Lakewood City Council Regular Meeting - January 16, 2026

Note: The meeting agenda and transcript indicate the meeting occurred on January 20, 2026, but the provided timestamp specifies January 16, 2026. This summary uses the January 16 date as instructed.

The Lakewood City Council met for a regular meeting covering a full agenda including the appointment of a new Ward 4 councilmember, re-introduction of ordinances on front yard plantings and trap-neuter-return of community cats, extensive budget and bond legislation, and a safety analysis study for the Madison Avenue and Hilliard Road intersection. The meeting was held at 7:30 PM in Council Chambers.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of January 5, 2026: Approved without reading (motion carried).
• Resolution 2026-01 (Submerged Lands): Approved without opposition, authorizing owners at 1040 Forest Cliff Drive to construct a shore structure on submerged lands, subject to an easement for city storm sewer maintenance.
• Ordinance 01-2026 (Codified Ordinances Update): Deferred to second reading (routine update to incorporate recently passed ordinances).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Christopher Bindle (1212 Hathaway) urged Council to consider the Charter Review Commission recommendations, specifically ranked-choice voting (RCV), and thanked Council for their attention.
• Dean Jackson (former Charter Review Commission member) elaborated on the Commission’s recommendations, arguing that RCV would address voter disenfranchisement in multi-candidate races, is cost-effective, and would not confuse voters. He urged Council to place charter amendments on the November 2026 ballot before the September 4 deadline. President Kepple noted the target is the November general election and that work would begin after the city hall bond discussions.

Discussion Items

• Appointment of Ward 4 Councilmember: President Kepple reported that after interviewing four candidates, Council unanimously voted to appoint Matthew Bixenstine to fill the vacancy left by Cindy Marx’s resignation. Bixenstine, a Ward 4 resident of 11 years, received 36 of 42 public letters of support. He took the oath of office and will serve until December 31, 2027. Council members praised his extensive community service.
• Council Committee Assignments: President Kepple presented updated committee assignments reflecting the new Ward 4 councilmember and new at-large terms. The assignments were received and filed.
• Front Yard Plantings Ordinance (Ordinance 02-2026): Vice President Baker reintroduced a revised ordinance to amend Chapter 1775 (Weeds) to allow managed natural landscapes (e.g., rain gardens, meadow vegetation) in front yards with setbacks. The ordinance was referred to the Housing, Planning & Development Committee.
• Trap-Neuter-Return Ordinance (Ordinance 03-2026): Councilmember Strebig reintroduced an updated ordinance to create regulations for trap, neuter/spay, and return (TNR) of community cats, including definitions for “Community Cat Caregiver” and “Trap Neuter Return Provider.” The ordinance was referred to the Public Safety Committee.
• 2026 Council Budget Priorities: Councilmembers Bullock, Hamilton Steiner, and Evans submitted proposed amendments to three budget ordinances (33-2025A, 34-2025A, 36-2025A) to fund previously identified but unfunded priorities. The proposals were referred to the Finance Committee for further discussion. Councilmember Bullock noted the need for administrative input on feasibility and funding sources.
• City Hall Renovations: Finance Director Mahoney presented an amendment to the 2026 Appropriation Ordinance (33-2025B) to allow $16.5 million for City Hall improvements. This was referred to the Committee of the Whole, where it will be discussed alongside a presentation from bond counsel on the broader debt package.
• 2026 Capital Improvement and Bond Legislation: Finance Director Mahoney presented a comprehensive debt package including $27.045 million in new bond anticipation notes for 2026 capital projects (streets, facilities, water, sidewalks, traffic signals, sewers), a $32.695 million refunding note roll, and two bond ordinances to refund 2016A bonds and convert 2024/2025 notes to bonds. The six note ordinances (06-2026 through 11-2026), the refunding note ordinance (12-2026), and the two bond ordinances (13-2026 and 14-2026) were all referred to Finance Committee and Committee of the Whole after a suspension of the rules. Councilmember Bullock requested a separate briefing with bond counsel to clarify routine questions.
• Safety Analysis Study – Madison Ave & Hilliard Rd: Assistant Planning Director Baas presented a study conducted by Iteris from April to October 2025. Recommendations include short-term measures (protected-only left turns, leading pedestrian intervals, high-visibility crosswalks—many already implemented) and long-term improvements (curb extensions, automated pedestrian detection, flashing yellow arrows). The study was referred to Committee of the Whole, the CASE Advisory Board, and the Planning Commission.
• County Road Preventive Maintenance Reimbursement: Public Works Director Gordon reported the city was awarded up to $125,000 from Cuyahoga County for crack sealing, pavement marking, and repairs. The communication was received and filed.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 2025-77 adopted (7-0) appointing Matthew Bixenstine to the Ward 4 council seat.
• Matt Bixenstine sworn in as Ward 4 councilmember.
• Resolution 2026-01 adopted approving the submerged lands lease.
• All bond and budget-related ordinances referred to the Finance Committee or Committee of the Whole for further deliberation.
• Ordinances on front yard plantings and TNR referred to respective committees.
• Safety study referred to multiple boards for joint discussion.
• Public comment period closed with no additional speakers.
• Council recessed until the next regular meeting.