Votes at a glance: Lakewood council approves codification, NEORSD agreement and adopts resolution opposing SB56

Lakewood City Council on March 3 handled multiple routine and policy items. The following actions were taken during the meeting; where the transcript did not record a roll-call tally, the outcome is recorded as shown in the official proceeding.

Ordinance 11-20-25 — codified ordinance publication Council moved to suspend the rules and adopt Ordinance 11-20-25, which approves editing and inclusion of certain ordinances into the codified ordinances and provides for publication. President Keppel moved; the motion to suspend rules and adopt passed on council voice votes. Outcome: adopted.

Resolution authorizing NEORSD cost-share agreement (Resolution 2025-06) Council received an agreement from Director Gordon and authorized the mayor, director of public works, or city engineer to enter into a Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) community cost-share program agreement for citywide catch-basin cleaning. NEORSD will reimburse the city $23,576 for labor costs associated with catch-basin cleaning; funds are drawn from Lakewood’s NEORSD community cost-share balance. Outcome: adopted.

Communication and acknowledgement of Public Square Group donation (skatepark shade structure) Planning staff informed council that Public Square Group (PSG) intends to donate $32,000 toward a shade structure for the Lakewood Skatepark Phase 2; the remaining $10,500 of the $42,500 cost will come from the project contingency. Council received and filed the communication and expressed appreciation for the private contribution. Outcome: donation accepted and project contingency allocation noted by staff.

Resolution opposing elimination or redirection of Host Community Cannabis Fund (related to Senate Bill 56) Council received a communication and subsequently adopted a resolution opposing proposals to eliminate the Host Community Cannabis Fund or to redirect those revenues at the state level. Vice President Baker and other council leaders presented the communication; members discussed that the version of SB56 that passed the Senate retained the fund but that risk remains in budget negotiations. Outcome: resolution adopted (council will continue to monitor state budget actions).

Other routine items - Communications about appointments to the Citizens Advisory Committee were received and filed. - A communication to reschedule the March 17 meeting to March 18 was received and filed. - The finance department vendor report was received and filed.

Ending: Council moved through routine legislative business and committed to continued monitoring of state legislation affecting Lakewood revenue streams. Several items were adopted by voice vote with no recorded roll-call tallies in the transcript.