The March 1, 2010 meeting of Council was called to order at 7:41 P.M. by Council President Kevin Butler (Ward IV). There were few open seats remaining in the City Hall Auditorium at the start of the meeting as this was the night Council would potentially decide the fate of the ordinance allowing leashed dogs into Lakewood and Kaufman Parks.
Eating well doesn’t have to cost you a bundle or suck the flavor out of life. In fact, by mindfully chewing your three meals a day – ones chocked full of healthful and tasty ingredients -- you can keep a list of chronic diseases at bay and give you energy to live a life indulgent in activity, not food.
H2O, Lakewood’s youth volunteer program set records in 2009.
At last weeks Council Meeting Councilwoman Nickie Antonio asked City Hall to give a communications update on the current status of bringing Lakewood a "Shopper Day" bus service. Mayor Fitzgerald who has been leading the effort to press RTA in restoring the Lakewood circulator services was not in attendance. Nate Kelly of Planning and Development reported a contract was issued to RTA by the City the week before and they expect an answer by the end of this week.
The contract asks for the Shopper Day to be run on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The route will be the same as the former RTA Community Circulator route, which makes a circle around Lakewood's entire Detroit and Madison Avenues, includes W. 117th St. and The Gold Coast to the far east of town, and Sloane Ave to the far west. As W. 117th St. coverage also benefits the City of Cleveland, City Hall negotiated with the City of Cleveland to share the cost of the $15,000 required by RTA to provide the service. The City of Cleveland is asking that the route include Giant Eagle and Target on W. 117th St., which was not part of the former Lakewood Circulator route.
Council President Kevin Butler (Ward I) called the February 16 meeting of Council to order at 7:40 P.M. Even though this meeting was taking place at the same time as the much anticipated School Board meeting, in which they would vote and decide which elementary school to close, there was a sizable audience at City Hall.
The City of Lakewood has been awarded $50,000 from NOACA’s Transportation for Livable Communities Initiative Program to undertake a study of strategies to improve the pedestrian access, traffic movement and the streetscape on the eastern end of Madison Avenue.
“We are pleased to be receiving these funds from NOACA to study the eastern end of Madison Avenue,” stated Mayor Ed FitzGerald. “The Detroit Avenue Streetscape study has been a great development tool the past couple years, and we look forward to seeing similar results on Madison Avenue.”
The City of Lakewood applied to the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) for the funds in October of 2009, competing against other communities throughout Northeast Ohio. NOACA distributes federal transportation dollars throughout the five county region, including funds for transportation planning activities that promote sustainable development and economic development. It is the same source of funds that funded the Detroit Avenue Streetscape Plan.
Citywide, residents continue to invest in their homes. From fresh paint to new kitchens, proper maintenance and valuable upgrades improve property values and quality of life. In challenging economic times, it can be more difficult to finance the larger improvements, especially in recent months where equity lines of credit and second mortgage loans are harder to secure.
The City of Lakewood’s Division of Community Development is bridging the gap to make it easier for home owners to continue to improve their properties by offering low interest home improvement loans to its residents. The City of Lakewood’s Division of Community Development offers a variety of programs to help Lakewood property owners maintain their homes. The Low Interest Home Improvement Loan Program is available to qualified Lakewood residents and rental property owners at low, affordable interest rates.
In 2009, the City of Lakewood launched the first phase of a new initiative to collect delinquent income taxes. This first phase, a one-time income tax amnesty program was implemented to ensure that every taxpayer is aware of and contributing to the funding of city services (police, fire, street maintenance, waste collection, etc). Many took advantage of this opportunity to “wipe the slate clean” and from July 21, 2009 until September 30, 2009, the City of Lakewood collected $567,000 in delinquent tax dollars and processed 2,200 delinquent tax returns.
