The Budget-- Finally Getting It Right

Council 03.20.06

The budget making process of a democracy isn't always a pretty sight. As the aphorism says, "it's like making sausage." When all the elements finally come together, it can be a thing of beauty. This happened last night during the finance committee meeting of council prior to the regular city council meeting.

Over the past two months, city council has held almost a dozen hearings as it struggled with the administration to craft a budget for the city. Two weeks ago only $40,000 out of an over $130 million remained in contention. Yet the deal couldn't be closed. Nobody could agree on how to assemble the $40,000 sum. Last night the pieces finally fell into place. The Department of Human Services received notification that it had finally received a program grant of $400,000 that allowed it to shift $20,000 from an existing program into the pot.

The Department of Recycling had expenditures that were questioned by council members Ryan Demro (ward 2) and Edward Fitzgerald (at large). Dropped were publicity items such as billboards and refrigerator magnets. Fitzgerald wanted to make sure that it was just those items being dropped and not other programs such as the popular Adopt-a-Spot. Demro was concerned that the education efforts of the department were duplicating those already provided by the schools. Public Works Director Tony Beno promised Demro that this portion of the program would be redirected to implementing recycling at the Gold Coast condominiums. This not only satisfied Demro but also council member Mary Louise Madigan (ward 4) who wanted a more concentrated effort on recycling in this portion of ward four which she represents.

The Finance Department identified an additional $20,000 of expenditures to eliminate. The $40,000 goal was reached.

Members then traveled upstairs to the main council chambers for the regular meeting.

The Lakewood High School Swim Team has enjoyed great success over the decades, consistently producing champions.

Maura Anderson, second in the 100 yard butterfly in the Lake Erie League (LEL) championships, brother Neil Anderson, first in the LEL in the 200 and 500 yard freestyle, and Joe Frankenfield, first in the 100 yard freestyle were recognized by Mayor Thomas George and Council. Could Beijing 2008 be in their future?

Council then turned its attention to Ordinance 12-06-2006, otherwise known as The Budget. Robert Seelie (ward 3) said that this year's process indicates a need to set legislative guidelines in advance, perhaps in June, so the administration can be aware of council's intentions.

Fitzgerald said he would propose a "rainy day fund" or a built in fund balance as a goal so that the budget would be in a healthier position in the future.

Madigan indicated a need to engage the entire community to decide what we want and what we're willing to pay.

Demro hoped for a true commitment to revisit and examine the budget in April and June.

The budget then was passed by a unanimous vote.

Council had second and third readings on expenditure ordinances that had been held up at the last meeting. Among the most noteworthy is an upgrade to the wastewater treatment plant which will raise the grade of sludge produced from a "class B," which has to be trucked away for disposal, to a "class A" which can be sold as fertilizer.

Mayor George submitted a resolution calling for Congress to oppose cuts to the Community Development Block Grant proposed by the Bush Administration. Council voted 6 to 1 in favor of sending a resolution to Congress with Demro voting no.

Parking, business development, housing code enforcement, and historic preservation are constant issues facing Lakewood. Sometimes they all coalesce around one issue. Planning Director Thomas Jordan presented a proposal to develop a municipal parking lot in an area next to Edwards park. Three parcels are under consideration. One parcel faces Detroit Avenue and has the historic Hall House on it, one of the first homes in Lakewood. In recent years it has fallen into disrepair. Two other parcels are on Edwards, also have houses on them, and are next to a commercial building garage. These houses have many code violations. The owner of these properties also owns McCarthy's Tavern, and wants to demolish the three houses to build a parking lot to further accommodate off street parking for the bar's patrons. The owner wants the city to provide $150,000 from the parking development fund to help build the parking lots.The Lakewood Historical Society would like to obtain and restore the Hall House. The next neighbor on Edwards would like protection and respite from the prospect of rowdy bar patrons parking next to his home.

Added to those specific desires are larger questions of the direction of a business development policy. Some of these issues are being discussed on the Observation Deck of the Lakewood Observer.

Finally, as is usually the case, money- who pays and who benefits- is of prime concern.

Jeff Weber and Paula Reed of the Lakewood Historical Society both expressed a desire to preserve the Hall House. Chick Holtkamp, an owner of 30 housing units along Edwards and Ethel Avenues and a descendant of the Hall family indicated a willingness to pay for the purchase of the Hall House. This means that the Historical Society needs a site to relocate the structure and money to move it.

Mayor George stated, "We are committed to historic preservation. I think we can arrive at a win-win solution to this situation." To that end, an ad hoc committee has been meeting under the leadership of councilmember Kevin Butler (ward one) in whose ward the parcels are, and Jordan. This committee will bring together all of these sometimes competing interests to try and craft a mutually agreeable solution.

Seelie adjourned the meeting at 9:38.

Reported by Stan Austin, Lakewood Observer City Council Reporter


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Volume 2, Issue 7, Posted 7:07 AM, 03.23.06