The Mayor and Council presenting Milan Stankovich with a resolution honoring him for his 54 years of service to the City of Lakewood. From left to right: Mike Summers, Mayor Ed Fitzgerald, Nickie Antonio, Milan Stankovich, Mary Louise Madigan, Kevin Butler, Tom Bullock, and Brian Powers.

Vice President of Council, Mary Louise Madigan, called the October 5, 2009 City Council meeting to order at 7:40 P.M. The first order of business was to excuse Council President Michael Dever for his tardiness do to another engagement. Next Councilwoman Madigan read a resolution that was presented by all of Council recognizing Milan Stankovich, upon his retirement, for his many years of service to Lakewood.

Anyone who has ever visited City Hall in the evening is likely to remember Milan. A sweet man with a charming accent who would always greet you with a smile and be sure to help you find what ever it is you are looking for that evening. Milan retired, for the second time, on September 30, 2009, after working for the city for over 54 years. Before working as a security guard for City Hall, Milan worked in the City’s Streets Department for 37 years, working his way up to Assistant Superintendent. He retired from that job in 1991. However his retirement only lasted for two months before he returned to the City’s workforce as the evening security guard. Everyone at City hall was saddened to see him go. A few members of Council and the Mayor remarked on Milan’s warm influence on them, and the entire building, when he was there. After passing the resolution Milan joined all of Council and the Mayor on the stage to stand in front of the “Lakewood, Ohio” logo for a picture as they presented him with the resolution. When asked if he would say a few words Milan humbly declined, trying to choke back his tears of gratitude.

Moving forward, the Director of Planning and Development, Nathan Kelly, discussed the Citizens Advisory Committee process in creating their recommendation to the City regarding Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) fund allocations for 2010. He passed it off to the Chair of the Citizens Advisory Committee, Patrick Metzger to discuss their decisions. Mr. Metzger made a point to say that the allocations they made were based on the City receiving $2,100,000 dollars in funding, however that is just an estimate (based on previous years) because CDBG amounts are not disclosed until the time they are received. The Committee had some difficulty since the Administration requested the allocation of over $200,000 more dollars then the City is expected to receive. It was the Committee's job to recommend where to cut some of those funds.

The Community Advisory Committee’s recommendations were referred to the Finance Committee for considerations. Councilman Michael Summers, Chair of the Finance Committee asked Mr. Metzger if some of his Committee members would be willing to attend the next Finance Committee meeting to join them in the discussion of these recommendations. Mr. Metzger Accepted the invitation.

Councilwoman Madigan then read a communication from the Committee of the Whole regarding the City offering a $200,000 dollar loan to 14701 Detroit, LLC. The loan would help the owners of the Bailey Building, at the southeast corner of Warren and Detroit, restore the building to the way it looked when it was built in the 1930’s. The restoration would include removing the concrete façade that was added in the 1960’s, restoring the bricks and replacing over 80 windows to match the building's original design. This project will be done in addition to a $5.7 million dollar restoration the company has already undertaken to improve the two buildings they own, including the 400 car garage. They hope to attract some high end business clients, some of which have already moved in, as well as new retail storefronts. The loan Council was being asked to approve is for seven years and to be paid back in full by 2016. All plans for the renovation have to be approved by the Architecture Review Board.

Having the approval of this motion being unanimously recommended by the Committee of the Whole, which consists of all Council members, it was not surprising that the motion did, indeed pass.

Police Chief Malley then asked council to approve an ordinance change that would allow Lakewood to partake in lateral hiring of police officers. This practice allows the City to hire officers which have already been certified by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy. This would save the City time and money. By hiring officers who are already trained, the City will not have to pay for their training. Also, in the struggling economy, there are several trained officers looking for a job.

Council referred the changes to the Rules and Ordinance Committee to be considered.

Mayor Edward Fitzgerald than told Council that his Law Department was working on drafting up an ordinance that would require owners of vacant houses to register them with the City. This registration would help the City keep better track of vacant properties, and, since they often cost the City money and resources, the registration fee will hopefully help offset some of those costs. The Mayor asked that this idea be referred to a committee and discussed so that they might offer some suggestions to be considered for the ordinance. Council referred the Mayor’s communication to the Housing Committee.

Finance Director, Jennifer Pae, asked Council to increase the contracting authority for the Waste Water Treatment Plant to $800,000 dollars for capital projects to be completed. She also asked that this approval be given on first reading so that contract bidding could begin. Councilman Kevin Butler asked why she requested the appropriations be passed as an emergency and she asked Director of Public Works, Joseph Beno, to answer. He stated that these projects are to be funded by stimulus money and it was indicated to them that the projects they had planned needed to be put into motion as soon as possible. Of the five projects listed, four would be completed with City staff and the stimulus money would pay for the supplies. This appropriation however, is to cover the first and largest project to be completed, for which contracting is needed. The project will cost about a million dollars, half of which will be reimbursed by the stimulus program.

Councilman Summers raised his concerns as to whether these funds will come out of the 2009 or 2010 capital budget. As the chair of the Finance Committee he is cautious to make sure the City sticks within its budget. He was glad to hear that the Federal Government is helping the City to achieve something Lakewood may not have been able to do otherwise. However, he also wants to make sure the City can afford its portion. Councilmen Butler agreed with Summers’ notion. Director Pae helped clear up some of their fears by discussing the source of the funds to cover these projects, saying that it was not entirely out of the Capital Budget. Despite still having some questions on the motion, Council passed it.

Director Kelly asked Council to approve an agreement between the City and Cuyahoga County for the acceptance of $300,000 dollars in HOME Program funds. These funds would be used to build new houses on land were out dated and dilapidated houses were razed. This program will be used very sparingly, and selling the empty land will be pursued first. In cases where a house is built, the Department of Planning and Development has reviewed house designs that will be architecturally complementary to the other surrounding houses, as well as energy efficient. Council referred the ordinance to the Housing Committee to consider.

As the last item on the agenda, Director Pae asked Council to approve the City joining the memberships of two groups, Keep America Beautiful and Heritage Ohio. Council approved adding these groups to the extensive list of memberships the City already has as it would still keep the City below its $60,000 dollar membership fees total budget.

After Council finished discussing the agenda items a few members of the community were present to make statements about bringing back the Circulators, now that it is officially disbanded.

At 9:23 P.M. Councilwoman Madigan adjourned the meeting.