The April 6, 2009 council meeting was called to order at 7:37 P.M. by Council President Michael Dever.

Mary Louise Madigan (ward 4) presented a resolution commending Billy Butler “For demonstrating community spirit by raising money for charities and promoting environmental awareness.” The resolution also expresses Council appreciation in Billy’s commitment to bettering the lives of others...

Sensing competition from a younger namesake, Kevin Butler (ward 1) was quick out of the box to offer his congratulations to the younger name holder.

Billy’s parents were on hand for a ceremonial picture with the entire council and mayor.

Neighbor Andy Bodi and his wife Trudi, who have lived across the street from the Butlers for years said, “we are all proud of him on Arthur Avenue.”

In exclusive corridor comments to the Lakewood Observer, Billy Butler modestly allowed that he was “proud to receive this resolution.”

On the November ballot Issue 2, renewal of the Clean Ohio Fund will appear. Tom Bullock (ward 2) in a letter requesting council support for the issue listed arguments in favor of the issue.

This fund was first approved in 2000 in order to preserve natural areas and farmland, protecting waterways and redeveloping urban areas to foster economic growth. Since it began, Clean Ohio has protected over 26,000 acres of working family farms, created 216 miles of recreational trails and cleaned up more than 173 abandoned industrial sites, known as brown fields.

 

Tagline: Ban on non-compliant dogs plus “no new pit bulls” policy with major ramp-up in enforcement and new animal safety “best practices” advisory board...

By a vote of 6 to 1 Lakewood City Council tonight enacted legislation to ban pit bull dogs from Lakewood. Pit bull dogs currently living in Lakewood would not be affected by this ban if their owners comply with requirements outlined in the new law.

Calling it “Lakewood’s Cathedral” Dever introduced a resolution congratulating St. James Church on its 100th anniversary. Father Kline of the parish said “the church building is important, but it is only as important as the people of its community...”

On May 19, I proposed a ban on those dogs commonly known as pit bulls. The current administration, including Mayor Edward FitzGerald, City Prosecutor Richard Neff, and the animal control officers, are supportive of the legislation. Since the introduction of this proposed ordinance, a number of Lakewood residents on both sides of the issue have approached me with questions. Below is a summary of those questions, along with his responses...

Council president Michael Dever brought the May 19, 2008 council meeting to order at 7:40.

After a year of hard work by the Lakewood Planning Commission, the Heritage Advisory Board and advocacy by the Lakewood Historical Society, council finally passed revisions to the zoning code providing for Historic Preservation Districts (HPD) and Historical Property (HP) designations...

Health Services Shifting to County Agency

In a busy week for council, historic action was taken at the regular Monday meeting and the presentation of the Public Safety Initiative was heard at the committee of the whole on Wednesday.

Michael Dever is starting to imprint his style on meetings with a signature opening. In this case it was “Good evening. I’m Michael Dever, President of Lakewood City Council. Welcome to the April 21, 2008 meeting.” In the past, an abrupt, “the meeting will come to order,” usually served as a public salutation...

As a budget cutting measure, Lakewood’s City Council has passed an emergency resolution to end trash collection in Lakewood, effective April, 1st. Councilman Mike Summers, as chair of Council’s Finance Committee, has consistently made it clear that Lakewood can no longer afford business as usual. Trash removal became a target for budget cuts. He challenged the Fitzgerald administration, and fellow council members to come up with a solution.

At the end of the week Lakewood City Council wrapped up an extensive series of budget hearings. Council also had a look at the first phase of a performance audit conducted by the Auditor of State...

Several years ago Dennis Albrecht assumed the position of City Engineer for Lakewood. One of his first major tasks was to implement an objective, engineering based evaluation of all the city’s streets. This evaluation was then used to rank the streets so that repairs and rebuilding could be prioritized. It also made street repaving less subject to politics and more responsive to actual needs. Albrecht was able to bring his background at the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to bear on this project. Albrecht will be returning to ODOT to assume a major supervisory position...

Council president Mike Dever called the February 19, 2008 meeting to order at 7:36 PM. The first order of business was a resolution presented by Dever (at large) commending Thomas J. George for his public service as Mayor of Lakewood.

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The beginning of the year brings the departure of board and commission members and the appointment of new members. Resolutions offered by Dever to council commended the service of two members of the Board of Building Standards/Architectural Board of Review/Sign Review Board. The two members who completed a full five-year term were George Kubas II, and Traci Nelligan. During their tenure they served as Chairman and Vice Chairman of that body...

