The View from Ward 2: Issue #40

February 16th City Council Meeting Rundown

At last week’s City Council meeting, Ward 4 Councilman Dan O’Malley introduced a “Pay to Stay” ordinance. Ohio allows a landlord to file for eviction immediately upon the nonpayment of rent. This ordinance will allow renters to avoid eviction if they provide their landlord with the full rent, including late fees, and court costs prior to an eviction hearing. The ordinance also caps late fees at the greater of $25 or 5% of the monthly rent. In its current form, the ordinance would only be in effect during the current State of Emergency due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. We will discuss this legislation in a future Housing, Planning, & Development Committee meeting. You can find the ordinance on page 55 of the Agenda.

Mayor George announced that she has appointed Ward 2 resident, Terry Vincent, to the Board of Tax Review. Mr. Vincent is a partner at Brouse McDowell and has extensive experience representing clients before the IRS and previously served as a senior attorney in the Office of District Counsel for the IRS in Cleveland. Along with his Juris Doctor degree, Mr. Vincent also has a degree in Accounting and Mater of Taxation. Please join me in thanking Mr. Vincent for agreeing to serve our community.

Assistant Building Commissioner Chris Parmelee provided Council with an ordinance to update Lakewood’s fence code. Mr. Parmelee explained that the current code has caused confusion for homeowners and contractors, and that the purpose of this ordinance is to make the code easier to read and use. We will discuss this legislation in a future Housing, Planning, & Development Committee meeting. You can find the ordinance on page 66 of the Agenda.

Contract Awarded for Reforestation Program

Lakewood awarded a $135,000 contract to Greenleaf Group Inc. for the City’s annual reforestation program, which includes private property tree plantings. Greenleaf will plant 400 trees at a cost of $313 per tree, an increase of $10 per tree from last year.

Apply to the Local Board of Tax Review

Lakewood City Council is seeking qualified applicants to serve on the Local Board of Tax Review. The Local Board of Tax Review hears appeals from taxpayers appealing their income tax obligations to the City. The Local Board of Tax Review meets as needed and performs a necessary due process function for residents. A detailed description of the Board can be found in Section 128.18 of the Lakewood Codified Ordinances.

A successful applicant should be eager to engage with the community and advise the local government. Board members must be Lakewood residents and must not be City contractors, currently or in the previous five years. This position is voluntary without pay.

Two two-year terms are available effective January 1, 2021. Applicants are asked to email a Board and Commission application and any other supporting documentation for consideration to Lakewood City Council c/o the Clerk of Council at council@lakewoodoh.net.

If you are interested in serving on the Board, I encourage you to apply. The deadline for applications is Thursday February 25, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.

Snow Removal and LakewoodAlive Snow Shoveling Program

Please remember that per City Ordinance 521.06, property owners are required to remove and keep sidewalks clear of snow and ice. It is important that our sidewalks are safe for pedestrians and children walking to school, and that we all do our part to ensure that Lakewood is a walkable city year-round. On that note, LakewoodAlive’s new Snow Shoveling Program was featured on Channel 19 News last week. The program consists of 45 volunteers between the ages of 13 and 65, who are currently dispatched to assist 30 residents that have signed up for the program. The program prioritizes our elderly and residents with disabilities, but if you need help please do not hesitate to contact LakewoodAlive. I would like to extend my gratitude to LakewoodAlive for providing this service. Additionally, do not forget to buy your ticket to Loving Lakewood: Life’s a Beach to support all of LakewoodAlive’s programs.

To report problems relating to clearing snow from sidewalks, please go to http://www.onelakewood.com/report-a-problem-concern/ to use our Report A Problem form or contact the Division of Housing and Building at 216-529-7697 or housing.building@lakewoodoh.net

Cove Church Community Engagement Meeting

On Tuesdays February 23rd and March 23rd at 6:00 p.m., the City is hosting a virtual Community Conversation hear about what you would like to see at the proposed Cove Intergenerational Community Center. This site is the future home of the City of Lakewood’s Department of Human Services, which includes programs of the Division of Aging, Youth and Early Childhood. This is a wonderful opportunity to provide feedback and make sure your voice is heard. I encourage you to join us using the link below:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/94773718285?pwd=eTAwZnd4WTNWYitkeFVNanVnZWMvdz09

Meeting ID: 947 7371 8285
Passcode: 44107

One tap mobile
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