Written by the reviewer from the ASR + docket; [verbatim-ASR] = quoted machine transcript; [paraphrase] = reviewer's wording, not a quote.
0:00 All right, thanks for your patience everyone. We will call full council to
0:03 order. If you are able, please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.
0:09 We will now pause for a moment of silence.
0:26 Council Member Bullock? Here. Council Member Evans? Here. President Keppel? Here.
0:40 Council Member Hamilton-Steiner? Second. 2026. Move to approve without the
0:44 necessity of a reading? Second. Motion's been made and seconded.
0:51 Without objection, we have, I'd like to move items 14 through 18 to the top. We
0:58 have a series of resolutions. We'll probably do a photo with each one, but
1:03 we'll get through all four of them and then we'll come down for pictures.
1:08 Hearing no objection, item 14. Item 14, communication from Council Member
1:12 Bixenstein regarding 40th anniversary of the Shore restaurant. Council Member
1:17 Bixenstein? Thank you, President Keppel. Dear colleagues, much has changed in our
1:21 city over the last 40 years, but one establishment located at Detroit and
1:25 Hopkins Avenues near the eastern edge of our city remains a beloved diner
1:29 style eatery restaurant for business on March 25th, 1986. Since then, this
1:34 liquid institution has become renowned for its delicious food and kind
1:37 hospitality. To this day, as Angelo and Tina continue to operate their
1:41 eatery with help from their son, Stephen Mike, Shore Restaurant serves
1:45 as an outstanding and unpretentious spot for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or a
1:49 coffee meeting. My personal favorite dish is the corned beef omelet.
1:53 Perhaps no situation better exemplifies Angelo and Tina's commitment
1:56 to their business and their community than a setback they endured in
2:00 2014. A sudden collapse of an ornate facade from the front of
2:05 their historic building left a pile of rubble on the sidewalk below.
2:08 As Tina told 19 Action News at the time, we are so happy that
2:12 nobody was hurt. We have insurance. Angelo and Tina committed to rebuilding
2:16 in the spirit of the structure's historic architecture and spent the
2:19 better part of two years doing just that, terracotta tiles and all.
2:23 Today, the building that houses Shore Restaurant continues to reflect
2:26 the same historic splendor passersby have enjoyed for more than a
2:29 century. Thank you, Angelo and Tina, for your long time commitment
2:33 to the Lakewood community, and congratulations on 40 years of Shore
2:37 Restaurant. We are grateful to have you, your family, and your
2:40 business in this community. Can't wait to stop in for breakfast
2:43 again soon. Thank you. I'll move to receive and file that
2:48 communication. Second. Motion's been made and seconded. Discussion.
2:55 Hearing. Yep. Anyone? Vice President Baker. Yeah, I just thank
3:00 you, Councilman Bixenstein, for bringing this forward. I've had
3:04 breakfast there many times. Wonderful people, always engaging,
3:06 and that's part of what makes Lakewood so unique, is the
3:09 ability to go in somewhere, call it the social infrastructure of
3:12 our community, makes people feel seen, gives them a forum to
3:15 meet folks and interact. So thank you for your continued presence
3:19 in Lakewood, residents and business owners. And thanks for
3:22 bringing this forward. Thank you. Councilman Bullock. Well
3:28 said by both council members, and I'll also just underscore the
3:33 thanks for restoring that facade when that collapsed. That's
3:37 not a small amount of work, and it's a really gorgeous building.
3:40 So thank you for reinvesting in the building and in our
3:45 streetscape once again. Thank you. I'll just add that I knew
3:52 the Shore restaurant had been around as long as I could
3:54 remember in Lakewood, but I did not realize it had been
3:57 40 years. So knowing how challenging the restaurant
4:00 industry can be, particularly during the pandemic years,
4:04 it's an absolutely remarkable achievement and a testament to
4:06 the loyal customer base and the anchor that Angela, Tina
4:10 and the staff have created and worked for. I'm going to thank
4:13 them for their continued commitment to being part of our
4:16 Lakewood community and congratulations. Any further
4:20 discussion? All right. Hearing none on the motion to receive
4:25 and file the communication. All those in favor? Aye. And that
4:29 motion passes. Item 15, resolution 2026-15, a
4:34 resolution to recognize the Shore restaurant on its 40th
4:37 anniversary as a beloved flagship eatery in Lakewood's
4:39 Ward 4. Move to adopt. Second. Motion's been made
4:43 and seconded. Discussion? I'll just add, so we have three
4:50 more resolutions after this that also will have a
4:52 ceremonial copy. So we'll do all four of those and then
4:56 we'll come down and do photos with anyone who would
4:58 like to come forward for any of those. Right now we have
5:02 motion a second to adopt resolution 2026-15. Any further
5:06 discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor? Aye. And that
5:11 motion passes. Item 16, resolution 2026-16, a
5:16 resolution endorsing issue two, the new 6.9 mil tax levy
5:20 proposed by Lakewood City School District to maintain
5:22 the district's existing standards of excellence in
5:24 programming, teaching, technology and security. Vice
5:28 President Baker? Yeah, thank you President Keppel. So
5:33 I'm happy to bring forward this resolution in support of
5:36 the levy with Lakewood City Schools, issue two that
5:41 will be on the May ballot. I, you know, growing
5:46 up in Lakewood, I'm a product of Lakewood City
5:47 Schools. I came from a family with more of a
5:51 technical blue collar background, but I went to a
5:54 school system that saw that I could do other things
5:57 other than that. And I had siblings that also went
5:59 into the trades and did fine. But, you know, I
6:02 had guidance counselors at the high school that
6:03 said, you're a good student, you should
6:06 consider going to college. And so I did. And
6:09 the rest is history. And I feel like in this
6:12 community, it's always been a great equalizer. So
6:14 if you grow up in Lakewood and you go to
6:16 the schools, you can live, you know, in an
6:20 apartment building, but you're still going to go to
6:21 a school with kids that live in Clifton Park or
6:23 Overlook Park or other neighborhoods. And I
6:26 think that that creates a really great dynamic to
6:29 grow up in Lakewood and to become a productive
6:32 citizen that understands that everyone's not like
6:34 you. And there are different people out there
6:37 and it enriches your experience. And what I
6:40 will say is, I did live in this community
6:43 when the last levy didn't pass and it was
6:45 in the 90s. And it was a tough time in the
6:50 community because it signaled to folks that
6:55 were thinking about moving to Lakewood or folks
6:57 that were thinking about whether or not to go
6:59 buy a big house out in the hinterlands and
7:04 a decision about the schools and whether or
7:06 not the community supports it is a factor as
7:10 a family, whether you're looking to come here
7:12 to this town or you're looking to stay in
7:13 this town. And so we have an opportunity as
7:16 a community to show as a city, a city
7:20 government to show that we support the
7:21 schools and we support investment in the
7:24 youth of our community and not only the
7:26 youth, but the school also runs the C rec
7:28 department, which also has adult programming
7:30 as well for continuing education for adults.
7:33 And since that levy failed in the 90s and
7:36 I was in the school at the time and I can
7:38 remember the dark cloud that it put over
7:42 the students and the administrators and the
7:43 teachers in the schools. And what I will
7:47 say is lately though, and I've been
7:49 enlightened by this, is that in 2013 and
7:51 2020, more than 68 percent of voters
7:55 approved the past two levies that we've
7:56 put forward this community. So I'm here
7:59 to, you know, ask my colleagues to support
8:03 this. And I'll acknowledge that, you
8:07 know, the decision to repurpose Lincoln
8:09 was a hard one. And I've heard a lot
8:12 from constituents, friends, people I've
8:14 grown up with about it, and they're
8:16 valid concerns. And I think each of us
8:19 on this dais have talked to our
8:22 colleagues at the school board about
8:23 our opinions about it. But at the end
8:26 of the day, this levy is a, it's a
8:31 chance for our community to say we
8:33 support the students in the schools or
8:35 we don't. And that will send a
8:38 message to people that live here and
8:40 people that may move here about whether
8:42 or not this community supports the
8:43 schools. And I certainly support the
8:45 schools. So I'm happy to bring this
8:46 forward and interested in your
8:47 comment. Thank you. Thank you.
