OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Lakewood City Council Regular Meeting - July 18, 2025

Council Meetings — Friday, July 18, 2025
BodyLakewood, Ohio
SessionCouncil Meetings
DateFriday, July 18, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:02:17

Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

All right, we will call to order the uh full council meeting for July twenty-first.

0:06

If you're able, please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:28

We'll now pause for a moment of silence.

0:41

Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

0:43

Vice President Baker.

0:44

Here.

0:45

Councilmember Bilak.

0:46

Here.

0:46

Councilmember Evans.

0:47

Here.

0:48

President Keppel.

0:49

Here.

0:49

Councilmember Marks.

0:50

Here.

0:50

Councilmember Steiner.

0:52

Here.

0:52

Councilmember Stribig.

0:53

Sure.

0:54

Reading and disposal of the minutes of the regular meeting of council held July 7th, 2025.

0:59

Move to approve without the necessity of a reading.

1:01

Second.

1:02

Motion's been made and seconded.

1:04

Discussion.

1:05

Hearing none.

1:05

All those in favor?

1:07

Aye.

1:07

And that motion passes.

1:09

Uh without objection, I'd like to move items seven, eleven and twelve to the top of the agenda.

1:18

All right.

1:19

Item seven, resolution twenty twenty-five thirty-five.

1:22

A resolution to recognize Lakewood Rangers high school varsity baseball team on its historic twenty twenty-five season, winning the district title for the first time in thirty-two years and reaching the elite eight in the OHSAA state baseball tournament.

1:38

Uh Councilmember Evans.

1:42

Um it's a privilege to honor the Rangers baseball team uh for this amazing season.

1:47

Um so much hard work by a lot of different people, um, coaches, staff, administration, parents, and obviously the players.

1:54

Um I had an opportunity to talk to uh Vince France who's who's here this evening last week, and we were discussing that this is really the product of an investment um that everybody hit here has made in a baseball culture in Lakewood, starting with a lot of the when these guys were playing just T ball.

2:10

Um this season was a reflection of that investment.

2:14

Um I think it's a reflection of who we are as a community and this team this year really paid that investment off on the diamond.

2:20

So you you made Lakewood very proud, thank you.

2:23

And I'm gonna turn my uh time over to Councilman Vite Vice President Baker.

2:27

Vice President Baker.

2:28

Um th thank you, uh President Keppel, and thank you, Councilman Revens for uh jo uh joining me in this resolution.

2:34

And I'll just say, you know, I um Coach Graves and um athletic director Sloan, uh who I I know is Coach Sloan because he coached me in basketball uh more than 20 years ago.

2:44

Uh but he was two when he did it, so it's okay.

2:47

Um it was so and I talked to Dr.

2:50

Greenoff who helped write this resolution as well, uh, as we did the Fourth of July parade, and he said that some of those other programs around the county, and I won't name them, uh, can't really be called programs because they just recruit the best players and they come and play for their teams.

3:06

Uh but what the culture that Lakewood and Coach Graves and uh the athletic department have made here at Lakewood is that all these kids are from this zip code from 44107.

3:16

Um and they're and and that's what you got, and you gotta work with those kids, you gotta grow them and grow a program.

3:22

And it was so fun to watch them this year.

3:24

Forty-two and twelve over the last two years.

3:27

Uh beating St.

3:28

Edwards, which um is is something that they might not realize it, but they'll remember for the rest of their lives.

3:33

I certainly remember when I did it.

3:35

Um, you know, just j just the work that went into it, and I want the team and the whole athletic department to know that you really made the community proud, and and I was so happy.

3:45

I, you know, my son is eight years old, he plays in the Lakewood community baseball association, and we watched uh the Hoover game uh and it was so fun to kind of see him and see his his fandom and his uh his love of the Rangers and his uh disregard for other schools that are our arrivals uh grow.

4:03

And that's just so fun, and it's it's about building community uh and it's about you know showing respect for our community and uh all the alumni that I know were super engaged as well, so you should be proud of yourselves and we are.

4:14

So thank you.

4:16

Thank you.

4:17

Other council members.

4:22

Yep, council member.

4:23

I'll just uh add I I think it's well said by others.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Transportation Safety█████████████████████21%
Short Term Rental Regulation████████████████████20%
Procedural████████████12%
Public Safety███████████11%
Public Art███████7%
Public Engagement██████6%
Youth Programs████4%
Affordable Housing████4%
Public Works███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Lakewood City Council Regular Meeting

Note: The agenda and transcript indicate the meeting was held on July 21, 2025, but the provided date is July 18, 2025. This summary uses the provided date as instructed.

