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 to order the May 4th meeting of City Council.
0:04 If you're able, please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.
0:24 May I now pause for a moment of silence?
0:34 Madam Clerk, please call the roll.
0:37 Vice President Baker?
0:39 Council Member Bixenstein?
0:41 Council Member Bullock?
0:43 Council Member Evans?
0:47 Council Member Hamilton Steiner?
0:49 Council Member Striebig?
0:52 I'm going to excuse the tardiness of Council Member Bullock.
0:55 His son is getting an award at the School Board meeting that happens concurrently, so he will
1:00 be joining us shortly.
1:11 Reading and disposal of the minutes of the regular meeting of council held April
1:17 Move to approve without the necessity of a reading.
1:20 Motion made and second.
1:25 And that motion passes.
1:26 And then without objection, I'd like to move items seven and eight to the top.
1:32 Item seven, communication from Council Members Hamilton Steiner, Bullock, and Evans regarding
1:38 International Compost Week.
1:40 Council Member Hamilton Steiner?
1:42 Thank you, President Keppel.
1:44 Dear colleagues, Mayor, George, and directors, International Compost Awareness Week is
1:49 recognized annually during the first full week of May.
1:52 The goal of this week is to bring people together and share the powerful benefits of
1:56 composting for healthier soil.
1:58 It is an opportunity to highlight the types of composting happening in our community.
2:02 Here in Lakewood, we are seeing composting efforts thriving and growing.
2:06 This resolution not only recognizes this week, but it also highlights the work and
2:10 efforts of Lakewood residents involved with Keep Lakewood Beautiful, who in partnership
2:14 with Rust Belt Writers launched composting at Lakewood Park in 2019, as well as to
2:19 highlight recent and additional efforts from the Lakewood Composting Committee for
2:22 their grassroots efforts to expand composting citywide.
2:25 A common theme which is consistent in our community is that the work of committed
2:29 and dedicated residents is yielding results.
2:32 This year's theme for the week, Compost, Feed the Soil that Feeds Us, is a timely
2:36 reminder of the importance of soil in the production of food and the impact that
2:40 harmful environmental practices have on us all.
2:43 An opportunity exists to not just better align City of Lakewood outcomes with the
2:47 Climate Action Plan, but to face the call for greater sustainability citywide.
2:51 Please join us in celebrating and recognizing International Compost Awareness Week.
2:56 Thank you. I move to receive and file that communication.
2:59 Motion has been made and seconded.
3:06 And that motion passes.
3:10 Resolution to join with communities across the world to celebrate International Compost
3:14 Awareness Week during the week of May 3rd through May 9th, 2026.
3:19 Do we have folks signed in to speak on this?
3:26 So why don't we do that before I make a motion here?
3:32 Or I guess I could go ahead and make a motion.
3:34 I'll go ahead and move to adopt.
3:38 Motion has been made and seconded.
3:40 Discussion from council members while the sheet's coming up.
3:43 Councilmember Hamilton-Steiner.
3:45 Thank you, President Keppel.
3:46 Straight from history, I'm going to read to you a summary of meeting minutes provided
3:50 to me by Keep Lakewood Beautiful chairperson because these words succinctly sum up the
3:55 history of composting in Lakewood since 2019.
3:58 On May 7th, 2019, representatives from Keep Lakewood Beautiful, KLB, met with
4:04 rest boat writers Dan Brown and other community organizations to discuss the
4:08 potential development of a composting program.
4:11 Subsequently, three KLB members met with public works director Joe Beno to
4:15 further explore the feasibility of a community composting initiative.
4:19 In July 2019, Dan Brown of rest boat writers delivered a formal presentation to
4:24 Joe Beno outlining the proposed program.
4:27 By August 2019, rest boat writers in collaboration with KLB and the city of
4:32 Lakewood initiated the composting program.
4:34 The first drop off site was established at Lakewood Park located behind the
4:39 The program was offered at a cost of $5 per month and included a bin for
4:43 participants along with unlimited access to the compost drop off location.
4:47 KLB supported the initiative through outreach and promotional efforts.
4:51 Rest boat writers also distributed a community survey which indicated strong
4:55 interest in the program.
4:56 KLB explored additional marketing opportunities including outreach to local
5:00 restaurants during its adopt a spot breakfast and promotion via social media
5:05 In September 2019, the composting program officially launched with two bins
5:09 in operation, serviced twice weekly on Mondays and Thursdays.
5:13 The city and KLB promoted the program through their respective social media
5:18 Media coverage followed including an article published in the sent post
5:21 herald on November 7th, 2019 as well as coverage in the observer.
5:26 In January 2021, rest boat writers KLB and the city worked together to get an
5:31 additional location added at Madison Park.
5:35 There ends that history lesson.
5:37 So recently the past couple of years has brought a new desire to expand
5:41 composting services in Lakewood including expansion to a free citywide
5:47 Other communities in northeast Ohio have successfully implemented free citywide
5:51 composting services including Beachwood, Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights.
5:55 A group of committed dedicated and passionate residents forming into a
5:58 grassroots group Lakewood composting committee has worked with city
6:01 administration and council members to bring to life a plan for citywide
6:05 Council and city administration have worked in a collaborative manner with
6:08 the planning department taking the lead role in the creation and
6:11 dissemination of a survey to residents inquiring of their desire,
6:15 interest and or knowledge of composting.
6:17 A sneak peek of survey results, thank you Director Byneson, reveals a
6:21 high interest in composting at 89 percent, a rate of current composting of
6:26 52 percent with 57 percent interested in learning more about composting.
6:31 Of course there is a lot more information to dig into and I will look to
6:35 and work with the planning director and her staff for next steps.
6:38 But preliminarily there is a great opportunity for greater education about
6:43 composting and a high desire for residents to start composting that
6:48 I appreciate respite writers for being great partners in this work and for
6:52 the efforts of all community groups and members to make their mark on
6:56 Without the dedication and commitment of volunteers these efforts would not
7:01 I commend all that have been involved and all who continue to be involved
7:06 There is more I would love to say but I feel I've already taken too
7:09 much time but I will spare everyone as I'm sure we will have additional
7:13 conversation on next steps.
7:15 I cannot stress enough just how critical composting will become and how
7:19 important compost will be needed to help meet the growing needs of local
7:23 food sources and also and how important will be in Lakewood meeting
7:27 the goals of the climate action plan.