8:50 Councilmember Hamilton-Steiner.
8:52 Thank you, President Keppel. And
8:53 thank you, Vice President Baker, for
8:55 bringing this resolution forward and
8:57 for your remarks. I am also a
8:59 graduate of a product of Lakewood
9:02 Public Schools. And I too remember
9:05 when the levy did not pass and it
9:08 was devastating. And that's all that's
9:12 all we talked about. So if you
9:13 don't think that the students are
9:15 talking in the school about the
9:16 levies, they are. And they will
9:19 certainly be talking about this if
9:20 it doesn't pass and what that
9:22 means. And, you know, and what
9:25 are, what, what cuts are going to
9:27 be made and how is this going to
9:29 affect them? And so I just, and
9:33 I know it's hard. I know it's,
9:35 you know, you're going forward
9:37 asking for money for more
9:39 additional dollars. But I just
9:41 need folks to also understand
9:43 what's happening with the bigger
9:45 picture that Lakewood is
9:46 operating within. So public
9:51 schools are funded, we get a
9:53 number of sources. There's the
9:55 public education, there's the
9:57 state government provides some
9:59 money and that comes from
10:01 primarily income and sales tax.
10:03 Then you have your local taxes,
10:05 your property taxes. Then you
10:07 have the federal government,
10:08 which primarily is through
10:09 federal income tax. Our state,
10:12 the state of Ohio is giving less
10:14 and less money to public
10:16 schools and more to private
10:17 entities, including private
10:19 schools through, through
10:20 vouchers. This difference has
10:22 to be made up somewhere. And
10:24 that difference is happening
10:26 through our local taxes. And
10:29 the federal government on top
10:30 of that is also distributing
10:32 less and less money. So more
10:34 and more is being put on the
10:36 backs of us at the local
10:37 levels. Overall education in
10:40 Ohio, around 50% is made up
10:42 of your local property taxes.
10:44 37% is from the state. And
10:47 just some years ago, it used
10:48 to be 44%. And that
10:51 percentage is decreasing and
10:52 getting smaller and smaller
10:53 each year. And 13% is the
10:56 federal. So that just gives
10:58 you a little bit of context.
10:59 And when we, when you talk
11:02 about, you know, I can't
11:02 afford any more, we all
11:05 understand that. Right now,
11:08 the state of Ohio is not
11:09 funding the schools in public
11:11 education, how it's supposed
11:13 to be funded and how they're
11:14 funding it has actually been
11:17 unconstitutional. So, so you
11:22 can't take your frustration
11:23 out on our kids. We have to
11:26 put our frustrations where
11:28 they need to go. And we
11:29 need to demand Columbus do
11:31 the right thing and fund our
11:37 Thank you. Councilmember
11:39 Strued? Thank you. I too
11:43 experienced levy failure in
11:46 the eighties. Youngins,
11:50 youngins, not in this school
11:52 district, but in North
11:53 Ridgeville. And it wasn't
11:54 one, it was multiple. It
11:55 was seemed like year after
11:56 year after year, they failed
11:59 repeatedly. And we saw those
12:00 cuts and we saw the the
12:02 music programs and the
12:03 athletic programs and those
12:06 programs, the art programs
12:08 that started to get cut. So
12:10 while I don't have children
12:12 in Lakewood city schools, and
12:13 I've not had children in
12:15 Lakewood city schools, I am
12:17 fully in support of this
12:18 levy. Thank you. Thank you.
12:22 Councilmember Evans. Thank
12:24 you, President Keppel. I agree
12:27 with everything my colleagues
12:28 have said. I myself am not
12:31 a product of Lakewood
12:32 schools. But the schools
12:35 here were a big reason I
12:36 decided to raise my family
12:38 here. I do have two
12:38 children. One is all the
12:39 way through all the schools
12:41 and I have a junior still
12:42 after the high school and
12:43 the the experience they've
12:46 had at our schools has just
12:48 been amazing. So I'm I'm
12:51 very proud to support join
12:52 my colleagues in supporting
12:54 this resolution and
12:54 supporting the levy to keep
12:55 our school strong for our
12:56 kids. Thanks. Thank you.
12:59 Councilmember Bixenstein.
13:03 Just to echo the sentiments
13:05 of my of my council
13:06 colleagues, I to not
13:08 a product of the school
13:09 district, but have two kids
13:10 who are in elementary
13:12 school and will be in the
13:12 district for a long time.
13:14 We're we're incredibly
13:14 grateful for the public
13:16 public education they're
13:17 receiving here in Lakewood
13:19 and I'm happy to support
13:21 this resolution. Thank you
13:22 for bringing it forward.
13:24 Vice President Baker.
13:27 Councilmember Bullock.
13:28 Thanks, Madam President.
13:29 So I'm also supporting the
13:31 levy and happy to do so.
13:32 But with a couple additional
13:34 thoughts because it comes
13:36 at a little bit of a cost
13:37 more than a little bit of a
13:38 cost. So first, I agree
13:40 with what some first of all
13:43 I know there's levy leaders
13:45 and community members out
13:46 in the audience tonight.
13:47 Thanks for your service
13:48 and your leadership.
13:49 Some of my colleagues did
13:50 a very eloquent job of
13:52 of articulating why we
13:55 should support the schools.
13:57 And I like some others
13:59 here have my children in
14:01 schools and they're having
14:02 a fantastic experience.
14:05 favorite times in Lakewood
14:06 is walking to school and
14:07 meeting my neighbors as
14:09 they also walk their kids
14:11 to school. So all of that
14:13 is is really front and
14:14 center. And I'm grateful.
14:16 I also know that some
14:17 of the school leadership
14:18 was working hard to ensure
14:21 that any reductions would
14:23 not come to to their
14:24 budget, would not come
14:25 out of programs and
14:26 teaching. That's why the
14:29 focus was on facility
14:30 changes. That's a painful
14:34 change that the schools
14:36 voted on last year.
14:38 We certainly live through
14:39 that in the city side of
14:40 things. Painful loss of
14:42 Sorry. I empathize with
14:43 that difficult leadership
14:45 decision they made.
14:51 going to continue partner.
14:53 Pardon me. I will continue
14:54 partnering with the
14:55 schools in on the things
14:57 the city works to support
15:00 That's some public safety
15:02 infrastructure planning
15:04 that safe routes to
15:04 schools. And there's parks
15:08 and recreation programming.
15:10 There's there's actually
15:11 quite a lot that we
15:12 partner on. And so it's
15:13 appropriate that we
15:15 continue working with
15:16 each other. The city
15:17 can certainly bring more
15:18 to that table. I hope
15:19 the schools will continue
15:20 partnering with us. The
15:22 walk ability is going to
15:23 be crucial because if
15:24 we're if the plan goes
15:26 forward as is intended
15:27 where we're going to be
15:28 down to six instead of
15:29 seven elementary schools.
15:30 That's going to have a
15:30 ripple effect on walking
15:32 conditions and walking
15:33 distances. And I think
15:35 it's important that the
15:36 city do everything we
15:38 can to help make good
15:42 Lakewoods a walking
15:43 school district and make
15:44 it a reality for more
15:47 that's that's a important
15:51 an ongoing obligation
15:53 and tasks that I look
15:54 forward to working with
15:54 the schools on on the
15:56 other side of it is the
15:57 affordability of taxes.
16:00 So I support the levy.
16:02 choice other than to do
16:05 with out failing to
16:08 acknowledge that there
16:09 are residents in Lakewood
16:10 who are who are are
16:12 already under financial
16:13 pressure. And and so
16:15 I'm voting tonight to
16:16 endorse more financial
16:21 that somebody may have
16:21 worked in work for years
16:24 to own and lived in
16:26 and raise your family.
16:30 school district. But if
16:31 we're pricing people
16:32 out of our community,
16:35 something. So I don't
16:37 have a solution for
16:37 that. That's a long
16:38 term trend. But I want
16:42 challenge all of us to
16:49 issues to either find
16:51 affordable housing or
16:52 find ways to save and
16:56 expensive to live in
16:57 our community. But as
16:59 others have said on
17:00 the on the dice here
17:01 tonight, I think, you
17:02 know, it's got to be
17:03 unimpeachable support
17:06 for our for our schools.
