City surrenders control of Winterhurst
The June 16, 2008 Lakewood City Council meeting lasted about 70 minutes and was attended by approximately 45 people. The crowd dwindled to fewer than 15 people halfway through the meeting after council awarded its proclamations of recognition to St. James Catholic Church, the Cleveland Pride Committee, and military veterans. Representatives of these groups did not stick around for the entire meeting. They gave their speeches, posed for the photo opportunity and then split. Not a single person – aside from Clifton apartment dweller Edward McCartney – signed-up to speak during Public Comment.
Council recognized St. James Catholic Church for its 100th anniversary. Council President Michael Dever mentioned that he, as well as a couple of other council members, attended school at St. James. Fr. James Klein accepted the honor on behalf of the church. Fr. Klein, a West Side native and priest of 30 years, has led the church for the past two years. He attributed the church’s success and longevity to the quality of its members in the Lakewood community.
Ward 3 councilperson Michael Summers introduced a resolution to affirm the continued support of the United States Armed Forces, both past and present. Richard Healey, of 2150 Chesterland, a Vietnam vet who was wounded in action, spoke in support of the resolution. He was moved to act by protests that occurred recently at a military recruiting station in Berkley, California. “The old saying that ‘freedom isn’t free,’ is true,” he said. He hoped that local realtors would reach out to returning war veterans and make them know they are welcome in Lakewood. He was dismayed by the protesters who threw red paint on the doors of the local recruiting post. “We need a kindler, gentler population,” he said.
Frank Murtaugh, of 1065 Lakeland, was equally disturbed by the organized acts of vandalism at Lakewood’s military recruiting center. “It’s a shame they [veterans] have to go through these things,” Murtaugh said. His comments received applause.
Lakewood Mayor Edward FitzGerald said he thought this was a good resolution. He hopes to release plans to renovate the veterans memorial at Lakewood Park in the next 30 days or so.
Councilperson-at-Large Nickie J. Antonio introduced a resolution to proclaim the week of June 16th as Dignity of Human Rights Pride Week. She also congratulated the Cleveland Pride Committee on their 20-year anniversary. Several members of the organization were present to accept their proclamation. Todd J. Saporito, president of the committee, told council they “really appreciate the recognition.”
The Lakewood Community Relations Advisory Commission presented their semi-annual report. They said a few words. One of their goals is to “focus on the positives” that Lakewood residents have to offer. They said they are modeling themselves after the Cleveland Heights Congress.
Mayor FitzGerald addressed council’s concern regarding recent citizen complaints about high grass and weeds. FitzGerald said he’s going to adjust the internal inspection procedure. Too many days were passing between the moment a citizen complaint was received and the point when the city could take action. He is also going to target repeat offenders. FitzGerald plans on revising the city Web site to enable citizens to more easily file their complaints via the Internet. He mentioned that the Plain Dealer is planning a story about how various cities are handling unkempt yards. He anticipated the PD may include a recent photo of a Lakewood yard that was overgrown. FitzGerald said that particular yard has since been tamed.
Finance Director Jennifer Pae introduced an updated appropriation ordinance and 2009 tax budget resolution. Council approved the first reading and referred it to the Finance Committee for further review.
Planning and Development Director Nathan Kelly introduced the first reading of an ordinance that would allow the mayor to purchase potential problem properties costing less than $60,000 without first getting consent from council. Kelly said this is necessary in order to move quickly to seize homes before they fall into the hands of absentee speculators. Kelly emphasized that this resolution is being introduced with an eye towards the future. Currently, the city doesn’t have any funding available to purchase properties, nor does it have any prospects in mind.
Council approved the Detroit Avenue Streetscape Plan. Ward 2 councilperson Thomas Bullock was eager to begin implantation and said he would be happy to talk to NOACA to get things moving. He said about $60,000 had been budgeted for the early phases, and wondered about possible state funding.
Planning and Development Director Kelly tempered Bullock’s enthusiasm. “It will be a long process to get funding,” he said. The initial stages will involve simple things like repainting crosswalks, Kelly explained. The hidden value of the plan is that it will serve as a guideline for the future as redevelopment occurs along Detroit Ave.
Mayor FitzGerald, who visited with state officials in Columbus this week said, “We did not do well in the capital budget.” He learned there weren’t any earmarks for Lakewood. FitzGerald indicated he would pursue other sources of state funding for the project.
Council gave formal approval to hand over operations of Winterhurst Ice Rink to a privately managed company. Council President Dever said, “I feel it is a great agreement.” Mayor FitzGerald explained that it was recognized many years ago that while the facility was a good asset, the city did not have the money to invest in it. It was “on borrowed time” and the city “had to do something about it,” he said. FitzGerald said the main goal was to preserve it as a community asset and not sell it outright.
Some highlights of the contract, according to FitzGerald:
- It is a renewable five-year agreement
- The transaction will save the city’s general fund $1 million.
- The facility will receive $1 million in interior improvements including new locker rooms and concession areas.
- The city will not be responsible for the annual $5 million utility bill.
- The city will receive an annual $75,000 payment and 10% of the operating profit from the new facility mangers, Ice Land USA.
- Ice Land USA will provide $25,000 to sponsor Lakewood’s annual Fourth of July fireworks event.
FitzGerald said the transaction allows the city to focus on its core purposes and preserves Winterhurst for the future. He said council did a good job of working with him to make the deal quickly. The urgency driving the deal was the hope that the new operators could take advantage of the slow summer months to perform renovations.
Council also approved a request from Dorothy Buckon, Director of Human Services, to accept a $12,000 grant from the Criminal Justice Services Agency to pay for camp counselors for Camp H2O.
Clifton apartment dweller Edward McCartney withheld his Public Comment speech until the next council meeting at the request of Council President Dever due to time constraints associated with a previously scheduled Committee Meeting of the Whole.