Lakewood City Council Meeting – July 2, 2026

Note: The agenda and transcript indicate the meeting occurred on July 6, 2026, but the provided metadata specifies July 2, 2026. This summary uses the metadata date as instructed.

The Lakewood City Council held a regular meeting on July 2, 2026, at 7:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting covered committee reports, five proposed charter amendments for the November ballot, a traffic calming program review, a block club initiative, animal shelter concerns, federal grant changes, and short-term rental regulations. Several ordinances were deferred for final action at the July 20 meeting. Public comments focused on power outages, e-bike safety, and property code enforcement.

Consent Calendar

• Unanimously approved minutes from the June 15, June 24, and July 1, 2026 meetings without reading.

Committee Reports

• Finance Committee (June 22 & 29): Vice President Baker reported on the review of 24 council budget priorities from the May 11 retreat. The committee clarified which priorities will impact the 2027 budget; those without budget impact will be pursued as policy or long-term projects. At least one more finance meeting before recess.
• Housing, Planning & Development (June 22 & 29): Councilmember Evans reported:
  • On June 22, Assistant Planning Director Baas updated the Zoning Refresh Project. The final cohesive draft is expected for the September docket, with adoption by year-end.
  • On June 29, a presentation from Cleveland Bridge Builders (with LakewoodAlive) explored strategies to fund garage repairs for fixed-income residents. The committee will continue analysis.
• Housing, Planning & Development (July 6): Evans gave an oral report on e-bikes/e-scooters. The committee began discussing code changes, including definitions and regulation. An education blitz on existing reckless operation ordinances was also discussed. Councilmember Bullock urged swift action on both new devices and unsafe behavior, noting that behavior may need separate treatment.