17:08 I remember there's a
17:09 former mayor who said,
17:10 you know, you can't have
17:13 good communities have
17:13 good schools. So we
17:15 want to make sure we
17:16 support from the city
17:17 side, the school side.
17:18 what we're planning to
17:19 do tonight. Thank you.
17:24 Before I go to we do
17:25 have some folks signed
17:26 in for public comment on
17:27 this issue. I just need
17:32 Lakewood Recreation
17:33 Department, which is
17:35 included in this levy
17:37 Lakewood City Schools.
17:38 I'll be abstaining on
17:48 that Mike's already on.
17:49 So you don't need to
17:51 address your comments
17:59 want to speak to the
18:03 Thanks for supporting
18:05 respective as someone
18:06 who's been supporting
18:08 years and years and
18:09 years and years and
18:09 years. I've been here
18:13 rent the first four
18:15 bought a house in 1996
18:22 tremendous amount of
18:23 support. That said,
18:24 we've got a problem
18:25 in Lakewood and that
18:43 And that's a problem
26:18 and I know it's not easy.
26:20 My family too will feel the pinch
26:22 of increased property taxes with this levy
26:25 and yet I know that it is really important
26:28 for the strength of our community
26:29 that we continue to support our schools
26:32 through sustained funding.
26:35 I have learned a lot over the last few months
26:37 about school finance.
26:39 I thought I knew a lot to begin with
26:40 and I have learned a lot more,
26:42 including that even as our property taxes
26:46 or our property assessments go up,
26:49 our levy money does not go up.
26:51 Levy's raise a fixed amount of money every year
26:53 and so we all have felt sort of that increased scooch up
27:01 or maybe skyrocket up depending on your case.
27:03 I feel like some years I've been scooch
27:05 and some years I've been skyrocketed.
27:08 But those assessments are not keeping pace
27:11 with inflation and the cost of doing business
27:15 And so this levy will allow us to continue
27:17 the really fine tradition of educating our students
27:20 and really planning for the future.
27:23 And your support this evening
27:25 and over the past few months
27:26 as I've talked to many of you
27:27 and many others in the community
27:28 is a powerful testament to the strength
27:31 of this community that I love so much.
27:34 And when I see so many leaders
27:36 and average citizens including the amazing campaign team
27:39 and volunteers who are working
27:41 and support the schools and our students
27:45 and our community as a whole
27:45 it makes me feel really proud and really excited.
27:48 And so with that I'll just say thank you again
27:50 for your support and I really urge all residents
27:54 to support this levy to join our campaign
27:58 over the next I guess only like six weeks now
28:01 and devote for the levy on May 5th.
28:06 That's the last person I have signed in
28:08 on this list to speak on this topic.
28:10 Did anyone else wish to speak on the topic of the levy?
28:18 Oh there is and there's also one e-comment
28:20 which will be submitted in the record of tonight's meeting.
28:25 Okay so with that any further discussion
28:29 from council members?
28:31 Now I'll entertain a motion on this.
28:33 I will make a motion to adopt this resolution.
28:40 All those in favor say aye.
28:48 Item 17 resolution 2016-17 a resolution
28:53 to declare March 31st, 2026 transgender day of visibility
28:57 in the state of Lakewood
28:58 where we celebrate the lives and contributions
29:00 of transgender people while also drawing attention
29:02 to the difficulties facing this community.
29:05 So this resolution was introduced
29:06 by council member Striebig.
29:09 Before I turn it over to council member Striebig
29:11 did you want the clerk to read the resolution?
29:18 A resolution to declare March 31st, 2026
29:20 transgender day of visibility in the city of Lakewood
29:23 where we celebrate the lives and contributions
29:25 of transgender people while also drawing attention
29:27 to the difficulties facing this community.
29:30 Whereas transgender day of visibility was created
29:33 in 2010 by trans advocate Rachel Crandall
29:36 who hoped to create a day where people
29:38 could celebrate the lives of transgender people
29:40 while still acknowledging that not every trans person
29:44 can or wants to be visible due to fear of violence
29:45 and discrimination.
29:47 And whereas according to the American Civil Liberties Union
29:50 there were 616 anti LGBTQIA plus bills introduced
29:56 across state legislatures in the year 2025.
29:59 And whereas at least 2 million Americans
30:02 identify as transgender and have bravely overcome
30:04 significant hardships to live their authentic lives
30:06 despite facing numerous systemic
30:08 and interpersonal obstacles.
30:10 And whereas we celebrate the beauty
30:13 and resilience of trans people
30:14 who have made countless contributions
30:16 to the betterment of our society
30:17 often working at the front lines
30:19 of the social justice and human rights movements.
30:22 And whereas we recognize and appreciate the work
30:25 that is being done by trans advocacy groups
30:27 within the Lakewood community
30:28 and across the state of Ohio
30:30 to continue the fight for dignity and equal rights
30:32 for members of the trans community
30:34 and provide a safe and healing space for all.
30:36 And whereas in Lakewood we honor the inherent value
30:39 of each and every resident of our city
30:41 including trans and gender nonconforming residents
30:44 Now therefore be it resolved by the city of Lakewood, Ohio
30:48 that this council and administration does hereby declare
30:51 March 31st, 2026 as Transgender Day of Visibility
30:56 and urges the people of Lakewood to come together
30:58 to celebrate the trans community.
31:04 And I'll just, I mean about to turn over
31:06 Council Member Shubick just wanna note
31:07 if you are here for any of these resolutions
31:10 or we have a ceremonial copy,
31:11 we are most of the way through.
31:12 So just hang in there.
31:14 We have one more after this for the College Club West
31:17 and then we'll do our pictures
31:19 and then you are free to go about
31:21 the rest of your evening
31:22 or stay for the whole council meeting if you wish.
31:24 All right, so Council Member Shubick.
31:27 Colleagues, I'm happy to bring forward this legislation
31:30 to recognize the Transgender Day of Visibility
31:35 This is a day to celebrate, appreciate
31:38 and lift our trans family members and neighbors.
31:42 A day to recognize the beauty and diversity of life
31:46 and be reminded that we're not created
31:48 from an assembly line,
31:50 but from human nature and all the complexities
31:53 of our lived experiences, loves, values and dreams.
31:58 This is a day to celebrate individual gifts
32:01 and our collective humanity.
32:03 To coexist with one another
32:06 and to live in peace and harmony is within our reach.
32:10 We must continue to challenge the lazy minds
32:14 of those who find union in the cults of hatred
32:17 and premeditated ignorance.
32:20 This resolution serves as a reminder to educate ourselves
32:24 out of the darkness and willful blindness
32:29 that fuels uncomfortable feelings
32:31 with anything different from ourselves.
32:34 It's also a reminder for those of us
32:36 in the queer community to find ways in these dark days
32:40 to send the message that we are here to live and thrive,
32:44 love and care for one another.
32:47 I encourage you to use your gifts to write
32:51 or sing a song or recite a poem
32:54 or write a letter to the editor
32:57 or draw a picture or paint a painting
33:01 and remind everyone that we are here
33:03 and we are to be celebrated just like everyone else.
33:11 And thank you, Council Member Striebig
33:12 for bringing this forward.
33:14 As the resolution notes,
33:15 there were 616 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced
33:20 in state legislatures last year alone.
33:22 Currently, the State House is once again
33:25 considering an anti-drag bill, HB 249.
33:28 While performing drag is not the same as being transgender,
33:31 the language of the bill is vague enough
33:33 to potentially limit the ability of Ohioans
33:35 to live with authentic gender expression without harassment.
33:39 While the gender freedom policy
33:40 that this body passed last year
33:42 anticipated this type of overreach returning,
33:45 all Ohioans should enjoy gender freedom.
33:48 With so many using our transgender neighbors as scapegoats,
33:51 it is important that we recognize
33:53 and celebrate Transgender Day of Visibility
33:57 and the beauty, value, and worth
33:59 of our transgender community neighbors.
34:02 We see you, we celebrate you,
34:05 and we're glad that you're here.