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM with the Pledge of Allegiance, Moment of Silence, and roll call. The minutes of the July 7, 2025 meeting were approved without objection.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 7, 2025, were approved without reading.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Robert Organ (resident): Expressed strong support for the Complete Streets ordinance, calling it a process to make streets safer, and thanked council for passing it.
  • Amy Herberger (Bunts Road resident): Opposed the Bunts Road multimodal path, citing lack of resident input, safety concerns, environmental destruction, and potential property value decreases. She presented a petition with over 1,300 signatures.
  • Matt Herberger (Bunts Road resident): Raised procedural concerns about notice and public engagement for the Bunts Road project, and urged that complete streets regulations, including e-bike rules, be in place before infrastructure projects.
  • Alexander Benedict (new Ward 4 resident): Supported the Complete Streets resolution and specifically advocated for protected bike lanes to separate bikes from cars.
  • Ralph Punell (1223 Madison Ave): Generally supported short-term rental regulation but raised concerns about staffing for enforcement, lack of a local contact, and density of Airbnbs. Suggested annual licensing reviews.
  • Micah Zekum (resident): Opposed broad regulation of short-term rentals, distinguishing between small-scale operators (renting a spare room) and large investors. Argued that market forces and existing landlord rules should apply.
  • Gina Vernacchi (resident): Supported regulation of short-term rentals, drawing on her experience as former CEO of Playhouse Square. Emphasized 24/7 responsibility for safety, insurance, and fire code compliance.
  • Molly Crow (resident): Urged reasonable regulations for short-term rentals, citing repeated disturbances, safety concerns, and lack of guest screening. Asked for occupancy limits, noise control, and a reporting system.
  • Micah Zekum (second appearance): Opposed the tax increment financing (TIF) for the former Lakewood Hospital site, calling it corporate welfare. Argued that tax revenues have outpaced inflation and that the city has a large fund balance.
  • Prahelika Reddy (1324 Granger Ave): Asked council to pass a resolution protecting trans rights, noting ongoing attacks. Urged a public meeting on the matter.
  • Matt (resident): Reiterated urgency for trans rights protections, citing the Trump administration's gutting of services for LGBTQ+ individuals on suicide hotlines.

Discussion Items

  • Complete Streets Ordinance (Substitute Ordinance 16-2025): After a discharge from the Planning Commission and removal of emergency language, the ordinance was adopted. Vice President Baker explained it creates a process for public input on transportation projects, not a specific outcome. Councilmember Bullock clarified that the ordinance does not automatically implement any project but provides a framework for public engagement.
  • Complete and Active Streets Education & Advisory Board (Substitute Ordinance 17-2025): Adopted after discharge from Planning Commission. The board will consist of members with diverse lived experiences (pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, people with disabilities). President Kepple noted it will work on education, safety, and implementation of the Active Transportation Plan.
  • Short-Term Rentals (Airbnb) – Communication and Ordinance 23-2025: Councilmembers Bullock and Evans introduced a concept draft ordinance to regulate short-term rentals. The communication outlined problems (nuisance, housing affordability, enforcement) and guiding principles. The ordinance was referred to the Housing, Planning, and Development Committee. Public comment highlighted both support and concerns.
  • Former Lakewood Hospital Redevelopment:
    • Sale of Property (Ordinance 24-2025): Authorized the transfer of the former hospital site to Belle Ave Partners, LLC for $1.5 million, with the purchase price to be forgiven upon completion of public improvements. Referred to Committee of the Whole.
    • Tax Increment Financing (TIF) – Ordinance 25-2025: Established a 30-year, 100% TIF on the increase in assessed value for commercial and multifamily portions, excluding for-sale residential units. The TIF will provide up to $23 million in reimbursement to the developer. Referred to Committee of the Whole.
  • Transit Feasibility Study: The Iteris study, dated October 1, 2024, was presented. It recommends a contracted on-demand service as the most cost-effective option, with RTA as a potential partner. The study was referred to the Housing, Planning, and Development Committee.
  • Public Art Master Plan (Resolution 2025-37): Accepted a grant of $83,000 from the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission with a 15% ($14,500) city match. The plan will assess existing public art and create a framework for future projects. Councilmember Evans will sit on the project team. The resolution was adopted.
  • Sale of Retired Rescue Boat (Resolution 2025-38): Authorized the sale of a 2012 Ribcraft rescue boat to the City of Lorain for $10,000. Fire Chief Fairbanks stated the boat is retired and Lorain has a dire need after two drowning incidents. The resolution was adopted.
  • Neighborhood Paramedic Program Update: A request from the Fire Department to present an annual update was referred to the Public Safety Committee.
  • Liquor Permits:
    • Aladdin's Natural Eatery: Deferred to allow time for police background check.
    • EuroGyro at 13429 Madison Ave: Filed without objection.
    • DJT Industries (Sloan Pub) at 18196 Sloane Ave: Filed without objection.

