of our kids.
8:02 I mean you're literally building relationships with them.
8:05 You're the people they look up to and people that they know they'll be
8:11 You've got one spot, two spots on their way to or from school where they
8:16 know for sure that they're safe and that you're there to help them.
8:20 So having two kids who have mostly gone through Lakewood Schools, I
8:24 certainly personally appreciate everything you do and appreciate
8:27 everything you do for the community at large.
8:30 Councilmember Bixenstein.
8:32 Yeah, I just wanted to echo thank you President Keppel and thank you
8:36 for bringing this forward Councilperson Bullock.
8:39 My council colleagues here.
8:40 You guys are unsung heroes of this community.
8:45 You come out in any weather.
8:46 You're a friendly, familiar face.
8:48 You're establishing a rapport with many of the young people in our
8:53 And as one person during the reception told me, this can be a
8:59 life or death responsibility.
9:01 It really is that important.
9:02 And so you serve such a valuable role.
9:05 For my family going to Harrison, depending on the route we take, we
9:09 often encounter a crossing guard at Madison and Quail and always have
9:14 such a positive interaction.
9:16 And the fact that, you know, if it's raining out, you guys can't
9:21 You're holding a stop sign.
9:22 But you're out there doing your job with a smile on your face.
9:26 And I share in this gratitude and thank you guys for coming out
9:35 Yes, I just like to echo the sentiments expressed here today.
9:39 Thank you for all the work that each of you do each and every day for
9:43 our community and especially our youngest members of the community,
9:46 which are those that are walking to school.
9:48 So as everyone up here has mentioned, you serve a very,
9:51 very important role within our community.
9:53 And I truly appreciate it, especially after winter.
9:57 We have had this winter.
10:02 I'll just add my thanks, Councilman Bullock, for bringing this forward.
10:06 I think it's long overdue.
10:07 We talk a lot up here about and we hear from our community about
10:11 safe paths to school.
10:12 And we do a lot of work trying to build all the infrastructure to
10:16 We work with Public Works, tries to make things, clears the
10:21 And we encourage community members to clear the sidewalks.
10:23 But none of it works without our crossing guards.
10:27 We couldn't have a walking school district without crossing guards.
10:30 People couldn't trust that their kids could get to safety without you.
10:33 So the job is absolutely crucial to our way of life here in Lakewood.
10:38 And we very much value it.
10:40 I really enjoyed getting to talk with a lot of you during the
10:45 And, you know, as we were having those conversations, one of them
10:49 we had said, well, I've only had the opportunity to save one life.
10:55 And over, what, 15 years?
10:57 Or 10 years, I think, 10 years.
10:59 And I thought, well, one life is one life, right?
11:04 So that's pretty amazing to be able to say that you've saved a
11:08 life, even if it's one in 10 years.
11:10 That's one that we're glad is still here.
11:13 So I also want to thank, as we were talking through that about
11:17 when our crossing guards, when we have vacancies that our
11:22 parking enforcement staff steps in, our public work staff steps in,
11:25 and barring all that, our police staff step in.
11:28 I was teasing the chief here about that fire doesn't step in on
11:34 But, you know, we appreciate the rest of the stuff chipping in to
11:38 help out when necessary.
11:40 And I just want to also acknowledge that because the school
11:45 board meets at the same night as city council, it was kind of
11:49 hard to coordinate this, but I do have a message to read to you from
11:53 superintendent's wiki and the school board who also want to express their
11:58 And Sergeant Eklund has certificates that the school board has
12:03 created for each of you as well.
12:06 So this message is from the school board.
12:08 On behalf of the Lakewood City Schools Board of Education and our
12:12 administrative team, we extend our sincere gratitude to our
12:15 incredible crossing guards.
12:17 Good morning and afternoon.
12:19 In rain, snow, wind, and sunshine, you stand at the corners of our
12:23 community with steady hands and watchful eyes, ensuring that our
12:27 students arrive safely to and from school.
12:30 You are often the very first city-slash-school representative our
12:34 children see each day and the last one they see before heading home.
12:38 That matters more than you may realize.
12:41 Your presence reassures families, comforts young students, and
12:45 inspires confidence across our entire community.
12:48 Safety is not just a responsibility.
12:51 And you help us keep that promise every single day.
12:54 Thank you for your vigilance, kindness, constancy, and unwavering
12:59 commitment to our students' well-being.
13:01 You are an essential part of the Lakewood City Schools family, and
13:04 we are deeply grateful for the care you show our students.
13:07 Respectfully, the Lakewood Board of Education and the Lakewood
13:10 City Schools Administration.
13:13 So at this time, I know Sergeant Ackland, I think, has some
13:18 Would you like to do those now?
13:20 If you want to, come on up to the microphone, and then if you
13:23 push the button, it will turn green so they can hear you on
13:34 Good evening, everybody.
13:35 My name is Dave Ackland.
13:36 I'm Sergeant in Special Operations Division.
13:38 I oversee the school crossing guards.
13:40 Pretty much everything I was going to say has been said
13:44 So really, just a couple things.
13:46 I would like to thank Councilman Bullock first coming up with
13:49 this idea way back in August when we had our crossing guard
13:53 orientation, and we had a little sidebar conversation, and
13:56 he said, you know, we should really have a little ceremony or
13:59 recognition night for the school crossing guards.
14:01 And I think we both said it should be in the wintertime,
14:04 so, you know, this is perfect timing.
14:08 The mayor, Chief George, or I'm sorry, Chief Fisher, Mayor
14:12 George, City Council, and everyone who helped organize
14:16 this, your support and recognition mean a great deal.
14:21 The crossing guards, I thank you for your reliability, your
14:24 dependability, and the job that you do out there each and
14:28 So on behalf of the police department, the schools, the
14:31 community, and everybody, I just wanted to say thank you
14:47 So next, just procedurally, we do have one e-comment.
14:52 Do we have anyone signed in to speak, public comment?
14:56 Did anyone who's here tonight want to give public comment
14:58 on this if you had not already signed in?
15:01 So procedurally, we're about to, right now the motion is
15:05 to just receive and file this communication, and then next
15:08 we will vote on the resolution.
15:10 After we vote on the resolution, we'd like to invite
15:13 all the crossing guards and families, anyone who'd like
15:15 to be in the picture up front right here, and we'll
15:19 take a picture with you.
15:21 And then you are very welcome to stay for the full
15:24 council meeting, but if there are other things you would
15:27 prefer to do with your time, we will not be offended
15:29 if you want to go after that.
15:31 So if you do, please feel free to take any remaining
15:36 decaf coffee, hot chocolate cookies with you so that
15:41 our clerks who very helpfully got them organized
15:44 don't have to put them all away.
15:48 So the next move, is there any further discussion
15:50 on the communication?
15:53 So next we'll vote on the motion and second
15:56 to receive and file the communication.
15:58 All those in favor?
16:00 And that motion passes.
16:02 Item 16 resolution 202605, a resolution to recognize
16:06 the important contributions of crossing guards
16:08 in our community to Lakewood school children,
16:11 adult pedestrians and motorists.
16:15 Motion's been made and seconded.
16:17 Any further discussion?
16:20 I just want to acknowledge a long time leadership
16:22 from Captain Stone of the unit that oversees
16:25 the crossing guards and many other special
16:28 divisions of our police service.
16:30 And then of course, Chief Fisher, the finance director,
16:34 Mayor George, because there's a financial commitment
16:37 to what we're celebrating tonight,
16:39 we certainly all support it.
16:41 And there's also a very excellent working group
16:45 between parents, the schools and the city
16:47 trying to continue to encourage walking,
16:50 identify improvements and so on and so forth.
16:55 So this is a continuing, as the school system would say,
17:00 This is a growth mindset effort.
17:02 And all of the crossing guards, your own experts
17:05 in the places where you spend more time than we do.
17:10 And so the information that you see,
17:12 the problems that you detect,
17:14 and the improvements that you can think of,
17:16 that's all part of the dragnet of improvement here.
17:20 So I just wanted to point that out
17:25 and then acknowledge the police leadership.
17:31 Hearing none, all those in favor?
17:34 And that motion passes.
17:35 All right, we'd like to invite you to come down front here
17:37 and we'll get a picture.
18:19 No, no, you've lost your mind.
18:51 Are you trying to hire?
19:12 Nothing really came of it after.
19:13 They never really said if anyone was prosecuted.
20:11 Item one report from committee the whole held February 9th,
20:37 the committee of the whole met on February 9th,
20:39 2026 to consider the city,
20:41 continue the city hall facilities discussion.
20:43 We have heard, we heard from.
20:46 We heard from assistant planning director,
20:49 who presented a high level analysis of the options that have
20:52 been presented to council.
20:54 He emphasized that he was only able to consider collected data and
20:57 that the analysis does not include all factors such as cost.
