The View from Ward 2: Issue #22

Applications for Expanded Outdoor Dining

Last week, the Planning Commission reviewed applications for temporary conditional use permits for outdoor dining for the first time since the Temporary Outdoor Dining Resolution was passed. Acting Director of Planning, Katelyn Milius, along with the members of the Planning Commission carefully evaluated each application and worked with the restaurant and bar owners to improve their designs. The plans ranged from Melt’s and Salt+’s extension of their existing patio space to Cleveland Vegan’s (pictured above) and El Carnicero’s plan to place tables in front of their restaurants. The Planning Commission did a fantastic job and I look forward to seeing more restaurants and bars apply.

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Gun Violence Awareness Day

At last Monday’s City Council meeting, Councilmember Tess Neff introduced, and Council subsequently passed, a resolution that declared June 5, 2020 Gun Violence Awareness Day in Lakewood. The goal is to encourage the safe storage of firearms to create awareness of the many firearm related deaths of children that could have been prevented if the firearm was properly secured. Ways that we can further encourage gun safety will be discussed at Monday’s Public Safety Committee meeting.

Here’s some important information from Mom’s Demand Action about gun safety storage: https://besmartforkids.org/.

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Recycling Contract Awarded

As you may know, Cleveland’s Ridge Road Transfer Station is no longer processing recycling. The City recently awarded Kimble Recycling & Disposal a contract not to exceed $250,000 to provide a site to receive and process Lakewood’s recycling. This is an emergency contract effective June 1, 2020 through May 31, 2021, at a cost of $52.75 per ton of recycling. Other estimates received were nearly double the cost per ton. Lakewood can get a lower price if we all work to only recycle items that are recyclable! Please visit https://www.kimblecompanies.com/what-we-recycle to learn what can and cannot be recycled.

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Lakewood Police Department’s Use of Force Policy

I received several emails from residents asking about our Police Department’s Use of Force Policy. The policy can be found here: http://www.onelakewood.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Use_of_Force-.pdf.

If you have any questions regarding the policy or if you would like to see changes in the policy, I ask you to please attend (virtually) Monday’s Public Safety Committee Meeting at 6pm. The topic of Best Practices for Police Use of Force is on the agenda. You can join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone by going to https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/534006069. You can also dial in using your phone: United States (Toll Free): 1 877 568 4106, United States: +1 (646) 749-3129, Access Code: 534-006-069.

If you would like to provide a written comment or sign up to speak on this issue please visit https://onelakewood.granicusideas.com/meetings/1688-public-safety-committee/agenda_items.

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