Key Outcomes

  • Adopted: Substitute Ordinance 16-2025 (Complete Streets), Substitute Ordinance 17-2025 (Complete and Active Streets Advisory Board), Ordinance 21-2025 (Third Quarter Fund Transfers), Resolution 2025-35 (Honoring Baseball Team), Resolution 2025-36 (Thanking Recreation & Education Department), Resolution 2025-37 (Public Art Master Plan Grant), Resolution 2025-38 (Sale of Rescue Boat).
  • Deferred: Ordinance 22-2025 (Permanent Appropriations) – deferred.
  • Referred to Committee: Communication and Ordinance 23-2025 (Short-Term Rentals) to Housing, Planning, and Development; Ordinance 24-2025 (Hospital Property Sale) to Committee of the Whole; Ordinance 25-2025 (TIF) to Committee of the Whole; Transit Feasibility Study to Housing, Planning, and Development; Neighborhood Paramedic Program Update to Public Safety Committee.
  • Filed without Objection: Liquor permits for EuroGyro and DJT Industries.
  • Announcements: Ward 2 community conversation scheduled for July 22 at 6 PM at the Lakewood Public Library.

Meeting Transcript

All right, we will call to order the uh full council meeting for July twenty-first. If you're able, please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. We'll now pause for a moment of silence. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Vice President Baker. Here. Councilmember Bilak. Here. Councilmember Evans. Here. President Keppel. Here. Councilmember Marks. Here. Councilmember Steiner. Here. Councilmember Stribig. Sure. Reading and disposal of the minutes of the regular meeting of council held July 7th, 2025. Move to approve without the necessity of a reading. Second. Motion's been made and seconded. Discussion. Hearing none. All those in favor? Aye. And that motion passes. Uh without objection, I'd like to move items seven, eleven and twelve to the top of the agenda. All right. Item seven, resolution twenty twenty-five thirty-five. A resolution to recognize Lakewood Rangers high school varsity baseball team on its historic twenty twenty-five season, winning the district title for the first time in thirty-two years and reaching the elite eight in the OHSAA state baseball tournament. Uh Councilmember Evans. Um it's a privilege to honor the Rangers baseball team uh for this amazing season. Um so much hard work by a lot of different people, um, coaches, staff, administration, parents, and obviously the players. Um I had an opportunity to talk to uh Vince France who's who's here this evening last week, and we were discussing that this is really the product of an investment um that everybody hit here has made in a baseball culture in Lakewood, starting with a lot of the when these guys were playing just T ball. Um this season was a reflection of that investment. Um I think it's a reflection of who we are as a community and this team this year really paid that investment off on the diamond. So you you made Lakewood very proud, thank you. And I'm gonna turn my uh time over to Councilman Vite Vice President Baker. Vice President Baker. Um th thank you, uh President Keppel, and thank you, Councilman Revens for uh jo uh joining me in this resolution. And I'll just say, you know, I um Coach Graves and um athletic director Sloan, uh who I I know is Coach Sloan because he coached me in basketball uh more than 20 years ago. Uh but he was two when he did it, so it's okay. Um it was so and I talked to Dr. Greenoff who helped write this resolution as well, uh, as we did the Fourth of July parade, and he said that some of those other programs around the county, and I won't name them, uh, can't really be called programs because they just recruit the best players and they come and play for their teams. Uh but what the culture that Lakewood and Coach Graves and uh the athletic department have made here at Lakewood is that all these kids are from this zip code from 44107. Um and they're and and that's what you got, and you gotta work with those kids, you gotta grow them and grow a program. And it was so fun to watch them this year. Forty-two and twelve over the last two years. Uh beating St.

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