21:00 His analysis was based on the establishment of the following shared
21:05 One, provide police and court an increase of renovated space to meet
21:09 contemporary needs to consolidate,
21:12 improve functionality of administrative space while achieving priority.
21:16 One assistant director boss reviewed the process through which he
21:20 established minimum space requirements for the police department,
21:23 the court and the city's administrative departments.
21:26 Those minimum space requirements allowed for the elimination of the
21:30 status quo and option one, small edition.
21:33 Options and left the remaining analysis focused on the following two
21:38 Option two, remain at city hall at a large edition and retain annex
21:45 relocate administrative offices out of city hall and divest annex
21:50 Assistant director boss discussed the pros and cons of these options
21:54 and spoke about the anticipated delivery timeframe and complexities
22:00 His final analysis slide indicated that both options achieve priority
22:04 one and priority two.
22:05 His analysis slightly favors relocating the administrative offices
22:09 out of city hall and divesting the annex building.
22:12 However, it does not consider cost,
22:14 alternate options such as building a large edition to divest of the
22:19 annex building or that in both options the city would be adding a
22:22 new construction addition to an old building or that the developer has
22:26 already committed to adaptive reuse of the Warren road building,
22:29 whether or not the city purchased it.
22:31 Council members asked questions and raised concerns about whether
22:35 relocating to Warren road would potentially provide excessive space
22:39 and question the administration's plan for employee growth.
22:42 Council members also expressed concerned about potentially adding
22:45 traffic and parking congestion to downtown and suggested that the
22:49 Warren road building may be better served by accommodating a
22:53 In his presentation,
22:54 director boss brought up the potential for the city to use the building
22:58 we own behind the community health center as a temporary staging location
23:03 Council asked about going ahead with moving the basement staff to
23:07 this temporary location in 2026 so that construction could begin on
23:12 police expansion and asked if the administration had completed any
23:15 design work that could facilitate getting started on the police
23:19 expansion and particularly the police woman's locker room this year.
23:23 Since the presentation indicated that the option to Warren road option
23:27 would require the same amount of design work time as option one,
23:32 council questioned why the administration was requesting to take
23:35 out 16.5 million in additional debt for construction in 2026.
23:40 Since council still has remaining questions beyond the scope of the
23:43 evening's presentation,
23:45 we will keep the topic in committee and push the vote on the
23:48 related package of bond legislation to our March 2nd meeting.
23:52 This will give council the opportunity to schedule another committee of
23:55 the whole meeting to further evaluate the topic of city hall facilities
24:00 whether now is the time to take out 16.5 million in debt to
24:04 renovate the Warren road building, which we have not yet purchased.
24:07 The finance department has requested that we pass the bans by this
24:10 date, the March 2nd date,
24:12 in order to allow time to seek an updated rating.
24:16 Move to receive and file that report.
24:19 Motions been made and seconded discussion.
24:24 All those in favor.
24:26 And that motion passed.
24:29 Item two report from finance committee meeting held February 9th, 2026.
24:37 the finance committee met on February,
24:40 February 9th to discuss a number of ordinances that follow on tonight's
24:44 The first three ordinance,
24:48 2026 and zero or in three seven,
24:51 We're proposed by the administration and our relatively routine in
24:57 2026 is routine first quarter transfers and advances ordinance that
25:01 would authorize the transfers and advances outlined in the 2026
25:06 2026 proposes to authorize the administration to enter into
25:09 agreements to pay off 11 vehicles over five years.
25:13 2026 proposes to authorize the administration to enter into agreements
25:16 to pay off 11 vehicles over five years.
25:19 While the payment agreements mirror that of a typical consumer vehicle
25:24 they're referred to as leases.
25:25 These payments are distinct from notes and bonds separately under
25:30 2025 a proposes to increase the pay grade of one position and
25:33 would update stipend amounts to match what is in the collective
25:36 bargaining agreements.
25:41 2025 a is intended to address a package of legislation proposed by
25:44 council member Bullock.
25:45 And other council colleagues intended to amend the 2026 budget
25:48 legislation adopted in December.
25:50 In order to better articulate council's legislative and policy
25:54 Some of these included traffic calming public are operational
25:57 support for Lakewood alive and infrastructure improvements.
26:01 2025 a is intended to address the appropriate appropriations for
26:07 2025 a aren't intended to address the contracting authority.
26:11 In committee council member Bullock came forward with the proposed
26:14 substitute of the appropriations ordinance.
26:17 Instead of changing the figures in the budget,
26:19 the substitute seeks to signal council's priorities and a newly
26:22 drafted whereas clause and stipulates.
26:24 But those priorities be paid for out of the economic development
26:29 the committee approved the substitute and made one additional
26:32 And the whereas clause,
26:33 the corrective typo before recommending adoption to council.
26:36 The committee made one amendment to ordinance 36,
26:40 To match the list of elected officials authorized enter into
26:43 contracts with those listed in the codified ordinances and
26:46 other budget ordinances.
26:48 the changes made in the title of section one of the
26:51 ordinance, but did not in section two.
26:53 And I will make an amendment on the floor tonight to make
26:55 the correction to section two.
26:57 A committee members and other members of council presented
27:01 The committee members are present expressed appreciation to
27:04 council member Bullock for taking the steps to highlight council
27:08 And it was agreed to that council and the administration would
27:11 start conversation early headed in the 2027 budget and
27:14 following that discussion.
27:15 The committee moved to recommend ordinances 34,
27:18 2025 a and 36, 2025,
27:21 five a as amended to council for full adoption.
27:24 I'll make a motion to receive and file that report.
27:30 All those in favor.
27:32 And that motion passes.
27:33 Item three, substitute ordinance 33, 2025 a.
27:36 An ordinance to take effect immediately to establish appropriations
27:39 for current expenses and other expenditures of the city of
27:42 Lakewood for fiscal year ending December 31st, 2026.
27:46 And this, this one's ready to go.
27:51 So I will move to adopt.
27:54 Motion's been made and seconded discussion.
27:59 I just, I just have a couple of questions regarding the $50,000 for
28:03 How was that number determined?
28:07 And do we have a formal proposal from Lakewood alive for those
28:10 funds and how will they be used?
28:17 Thanks, madam president.
28:19 The number comes from city council deliberations in.
28:25 The council retreats is, is a.
28:30 An amount that's meaningful to,
28:32 to the organization and to support their activities.
28:38 Operating support means it's the most flexible kind of funding.
28:46 So that that's the simplest answer to the question.
28:50 And did this take into account?
28:52 The $20,000 over budgeted revenue from.
28:57 That they've received over $20,000.
29:00 More than they had budgeted for revenue.
29:02 So does that take that into account as well?
29:09 The spirit of the amendment proposed.
29:13 Amendment here is that.
29:16 The organization does a lot of work.
29:18 The city is often in the position of having to.
29:22 Do constant fundraising, which they do a good job of,
29:26 but then they cannot.
29:29 Always confidently.
29:32 Guarantee their operations.
29:36 As strongly as we would like.
29:38 The city does make a big investment in the organization.
29:42 And at least this council member believes that.
29:45 Additional investment beyond what we've already done is.
29:50 Helpful needed, justified worthwhile.
29:54 No, no formal proposal, correct.
29:59 I think that's correct.
30:03 With council members who are ex officio board members.
30:08 I myself have been that some familiar with their budget.
30:11 How hard everybody works on the board.
30:14 To raise and donate funds.
30:17 They'll continue doing that.
30:19 But in many ways we're.
30:22 Our approach has been.
30:27 If not Pennywise pound foolish.
30:33 We've been modest in our investment.
30:38 And, and, and I support additional investments.
30:41 So that's why I agreed with colleagues who put this forward.
30:46 I hope that answers your question.
30:52 Any further discussion.
30:54 On the motion to adopt.
30:56 All those in favor.
30:59 That motion passes.
31:01 Item four ordinance 34, 2025, a ordinance to take effect.
31:07 Motion has been made.
31:08 To act immediately authorizing the mayor,
31:10 director of law, director of finance, director of public works,
31:13 director of planning development.
31:14 Director of human services.
31:16 Director of human resources or procurement officer to enter into
31:19 contracts for professional services and to advertise for bids.
31:22 And in turn to contracts for the purchase of repair,
31:24 maintenance and operating supplies, services,
31:26 and equipment as authorized by the 20,
31:28 26 appropriation ordinance and the administrative code.
31:31 With the lowest and best bidder or bidders or as otherwise
31:35 Motion has been made and seconded discussion.
31:39 All those in favor.
31:41 And that motion passes.
31:43 And I'm five substitute ordinance 36, 2025,
31:46 a an ordinance to take effect immediately authorizing the mayor,
31:50 the director of public works, the director of law,
31:52 the director of finance,
31:53 director of planning development or purchasing manager to enter into
31:56 service contracts in accordance with the administrative code of the
32:00 The motion is for the department of planning development in
32:03 accordance with the administrative code contracts.