Discussion Items

• Charter Amendment Ordinances (Items 4-8): Five ordinances proposing amendments to the city charter for the November 3, 2026 ballot were considered. Each had been previously vetted by the Committee of the Whole. President Kepple noted typos in three and substitutes in two. After approving amendments/substitutions, all five were deferred to the July 20 meeting for final adoption, meeting the September 4 Board of Elections deadline. The amendments cover:
  1. Ordinance 16-2026: Change frequency of Civil Service Commission salary reviews to odd-numbered years, with a 10% cap unless no increase in 10 years.
  2. Ordinance 17-2026: Add requirements for filling council vacancies: open call for applicants, public interviews, and clarify appointee term.
  3. Ordinance 18-2026: Allow legislation to be amended by striking through removed language and underlining new language, instead of full repeal/re-enactment.
  4. Ordinance 19-2026: Establish a ward redistricting process after each decennial census, effective for the next regular election.
  5. Ordinance 20-2026: Clarify charter amendment paths: by Charter Review Commission recommendation with council vote, or by council two-thirds vote directly.
• Traffic Calming Program Review: Vice President Baker, Councilmembers Bixenstine, and Evans submitted a communication requesting a comprehensive review of the Traffic Calming Program, which has been in place for over a decade. They noted the program's success but asked whether thresholds, engagement process, prioritization, codification, and new treatments should be updated to align with the city's Active Transportation Plan, Safe Streets for All, Climate Action Plan, and Complete Streets Ordinance. Motion to refer to Housing, Planning & Development Committee, Planning Commission, and Complete Streets Education Advisory Board passed unanimously.
• Block-Level Connections: Councilmembers Evans, Strebig, and Bixenstine launched an initiative to strengthen block clubs. Three focus groups for neighborhood leaders are scheduled: July 9 (6:30-8 PM, Main Library), July 11 (9-10:30 AM, Main Library), and July 14 (6:30-8 PM, Madison Library). The goal is to build social capital and improve community communication. Motion to receive and file passed.
• Animal Safety & Welfare Advisory Board (LASWAB): Councilmember Hamilton Steiner reported on the June 17 meeting. The shelter’s name and operations were discussed after a resident’s complaint. LASWAB will research best practices for municipal animal shelters. Also, CCLAS will hold a pet treat bake sale at Lakewood Arts Fest. Motion to receive and file passed.
• OMB Proposed Changes to Federal Financial Assistance: Hamilton Steiner detailed sweeping proposed changes to 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance) by the Office of Management and Budget, effective October 1, 2026. She highlighted harmful provisions including alignment with administration priorities, pre-issuance review, risk assessments for civil rights/religious liberty compliance, termination for failure to advance national interest, limits on DEI/gender ideology, elimination of disparate impact studies, removal of language access discretion, elimination of merit review, removal of community engagement requirements, and removal of hiring preferences for disadvantaged areas. Comment period closes July 13. Motion to receive and file passed.
• Short-Term Rental Regulations: Councilmember Bullock submitted a communication and proposed Ordinance 28-2026 to resume deliberations on regulating short-term rentals (STRs). He noted hundreds of STRs operating without required conditional use permits under existing bed-and-breakfast laws. The ordinance would clarify STRs as a form of bed and breakfast, require owner occupancy, prohibit STRs in condos/multi-family buildings (3+ units), prohibit within 1,500 feet of a school, and set safety and accountability requirements. He also suggested reviewing the chronic nuisance ordinance and tax collection. Both the communication and ordinance were referred to Housing, Planning & Development Committee.
• HUD FY26 Action Plan Amendment: Planning Director Byington and Development Officer Wyman presented Resolution 2025-66A, amending the previous resolution to reflect actual FY26 CDBG award ($1,915,618) and ESG award ($166,057), which exceeded estimates ($1.75M and $160,000). Additional funds were distributed according to contingency provisions approved by the CAC: CDBG extra went to public services, administration, and street resurfacing; ESG extra went to homelessness prevention. Motion to adopt passed unanimously.
• Finance Vendor Report (June 2026): Received and filed.
• Liquor Permits: Items 18 (QAJ Enterprise LLC @ 14000 Detroit Ave.) and 19 (Cini Hospitality LLC @ 16806 Madison Ave.) were deferred due to incomplete paperwork.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Don Nottage (2159 Morrison Ave.): Described a life-threatening experience during multiple power outages on July 1-3, 2026. He criticized the city’s response and called for creative solutions including lawsuits and exploring alternative utility providers. He also expressed concern that new multi-unit development stresses the grid. Mayor George responded, detailing the city’s efforts: a June 2024 petition to PUCO that led to an investigation, a letter of probable noncompliance against FirstEnergy, orders for infrastructure upgrades, legal intervention against FirstEnergy’s request to lower reliability standards (denied June 24), and a new complaint requesting fines, refunds, and an escrow system. She acknowledged communication could improve and promised a website timeline.
• Ben Jackson: Supported the idea of an escrow account to pressure FirstEnergy into meeting reliability standards.
• Matt Herberger (1448 Bunts Road): Suggested swapping the tree lawn and multimodel path on his street to create a buffer; urged council to quickly regulate e-bikes, noting safety concerns at Lakewood Park pool. President Kepple noted the Housing Committee discussed e-bike regulations earlier that evening.
• Dennis Koweki (2160 Morrison Ave.): Complained about two abandoned/neglected properties on his street—one a hoarder house (vacant 4 years, only painted) and another with chronic nuisances (13 cars, noise, dumpster). He said city calls yielded no action. Administration staff took his contact info for follow-up.

Key Outcomes

• All five charter amendment ordinances were amended/substituted and deferred to July 20 for final passage.
• Traffic calming program review referred to Housing, Planning & Development, Planning Commission, and Complete Streets Education Advisory Board.
• Block-level connection initiative was received and filed; focus groups scheduled.
• Short-term rental communication and Ordinance 28-2026 referred to Housing, Planning & Development.
• Resolution 2025-66A (amended FY26 HUD Action Plan) adopted unanimously.
• Two liquor permits deferred.
• Public comments addressed; Mayor committed to improving FirstEnergy communication and pursuing further action through PUCO.