City Council - Regular Meeting

All right, we will call the full meeting of council to order. Um, if you're able, please rise for the pledge of allegiance. Now, pause for a moment of silence. Madame clerk, please call the role.

Vice President Baker, absent. Council member Bixenstein. Council member Block here. Council member Evans here. President Kappell here. Council member Hamilton Steiner here. Council member Strebig absent. Without objection, I'll excuse the absences of council members Baker and Strebig. Reading and disposal of the minutes of the regular meeting of council held March 16, 2026. Move to approve without the necessity of a reading. Second.

Motion's been made and seconded. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor? I. And that motion passes. Um without objection, I'd like to move items seven through nine to the top. Hearing none. All right. Item seven, report from council member Hamilton Steiner regarding March report from animal safety and welfare advisory board. Council member Hamilton Steiner.

Thank you, President Keell. Dear colleagues, Lewab met on Wednesday, March 18th at 6 p.m. in their monthly meeting location of the East Conference Room in Lakewood City Hall. The group celebrated the passing of the TNR ordinance by Lakewood City Council and as of the meeting time is waiting for the ordinance to be signed by Mayor George which has now been signed. ACICO Kremley provided his monthly metric of and status update of animal intakes at the shelter. If people in the community have the capacity to adopt, they are encouraged to come to the shelter and check out the available animals. The Lakewood Animal Shelter with the financial support of Claus supports medical procedures of animals taken in. The group is focusing on planning their fundraising event for May. The date has not yet been scheduled. Once data is settled on, they will be looking to recruit volunteers. Social media social media content was also discussed and plans for online engagement to grow awareness and educate the public on animal issues were considered. During this discussion, it was also shared that the second full week of April is animal control officer appreciation week. Based upon members interest in recognizing this week, council member Straick and I have introduced a resolution to honor and celebrate our animal control officers. I move to receive and file this communication.

Second. Motion's been made and seconded. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor? I. And that motion passes. Item eight. Communication from council members Hamilton Steiner and Strebig regarding animal control officer appreciation week. Council member Hamilton Steiner.

Thank you, President Keell. Dear colleagues, Mayor George and directors, the National Animal Care and Control Association designates annually the second full week in April as Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week. This is a time to recognize the professionals who serve Lakewood and work hard to protect and care for animals and in so doing keeps our community safe. Animal control officers are very much first responders, sometimes responding to situations of cruelty, intervening when needed, and working to rescue animals. They are the voice of the voiceless, speaking on behalf of the animals. Lakewood's animal control team works closely managing the Lakewood Animal Shelter and works with Lakewood Animal Safety and Welfare Board, Liswab, and Citizens Committee for Lakewood's Animals and Shelter, Claus. Together, animal control and shelter staff ensure that the public is safer through the proper care and safety of animals in Lakewood and working with claws being provided with financial support for medical care cost while a swab focuses on advocacy, awareness, education, and fundraising efforts to support pet families with their pet food needs. We encourage all to join us in celebrating Lakewood's animal control team.

Thank you. I'll move to receive and file that communication. Second. Motion's been made and seconded. Discussion hearing none. All those in favor? I. And that motion passes. Item nine, resolution 202620. A resolution to join with the National Animal Care and Control Association to designate April 12th, 2026 to April 18th, 2026 as Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week in the city of Lakewood and to recognize the dedicated work performed each day by Lakewood's animal control officers. Move to adopt. Second. Motion's been made and seconded. Discussion. Council member Hamilton Steiner.

Thank you, President Coupell. I am happy to co-sponsor this resolution with council person and happy that a lwab member brought animal control officer appreciation week to my attention. Lakewood's ACOs are truly wonderful human beings doing the hard work of protecting both animals and humans. This is not easy work as animals that may be victims of inhumane conditions are not able to speak for themselves. So the human caretakers and these officers speak for them and serve as their advocates, educators, and protectors. Through collaborative efforts with the Lakewood Animal Safety and Welfare Board and Citizens Committee for Lakewood's Animals and Shelter, ACOs ensure that animals brought into the animal shelter are taken care of, nursed back to care when needed, and prepared for adoption. In just my short time serving on council and now as council leazison to Lasab, I have seen just how much Lakewood and the ACOs's care for these animals. Lakewood is truly special and our ACOs are no different. Thank you for your service. The vulnerable population of Lakewood residents, our animals and animal population. Thank you too.

Thank you. Um other council members, Madam President,

council member Bulock. So, uh, thank you to my colleague, Councilwoman Hamilton Steiner and and and I sent you Councilwoman Street for bringing this up and really thanks to the leadership of the um animal advocacy community and city uh the administration and um Officer Brumley and um uh excuse me, Gary Crumley and and Officer Kerr and Burkowski for all you do. In addition to the companion animals, there's quite a lot of wildlife in Lakewood. And there are times when we get calls, what are we gonna do about the foxes along the lake or the deer or the wild turkeys or the skunks or the there's quite a lot going on. And in my neighborhood, happy to report the Easter Bunny lives and maybe multiple Easter bunnies um to my kids delight. So, so, so the fact that the city invests and invests more than just a little bit of resources is I think meaningful and another part of Lakewood stronger than the minimum approach to how we um serve our community. And then once again, I think we said this in a recent meeting that the community then does a handshake with the city government by adding humaness in the care and the standards and the resources that are available especially to companion animals but across the board. So I I do agree it's it's really um worth celebrating all of that and and this has been going on for years predates all of us which I'm happy to say. Uh so so it's it's it's a distinguishing um positive that our community cares so much. Thank you.