34:07 Council Member Hamilton-Stein.
34:09 Thank you, President Couple,
34:10 and thank you, Council Person Striebig
34:11 for bringing this forward.
34:14 I'm not sure what happened in society
34:16 that individuals are being denied their very existence
34:19 and questioned, assumed, and labeled as being dangerous
34:23 or having some sort of mental defect.
34:25 I don't know how it is that we can deny and support
34:28 continued denying of an individual's right
34:30 to their existence,
34:32 how their medical care can be denied,
34:34 how we command and demand loyalty
34:36 to cis, hetero whiteness,
34:39 how we demand binary forms of thinking,
34:41 him, her, male, female,
34:44 the heterosexual nuclear family
34:46 and allegiance to the nuclear family
34:49 as being the right way.
34:52 When the first settlers in the first lands were colonized,
34:56 there existed a multitude of identities
34:58 that existed outside the norm.
35:01 Before the indigenous and black Africans were conquered
35:03 and their identities stolen,
35:05 there were a number of identities
35:06 indigenous and black African communities exhibited,
35:09 including non-binary identities, which were fluid.
35:13 In some indigenous communities,
35:15 personhood and identities were tied to their souls.
35:20 Our transgender community members
35:21 are essentially going back to our collective roots
35:27 They want liberation.
35:31 I personally witnessed and seen the change
35:33 in an individual when they're able
35:35 to live their authentic selves.
35:37 It is like day and night.
35:39 I will never deny that liberation from anyone
35:42 and none of us should.
35:43 Transgender Day of Visibility
35:45 is a way to affirm our transgender community members,
35:48 friends, family members, neighbors, partners,
35:53 And let's make a commitment
35:55 to ensure our transgender community members
35:57 are able to be included and experience belonging.
36:05 Further discussion, council members?
36:09 Thanks, Madam President.
36:10 Thanks to my colleague for bringing this together today.
36:12 I see like with neighbors and family members
36:16 and friends who I care very greatly about.
36:20 And so I'm glad that this honorary resolution
36:25 is an opportunity to bring us together.
36:26 So thank you for that.
36:30 We do have a number of community members
36:33 signed in to speak on this.
36:35 First up is, and I apologize
36:39 if I don't read your handwriting correctly,
36:48 Good evening, council, Madam Mayor.
36:51 I'm gonna start off.
36:53 I got my speech organized,
36:54 but I was in a meeting on Saturday
36:57 and they asked me, will you stand with us?
37:00 And I said, yes, I'll stand with you.
37:02 And so Sunday I was at church
37:04 and it was the 60th anniversary of this church
37:07 and the pastor said,
37:09 vulnerability, you must be willing to be vulnerable
37:16 And I'm sitting in church like,
37:17 what is he talking about?
37:18 So this morning I get up at six o'clock.
37:21 I'm a substitute teacher in one of my rows.
37:23 So I get in the classroom.
37:25 I'm thinking it's gonna be 15 kindergartens.
37:29 And I'm sitting up there like, okay.
37:31 So I'm doing my thing.
37:32 I'm identified as a grandfather,
37:34 identified as a farmer.
37:35 All these identities,
37:36 nobody's gonna bother me about.
37:38 So I leave out and I look at this one little boy.
37:41 He said, I don't know how to read.
37:43 I know kids say all kinds of things
37:45 so they don't have to.
37:46 I believed him and I looked up the air
37:48 and I said, that's what the pastor was talking about.
37:50 Then I got an email from this group.
37:52 They said, come out tonight at 730
37:56 to speak for this resolution.
37:58 I said, I'm supposed to be in a bed at 10 o'clock.
38:01 And I'm sitting up here at 821
38:04 and I know what the pastor was talking about,
38:07 And so I'm here now to get to my speech
38:10 and it'll be done real quick.
38:11 And it was saying that,
38:16 you already know my name.
38:17 It says, I believe that every person deserves
38:19 to live with dignity, safety and respect
38:22 in their communities.
38:23 We all talk about visibility
38:25 but we need to recognize people exist.
38:28 They exist when they lie.
38:29 This resolution is important
38:31 because it helps people live their lives
38:33 the way they wanna live it.
38:35 As someone who believes in building strong communities,
38:38 we must let everyone live free
38:40 with no discrimination or fear.
38:42 I support this resolution
38:43 and promote understanding, respect,
38:45 predicting of all people.
38:46 Cause don't nobody bother me
38:47 when I say I'm a farmer,
38:50 I just hold my head up and I keep on going.
38:53 So I support this resolution
38:55 that everybody needs to be treated fair.
38:58 You all have a great night.
39:05 And then next up is our County Council President,
39:16 Good evening, Madam President,
39:18 Madam Mayor and members of council.
39:22 I am pleased to join in strong support
39:25 for resolution 2026-17
39:29 to declare a transgender day of visibility in Lakewood.
39:34 This resolution is a crucial step
39:36 to affirm that transgender people deserve
39:39 to be loved, supported and safe.
39:43 We must stand strong against the rising tide
39:46 of anti-trans violence and discrimination.
39:50 The people who are stirring up anti-trans hatred
39:54 for political purposes are damaging our country
39:58 and the world in a profound way.
40:02 I recently read Neil deGrasse Tyson's book,
40:05 Starry Messenger, Cosmic Perspectives on Civilization.
40:11 The author discusses a number of topics
40:14 with the wisdom and perspective of the universe.
40:18 In one chapter, he states that many things
40:22 that we commonly think of as binary
40:25 actually exist along a continuum
40:28 with the foremost example being gender.
40:32 We are not born in two distinct,
40:34 very different groups, male and female.
40:38 Rather we exist along a series of gradations
40:41 from one end to the other.
40:44 All are normal, none are abnormal,
40:47 but some provide a more difficult path.
40:51 Being transgender includes social, emotional
40:54 and physical challenges under the best of circumstances.
40:59 We must help transgender people successfully
41:02 find their way in the world
41:04 and not throw roadblocks in their way.
41:08 The resiliency of the transgender community
41:12 is an inspiration to us all and deserves to be celebrated.
41:17 This resolution sends a strong message of solidarity
41:21 and helps build a more inclusive and just community
41:25 where everyone can be authentic without fear.
41:30 I urge your support for the resolution.
41:34 Thank you, Councilman.
41:36 And then next up is Sean Miller.
41:40 Welcome back, Sean.
41:52 Hello, Madam Mayor.
41:53 Hello, Madam President and hello, council members.
41:56 My name is Sean Miller.
41:57 I'm a 17-year-old who's lived in Lakewood
41:59 for about 11 years.
42:02 Where I came from, it was not safe for me
42:04 as a transgender person
42:07 and we looked for a very long time
42:08 of where it would be a safe place for us to move.
42:12 We ended up choosing Lakewood
42:13 because we knew that I'd have a safe place
42:15 for myself and for my family.
42:18 I cannot express how deeply grateful I am
42:21 to have grown up here for so many reasons.
42:25 Resolutions like this are so important
42:27 because it lets people like me,
42:29 other Lakewood residents who are trans and all people
42:33 in Ohio and in Lakewood
42:35 that this is a safe space for all people
42:37 and it is so meaningful to me
42:39 and all the other trans kids.
42:41 You guys are willing to pass forward this resolution
42:45 and see us and recognize us
42:48 as people who are deserving.
42:51 You grant us personhood in a time
42:53 that a lot of people do not want to.
42:55 I cannot express my full gratitude
42:58 for everything you guys do for me and our community,
43:01 especially as a young trans person.
43:03 So thank you all so much.
43:08 Thank you for your advocacy.
43:10 And then last person I've signed in on this
43:21 Hello, just a short comment,
43:23 also strongly in support of this resolution.
43:27 No prepared comments.
43:28 I only heard about this resolution the other day
43:31 and I have to say it was pretty wonderful
43:34 to see in a feed on the phone
43:37 that my hometown local government
43:40 is doing something positive
43:43 to acknowledge and celebrate transgender people,
43:48 acknowledging the additional hardships that they face,
43:52 especially when a lot of that additional hardship
43:55 at this time comes from state and federal government.