The second phase of the City of Lakewood’s tax compliance initiative will be a more thorough identification of noncompliant taxpayers. A recently formed partnership with the City of Cleveland and the Central Collection Agency (CCA) allows the Income Tax Division access to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax records. This increases the City of Lakewood’s ability to identify taxpayers who did not file and/or pay the proper city income tax. Identified delinquent taxpayers will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Lakewood Income Tax Ordinance and be held responsible for all penalties and interest levied against any outstanding tax balance(s).
There is still time for taxpayers to file delinquent tax returns before the second phase is instituted in early 2010. The Lakewood Municipal Income Tax Division is located at 12805 Detroit Avenue in the City Hall Annex Building on the corner of Detroit and Alameda Avenue. No appointment is necessary. The Income Tax Division will assist with free Lakewood tax return preparation or assistance during regular business hours, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
The Division can address any questions or concerns in person, by phone at (216) 529-6620, or by email at taxdept@lakewoodoh.net during their regular business hours. Frequently asked questions, additional information, and/or tax forms are available on our website at www.onelakewood.com.
Council President Kevin Butler (Ward I) called the February 1, 2010 Council Meeting to order at 7:35 P.M. After the opening procedures, Councilman Butler recognized and welcomed Ohio State Senator Dale Miller who was sitting in the audience.
The first order of business was presented by Councilman Michael Summers (Ward III) and was asking Council to support the Schools 6.9 mill operating levy, which will be on the May ballot. Summers highlighted the sacrifices the schools have already made and the cuts they will still have to make even if the levy does pass. The communication supporting the resolution was signed by all members of Council, indicating the imminence of them passing it. Councilman Butler, Councilman Thomas Bullock (Ward II) and Councilwoman Nickie Antonio (At-Large) all made comments supporting the schools and thanking them for their excellent service to our city and its children, their responsibility in making a three year levy last seven and congratulating them on their excellent rating.
Council voted unanimously to pass the resolution. Since the Board of Education was holding their meeting at the same time as Council they sent Assistant Superintendent Jan Soeder to accept the Resolution and then deliver it to their meeting.
It may be cold outside and the playgrounds are deserted but it’s welcoming and warm at the Lakewood Family Room. Winter is a good time to remind residents of one of Lakewood’s greatest assets. Parents, caregivers and children have benefited from Lakewood Family Room for years with its many constant and ongoing offerings geared towards the needs of early childhood and those who care for them.
On the night of January 19, 2010, Council President Kevin Butler (Ward I) called the meeting of City Council to order at 7:34 P.M. The first order of business by Council was to recognize Michael Dever, for his years of service to the City as a City Council member and Council President. Dever was appointed to an unexpired Council seat in January of 2003 and re-elected by his own right in 2005. In 2006 his fellow Council members elected him Vice-President of Council and in 2008 President, a post in which he served until December of 2009.
Due to the Lakewood Observer taking a break for the holidays two Council Meetings have lapsed in that time. Therefore in this issue, this column will include both the December 21, 2009 and the January 4, 2010 Council Meetings.
The City of Lakewood, in partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau, will host a Census Job Fair on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM in the Lakewood City Hall Auditorium, 12650 Detroit Avenue.
Here in a Lakewood Observer exculsive is the mayor's speech.Mayor Edward FitzGerald's Speech...
Good morning, and thank you for attending.
It's always good to begin an effort like this with a sense of history, and a sense of place.
My great-grandfather moved to this neighborhood from Ireland 130 years ago, and started a small grocery store just down the road from here.
This county has been good to my family ever since that time. I love the Cleveland area, and I'm committed to it, and my wife Shannon and I decided to raise our four children here.
But we have to be honest about what this county is facing. We used to be one of the economic drivers of not just the state but the entire country. We were known all over the world as a center of innovation and economic progress. That's why so many of our families came here in the first place.
Citywide, Lakewood continues to see its storefronts filled with new businesses. It’s a great sign for the city, especially considering the economic climate that makes it tougher for businesses to start new endeavors, or even grow.