Thank you. Uh Council Member Bixenstein.

Thank you, President Keell. Uh thank you uh Council Person Hamilton Steiner and Council Person for uh bring bringing this to us this evening. Um you know, Lakewood is uh one of if not the most densely populated cities in the state of Ohio, and it's also very densely populated with with pets. Um and uh our acco does a tremendous job of um protecting animals and people and they're performing an essential community service. Uh, I I firsthand have have benefited from having um my dog um get out of, you know, the kid leaves the the fence unlatched and some of the dogs in the park and I've I've had acco helped me before and uh the the only thing I can cannot agree with uh council Hamilton Center is the voice of the voiceless because my dog uh most certainly has a very loud voice. But but no, thank you very much for um bringing this to our attention and thank you acco members for all you do for our community. Um, and I'll just I'll just add to that that um, animal control supervisor Crumbley also served the city uh, previously as a police officer. And so um, we just want to acknowledge their continued service. Um, and I have witnessed firsthand um, his both professionalism and compassion and uh, willingness to work with the citizen volunteers and it's very much appreciated. Um, as well as the other ACOs. Uh I have had we my family's had the opportunity to have uh adopt two cats uh from the animal shelter. Uh they're both awesome and um they've been well were well taken care of before we got them and um have put on a few pounds since then. But um but our you know we're really grateful for the service of uh the animal control officers. So thank you. Um any further discussion? Okay. here. Um after I presume we will adopt this having heard the comments. Uh once we vote on this, we do have a ceremonial copy. So we'll invite um I

see accomply um and then anyone else who'd like to join us up front. I see some CCL folks, LWAB folks. So if anyone would like to join us up front, we'll get a quick picture um before we go on with the rest of the meeting. All right. Uh with that um on the motion to adopt, all those in favor? I

I And that motion passes. All right. We're going to take a Before we go on, we actually do have someone signed in um for public comment on this topic. So before we do that, I'd like to invite up Nancy Binder. Okay. I'm Nancy Binder. I'm the chair of Laswab. We work with Gary quite a bit and Gary is responsible for my newest little addition a mali that was left on Lake Road and Forest Road just kind of

left and he is getting a lot of dogs that way now. So, I hope the city can realize that's a new issue that the city has and that he's handling it very, very well, compassionately, making sure they go to the correct or loving homes. Um, Gary had a very unusual start to his job. There were there are three employees in the department. Two were retiring and the third one uh left another opportunity as he started. So he had the ultimate blank slate of a department. Fortunately Jack came stayed and trained him a bit but that is a difficult thing to do. Um his detective skills I think helped because his patience is extraordinary uh with everyone. uh he has built the staff to the current staffing. Uh he does not know this but I have talked with almost everybody that has worked there and has stayed or left. Um everyone has said nothing but nice things. They have all told me in in in the exact words they like having him as their boss. and he's also a mentor to his staff. Um, and he helps them make personal decisions. He helps them doing what's best for them. He is a kind, compassionate person with everybody he works with. I want the city to recognize that with this award as well. Um he has guided Lassuab through a very arduous task of getting a TNR

ordinance changed. That was not an easy task for anyone. Gary kept us online on city cities do have rules and that is where we will what we will follow. We'll do what we can to guide the ordinance but we were not going to dictate did. But I want to let the city know that some people really truly and sincerely deserve recognition and Gary is the one who does. Thank you.

Thank you. Item one, report from finance committee meeting held March 23rd, 2026. Right. Since um Vice President Baker uh is absent tonight, I'll read this for him. Dear colleagues, the finance committee met on March 23rd to continue conversation on two ordinances. The first was ordinance 152026 which proposes to establish a new fund within the city budget into which new revenues related to the sale of cannabis shall be deposited. The committee discussed language that would limit expenditures from this fund to certain health and safety related purposes and introduced a substitute version based upon discussion at the previous meeting. Additional amendments were made to the substitute version to ensure that the language was specific and permissive enough to include the needs of the Department of Human Services. The committee also expressed a desire to closely monitor expenditures from the newly established fund over the next few years. Director Mahoney agreed to provide this information in the future for committee discussion. Next, the committee addressed ordinance 272025. As originally introduced, ordinance 27205 proposed to eliminate the city's audit committee. Based on previous discussion in committee, the committee moved to approve a substitute version that instead of eliminating the audit committee, assign the finance committee to serve as the audit committee and requires an annual post audit public meeting with the director of finance and the auditor. One minor technical amendment was made to the substitute version. Committee members noted that holding an annual post audit public hearing will bring more attention and transparencies to the city's annual

audit processes and potentially engage more members of the public. Notwithstanding the city's recent outstanding audits, the committee agreed that the proposed revised process would be beneficial. Both sub substituted and amended ordinances were recommended for adoption by council. I'll move to receive and file that report. Second. Motion's been made and seconded. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor? I. And that motion passes.

Item two, substitute ordinance 15 2026, an ordinance to take effect immediately to enact section 12965 of the codified ordinances entitled host community cannabis fund to provide guidance regarding the use of new tax revenues related to the sale of cannabis. Move to adopt. Second. Motion's been made and seconded. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor? I. And that motion passes.

Item three, substitute ordinance 27 2025, an ordinance to take effect immediately amending chapter 160, audit committee of codified ordinances of the city of Lakewood. So this one there were um between the committee meeting and tonight's meeting uh we found the a couple just sort of typoe um clarification kind of things. So uh for that if we open up the ordinance um and you look in the third whereas clause so um this would Yeah, the madam madam president I think you've

I think you had the right okay all right so I don't need to which one do you want me to this one is needs to be this one was not recommended Yeah.

