OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Lakewood City Council Regular Meeting - January 30, 2026

Council Meetings — Friday, January 30, 2026
BodyLakewood, Ohio
SessionCouncil Meetings
DateFriday, January 30, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:05:54

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

All right, we'll call committee of the or not committee of the whole full council to order, we just take committee of the whole.

0:06

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

0:25

Now pause for a moment of silence.

0:36

Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

0:38

Vice President?

0:39

Here.

0:40

Councilmember Bixenstein?

0:41

Here.

0:42

Councilmember Bullock?

0:43

Here.

0:43

Councilmember Evans.

0:44

Here.

0:45

President Keppel.

0:46

Here.

0:46

Councilmember Hamilton Steiner.

0:48

Here.

0:48

Councilmember Streiebig.

0:50

Here.

0:51

Reading and disposal of the minutes of the regular meeting of council held January 20th, 2026.

0:56

Move to approve without the necessity of a reading.

0:58

Second.

0:59

Motion's been made and seconded.

1:01

Discussion.

1:02

Hearing none.

1:03

All those in favor?

1:04

Aye.

1:05

And that motion passes.

1:07

Without objection, I'd like to move items 24 and 25 to the top.

1:20

Item 24.

1:21

Communication from Councilmembers Hamilton Steiner, Keppel, and Streiebig regarding resolution to honor Black History Month 2026.

1:28

Councilwoman Hamilton Steiner.

1:31

Thank you, President Couple.

1:33

Dear colleagues, Mayor George and directors.

1:36

We celebrate and honor Black History Month, which was first started in February 1926 by historian Carter G.

1:43

Woodson as a week-long celebration.

1:46

February was selected due to it being close to President Abraham Lincoln's birthday, the force behind the emancipation proclamation, in addition to honoring the birthday of Frederick Douglass.

1:57

We owe much to Kent State University students, whom are responsible for what we now know as the month-long celebration of Black History.

2:05

Black United Students, us, advocated that Black History Week turn into a month-long celebration.

2:11

Through both student advocacy and efforts from campus educators, February 1970 marked the first month-long celebration at Kent State University.

2:21

With continued momentum across the country, President Gerald Ford federally recognized Black History Month in 1976 and encouraged Americans all over to participate in the observance.

2:33

We encourage the community to participate in Black History Month events happening in Lakewood and beyond.

2:39

Take some time to reflect on the many contributions of African Americans and reflect on and learn not just from the past but on the present and look to a positive future for us all together.

2:52

Thank you.

2:56

Second.

2:57

Thank you, Councilwoman.

3:00

I'll turn over to Councilmember Streiebig.

3:02

Thank you.

3:04

I'm proud to join my city council sisters and brothers in recognizing February 2026 as Black History Month here in Lakewood.

3:15

When I think about Black history, I sometimes think about the risks and sacrifices that so many people took just to live.

3:25

Like Harriet Tubman and people both known and unknown that worked the underground railroad to escape enslavement and death.

4:08

The gift they gave us by showing who they are, their values and visions.

4:31

Thank you for your bravery and sacrifice, Councilperson Angelina Hamilton Steiner.

4:37

We are all richer and wiser from your insight, understanding, and shared experience.

4:43

Happy Black History Month to you and your family.

4:48

Thank you, Councilmember Stiebig.

4:51

You know, I also want to thank Councilwoman Hamilton Steiner for this thoughtful communication and reminding us of the history with Kent State.

5:02

You know, um, and as we noted that the original Black History Week was that that week was chosen because of the birth dates of um Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, but um Frederick Douglass didn't actually know his actual um birthday.

5:20

So that was his chosen birthday because he was born into slavery, and the birthdays of slaves were rarely recorded.

5:27

This type of lost history was what Woodson, um Carter G.