32:05 Not to exceed the specified amount shown without separate
32:08 resolution of counsel.
32:09 The vice president,
32:10 Baker is this the one that we needed an amendment?
32:14 So I'll, I'll make an amendment.
32:19 I think it's technically two,
32:20 cause I think it's supposed to be and, or.
32:22 In the ordinance and then in section one.
32:26 So I'll, I'll make that motion first.
32:31 I will second that.
32:34 Motion's been made and seconded.
32:41 So a motion has been made and seconded.
32:48 cause those are the first two that are on there and then the
32:53 So on the first two spots,
32:54 there should be and or procurement officer.
32:57 Any further discussion?
32:59 All those in favor.
33:01 And that motion passes.
33:02 And then I will also move to add.
33:06 I will strike the officials listed.
33:10 And add in a mayor, director of law,
33:13 director of finance, director of public works,
33:15 director of planning and development.
33:17 Director of human resources.
33:20 director of human resources and or the procurement officer.
33:30 I was just a second.
33:31 Motion's been made and seconded.
33:35 Just a thank you to the council clerk for spotting these
33:38 changes in the finance director.
33:43 So thanks for the attention to detail.
33:45 One of those things.
33:46 Sometimes when we are,
33:47 we disease came up during our regular budget ones.
33:50 And then we were taking from previous years budgets and then
33:52 an error gets in there and then it's easy to miss it.
33:55 So this year they should all be good.
33:58 So next year we have the same language in all of them and
34:00 we'll be able to hopefully not have that.
34:02 But thank you to all for attention to detail.
34:05 All right. Motion's been made and seconded.
34:07 Any further discussion?
34:09 All those in favor.
34:11 And that motion passes.
34:13 And then finally I will move to adopt as amended.
34:20 Motion's been made and seconded.
34:25 All those in favor.
34:27 And that motion passes.
34:28 Item six, ordinance four, 2026.
34:31 An ordinance to take effect immediately authorizing the
34:33 transfer in advance of certain funds.
34:37 Motion's been made and seconded.
34:42 We're just going to go down the line.
34:45 Motion's been made and seconded.
34:48 All those in favor.
34:50 And that motion passes.
34:51 Item seven, ordinance five, 2026.
34:54 An ordinance to take effect immediately authorizing the
34:56 director of finance to enter into equipment leases and
34:59 forms approved by the director of law on behalf of
35:01 the city of Lakewood.
35:04 Motion's been made and seconded.
35:07 All those in favor.
35:09 And that motion passes.
35:11 Item eight, ordinance 37, 2025A.
35:14 An ordinance to take effect January 1, 2026 to provide
35:17 for creating positions and rates of pay for full-time and
35:20 certain part-time annual salaried employees and hourly
35:23 rate employees not covered by a collective bargaining
35:26 And the several departments, divisions, and offices of
35:29 the city of Lakewood, including the chief of fire,
35:31 chief of police, and civil service commissioners,
35:33 and suspending all prior salary ordinances.
35:38 Motion's been made and seconded.
35:43 All those in favor.
35:45 And that motion passes.
35:46 Item nine, report from public works and sustainability
35:48 committee meeting held today, February 17th.
35:51 Council member Bullock.
35:52 Thank you, Madam President.
35:53 Today the committee met with all committee members
35:58 present as well as Councilman Bixenstein, which was
36:01 appropriate because the topic was to hear the annual
36:04 report from the tree advisory and education board of
36:09 which Councilman Bixenstein was recently a member, but
36:12 he has vacated that to become a council member here.
36:16 And so thank you for your service, Matt, on that
36:20 Thanks also to the public works department for
36:23 partnering with that tree board of citizens.
36:26 They gave a very thoughtful report on their 2025
36:30 activities, a thoughtful preview of the intended
36:35 There's been quite a lot of accomplishments that we heard
36:40 reported, including as part of the tree giveaway, more
36:44 than 600 trees in two years with the intent for another
36:48 400 trees this year.
36:50 If we can be successful, that's a thousand trees in
36:53 And if we keep doing that and none of the trees die,
36:56 then we'll be very much closer to the tree canopy
37:03 That's our guiding metric for the urban forestry plan of
37:07 recovering around 33 or 35 percent of tree canopy
37:12 coverage in the community, which has been strong but
37:16 took a big backwards step after Hurricane Sandy came
37:20 and visited in 2012.
37:22 Now, of course, we talked about a lot of other
37:25 activities that they're doing, and we remarked that
37:29 their public education success is really notable
37:33 because you're talking to a lot of residents, a lot of
37:37 people who own homes or rent in homes, and every one
37:40 of us can do a lot to not just plant trees but
37:44 maintain and keep the large ones, which really are
37:47 what moved the needle on tree canopy for the
37:52 Final couple of new programs that the tree board
37:56 would like to get moving is to try to get a tree
37:59 ambassador program that is operating in Cleveland
38:02 over here to Lakewood or expanded or duplicated here,
38:06 and then to create one or more arboretums,
38:09 arborita, the first being at Cove Community Center
38:14 where you have essentially outdoor tree museums.
38:19 That's not the right tree.
38:21 It's an arboretum, and we discussed how there's
38:24 multiple parks that would be eligible over time
38:28 once we get the first one moving.
38:30 So thank you to Councilman Bryan Evans, who
38:35 preceded me as chair last year and has done a lot
38:39 of good work alongside Councilman Bixenside to
38:43 I know other council members have really been
38:45 involved in care, too.
38:46 So this is a success.
38:48 We appreciate the partnership, and I look forward
38:50 to another good year coming up.
38:52 I move to receive and file that oral report.
38:56 Motion's been made and seconded.
38:58 Any further discussion?
39:02 All those in favor?
39:04 And that motion passes.
39:06 Item 10, report from Housing Planning and
39:08 Development Committee held today, February 17th.
39:10 Councilmember Evans.
39:12 Thank you, Madam Chair.
39:14 Early this evening, the Housing Planning
39:16 Development Committee met to discuss an ordinance
39:20 for establishing regulation for front yard plantings.
39:23 This is work Council started last year.
39:26 We made a lot of progress.
39:29 I'd like to thank Councilman Baker for his,
39:31 all his work on this, as well as Building
39:33 Commissioner Parmelee.
39:34 I believe we're close on this.
39:37 Deferring the, deferring this one more time
39:41 at the request of the administration to clean up
39:44 a couple of things in the ordinance itself,
39:47 but we expect it to be favorably referred back
39:51 to Council at our next committee meeting.
39:53 I'll move to receive and file this oral report.
39:59 Motion's been made and seconded.
40:03 All those in favor?
40:05 And that motion passes.
40:06 Item 11, ordinance 2, 2026.
40:09 An ordinance to take effect immediately to amend
40:11 chapter 1775 weeds of the codified ordinances
40:14 for the purpose of establishing regulations
40:16 for front yard plantings.
40:20 Motion's been made and seconded.
40:23 All those in favor?
40:24 Take effect immediately to enact section 12965
40:27 of the codified ordinances entitled
40:29 host community cannabis fund to provide guidance
40:31 regarding the use of new tax revenues
40:33 related to the sale of cannabis.
40:35 This has been referred to finance,
40:37 but hasn't been discussed yet,
40:38 so we'll move to defer.
40:41 Motion's been made and seconded.
40:44 All those in favor?
40:46 And that motion passes.
40:47 Item 13, communication from President Keppel
40:49 regarding opposing proposed legislation
40:51 in the Ohio General Assembly intended
40:53 to empower immigration and customs enforcement
40:55 and promote an environment of fear
40:57 and surveillance in our communities.
41:00 Dear colleagues, if you follow the news,
41:02 it seems like every day there is a new spectacle
41:04 of chaos and violence unfolding somewhere
41:07 in our country related to immigration enforcement.
41:10 That spectacle has been escalating over many months,
41:13 culminating in the tragic deaths
41:15 of two United States citizens,
41:17 Renee Good and Alex Preti.
41:19 In the face of these unprecedented times,
41:21 reasonable, fair-minded, and empathetic people
41:24 are trying to make sense of what they are observing
41:26 and questioning how this violence squares
41:28 with the American values to which we aspire.
41:31 Instead of doing the necessary soul-searching
41:33 and focusing on strategies that could help
41:36 unify a fractured nation,
41:37 Republican members of the Ohio General Assembly
41:40 are seeking to fan the flames
41:42 of the current political moment
41:44 by introducing incendiary legislation
41:46 intended to empower immigration
41:48 and customs enforcement with unchecked authority.
41:51 These bills, described in the following resolution,
41:54 contain clear violations of the United States Constitution,
41:58 specifically the Fourth Amendment
42:00 prohibiting unreasonable searches and seizures,
42:03 and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
42:06 They also violate the home rule provisions
42:08 of the Ohio Constitution.