Sorry, I'm just getting some clarification. Um, okay. So, yeah. So, the substitute in Granicus has council members looking for has the changes. So, It would be in the third whereas clause um adding um the functions of the audit committee there and then would also have and replace and strike dissolved prior to your end when the volunteer terms expire which was in the original and replace with assigned to the council's finance committee for efficiency and transparency. So these were just sort of left over from um the previous version. So it would read then instead in that where is clause um provide for the usual daily operation of the city in that the functions of the audit committee should be assigned to council's finance committee for efficiency and transparency.

Uh madam president. Yes. I'll I'll move that uh the I'll move that the version recommended by committee be amended to include the changes that you just uh explained in the third warehouse clause. Thank you. I will second that. Any further discussion? Um Madam President?

Yes. So, if I read this correctly, um, as you were explaining, I think the other red lines in this document, if we scroll up and down, those other red lines are already included in the committee recommended version. So, the only new proposed amendment in the amendment I just made and you seconded is that language in the third whereas clause. That's correct. So, it doesn't fundamentally change the language of the ordinance. It's just clarifying that third whereas clause had the language of the previous um version. So Okay. Thank you. And I'm of course happy to support my motion and appreciate that the uh these points were identified and caught.

All right. Any further discussion on the motion to substitute? All right. Hearing none. All those in favor? I. And that motion passes. And then I will move to adopt as substituted. Second. Motion's been made and seconded. Any further discussion? Madam President. Uh, Council Member Bulock.

So, just reflecting on the committee work, I I want to thank um finance director Mahoney who is not here. Director Money right there. No. Well, assistant director Eddie is also a member of a crack department and I thought the finance committee did a lot of substantive and thoughtful work in both this and the proceeding ordinance. appreciate and I appreciated the collegiality. Um we are essentially setting ourselves up in this and the previous ordinance to u have a thoughtful pair of budgeting tools going forward on some new revenues and then on reviewing all revenues here and so it's I appreciate the high level of um skill that we're proceeding with. Thank you.

Thank you. All right. Any further discussion? Hearing none. On the motion to adopt. All those in favor? I I. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And. And that motion passes. Item four, report from Health and Human Services Committee held March 23rd, 2026. That would be Council Member Stre. Couple. Yes. Uh, Council Council Member Stick had asked me to read Oh, great. If that's okay. Yep. Council member Hamilton Steiner.

Okay. Dear colleagues, the Health and Human Service Committee met on Monday, March 23rd, 2026 to hear the presentation from the Community Health Action Team, Chad, on their annual report. Chad has identified five priority areas from from the community health needs assessment of 2022, access to behavioral health, food access, a community resource guide, adaptive and middle school programming, and housing. We had an engaged discussion on three of the priorities, received the latest addition in the resource guide for personal review, but due to time constraints, missed the report on housing. This report could be a presentation to the committee of the whole from the planning department at another time. David Boss, assistant director of planning, gave me an overview of chat and began the conversation with a description of this committee stakeholders and challenges. Kristen Broadbent of the Three Arches Foundation spoke about behavioral health, the healthcare providers roundt, the complex complexities of the healthcare system, and a collaboration with Case Western Reserve students to create the resource guide. Miss Broadbent spoke about the possibilities of developing a co-responder program known as First Call, crisis assistance, and local linkage that has been established in Shaker Heights, coupling mental health care professionals with first responders. She stated that the program has reportedly improved responses to mental health emergencies in that community and that the Health and Human Services Department will take over as the lead entity for coordinating behavioral and health initiatives. Assistant Director of Health and Human Services Laura Jessie spoke about the 25% county budget cuts to funding that are retroactive to January 1st, 2026. She and Director Barry are proactively assessing needs and opportunities for collaboration with more demand and fewer resources. Wait times for response to requests may increase as they continue to serve all residents. Kate Ingresol from the Healthy Lakewood Foundation spoke about food access in the schools and exploring a new summer program at Harrison Elementary School. The reimbursement program for the program is complex and they are working with

community partners to address logistics. Awareness of the summer electronic benefits transfer EBT needs improvement as well as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, NAP. Chap member Mark Walters from the Lakewood City Schools spoke about the special needs and middle school programming. The schools are providing adaptive swimming lessons and have partnered with the Empire Sports to expand the programs. Lakewood Recreation has 54 activities planned for middle school age students in addition to the HTO program this summer. Kevin Bourne Crow from the Lakewood Family YMCA spoke and reflected on potential partnerships. After reviewing the community health needs assessment, he noted that the YMCA has been working on a lot of the same needs for a while now and there is some overlap. All city council members in attendance join the conversations with enthusiastic support for the community needs and offered opinions and suggestions. Clearly, Cynthia Streick

move to re uh receive and file that communication. Second. Motion's been made and seconded. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor? I. And that motion passes. Item five, report from housing planning and development committee meeting held March 30th, 2026. Council member Evans.