If you're a Lakewood property owner, Ward 2 councilman Tom Bullock and the FitzGerald administration want to make it cheaper for you to go solar. In a letter presented to Lakewood City Council on December 7, Bullock and Mayor Ed FitzGerald proposed that Lakewood take advantage of a new Ohio law that authorizes the state's cities to offer special financing to residential and commercial property owners for solar energy projects within their borders. The law, enacted in July, allows Ohio cities to create special-improvement districts (SIDs) to offer loans at below-market rates for the installation of solar photovoltaic systems (solar panels) or solar thermal projects that provide water heating, process heat, or electricity. Participating property owners agree to a special assessment on their property tax bill to pay the loans back over a period of up to 25 years. The tax bills of property owners who do not wish to participate are unaffected by the program. Participating cities may issue bonds or apply for federal or state grant dollars to fund such financing programs.
Council President Michael Dever called the December 7, 2009 Council Meeting to order at 7:32 P.M. The first order of business was to excuse the absence of Councilman Butler, which was done so unanimously.
Councilman Dever ( At-Large) then gave a report from the Committee of the Whole regarding the Historic Interiors Preservation ordinance. At the last council meeting, the ordinance was returned to Council from the Planning Commission with a recommendation that they pass it after visiting it once more in the Committee of the Whole. Revisiting it, the Committee of the Whole decided to defer the vote on it once more so they can look over a report from the Legal Department that they had asked for.
Councilman Tom Bullock (Ward II), Chair of the Public Safety Committee, gave his report on the ordinance which would allow the City’s Police force to trade in their old guns for new ones at no cost to them. This trade would save the City $40,000 in purchasing new hand guns for its officers. After discussing the specifics of the plan, and with the understanding that the guns traded in will be refurbished and sold through licensed dealers, the Public Safety Committee recommended passage. Council accepted the Committee report and passed the ordinance.
Lakewood Mayor Ed Fitzgerald provided the opportunity to several members of “Riders to Bring Back the Daily Lakewood Circulator” to meet with him on December 1st. The purpose of the meeting was to get an update from the Mayor concerning the current status of the fight to revive Lakewood Circulator service.
This holiday window display was designed and staged by Virginia Marti Fashion Merchandising students as part of their curriculum. Besides beautifying the college, various Virginia Marti students have assisted many Lakewood businesses as part of their curriculum and through internships. And many former students, such as the author of the above story, call Lakewood home and continue to contribute!
Council President Michael Dever (At-Large) called the November 16th, 2009 Council meeting to order at 7:35 P.M. The first order of business was for Council to excuse the absence of Council Woman Nickie Antonio (At-Large), which they did.
Want a chance to skip out on the work of trimming the tree this Christmas and at the same time help out a worthy organization that provides food baskets to Lakewood families at the holidays? Tough sell, huh? Thanks to the thoughtful minds behind this year’s Light Up Lakewood, a perfectly appointed 8-foot artificial tree will be raffled off to benefit the outreach efforts of Lakewood Charitable Assistance Corp. (LCAC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of under-privileged Lakewood residents through food collection, raising funds, and providing volunteer services to support Thanksgiving and Christmas food basket events.
Holiday shopping just got a whole lot merrier. The Downtown Lakewood Business Alliance merchant group will present its first “Holiday Happy Hours” from 3-7 p.m. on December 5, in concert with Light Up Lakewood. Shoppers can jump-start holiday purchasing at more than 40 Lakewood businesses and restaurants, and at a special gathering of local artists and direct sellers featuring one-of-a-kind gifts at Detroit and Marlowe Avenues.
The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring it’s third annual “Why I Love Lakewood” essay contest, open to all fourth graders in town, and the winner will have the honor of “flipping the switch” to literally Light Up Lakewood during the downtown tree lighting ceremony Saturday, Dec. 5.
Light Up Lakewood Chairperson Katy Davis would like to thank her fellow volunteers who've been brimming with good cheer and holiday spirit for months:
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Q: What do you like best about being a part of Light Up Lakewood?