5:31

Woodson, who set up that week, uh, and other black intellectuals worked tirelessly to uncover and share following the red summer of 1919, a time of intense racial violence that led to the deaths of hundreds of mostly African American people.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Racial Equity████████████████████20%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████████████17%
Procedural██████████████14%
Public Engagement█████████████13%
Cannabis Regulation███████7%
Zoning Code██████6%
Public Safety█████5%
Parking Management████4%
Water And Wastewater Management████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Lakewood City Council Regular Meeting - January 30, 2026

Note: The agenda and transcript indicate the meeting occurred on February 2, 2026, at 7:30 p.m., but the system-provided date is January 30, 2026, at 3:45 p.m. This summary uses the provided date for the title, but the content reflects the February 2 meeting.

The Lakewood City Council met for a regular meeting covering a range of legislative items, reports, and public comments. Key actions included adopting a resolution recognizing Black History Month, receiving updates on the City Hall project delivery and a proposed administrative move to the former school board building, deferring multiple capital finance ordinances, and referring a new Host Community Cannabis Fund ordinance to committee.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the January 20, 2026 regular meeting were approved without reading.
  • Ordinance 01-2026: Adopted to approve the editing and inclusion of certain ordinances into the Codified Ordinances (quarterly cleanup).
  • Liquor Permit – Jhumma Jhumma (12511 Detroit Ave.): Filed without objection after the Law Department found no statutory reason to object.
  • January 2026 Finance Vendor Report: Received and filed. Councilmember Strebig asked if vendor locations could be added to determine local purchasing; Director of Finance will investigate. Councilmember Bullock raised the possibility of converting city fleet vehicles to electric or hybrid to reduce fuel costs (noted $43,000+ in fuel expenses for the month).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Shirley Nelson (President, Lakewood Black Caucus): Spoke in strong support of the Black History Month resolution, emphasizing the importance of celebrating Black history amid current national efforts to “erase” African American contributions. Described the Caucus’s mission to educate, advocate, collaborate, and rejuvenate.
  • April Stoltz: Shared her personal experience learning Black history in Flint, Michigan, noting that Black history is “all of our history.” She called the resolution an “act of resistance” against efforts to erase stories.

Discussion Items

  • Black History Month Resolution (Items 24 & 25 moved to top): Councilmembers Hamilton Steiner, Kepple, Strebig, Bixenstine, Baker, and others delivered remarks on the history of Black History Month, its origins at Kent State University, and the parallels between historical and current struggles. The resolution was adopted unanimously.
  • Committee of the Whole Report – January 20, 2026: Presented by President Kepple. The meeting featured a presentation by Carter Edman (AIA Cleveland and Cogence Alliance) on project delivery methods for City Hall. No recommendation was made; council will use the information in upcoming decisions. Report received and filed.
  • Committee of the Whole Report – January 26 & February 2, 2026: Oral report from President Kepple. The January 26 session included a presentation by Jeff Rink (KeyBank) and Catherine Schwartz (Bond Counsel) on the 2026 finance plan, noting potential savings of $55,000–$60,000 per year over 10 years if bond refinancing occurs. The second half discussed a proposal to move administrative departments to the former school board building on Warren Road, with Liberty Development speaking. Council requested more details on staff space needs and parking costs (structured parking estimated at $35,000 per space). Report received and filed.
  • Items 4–21 (Ordinances 02-2026 through 14-2026): Following a suspension of rules to read all titles consecutively, council moved to defer these ordinances (second reading or committee referral). Items include front-yard planting regulations (02-2026), trap-neuter-return for community cats (03-2026), multiple appropriations and note issuance ordinances for capital improvements (totaling over $60 million), and refunding bonds.
  • Host Community Cannabis Fund – Communication (Item 22): Presented by President Kepple. Lakewood received $743,407.77 from the state cannabis excise tax (3.6% of 10% tax) and expects ~$500,000 annually. The fund would support public safety and accessibility capital priorities (Complete Streets, ADA Transition, female police officer locker rooms). Referred to Finance Committee.
  • Ordinance 15-2026 – Host Community Cannabis Fund (Item 23): Enacts Section 129.65 to establish the fund. Referred to Finance Committee.
  • LakewoodAlive Board Report (Item 26): Vice President Baker reported on the January 21 meeting. Ian Andrews left as Executive Director to join the City’s Planning & Development Department; Jo Higgins named Interim ED. The board is re-engaging former members. Report received and filed.
  • Lakewood Youth Council Report (Item 27): Councilmember Strebig reported on the January 22 meeting. Topics included bike racks, free bus passes, snow-covered sidewalks, support for youth bands and entrepreneurs, and discussion of ICE raids leading to consideration of an Advocacy Committee. Report received and filed.
  • Animal Safety & Welfare Advisory Board Report (Item 28): Councilmember Hamilton Steiner reported on the January 21 meeting. New officers elected; TNR ordinance reviewed; pet food drive collected 2,500 pounds (nearly 50% increase from April). Monthly need is 1,150 pounds for 250 families. Report received and filed.
  • Zoning Refresh Project Update (Item 29): Assistant Director Baas provided preliminary drafts of updated Development Standards (general, building design, parking, signs). Referred to Housing, Planning & Development Committee for further discussion.

