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Regular Council Meeting — 2026-09-21

Decision notes (reviewed)

Written by the reviewer from the ASR + docket; [verbatim-ASR] = quoted machine transcript; [paraphrase] = reviewer's wording, not a quote.

Per agenda item (official Granicus index → ASR evidence)

0:03I. Pledge of Allegiance
Motion type(s) spoken: — · no passage phrase heard by ASR
    0:22II. Moment of Silence
    Motion type(s) spoken: — · no passage phrase heard by ASR
      0:31III. Roll Call Reading & disposal of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council held September 8, 2026
      Motion type(s) spoken: approve · no passage phrase heard by ASR
      • 0:52 “Move to approve without the necessity of a reading.”
      • 0:54 “Second.”
      • 0:55 “Motion's been made and seconded. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor?”
      1:011. Finance Committee report regarding meeting held Sept. 14, 2026.
      Motion type(s) spoken: — · ASR heard “motion passes”
      • 3:07 “file the communication. Second. Motion has been made and seconded. Any”
      • 1:01 “And that motion passes.”
      • 3:11 “discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor? Aye. And that motion passes. Item”
      3:172. Housing, Planning, & Development Committee meeting report regarding meeting held Sept. 21, 2026. (to be provided)
      Motion type(s) spoken: — · ASR heard “motion passes”
      • 4:22 “a motion to receive and file this report. Second. Motion has been”
      • 4:25 “made and seconded. Any further discussion? Hearing none, all those in”
      • 4:30 “favor? Aye. And that motion passes. Item three, ordinance 40-2025,”
      4:323. ORDINANCE 40-2025 - AN ORDINANCE to take effect immediately provided it receives the vote of at least two thirds of the members of Council, or otherwise to take effect at the earliest period allowed by law, amending or repealing various sections of the
      Motion type(s) spoken: defer · ASR heard “motion passes”
      • 4:44 “Lakewood. I'm gonna move to defer. Second. Motion's been made and”
      • 4:49 “seconded, and just to clarify again that the version of the ordinance”
      • 4:30 “favor? Aye. And that motion passes. Item three, ordinance 40-2025,”
      • 5:38 “those in favor? Aye. And that motion passes. Item four, report”
      5:434. Report from Vice President Baker regarding September meeting of the LakewoodAlive Board of Directors.
      Motion type(s) spoken: — · ASR heard “motion passes”
      • 6:11 “the second round of interviews for a new housing outreach”
      • 8:51 “Second. Motion's been made and seconded.”
      • 8:54 “Discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor?”
      • 8:57 “Aye. And that motion passes. Item five,”
      8:595. Report from Councilmember Bullock regarding 2026 meetings of the Tree Advisory & Education Board.
      Motion type(s) spoken: — · ASR heard “motion passes”
      • 13:12 “you're appointing. I move to”
      • 13:16 “Second. Motion's been made and”
      • 13:18 “seconded. Any discussion? Hearing”
      • 8:57 “Aye. And that motion passes. Item five,”
      • 13:21 “none. All those in favor?”
      13:236. Communication from the Planning Department regarding Public Art Master Plan.
      Motion type(s) spoken: receive and file · ASR heard “motion passes”
      • 15:36 “I'll move to receive and file”
      • 15:42 “Second.”
      • 15:43 “Motion's been made and seconded.”
      • 13:21 “none. All those in favor?”
      • 13:23 “And that motion passes.”
      • 13:59 “coupled with recently adopted”
      • 16:56 “All those in favor?”
      • 16:57 “And that motion passes.”
      16:587. RESOLUTION 2026-40 - A RESOLUTION to take effect immediately provided it receives the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the members of Council, or otherwise to take effect at the earliest period allowed by law, to adopt the Public Art Master Pl
      Motion type(s) spoken: refer, substitute · ASR heard “motion passes”
      • 17:12 “I'll first move to substitute”
      • 17:16 “Second.”
      • 17:17 “Motion's been made and seconded.”
      • 17:36 “And then I'll move to refer”
      • 17:39 “Second.”
      • 17:39 “Motion's been made and seconded.”
      • 16:56 “All those in favor?”
      • 16:57 “And that motion passes.”
      17:468. Communication from Director Byington regarding Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grant Application.
      Motion type(s) spoken: receive and file · ASR heard “motion passes”
      • 19:28 “I'll move to receive and file the communication.”
      • 19:32 “Motion's been made and seconded”
      • 17:44 “All those in favor?”
      • 17:45 “And that motion passes.”