7:29 I look forward to continuing to work in meeting those goals.
7:32 Thank you Councilwoman.
7:37 Thank you Madam President.
7:39 Just wanted to say I'm very happy to co-sponsor this resolution and
7:44 thanks to the administration especially the planning department for the
7:47 support and special thanks to Councilman Hamilton-Steiner who's really been
7:51 taking the charge on composting and all the things we're trying to get
7:55 So I certainly appreciate that and looking forward to where we can go
8:03 Other councilmembers?
8:05 Councilmember Stubak.
8:07 Thank you colleagues.
8:08 This is very impressive.
8:10 I've been waiting for this for a while.
8:12 I have myself been composting for 15 years and my garden loves it and just
8:18 thrilled that we as a city are moving into this next phase where we're
8:22 separating out our trash more appropriately so that things don't end up
8:27 So thank you all that are involved in this.
8:33 I'll just add we, oh go ahead Councilman Vixen-Steiner.
8:38 Thank you President Keppel.
8:40 I want to concur with my colleagues here.
8:42 I really value composting both for the ability to develop nutrient-rich soil
8:49 but also of course for reducing landfill waste.
8:51 It's sort of a double win when it comes to composting and I appreciate
8:55 my colleagues bringing this to the forefront.
8:58 I see some of my friends from Keep Lake a Beautiful in the crowd tonight
9:01 so I want to thank them as well, as well as of course for us Belt
9:04 Riders and I look forward to contributing to this effort however we
9:12 Other Councilmembers?
9:14 I'll just add that we composted our home and we have for many years
9:20 and actually just upgraded so we have an in-house composting machine.
9:23 It's really awesome.
9:24 But not everyone has their own opportunity to compost on their own
9:30 In fact, majority of Lakewood residents rent and may or may not
9:33 have access to their own outdoor composting or a place to put that.
9:39 So increasing those opportunities and like we've seen when the city
9:43 went to mandatory recycling, reducing that recycling waste from the
9:47 stream is less going to the landfill that also has economic impacts
9:51 in that we're not paying to landfill things that could be recycled
9:55 in that case or in this case that could be composted and is
9:59 actually returning back to literally Lakewood's earth potentially,
10:05 things that came from here and how much of that waste is food stream.
10:10 So it's just a win-win and like Councilmember Hamilton-Steiner
10:16 mentioned about with our climate action plan as well that we're
10:19 not just landfilling that waste but that we would also be
10:24 transporting that which is also fuel to be used to be transporting
10:28 it to a landfill and instead it's being repurposed in a much more
10:33 climate-friendly way.
10:34 So great to see this initiative move forward.
10:37 I also want to thank the citizens who first brought this to our
10:41 It's been an ongoing effort but with the compost committee at our
10:45 community conversations last summer that brought this up as something
10:49 that they'd like to see expanding our ability to compost in the
10:54 city and very excited to see that discussion continue to bear fruit
10:59 and show that we really do take that input from residents seriously.
11:05 With that input from residents, we do have someone signed in to speak.
11:09 So on this topic, which is Zoe Apestorf.
11:21 You can push the button so it turns green.
11:25 Thank you for having me this evening.
11:27 Many of the names that have already been mentioned are names that I
11:32 also want to uplift.
11:33 That's Keep Liquid, Beautiful, the Composting Consortium and all of
11:36 you who I stand in front of tonight.
11:38 All of this work that has been done that you are championing is work
11:43 that's been done without a state or federal mandate.
11:48 This puts you ahead of the other cities, the other states in naming
11:53 composting as what's important to you and to the residents.
11:57 I want to share that just a few diversion statistics and I'll let you
12:01 on your evening that since the inception of the program, both
12:05 residential and commercial waste that's been collected, totals 646
12:10 tons of food scraps that have been kept out of the landfill.
12:16 It's with our partners in Rathlin Soils, Rid All Green Partnership
12:22 and Kurt's Brothers that these food scraps are transformed into nutrient
12:27 rich compost and soil that as many people do today get back into their
12:33 gardens and that we've been working with farmers and cultivators
12:37 across the region to transform back into food that then comes back
12:42 onto our plates and into the very restaurants that compost with us.
12:50 Of this tonnage, this equals 2,871 cubic yards of soil.
12:57 It's a real feat and I just commend you on what you're doing
13:02 and what you're putting forward tonight.
13:04 Thank you for all of your hard work, Councilperson Hamilton-Steiner
13:08 and to everybody here this evening as well.
13:19 That's the only person that I see signing to speak.
13:21 Did anyone else want to speak on this issue?
13:25 So we have a motion a second to adopt the resolution.
13:29 Assuming that it passes, given the remarks that were just made,
13:33 we will do a quick photo down front.
13:36 Anyone who would like to join us up front for that photo is welcome to.
13:40 And then we'll get on with the rest of the meeting.
13:43 And after that too, if you wish to stay for the rest of the meeting,
13:47 if this is what you're here for, you of course are very welcome.
13:50 But it is also not rude to leave quietly after the picture as well.
13:54 So we will not be offended.
13:56 So we have a motion and a second to adopt the resolution.
14:00 All those in favor?
14:02 And that motion passes.
14:04 We'll do a quick photo down front.
16:24 On to the next thing.
16:40 Item one report from Housing Planning and Development Committee meeting
16:44 held April 27th, 2026.
16:47 So that is Council Member Evans.
16:49 Dear colleagues, Housing Planning and Development can be met on April 27th
16:54 to kick off a conversation about affordable housing in our city.
16:57 We are joined by Planned Director Byneton and her team,
17:00 who delivered a thought-provoking presentation
17:02 about affordable housing in our city.
17:06 We are joined by Planned Director Byneton and her team,
17:09 who delivered a thoughtful presentation about the current status
17:12 of the city's housing-related programs and resources
17:14 and how they relate to affordable housing.
17:16 The city is fortunate to receive federal funds
17:18 that support a number of housing-related efforts.
17:20 These funds are used for a variety of purposes,
17:22 ranging from development of new housing,
17:24 helping homeowners to maintain their existing homes,
17:26 and assisting vulnerable individuals with rental assistance
17:29 to prevent homelessness.
17:31 Planned Department staff discussed the impacts and outcomes
17:34 of these programs and flagged opportunities
17:36 for how the city can further maximize and improve upon them.