Dear colleagues, the housing planning and development committee met March 30th, 2026 to discuss a communication from assistant planning director Boss regarding the zoning refresh standards update. Assistant Director Boss provided an overview of the proposed changes to the zoning code regarding development standards that were discussed at the last latest meeting of the zoning and planning advisory committee ZPAC. He explained that the development standards will be addressed across four chapters and that one of the goals is to make development process more approachable for both individual property owners as well as developers. During the presentation, council members had the chance to ask questions and provide feedback on the direction of the pro proposed updates. Council members expressed interest in further exploring topics such as how the zoning code can be used as a tool to encourage affordable housing, how to address the garage requirement section of the code and to strengthen regulations around sign standards. I encouraged all council members to share additional questions and feedback with me so that I can compile everything into one document that can be shared with the plane department for further discussion consideration. Assistant Director Boss stated the next update to council will be placed on the June dockets and a final draft will be introduced to council in July. I'm very pleased with the progress so in direction of the zoning refresh project and appreciate the administration keeping council updated on each project milestone respectfully submitted. Um and just as an aside um I'd like to say this is u something not top of mind for most folks in the city the zoning code but um this is a once in decades opportunity to uh shape how the city's going to look moving forward. Um, so it's a very important project and um, many thanks to the administration and to uh, particularly the planning department for all the hard work on this. It's very much appreciated. Thank you. And I'll move to receive and file this report.

Second. Motion's been made and seconded. Any discussion? Madam President, Councilman Bulock,

I'll just add my thanks. I think, you know, Mayor and and Planning Director Bington, I think the project's going well and it's a how do you eat an elephant type project and the only way you can do it is a little bit at a time steadily. And I know we've been doing these updates. It's for me it's been beneficial because we're we're allowing oursel a chance to dig in and also think about it and dialogue about it. So I think it's been a real model for how to take on a big strategic and difficult not difficult but but just a large and high impact um topic that really doesn't always get uh addressed as Councilman Evans just said. So, so I I'm appreciative of how it's going and the the dialogue between council and the administration. Thank you.

Thank you. Right. Any further discussion on the motion to receive and file the report? All those in favor? I. And that motion passes. Item six, report from committee the whole held March 30th, 2026. So um this committee of the whole I had to be absent due to a family medical emergency and Vice President Baker chaired it but unfortunately Vice President Baker has been gone and has not had an opportunity to review this report. So what I'm going to move to defer uh tonight's report. Motion's been made and seconded. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor I. And that motion passes.

Item 10. Communication from President Keell regarding council's 2026 appointments to the citizens advisory committee. Dear colleagues, as you know, the citizens advisory committee performs the important work of evaluating federal funds and matching them with community needs. This letter serves to make official the following appointments to the 2026 CAC. Based upon their professional backgrounds, commitment to Lakewood, and willingness to lead, I am confident that the above individuals are exceptionally well suited to serve in this role. With these appointments, council has filled all of its vacancies on the 2026 CAC. I would like to thank my colleagues for formalizing these appointments in a timely manner. I'll move to receive and file that communication.

Second. Motion's been made and seconded. Any discussion? Uh I'll just say add uh we thanks uh our thanks to uh those who are willing to serve and all who applied to serve. We look forward to their recommendations again this year. All right. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor? I. And that motion passes. Item 11, announcement from council member Bixenstein regarding appointment to the community relations advisory commission. Council member Bixenstein.

Thank you, Madam President. Dear colleagues, with this letter I hereby appoint four resident Pixie Malow to the Community Relations Advisory Commission, Elcra for the remainder of an unexpired term ending December 31st, 2027. I had the opportunity to meet Pixie during the W4 council interview process and gained a great deal of respect for them, their diverse background, and their contributions to our community. I am confident that Pixie will bring passion and commitment to this role and I'm excited to see what's next for El Crack with Pixie as part of this commission. Um, sincerely, Matt Bixenstein. And, um, just to add to that, you know, sometimes when you meet someone in an interview setting, it, you know, doesn't necessarily um, it can be awkward. It doesn't necessarily make for a harmonious relationship, but in this case, Pixie's been, um, very gracious and terrific to work with, and, you know, I've come to to get to know them better and and learn more about their background. Uh Pixie is a a veteran of the uh US uh Navy and has a a long um 12-year career in uh management and leadership experience and has also been extremely active in in our communities. So um I'm I'm really excited that they're willing to to take on this role and I have no reservations in appointing uh Pixie to this commission.

Um thank you. I'll um I'll move to receive and file that uh communication. Second. Motion's been made and seconded. And I'll just add um pleased to see that appointment. Um certainly enjoyed Pixie's interview for that award for and thought that they had a lot of um a lot to contribute. So glad to see that opportunity. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor? I. And that motion passes. Item 12. Report from council member Stig regarding March meeting of the community health action team. Council member Hamilton Steiner.

Thank you, President Keel. Dear colleagues, on Friday, March 13, 2026, the community health action team chat met for its quarterly meeting. Kate Ingresol led the discussion to prepare for the chat and report presentation to the city council health and human services committee. The group answered new HHS committee chair Sydney Striik's questions about the report and brought her up to speed on current developments and trends. Also included in the agenda and discussion were updates to the framework of the chat organization 2026 priorities and a work plan for the year. Chat will be reorganizing around an updated conceptual framework rather than being held accountable for achieving specific outcomes. The new framework includes convening and coordinating across city departments, schools, foundations, and community organizations. Identifying community health needs as they emerge informed by the community health needs assessment CHNA framework. advocating for action on priority issues. Networking among community partners and sharing diverse perspectives to facilitate collaborative work. Maintaining critical infrastructure like the community resource guide that requires cross-section oversight. 2026 priorities include maintain the community resource guide as a critical infrastructure connecting residents to available resources, sustain critical links between member organizations in support of continuing to advance the above transition items as well as other community health issues that may be brought to the team by member organizations. support emerging priority are areas including early learning center planning transition involving key stakeholders in collaborative conversation to overcome entrenched thinking LG LBGTQ plus resources and support determining how to move forward collectively and community centered support for youth sustainable approaches to support programming that provides equitable access to opportunities for all families meet quarterly use the CHNA as a reference point to inform decision-m plan and