      • 21:07 “all those in favor?”
      • 21:09 “And that motion passes.”
      21:109. RESOLUTION 2026-41 - A RESOLUTION to take effect immediately provided it receives the affirmative vote of at least five members of Council, or otherwise to take effect and be in force after the earliest period allowed by law, authorizing the Mayor, Dire
      Motion type(s) spoken: adopt, substitute · ASR heard “motion passes”
      • 21:31 “I'll first move to substitute”
      • 21:36 “Second.”
      • 21:36 “Motion's been made and seconded”
      • 22:04 “All right, so we have a motion and a second”
      • 22:36 “And that motion passes, and I'll move to adopt.”
      • 22:38 “Second.”
      • 22:39 “Motion's been made and seconded.”
      • 21:07 “all those in favor?”
      22:46VI. Public Comment
      Motion type(s) spoken: — · ASR heard “motion passes”
      • 22:43 “Hearing none, all those in favor?”
      • 22:46 “And that motion passes.”
      • 28:14 “without objection we're adjourned.”

      Full ASR transcript

      0:00 All right, we will call to order the full meeting of council. If you're able, please rise for the Pledge of Legion
      0:08 We'll now pause for a moment of silence. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Vice President Baker?
      0:35 Here.
      0:36 Council Member Dixonstein?
      0:37 Here.
      0:38 Council Member Bullock?
      0:39 Here.
      0:40 Council Member Evans?
      0:41 Here.
      0:42 President Keppel?
      0:43 Here.
      0:44 Council Member Hamilton-Steiner?
      0:45 Here.
      0:46 Council Member Striebig?
      0:47 Here.
      0:48 Reading and disposal of the minutes of the regular meeting of council held September
      0:50 8th, 2026.
      0:52 Move to approve without the necessity of a reading.
      0:54 Second.
      0:55 Motion's been made and seconded. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor?
      1:00 Aye.
      1:01 And that motion passes.
      1:02 Item one, finance committee report regarding meeting held September 14th, 2020.
      1:06 Vice President Baker?
      1:09 It's loading, so I intended to read it up there. Thank you. Dear colleagues, finance
      1:21 committee convened on Monday, September 8th to review the 2025 annual comprehensive
      1:26 financial report for the city of Lakewood. Finance committee chose to review the finalized
      1:30 audit and public meeting so that residents could have the opportunity to learn more
      1:33 about the results of the city's audit and also the process. The committee has taken
      1:38 on this responsibility as part of the amendment to the city's code that transfer
      1:41 duties from the former citizen led audit committee to council's finance committee.
      1:47 The committee was joined by Kyle Doherty and Devin Barnard of audit from Zavka and
      1:52 Associates who spoke about the audit process and answered questions along with
      1:55 Director Mahoney. Committee members noted that the primary purpose of the
      2:00 annual audit is not to evaluate the overall financial health of the city, but
      2:03 rather to ensure that the accuracy and compliance with multiple sets.
      2:07 I'm right to this. I don't know what's happening.
      2:15 Basically, the audit was good. It was nice to talk about it.
      2:18 It was a nice policy discussion as well that the audit doesn't necessarily give us
      2:22 insight into bond borrowing capacity, you know, what we're spending money on
      2:28 and simply just indicating that the money that we have appropriated as a
      2:32 council is being spent in an appropriate manner and the
      2:35 administration has appropriate controls in place. I won't read the
      2:40 rest because I can't read from this distance, but I will say that it was
      2:44 It was a good meeting, yeah, and I appreciate the new process with Director
      2:50 Mahoney to have this and the idea is basically if the audit isn't released
      2:55 yet, you can discuss it in executive session to maybe allow for a little
      3:00 bit more candid discussion. I do think having it in public is good though,
      3:04 so residents can understand. With that, I will make a motion to receive and
      3:07 file the communication. Second. Motion has been made and seconded. Any
      3:11 discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor? Aye. And that motion passes. Item
      3:17 two, housing planning and development committee meeting report regarding
      3:21 meeting held September 21st, 2026 today. Councilmember Evans. Thank you,
      3:26 President Keppel. We met this evening before this meeting to discuss
      3:30 ordinance 40-2025, which basically is an update to the codified ordinances
      3:36 that deal with bike infrastructure in the city. So we talk, this is talking
      3:40 a lot about the definitions for different types of bicycles, e-bikes,
      3:45 e-motos, mobility devices, the different types of infrastructure we have,
      3:49 like sidewalk shared paths and on-road infrastructure, and we had a really
      3:54 good discussion about those updates, and I think we're, based on the