Key Outcomes

  • Resolution 2026-02 (Black History Month) was adopted unanimously.
  • Ordinance 01-2026 (codification update) was adopted.
  • Ordinances 02-2026 through 14-2026 (front-yard plantings, TNR, appropriations, note issuances, bonds) were deferred (second reading or committee action).
  • Communication and Ordinance 15-2026 (Host Community Cannabis Fund) were referred to the Finance Committee.
  • Reports on Committee of the Whole, LakewoodAlive, Youth Council, and Animal Safety Board were received and filed.
  • Zoning Refresh Update was referred to the Housing, Planning & Development Committee.
  • Finance Vendor Report was received and filed, with follow-ups on vendor location data and fleet electrification.
  • Liquor permit was filed without objection.

Meeting Transcript

All right, we'll call committee of the or not committee of the whole full council to order, we just take committee of the whole. If you're able, please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. Now pause for a moment of silence. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Vice President? Here. Councilmember Bixenstein? Here. Councilmember Bullock? Here. Councilmember Evans. Here. President Keppel. Here. Councilmember Hamilton Steiner. Here. Councilmember Streiebig. Here. Reading and disposal of the minutes of the regular meeting of council held January 20th, 2026. 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. Without objection, I'd like to move items 24 and 25 to the top. Item 24. Communication from Councilmembers Hamilton Steiner, Keppel, and Streiebig regarding resolution to honor Black History Month 2026. Councilwoman Hamilton Steiner. Thank you, President Couple. Dear colleagues, Mayor George and directors. We celebrate and honor Black History Month, which was first started in February 1926 by historian Carter G. Woodson as a week-long celebration. February was selected due to it being close to President Abraham Lincoln's birthday, the force behind the emancipation proclamation, in addition to honoring the birthday of Frederick Douglass. We owe much to Kent State University students, whom are responsible for what we now know as the month-long celebration of Black History. Black United Students, us, advocated that Black History Week turn into a month-long celebration. Through both student advocacy and efforts from campus educators, February 1970 marked the first month-long celebration at Kent State University. With continued momentum across the country, President Gerald Ford federally recognized Black History Month in 1976 and encouraged Americans all over to participate in the observance. We encourage the community to participate in Black History Month events happening in Lakewood and beyond. Take some time to reflect on the many contributions of African Americans and reflect on and learn not just from the past but on the present and look to a positive future for us all together. Thank you. Second. Thank you, Councilwoman. I'll turn over to Councilmember Streiebig. Thank you. I'm proud to join my city council sisters and brothers in recognizing February 2026 as Black History Month here in Lakewood. When I think about Black history, I sometimes think about the risks and sacrifices that so many people took just to live. Like Harriet Tubman and people both known and unknown that worked the underground railroad to escape enslavement and death.

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TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
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