Lakewood City Council Meeting – December 16, 2025 (Agenda Dated December 15)

This summary reflects the Lakewood City Council meeting held December 16, 2025, per the supplied meeting timestamp; the printed agenda and transcript references carry the date December 15, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. The extended regular meeting included FY2025/FY2026 appropriations and contract-authority ordinances, ratification of 2026–2028 collective bargaining agreements, the Ward 4 vacancy process, City Hall space options, a liquor permit, and a farewell resolution for Ward 4 Councilmember Cindy Marx. Council also held a moment of silence for Nancy Fienn, a former Mayor's Office employee and Cove Community Center staff member.

Consent Calendar

The following routine/unanimous actions were disposed of without substantive debate (Council did not use a formal consent agenda):

• Minutes of the December 1, 2025 regular meeting were approved without a reading.
• Reports from the Committee of the Whole (December 5) and the Finance Committee (December 8 and December 15) were received and filed.
• President Kepple's communication on the Ward 4 vacancy process, including qualifications and the January 2, 2026 application deadline, was received and filed.
• President Kepple's City Hall space/timeline update was received and filed.
• Animal Safety & Welfare Advisory Board reappointments — Teresa Schleicher, Lise Stevens, and Juleen Russell, with terms running January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027 — were received and filed.
• The Planning Department's acceptance of a $7,500 Healthy Lakewood Foundation Neighborhood Opportunity Grant for the 2026 Tree Giveaway (400 trees; 200 at spring and fall events) was received and filed.
• The liquor permit notice for Couth Collective, 17106 Detroit Ave. (Ward 1), was filed without objection, with no statutory reason to object.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Barb Rhodes (1475 Grace Ave.) said it was frustrating to watch Council vote on amendments made in a committee that was still meeting at 7:30 without those amendments being described to the public. She asked Council to summarize late, unpublished committee amendments when moving to substitute. President Kepple acknowledged the feedback as good practice.
• Jason Frederick (Alameda Ave.) praised Councilmember Cindy Marx's openness and responsiveness as Ward 4 representative, credited her with nominating him to the Public Art Advisory Board, and wished her well in her upcoming move to Shaker Heights.
• Cindy Marx's fiancé Ken offered brief celebratory remarks and was welcomed by Council.

Discussion Items

• 2026–2028 union contracts: Council adopted substitute Resolution 2025-73 authorizing the Mayor to enter into, and ratifying, three-year agreements with 8 unions representing more than 450 City employees, effective January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028. A committee amendment requires the administration to meet with Council before beginning 2029–2031 negotiations to discuss financial outlook, wage adjustments, and other significant factors.
• FY2026 budget and reserves: Councilman Bullock reviewed the budget and cautioned about rising personnel costs. He cited General Fund reserve figures of $7.9 million (64.9 days/approximately $122,000 per day) in 2019, $9.1 million (75 days/about $121,000 per day) in 2020, and a proposed $10.8 million in 2026 covering only 61 days, at $175,683.79 per day. He said personnel costs total about $64 million and roughly 75% of the General Fund, with contracted increases of 3% in 2027 and 4% in 2028.
• Composting initiative: Councilman Bullock proposed adding $50,000 to the FY2026 General Fund appropriation for a citywide composting pilot. A roll-call motion to amend Exhibit A passed 4-3 (Baker no, Bullock yes, Evans yes, Kepple no, Marx yes, Hamilton Steiner yes, Strebig no), but a follow-up discussion raised structural-balance and bond-rating concerns. Finance Director Mahoney and the Mayor explained the funds were already available from the economic development fund/encumbrances, and the Mayor said she would veto a structurally imbalanced budget. Council then rescinded the earlier amendment 7-0. Later, Council added a $50,000 composting initiative line to the Planning & Development service-contract list in Ordinance 36-2025, increasing that contracting authority from $6,750,000 to $6,800,000, and adopted the ordinance as amended.
• City Hall space options: President Kepple summarized the Weber Murphy Fox/PMC conceptual estimates: $21,425,071 for City Hall renovation with small addition and annex renovation; $30,984,985 with a large addition; and $39,720,945 for Warren Road renovation plus City Hall renovation. The Administration proposed $1.5 million from the Land Acquisition Fund for the Warren Road purchase, $16.5 million in 2026 bond anticipation notes for renovation, and additional 2027/2028 amounts. The Finance Department requested BANS legislation by February 17, 2026. The timetable includes Ward 4 candidate interviews January 12, swearing-in January 20, a Bond Counsel presentation moved to January 26, and BANS readings through February 17.
• Ward 4 vacancy: President Kepple's communication noted applications and letters of support are due January 2, 2026 at noon; a Committee of the Whole review is set for January 5. Applicants must have been Lakewood residents for at least one year, be registered voters, and live in Ward 4. Resolution 2025-77, which would appoint the yet-to-be-named Ward 4 member for the remainder of the term ending December 31, 2027, was referred to Committee of the Whole.
• CHAT annual report: Assistant Planning Director Baas presented the Community Health Action Team's annual report (September 2024–December 2025). Council referred it to the Health and Human Services Committee. The report proposes transitioning several action areas to lead partner organizations while CHAT retains the Community Resource Guide and shifts to a coordination, identification, and advocacy role.
• Farewell to Cindy Marx: Council adopted Resolution 2025-75 commending Marx for her public service, including her appointment to the Ward 4 seat in June 2022, election in 2023, and earlier at-large service from 2014–2017. Members praised her responsiveness, advocacy, and community engagement, and Mayor George presented a proclamation. Marx's resignation is effective December 31, 2025, and she is moving to Shaker Heights.
• Honoring Trish Rooney: Council adopted Resolution 2025-76 recognizing Lakewood Community Services Center Executive Director Trish Rooney for 17 years of leadership. Members cited her work stabilizing LCSC, expanding the food pantry and pandemic home-delivery service, homeless-prevention assistance, and completing the move to the renovated former Youth Services building. Rooney was not present by the time the item was taken up; an e-comment from Human Services Director Barry was read.
• Employee ordinances: Council adopted Ordinance 37-2025 (2026 pay plan for non-bargaining employees), Ordinance 38-2025 (accelerated vacation accrual, higher vacation maximums, paid Veterans Day, and increased sick-time conversion percentages), and Ordinance 29-2025 (updated petty cash and operational cash funds).

Key Outcomes

• Adopted Resolution 2025-73, Resolution 2025-75, Resolution 2025-76, and the amended FY2025/FY2026 budget and contract-authority package: Ordinances 31-2025, 32-2025, 33-2025, 34-2025, 35-2025, 36-2025, 37-2025, 38-2025, and 29-2025.
• Referred Resolution 2025-77 (Ward 4 appointment) to Committee of the Whole.
• Rescinded the 4-3 vote adding $50,000 to FY2026 appropriations by a 7-0 vote after determining the funds were already available; subsequently included the $50,000 composting initiative as a service-contract authorization in Ordinance 36-2025.
• Filed the liquor permit without objection, received/filed routine communications and the grant notice, and referred the CHAT annual report to the Health and Human Services Committee.