      4:00 commentary we had and we heard and from the audience, I think we're very
      4:03 close on this. So a little more work, and I wanna thank the planning
      4:08 department and the case advisory board for all their hard work on this. This
      4:11 is something that folks have been asking us about for quite some time,
      4:16 given the explosion of these types of devices that are happening around
      4:19 the city. So we're happy to be moving forward on this, and I'll make
      4:22 a motion to receive and file this report. Second. Motion has been
      4:25 made and seconded. Any further discussion? Hearing none, all those in
      4:30 favor? Aye. And that motion passes. Item three, ordinance 40-2025,
      4:35 an ordinance to take effect immediately, amending or repealing various
      4:38 sections of the Lakewood codified ordinances, update definitions and
      4:42 regulations related to bicycle infrastructure within the city of
      4:44 Lakewood. I'm gonna move to defer. Second. Motion's been made and
      4:49 seconded, and just to clarify again that the version of the ordinance
      4:55 that we see on the docket today and that was on the docket earlier
      4:59 tonight will not be what we'll be looking at in the future. We'll be
      5:03 having a substitute drafted based on all the discussion that we had
      5:08 and the feedback from case. So we do have several public comments,
      5:14 but I think we've addressed, those will be entered as part of the
      5:16 record, several of them. I think the concerns were addressed in the
      5:22 committee tonight and there may be some others that we'll take a
      5:25 look at too. So that version, we'll look at it again in committee
      5:30 before it'll come back to full council, I'm sure. All right, so we
      5:34 have a motion to defer. Any further discussion? Hearing none, all
      5:38 those in favor? Aye. And that motion passes. Item four, report
      5:44 from Vice President Baker regarding September meeting of the
      5:47 Lakewood Alive Board of Directors. Vice President Baker. Thank you.
      5:51 I have backup now too. Dear colleagues, Lakewood Alive Board
      5:54 of Directors met on September 16th at the Lakewood Public Library
      5:57 for its bi-monthly meeting. The board reviewed the
      6:00 organization's fiscal year 2027 budget, closed out discussion on
      6:04 the 2026 fiscal year and received updates from its committees.
      6:08 Executive Director Joe Higgins reported the organization is in
      6:11 the second round of interviews for a new housing outreach
      6:13 coordinator. The position will place great emphasis on field
      6:17 based housing work and data coordination while continuing
      6:19 the collaborative roles of existing housing staff. The
      6:22 board also approved amendments to its bylaws and code of
      6:24 conduct. The proposed bylaw change were mostly perfunctory
      6:27 administrative. The housing committee continues to evaluate
      6:30 ways Lakewood Alive can respond to practical housing needs
      6:33 in the community. Among the areas under consideration are
      6:35 developing a structural volunteer program to assist
      6:38 residents with limited scope home projects, such as
      6:40 building beds or installing grab bars, while ensuring
      6:44 appropriate screening, liability and safety measures. The
      6:48 committee is also examining barriers facing residents who
      6:50 may want or need transition to different housing
      6:52 arrangements, but lack the resources to do so. The small
      6:55 business committee has efforts to provide direct
      6:57 assistance to Lakewood entrepreneurs and existing
      6:59 businesses. Lakewood Alive has connected 12 businesses or
      7:02 entrepreneurs with partner organizations and services
      7:05 since late July. The committee is also developing a new
      7:07 resource guide to help people understand the steps
      7:10 involved in starting businesses in Lakewood, including
      7:12 who to contact and what resources are available. The
      7:14 Placemaking Design Committee continues to work closely
      7:16 with the city and several initiatives. The committee is
      7:19 exploring potential newsletter or project spotlight series
      7:22 highlighting local projects that have utilized historic
      7:25 tax credits, including projects within the Madison
      7:27 Avenue Historic District, and the committee also plans
      7:29 to reengage with the city this winter regarding
      7:32 2027 walking audits and potential implementation of
      7:35 projects. Additional discussions are underway
      7:37 regarding public art, architectural review board
      7:39 agenda review, and potential pro bono design
      7:42 assistance for small businesses navigating
      7:44 architectural and sign applications. The marketing
      7:46 committee is working to create a more consistent
      7:48 approach, connecting Lakewood Alive's programs,
      7:49 events, volunteers, digital outreach and fundraising.
