Council Approves Lawsuit Settlement
The May 21, 2012 Council meeting was called to order by Council President Brian Powers at 7:37 P.M. Councilman Powers (At-Large) asked Council to pass a resolution congratulating Lakewood High School principal, Dr. William Wagner. Dr. Wagner was recently named Ohio High School Principal of the Year by the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators. Council unanimously agreed to and passed the measure.
Councilman Powers personally congratulated Dr. Wagner and said coming from a long line of school teachers and administrators he truly appreciates what Dr. Wagner does for our community, saying that you can’t have a strong community without strong schools and that Dr. Wagner truly helps us have strong schools.
Dr. Wagner thanked Council for the resolution and said that there were several people responsible for the honor and he certainly cannot take credit alone. He said the hard work of all the students, teachers and support staff are the reason he was able to receive the award. He closed saying, “This award is won by many [in the district] and I just get the honor of accepting it.”
Next on the agenda were the Lakewood Heritage Advisory Board Historic Preservation Awards. May is National Historical Preservation month and for the last 10 years Lakewood has awarded property owners in Lakewood who have made improvements to their homes and businesses that stay true to the historical character of the buildings. This year marks the 11th year for the awards and there were seven recipients. Winners include Rozi’s Wine House, two homes on Lake Avenue, a house on Edgewater Drive, a house on West Clifton Boulevard, a house on West Clifton Road and a house on Wyandotte. One of the houses on Lake had won this award previously for an addition on their home, however when a really bad storm came through a few years ago a tree took out that addition. This year they were recognized again for the replacement of that addition.
Other National Historic Preservation Month activities this year included This old House Fair which was held at the beginning of the month, the Lakewood Historical Society Scavenger Hunt which is going on all month and lastly a presentation by the Lakewood Historical Society at the Library on May 30th.
Next, Law Director Kevin Butler asked Council to pass a resolution giving the Mayor the power to enter into an agreement with a former city employee to settle several worker’s compensation lawsuits. The Committee of the Whole had previously approved the Law Department discussing settlements of cases up to $150,000. After deliberation that amount was agreed upon by both parties. Although the Committee of the Whole agreed to a settlement amount to be discussed, it still has to be officially approved by Council, which is why Director Butler introduced the resolution.
Council passed the resolution.
Director Butler then asked Council to pass an ordinance that would place a question on the November 6th ballot asking citizens to allow the City to make changes regarding the filing date of mayor and council members to be put on a ballot. The Changes are being requested by the Cuyahoga County Board of elections to fall in line with changes that were made at the state level. Currently a candidate has to submit their declaration of candidacy by the 75th day preceding the primary. The new law, if adopted, would change that to 90 days.
Council referred the matter to the Rules and Ordinances Committee for further discussion.
Police Chief Malley then asked Council to pass a resolution that would allow the city to accept funds from the Ohio Attorney General to support Lakewood’s D.A.R.E program. The $41,142.21 grant would help pay the salaries of the officers instructing the D.A.R.E program.
Council passed the resolution.
Fire Chief Scott Gilman then asked Council to pass a resolution recognizing Kufner Towing for providing Lakewood’s Fire Department with vehicles for use in extrication training. The vehicles were given to the city at no cost.
Council passed the resolution.
Coming to the end of the agenda and with no members of the public wanting to make any comments, Council President Powers adjourned the meeting at 8:10 P.M.
Council meetings are held every first and third Monday of the month at 7:30 P.M. in the City Hall Auditorium. The next regularly scheduled council meeting will be held on June 4, 2012. For a copy of the agenda or for any other information regarding the LakewoodCity Council, you can find it at onelakewood.com/citygovern_council.html