42:10 Just as troubling is that these bills seek to force
42:13 local governments and other entities into complicity
42:17 with this corrupt agenda,
42:18 threatening to withhold or withdraw
42:20 critical funds from municipalities,
42:22 schools, and hospitals that refuse to cooperate.
42:25 The following resolution is meant to signal
42:28 Lakewood's opposition to these tactics,
42:30 which undermine a sense of community
42:32 that we worked so hard to foster
42:34 and replace that sense of community
42:36 with a toxic environment of fear, surveillance,
42:39 and in the worst cases, violence.
42:41 Ohio House Bill 42 would require state
42:44 and local government agencies to collect
42:46 and annually report information about citizenship
42:50 and immigration status of persons
42:52 with whom they come into contact,
42:54 including K-12 students,
42:56 even though the U.S. Supreme Court has held
42:58 that states may not deny undocumented children
43:01 access to K-12 public education.
43:03 Ohio House Bill 281 would require hospitals
43:07 and hospital staff to allow ICE agents
43:09 on premises to enforce immigration law
43:12 and penalizes hospitals that fail to comply
43:14 with penalties, including suspending
43:16 Medicaid provider agreements
43:18 and withdrawing grant funding.
43:20 Ohio Senate Bill 172,
43:23 which has already passed the Senate,
43:25 would require state and local officials
43:27 to allow their rest or detention
43:29 of anyone who is or is suspected
43:32 of being undocumented with or without a warrant
43:35 and punishes local governments
43:37 that do not cooperate by withholding state funds.
43:40 Please join me in expressing Laker's objection
43:43 to these proposals by adopting
43:45 the following resolution.
43:47 Move to receive and file that report.
43:51 Motion's made and second, and I'll just add
43:53 that there's actually two additional bills
43:55 that are before the State House
43:57 since I've written that.
43:59 Further discussion.
44:00 Council Member Struthen.
44:02 Thank you, President Keppel,
44:03 for your leadership and your continued bravery
44:06 to point out and stand against these unconstitutional
44:10 and un-American initiatives from the Republican Party
44:13 and the cult of Trump.
44:15 We are at another critical point
44:17 in the battle to preserve our democracy.
44:20 The voices of the people must be heard loudly
44:23 and in opposition to these cruel
44:25 and needless efforts.
44:27 We must all stand together and continue
44:29 to resist the terror campaign
44:31 and the current federal administration
44:33 and state Republicans.
44:35 When the government turns on the people
44:37 it has sworn to protect,
44:39 we must hold fast to our American values
44:43 We are the Americans that remember history.
44:47 We'll leave our own eyes and stand together
44:49 to protect one another.
44:55 Then they came for the socialists
44:57 and the trade unionists,
44:59 but I was not one of them,
45:01 so I did not speak out.
45:03 Then they came for the Jews,
45:05 but I was not Jewish,
45:07 so I did not speak out.
45:09 And when they came for me,
45:11 there was no one left to speak out for me.
45:13 I fully support this resolution
45:15 and will continue to stand up,
45:19 and resist tyranny.
45:23 Council Member Hamilton-Steiner.
45:29 Thank you, President Keppel,
45:31 and yes, thank you.
45:33 Thank you for your leadership
45:35 and putting yourself out there.
45:37 We are truly living in terrifying times,
45:39 and I think it's important
45:41 that we as a municipality
45:43 uphold the Constitution
45:45 of the United States
45:47 and that of the state of Ohio.
45:49 It is our duty and what we swore
45:51 when we took our oath of office.
45:53 ICE operates outside
45:55 the established Constitution
45:57 and breaks community trust,
45:59 and it's causing harm throughout communities
46:01 throughout our country.
46:03 We have worked hard to build a community
46:07 equitable, and inclusive Lakewood,
46:09 and ICE enforcement
46:11 outside of the Constitution
46:13 would destroy that all.
46:15 We need to do all that we can
46:17 as council leadership and as
46:19 a municipality to oppose
46:23 that is pending down in the State House.
46:33 Vice President Baker.
46:35 Thank you for bringing this forward.
46:39 it's a long line of,
46:41 you know, home rules
46:43 established in Ohio as our ability to
46:49 and to see, you know,
46:51 require in local government
46:53 and to see requirements that we do things
46:55 and use our resources in a certain way
46:57 as offensive to that concept.
46:59 So I certainly will support
47:01 the council president in this resolution.
47:09 it shocks the conscience to see essentially
47:13 civil administrative violations
47:15 being enforced with
47:17 military style enforcement
47:21 And this doesn't necessarily squarely relate
47:23 to the resolutions before us,
47:25 you know, to oppose this
47:27 pending legislation, but it does
47:29 come at a harrowing time
47:37 deputized essentially other
47:41 parking violations, and you
47:43 gave them military fatigues and
47:45 high-powered weapons to serve
47:47 those parking violations,
47:49 I think we would all be
47:51 shocked as we are watching
47:53 civil violations being
47:59 You know, so these are things that
48:01 I think we all recognize
48:03 are abnormal and anathema to
48:05 our constitution, both
48:09 our values as a country.
48:13 offensive, but then, you know, our
48:15 power and abilities of local government
48:17 to use our resources as we
48:23 support the council president in this
48:25 resolution, so thank you for bringing it forward.
48:29 Further discussion from
48:31 councilmembers? We do have
48:35 signed in to speak on this, so
48:37 Tim Collingwood, if you want to come on up,
48:39 mic's on, so you can just speak
48:41 when you come up. You address the chair, that's me, and you have up to five minutes.
48:45 Thank you. I'm a little out of practice.
48:51 president's resolution.
48:53 My only question I have
48:55 is what would this entail
48:57 regarding policy, but
49:01 from what I've heard already tonight from
49:03 city councilmembers, including
49:09 some gradual support
49:11 for this effort. I am a
49:13 descendent of immigrants, as most
49:15 European Americans are,
49:19 continue talking on
49:21 what those policies can
49:27 sister city of Cleveland Heights, who
49:31 an immigrant rights group,
49:35 there's been conversation, but
49:37 I would like for us to
49:43 but share our resources
49:45 equitably as we can, and
49:47 I see the rest of my time. Thank you.
49:53 Does anyone else want to speak on this?
49:55 There's no one else signed in on this topic, but
49:57 does anyone else want to?
49:59 Thank you. Yeah, and on that
50:03 looking at what other municipalities
50:05 have done, including
50:07 Cleveland Heights, what they're working on, and
50:09 East Cleveland as well. So any other
50:11 cities, there are cities outside
50:13 of the state of Ohio, of course.
50:15 Part of why I brought this forward
50:17 is just as we are trying to
50:21 working to pull away
50:23 our ability to control our community.
50:25 You know, if you can imagine, just as we
50:27 talked about the crossing guards tonight,
50:29 imagining our students trying to
50:31 walk to school with ICE agents on the street would be
50:35 We want to spend our city resources
50:37 helping our community members
50:39 be safe on our streets
50:41 and not be forced to
50:43 use them for the civil
50:45 infractions that are not the priority.
50:49 keep working on that. We're going to do
50:51 all we can, but thank you for the support.
50:55 any further discussion
50:57 on this topic? So we're still on the
50:59 communication right now, so we have a motion
51:01 and a second to receive and file the communication.
51:03 All those in favor?
51:05 And that motion passes.
51:07 Item 14, resolution
51:09 2026-04, a resolution to
51:11 take effect immediately, to join with the city
51:13 of Cleveland in opposing a package of unconstitutional
51:15 legislation currently pending
51:17 for the Ohio General Assembly, intended
51:19 to empower immigration and customs
51:21 enforcement and promote an environment of
51:23 fear and surveillance in our communities.
51:27 Motion's been made and seconded.
51:29 Any further discussion? I'll just add
51:33 everything's kind of been a moving target
51:35 recently, but there is also
51:37 positive legislation at the State
51:41 Democrats in the House have introduced
51:45 some of these things require removal
51:47 of face coverings, restrict where
51:49 and protect home rules.
51:51 So I would encourage community
51:53 members who are concerned about this
51:55 to reach out our own
51:57 state representative and state senator,
51:59 of course, are on the crack side
52:01 of this issue, but it doesn't hurt
52:03 to voice support to them
52:07 Observer this week, you'll see an article
52:09 from me with the specific numbers
52:11 of the committee chairs
52:13 that each of these bills is
52:15 in front of to reach out to.
52:17 So folks can reach out to those persons
52:19 too at the State House regarding both
52:21 the positive legislation and
52:23 these bills as well.
52:25 Alright, so any further discussion on the
52:27 motion to adopt the resolution?
52:29 Hearing none, all those
52:31 in favor? Aye. And that motion
52:33 passes. Item 17, communication
52:35 from President Keppel regarding charter
52:45 Dear colleagues, as you know, the third
52:47 amended charter of the City of
52:49 Lakewood requires a review of the
52:51 charter by a citizen commission.