      7:52 Priorities include improving the social media and video
      7:54 content, refreshing website content and search engine
      7:56 optimization, better managing how digital outreach
      7:59 translate and translates into participation,
      8:02 volunteerism and donations. And the committee will
      8:04 also support the planning and promotion of
      8:06 Loving Lakewood scheduled for February 27, 2027.
      8:10 Lakewood Alive also continues to prepare for
      8:13 several upcoming community events. Volunteers are
      8:15 currently being sought for the Spooky Pooch Parade
      8:17 on October 10th and the citywide Day of Service
      8:19 on November 7th. This year's Day of Service is
      8:22 being approached with a broader community wide
      8:23 opportunity, encouraging residents participate in
      8:26 whatever way is meaningful to them rather than
      8:28 limiting participation to an organized
      8:30 organizational event. Other upcoming events
      8:33 include the Chocolate Walk on October 22nd,
      8:35 Light Up Lakewood on December 5th. I appreciate
      8:38 the community partnership with Lakewood Alive,
      8:40 the city and the broader community. I look forward
      8:41 to continuing to work with the organization and
      8:44 my council colleagues on initiatives to support
      8:45 Lakewood's residents, housing needs, small
      8:47 businesses, neighbors and quality of life. Now I'll
      8:49 make a motion to receive and file that report.
      8:51 Second. Motion's been made and seconded.
      8:54 Discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor?
      8:57 Aye. And that motion passes. Item five,
      9:00 report from Council Member Bullock regarding
      9:02 2026 meetings of the Tree Advisory and Education
      9:05 Board. Council Member Bullock. Thanks Madam
      9:12 President. Dear Mayor and members of council,
      9:14 I'd like to report on the good work of the
      9:17 Tree Advisory and Education Board, which has
      9:19 been diligently working in partnership with the
      9:22 administration and with other members of the
      9:25 community on important urban forestry educational
      9:29 activities. This communication summarizes
      9:32 the work and topics discussed on the agendas
      9:34 from January through September of this year
      9:37 and is intended for Lakewood City Council to
      9:39 provide a clear record of the activities,
      9:42 plans underway and upcoming work and events
      9:44 related to urban forestry and community tree
      9:46 initiatives. I'm not going to try to read
      9:48 this word for word, but as you can see there
      9:53 are tree giveaways. In fact, one's coming up
      9:58 this Saturday, October 3, or a couple of
      10:03 Saturdays from now. The board is pursuing
      10:08 an arboretum certification and to plan,
      10:13 this is not fully accomplished just yet,
      10:16 but to plan one or even more than one
      10:18 locations where we might have an outdoor
      10:21 tree display, but the idea would be that
      10:25 you'd have a number of tree species and
      10:28 then you'd have certified tree arborist
      10:31 volunteers to help educate the public.
      10:34 And we do some of that now in Lakewood Park,
      10:37 but this would really enhance and deepen
      10:43 the knowledge. The tree board was at the
      10:49 community festival recently. We routinely
      10:54 work with Director Gordon and his team
      10:56 in the Division of Streets and Forestry
      10:59 and the arborists on staff, and there's
      11:02 a lot of consultation and kind of advice
      11:06 and reporting back of the facts. That's
      11:08 all working well. There's work to define
      11:14 a program to get tree stewards,
      11:16 which would be closely coordinating
      11:19 with the work I described on the
      11:21 arboretum that is would be in the future
      11:24 because we want to partner with a
      11:26 county-wide agency that's a little
      11:29 busy right now. And then importantly
      11:31 for council members, the committee
      11:34 is serious about framing up for
      11:37 consideration of model tree ordinance
      11:39 that would address how privately-owned
      11:43 trees on the private side of the
      11:45 property line are regulated, maintained,
      11:48 or otherwise. I've committed to, on their
      11:53 behalf, introducing that as a starting
      11:56 point for consideration. And they're
      11:59 working with the Cuyahoga County
      12:00 Board of Health on the research
      12:04 underneath all of that. Experts from
      12:08 the Cuyahoga County Board of Health
      12:09 have already twice participated in
      12:12 recent meetings, and they are also
      12:14 hosting this Friday a, let me just get
      12:20 the name out of it, Cuyahoga County
      12:21 Tree Summit on September 25th. It's
      12:23 right there. I'm going to attend
      12:24 myself. So there's quite a lot going
      12:27 on. I know that Councilwoman
      12:29 Striebig and now Councilman
      12:32 Bixenstein have worked deeply on
      12:34 this board because you served on it
      12:37 and you were a member prior to
      12:39 becoming a council member. So I know
      12:41 there's a lot of appreciation for the
      12:44 work of the committee. So that's a
      12:46 high-level overview, but I also just
      12:48 want to acknowledge that I'm picking
      12:50 up on my writing a keynote, key
      12:54 initiative of note. Actually, excuse
      12:57 me, I already made that point. I'd
      12:58 like to remark that this is an
      13:00 active, informed, committed,
      13:01 energetic, creative, and collegial
      13:02 board that includes work between
      13:04 board members with one another and
      13:05 between the board and the
      13:06 administration. We are well served
      13:08 by this group and it's been my
      13:09 pleasure to represent City Council as
      13:12 you're appointing. I move to
      13:13 receive and file that
      13:14 communication.