conduct a 5-year update to the CHNA. Sincerely, Cindy Street. Thank you. Um, I'll move to receive and file that report. Second. Motion's been made and seconded. We do have one e comment that will be included in the record. Um, any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor? I. And that motion passes. Item 13, report from council member Stig regarding March meeting of community recreation education commission. Uh,

oh, it's Oh, great. Okay, we're changing it up. All right, Council Member Vixenstein. Dear colleagues, on Tuesday, March 10th, 2026, the Community Recreation Education Commission met at the Taff Center for Innovation. The meeting was called to order and the coordinator of community recreation education, Leslie Favor Krugman, gave a report. The spring summer book program booklet is being finalized and registration is beginning. Volleyball and basketball winter programs are concluding and spring softball, baseball, and soccer are getting started. Field maintenance has begun in preparation for a busy season and meetings with the city are scheduled to coordinate this maintenance. The community leaders breakfast uh is scheduled for March 19th and the purple and gold classic is on April 18th. Mark Walter gave report on increased participation in basketball, softball, football, volleyball, and boys soccer. Girls soccer numbers were down, possibly due to the popularity of volleyball. Football numbers are up, but not at the middle schools and therefore not at the high school. There is some desire to add flag football to fifth and sixth grade in addition to tackle football. They're exploring this option. Vice President Paul Porter gave a brief report on the facts of the upcoming school levy including millillage percentages of property taxes received and the voter registration date. Thank you Cindy Stig.

Thank you. Um I'll move to receive and file that communication. Second. Motion's been made and seconded. Discussion just because it was mentioned there about the voter registration deadline that is tonight. So, if you haven't um at 9:00 p.m. So, if you need to update your voter reg, get that in. You got a couple hours or got one hour, less than 53 minutes. All right. Um any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor? I I And that motion passes. Item 14, report from council member Stig regarding March meeting of the Lakewood Youth Council. Send you this. Okay.

It was very thoughtful of uh Council Member Stig to pass pass this along. So, thank you. Um Council Member Evans. Uh, dear colleagues, the Lakewood Youth C youth Council met on Thursday, March 26th in the auditorium at Lakewood City Hall. Adviser Amy Chodson reviewed the article one purpose statement and encourage conversation to discuss the purpose of youth council. Are they providing a voice for the youth community? Are they interacting with and informing community leaders? Are they providing opportunities for youth development? Are they allowing for engagement with topics regarding youth health and safety, youth advocacy, community relations, and community outreach? The group talked about the youth forum and they h that they held the suggestion box at the community festival surveys for youth bands to participate in competitions and designs for bike racks. They have invited community leaders to attend and speak at the meetings and will better encourage other youth to join committees. After this discussion, the meeting was called to order by Mel Dameert. Environmental Committee Chair Danica Herburgger gave a report that she has been in contact with tree advisory the tree advisory board chair of mental health committee uh Era Lulo reported that on the survey that she was preparing for a battle of the bands competition. The group helped her with creating a survey. Shawn Miller proposed reconsideration of creating an advocacy committee. The group discussed the differences between the advocacy and outreach committees and voted to create this committee. Mel announced that attendance requirements will be reviewed by the executive committee and adviser Chzin reminded the group that new officers will be elected in June and to consider prior commitments before deciding to run for office. Sincerely, Cindy Strebig. And I will make a motion to receive and file this communication.

Second. Motion's been made and seconded. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor? I. And that motion passes. Item 15, communication from finance director Mahoney regarding 2026 second and third quarter transfer ordinance, 2027 tax budget, 2027 tax advance resolution, and 2027 tax rate resolution. Filling in for director Mahoney tonight is assistant director Edy.

Thank you. Uh, dear President CP and members of council, attached are the following items for your consideration. The 2026 second and third quarter transfer ordinances each reflect 25% of the total anticipated transfers between funds that were included within the 2026 appropriations. A resolution to allow the city of Lakewood Finance Department to submit the 2027 tax budget to the Kyhoga County fiscal officer for review and approval to maintain the city's existing property tax rate of 17.4 mills. The tax budget is a projection of revenues and expenditures completed primarily to establish the city's existing property tax rate for the 2026 tax year 2027 collection year and is attached to this correspondence. The corresponding resolution must be adopted by city council and submitted to the county fiscal officer on or before July 15, 2026 in accordance with the provisions of sections 5705.28 28 and 5705.30 of the Ohio Revised Code. Also attached is a resolution authorizing the director of finance to request from the Kyoga County fiscal officer real and personal property tax and special assessment advances when collected and available to the city in 2027. Participation in the tax advance program enhances the city's cash flow management and funds invested amount. The county fiscal officer requires the city to file this resolution stating the city's intent to receive advances in 2020 2027 prior to October 1st, 2026. Finally, attached is a tax rate resolution maintaining the city of Lakewood's property tax rate of 17.4 mills for taxes collected in 2027. Sincerely, Renee Mahoney.

Thank you. Um, I'll move to refer that communication to finance committee. Second. Motion's been made and seconded. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor? I I. And that motion passes. And then I will move to suspend the rules to read items 16 through 20 together. Second. Motion's been made and seconded. Discussion. Hearing none. All those in favor? I I.