52:55 after extensive research,
52:57 deliberation, and reflection,
52:59 this nine-member body submitted
53:01 their final report to City Council
53:03 with recommendations for six amendments.
53:05 City Council and the
53:07 Charter Review Commission held a joint
53:09 meeting on Monday, September 16,
53:13 to review their six recommendations.
53:15 Council held an additional
53:17 Committee of the Whole, July 7,
53:19 2025, to learn more
53:21 about rank choice voting.
53:23 In addition to the merits and details of
53:25 each recommendation, Council discussed
53:27 the process and potential timeline
53:29 for placing amendments before voters.
53:35 charter may be submitted to the registered
53:37 voters of the city by a two-thirds
53:39 vote of all council members.
53:41 As voter turnout tends to be higher
53:43 in even-year general elections
53:45 rather than municipal, special,
53:47 or primary elections, placing
53:49 proposed amendments on the November 3,
53:51 2026 general election
53:53 would allow for the most
53:55 democratic participation.
53:57 To that end, following this communication
53:59 are draft ordinances for each of the
54:01 Charter Review Commission's six recommendations.
54:05 2.2 to codify council
54:07 appointment process.
54:09 The current charter requires City Council
54:11 to appoint a new member to fill
54:13 any vacancy, but it does not
54:15 specify process. This body
54:17 has a tradition of utilizing an open,
54:19 democratic procedure of putting out
54:21 a call for applications and holding
54:23 public interviews prior to filling the position.
54:25 This amendment would codify
54:27 that process to ensure that it
54:29 continues beyond our service.
54:33 2.2 to simplify manner of amending
54:35 legislation. Currently
54:37 revising or amending ordinances requires
54:39 the current language to be listed and repealed,
54:41 which can create confusion,
54:43 particularly for the public. Modern
54:45 technology allows for redlining, which
54:47 more clearly displays the intended changes.
54:49 The law department suggested
54:51 the changes as set forth in the draft
54:53 ordinance, and the commission understood the concern
54:57 Add new article 7.2
54:59 I, create process for ward redistricting.
55:01 The commission noted
55:03 that currently there is no requirement
55:05 for ward redistricting in the charter.
55:07 Since the wards were drawn
55:11 four has seen an increase in percentage of
55:13 population, while the remaining three wards
55:15 population remains very evenly distributed.
55:17 Ward four's population
55:19 is more than 10 percent higher than the
55:21 other wards. While our current ward
55:23 shapes follow best practices, such as being
55:25 contiguous, Lakewood has the opportunity
55:27 to ensure more equitable representation
55:31 the amendment as written in the draft proposal
55:33 would establish that wards are to be nearly
55:35 equal in population, made up of
55:37 contiguous and compact territory,
55:39 bounded by natural border
55:41 boundaries or street lines, and drawn by
55:43 the citizens of the planning commission rather
55:45 than by elected officials.
55:49 6.7 to increase frequency
55:51 with which civil service commission reviews
55:53 public official salaries.
55:55 The current charter language requires the
55:57 civil service commission to review the salaries
55:59 of elected officials, the mayor and
56:01 city council, in each presidential
56:03 election year, which falls on an
56:05 even year every four years.
56:07 Both the charter review commission and the civil
56:09 service commission expressed a desire for more
56:11 frequent review of salaries.
56:13 The amendment would move the required review
56:15 to municipal electioneers every
56:17 two years on odd years on a
56:19 date far enough advance of the filing
56:21 deadline for potential candidates to make an informed
56:23 decision based on the adopted salary
56:25 for the upcoming year.
56:29 to clarify language regarding, and they recommended
56:31 language that clarifies
56:33 the process in the current charter.
56:37 and add new 9.5 to enact
56:39 rank choice voting. The commission
56:41 recommended the adoption of rank choice
56:43 voting for municipal elections.
56:45 In discussion with the commission
56:47 members, benefits were discussed
56:49 such as reducing cost to voters by
56:51 removing the need for a primary,
56:53 reduction in divisive and negative campaigning,
56:55 and the reduced barriers to
56:57 participation by candidates with lower
56:59 financial means. The draft
57:01 ordinance would eliminate the primary and
57:03 establish rank choice voting, barring the
57:05 passage of legislation at the state house
57:07 that would affect municipal funding.
57:09 The deadline to submit ballot
57:11 language to the board of elections for the general
57:13 election this year is September 4th.
57:15 However, it is our hope that council
57:17 will complete our work on these ordinances prior
57:19 to August when we traditionally recess.
57:21 We look forward to continue dialogue
57:23 about these proposed amendments in committee.
57:27 move to refer the communication
57:29 to committee of the whole.
57:31 Motion's been made and
57:33 seconded. Discussion?
57:35 Vice President Baker.
57:39 President Keppel, and I
57:41 just want to commend the amount of work
57:43 you put together in this communication
57:45 and in the ordinances.
57:47 The charter and commend the work
57:49 of the Charter Review Commission as well.
57:51 As we went through the recommendations
57:55 a year and a half ago,
57:57 I thought we owed them and their
57:59 service to at least put
58:01 all of these in ordinance and then talk about them
58:05 full airing to kind of give
58:07 each one of them its time and
58:09 consideration to determine whether or not
58:11 we want to go for the voters with them.
58:13 This is our constitution. That's what
58:17 And then, you know, I think
58:19 teeing it up for the potential November election
58:21 is the right thing to do.
58:23 And then it's not an election year for
58:25 anyone in city government, so it gives us an opportunity
58:27 if we recommend these
58:29 to the Board of Elections
58:31 to put on the election
58:33 calendar that we then all go out as public servants
58:35 and talk about them, right,
58:37 to inform our fellow citizens
58:41 these would do and why they're important
58:43 for our city. So thank you, President Keppel, for
58:45 taking the leading charge on this, and
58:47 I look forward to digging into it in committee.
58:51 For the discussion,
58:59 Assistant Law Director Swallow got
59:01 started with some rough drafts.
59:03 I worked on those based on our conversations
59:05 that we've had in committee
59:09 and drafted them based on the discussions
59:11 that we've had thus far in
59:13 continuing feedback with the Charter
59:15 Review Commission during those.
59:17 So it's much easier to edit
59:19 than create, so as we
59:21 move forward in committee and
59:23 invite members of the public also to take a look
59:25 at these and bring their feedback.
59:29 I'm not tied to any specific
59:33 verbiage in terms of solving the solutions
59:35 that the Charter Review Commission brought forward,
59:37 but I do think that, as Vice President
59:39 Baker said, given the
59:41 amount of work they put into recommending
59:43 them and really thoughtful,
59:45 engaged dialogue from a diverse
59:47 group of liquid residents
59:49 we owe them, looking through
59:51 them all, thoughtfully considering them.
59:53 Alright, any further discussion?
59:57 Hearing none, on the motion
59:59 to refer the communication
1:00:01 to committee of the whole, all those in favor?
1:00:03 Aye. And that motion passes.
1:00:05 I'm going to move to suspend the
1:00:11 which are the Charter ordinances
1:00:15 Motion's been made and seconded,
1:00:21 Yes. Councilmember Bixenstein?
1:00:23 Councilmember Bullock? Yes.
1:00:25 Councilmember Evans? Yes. President Keppel?
1:00:27 Yes. Councilmember Hamilton-Steiner?
1:00:29 Yes. Councilmember Striebig? Yes.
1:00:41 to take effect immediately submitting to the electors
1:00:43 of the City of Lakewood an amendment to the
1:00:45 Third Amendment Charter in order to
1:00:47 change the frequency with which the Civil Service Commission
1:00:49 reviews elected official salaries.
1:00:55 an ordinance to take effect immediately submitting
1:00:57 to the electors of the City of Lakewood an
1:00:59 amendment to the Third Amendment Charter
1:01:03 requirements to the process by which
1:01:05 council appoints new members
1:01:13 to take effect immediately submitting
1:01:15 to the electors of the City of Lakewood an
1:01:17 amendment to the Third Amendment Charter
1:01:19 in order to change the manner in which
1:01:21 legislation is amended and to remove the requirement
1:01:23 that the entire ordinance or resolution be
1:01:25 repealed, then a new ordinance or resolution
1:01:33 ordinance to take effect immediately submitting
1:01:35 to the electors of the City of Lakewood an
1:01:37 amendment to the Third Amendment Charter
1:01:39 in order to establish a process and requirement
1:01:41 for ward redistricting in the City of Lakewood.
1:01:47 an ordinance to take effect immediately
1:01:49 submitting to the electors of the City of Lakewood
1:01:51 an amendment to the Third Amendment Charter
1:02:03 take effect immediately submitting to the electors
1:02:05 of the City of Lakewood an amendment to the Third
1:02:07 Amendment Charter in order to allow
1:02:09 council the option of implementing rank
1:02:17 to Committee of the Whole. Second.