17:40 The Planning Department acknowledged systemic challenges
17:43 that have limited the city from being more impactful,
17:46 such as the strict regulatory and income eligibility restrictions
17:49 attached to the federally funded programs,
17:51 as well as the market environment.
17:54 Council members and members of the public asked questions
17:56 and offered ideas to further the cause of affordable housing.
17:59 Council members expressed agreement
18:01 that landlord education sessions
18:03 should return to City Hall in person
18:05 and that the city should attempt to resume conversation
18:07 with landlords about accepting housing vouchers.
18:10 As Council Member Baker articulated during the meeting,
18:13 council members can help move this conversation forward
18:15 in the community by helping residents make a connection
18:17 between welcoming density and affordable housing.
18:20 Without welcoming new housing into our community,
18:22 demand will continue to outpace supply,
18:24 and affordable housing will remain elusive.
18:27 I hope that our upcoming zoning code update
18:29 will also help in this regard.
18:31 The Housing Planning Development Committee
18:33 will meet again to follow up on this important topic,
18:36 and I'll add that we hope to do this in the community
18:38 with the support from the Planning Department.
18:40 I'll make a motion to receive and file this report.
18:45 Motion's been made and seconded.
18:49 Hearing none, all those in favor?
18:51 And that motion passes.
18:53 Item two, report from Committee of the Whole
18:55 meeting held today, May 4th, 2026.
18:59 Colleagues, Committee of the Whole met earlier this evening
19:03 Discussed two, there were two main topics.
19:07 The first was Ordinance 19-2026,
19:10 which is part of the Charter Review Commission's
19:13 recommendations regarding establishing a process
19:17 by which the city redistricts the four wards.
19:21 We discussed how the four wards were established
19:24 by Ordinance in 1971,
19:26 and have not been changed since,
19:29 and the importance of having a process
19:32 that is more neutral and follows certain best practices,
19:40 such as the wards being contiguous.
19:44 To avoid gerrymandering,
19:46 council members generally expressed enthusiasm
19:48 for establishing a process.
19:50 In the charter, we did discuss the specifics
19:54 of the language of the ordinance.
19:57 A motion was made and passed to remove Section 1,
20:01 which would have had the first redistricting process
20:07 begin for the terms to begin in 2028.
20:11 And then again, the second part of the Section 2
20:15 would have the process happen again in 2030.
20:18 So we moved Section 1 for the first time
20:22 to have it happen in 2028,
20:24 since that would only be a two-year difference
20:29 and be in the middle of the terms.
20:32 And then it was also discussed about
20:36 whether the Planning Commission was the correct body to review
20:41 and whether it was appropriate for their recommendations
20:45 to go into effect without any action
20:49 by a body that is accountable to voters.
20:52 It was also discussed that elected officials
20:55 can't be accountable to voters
20:57 if we can gerrymander our way out of them being our voters.
21:01 So it was discussed to...
21:03 We kept the ordinance in committee
21:05 and will continue to work on the language
21:07 with the idea that we may change it
21:09 so that the recommendations from the Citizen Advisory Board,
21:14 in this case currently listed as the Planning Commission,
21:17 shall go into effect unless counsel takes action,
21:21 and if so, following the same best practices
21:23 that the Charter Review Commission laid out.
21:27 The second part, we entered executive session
21:30 for the purposes of an update from the law department
21:34 regarding pending litigation.
21:39 And I will move to receive and file that oral report.
21:43 Motion's been made and seconded.
21:47 Hearing none, all those in favor?
21:51 Item three, Ordinance 22, 2026,
21:54 an ordinance to take effect immediately authorizing
21:56 the transfer in advance of certain funds.
22:09 Item four, Ordinance 23, 2026,
22:12 an ordinance to take effect immediately authorizing
22:14 the transfer in advance of certain funds.
22:18 Motion's been made and seconded.
22:21 Hearing none, all those in favor?
22:24 And that motion passes.
22:26 Item five, Ordinance 24, 2026,
22:29 an ordinance to take effect immediately to approve
22:31 the editing and inclusion of the Charter Review Commission
22:34 Ordinance 24, 2026,
22:36 an ordinance to take effect immediately to approve
22:38 the editing and inclusion of certain ordinances
22:40 as part of the various component codes
22:42 of the codified ordinances and to provide
22:44 for the publication of such new matter.
22:51 We're gonna move, first I'm gonna move to substitute.
22:55 Motion's been made and seconded.
22:58 The substitute just includes some changes
23:01 that happened at the last council meeting
23:03 which were quick fixes that we just wanted
23:08 to make sure we got in on this batch of codification.
23:14 Alright, any discussion?
23:16 Hearing none, on the motion to substitute,
23:18 all those in favor?
23:20 And that motion passes.
23:25 Okay, and then this is only,
23:29 we're gonna move to defer to have another reading.
23:32 Motion's been made and seconded.
23:35 Hearing none, all those in favor?
23:38 And that motion passes.
23:40 Item six, ordinance 25, 2026,
23:42 an ordinance to take effect immediately authorizing
23:44 and directing the mayor to enter into an agreement
23:46 with Help Foundation Inc. for the operation
23:48 of food concessions at Lakewood Park
23:50 and Madison Park pursuant to section 150508
23:53 of the codified ordinances.
23:57 Motion's been made and seconded.
23:58 We're deferring on this because it has been referred
24:00 to Public Works and Sustainability
24:02 and that meeting hasn't happened yet,
24:04 so that is coming up soon
24:06 and this will be again on the next docket.
24:09 Any further discussion?
24:11 Okay, on the motion to defer,
24:13 all those in favor?
24:15 And that motion passes.
24:16 Item nine, communication from President Keppel
24:18 regarding charter amendments connected
24:20 to ranked choice voting.
24:24 This is rather lengthy,
24:26 but I thought it was important to get it
24:28 on the docket so that they,
24:31 well, I'll just read it and you'll see.
24:34 So, dear colleagues,
24:36 I'm writing to provide background and clarity
24:38 about the interconnected nature
24:40 of three charter amendment topics
24:42 currently before Committee of the Whole.
24:44 The Charter Review Commission's final report
24:46 included six areas on which the commission
24:48 focused their review.
24:50 Those six topics were manner of amending legislation,
24:53 charter amendments addressing the process
24:55 for getting on the ballot,
24:56 ranked choice voting in the primary election,
24:58 salaries of elected officials,
25:00 council appointment process,
25:02 and ward redistricting.
