Lakewood City Council Meeting – September 15, 2025

This regular meeting of Lakewood City Council was held on September 15, 2025, at 7:30 PM in Council Chambers. The council addressed a wide range of items including opioid settlement funds, a major downtown redevelopment project, a gender freedom policy, property tax relief, and public input on transportation infrastructure. Several resolutions were adopted, and others were referred to committees for further discussion.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of September 2, 2025: Approved without reading.
• Vendor report for August 2025: Received and filed.
• Liquor permit notice for Humble Origins LLC, 15400 Detroit Ave.: Filed without objection after review by the Law Director and no objection from Ward 2 Councilmember.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Opioid Settlement (Resolution 2025-44): One e-comment urged specific use of funds; discussed but no in-person speakers.
• Gender Freedom Policy (Resolution 2025-45): Multiple speakers expressed strong support for immediate passage, citing urgency and safety for transgender residents. Speakers included Ashley Lou Becki (DSA Cleveland), Robin Zekowski, Skylar Urban (teacher), Christina McCollum, Ryan Bergstrom, and Grace. They urged council not to delay and noted hundreds of petition signatures. Council President Kepple responded that the policy is designed to be actionable and legally sound, and referred it to committee for thorough review.
• Property Tax Relief (Resolution 2025-47): State Representatives Bride Rose Sweeney and Chris Glassburn, Ed Stockhausen (Cleveland Neighborhood Progress), Beth Blackmarr (Citizens for Property Tax Reform), and Edward Zachem spoke in support. They highlighted systemic state disinvestment, rising property taxes, and the need for local tools like Senate Bill 42. Representative Sweeney noted that Ohio is the most over-levied state and that state inaction has forced high property taxes. Representative Glassburn shared that seniors are the fastest-growing segment of food bank clients due to property tax burdens. Edward Zachem urged the city to also examine its own charter millage. Beth Blackmarr cited that her property tax share of mortgage payment rose from 15% in 2007 to 55% in 2025, and noted 17,544 property tax defaults in Cuyahoga County as of February 2025.
• Active Transportation and Public Input (Resolution 2025-48): Multiple Bunts Road residents spoke in favor of enhanced public input. Matt Herberger, Shannon Mortland, Kim McDonald, and others argued that the current process excluded residents and that the proposed 10-foot multi-use path would create safety hazards, remove mature trees, and lack demonstrated need. Jeff Jitsek and Daniel Zalinski questioned the resolution's intent and timing. Cassie Organ expressed confusion about the goal. Councilmember Bullock clarified that the resolution aims to supplement existing processes and potentially consider alternatives like a bike lane instead of a multi-use path. In general public comment, Bonnie Sykes raised concerns about a possible elementary school closure, Cassie Organ promoted Hike and Bike Week and Bike with the Mayor events, and Beth Blackmarr warned that new high-rent developments could push up rents in existing affordable units.

Discussion Items

• Report from Housing, Planning & Development Committee (September 8, 2025): Vice President Baker reported on follow-up discussion of Ordinance 18-2025 (front yard plantings) and a transit feasibility study for a Lakewood circulator. Six models were evaluated; none were profitable. Discussion will continue in 2026 budget planning. The committee requested the administration post the study online.
• Report from Committee of the Whole (September 12 & 15, 2025): Discussed 2026 priorities, board/commission vacancies, and budget priorities. Also reviewed Resolution 2025-44 on opioid settlements. Staff reported the city has received $158,000 in opioid settlement funds since 2022 and spent about $40,000. The Mi Wee Family Education Support Program (cost ~$300 per session) has 99% positive feedback. Since May 2, 2025, emergency services responded to 80 overdoses.
• Report from Public Safety Committee (September 15, 2025): Councilmember Strebig reported on a presentation by firefighter/paramedic Oliver Harper on the neighborhood paramedic program and a continued discussion on the Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program. Recommendations will be sent to the Lakewood Animal Safety and Welfare Advisory Board, with a goal to finalize by end of October.
• Communication on Gender Freedom Policy: Council President Kepple and Councilmember Strebig introduced an administrative policy to protect transgender individuals. The policy prohibits use of city resources to investigate gender-affirming care, protects HIPAA information, and continues employee benefits for gender-affirming care. Several council members expressed support, noting the policy's legal grounding and alignment with past actions on marijuana and reproductive rights.
• Communication on Property Tax Relief: Councilmember Bullock introduced a communication and resolution urging state government to adopt Senate Bill 42 and other reforms. The resolution was amended via substitute to include calls for full funding of public schools and expansion of the homestead exemption. Councilmember Bullock noted that Lakewood's total property value doubled to $1.8 billion in six years, with housing prices more than 40% higher than the region.
• Communication on Active Transportation Public Input: Councilmember Bullock proposed a resolution to enhance public input for the Bunts Road Rehabilitation Project and other infrastructure projects. He suggested that City Council could hold public hearings and potentially recommend changes. The resolution was referred to the Public Works and Sustainability Committee.
• Youth Council Report: Councilmember Strebig reported on the August 28, 2025 Youth Council meeting. Topics included coverage of the Lakewood Community Festival, a suggestion box for community improvements, merging of committees, continued focus on mental health, interest in the Lakewood Circulator, and recruitment through September 21.
• Zoning Refresh Project Update: Assistant Planning Director Baas presented preliminary drafts of land use definitions, district standards, and use standards. The project will continue with development and sign standards, and eventual draft legislation.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 2025-44 (Opioid Settlement): Adopted unanimously. Authorizes the Mayor to enter into agreements with other communities and the State of Ohio to settle opioid claims against additional defendants.
• Ordinance 20-2025 (Trap-Neuter-Return): Deferred to allow further review by the public safety committee and LASWAB.
• Ordinance 24-2025 (Property Transfer to Belle Ave Partners, LLC): Adopted (with Vice President Baker recusing). Authorizes the sale of three parcels (approx. 5.7 acres) for $1.5 million, with the purchase price forgiven upon completion of public improvements (parking facility, community space, public parks).
• Ordinance 25-2025 (TIF for Downtown Redevelopment): Adopted. Declares 100% of the improvement value exempt from property taxes for 30 years, establishes a TIF fund, and authorizes a service payment agreement. The developer will receive up to $23 million in reimbursements plus 5% interest, with funding from service payments in lieu of taxes. The project includes 298 residential units (20% affordable), 25,000 sq ft of retail, public plaza, pocket park, public restrooms, and preservation of the Curtis Block building.
• Ordinance 26-2025 (Codification Update): Deferred.
• Ordinance 27-2025 (Repeal Audit Committee): Deferred to Finance Committee.
• Resolution 2025-45 (Gender Freedom Policy): Referred to Committee of the Whole. Expected to return to full council at the October 6, 2025 meeting.
• Resolution 2025-47 (Property Tax Relief): Amended via substitute and referred to Finance Committee. The substitute expands the resolution to urge full state funding of public schools and expansion of the homestead exemption.
• Resolution 2025-48 (Active Transportation Public Input): Referred to Public Works and Sustainability Committee.
• Resolution 2025-46 (OPWC Grant Application): Adopted. Authorizes the City Engineer to apply for state capital improvement funds for the Nicholson & Wilbert Outfalls Rehabilitation Project.
• Fire Engine Purchase: Referred to Public Safety Committee.
• Zoning Refresh Update: Referred to Housing, Planning & Development Committee.