And that motion passes. Item 16, ordinance 22, 2026, an ordinance to take effect immediately authorizing the transfer in advance of certain funds. Item 17, ordinance 23, 2022, an ordinance to take effect immediately authorizing the transfer in advance of certain funds. Item 18, resolution 202621, a resolution to take effect immediately approving the tax budget of the city of Lakewood for the year 2027 and authorizing the filing of same with the Kyhoga County fiscal officer. Item 19, resolution 202622, a resolution to take effect immediately requesting the Kyhoga County fiscal officer to draw and the Kyhoga County treasurer to pay the city of Lakewood director of finance in advance of all real personal property and special assessments collected in the year 2027 in such amounts as may be requested and available. Item 20, resolution 202623, a resolution to take effect immediately accepting the amounts and rates as determined by the budget commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the county fiscal officer. Right. I will move to refer items 16 through 20 to finance.

Second. Motion's been made and seconded. Any discussion? Uh, Madame President. Council member Burick,

thank you for uh the referrals and um the I look forward to the discussion. I know director M's not here, but little little bit of discussion tonight as a preview. So, first, you know, my my understanding of the budget process, this is a routine annual um ministerial series of um well, I'm referring particularly to the tax related um ordinances. um portion of our revenue side of our annual city budget. And um at least one of them, maybe two of them are mechanical in nature about how the city and the county interact with each other and um on what schedule and we're annually affirming that we would like to continue the way that we collect our taxes. Um the tax budget I think has remained the same for years and years and years. Um so I believe what the finance department is doing here is simply introducing a series of budget ordinances or tax uh budget ordinances on schedule on time so that we can be prepared and discuss them with three readings well in advance of due dates which are midsummer. Correct. Um sorry Miss Eddie is saying yes. So the the the one kind of teaser portion I'd like to prepare for discussion in committee is that the fact that these days tax costs are high property valuations are high really the latter because of the former the or I said that backwards former because the latter the high increase in property valuations is was was already underway in Lakewood and then COVID hit and so it's all the more people have been feeling affordability. So, I know that's on some people's minds. So, the question would be whether there's some

um strategic nature to this discussion this year that the city is contemplating or may contemplate as we get into this. Um as opposed, you know, normally our discussion has been we want to make sure that we're traffic copying all of our budgetary ordinances correctly so that we're we're on track and we're prepared to be a good steward of funds and report and account for an audit all those funds and and I appreciate all of that and and the city's done a good job of that more than good job because we're getting annual audit awards. But in terms of what's affordable for residents and what the city's needs are, I personally am interested in in digging into this a little bit without um trying to decide beforehand where that could lead. Um but but just reflecting on um the high costs that we're seeing in our in our city and if we may devote some analysis to that as as it is reflected in in these proposed documents ordinances. Thank you.

Thank you. All right. Any further discussion on the motion to refer item 6 through20 to the finance committee? All those in favor? I. And that motion passes. Item 21, communication from public works director Gordon regarding 2026 healthy urban tree canopy program. Director Gordon.

Uh, thank you, dear President Keell, members of city council. Excuse me. The city's division of streets and forestry was awarded $50,000 from the 2026 healthy urban tree canopy program. The 2026 program aims to provide financial assistance to eligible municipalities to help improve the impact of climate change, assist with reforestation efforts in Kyhoga County, and reverse the trend of tree canopy loss. The Division of Streets and Forestry is committed to protecting enhancing its urban tree canopy and will use this grant to help offset the general fund costs of the 2026 spring and fall tree planting program. The city of Lakewood plan at this time is to plan an estimated 350 to 400 trees throughout targeted residential neighborhoods, parks, and along public right ofways with a focus on areas identified as equity zones and those with low existing tree canopy. This funding will enable the city to increase species diversity, accelerate planning efforts, and procure highquality materials. Pursuant to Lakewood Cottify Ordinance Section 111.14B, this letter serves as notice of our intention to accept these funds. Please let me know if you have any further questions. Thank you. I'll move to receive and file that communication. Motion's been made and seconded. Discussion. I'll go uh Council Member Vixen first and then Council Member Evans.

Thank you, Madam President. Uh just want to say thank you to Director Gordon and the city's division of streets and forestry for continuing uh your efforts to uh replenish our our city's u collective tree canopy. Um I know the the spring planting the the trees are already in the saging area. It's a great sign of spring when you when you see them dropped off. And and I know you know I know it's been a challenge you know even with the fall planting and that that early arrival of winter. Um, but it is really appreciated and it is really important that we continue to u to prioritize replacing our uh our aging tree canopy as trees age out as we deal with more volatile weather situations. And I'm grateful for this effort and particularly with the um focus on uh equity zones and low existing tree canopy areas. So, thank you very much,

Councilman Briffins.

Uh thank you um Madam President. Um, yeah, I'll uh definitely concur with uh Councilman Vixenstein. This is uh critically important work for our community. Um so, every dollar goes a long way. But, um I just want to point out like thanks so much to Director Gordon and your team for um you know, going out there and making sure we we try to find every opportunity. And this just happens to be what before us, but um I think this is something that's a culture of city hall. Um, all of our departments and directors are constantly out there trying to find every resource they can. Um, and that's not something you find everywhere. It's I think it's way too easy to take for granted. Um, the the dollars we managed to turn up for really important things that are taking away from our burden at city hall. Um, so thank you to all though behind behind every one of these grants is a lot of work and a lot of background. these aren't things aren't given, but seems like every meeting we have um we're receiving more funding from a different group that that some city employee um spent a lot of time making sure that we get. So, um thank you to everybody and uh really appreciate this work.