Be a part of the magic this holiday season when downtown Lakewood transforms into a Winter Wonderland during the third annual Light Up Lakewood, from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, December 5. Join Lakewood residents, families, businesses and friends along the half-mile stretch of Detroit Avenue from Marlowe Avenue to Arthur Avenue (Lakewood Hospital to Lakewood Library), which will be closed to traffic but open for an all-in, all-out holiday extravaganza. The Light Up Lakewood spectacular will kick-off with Santa’s arrival and holiday lighting ceremony at Lakewood Hospital, followed by an evening of Musical entertainment by the choirs and bands from Lakewood schools, Lakewood Catholic Academy and the Beck Center. There will also be children’s activities, story time, visits with Santa, and a “kids-only” shopping opportunity at a “Twigbee-style” shop at Lakewood Library; street performers along Detroit Avenue, including the St. Edward Trash Talkers and the St. Ignatius High School Circus Company; and hockey demos, ice carvings and pictures with “Buddy the Elf” at Sinagra Park. In addition, there will be a DJ, children’s activities and free refreshments at Lakewood Hospital’s heated tent, free trolley rides, Christmas tree sales at the Arthur Avenue extension, and “Holiday Happy Hours,” a “buy-local” shopping event from 3-7:00 pm where shoppers can jump-start holiday purchasing at more than 40 Lakewood businesses and restaurants, including a special gathering of local artists and direct sellers featuring one-of-a-kind gifts at Detroit and Marlowe Avenues. “Over the past several years Light Up Lakewood has grown into a true holiday tradition - a not-to-be missed event for our community,” said Mary Anne Crampton, executive director of LakewoodAlive, the event presenter. “This year the Downtown Lakewood Business Alliance merchant group adds ‘Holiday Happy Hours’ from 3-7 p.m. on December 5, and every following Saturday in December. Merchants will offer special holiday discounts and promotions, which should encourage everyone to buy local this holiday season.” This year’s Light Up Lakewood event also supports the outreach efforts of Lakewood Charitable Assistance Corporation (LCAC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of under-privileged Lakewood residents through food collection, fundraising, and providing volunteer services to support Thanksgiving and Christmas food basket events. Funds will be raised for LCAC by raffling a beautifully decorated eight-foot Christmas Tree. The tree is on display now at the main branch of the Lakewood Public Library. Raffle tickets may be purchased for $1.00 each or 6 tickets for $5.00 at Lakewood Public Library, lion and blue, Rozi’s Wine House, Geiger’s Clothing & Sports, Aladdin’s Eatery, and Plantation Home from now through December 5. The winning ticket will be chosen on December 7, 2009. Light Up Lakewood is a LakewoodAlive event. Sponsors include Lakewood Hospital, City of Lakewood, Coral Group, Target, Giant Eagle, Hinkley Lighting, Panera Bread, and The Wave 107.3. For more information, look for the complete schedule of activities and events in this issue of the Lakewood Observer and visit www.downtownlakewood.org for a list of merchants participating in Holiday Happy Hours.
The Lakewood Police Department will be offering a Citizens Police Academy again this year. It is a 12-week course for Lakewood residents or people who work in Lakewood who are interested in learning more about the Division of Police. During the sessions, students are presented with information from a number of speakers to familiarize them with a variety of policing issues in Lakewood. Session topics include SWAT Procedure, Crime Scene Processing, Jail Operations, and the K9 Unit to name a few. In addition to speakers from the Division of Police, the Department of Law and Judge Carroll also address the class. At the end of each session the graduates are permitted to schedule a ride-along with a patrol officer for one evening.
Mary Louise Madigan, Vice President of Council, called the November 2, 2009 meeting of Council to order at 7:34 P.M. Her first order of business was to excuse Councilman Michael Dever (At-Large) from the meeting.
The Veterans Day Ceremony at Lakewood Park had beautiful weather, a great crowd and a wonderful ceremony. Thank you to all veterans for your service.