25:04 As you know, at our March 16th Committee of the Whole
25:06 meeting, two ordinances referred favorably
25:08 back to full council.
25:10 Those were manner of amending legislation
25:12 and the charter amendments.
25:14 Three of the topics remaining in committee,
25:16 ranked choice voting in the primary election,
25:18 salaries of elected officials,
25:20 and council appointment process,
25:22 are interconnected and further explained below.
25:24 Ranked choice voting in the primary election.
25:26 As you know, ranked choice voting
25:28 was one of the topics investigated
25:30 by the Charter Review Commission's CRC
25:32 and was included in their six charter amendment
25:34 recommendations to council.
25:36 The CRC's final report to city council
25:38 submitted July 1st, 2024, states,
25:40 the majority of commission members
25:42 are supportive of the city adopting
25:44 ranked choice voting in the near future,
25:46 but given the uncertainty about the timeline
25:48 needed to implement this overhaul
25:50 and potential legal and legislative threats
25:52 to implementation, the commission decided
25:54 to recommend providing the city
25:56 with the authority but allow council
25:58 the greatest flexibility possible.
26:02 The proposed amended language
26:04 in exhibit F of the CRC's final report
26:06 states that council shall
26:08 by ordinance adopt either plurality voting
26:10 as described in section 9.1C
26:12 or ranked choice voting as described
26:16 as the method for the election of the
26:18 officers provided for in this charter.
26:20 The CRC's final report alluded
26:22 to legal and legislative threats
26:24 to RCV implementation.
26:26 One such threat that was discussed
26:28 at the July 7th, 2025
26:30 committee of the whole was
26:32 Ohio Senate Bill 63, which
26:34 states, if the secretary of state
26:36 determines that a county or municipal
26:38 corporation has by resolution
26:40 or ordinance approved the use of ranked choice
26:42 voting or instant runoff voting
26:44 in a primary election, then the county
26:46 or municipal corporation is
26:48 ineligible to receive any local government
26:50 fund distributions from the
26:52 state during the period beginning with the month
26:54 following the adoption of the resolution or ordinance
26:56 and ending with the month following the
26:58 last day is in effect.
27:00 At that committee of the whole meeting, councilmembers
27:02 received copies of an analysis
27:04 produced by the Ohio Legislative Service
27:08 nonpartisan agency providing
27:10 the Ohio General Assembly with drafting,
27:12 research, budget, and fiscal
27:14 analysis, training, and other service,
27:16 reporting to the website. That analysis
27:18 dated March 26, 2025,
27:20 prior to the bill's final passage,
27:22 addresses a variety of questions,
27:24 including whether under SB 63,
27:26 a city would lose local government
27:28 funds from the state if it
27:30 adopted a charter amendment approving the use
27:32 of RCV. The analysis
27:34 states that a reviewing court
27:36 might find that if the electors of a city
27:38 approved a charter provision requiring
27:40 ranked choice voting, that action would
27:42 not qualify as approving the use of ranked
27:44 choice voting by resolution or ordinance
27:46 for purposes of the bill and therefore
27:48 would not trigger the loss of LGF
27:50 funds. In response to
27:52 a question from council at the same committee of
27:54 the whole meeting, the law department stated
27:56 if we wanted to do this and to comply
27:58 with what's before the House bill, the lower
28:00 risk is to do it by charter and amend
28:02 the charter to allow for ranked choice voting
28:04 and take the issue directly to the people
28:06 assuming the bill holds up.
28:08 Considering this analysis and discussion,
28:12 was drafted and then introduced on
28:16 with the intention of mediating risk
28:18 by taking the decision about ranked choice voting
28:20 directly to the people through charter amendment
28:22 rather than ordinance and it includes
28:24 a severability clause stating
28:26 if any provision of this amendment or
28:28 the application of any provision of this amendment
28:30 to any person, office, or circumstance
28:32 is held to be unconstitutional
28:34 or may result in the loss of state
28:36 funding per state law, such
28:38 provisions shall become null and void until
28:40 the relevant constitutional infirmity or state law
28:42 is removed. On March
28:46 Governor DeWine signed Senate Bill
28:50 Now that the bill has been passed,
28:52 the question before council is which,
28:54 if any, legislative option to adopt
28:56 ranked choice voting. Following
28:58 this communication is legislation
29:00 as provided by the law department based on
29:02 the original recommendation of CRC
29:04 and I intend to make a motion to refer it to
29:06 COW as part of our deliberation on this
29:08 question. If ranked choice voting
29:10 were adopted either directly
29:12 by voters into the charter or by
29:14 council via ordinance, it would eliminate
29:16 the need for the primary. According
29:18 to the final report, the CRC
29:20 decided to recommend that council
29:22 have the authority to determine if the primary
29:24 election should be held in May, September,
29:26 or not at all if the option for ranked choice
29:28 voting, also referred to as instant
29:30 runoff, is adopted as recommended
29:32 by the commission and enacted
29:34 by council. The current language
29:36 of Article 9 of the charter
29:38 places municipal elections on the first
29:40 Tuesday after the first Monday in November
29:42 with the primary on the second Tuesday
29:44 in September prior and requires that
29:46 candidates file not later than the 90th day
29:48 before the primary election.
29:50 The language of both Ordinance 21-2026
29:52 and Ordinance 27-26
29:54 list the filing deadline
29:56 as 90 days before the municipal
29:58 election if RCV is adopted,
30:00 moving it to early August instead of June
30:02 as it is currently.
30:04 Salaries of elected officials.
30:06 The current charter language in sections
30:08 2.3 council salaries and 3.5
30:10 salary of the mayor states the
30:12 salaries for each must be adopted not less
30:14 than 30 days prior to the filing deadline
30:16 for the office. Current section
30:18 6.7 salary recommendation
30:20 lays out a deadline by which
30:22 the civil service commission must make
30:24 salary recommendations to council.