43:59 So it was wonderful to see, strongly support.
44:08 Okay, that's the last person I've signed in to speak.
44:10 Did anyone else want to speak on this resolution?
44:17 Anyone being volunteered to speak on this resolution?
44:20 You need not, okay.
44:23 All right, so with that,
44:26 I will go ahead and move to adopt resolution 2026-17.
44:32 Motion's been made and seconded.
44:33 Any further discussion?
44:37 All those in favor?
44:39 And that motion passes.
44:40 Item 18, resolution 2026-18,
44:43 a resolution to recognize and celebrate
44:45 the civic contributions of College Club West
44:47 on the 100th anniversary of their founding.
44:51 Thank you, and this is our last one
44:52 and then we'll do our pictures.
44:54 All right, so this one,
44:57 when Cheryl Bendick reached out to me
44:59 regarding the College Club West's
45:01 upcoming 100th anniversary,
45:03 I was thrilled to be able to contribute
45:05 to the celebration.
45:07 Founded in 1926, the club,
45:10 originally named Lakewood College Club,
45:12 was created at a time when early pioneering
45:15 college-educated women were often forced
45:18 from their careers if they elected to marry
45:21 but they still yearned for lifelong learning.
45:24 I have my own great-grandmother's trunk
45:26 from this era that she took to and from college
45:30 My mom says she would always tell her and her sister,
45:33 girls, get your education,
45:35 and we'll make it from you.
45:36 My great-grandmother and my grandmother
45:38 were both involved in their local progress club,
45:41 which, like College Club West,
45:42 was founded to give female college graduates
45:45 an opportunity for social, cultural,
45:47 and intellectual outlets
45:49 to continue to feed their minds
45:51 and contribute to their communities.
45:53 It's no surprise that College Club West
45:57 where suffragettes successfully lobbied
45:59 ballot initiative for ballot initiative of 1917
46:03 that won with 70% support,
46:05 granting women the right to vote in local elections
46:08 two years before the 19th Amendment was adopted in 1920.
46:12 That same hustle was clearly present
46:14 when the early founders of College Club West,
46:17 which quickly swelled to 250 members
46:20 within its first year.
46:22 In the last 100 years,
46:23 College Club West members have had the privilege
46:25 of learning from an impressive roster of guest speakers,
46:29 formed interest groups, including foreign languages,
46:31 culinary arts and literature, physical fitness,
46:34 community service, and more.
46:38 College Club West expanded its mission
46:40 in an important way to help make a college education
46:43 more accessible to individual women
46:45 by launching a scholarship program
46:47 that now regularly awards more than $10,000
46:51 Please join me in congratulating the College Club West
46:54 on 100 years of continued enrichment and service.
46:58 I will move to adopt resolution 2026-18.
47:05 Motion's been made and seconded.
47:06 Any further discussion?
47:09 All right, hang on,
47:10 and I don't think we have anyone signed in
47:13 on this one to speak.
47:15 Did anyone wish to speak on this?
47:18 Okay, all right, further discussion?
47:21 All right, hearing none.
47:24 All those in favor?
47:26 And that motion passes.
47:27 All right, so we will now gather down front.
47:30 We're gonna take these photos
47:31 in the order that we just adopted them.
47:34 So first will be Shore Restaurant,
47:37 then the school levy,
47:40 then Transgender Day of Visibility,
47:42 and then the College Club West.
47:48 Anyone who would like to be in any of these pictures,
47:49 you're welcome to come forward.
48:48 Thank you for getting here.
49:27 All right, I got it everybody, one, two, three, one, two, three, one, two, three, one, two,
50:26 everybody, one, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, okay, all right, now I got it, one, two, three,
50:34 all right, perfect, thank you.
51:26 All right, one, two, three, all right.
53:09 Oh, got one, I got one, all right, thank you, thank you.
54:00 Item one report from Public Safety Committee meeting held March 9, 2026.
54:08 This is Councilmember Hamilton standard.
54:10 All right, thank you, President couple.
54:12 Your colleagues, the Public Safety Committee met on March 9 to discuss ordinance 03 dash 2026, which would establish regulations for the trap neuter spay and return of community cats with the city of Lakewood.
54:26 The committee has been working on this ordinance alongside the Lakewood Animal Safety and Welfare, Welfare Board let's swab, since it was first introduced back in May of 2025.
54:35 At the beginning of the meeting the committee approved an amendment to section nine before to insert language to clarify the intent of TNR which may result in the live trapping of a cat or kitten for greater than 24 hours due to the logistical timeline of the TNR process, but would be allowable to the extent that the animals
54:55 properly cared for.
54:57 The amendment was approved, and the ordinance ultimately favorably referred to council to be voted on the meeting concluded with law director Vargo discussing the administration's updated community cat trap neuter spay and return program policies and procedures document.
55:12 This document ultimately serves as an internal document and guide which has been updated based on the revised ordinance 03 dash 2026 council members three big demonstration in the mayor, the swab and members of class and others that provided input ought to be commended for the work that was put into making this happen.
55:31 Countless hours and thoughtful consideration were spent on this, and it shows how effective we can be together.
55:38 I move to receive and file this communication.
55:42 Motion has been made and seconded discussion. Councilmember stripping. Thank you.
55:47 And thank you, Councilmember Hamilton Steiner for finishing this long journey with, with all of our community support from all of the people from the swab and from clause and from the folks in the audience today I see Nancy and Megan and Emily and anyone else that's that's involved with
56:10 With that group that I don't recognize you right off the bat, but thank you. It's been a long process, but it's been a good process and one that we we examined every detail twice or three times or or maybe four times.
56:26 And then, and then, you know, had had the law director Ernie and the assistant law director swallow look at this again and again and again, because we wanted to make sure that this was going to work for everyone right we wanted to make sure that the initial concern for this wasn't going to put anybody practicing, you know, saving these cats and kittens into any kind of harm's way.
56:54 And we also wanted to make sure that it was going to work for Mr crumley or officer crumley our animal control officer and make sure that that everything was right so it took a minute or a year to figure or two to get through it but I wanted to say thank you to everyone.
57:14 It was it was well worth it and I'm looking forward to seeing what this group is going to work on next. Thank you.
57:20 Thank you for the discussion.
57:23 I'll just add my thanks to everyone who worked on this was a lot of diligent process good discussion.
57:32 And, you know, we often say sometimes it's it's better to get it right than to get it fast so we're glad that we're actually have progress and see it over the finish line hopefully tonight.
57:44 Any further discussion.
57:47 Okay, hearing none on the motion to receive and file the report, all those in favor. I, and that motion passes. And I'm to substitute ordinance, three, 2026 and ordinance to take effect immediately updating various sections of chapter 505 animals and foul of the codified
58:04 ordinances and creating regulations for trap neuters Bay in return of community cats within the city.
58:11 I believe you had an amendment. Yes.
58:15 So I am going to make a motion to amend in section for the, the very last line.
58:29 And I'm going to add the number six.
58:32 Number nine five five point one.
58:37 So that it reads nine five five point six.
58:41 And also strike the extra extra punctuation mark.
58:48 Wait, what is one six.
58:54 So that it reads nine five five point one six.
58:58 Second striking the extraneous punctuation mark.
59:02 Second. All right. So make me repeat that motion's been made and seconded.
59:09 Just really basically a typo. So correct. All right. Any discussion on that amendment.
59:16 Hearing none. All those in favor.
59:20 And then I will move to adopt as amended.
59:24 Second. Motion's been made and seconded. Any discussion.
59:30 I'll add my thanks to everybody involved and I'll comment a couple points.
59:35 One is all of this work. Originally this predates me and I'm the old guy up here but predates me by a long shot.
59:44 Animal shelter was created to enhance the humane approach that we take in the community.
59:49 So there's been a successful partnership over the years so that it's not just animal and person safety but it's it's animal humaneness.
1:00:00 And it's been the outpouring of expertise and support and dollars and time of many, many Lakewood residents who really lifted up more than one animal board.
1:00:12 And I want to acknowledge one person Kim McCarty in the in the audience was involved early in an early stage version of Trapnutter release.
