Council adopts ORD 31-2025: 2025 year-end appropriations, 6–0

Sets the city's appropriations for current expenses and other spending for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025, with the sums in attached Exhibits A and B. Prior-year encumbrances are carried forward and appropriated for spending in 2025 or later. pdf Written by AI

The minutes record: “Motion made by President Kepple, seconded by Vice President Baker to amend by replacing with the version recommended out of Finance Committee. Motion made by President Kepple, seconded by Vice President Baker to adopt Ordinance 31- 2025 as amended.” minutes ▶ video

Sets the city's appropriations for current expenses and other spending for fiscal year 2026, with the sums in attached Exhibits A and B. Existing encumbrances are carried forward. This is the substitute version of the ordinance. pdf Written by AI

The minutes record: “Motion made by President Kepple, seconded by Vice President Baker to amend by replacing with the version recommended out of Finance Committee. Councilmember Bullock made a motion to amend Ordinance 33-2025 Exhibit A to add $50,000 to the amount appropriated to the General Fund and increase the dollar figure listed after totals by the same amount, seconded by Councilmember Hamilton Steiner. Councilmember Bullock made a motion to amend 33-2025 Exhibit B to add $50,000 to the amount appropriated for Planning and Development Other and to increase all corresponding division and fund totals throughout Exhibit B by the same amount.” minutes ▶ video

Next: listed on the City Council agenda for Jan 20. agenda 01.20

Authorizes the Mayor, listed directors or the Procurement Officer to enter into professional services contracts and to bid and buy supplies, services and equipment as authorized by the 2026 Appropriation Ordinance, with the lowest and best bidder or as otherwise provided by law. It lists professional services contracts totaling $3,563,000 and service contracts including $10,000,000 for hospitalization and health care benefit services. This redlined 2026 amendment shows changes to the communications services, advertising and printing lines. pdf Written by AI

The minutes record: “President Kepple made a motion to adopt, seconded by Vice President Baker.” minutes ▶ video

Next: listed on the City Council agenda for Jan 20. agenda 01.20

Authorizes the Mayor to enter into and ratifies three-year collective bargaining agreements, January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028, with eight unions representing more than 450 City employees, including police, dispatch, corrections, firefighter, paramedic and AFSCME Local 108 units. Before negotiating the 2029–2031 contracts, the Administration must bring a communication to Council on financial outlook and wage adjustments so Council can give input. pdf Written by AI

The minutes record: “Motion made by President Kepple, seconded by Vice President Baker to adopt S.” minutes ▶ video

Authorizes the Mayor, listed directors or the Procurement Officer to enter into service contracts for the Department of Planning & Development up to listed amounts without a separate Council resolution. Line items include $1,500,000 for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, $900,000 for the Street Resurfacing Program, $210,000 for pedestrian and bike safety improvements and $50,000 for a composting program. The redlined 2026 amendment shows changes to the service contracts total and to the LakewoodAlive and Public Art Projects lines. pdf Written by AI

The minutes record: “On the motion: President Kepple made a motion to amend by replacing with the version recommended out of Finance Committee, seconded by Vice President Baker. Councilmember Bullock made a motion to amend S. 36-2025 to insert after Street Resurfacing Program, a new line reading Composting Initiative with the amount $50,000 and to increase the total of Service Contracts by $50,000, seconded by President Kepple. President Kepple made a motion to adopt S.” minutes ▶ video

Next: listed on the City Council agenda for Jan 20. agenda 01.20

Amends city code sections on vacations, holidays and sick leave for employees not covered by a union contract to let vacation accrue faster, raise the maximum vacation that can be earned, add Veteran's Day as a paid City holiday and increase the conversion of sick time when employees leave City employment. The document says the changes keep non-union staff in line with benefits AFSCME Public Works and AFSCME Administrative Employees received; it is written to take effect January 1, 2026 if it receives a two-thirds vote of Council. pdf Written by AI

The minutes record: “President Kepple made a motion to amend by replacing with the version in Granicus, seconded by Vice President Baker. President Kepple made a motion to adopt, seconded by Vice President Baker.” minutes ▶ video

Authorizes the Finance Director to make 2025 fourth-quarter transfers, including $1,300,000 out of the General Fund, and to advance up to $1,500,000 from the General Fund to other funds still to be determined. pdf Written by AI

The minutes record: “Motion made by President Kepple, seconded by Vice President Baker to amend by replacing with the version recommended out of Finance Committee. Motion made by President Kepple, seconded by Vice President Baker to adopt Ordinance 32- 2025 as amended.” minutes ▶ video

Authorizes city officials to hire architectural and engineering firms and enter into contracts for 2026 capital projects up to set amounts without a separate Council resolution. Limits include $27,000,000 for buildings and facilities, $25,000,000 for wastewater, $11,000,000 for water system replacement and $9,500,000 for streets; contracts above a limit need a Council resolution. pdf Written by AI