Thank you. Any further discussion? Just echo the sentiments. We always like to see money coming in rather than always just going up. So, appreciate that. Madam President, Councilman Bullet,

the uh Tree Education Advisory Board is meeting this week. Um, I wonder if uh we could refer this matter also to them for their consideration or an update on it. Um, whether formally or informally that thought occurs. Um, and and for Director Gordon, I' I've just got a quick question on I appreciate the points you're making that funding would expand species diversity, accelerate, and also procure higher quality materials. Can you tell us what higher quality materials means and where where are the equity zones? Are there is there a map we can look at on the website as I try to Google that right now?

Um, so you would have to go to the to the county planning department uh in in association with this grant to define exactly what each of the equity zones are. Um, but the city's plan at this time as we have done uh in previous years is to plant at least a few trees in each equity zone. So we try to hit you know each one in the city. Obviously, some areas are a little bit more um compacted than others. Um so, we try to we try to spread the wealth, we like to say, equally throughout all the equity zones. Um what this money does is it just it assists with the with the allocations that we already have in place for uh tree reforestation every year. Um and what we try to do is just get the highest quality trees that we can. We've been using the same contractor for the past few years. So the the sooner we can get an order in place and the sooner we can define where where all these trees are going, the higher quality material we're going to get. So uh similar to what Councilman Bixenstein said, they're here. Uh they're getting planted hopefully this week at some point for the spring, excuse me, for the spring tree planting program. So uh we're rocking and rolling. And so we can search up the Kyogre County um plan, which I don't

Yeah, I I can send you what you need to have for that. Okay. I'm just, you know, I I I'm glad to hear of their thoughtful approach, too, and that they're continuing to invest in in Lakewood. Thanks. Thank you. Um any further discussion? Hearing none on the motion to receive and file the communication. All those in favor? I and that motion passes. Item 22, communication from planning director Bington regarding acceptance of 2026 Kyhoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities Grant Award. Director Bington.

Thank you, uh, Council President Keell and members of council. The Kyhoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities Access and Physical Space Award is intended to support accessibility improvements. Funding is crucial for helping serve the community in providing safe, welcoming, and accessible spaces that promote health, connection, and quality of life for people of all abilities. This year, Lakewood has been awarded $10,000 to support accessibility improvements at Winterhurst Ice Arena. Funding will be used to create accessible spectator seating areas, ramps, and wheelchair viewing spaces for rinks one and two. Funding will also be used to make the second floor lounge and spectator areas more accessible for individuals with mobility impairments. The city of Lakewood is committed to removing physical barriers and ensuring that individuals with developmental disabilities and mobility challenges can fully participate in programs, events, and community life with dignity and independence. Thank you.

Thank you. I'll move to receive and file that communication.

Second. Motion's been made and seconded. Um, and discussion. I'll just uh echo those same thanks uh to the planning department and uh again for going out and seeking this funding and I know as we've all the hard work on the winterhurst improvements um and assistant director boss has been doing a lot of that work and uh this continues the work on our ADA transition plan which we have a lot to do but I know that we're all very dedicated to doing it and like to see this work moving forward. So, thank you. Um further discussion hearing none on the motion to receive and file. All those in favor I. And that motion passes.

Item 23 March 2026 finance department vendor reports submitted pursuant to Lakewood codified ordinance 1103. Um move to receive and file. Second. Motion's been made and seconded. Um this is just our um basically quarterly uh uh report from the finance department of purchases over a certain amount of money between certain amount just to have it on the record so it's easy for folks to find and look through. Um any discussion on this item? Uh council member Hamilton Steiner.

Um thank you president couple. Just um just a little point of I looking at like the fuel and gas diesel I'm sure is that something that we're monitor because I I know we budgeted it for a certain amount and is that something that we're going to be monitoring just all the that costs and just watching that. I don't know. Um I'm I'm sure I guess the question may be how are we doing that? And yeah, thank you. and I'm looking at the administration going back and forth. Um I don't know if Director Gordon you want to or Mayor George if

uh Sure. I I can speak on this. So yes, we we continuously monitor that. Um and the pricing is set by by the market price. We're we're not certainly um set to a to a certain price. Um but it is monitored um frequently um to ensure that that we are using the best methods possible to conserve on gas when needed. Thank you. Um, Madam President, Council Member Bulock, so that was not um a planned question, but I have next week in Cleveland,

the the um there's a National Association of Fleet Managers who happens to have a conference in downtown Cleveland, and I've got the um invitation. I wonder if I can get that over to you, Director Gordon, and your team. Uh there's a big vendor hall. They've got all kinds of efficiency equipment. The idea would be we change an operating cost into a better asset that reduces the exposure to Middle Eastern um inflation uh due to global conflict and all kinds of other pressures on fossil fuel gas prices. Um so is that potential of interest if I get that over to you? There's there's free uh portions of that event to attend. You're more than welcome to send it over. I can't make any guarantees with our current workload. However, um yeah, you we could certainly take a look at it.

Thanks. All right. Or mayor, if you're interested as well. Thanks. Thank you. It's a good it's a good point. I just um having just recently switched to an electric vehicle and it's good timing. uh had to fill up at a fill up on a um fast charging station and it was I think $14 for an entire tank if you think of it that way, which is quite a bit cheaper. Um so, uh anyway, um for we have a motion and a second to receive and file the vendor report. Any further discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor? I

I And that motion passes. We are at public comment. Um, all right. So, oh, yep, we do have one e comment that'll also be um entered into the record. Um, and then we have a couple folks signed in to speak. And first up is uh Robert Organ. Welcome back.

