Lakewood City Council Regular Meeting - October 16, 2025

Note: The agenda and transcript indicate this meeting occurred on October 20, 2025, but the provided date is October 16, 2025. This summary uses the October 16 date as instructed, while acknowledging the discrepancy.

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence. Roll call was taken; Councilmember Bullock was absent and his absence was excused unanimously. The minutes of the October 6, 2025 meeting were approved without reading. The agenda was reordered to begin with the Beautiful Home Awards presentation.

Consent Calendar

The following items were adopted or approved without substantive discussion:

• Reading and approval of the October 6, 2025 minutes (unanimous).
• Receipt and filing of the Committee of the Whole report from October 13, 2025 (unanimous).
• Resolution 2025-42 (substitute) appointing Sean McDermott, Tracy Greenberg, Cody George, and Emily Lindberg as volunteer members to the Complete and Active Streets Education & Advisory Board (CASE) and Vice President Baker as ex-officio non-voting Council liaison. Adopted unanimously.
• Receipt and filing of the Public Works & Sustainability Committee report from October 13, 2025. The committee favorably referred three submerged land leases and deferred two at homeowner request. A resolution on enhancing public input for active transportation was deferred for further work.
• Resolutions 2025-57, 2025-58, and 2025-59, approving submerged land leases for shore structures at 1040 Erie Cliff Drive, 1041 Forest Cliff Drive, and 1039 Forest Cliff Drive. Each adopted unanimously.
• Receipt and filing of the Public Safety Committee report from October 20, 2025. The committee discussed updates to the Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) ordinance and a communication from the fire chief regarding a future fire engine purchase.
• Substitute Ordinance 20-2025 (animals and fowl, TNR regulations) was deferred for further cleanup.
• Receipt and filing of the Rules & Ordinances Committee report from October 20, 2025. The committee favorably referred the cybersecurity policy.
• Resolution 2025-53 adopting the City of Lakewood Cybersecurity Policy, as required by ORC §9.64. Adopted unanimously (amended to include Council office reporting language).
• Receipt and filing of communication from Public Works Director Gordon regarding a typographical error in Resolution 2025-52.
• Resolution 2025-52A correcting the title of the loan application from "2026 Lead Line Replacement Project" to "Bunts Road Lead Line Replacement Project." Adopted unanimously.
• The liquor permit for Fika Café, LLC was deferred.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Matt Bixenstein (2069 Clarence Avenue), representing Friends of Madison Park, expressed strong support for continued investment in Madison Park Master Plan. He highlighted the success of the new Birdtown Connector pathway and urged prioritization of future renovations for futsal courts, the pool, and the playground. Mayor George announced upcoming design and engineering for Madison Pool and playground, aligned with Council's budget priorities. Councilmembers thanked Mr. Bixenstein for his leadership.
• Genesis Brown (Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities) provided an update on the 20th anniversary of the agency's last levy. She noted that 351 residents in Lakewood are served, and the levy supports early intervention, therapies, and community grants. She offered to collaborate with the city.
• Amy Herberger (resident) spoke in strong opposition to the Bunts Road multimodal plan. She alleged the city spent $1.7 million on a plan originally budgeted at $22 million, criticized the public engagement process as performative and misrepresentative, and claimed 1,400 residents formally objected. She argued the plan would increase traffic hazards, eliminate mature trees, worsen air quality, and reduce livability. She called for a cost-benefit analysis, environmental impact report, and long-term maintenance plan before proceeding. She urged Council to choose safety and transparency.
• Kim (neighbor of Amy Herberger) echoed concerns about the Bunts Road planning process, urging the city to walk the corridor with residents before designing. She questioned the safety of e-bikes on sidewalks, requested a push-button crosswalk for senior residents, and asked for better traffic enforcement and signage (e.g., no truck restrictions, no right turn from get-go). She expressed skepticism about the plan's benefits.
• Two e-comments were entered into the record without further detail.

Discussion Items

• City Hall Space Update (Item 12): President Kepple delivered a communication detailing due diligence on four options for addressing space constraints at City Hall: (1) minor addition to west, (2) infill of the "U" (less viable due to sally port), (3) large two-story addition, (4) purchase and renovate 1470 Warren Road, convert existing City Hall to Justice Center, and sell the Annex. A Council working group (Vice President Baker, Councilmember Evans, President Kepple) has been meeting weekly with consultant Chris Panichi (PMC). Weber Murphy Fox has been asked to provide cost estimates for all options. The communication was referred to Committee of the Whole.
• Lakewood Youth Council Bylaws Update (Items 13-14): Councilmember Strebig presented a communication summarizing minor updates to the Youth Council bylaws, approved by the Youth Council this summer. The amendments add flexibility and reflect current practices. Resolution 2025-60, approving the amended bylaws, was referred to the Rules & Ordinances Committee, with an invitation for Youth Council members to attend.

Key Outcomes

• Appointments confirmed: Four volunteer members and one Council liaison appointed to the Complete and Active Streets Education & Advisory Board (CASE).
• Cybersecurity Policy adopted: Resolution 2025-53 adopted to comply with state law, effective immediately.
• Submerged land leases approved: Three resolutions (2025-57, 58, 59) passed, enabling property owners to apply for leases with ODNR for shore structures.
• Loan amendment adopted: Resolution 2025-52A corrected the project title for the Bunts Road Lead Line Replacement loan application.
• TNR ordinance deferred: Substitute Ordinance 20-2025 was deferred for further revisions regarding training, registration, unsanitary conditions, and owner responsibility for veterinary costs.
• Youth Council bylaws referred: Resolution 2025-60 referred to Rules & Ordinances Committee for review.
• City Hall options: The communication was referred to Committee of the Whole; cost estimates from WMF are awaited.
• Public comments noted: All public comments on the Bunts Road plan, Madison Park, and Cuyahoga DD will be considered as part of ongoing processes.

Announcements

• Mayor George announced a public meeting on futsal courts at Madison Park on October 21 at 4:30 PM.
• No further business; meeting adjourned.