On October 17, 2009 at 7:37 P.M. City Council President Michael Dever called the meeting to order. The audience was a decent size filling up about half the auditorium. Among those in attendance were the Cub Scouts of Troop 76 and their parents.
The City of Lakewood began collecting loose leaves on Monday, November 2, 2009 and will continue until approximately Friday, December 11, 2009, weather permitting. Prior to November 2 and after December 11, leaves will be collected only when they are properly contained and set out along with regular refuse and recycling.
Mayor Ed FitzGerald and the Lakewood Veterans Advisory Committee will host the City of Lakewood’s Veterans Day Ceremony on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in Lakewood Park, 14532 Lake Avenue. Lakewood’s annual Veteran’s Day observance is a tribute to the men and women who served our country in the armed forces.
On October 26th, construction began on an ambitious rehabilitation of the Bailey Building. Using a 126 ton crane, crews have been systematically removing 16,000-pound concrete panels to restore the classic brick and stone of the original Bailey Building.
At the urging of the Department of Planning and Development, and incentivized through a loan from City’s Economic Development Fund, the building is going to be restored to its original 1930’s grandeur. Coupled with significant improvements on the building’s interior, it will be an asset to efforts to attract new businesses to Lakewood. Updated office spaces are needed to compliment the new retail and other development recently prevalent in Downtown Lakewood.
Is it too good to be true? Seemingly, it is.
Even though the RTA has offered our City of Lakewood "free" Circulator Buses, there seems to be strings attached. Our Mayor, Edward FitzGerald, is reluctant to make a commitment because of a $15,000 charge.
There is a price for everything and we seniors are paying for not having this service. The stress that has been experienced is incalculable. We have to walk more, carpool, pay for taxis or wait excessively for other avenues o transporation, or go without.
We seniors need this service to survive. It is not only a convenience, but it is a necessity. The one day per week service proposed is inadequate. We have daily needs and , of course, there are emergencies. The heretofore provision is gone.
Then, we cannot forget the physically challenged and the mroe severely disabled. We do not want them to be discriminated against. They truly need the assistance.
Perhaps the Mayor's idea of a wide Circulator Route encompassing Tremont, Lakewood to Kamm's Corners could be a viable solution.
A citizen's group called the Riders To Bring Back Daily Circulators will be meeting Sunday, November 1, 3 p.m. at the Lakewood Public Libary main branch, Multipurpose Room. For more information you can call 216-221-2724.
Vice President of Council, Mary Louise Madigan, called the October 5, 2009 City Council meeting to order at 7:40 P.M. The first order of business was to excuse Council President Michael Dever for his tardiness do to another engagement. Next Councilwoman Madigan read a resolution that was presented by all of Council recognizing Milan Stankovich, upon his retirement, for his many years of service to Lakewood.
The City of Lakewood youth service organization, Help to Others (H2O), will co-sponsor the 10th Annual Pumpkin Palooza on Sunday, October 25, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Lakewood High School, 14100 Franklin Avenue. All proceeds will benefit the Lakewood Christian Service Center and the Lakewood Charitable Assistance Corporation. Pumpkin Palooza is also presented by the City of Lakewood’s Department of Human Services, Lakewood City Schools, Lakewood Hospital, Lakewood Public Library, Lakewood non-profit and civic organizations, LHS Student Organizations and Lakewood Early Childhood Professionals.
The Lakewood Department of Human Services-Division of Aging and the Cuyahoga County Board of Health will be offering season flu shots on the following dates:
The Lakewood Departments of Planning & Development & Public Works will hold a Park System Master Plan Community Workshop on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 from 6:30 pm. - 8:00 p.m. in the Auditorium at the Lakewood Public Library, 15425 Detroit Avenue.
Council unanimously passed the resolution which was quickly followed by a standing ovation from council and the audience. Captain Anderson and his daughter, who were both present, were touched and very grateful to the City.