30:26 If council takes no action or
30:28 fails to decline to follow the suggestions
30:30 within 90 days, the recommendation
30:32 shall take effect as if council had adopted
30:34 them. If RCV were to
30:36 eliminate the primary and move the filing
30:38 deadline to early August instead of June,
30:40 then the civil service commission deadline
30:42 could be moved to early April to
30:44 allow for the combined 120
30:48 CRC made a variety of recommendations
30:50 regarding council and mayoral salaries
30:52 including changing the frequency of salary
30:54 surveys conducted by the civil
30:56 service commission. The commission also
30:58 noted that the mayoral elections and council
31:00 ward elections are three years after the timing
31:02 of the salary survey under the current
31:04 charter provisions. Because
31:06 municipal officials are prohibited from
31:08 receiving increases during current terms
31:10 in the current charter section
31:12 6.7 places review an even year
31:14 presidential elections,
31:16 then there is a minimum three year
31:18 delay in any salary increase recommended
31:20 by civil service commission from taking effect
31:22 for the mayor and ward council members
31:24 in a minimum one year delay for council
31:26 members at large. Ordinance
31:28 16, 2026 as before committee
31:30 of the whole would move the review to
31:32 March 1st of each outnumbered year
31:34 which would align with municipal elections
31:36 and allow for implementation in the following even
31:38 year term. Should RCV
31:40 not be adopted and the filing deadline
31:42 remain in June, the 120 day
31:44 window moves to early February.
31:46 Given that civil service commission appointments
31:48 typically occur in January, this may not
31:50 be practical. CRC's
31:52 exhibit A contemplated July 1st
31:54 of each even numbered year.
31:56 Finally, council appointment process.
31:58 CRC recommended adding language to
32:00 section 2.2B to codify
32:02 the current tradition of council posting
32:04 an open call for applicants and holding
32:06 public interviews following application review.
32:08 Currently this section also states
32:10 that if a council vacancy occurs
32:12 more than two years and 120 days
32:14 before the municipal primary election from the
32:16 next term of that office, the appointee
32:18 shall serve only until his or her
32:20 successor is elected and qualified
32:22 at the next regular municipal election.
32:26 contemplates tying this
32:28 section to the filing deadline
32:30 rather than a primary which could be eliminated
32:32 with RCV. I'll move
32:34 to refer this communication to Committee
32:36 of the Whole. Second. Motion
32:38 has been made and second. Thank
32:40 you for bearing with me through that entire
32:42 long thing, but you can imagine how long
32:44 it took to draft it as well.
32:46 So I thought it was
32:48 important to do this so that both
32:50 council members and
32:52 the law department have a chance to
32:54 think about how all of these
32:56 things are interconnected and be prepared to
32:58 talk about them at our next
33:00 meeting. Our choice on one
33:02 affects the others. I also
33:04 wanted to get it on the docket so that
33:06 members of the public could fully understand
33:08 all the different elements that play
33:10 here and how they're connected to each other.
33:12 If you can understand all that, it's a lot
33:16 All right. So we have a motion to second to
33:18 refer to Committee of the Whole. Any further
33:22 All right. Hearing none, all those
33:24 in favor? Aye. And that motion
33:26 passes. Item 10, ordinance
33:28 27, 2026, an ordinance
33:30 to take effect immediately submitting to the
33:32 electors of the city of Lakewood an amendment
33:34 to the third amended charter,
33:36 the city of Lakewood, in order to allow council
33:38 the option of implementing ranked choice
33:40 voting. I move to refer to Committee of the
33:42 Whole. Second. Motion has been
33:44 made and seconded. Discussion?
33:46 Madam President. Councilman Bullock. So
33:48 first, thank you for all the work on this in
33:50 the previous communication, and I'll
33:52 reread it and reread it carefully
33:54 and it's a good reference.
33:56 So this version before us
34:02 I just welcome a little
34:04 dialogue on the intent
34:08 the leader putting this
34:10 on and then referring to Committee
34:12 of the Whole the idea that this is
34:14 an amended version that you think could be successful
34:16 within the legal strictures
34:18 of what the state has
34:22 I'll summarize kind
34:24 of my whole long thing that I just did
34:26 in a hopefully more easily to understand
34:28 way. So the version that's currently in
34:30 Committee of the Whole would be
34:34 voters would directly vote yes
34:36 or no on ranked choice voting, which is
34:38 and then it has the severability
34:40 clause, so that's one way to go about it.
34:42 This version, this ordinance
34:44 is doing it the way the Charter
34:46 Review Commission had suggested
34:48 and that was before
34:50 the bill passed, but they
34:52 were thinking about all that
34:54 and so this version would
34:56 the voters, if voters would
34:58 vote to give council the option
35:00 to adopt ranked choice voting by ordinance
35:02 or resolution, which
35:10 so the intention is
35:12 to put these both in Committee of the Whole
35:14 so we can have a full dialogue
35:16 and be looking at these
35:18 two versions side by side and discuss
35:20 the legal ramifications and then
35:22 how, which if either
35:24 council wants to move
35:26 forward with. So one way
35:30 if this ordinance were adopted
35:32 we would go to the voters to say
35:34 yes, we want to give council the option to adopt
35:36 ranked choice voting. If the one that's
35:38 currently in Committee were adopted
35:40 we would go to the voters to say
35:42 yes, we want ranked choice voting
35:44 and it would not be up to council.
35:50 I'm introducing both not
35:52 to suggest that this should be a substitute
35:54 for the other, but rather so that
35:56 we can have a full discussion
35:58 of the options and the ramifications.
36:00 Okay, thank you Madam President.
36:02 If I, a little more dialogue. So
36:04 your goal is to give the Committee
36:06 of the Whole, and by extension all of council
36:08 two viable options to consider.
36:10 You prefer not to have
36:12 the state's decision
36:14 be the end of the road for the community,
36:16 but give people the opportunity
36:18 on council to put this
36:20 forward to the voters and the voters have a chance to vote.
36:24 you know, we've discussed this before
36:26 with Charter View Commission
36:30 and made their recommendations to us and so
36:32 we need, I feel like we deserve
36:34 they deserve for us to give
36:38 topics a full hearing.
36:40 So this way we have
36:42 and I find it easier to actually look
36:46 and rather than just discuss
36:48 concepts, I think a lot of us conceptually
36:50 support rank choice
36:52 voting, I know I do, but
36:54 then as we had the discussion earlier
36:56 today in Committee of the Whole about
36:58 redistricting which is
37:00 potentially simpler, but still as we get into
37:02 the weeds on that it gets complicated as
37:04 we get into the weeds on that it gets complicated as
37:06 you go through this process of
37:08 redistricting the Charter, so look at what the specific
37:10 language of any option is
37:12 through the legislative process.
37:14 So final response for me
37:16 there's a number of Council
37:18 members, it seems that yourself included, that feel
37:20 very passionately about this, I
37:22 admire the amount of work and thank you
37:24 for the good due diligence.