      13:16 Second. Motion's been made and
      13:18 seconded. Any discussion? Hearing
      13:21 none. All those in favor?
      13:22 Aye.
      13:23 And that motion passes.
      13:24 Item six, communication from
      13:26 Planning Department regarding
      13:27 Public Art Master Plan.
      13:28 Director Barrington.
      13:31 Thank you, President Keppel and
      13:33 members of City Council. The City
      13:34 of Lakewood was selected as the
      13:36 recipient of a Community Planning
      13:38 Services Program grant from the
      13:40 Cuyahoga County Planning
      13:41 Commission in March of 2025. Since
      13:44 that time, staff from Planning,
      13:46 Public Works, and City Council
      13:47 have worked with the county in
      13:49 conjunction with multiple
      13:50 community stakeholders to develop
      13:52 a Public Art Master Plan for the
      13:53 entire City of Lakewood. Careful
      13:56 research and documentation of
      13:57 area conditions and demographics
      13:59 coupled with recently adopted
      14:01 city plans, robust public
      14:03 engagement, and stakeholder
      14:04 involvement have produced a
      14:05 Public Art Master Plan
      14:06 document to guide continued
      14:09 investment, to guide continued
      14:13 investment engagement, allow
      14:14 the city to prioritize location
      14:17 and type of any new art,
      14:18 provide a framework for future
      14:20 public art and placemaking
      14:21 projects based on best
      14:22 practices and how they help
      14:24 achieve the community vision,
      14:25 and provide a document to be
      14:27 used for reference when
      14:28 applying for outside funding.
      14:30 The master planning document
      14:31 gives the why for
      14:32 recommendations as well as the
      14:34 how. The recommendations are
      14:35 well-rooted in public
      14:36 preference. The document
      14:38 includes appendices which
      14:39 contain over 800 unique
      14:41 responses from the public.
      14:43 Teachers, students, art
      14:44 organizations, local businesses,
      14:46 and non-profits were engaged
      14:48 and surveyed as well as
      14:49 attendees at the Lakewood
      14:50 Arts Festival last summer.
      14:52 The plan provides a list of
      14:54 resources for grant funding,
      14:55 case studies, vendor lists,
      14:57 as well as a timeline with
      14:59 budget projections. The goal is
      15:01 to create a strategic framework
      15:03 that capitalizes on our
      15:04 existing inventory and allows
      15:06 for diverse and innovative
      15:07 future installations.
      15:09 The master plan considers
      15:10 public art in the following
      15:11 categories, mural, asphalt,
      15:14 sculpture, interactive,
      15:16 illuminated or projected,
      15:17 functional or infrastructural,
      15:19 and temporary and performance.
      15:21 The public art master plan
      15:22 document has been received
      15:24 and filed by the public art
      15:25 advisory board and planning
      15:27 commission. It is recommended
      15:28 for adoption following
      15:30 committee review as determined
      15:31 by city council. Thank you
      15:33 for your consideration.
      15:35 Thank you.
      15:36 I'll move to receive and file
      15:38 the communication.
      15:42 Second.
      15:43 Motion's been made and seconded.
      15:45 Any discussion?
      15:47 Council member Streepin.
      15:48 Thank you. I'd like to thank
      15:50 the planning commission,
      15:52 the planning department,
      15:52 for putting this together.
      15:53 This is really impressive.
      15:55 In fact, I asked for my own
      15:57 hard copy of this whole plan
      15:59 today because as I started
      16:00 to look at it online,
      16:02 I realized that I really wanted
      16:03 to dive deeper and make
      16:05 my notes on this.
      16:06 I especially appreciate on page
      16:09 19 the existing public art
      16:13 and walk shed,
      16:15 which I think is important
      16:16 to see that there are areas
      16:19 in our community that are
      16:22 lacking in these.