At 7:34 Council President Dever called the January 22, 2008 meeting to order. The first docket item was the committee of the whole report which recommended appointing Brian Powers to the vacant council at large seat. Council received the report then passed a resolution to appoint Powers to fill the remaining two years of that seat’s term...

At 7:30 PM January 7, 2008 Mike Dever (at large) called the council meeting to order. By virtue of being the longest serving member of council the job fell to him to open the meeting. After the roll call, pledge to the flag, and moment of silence Dever then called for nominations for the post of President of Council...

At the final City Council meeting of the year, the Lakewood City Council and Lakewood Mayor, Thomas George, combined to present a special resolution to congratulate and honor Geiger’s for “…75 years of civic involvement in our community and for Geiger’s dedication to the ideals of the city of Lakewood and its citizens. The City of Lakewood wishes to express its gratitude to the Geiger family...

It’s a new season, a new council, and a new administration and Lakewood City Council will execute a triple play. It will organize itself, appoint a new member, and make a budget.

City Council report.

Lakewood Christian Service Center Celebrates 25th

In the political world having the year of an election follow your name is generally a campaign slogan. For Michelle Sikes ’08 is the year for the Olympics and the destination is Beijing.

Council President Robert Seelie called the July 2, 2007 meeting to order at 7:40. Fewer than ten people were in the audience for this meeting as compared to the 80 who attended the last meeting.

With summer temperatures of 93 degrees outside over 100 people with various public issues sat in the audience for the June 18, 2007 council meeting.

Every year there are a select few homeowners and businesses who set the standard, or raise the bar when it comes to property renovations. They provide examples of what can be done with a home or storefront to make it reach its potential.

Council President Robert Seelie called the May 7, 2007 meeting to order at 7:34 P.M.

Seated in the audience were members of the Lakewood Blue Star Moms. They are the mothers of our military men and women serving throughout the world. Council member Nickie Antonio (at large) joined them at one of their regular monthly meetings which are held at Lakewood Christian Church. She was particularly impressed by the fact that these mothers carry the burden of the knowledge that their children’s daily duties put them in harms’ way.

Council reporting was diverted somewhat in the past month because of attention paid to internal council conflicts and the Observer’s efforts to make up to the minute reports. Despite those detours there were regular agenda items that were temporarily overlooked but will now be revisited.

Yogi Berra famously said, “It’s not over ‘til it’s over.” And so it is with the continuing debate over council leadership. Council tonight did not address in its regular agenda any of the issues that were discussed at the Friday the 13th special meeting.

On Friday the 13th a caucus of four council members tried but failed to change council leadership.

The 2007 budget has been put to bed but the budgeting process is just taking a nap.

This year’s budget which was passed in a special meeting of council calls for expenditures in the amount of $38,534,502.

Several times during the year the production schedule of the Observer and the meetings of the City Council don’t match up for a timely article. In those instances I will use the opportunity to expand our awareness of other areas of Lakewood government. Meanwhile, as always, you can keep up on council actions by visiting the City Council thread on the Observation Deck.

Vice President Michael Dever took over the gavel from President Robert Seelie who was absent and called the February 5, 2007 council meeting to order.

The first order of business was a resolution offered by Mayor Thomas George and all council members commending the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) for their assistance to the safety forces during a crisis on Fry Avenue two weekends ago.

Have you had ever thought about riding a train out to the western suburbs or downtown? Or how about a neighborhood car rental? Council put the “wheels” in motion on those two ideas at its meeting of January 16, 2007.

Just as the moon presents many faces to earth, city council can have different appearances meeting to meeting. Such was the case with the meetings at the end and the beginning of the year.

City Council December 4th, 2006

The November 20 council meeting started with well deserved resolutions recognizing Lakewood's athletes as they pursue their personal best and team wins.

City Council - 11.06.2006

The October 17, 2006 issue of the Lakewood Observer erroneously reported that Kevin Butler submitted a proposal that included a pay raise for council members. His proposal dealt only with the position of mayor. We regret this inaccuracy.

Council and Mayor Thomas George joined in a resolution honoring Scott Dueness, Executive Director of Cornucopia, Inc. (Nature's Bin), on receiving the Cliff Adler Heart in Business Award. The Bin has become a Lakewood institution. It began over thirty years ago at the east end of Madison Avenue. It moved to its current location on Sloane Avenue where the natural foods store has just completed updates due to its popularity. It has served as a training center for special needs individuals as well offering a unique selection of foods. The Adler award is quite prestigious in the natural retail food industry.

Council Vice President Michael Dever, substituting for Council President Robert Seelie, called the October 2 meeting to order.