Howdy, partner. I can feel the collective eye roll as I welcome as I'm welcomed back uh after a long stay of absence. Um I don't have class on Monday nights, but I'm real busy with homework, so I did have to take a couple hours out of my day away from homework to come in here, talk about everybody's favorite topic. Um, you know, I saw over the weekend that the uh the person that killed Bill Safos was only sentenced to seven days in jail and uh a five-year uh license suspension. And it feels really gross to me to be even thinking about advocating for a longer uh jail sentence. Um, but I think we could probably all agree that uh 5 years is not long enough for somebody to not drive after they've killed somebody in their car. Uh, that said, I know that you all city council doesn't have uh you don't have much control over the sentencing and and those things, but we do have control over is uh policies and our built infrastructure here in Lakewood. Um, we know that uh the built environment is the only thing that can really meaningfully change driver behavior. Um, policies that you could put in place that would cost nothing or next to nothing. Uh, could be something as simple as the Idaho stop or uh changing the signal timings so that pedestrians and cyclists can get ahead of traffic at stop lightss. Um, but we could also be making changes to our built environment through daylighting of intersections. I don't know how many times I've sent emails saying like, "Hey, this intersection is really dangerous because cars parked too close to the

intersection. People can't see, drivers have to pull uh, you know, further out into the intersection, etc." And I'm told that it's it's an enforcement issue, but I've also been told by the person in charge of enforcing these things that it's not a big concern for them. Um, I was laughed at via email, if you can put it that way. Um, and even even if it was a concern for them, the police cannot possibly react quickly enough to enforce an Amazon truck parked in the bike lane or uh an Uber Eats driver stopping to run in and grab food. But those things make real danger in at our intersections for pedestrians and bicyclists. And every day that those things are allowed to continue and no meaningful action is taken is another day that somebody like Bill Safos or me or anybody else in this community could be hit and killed by a negligent driver or, you know, by somebody that thinks that they have the right away and they're not going to slow down for anything, whatever. Um it it's really sad uh to see that this person is, you know, going to be driving in 5 years, probably less. I mean, there's nothing really to stop him from getting behind the wheel of a car in three weeks as long as he doesn't get caught. I don't know. Um but the way I see it, like you have three ways of getting me to stop showing up. One is to get behind the wheel of a car and kill me, which probably nothing would happen as we've seen. Hopefully, you don't choose that. I don't think anybody here wants to. Uh the second would be to pay for me to keep going to school so I'm too busy to show up to city council meetings. I would love to get a PhD. Um that'd be that'd be cool. Uh the third would be to take some

meaningful action. Start with daylighting intersections. It's easy. It costs next to nothing. Uh, and you know, if if it doesn't work out, if the public doesn't like it or if it doesn't create some real uh safety, uh, then you can take it out. It's quick and easy. Um, but that would be just a super great start uh to making our community safer for all people on their streets instead of just people in cars. Thanks. Thank you. Right. Um, next is uh Ferman. Is that right? I'm I apologize. Fine. Thank you.

Yeah, Rusty here. Uh, he basically um said everything I was going to say. I I was just um advocating um for like uh for this sort of situation to be taken more seriously and safer streets and uh it's seven days is it's too short for what h for what happened. Um and some um we need to do do something about this. policy change and making everything uh safer for for everyone on the road. Thank you. Thank you. All right. And then finally, uh Michael uh Griffin Meyer. Actually, I know Michael and he is not here, so he has already left. All right. So, Madam President,

yes, Council Member B just a comment in response to the um residents who just just comment. First of all, thank you for being here to talk about an important issue. And I I know for a fact that there were leaders in city hall um upset about the verdict. And I I'm going to say that because I think the professional decorum of, you know, I represent the city, but I'm not an executive officer of the city who has to sign legal documents or or um law enforcement matter, you know, orders. they're keeping their decorum and and not editorializing on on a judicial ruling. But I I I know for a fact that there are are members of city our city government who share the the desire to have a more um a longer a longer sentence and a more serious consequence. That's number one. Number two, I take your points uh Mr. Organ about design. Uh, I also think in fairness to any one city hall department, there's a there's a overlay of of multiple things that have to happen. There's enforcement, there's there's uh traffic signs and signals, but there's also planning and and what the the street design and the parking design is. And then there's what the rules and laws are and the ordinances are that this body um determines. So there's multiple leadership roles and responsibilities and sometimes the overlap works great and sometimes it may lead to um a little bit of a slowness or timidity or the classic problem of a ball in a baseball game falls between two outfielders because we each think the other's got it. So, um, we we want you to keep

coming. Uh, so thank you for your uncompromising expectation to make this city better and the community better and to challenge us all to make the streets safer for all users. So, and I'm sincere in that. Thank you to both of you.

Thank you. Um, we do want you to keep coming, but we don't want you to keep coming because there's another tragedy. So, um well, I'll just say that this body has been um very active about um working on complete streets legislation, the case advisory board, but that doesn't mean that that's the end of the work. That's just the beginning of the work. So, um and I think I think everyone up here shares the concern for sure. All right. Um that is everyone I have signed in to speak. Did anyone else wish to speak this evening? Okay. Um, announcements from council members. Uh, council member Pixenstein.

One quick announcement. Um, I know we already spoke about trees, but the, uh, Lakewood tree giveaway program, uh, launches its third year, uh, this week. Uh, online ordering goes live 10 a.m. this Wednesday. Uh, any Lakewood resident is eligible for a free tree for private yard planting. Um, check out the city socials for more information or visit arborday.org/lakewood. orlakewood. Thank you. Other announcements from council members? No announcements from the administration? All right. Seeing none, with no further business before council, without objection, we are adjourned.