37:26 For me it's somewhere in the middle
37:30 that this is something that I
37:32 Council and the community options, I will say something I said in committee before this
37:39 meeting that it's also a valid choice for the Charter Review Commission to look at
37:45 options for reform and choose not to propose something, because sometimes when you're
37:50 looking at the most enduring document for any government, or you could come up with
37:57 any organization, restraint or a little bit of diligent caution about how much we amend
38:04 is also called for. So I look forward to the discussion, come to it with an open mind.
38:10 I will say I've never had any member of the community come up to me and say, we got
38:15 to do ranked choice voting. The people who have been the leaders on this have
38:18 been the Charter Review Commission members, and they count, of course, too. But to me,
38:26 this is a maybe. I really appreciate the thoughtful research. We do have a situation
38:33 here where we're potentially inviting direct conflict with the state. The state has
38:38 made a partisan issue out of this, because I think they've cited an example where
38:44 a different political party had success in Alaska, and therefore this, you see what I mean?
38:50 So what we're talking about here is trying to have a thoughtful, potential edit to
38:55 the city's charter that then potentially puts us in direct conflict with the state.
39:01 And the state, I don't know if, is as fair-minded about things at times when
39:08 it comes to this. And I understand what the spirit of this option is, is that in a legal
39:17 sense and in a legislative crafting sense, it wouldn't be a literal conflict.
39:26 But to me, that's part of what I approach this discussion with is, is it prudent
39:35 and is it needed and is it worthwhile to do this? And maybe the answer is yes, but I thought
39:42 I'd want to put that out there, that to me there's a little bit of prudence on the side
39:47 of being cautious about making big changes to the charter that then lead to a series
39:54 of conflictual actions. So I guess I could have held my remarks for the Committee
39:59 as a whole, but I thought it wouldn't be as good a time as anything.
40:05 Yeah, I mean, that's, as I said in the lengthy communication, is that the question
40:13 before Council is which, if either, to adopt. And it is also, you know, like I said,
40:21 we don't have to adopt any of the Charter Commission's recommendations, but I do think
40:28 we owe it to them to fully discuss them. Yeah. And also, it's a chance for, you know,
40:35 I will say that I have had members of the public, residents, advocate for rank choice
40:40 voting. In fact, I'm seeing one in the audience currently, so that have advocated
40:46 for this. So it is also an opportunity for the public and that's something that
40:51 as they continue to try to reach out to the public to get them to engage on
40:55 Charter is to hopefully give us their feedback in advance to tell us, yes,
41:01 we do want this on the ballot or no, we don't care if we put this on the ballot
41:05 or please don't. So it is an opportunity for us to hear from them as well
41:09 to have these public meetings. So all right, so any further discussion
41:15 on the motion to refer this ordinance to Committee as a whole? Hearing none,
41:20 all those in favor, aye, and that motion passes. Item 11, communication from
41:25 President Keppel regarding August recess. All right, dear colleagues,
41:31 with this communication, I propose that Council recess from its regular meetings
41:34 for the month of August. Barring extenuating circumstances,
41:38 I also encourage committee chairs to refrain from scheduling committee
41:41 meetings during August and instead spend time connecting with the
41:45 community. An August recess has been part of Council's customary schedule
41:49 for many decades and one that I believe results in members, directors,
41:53 and staff returning to Council chambers refreshed and refocused on our
41:57 work together. In accordance with Lakewood Codified Ordinance 12103C,
42:02 I intend to call a vote on the question of recessing from the
42:05 August 3rd and August 17th regular meetings of Council. I'll first
42:10 move to receive and file that communication. Second. Motion's been
42:13 made and seconded. Discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor, aye,
42:19 and then I'm going to move to recess from the August 3rd and 17th
42:23 regular meetings. Second. Motion's been made and seconded. Discussion?
42:28 Just add, you know, August, we do have, we were successful
42:33 miraculously recently in finding dates for our four Council community
42:38 conversations this summer, so lest anyone think that we're going to
42:42 totally be on break, we're taking our recess to go out into the
42:45 community somewhat, too, and come back hopefully refreshed in the
42:48 fall. Vice President Baker. And also those of us with kids,
42:52 it's basically like the, you know, the Thunderdome of parenting
42:56 when summer, you know, like camps end and school starts on
42:59 random days of the week, so we appreciate it as parents think.
43:04 Council Member Hamilton Steiner. And there's always block parties,
43:08 so you can always hang out at the block parties in August.
43:13 Local block parties and Madison Court Community Coalition parties.
43:17 All right. Any further discussion?
43:20 All right. On the motion, the second to recess from August 3rd
43:23 and 17th, regular council meetings. All those in favor, aye,
43:26 and that motion passes.
43:29 Item 12, report from Council Member Hamilton Steiner regarding
43:32 Leswab meeting held April 15th, 2026. Council Member Hamilton
43:36 Steiner. Thank you, President Keppel. Dear colleagues, Leswab met
43:39 on Wednesday, April 15th at 6 p.m. in their monthly meeting
43:42 location of the East Conference Room in Lakewood City Hall.
43:45 Leswab was joined by student journalists from Lakewood High
43:48 School who were writing an article for the student
43:50 newspaper, The Lakewood Times, which since inclusion of
43:53 this docket item has been published, so you can look
43:56 for that. The students were looking to learn more about
43:59 Leswab and the Leswab meetings. The students asked great
44:02 questions and the board members were happy to respond to
44:04 questions and engage with the students.
44:07 ACL Cremley provided his monthly update for the animal
44:09 shelter. The shelters work in a new website, but needs
44:12 more time for the public facing portion of the website.
44:15 When the website is live, there will be the ability to
44:16 cross-reference registered animals with impounded
44:19 animals. Additional discussion occurred around the Lakewood
44:21 Animal Shelter policies regarding nuisance animals and
44:24 how the shelter calms cats. Suggestions were made regarding
44:28 handling of cat behavior and a member offered to provide
44:30 training to animal control officers. Other conversation
44:33 occurred around the perception that some may have
44:36 regarding the Lakewood Animal Shelter and its current
44:38 operational structure and how to better educate the
44:41 public regarding this perception. Saturday, May 9th
44:44 is the Leswab Pet Food Drive at the City Center Park,
44:47 Marks Plaza from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This drive will
44:50 support Lakewood Community Services Center, LCSC, to
44:53 provide pet food to families to help in fulfilling
44:56 their pet food needs. Food can be dropped off during
44:58 that time frame and all donations will go to LCSC.