1:00:21 And thank you for your vision and leadership to get this group doing a new version after quite some time.
1:00:29 So that's just perfect evidence. So punch line is thanks to the administration for working through this.
1:00:36 I know the city under Director Gordon has and I think Director Biden's team also designed and built an expanded facility we can be proud of for the animal shelter.
1:00:49 And and then this side is the operations and the whole thing means that we're going to be doing a good job and a better job than we would otherwise without the efforts of all the citizens.
1:01:00 So thanks. Thanks all of you for lifting and elevating what we do.
1:01:07 We do have a few folks signed in for public comment.
1:01:10 So first is Nancy Binder. Oh, there you are, Nancy.
1:01:21 Hi, everyone. I'm Nancy Binder.
1:01:26 We started the process two plus years ago as a one page document.
1:01:34 Lakewood is a community that loves their animals.
1:01:37 They love their people. They love their kids.
1:01:39 And they especially love their little kiddies, except the ones that are running around the neighborhood and laying on their porch furniture and eating their little treats in the yards.
1:01:53 There are areas of Lakewood that does they do have a problem with community population, which is one of the reasons our board decided that we should address this.
1:02:06 I do want to thank Mayor George for allowing us to have the two years of very arduous, impassioned work on this and really supporting our work.
1:02:21 I appreciate that, along with you, Attorney Vargo.
1:02:25 That was great. And I've heard nothing but positive things from every single council member.
1:02:32 Our board really appreciates that because we heard some things from citizens that wanted us to get to it right away.
1:02:41 We wanted us to just get rid of them, which I don't know how you just get rid of cats.
1:02:50 But I have one that's accidental and been around for six years, so I can't get rid of him either.
1:02:58 This arduous journey did start about two years ago.
1:03:03 It started as a one page document that, hey, we really need to address a community cat problem that's in Lakewood.
1:03:13 The ordinance before council right now is the result of two years of work.
1:03:21 It incorporates the best practices and main practices for animal trapping, neutering, and returning.
1:03:34 A lawyer, Dana Panella, who specializes in animal welfare as an attorney, has been involved the whole way through.
1:03:49 The language has been adjusted, the goals have been adjusted, the language has been readjusted.
1:03:55 This is a best practices for an ordinance for trap, neuter, and return.
1:04:04 I've tried to look at other cities.
1:04:07 They have bits and pieces, but they don't have the whole package put together.
1:04:13 We're hoping that this will be the case here and council will love it.
1:04:22 Laszlob recommends that you pass this as is.
1:04:27 And as a member of Lakewood and a citizen of Lakewood, I really, really recommend that you pass this as is tonight.
1:04:55 Thank you, Chairperson Keppel.
1:04:57 I'm Megan Galeida, and I'm a volunteer with the Citizens Committee for Lakewood's Animals and Shelter, or CLAWS.
1:05:06 We are delighted to be here today as you consider ordinance 03-2026.
1:05:14 It took a community of people working together for more than two years to get to this point.
1:05:20 We want to express our heartfelt appreciation to city council,
1:05:26 especially the past and present members of the public safety committee, the Lakewood Administration and Mayor George,
1:05:36 and staff in Lakewood Animal Control and the law department.
1:05:41 Special thanks to past and current members of the Lakewood Animal Safety and Welfare Advisory Board, Laszlob,
1:05:50 and past and present board members of CLAWS.
1:05:54 Without everyone's support, we wouldn't be here today.
1:05:58 With this ordinance, we can.
1:06:08 With this ordinance, we can work with the broader Lakewood community to address the free roaming community cat population in the city.
1:06:18 Whether people want to help community cats or are frustrated by their presence, Trap New to Return provides a humane solution.
1:06:29 We can work together to address the community cat population and help individual cats.
1:06:37 If this ordinance passes, our work can begin.
1:06:42 Thank you for considering this ordinance.
1:06:45 I hope you will vote in favor of it.
1:06:57 That's everybody I've signed in to speak.
1:06:59 Did anyone else wish to speak?
1:07:04 Thank you, Council President.
1:07:05 Thank you to the volunteers here.
1:07:07 I'm just reminded that like, you know, on council, you know, we pass ordinances and change the code.
1:07:12 But oftentimes, especially when you get into this level of detail, it's about changing processes, which we don't necessarily have control over.
1:07:18 So you need to work really closely with the administration, make sure our code aligns with our processes.
1:07:23 And, you know, we had a similar experience with Complete Streets took a long time, very detail oriented.
1:07:29 But we're getting into kind of like people's roles and what they do and their processes.
1:07:34 And it takes, you know, an engaged group of folks, an advocate, so appreciate your advocacy and your volunteerism in that respect.
1:07:40 And it takes an engaged members of council to push it through.
1:07:43 And then a receptive and engaged administration, too.
1:07:46 So public policy isn't always fun or fast.
1:07:50 But, you know, the slower and more deliberative you are, the better, I think, the outcome is.
1:07:56 So thank you for everyone's perseverance.
1:08:02 And as a cat lady myself, I really appreciate all the hard work.
1:08:07 So thank you for everyone that had a hand in this, which was a lot.
1:08:11 OK, so we have a motion and a second to adopt as amended.
1:08:19 Hearing none on the motion to adopt.
1:08:30 Item three report from Housing Planning and Development Committee held March 9th, 2026.
1:08:37 Thank you, President Keppel.
1:08:39 Dear colleagues, the Housing Planning and Development Committee met on March 9th to wrap up several months of work on ordinance 02-2026 regarding front yard plantings.
1:08:47 The topic was first introduced by Building Commissioner Parmelee in May 2025.
1:08:51 After a series of committee meetings and after receiving helpful feedback from gardeners across the city, including Keep Lakewood Beautiful, the scope of the ordinance was narrowed to strike a compromise between rights of property owners and public safety issues.
1:09:06 The ordinance is aiming to address, namely, sight lines.
1:09:08 To put it simply, this ordinance requires that any private property planting within two feet of the property line must be managed to prevent visual obstruction that could cause a public safety hazard.
1:09:18 The committee moved to replace the previous version of the ordinance with a new version that includes diagrams to match the text descriptions.
1:09:25 During a close examination of the text and diagrams, it was agreed that additional updates were needed to improve clarity and consistency.
1:09:32 We ask Commissioner Parmelee to update Figure 2 to reflect the committee's feedback.
1:09:37 A motion will be made to amend Ordinance 02-2026 by substituting with the version that includes Commissioner Parmelee's updates.
1:09:44 I just want to thank Commissioner Parmelee once again and happy we got this done in under a year.
1:09:51 And I'll make a motion to receive and file this communication.
1:09:55 Motion's been made and seconded.
1:10:03 Item 4, substitute Ordinance 02-2026, an ordinance to take effect immediately to amend Chapter 1775, Weeds of the Codified Ordinance for the Purpose of Establishing Regulations for Front Yard Plantings.
1:10:18 And we're moving to substitute the substitute.
1:10:24 Yeah, we're substituting with the version in Granicus.
1:10:28 It's marked subbed out of Housing Plan Development.
1:10:37 So we're moving to substitute with the version that says updated diagrams.
1:10:41 Motion's been made and seconded.
1:10:46 On the motion to substitute, all those in favor?
1:10:51 And then we will move to adopt a substituted.
1:10:54 Motion's been made and seconded.
1:10:57 Just, again, want to thank everyone who had a hand in this.
1:11:01 You know, we had a lot of good discussion about it and community input that I think ultimately made it stronger.
1:11:10 On the motion to adopt a substitute.
1:11:15 Item 5, report from Public Works and Sustainability Committee held March 9th, 2026.
1:11:29 Dear colleagues, the Public Works and Sustainability Committee met on March 9th to discuss Resolution 2026-03, which will appoint one member to the Tree Advisory and Education Board for the position vacated by Council Member Bixenstein upon his appointment to City Council.
1:11:45 The committee entered Executive Session to discuss the candidates.
1:11:48 After discussion, the committee exited Executive Session and a motion was made to insert the name of Marco Auriella into the resolution.
1:11:57 Committee members remarked upon the highly qualified pool of applicants and expressed their appreciation for the willingness of everyone who applied to serve their community on this board.