      16:23 I'm really thrilled to hear
      16:24 that we have a dedicated plan
      16:26 now instead of just kind
      16:28 of piecemealing things
      16:29 where we think they should be
      16:30 to really look at the data
      16:32 and consider where things
      16:34 really need to be.
      16:35 So thank you.
      16:36 And thank you to your department.
      16:39 Thank you.
      16:40 Through president Keppel,
      16:41 I just want to say that
      16:41 Amanda Kramer has put a lot
      16:43 of time and effort into this.
      16:44 And I want to give her a big shout out.
      16:46 Thank you.
      16:49 Thank you.
      16:50 Any other discussion?
      16:52 Hearing none on the motion
      16:54 to receive and file the communication.
      16:56 All those in favor?
      16:57 Aye.
      16:57 And that motion passes.
      16:59 M7, resolution 2026-40.
      17:02 A resolution to take effect
      17:03 immediately provided it receives
      17:05 the affirmative vote
      17:05 at least two thirds members of council
      17:07 or otherwise to take effect
      17:09 at the earliest period
      17:09 allowed by law to adopt
      17:10 the public art master plan.
      17:12 I'll first move to substitute
      17:14 with the version that's in Granicus.
      17:16 Second.
      17:17 Motion's been made and seconded.
      17:19 This is just the version that has
      17:21 the full public art master plan attached.
      17:23 Wasn't quite ready for the time of the docket.
      17:25 So now we've got it in this whole edit on the docket.
      17:29 Any further discussion on that motion?
      17:32 Hearing none.
      17:33 All those in favor?
      17:34 Aye.
      17:35 And that motion passes.
      17:36 And then I'll move to refer
      17:37 to Committee of the Whole.
      17:39 Second.
      17:39 Motion's been made and seconded.
      17:41 Discussion?
      17:43 Hearing none.
      17:44 All those in favor?
      17:45 Aye.
      17:45 And that motion passes.
      17:47 Item eight, communication from Director Byington
      17:49 regarding land and water conservation
      17:50 fund grant application.
      17:52 Director Byington.
      17:53 Thank you, President Keffel
      17:54 and members of council.
      17:56 The city of Lakewood is requesting permission
      17:57 to apply for funds
      17:58 through the land and water conservation fund program
      18:01 offered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources
      18:04 for the reconstruction of Beck's Pool at Madison Park.
      18:07 The state of Ohio, through ODNR,
      18:09 administers financial assistance
      18:11 for public recreation purposes
      18:13 through the federal land and water conservation
      18:15 fund program.
      18:16 The application will request $500,000
      18:19 for the replacement of the existing Beck's swimming pool
      18:22 which is anticipated to cost five to $6 million.
      18:25 Beck's Pool has not been significantly upgraded
      18:27 since it was installed in 1957
      18:29 and is in urgent need of complete replacement.
      18:32 The Madison Park Master Plan supports the expenditure
      18:35 for this important city park
      18:37 and recommends that the redevelopment of the pool
      18:39 include innovative and fun elements
      18:41 that are designed to serve the immediate community
      18:43 while elevating Madison Park as a regional attraction.
      18:47 The data shows that the residents near Madison Park
      18:49 are some of the least likely to have a car in the city
      18:51 and the neighborhood is known for its small yards,
      18:53 making this park and this swimming pool
      18:55 of vital importance to the neighborhood
      18:57 as well as the city.
      18:58 Bixmo is a contractor that has been engaged
      19:00 in the design and construction oversight of this project
      19:03 who is the same firm that led
      19:05 through the redesign of Foster Pool.
      19:07 The iterative concept design process
      19:09 has been underway all summer
      19:10 to create a conceptual layout.
      19:12 The timeline will have construction beginning
      19:14 after the 2027 swim season.
      19:16 We respectfully ask that council consider adopting
      19:19 this resolution on first reading.
      19:21 Executed resolution must be submitted
      19:23 with the grant application by October 30th.
      19:26 Thank you.
      19:27 Thank you.
      19:28 I'll move to receive and file the communication.
      19:31 Okay.
      19:32 Motion's been made and seconded
      19:33 and then I'll just say I appreciate the work on this
      19:37 and the process that went through with Foster,
      19:43 I think was a really good community engagement process
      19:46 and we went through quite a few iterations there
      19:49 based on that community feedback.
      19:50 So glad to see a similar process this time
      19:53 and that of course this renovating the pool
      19:58 is already contemplated in our capital budget.
      20:02 So this would be nice to get some money
      20:06 from somewhere else to go towards that project.
      20:09 Any further discussion on the communication?