45:01 Please consider donating as you're able. Your donations
45:04 make a difference. Find me and I move to receive and file
45:08 this communication. Second. Motion has been made and
45:11 seconded. Discussion. Thank you for that thoughtful
45:14 report. I'm hearing no further discussion. All those
45:18 in favor, aye, and that motion passes.
45:21 13. Communication from Public Works Director Gordon regarding
45:24 2026 Public Works Week.
45:28 Thank you, dear President Keppel, members of City Council.
45:31 The following is a resolution proclaiming the week of
45:33 May 17th through the 23rd, 2026, as National Public
45:38 Works Week. The American Public Works Association is
45:41 proud to announce the theme, Rooted in Service, Powered
45:43 by Community, for the 2026 National Public Works Week.
45:48 This year's theme, Rooted in Service, Powered by
45:50 Community, acknowledges that the roots of service run
45:56 deep in public works. It's what has propelled public
45:58 works innovations that have helped our communities
46:01 evolve into places where people can lead lives of
46:04 purpose and possibility. Meeting the needs of residents
46:07 is what gives public works its sense of purpose.
46:10 Many times, public works professionals will never meet
46:13 those whose lives have been impacted. Yet, with or
46:16 without fanfare, public works is ever-present, working
46:19 in the background to advance quality of life for all.
46:22 These professionals continue to provide essential services
46:25 that leads the City of Lakewood to be a healthier,
46:27 happier, more vibrant community. The City of Lakewood
46:31 public works professionals provide an infrastructure of
46:33 services in water distribution, wastewater collection,
46:37 wastewater treatment plant, parks and properties, street
46:40 maintenance, forestry, fleet maintenance, refuse and
46:43 recycling, and engineering. They are what makes Lakewood
46:46 a dynamic place to live and work.
46:50 I kindly ask that City Council adapt the attached
46:53 resolution to join me in celebrating the quiet work
46:56 these professionals do that makes life better for all
46:59 Lakewood residents. Please let me know if you have any
47:04 Thank you. I'll move to receive and file that communication.
47:08 Motion has been made and seconded. Discussion?
47:12 Hearing none. All those in favor? Aye. And that motion
47:15 passes. Item 14, resolution 2026-29, a resolution to
47:20 take effect immediately, recognizing May 17, 2026 through
47:24 May 23, 2026 as National Public Works Week. Move to
47:28 adopt. Second. Motion has been made and seconded. Discussion?
47:33 Councilman Bixenstein.
47:36 Thank you President Keppel. Just wanted to say that when
47:39 you're a new City Councilperson, you learn really
47:42 fast just how important the public works department is
47:46 and how they essentially kind of serve as an engine
47:49 for the whole city and so very grateful to Director
47:52 Gordon and his team and thank you for bringing this
47:56 to our attention and happy to celebrate, celebrate this
48:02 Thank you. Other Council members? Councilman Boett?
48:05 Thank you Madam President. So Director Gordon, if any
48:08 department deserves thanks, it's the public works department.
48:11 Not that the others don't, but I bet you are tied for
48:16 first with public safety for the number of calls you get
48:19 and maybe you get more one-on-one calls and most of
48:23 them have to be followed up with with graffiti cleaner
48:27 or cold patch or any number of things and if you
48:31 recall when you were first before us for introductory
48:36 hearing before you were sworn in as public works director,
48:39 we said you've got the biggest span of all responsibilities
48:45 of any department in the city and I'm curious as to
48:48 whether that's borne out, but for sure you're even
48:52 even if you've got a different view of that your employees
48:55 deserve our thanks and I'm glad to vote for this day.
49:01 Councilmember Evans.
49:02 Thank you Madam President. One of the things I'm always
49:05 most impressed with is with public works is I think
49:07 they start every day with a script and that script
49:09 is usually broken by like maybe 10 a.m.
49:11 You know, we all think of things that happen on time
49:14 throughout the city and then we expect to be there,
49:16 but every day something different pops up. That's
49:18 you know, a small and large challenges. So to be
49:20 able to juggle all that and make sure you know, the
49:22 big thing gets done and the stuff we expect that
49:24 gets done on time that always happens. So certainly
49:27 happy to celebrate and appreciate you guys.
49:31 Councilmember Strubing. Thank you. I'd like to
49:32 add my thank you also to the public works department
49:36 and director Gordon for your continued excellence
49:40 in serving the residents of our community to
49:42 keep us clean and functioning. Thank you very much.
49:45 Councilmembers. I'll echo all of those sentiments
49:52 and say that while most of what public works
49:57 does is probably not recognized as much as it
50:01 should be, we do get compliments on the regular
50:06 about various public works departments.
50:08 I certainly hear that a lot from residents
50:11 and that that's one of the reasons that they
50:13 choose to live in Lakewood is because of the
50:14 excellent service that they receive. So thank you
50:17 director Gordon team and happy to support this.
50:21 All right. Any further discussion? Hearing none
50:25 on the motion to adopt all those in favor.
50:29 And that motion passes.
50:30 Item 15. April 2026 finance department vendor
50:34 report submitted pursuant to Lakewood codified
50:36 ordinance 11103. Move to receive and file.
50:40 Motion's been made and seconded. Any discussion?
50:43 Hearing none. All those in favor. I and that motion
50:48 All right. We are at public comments.
50:52 I do have one person signed in to speak,
50:54 but I think she may have left Patty DeVilla.
51:03 All right. And we also have welcome back Chris
51:15 It is May 4th, so you're just appropriately, you know,
51:18 oddly enough. I found a way to tie that in,
51:22 So looking over the the new version of the RCB
51:27 ordinance, it does fit more closely aligned to
51:31 what was originally brought up by the Charter
51:34 Committee. The only issue is if it goes to the
51:39 voters and it is passed, we still don't have
51:41 rank choice voting because it doesn't work within
51:43 the framework of SB 63. So I think that's going
51:48 to be quite confusing to residents.
51:52 I mean, it's still an option if for some reason
51:54 we think we absolutely cannot do the version
51:57 that is currently in the committee.
51:59 But I do think a lot of residents would be
52:03 kind of confused if they go voting for rank
52:04 choice voting and then finding out that we still
52:07 don't have rank choice voting.