1:12:06 Like what is fortunate to have so many passionate and experienced tree advocates, I look forward to making future appointments as vacancies become available.
1:12:15 I thank Mr. Auriella for offering his unique expertise and perspective in service of the Tree Advisory Board, and we look forward to working with him in that capacity.
1:12:26 The committee unanimously voted to favorably refer Resolution 2026-03 as amended back to the full Council for adoption, sincerely.
1:12:38 I will move to receive and file that communication.
1:12:42 Motion has been made and seconded.
1:12:46 Thank you, Councilman Bullock and the committee, for taking that on.
1:12:50 We have a lot in committee of the whole, so that was helpful.
1:12:58 Item 6, substitute Resolution 2026-03, a resolution to take effect immediately, appointing Marco Auriella to the Tree Advisory and Education Board for the unexpired term, I should say, beginning immediately and ending December 31, 2026.
1:13:16 Motion has been made and seconded.
1:13:19 We'll thank Mr. Auriella for his willingness to serve.
1:13:28 Item 7, report from committee of the whole, held today, March 16, 2026.
1:13:36 So earlier, colleagues, earlier this evening, committee of the whole melt.
1:13:43 And just we begin the evening with a report from planner Amanda Kramer regarding the public art master plan.
1:13:51 This current status and timeline and the elements being considered as part of that public art master plan, which will include a public meeting at a date in the future.
1:14:01 And then we moved on to the ordinances regarding the charter amendments.
1:14:08 Two were voted favorably back to full council for future consideration.
1:14:14 That was ordinance 18, 2026 regarding their redlining of legislation in ordinance 20, 2026, which is amending the language describing how the charter can be amended.
1:14:29 The remainder of the charter amendments will stay in committee for now for future discussion.
1:14:36 I will move to receive and file that report.
1:14:41 Motion's been made and seconded.
1:14:49 So I'm going to move to suspend the rules now to read items 8 through 13 together.
1:14:56 Motion's been made and seconded.
1:15:04 Item 8, ordinance 16, 2026.
1:15:07 An ordinance to take effect immediately submitting to the electors of the city of Lakewood.
1:15:11 An amendment to the third amended charter in order to change the frequency with which the Civil Service Commission reviews elected official salaries.
1:15:19 Item 9, ordinance 17, 2026.
1:15:22 An ordinance to take effect immediately submitting to the electors of the city of Lakewood.
1:15:26 An amendment to the third amended charter to the city of Lakewood.
1:15:29 Item 9, ordinance 18, 2026.
1:15:31 An ordinance to take effect immediately submitting to the electors of the city of Lakewood.
1:15:35 An amendment to the third amended charter of the city of Lakewood.
1:15:38 In order to change the manner in which legislation is amended to remove the requirement that the entire ordinance and resolution be repealed, then a new ordinance or resolution be enacted.
1:15:49 Item 11, ordinance 19, 2026.
1:15:51 An ordinance to take effect immediately submitting to the electors of the city of Lakewood.
1:15:56 Item 12, ordinance 19, 2026.
1:15:58 An ordinance to take effect immediately submitting to the electors of the city of Lakewood.
1:16:02 An amendment to the third amended charter of the city of Lakewood in order to establish a process and requirement for ward redistricting in the city of Lakewood.
1:16:11 Item 12, ordinance 20, 2026.
1:16:14 An ordinance to take effect immediately submitting to the electors of the city of Lakewood.
1:16:18 An amendment to the third amended charter of the city of Lakewood in order to clarify the various paths in which the charter can be amended.
1:16:26 Item 13, ordinance 21, 2026.
1:16:29 An ordinance to take effect immediately submitting to the electors of the city of Lakewood.
1:16:33 An amendment to the third amended charter in order to allow council the option of implementing ranked choice voting.
1:16:43 Motion's been made and seconded.
1:16:50 Item 19, report from councilmember Striebig regarding February meeting of the Community Recreation Education Commission meeting.
1:16:59 Dear colleagues, the Lakewood Community Recreation and Education Commission met at the Taft Center for Innovation on Monday, February 17th at 6 p.m.
1:17:10 Coordinator Leslie Faver shared that the winter programs were finishing and spring preparations were beginning.
1:17:18 A second session of swimming lessons has started.
1:17:21 Basketball is at the midpoint of the season and the swim team and wrestling are wrapping up.
1:17:26 The basketball program saw a record number again with another increase in girls' basketball participation.
1:17:33 The TAP program is on spring break.
1:17:36 An end of the season parent and coaches surveys are in the plans to evaluate the programs and should be out soon.
1:17:44 Equipment prep for field maintenance has begun and new treadmills and cable machines are planned for the fitness facility.
1:17:51 The indoor track is being shared with community and indoor track team and it remains in good condition.
1:17:58 The 2026 Purple and Gold Classic is scheduled for April 18th with an 830 a.m. tip off.
1:18:04 A donation of personal hygiene products at the entry is requested.
1:18:09 The spring program booklet goes out to the community on March 15th with residents only registration for the first week of April and non-resident registration beginning the second week.
1:18:21 Camp registration begins in early March and some camps are not listed in the spring program booklet because they're already sold out.
1:18:29 Seasonal hiring is beginning for 300 plus workers including young people at least 14 years old.
1:18:36 The Lakewood United Football Club held interviews for board positions and made recommendations and appointed individuals.
1:18:43 Interviews to fill a board position on the Lakewood Community Baseball and Softball Association was also scheduled.
1:18:49 Mark Walters and Leslie attended the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association Conference and learned about the use of AI, appropriate pricing, and attracting and retaining volunteer coaches.
1:19:01 They were pleased to learn that they are on the right track with their initiatives and got a new idea of requesting participant feedback mid-season instead of just at the end.
1:19:14 Move to receive and file that report.
1:19:17 Motion's been made and seconded.
1:19:19 Thank you, Councilmember Stubig, for that detail and keeping us informed.
1:19:30 Item 20, communication from Building Commissioner Parmelee regarding Building Safety Month, May 1st through May 31st.
1:19:36 Building Commissioner Parmelee, welcome.
1:19:43 Madam President, members of council.
1:19:45 Division of Housing and Building would like to participate in ICC's Building Safety Month 2026.
1:19:51 This year's campaign raises awareness about critical building issues from structural to energy conservation.
1:19:57 This year's campaign is built to last each week of the month and May is highlighted with essential topics.
1:20:04 The model ICC codes are adopted by Ohio, altered to meet our specific region that enforced throughout all 88 counties.
1:20:12 We're planning a no-cost campaign with each week's topic featured on our Housing and Building page.
1:20:19 Housing and Building page as well as social media.
1:20:21 The ICC International Code Council has made up of 64,000 members, including the staff of the City of Lakewood Building Department.
1:20:28 We all work together to provide the community with inspections and knowledge to ensure our structures are safe to work, live, and play.
1:20:36 We greatly appreciate your support in Building Safety Month May 2026.
1:20:41 Respectfully myself, Christopher Parmelee.
1:20:45 I will move to receive and file that communication.
1:20:49 Motion's been made and seconded.
1:20:51 Thanks for coming to read it yourself, Building Commissioner Parmelee.
1:20:55 I'm suffering through with everything.
1:20:58 Any further discussion on the communication?
1:21:06 Item 21, Resolution 2026-19, a resolution declaring May 2026, Building Safety Month within the City of Lakewood.
1:21:15 Motion's been made and seconded.
1:21:23 Item 22, February 2026, Finance Department vendor report submitted pursuant to Lakewood Codified Ordinance 11103.
1:21:34 Motion's been made and seconded.
1:21:41 That brings us to public comment.
1:22:10 Mic's on, so you can just address.
1:22:14 Good evening, Madam President Keppel, members of council.
1:22:17 My name is Anson Hall and I live on Elmwood Avenue here in Lakewood.
1:22:21 I am extremely grateful to hear about council's endorsement of the upcoming levy and look forward to voting yes on the levy myself.
1:22:29 I want to acknowledge the City and its ongoing efforts and dedication to making Lakewood a great place to live, visit, and do business.
1:22:36 I've been a resident since 2013 and can't think of another place.