      20:11 Councilman Boat.
      20:12 Thanks, Madam President.
      20:13 Certainly I agree with the points you just made
      20:15 and nice work by the administration.
      20:18 The funds here that we're applying for,
      20:21 do they lock us into any particular design?
      20:25 By committing here, are we saying we'll like
      20:29 a certain kind of water slide
      20:30 or we're ruling out a water slide?
      20:32 I imagine not, but I just wanna know what the-
      20:34 Your President Keppel,
      20:35 no, it does not lock us into the design.
      20:38 The stipulation is a 50% match
      20:39 which we already were planning on providing anyways
      20:42 for the project.
      20:42 Okay, so these funds would go into-
      20:45 Construction dollars.
      20:46 Foundational construction elements
      20:49 and all the design selection
      20:53 continues independently of this.
      20:55 We're still working through the final design, yes.
      20:57 Thank you.
      20:58 You're welcome.
      21:00 Thank you.
      21:00 Any further discussion on the communication?
      21:04 All right, on the motion to receive
      21:06 and file the communication,
      21:07 all those in favor?
      21:08 Aye.
      21:09 And that motion passes.
      21:11 Item nine, resolution 2026-41,
      21:13 a resolution to take effect immediately
      21:15 authorizing the Mayor,
      21:16 Director of Planning and Development
      21:18 to submit an application for the NatureWorks grant
      21:20 through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources
      21:23 to execute any and all agreements necessary
      21:25 to accept an award and obligate funds
      21:27 required to complete the Bexpool renovation project.
      21:31 I'll first move to substitute
      21:33 with the version in Granicus.
      21:36 Second.
      21:36 Motion's been made and seconded
      21:38 in Director Barrington or Director Vargo.
      21:41 I believe the substitute was just some typos
      21:43 or something that we need to clean up.
      21:44 Is that correct?
      21:46 That's right.
      21:47 President Keppel, that was an error
      21:48 from the law department.
      21:50 It was a different grant within ODNR,
      21:53 so it's been cleared up.
      21:55 All right, well, sure.
      21:56 I guess you're due one error a year.
      21:59 That's fair enough, so we'll let that slide.
      22:02 All right, so thank you for that.
      22:04 All right, so we have a motion and a second
      22:06 to substitute.
      22:07 Any further discussion?
      22:08 Vice President Baker.
      22:09 Yeah, so I think NatureWorks is just state-based
      22:12 and LWCF is federal-based,
      22:15 but are we going for NatureWorks, too, or?
      22:24 It's up for discussion.
      22:24 I can get back to you on that, though.
      22:26 Thank you.
      22:30 All right, so on the motion to substitute,
      22:34 all those in favor?
      22:35 Aye. Aye.
      22:36 And that motion passes, and I'll move to adopt.
      22:38 Second.
      22:39 Motion's been made and seconded.
      22:40 Any discussion?
      22:43 Hearing none, all those in favor?
      22:45 Aye. Aye.
      22:46 And that motion passes.
      22:47 That brings us to public comment.
      22:49 Do we have anyone signed in for public comment?
      22:53 Anyone who wishes to give public comment?
      22:56 No, okay.
      22:57 Then announcements from council members.
      23:00 Council Member Evans.
      23:02 Yeah, I just have a couple quick thank yous to Dole Outts.
      23:05 We had just a minor issue in our street yesterday.
      23:09 I called the non-emergency line.
      23:10 LPD was there in about 20 seconds,
      23:11 so I always appreciate to see that.
      23:14 And also, I was at the Northland Block Party
      23:16 this weekend, and we had four different residents
      23:19 talk about how satisfied they were
      23:20 with the street construction project.
      23:23 They said communication was great.
      23:24 The crews were fantastic.
      23:26 They were all very professional.
      23:28 So thanks to the crew,
      23:29 but thanks to Public Works, the department,
      23:31 for stressing that that's what we expect
      23:33 from the folks working here in Lakewood.
      23:34 So I do not usually get that kind of feedback
      23:38 about people loving their street ripped up.
      23:39 So that was really nice to hear.
      23:40 So thanks.
      23:42 Thank you.
      23:44 Councilman Bixenstein.
      23:45 Thank you, Chair, President Keppel.
      23:49 I know Councilperson Bullock alluded to this,
      23:51 but the fall tree giveaway is currently underway.
      23:54 So if you visit the city website,
      23:57 you can reserve your tree now while supplies last.