52:09 So I think that's an important thing to consider
52:11 when kind of weighing these two options.
52:16 I think it should kind of be like the last
52:17 resort option if we just can't do it.
52:20 I do want to remind you that there is the
52:22 severability clause in the former version.
52:27 I'm not a lawyer, so I can't speak to how well
52:32 that will work in certain situations with state
52:34 government. It seems like it could be a really
52:37 good option for our city though.
52:41 Could there be a way that the state goes
52:43 after us directly? Possibly, but again, I'm
52:46 I'm not sure how that will work out.
52:48 So that's things for you as a committee
52:51 to discuss and try and figure that out
52:53 and weigh those options.
52:57 And so this is where I'm going to take a
52:59 step back from Lakewood.
53:00 I like to try and keep things local.
53:04 You know, we're here to talk about Lakewood
53:05 and we want to do things that are best
53:09 But when talking about rank choice voting,
53:11 as much as I do think it is a solution
53:13 for Lakewood, it's also important to
53:16 consider how it impacts the nation.
53:19 We are looking at our democracy crumbling
53:23 We are going from...
53:26 We are about to have an apocalypse of
53:28 gerrymandering, which is going to make
53:30 the nightmare we currently live in look
53:33 And rank choice voting is one of those
53:35 things that can help fight those.
53:37 And I told you I'd bring in the May the
53:39 I was supposed to say this before that,
53:40 but you know, it's a way to fight
53:43 fascism and extreme government and to
53:46 help save our democracy.
53:48 So I think it's important that Lakewood
53:50 take this opportunity to possibly be a
53:52 leader in not only our region, but
53:55 the state and maybe beyond for doing
53:59 what's right and trying to find a
54:01 way to preserve our democracy and
54:04 make it more equal across the board.
54:07 So that's what I have to say.
54:14 Michelle, did you want to speak at
54:20 I really have to say Council and
54:22 Council President and Council Vice
54:24 President, I really appreciate the
54:26 thoughtfulness that has gone into
54:28 I cannot tell you because we're
54:30 dealing with this issue across the
54:32 nation and it's quite refreshing
54:34 whichever way it goes that the
54:37 thoughtfulness to transparency around
54:39 deliberations has been there.
54:41 So I just want to, you know,
54:42 really commend y'all on that and
54:44 to say also about the whole legal
54:46 piece that Chris brought up.
54:47 That's for you guys to discuss
54:49 and I've offered this before but
54:51 I have legal experts lined up who
54:53 are willing to come and be a zoom
54:55 anytime you say so.
54:56 So the types of legal issues we're
54:59 talking about, there are groups out
55:00 there who have done this for years
55:03 and can really talk with the law
55:04 department and sort of help
55:06 navigate some of that.
55:09 I appreciate y'all.
55:12 Barbara, did you want to?
55:19 There's only three of you so I
55:20 figured I'd just ask.
55:22 I just wanted to take the
55:23 opportunity to let the Council
55:26 members know if those who aren't
55:28 already aware that the state of
55:31 the Ohio League of Women Voters
55:33 has endorsed ranked choice voting
55:35 and it's one of the issues
55:39 that the Lakewood chapter is
55:42 intending to prioritize with
55:44 respect to educational outreach.
55:52 So that is everyone who's here
55:54 that could provide public comment.
55:56 Do we have e-comments at all?
55:59 Okay, I don't think no.
56:02 Any announcements from Council members?
56:05 I'll just remind everyone that
56:07 tomorrow is Election Day.
56:09 So if you have not already,
56:10 make sure you get out to vote.
56:11 Polls open at 630 a.m.
56:13 and close at 730 p.m.
56:15 If you have a vote-by-mail ballot
56:18 and want to vote that way,
56:19 it does need to be returned to
56:21 the Board of Elections dropbox
56:24 by the end of Election Day 730 p.m.
56:27 at 1803 Superior Avenue
56:29 here in Cuyahoga County.
56:31 Don't mail it because
56:33 it won't get there in time
56:34 and it won't be counted
56:35 or you can vote in person.
56:38 Council member Stubing.
56:41 On our calendar going forward
56:43 one very, very, very important day
56:45 that you all should remember.
56:47 May 10th is Mother's Day.
56:51 taking care of your mothers.
56:55 The other mothers out there
56:57 anybody that performs acts of mothers.
57:01 It's an important day to say thank you.
57:08 Council member Bixenstein.
57:13 Just wanted to also mention that
57:16 next week is the spring
57:17 Lakewood Spring Hiking Bike Week
57:19 May 11th through 15th.
57:23 school-aged kids pre-K through 5th grade
57:26 to encourage active transportation
57:27 and to consider walking
57:29 and biking to school when able.
57:30 We realize that's not an option for
57:33 So you'll probably see the
57:35 the walking school bus signs
57:36 out more around town
57:39 my council colleagues who are involved
57:42 Bike Lakewood and Lakewood City Schools
57:44 for helping to make that
57:47 initiative possible.
57:50 Any other announcements from Council?
57:52 Vice President Baker.
57:56 required to say that people should
57:59 There's construction
58:01 on both the north and south end
58:03 of Ward 1 with I-90
58:04 and with Eglinton Lake Connector.
58:10 got to maintain the infrastructure.
58:11 Public Works Department is doing a great job.
58:13 So just take a deep breath
58:14 and make a couple minutes available
58:16 and kids are walking to school in Lakewood
58:19 and you know deserve safety
58:20 just as much as you do in a car.
58:21 So just take a deep breath.
58:25 Any Councilman Boyk.
58:26 Thank you Madam President.
58:28 Sorry I wasn't able to participate
58:30 in the Rust Belt Riders
58:32 and the composting recognition.
58:34 Thank you to Councilman Hammons
58:36 and Councilman Evans
58:37 for leading the way on that.
58:42 location where the school board
58:45 they figure into that
58:47 too because there's a green team
58:49 and the kids really participate
58:51 and really get all the teachers
58:53 and all the parents
58:56 and experiencing it
58:57 and they even use compost to grow
58:59 a little vertical wall of
59:01 and everything else.
59:02 and I even made the mistake one time
59:03 of telling my own son like
59:04 well, you know, okay,
59:05 it's one step or something.
59:13 and it's been a real educational
59:17 teaching and learning moment
59:20 So I'm glad that the city is also
59:26 further announcements from council?
59:28 Any announcements from the administration?
59:33 no further business before council.