1:02:19 Motion's been made and seconded. Discussion?
1:02:27 Item 24, communication from President Keppel
1:02:29 regarding appointment to the Tree
1:02:31 Advisory and Education Board.
1:02:33 You guys are hearing a lot from me tonight.
1:02:35 Dear colleagues, the following resolution
1:02:37 seeks to make one appointment to the Tree
1:02:39 Advisory and Education Board in the seat
1:02:41 formally occupied by Councilmember Bixenstein.
1:02:43 Councilmember Bixenstein was
1:02:45 appointed to the board by council in 2023
1:02:47 and has recently resigned following his appointment
1:02:49 to city council. Whoever council
1:02:51 appoints to fill the remainder of the term will
1:02:53 serve until December 31, 2026,
1:02:57 individual would be eligible for appointment.
1:02:59 You may recall that council received
1:03:01 many qualified applicants for the Tree Board
1:03:03 during competitive appointment process in fall
1:03:07 I am quite confident that council is well positioned
1:03:09 to identify a diligent and well-qualified
1:03:11 appointee for this position.
1:03:13 I move to receive and file that communication.
1:03:15 Second. Motion's been made and seconded.
1:03:21 in favor? Aye. And that motion
1:03:23 passes. Item 25, resolution
1:03:27 A resolution to take effect immediately
1:03:29 appointing one person to the
1:03:31 Tree Advisory and Education Board for the
1:03:33 unexpired term beginning immediately and ending
1:03:41 to Public Works and Sustainability
1:03:43 since the chair of Public Works
1:03:45 and Sustainability is the Tree Advisory
1:03:47 Board liaison or we could do a committee
1:03:51 council members to discuss it altogether
1:03:57 Public Works and Sustainability.
1:04:05 another item in the committee
1:04:13 although now I'm questioning my
1:04:15 whether that's accurate because I'm thinking of the Hilliard
1:04:17 intersection that might be in view.
1:04:19 But at any rate, I'd be happy to do
1:04:21 a hearing in Public Works and Sustainability.
1:04:27 I think in the communication, you know, make use
1:04:29 of the applicants that we got not recently.
1:04:33 And I'm looking at the screen now.
1:04:39 very qualified people to consider.
1:04:45 committee of the whole's got a lot on its plate,
1:04:47 we could just have a Public Works
1:04:51 operate it in the spirit of committee of the whole.
1:05:03 Yeah, I think that's good and
1:05:05 potentially even do the five minute
1:05:09 methodology that worked well for
1:05:11 however, I'll leave that up to your discretion as
1:05:17 to refer to Public Works and Sustainability.
1:05:21 and seconded. Any discussion?
1:05:23 Hearing none. All those in favor?
1:05:25 Aye. And that motion passes.
1:05:27 Item 26, communication from Council Member
1:05:29 Bullock, Mayor George and others
1:05:31 regarding lowering electricity costs by
1:05:33 urging creation of community energy
1:05:45 one already tonight, I think it'd be wonderful
1:05:51 He's just being lazy. All right.
1:05:57 task resolution to support a means
1:05:59 to lower electricity prices for Ohio
1:06:01 families and small businesses
1:06:03 that is under consideration in the Ohio General
1:06:07 Ohio residents have been paying increased
1:06:09 electricity bills in recent years and
1:06:11 are facing still more increases this
1:06:15 increased 10 percent or more in 2025
1:06:19 inflationary pressures such
1:06:21 as tariffs, data center development
1:06:25 Electricity price inflation is a top
1:06:27 concern nationally and Ohio's
1:06:33 calling for price caps and energy capacity
1:06:41 energy is a program adopted in 24
1:06:43 other states that has successfully reduced
1:06:47 It creates medium sized off-site
1:06:49 energy infrastructure such as solar
1:06:51 and batteries and allows businesses
1:06:53 and residents to open the option
1:06:55 to subscribe to the power it generates
1:06:57 for a portion of their monthly bill.
1:06:59 These projects can be built
1:07:01 more quickly than large base
1:07:03 load plants since they are mid-tier
1:07:07 and since they connect to the local
1:07:09 grid, which is a faster process
1:07:11 than connecting to the interstate regional
1:07:13 grid. Customers are traditionally
1:07:17 contracts with longer-term stable
1:07:19 prices that beat inflation.
1:07:21 Ohio badly needs more access
1:07:23 to low-cost energy with stable
1:07:25 prices to help families and businesses
1:07:27 lower costs. Please express
1:07:29 support for these important matters by
1:07:31 considering this resolution for adoption
1:07:33 tonight or by referring it to committee
1:07:35 of council's choosing. Thank you.
1:07:39 and file the communication. Second.
1:07:41 Motion's been made and seconded.
1:07:49 Couldn't have written it better yourself.
1:07:55 signed in to speak on this. We're on the communication
1:07:57 now, but we'll hear from you first and then we'll vote on the
1:08:03 It looks like the light is on
1:08:05 so you can just speak when you come up
1:08:07 and address me. Get up to five minutes.
1:08:17 And I'm speaking in favor of the resolution.
1:08:23 Avenue put four solar panels
1:08:29 I keep track of it, there are about
1:08:43 Last year was a banner year.
1:08:45 About 30 installations were done
1:08:49 because of the ending of tax incentives
1:08:57 of buildings that we have in Lakewood
1:09:05 four that the city of Lakewood did.
1:09:15 It's expensive, you've got to have
1:09:17 the right kind of roof, hopefully
1:09:19 facing south, hopefully your neighbor
1:09:21 to the south doesn't have a big tree.
1:09:25 You really need a new roof,
1:09:27 you don't want to put it on an old roof.
1:09:29 So the many people who would
1:09:31 like to go solar, mainly to save
1:09:33 money and to have control over
1:09:41 Community solar, the experience in other
1:09:47 Usually it's a penny or two cheaper
1:09:51 through true community solar.
1:10:05 commitment, these panels are mine
1:10:15 virtual metering, you can say
1:10:17 those are, that's my electricity
1:10:19 being created out there. Right now
1:10:23 So there have to be some changes in the law.
1:10:27 just going back to how difficult
1:10:29 it is for all the people who want to
1:10:31 go solar, and of course, apartment
1:10:37 are in buildings that face the wrong way,
1:10:41 But this is an easy way to do it.
1:10:43 It's worked very well in other states
1:10:49 resolution. I hope this state will pass
1:11:21 the illuminating company for
1:11:23 over two years. It's a wonderful feeling.
1:11:29 of this resolution. I urge you to pass
1:11:31 it. Our state house needs to be
1:11:33 nudged in the right direction at every
1:11:35 opportunity. This is one of the rare
1:11:37 opportunities where we can maybe move
1:11:39 them in the right direction.
1:11:41 It's the right thing for so many reasons.
1:11:43 It's certainly the right thing to do
1:11:53 to pass. I know there are a number of folks
1:11:55 here with me who have been working on community solar
1:12:07 winner for Lakewood. We have so many
1:12:13 reduce their electricity bills, and
1:12:21 supply in the right direction with
1:12:23 solar and battery. So to me,
1:12:25 this is like a no-brainer for Lakewood.
1:12:27 And I just wanted to let you know there are a lot of
1:12:29 us who are willing to come out tonight and
1:12:31 to urge you to do what I think you're already going to do.
1:12:39 just to hear you say that you haven't paid first energy.
1:12:43 Roger Sykes, you're next up.
1:12:53 Good evening to Lakewood City Council, the mayor,
1:12:55 and all the mighty, mighty public out here.
1:12:59 I work with Solar United Neighbors Action.
1:13:03 We try to make solar more relevant to work
1:13:05 in families, try to make electric bills more affordable,
1:13:07 and we help groups of families go solar.
1:13:09 Lakewood has been one of our strongholds.
1:13:11 I know we only have 175 folks who have gone
1:13:13 solar here, but that's actually a lot in
1:13:15 Cuyahoga County, so kudos to Lakewood for moving that.
1:13:19 to what's already been said. So this
1:13:23 energy pilot program, House Bill
1:13:27 it would enable 1,500 megawatts
1:13:37 300,000 homes, to put it in perspective.
1:13:41 I'm excited about this and our organization
1:13:43 is excited about this is because it enables
1:13:45 mass participation in solar
1:13:51 This program, community solar, enables mass participation.
1:13:55 have done it, and it's working really well.
1:13:57 What we see in other states is
1:14:01 you'll save about 5% to 20%
1:14:03 on your electric bill. I'll echo
1:14:05 that for Lakewood for renters, this is a home
1:14:07 run. We want all the renters in Lakewood to subscribe
1:14:11 And the way that the legislation
1:14:13 is set up is that any community solar array
1:14:15 in the county, so in Cuyahoga County
1:14:19 subscribers in Lakewood could subscribe
1:14:23 It's not a lift up, it is more of a direct
1:14:27 particular community solar array.
