Housing, Planning, & Development Committee Meeting & Outdoor Dining
The bulk of last Monday’s Housing, Planning, & Development Committee meeting was focused on the Cove Church project. The Cove Church Project is a $4 million project that will convert Cove Church into an intergenerational community center and provide much needed space for our Department of Human Services.
Prior to the meeting, Mayor George informed Council that she is considering delaying the project due to the uncertain economic conditions. During the meeting, Council and Mayor George expressed their support for the project. We had a robust discussion about the project’s funding sources and whether delaying the project would cost more in the long run or assist Lakewood’s financial status in the near term. We learned that we are ahead of schedule on the project and the necessary asbestos removal will still occur this year. This project shows our commitment to our Department of Human Services that is integral to the health of Lakewood.
Towards the end of the meeting I spoke about the need to reduce barriers for restaurants to receive conditional use permits that would allow them to offer outdoor dining during this pandemic. Various other cities have relaxed permitting requirements and allowed outdoor dining to expand onto sidewalks, parking lots, and into streets. I sought input on this issue at last Thursday’s Planning Commission meeting, where we had a thorough discussion about what requirements can be relaxed. I hope to have a proposal ready for the next City Council meeting.
WATCH THE HOUSING COMMITTEE MEETING
City Council Meeting
At last week’s City Council Meeting, Mayor George requested that we approve an amendment to the FY 2020 Action Plan that would transfer the Community Development Block Grant funds for Madison Park Lighting Improvements and Clifton Prado Park Improvements to the Kauffman Park Improvements project. This is a total transfer of $85,000 and could potentially reduce the project’s Capital budget from $250,000 to $165,000. The Clifton Prado Park Improvements and the Madison Park Lighting Improvements can and will likely occur next year. Council approved the amendment at a subsequent Emergency Council Meeting.
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Face Mask Requirements
The Rules & Ordinances Committee discussed whether Lakewood should mandate the wearing of face masks at local businesses. Patty Ryan, President of the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, shared that the local business committee is split on this issue. We debated if we should create an ordinance that would subject people to a fine if they refuse to wear a mask after a business owner notifies them that masks are required in the store. The purpose of such an ordinance is to leave the decision to require masks up to each individual business and provide support to businesses that elect to require face masks in their store. Please let me know your opinion on this important issue!
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WATCH THE RULES & ORDINANCES COMMITTEE MEETING
Jewish Elected Officials of Cuyahoga County Meeting
I recently had the privilege of joining the Jewish Elected Officials of Cuyahoga County. This group was created to provide educational opportunities, to foster regional collaboration, and to share experiences and issues that are important to members’ constituencies. You may be interested to know that I am the only member that is representing the Westside! We discussed the challenges that our communities are facing during this pandemic and how each city is handling them. I look forward to attending more meetings in the future.