1:22:41 Tonight I'm here to encourage the City to continue its efforts to work closely with the Lakewood City School District, particularly as it relates to traffic safety around our schools and the broader impacts of the Lincoln School repurposing transition.
1:22:54 We all know there are several school crossing intersections that are dangerous, especially during arrival and dismissal times.
1:23:01 I walk our first and third graders to Grant Elementary School every morning and appreciate the ongoing dialogue I've had with several council members about safety improvements to the Hilliard and Elmwood Avenue intersection.
1:23:11 And I'm also grateful for the newly formed CASE Board, as well as the Safe Routes to School group and the work that they continue to do to make our streets more pedestrian friendly and also driver friendly because they're important as well.
1:23:26 I suspect that the Lincoln repurposing transition will only increase these traffic issues if no additional safety measures are implemented and hope that both the CASE Board and Safe Routes to School groups are consulted as part of this transition.
1:23:39 These types of traffic challenges aren't just school issues or city issues.
1:23:45 Pedestrians and drivers are all navigating the same streets and problem solving issues.
1:23:50 Problem solving these issues works best when the City, the schools, and residents are all at the table together.
1:23:55 Strong collaboration between the City and the schools can help ensure that changes to school facilities don't unintentionally create new safety challenges and that infrastructure improvements are aligned with how our neighborhoods are actually being used.
1:24:07 Just as importantly, collaboration helps residents feel confident that their concerns are being heard across institutions and not passed back and forth.
1:24:16 I recognize that collaboration between institutions is hard work and doesn't always move quickly, but it's also essential when we're dealing with student and resident safety, neighborhood impacts, and decisions that shape the future of Lakewood.
1:24:30 My hope is that the City and Lakewood City School District continue to approach what's ahead as partners, turning complex challenges into shared solutions and ensuring that Lakewood remains a safe, thoughtful, and welcoming place to work, to live, and to raise a family.
1:24:44 Thank you for your time and for your continued service and dedication to Lakewood.
1:25:00 Good evening, Chris Bindl, 1212 Hathaway.
1:25:03 I'm here to talk about ring choice voting as usual.
1:25:05 I figured I'd rather speak to the full council meeting than at the committee meeting.
1:25:10 I listened to everything you had to say at the committee meeting.
1:25:15 I really appreciate what you have to say.
1:25:17 I want to be clear that as much as I'm here in support of ring choice voting, I am a lifelong Lakewoodite.
1:25:24 I've been attending council meetings for 20 years at this point, so I understand how a lot of this works.
1:25:31 I don't want anything to negatively impact our city in any way, shape, or form.
1:25:37 That funding thing is a big 4,000-pound gorilla, whatever, in the room.
1:25:43 We've got to worry about that.
1:25:46 I don't necessarily think at this point it is an end-all, be-all.
1:25:50 I think we have a lot of conversations to have, and it sounds like you are all working on that, which I appreciate.
1:25:56 I came here at the beginning of the year being like, we need to talk about this, we need to talk about this, we need to talk about this.
1:26:00 I'm glad we're talking about it, and so now I want to make sure that we are taking the time and thoughtfully thinking it through.
1:26:06 We still have a deadline, but we have a couple months before we get there.
1:26:10 So just keep working through it.
1:26:13 Let's get past, we only have a few more days, less than a week, I think, until the governor either has to sign the bill or it becomes law because he doesn't sign it.
1:26:23 So let's get past that hurdle, and then once we're past that, we'll take a look at what our options are from there.
1:26:29 I do still think that the loophole that is there is a potential that we could work around.
1:26:35 But there are some concerns that have to be discussed.
1:26:40 We do have some potential allies in that realm, Fair Vote, which is a national organization.
1:26:48 They've been working with people all over the country that have dealt with similar issues, so hopefully they can give us some ideas.
1:26:56 I know that's where the language at the end of our current ordinance came from.
1:27:01 So let's just keep thinking creatively and work through this.
1:27:06 I thank you for all your time and support for that.
1:27:18 They were signed in on this one, not on the other one.
1:27:31 Hi, everyone. Thanks so much for having me.
1:27:33 My name is Kelly McCarthy. I'm a relatively new Lakewood resident.
1:27:36 This is actually my first city council meeting.
1:27:39 Thank you again for having me.
1:27:41 I'm here today representing an organization called Clean Fuels Ohio.
1:27:45 It's a statewide nonprofit part of the Department of Energy's Clean Cities and Communities Network.
1:27:50 We, through Clean Fuels Ohio, have been working on a national project called the Empower Project, the Empower Workplace Charging Project,
1:27:57 where we recognize workplaces across the state of Ohio as leaders by installing electric vehicle charging for their employees and residents or patrons to utilize.
1:28:10 And so we have a certificate here today to present to the city of Lakewood just recognizing the city's leadership,
1:28:16 having installed multiple public electric vehicle charging stations that are accessible to the public as well as to employees.
1:28:24 So, yeah, just here to thank you guys and present the certificate and recognize the city for your leadership in this space.
1:28:33 And, Kelly, you're the last person that signed in to speak, so if you can just hang on a minute.
1:28:37 When we finish off this meeting, we can come down and if you want to do a picture or anything that we can do.
1:28:42 Madam President, I got a promise out of the Public Works Director and Planning Director that they would also be in the photo, too.
1:28:53 In all seriousness, I do want to acknowledge, I think, you know, Assistant Director Boss does a lot of planning work and analysis and rate setting.
1:29:01 And, Chris, I don't know if there's a unit manager who's on the lead on that, but we can proudly say the city's installed, if not the most in the state.
1:29:13 It's got to be top ranked in the region or state for the number of public facing chargers.
1:29:18 And then this is an additional category of accessible to employees and patrons and so forth.
1:29:25 So it's the city of Lakewood, once again, getting ready for the way we do business tomorrow and doing it in a way that's clean and friendly.
1:29:33 I certainly applaud that and want to thank the whole team.
1:29:40 And we appreciate everyone.
1:29:42 We've worked with the Planning Department and Public Works and appreciate the administration's efforts on this front.
1:29:52 I'm sorry, Madam Chair, before we conclude.
1:29:55 There's a public comment from one member of the public about the, there's a couple e-commons.
1:30:00 So the second one there is regarding parking and parking procedures so that safe routes to schools are functioning like we hope.
1:30:11 We won't get into the details here, but it did bring to mind, I forgot to ask earlier in the meeting, do we envision a joint city council school board meeting at some point in the reasonably near future?
1:30:22 I'd defer to you on what reasonably should be defined as the next four weeks or six weeks or rather, you know, after early May.
1:30:31 I certainly would welcome that dialogue.
1:30:35 Yeah, we certainly can look at that.
1:30:39 Some of the dialogue I've had with the new president of the school board was the school board is looking at shifting their meeting schedules so that their full school board meetings no longer conflict with full council meetings.
1:30:52 So I just need to look at that scheduling and I believe that they are planning to have that change start over the summer.
1:30:59 So we'll be looking at that date.
1:31:01 I think it's a good practice for us to do.
1:31:06 With that, everybody had signed in for public comment.
1:31:08 Anyone else have a comment?
1:31:12 Then announcements from council members.
1:31:16 We have a full calendar of things that are coming up in the next two weeks before we meet again.
1:31:21 Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day, everyone.
1:31:38 Ladies, we finally caught up to the gentlemen today with what they made last year.
1:31:50 Women are still making 82 cents to the dollar.
1:31:56 We talked about International Trans Day visibility coming up on the 31st.
1:32:02 April 2nd is Autism Awareness Day, as well as the full pink moon.
1:32:10 Not because it's being blocked, but because that's the name of the full moon for April.
1:32:22 Passover comes up April 2nd through the 9th, and Easter is on the 5th.
1:32:31 Other announcements from council members?
1:32:38 I was going to take that as a hint unless anybody has an announcement.
1:32:41 Announcements from the administration.
1:32:47 I just want to remind everyone that Wednesday is the statewide tornado drill at 950 a.m.
1:32:54 So please be practicing in your own home, your workplace, and we will be out at the schools.
1:33:11 We can gather down front real quick for that picture.