1:14:29 So if you're a rate payer in Lakewood,
1:14:31 you'd subscribe, perhaps, to
1:14:35 top of a public school in Cleveland.
1:14:37 And you would have that more direct connection.
1:14:39 So it is really participatory
1:14:41 and it exposes people to solar
1:14:45 And then just the politics, why this is relevant,
1:14:47 what y'all are doing, hopefully passing this resolution,
1:14:51 bill passed the House in November
1:14:57 bipartisan support, and that's been
1:14:59 years coming. That's been four or five years
1:15:01 that have got us to this point, and then also
1:15:03 the regional pressures around
1:15:05 electric bills skyrocketing.
1:15:07 So it's changed the politics of what's possible.
1:15:09 If Ohio can pass this, we need
1:15:11 to move it through the Senate, it would
1:15:13 be a big move for our state,
1:15:15 for Lakewood, but then also
1:15:17 sending a signal to other red states.
1:15:19 Red states have not moved on this. Ohio could be
1:15:21 one of the first to really make a move on this,
1:15:23 and it'd be really awesome.
1:15:25 So thank you so much for being proactive,
1:15:39 Although I would argue that we are a purple state that's
1:15:41 gerrymandered, but that's a whole other situation.
1:15:49 we're still on the communication.
1:15:51 Any further discussion? Council Member
1:15:53 Hamilton-Steiner. Yes, thank you, President
1:15:55 Keppel. So something that just came to
1:16:03 and communities that have gotten
1:16:05 these data centers are seeing
1:16:07 their electrical rates skyrocket.
1:16:09 And I'm not sure that we're going
1:16:15 right now there's one potentially,
1:16:17 the IAC Center is a potential
1:16:19 site, and I'm not seeing a lot
1:16:21 of movement around opposing that, but
1:16:33 state of Ohio, if the Senate
1:16:37 you've talked about, Mr. Sykes,
1:16:43 those skyrocketing electric bills.
1:16:47 be able to, if he could speak on that
1:16:55 Yes, thank you, Councilperson Steiner,
1:17:03 increase in demand for electricity
1:17:05 that's obviously affecting electric prices
1:17:17 20% of our energy. So we are
1:17:19 reliant on, we're not producing
1:17:21 enough locally to do so. So this program,
1:17:23 the community solar program, would help
1:17:25 to address that. It'd be all local. It'd be
1:17:29 locally controlled. We want local community
1:17:31 institutions to own these solar arrays
1:17:33 and we'd be producing that energy
1:17:35 locally, and that would help to
1:17:37 lower the peaks. It's all about like the
1:17:39 peak energy demands, producing it locally
1:17:41 puts us in the driver's seat, and does
1:17:43 help to address this. And to put it in perspective,
1:17:45 this program, the 1,500 megawatts,
1:17:53 is, it's notable. But it's,
1:17:55 you know, it'd be a small portion. We'd certainly need more.
1:17:57 But it's a good, it'd be a great step.
1:18:07 Thank you to my colleagues and the mayor
1:18:09 for bringing this forward. What's interesting
1:18:13 you look at a state like Texas,
1:18:15 right, where like that's oil and gas
1:18:17 kind of capital, but solar has
1:18:19 really gotten a foothold in there.
1:18:21 And it's because of the market
1:18:23 driven forces. I don't necessarily know if
1:18:25 it's about sustainability, it's about price.
1:18:29 concept gets to the price level,
1:18:31 politics don't matter as much as
1:18:35 And what's really interesting is, is
1:18:37 if you talk about regulatory capture and like
1:18:39 producing regulations, that is
1:18:41 literally power generation in the state of Ohio
1:18:45 actually might be a good friend here because technically
1:18:47 you can't, you can't have two
1:18:49 data centers and they can't build a solar array
1:18:51 and share the power because that's technically
1:18:53 a power siting board thing that you need to get special
1:18:55 state permits. So the fact that
1:19:01 kind of power generation is actually really good.
1:19:03 And I think this is a proof of concept that would
1:19:07 the state realize that you can
1:19:09 produce this power for cheaper and then
1:19:11 hopefully you know, you kind of
1:19:13 trojan horse them into getting more
1:19:15 solar because it's cheaper. So
1:19:17 I certainly support this resolution. Thank you for
1:19:19 everyone coming out and supporting it.
1:19:21 And whatever we can do, because
1:19:23 it's not only the sustainability right thing
1:19:25 to do, it's also just cheaper.
1:19:27 And we all want cheaper energy rates.
1:19:37 Thank you Madam Chair, thank you Council Member Bullock.
1:19:43 You know, just to reiterate,
1:19:45 in addition to being eco-friendly
1:19:49 I think it's important just to make special note
1:19:53 the idea of community energy can help make our grid
1:20:03 and what that can do to our
1:20:05 day to day quality of life. And so
1:20:07 having a more resilient grid is also
1:20:09 noteworthy in addition to the other benefits
1:20:11 that have been conveyed this evening.
1:20:19 I'll leave my comments about reliability.
1:20:29 we have a motion to receive
1:20:31 and file the communication.
1:20:39 06, a resolution to respond to
1:20:41 high housing costs in Lakewood by urging
1:20:43 state government to create a new option
1:20:45 for Ohio families and small businesses to lower
1:20:47 their electricity costs by allowing community
1:20:49 energy projects and programs to
1:20:51 operate in Ohio. Move to adopt.
1:20:53 Second. Motion's been made and
1:20:55 seconded. Any further discussion?
1:21:05 sentence of the resolution, it should
1:21:09 energy costs rather than high housing
1:21:21 formal printed version of this resolution
1:21:37 I'll second that motion. Any
1:21:39 further discussion on the motion
1:21:43 Hearing none, all those in favor? Aye.
1:21:47 I thought I'd make sure I heard everybody.
1:21:51 Mayor George, did you have a comment?
1:21:53 Yeah, I just have a procedural question.
1:21:57 this resolution. Thank you, Councilman, for
1:21:59 inviting me to co-sponsor with you.
1:22:01 I noticed at the top of the resolution
1:22:05 buys, and I don't think I've ever
1:22:07 seen my name or another mayor's
1:22:19 it's official, if that was just who
1:22:27 I'm being told that it would be stricken
1:22:33 The law director is telling me as well
1:22:35 that it's just the council.
1:22:37 I think it may have just been
1:22:41 four, but then once it passes it has whoever
1:22:43 votes for it, is my understanding.
1:22:45 Which you would not be able to do, obviously.
1:22:55 high energy costs, and then we'll have
1:22:57 the council members who vote for it
1:22:59 listed at the top, assuming it
1:23:01 passes. Any further discussion?
1:23:05 facts and figures to build on
1:23:09 and the members of the public
1:23:11 mentioned. Some good points here.
1:23:25 And so you could save two pennies
1:23:35 not something that they always dictate.
1:23:37 It's something that is rising and falling
1:23:39 with the auctions in the 13th
1:23:41 state region, as referred to in the letter.
1:23:43 So another advantage here is that
1:23:47 a savings of a penny or maybe two pennies,
1:23:51 to $200 a year saved, and then
1:23:53 it lasts for the duration of your contracts.
1:23:55 You might actually be compounding
1:24:03 thanks to the data centers that the
1:24:05 councilwoman, Hamilton Steiner,
1:24:09 And there was a study out that says
1:24:11 half the inflation that we're paying is from data centers,
1:24:13 but 90% of the data centers haven't
1:24:15 been built yet. So it's speculation,
1:24:19 So we've got some challenges
1:24:27 could be served by this program
1:24:29 if it becomes law. That's about 5%
1:24:31 of all customers in the state.
1:24:33 So it's meaningful amounts.
1:24:43 the clean air benefits of this.
1:24:53 sooner, that helps everybody
1:24:55 in the state because we just
1:24:57 don't have enough energy anymore thanks to
1:24:59 all that's happening. That can be a good thing
1:25:01 that there's so much economic activity.
1:25:07 opinion that the energy system
1:25:09 is working with 20th century
1:25:15 capital planning and now we're in the 21st
1:25:17 century. You've got a digital
1:25:21 in. It's kind of like trying to
1:25:25 phonograph record. And you've
1:25:27 got to splice it in all kinds of difficult
1:25:29 ways and it's slow. So we've got a lot
1:25:31 of improvements to make. This is one
1:25:33 step and we should certainly consider
1:25:35 it in the state of Ohio. Thanks.
1:25:45 Hearing none, on the motion to adopt
1:25:55 Communication from Planning Director Buyington
1:25:57 regarding acceptance of 2026
1:26:01 Grant Program Award and Community
1:26:05 Before I turn it over to Director Buyington, please feel
1:26:07 free to go home if you would like to. You won't offend
1:26:09 us in any way. You've waited long enough. But you're
1:26:11 welcome to stay, of course. Alright.
1:26:13 Alright. Director Buyington.
