Council Rejects Liquor License Transfer In Light of Prosecution

The December 5, 2011 Council meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Council President Mary Louise Madigan. She then gave the floor to Councilman Tom Bullock (Ward II) to discuss the first item on the agenda.

Councilman Bullock read a report from the Public Works Committee regarding an ordinance he introduced that would more clearly regulate the proper use of composting. He said that his goal with this ordinance was to responsibly expand the use of composting by making the rules clear to help prevent issues down the road. The ordinance lays out best practices of composting and makes it easier to enforce the guidelines laid out. Bullock also said that expanding composting in Lakewood would not only be good for those who use the composted materials to improve their gardens, but would also decrease the waste Lakewood has to haul away. Compost consists mostly of yard and kitchen waste which is “wet waste.” Wet waste comprises the majority of the weight in our garbage. By taking that waste out the City can save a lot of money and resources.

A substitute version of the ordinance was submitted to replace the one originally on the docket. The changes in the substitute version include naming the Director of Public Works or their designee as responsible for enforcement, requiring all compost bins be accessible from three sides and that the bins are not allowed in front or side yards or within five feet of any property line. After Bullock clarified these changes, Council passed the ordinance.

Moving on to the next item, Councilman Bullock asked Council to consider an ordinance that would update the definitions of restaurants under our zoning code. In addition to the definitions he also would like to improve, update and add categories for food and beverage services. Bullock said he wanted to capture in some of the definitions “the distinguishing feature of some restaurants of significant reliance on automobile traffic to and from the business.” Council referred the ordinance to the Planning Commission for consideration.

Next Law Director Kevin Butler asked Council to pass a resolution rescinding their approval of a liquor license transfer application made by the Evans Investment Group I, for the UPM gas station at the corner of Baxterly and Madison. Council originally approved of the application for the transfer at the November 7, 2011 meeting, however, since that meeting additional information about the party taking control of the license has come to light. Police Chief Malley did not go into much detail but reported to Council that there is an active investigation into an employee of the establishment for selling illegal controlled substances out of the business.

Council passed the resolution unanimously.

Police Chief Malley then asked Council to pass a resolution that would allow the City to accept $37,000 dollars from Cuyahoga County. The money would be used to contract for services that would create an interface that would make integration of information possible between Lakewood’s HTE and the County’s CRIS information systems. This would allow information sharing and make both the city and the county more efficient.

Council referred the resolution to the Public Safety Committee for consideration.

Coming to the end of the agenda items, and with no one from the public to speak, Council President Madigan adjourned the meeting at 8:11 P.M.

Council meetings are held every first and third Monday of the month at 7:30 P.M. in the City Hall Auditorium. The next regularly scheduled council meeting will be held on December 19, 2011. For a copy of the agenda or for any other information regarding the Lakewood City Council, you can find it at onelakewood.com/citygovern_council.html.