      24:01 And then one other quick plug for Keep Lakewood Beautiful,
      24:04 they've been hosting their pop-up pickup events
      24:07 regularly this summer.
      24:08 And one of the last ones is a week from this Wednesday,
      24:12 September 30th, 6.30 p.m. at Madison Park.
      24:14 So I look forward to seeing folks out there
      24:18 a week from Wednesday.
      24:21 Thank you.
      24:22 Council Member Stubig.
      24:23 Thank you.
      24:25 Just a reminder that the fall equinox
      24:28 arrives tomorrow night at 5.05,
      24:30 although it certainly feels like it arrived today.
      24:35 Wednesday is Celebrate Bisexuality Day.
      24:39 This Saturday, we get the full corn or harvest moon.
      24:44 You could call it either one
      24:45 that whatever suits you there.
      24:47 And October is LGBTQ History Month
      24:51 before we meet again.
      24:53 Thank you.
      24:54 Thank you.
      24:55 Council Member Buck.
      24:57 Thank you.
      24:58 Maybe tossing a ball here to the police chief,
      25:00 but this Friday is Spirit Week.
      25:03 There's gonna be a homecoming parade,
      25:05 not just on Bunce,
      25:06 but in an interesting route to go in that neighborhood.
      25:13 So maybe we could get that update from you.
      25:16 But before doing that,
      25:17 I did wanna share with colleagues informally
      25:19 that on a couple of the council budget priorities
      25:23 that we've been working on in the interim,
      25:26 I had a exploratory conceptual meeting
      25:30 with the superintendent's office
      25:31 on the concept of partnering,
      25:34 on expanding the crossing guards,
      25:36 and also on a potential shared grant
      25:40 to fund a one-year position
      25:44 for Safe Routes to Schools Coordinator.
      25:46 And that went well.
      25:49 It was a receptivity to both concepts.
      25:53 There's follow up work to do to put that in detail
      25:56 and in writing,
      25:57 but I did wanna let people know
      25:58 that our partnership with the schools
      26:00 on walking and cycling to schools
      26:04 in a safe manner continues.
      26:05 And in fact, this week is the Hike a Bike
      26:07 to School Week.
      26:09 So everybody encourage your family members
      26:13 to do that in and near your school.
      26:15 Thanks.
      26:16 I don't know if chief you can describe.
      26:19 As a former Lakewood graduate, right?
      26:21 That's correct, class of 95.
      26:24 So the Spirit Parade,
      26:27 it will be definitely different this year.
      26:29 They're gonna stage on Edgewater
      26:30 between Summit and Abyshire.
      26:33 From there, the parade will take the following route,
      26:35 south on Abyshire to Lake,
      26:37 east on Lake to Bell,
      26:39 south on Bell to Clifton,
      26:42 east on Clifton to Manor Park,
      26:44 south on Manor Park
      26:45 and continuing south on Blossom Park to Franklin
      26:47 and Franklin to the high school.
      26:49 So yes, there's a lot of twists and turns,
      26:52 a little bit different,
      26:53 a little bit more challenging this year,
      26:54 but we'll make it work.
      26:56 It sounds like a conga line.
      27:02 Thank you.
      27:04 Any further announcements from council members?
      27:07 I just wanna mention,
      27:10 of course next Monday is our community of the whole
      27:12 where we'll have first energy representatives here.
      27:16 So folks can be prepared for that.
      27:17 That's at six o'clock.
      27:18 That is of course open to the public
      27:19 because it's a public meeting.
      27:22 And then Tuesday the 29th at 7 p.m.
      27:26 at the Lakewood Public Library
      27:28 will be the League of Women Voters Forum
      27:31 about the upcoming charter amendments
      27:34 that we put before voters this November.
      27:37 So that's Tuesday the 29th at 7 p.m.
      27:41 Lakewood Public Library.
      27:43 If you wanna learn more about the charter amendments,
      27:45 you haven't watched all of our council meetings
      27:46 on the topic, you can learn more.
      27:49 Any announcements from, oh, yeah, Vice President Baker.
      27:52 I forgot, yeah, Healthy Lakewood Foundation's
      27:54 annual meeting is tomorrow at Lakewood Congressional Church.
      27:57 I will be coaching youth basketball,
      27:59 so I won't be there,
      28:00 but I encourage everyone else to go.
      28:02 Glad you just said that
      28:03 because I would have showed up at Cove.
      28:05 That's good.
      28:06 All right, announcements from the administration?
      28:10 Nope, all right.
      28:11 Well, with no further business before council,
      28:14 without objection we're adjourned.