1:26:15 Thank you, President Keppel and
1:26:17 members of council. NOPEC's Energized
1:26:19 Community NEC Grant Program
1:26:21 supports city building efficiency and
1:26:23 decarbonization projects at government
1:26:25 commercial and residential properties.
1:26:27 Funding can be used for a variety of projects
1:26:29 including lease or purchase
1:26:31 of electric vehicles, traffic signal
1:26:33 upgrades, energy efficient windows
1:26:35 and appliances, electrical upgrades,
1:26:41 and insulation. This year Lakewood
1:26:47 through the NEC grant program.
1:26:49 Funding from the NEC grant program is
1:26:51 crucial for helping support the city's commitment
1:26:53 to decarbonization and clean energy
1:26:55 and implementation of the climate
1:26:57 action plan. Additionally, the
1:26:59 city has been awarded $3,500 from
1:27:05 The city awards this money to Lakewood Alive
1:27:07 to help defray costs of their front porch
1:27:09 concert series at the main library.
1:27:11 It is requested that council pass
1:27:13 legislation on first reading accepting
1:27:15 these funds from NOPEC for the NEC
1:27:17 grant program so the city of Lakewood can
1:27:19 continue to implement energy efficiency,
1:27:21 decarbonization and sustainability initiatives.
1:27:25 I'll move to receive and file the
1:27:31 Motion's been made and seconded.
1:27:39 Item 29, resolution 2026-07.
1:27:41 A resolution to take effect immediately
1:27:43 authorizing the city of Lakewood to enter
1:27:45 into an agreement to accept NOPEC's
1:27:51 Motion's been made and seconded.
1:27:53 Discussion? Councilman Boland?
1:27:55 I have a couple comments about what we're
1:27:57 doing and then what we might do in future
1:27:59 years. So first, thanks to Director
1:28:01 Byneton and Director Gordon
1:28:03 for answering some questions and
1:28:07 And maybe both of you should
1:28:19 streetlights have been replaced
1:28:21 over probably around 10 years
1:28:23 now. And maybe Director Gordon
1:28:27 And there's probably a savings
1:28:29 number that we might be able to calculate
1:28:33 annual savings to the taxpayer.
1:28:35 I wonder if the finance department
1:28:39 to study that later this year.
1:28:49 really do pay for themselves in a
1:28:55 Director Gordon you can share with the group
1:28:57 that you shared with me earlier?
1:29:01 thank you Councilman Boland. So the city is
1:29:03 currently on what we would consider
1:29:05 a replace on failure program.
1:29:09 goes out of fluorescent streetlight,
1:29:11 the city replaces it with an LED light.
1:29:13 The replace on failure program
1:29:15 to my knowledge has been going on for
1:29:21 as of the beginning of January
1:29:25 of streetlights in the city of Lakewood to LED.
1:29:31 in the next, I think it has to be completed
1:29:33 by 2030 if I recall. Don't hold me to that
1:29:35 date. I don't have it off the top
1:29:37 of my head because Councilman Boland kind of just called me
1:29:43 it is a replace on failure program
1:29:45 when the fluorescent light burns
1:29:47 out the city replaces it with LED.
1:29:51 of our construction projects
1:29:55 Lake Clifton project, any type of
1:29:57 lighting upgrades that we do perform
1:30:07 make sure that the proper streetlighting
1:30:21 about the financial savings
1:30:23 given what we were just discussing
1:30:25 is relevant. So that might be something
1:30:27 I'm not going to put you on the spot
1:30:29 Director Mahoney unless you happen to have that
1:30:31 off the top of your head. Well actually there
1:30:33 are no meters on streetlights so
1:30:35 you're just billed per light.
1:30:37 You don't know if you're saving
1:30:41 You're not. You're just billed
1:30:49 So that should be then something that we
1:30:51 revisit carefully and there are
1:30:55 arrangements with ownership
1:30:59 the contract that we have with the
1:31:05 I believe that's for operating
1:31:07 and maintenance and replacement.
1:31:11 an annual electric bill and I'm hoping
1:31:13 that we'll see that that annual bill
1:31:15 goes down for the unmetered
1:31:23 we're billed by streetlights so I'm
1:31:25 not sure if the electric company is
1:31:27 just getting those savings from
1:31:29 them but they're not metered.
1:31:31 So you can't tell by light.
1:31:33 I understand. Alright so for future discussion
1:31:35 and the last thing to comment
1:31:39 these NOPEC funds have been a good source
1:31:47 In the spirit of the finance
1:31:49 department's invitation to council
1:31:51 to work through the normal budgeting
1:31:57 I guess I'd like to suggest that we think
1:32:01 this year but next year's NOPEC fundings
1:32:07 use of these funds has been a big success.
1:32:11 Charger program and a number
1:32:13 of other things that Director Bynet
1:32:15 had named. That's great. So essentially
1:32:17 we're following our process where we
1:32:23 named projects in the capital
1:32:25 plan and in the budget that we all approved.
1:32:29 going to look ahead to next year soon
1:32:33 these funds as a conversation
1:32:45 It's just a suggestion I know that
1:32:49 that we should have with the administration I think
1:32:57 we'd want to be thoughtful about
1:33:01 these elsewhere which of these
1:33:03 programs we would either not fund
1:33:05 or where that funding would come from.
1:33:07 So that's a conversation we can
1:33:11 budgeting for next year. All right.
1:33:19 Hearing none. All those in favor?
1:33:21 Aye. And that motion passes.
1:33:23 Item 30. Communication from city planner
1:33:25 Kramer regarding 2025 pipeline
1:33:27 grant Madison Avenue Historic District.
1:33:31 President Keppel and members of City Council.
1:33:33 The City of Lakewood sought support from
1:33:35 the Ohio Department of Development via the
1:33:37 pipeline grant which creates a pipeline of
1:33:39 properties that are eligible for redevelopment
1:33:41 assistance through the Ohio Historic Preservation
1:33:43 Tax Credit Program and helps
1:33:45 communities and property owners advance
1:33:47 redevelopment of underutilized historic buildings.
1:33:53 historic district nomination for Madison
1:33:55 Avenue which would stretch from Riverside
1:33:59 and Halstead on the east end of Madison.
1:34:03 funds to hire a consultant through a
1:34:05 RFP process to research and assemble a
1:34:07 nomination of the Madison Avenue
1:34:09 Historic District. The above
1:34:11 reference grant was awarded to the City of
1:34:13 Lakewood in January. Along with our
1:34:15 partners, Lakewood Alive and the Lakewood Historic
1:34:17 Society, we will ensure that residents,
1:34:19 the public, and property owners are
1:34:21 a key part of the research and nomination process.
1:34:23 For this nomination, a public
1:34:25 process will be held with the property owners
1:34:27 and businesses to review and discuss the
1:34:29 process of and opportunities
1:34:31 that would result from designation of
1:34:33 a national historic district.
1:34:35 The overall estimated cost of the project
1:34:39 portion of the project being $40,000.
1:34:41 The pipeline grant is providing
1:34:45 next item on the agenda, the certified
1:34:47 local government grant, is providing $18,000.
1:34:51 to formally thank the Ohio Department of
1:34:53 Development and to notify council of our
1:34:55 assistance of their grant award to allow for all
1:34:57 the economic, historical, and
1:34:59 cultural benefits we would expect after
1:35:01 a historic district designation.
1:35:05 Thank you. I'll move to receive and file.
1:35:09 The motion has been made and seconded. Discussion?
1:35:17 Item 31, communication from City Planner Kramer
1:35:19 regarding 2025 certified local
1:35:21 government grant, Madison Avenue Historic District.
1:35:25 Thank you, President Keppel, members of council.
1:35:27 This is just the follow up.
1:35:31 It's just in regard to accepting the CLG
1:35:35 which provides $18,000 towards
1:35:39 process for the Madison Historic
1:35:45 I'll move to receive and file the communication.
1:35:47 Second. Motion's been made and seconded.
1:35:51 Hearing none, all those in favor? Aye.
1:35:59 Okay, so we are now at public
1:36:01 comment. I do not have anyone else signed in
1:36:13 I'll just mention we do have
1:36:23 the West Shore Unitarian Universalist
1:36:27 to celebrate Black History Month.
1:36:31 from council members? Vice President Baker.
1:36:33 The first case advisory board meeting is coming
1:36:41 document in kind of what we
1:36:43 discussed so that everyone's aware of it.
1:36:51 there's a public meeting for the
1:36:55 Clifton Boulevard Extension
1:37:01 your designee might want to...
1:37:13 correct. The Lake Clifton public meeting
1:37:15 will be held here at the auditorium
1:37:23 All right. Any further announcements?
1:37:29 There's lots of cookies left, so please
1:37:31 take cookies home, all right?
1:37:33 Take them for your staff, directors.
1:37:37 announcements from the administration?
1:37:41 And then with that, without objection,
1:37:43 no further business before council, we are