The minutes record: “by law, authorizing and directing the Mayor (Director of Public Safety), the Director of Public Works, the Director of Law, the Director of Finance, and/or the Purchasing Manager to enter into contracts in accordance with the Administrative Code of the City of Lakewood for the contracts listed below not to exceed the specified amounts shown without separate resolution of Council. (1st read & referred to Finance 11/17/25; 2nd reading 12/1/25) President Kepple made a motion to amend by replacing with the version recommended by the Finance Committee, seconded by Vice President Baker. President Kepple made a motion to adopt, seconded by Vice President Baker.” minutes ▶ video

Sets job classifications, pay grades and pay ranges for full-time and certain part-time city employees not covered by a union contract, including the fire chief, police chief and Civil Service commissioners, and replaces all prior salary ordinances. It lists ranges such as $95,289 to $145,088 for the City Architect and City Engineer, and license and certification pay supplements. The ordinance is written to take effect January 1, 2026 if it receives a two-thirds vote of Council. pdf Written by AI

The minutes record: “covered by a collective bargaining agreement in the several departments, divisions and offices of the City of Lakewood, including the Chief of Fire, Chief of Police and Civil Service Commissioners and superseding all prior salary ordinances. (1st read & referred to Finance 11/17/25; 2nd reading 12/1/25) President Kepple made a motion to adopt, seconded by Vice President Baker.” minutes ▶ video

Next: listed on the City Council agenda for Jan 20. agenda 01.20

Replaces the code sections that set departmental petty cash and operational cash fund amounts. The new petty cash list covers only Finance ($1,000), Police ($1,000), Municipal Courts ($1,000) and the Law Enforcement Trust ($10,000); operational cash changes include Police going from $500 to $375, Water from $100 to $300, and a new $100 fund for Refuse. The ordinance is written to take effect January 1, 2026 if it receives a two-thirds vote of Council. pdf Written by AI

The minutes record: “President Kepple made a motion to adopt, seconded by Vice President Baker.” minutes ▶ video

Commends Cindy Marx for her service on City Council, including her appointment to the Ward 4 seat in 2022, her election in 2023 and her earlier at-large term from 2014 to 2017. pdf Written by AI

The minutes record: “President Kepple made a motion to adopt, seconded by Vice President Baker.” minutes ▶ video

Honors Trish Rooney on her retirement after 17 years as Executive Director of the Lakewood Community Services Center. pdf Written by AI

The minutes record: “President Kepple made a motion to adopt, seconded by Vice President Baker.” minutes ▶ video

Appoints Matthew Bixenstine to the Ward 4 seat on City Council for the rest of the term ending December 31, 2027. The seat opened when Councilmember Cindy Marx resigned effective January 1, 2026. pdf Written by AI

The minutes record: “President Kepple made a motion to refer to Committee of the Whole, seconded by Vice President Baker.” minutes ▶ video

Next: listed on the City Council agenda for Jan 5. agenda 01.05

President Kepple's letter says Councilmember Cindy Marx will resign effective December 31, 2025, and introduces a resolution to appoint someone to serve the rest of the term ending December 31, 2027. Applicants must have lived in the city for at least a year, be registered Lakewood voters and live in Ward 4; applications were due January 2, 2026 at 12:00 p.m., with Council to review them in Committee of the Whole on January 5. pdf Written by AI

The minutes record: “President Kepple made a motion to receive and file, seconded by Vice President Baker.” minutes ▶ video

President Kepple's letter summarizes three City Hall options presented November 17, with estimated costs of $21,425,071, $30,984,985 and $39,720,945, and says the Administration wants to use $1.5 million to buy the Warren Road building and include $16.5 million in 2026 notes to renovate it. Because Finance asked that the notes legislation be adopted by February 17, she proposes a schedule of meetings from January 5 through February 17. pdf Written by AI

The minutes record: “President Kepple made a motion to receive and file, seconded by Vice President Baker.” minutes ▶ video

President Kepple's letter makes official the reappointments of Teresa Schleicher (appointed by Councilmember Evans), Lise Stevens (President Kepple) and Juleen Russell (Councilmember Marx) to the Lakewood Animal Safety & Welfare Advisory Board for 2026–2027. pdf Written by AI

The minutes record: “President Kepple made a motion to receive and file, seconded by Vice President Baker.” minutes ▶ video

City Planner Sophia Szeles's letter notifies Council that the City accepted a $7,500 Neighborhood Opportunity Grant from the Healthy Lakewood Foundation for the third annual Tree Giveaway Program. The letter says 400 free native trees will be given out, 200 each at spring and fall events. pdf Written by AI

The minutes record: “President Kepple made a motion to receive and file, seconded by Vice President Baker.” minutes ▶ video