Council refers ORD 33-2025: 2026 city budget appropriations, 7–0

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 to refer Ordinance 33-2025A to Finance Committee, seconded by Vice President Baker.” minutes ▶ video

Next: listed on the Committee of the Whole agenda for Jan 26. agenda 01.26

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: “Motion made by President Kepple to refer Ordinance 34-2025A to Finance Committee, seconded by Vice President Baker.” minutes ▶ video

Next: listed on the City Council agenda for Feb 2. agenda 02.02

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 to refer Ordinance 33-2025B to Committee of the Whole, seconded by Vice President Baker.” minutes ▶ video

Next: listed on the Committee of the Whole agenda for Jan 26. agenda 01.26

Finance Director Renee Mahoney's letter presents an amendment to the 2026 Appropriation Ordinance to allow for $16.5 million in City Hall improvements. The letter says the change is tied to the debt ordinances and would also be required if those pass as presented. pdf Written by AI

The minutes record: “Motion made by President Kepple to receive and file the communication, 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: “Motion made by President Kepple to refer Ordinance 37-2025A to Finance Committee, seconded by Vice President Baker.” minutes ▶ video

Next: listed on the City Council agenda for Feb 2. agenda 02.02

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: “Motion made by President Kepple to adopt S. Resolution 2025-77, seconded by Vice President Baker.” minutes ▶ video

Approves the use of submerged Lake Erie lands at 1040 Forest Cliff Drive so the owners can build a proposed shore structure. The state requires Council's approval as part of the lease application to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. pdf Written by AI

The minutes record: “Motion made by President Kepple to adopt Resolution 2026-01, seconded by Vice President Baker.” minutes ▶ video

Amends the city's weeds code to create a right for property owners to install and maintain a "Managed Natural Landscape" (such as rain gardens, meadow vegetation and ornamental plants) in front yards, free of noxious weeds. These landscapes are excluded from the six-inch tall-grass limit, and on corner lots they must be set back at least 2 feet from the public right-of-way and side property line. pdf Written by AI

The minutes record: “Motion made by President Kepple to refer Ordinance 02-2026 to Housing, Planning & Development Committee, seconded by Vice President Baker.” minutes ▶ video

Next: listed on the City Council agenda for Feb 2. agenda 02.02

Updates Chapter 505 (Animals and Fowl) and creates regulations for trapping, neutering or spaying and returning community cats. Community Cat Caregivers and Trap Neuter Return Providers are exempt from the animals-at-large rules, and a first violation of those rules becomes a minor misdemeanor instead of a fourth-degree misdemeanor. The document says the changes draw on a small-scale pilot TNR program run by the Lakewood Animal Safety and Welfare Advisory Board and partners. pdf Written by AI

The minutes record: “Motion made by President Kepple to refer Ordinance 03-2026 to Public Safety Committee.” minutes ▶ video

Next: listed on the City Council agenda for Feb 2. agenda 02.02

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: “Motion made by President Kepple to refer Ordinance 36-2025A to Finance Committee, seconded by Vice President Baker.” minutes ▶ video

Next: listed on the City Council agenda for Feb 2. agenda 02.02

Authorizes the Director of Finance to enter into lease-purchase agreements of up to $2,375,000, at no more than 8% annual interest and for terms of no more than 20 years. The equipment listed includes a fire medical squad ($385,000), a fire special operations truck ($600,000), five police vehicles ($420,000), a refuse packer truck, a salt truck and two sewer vehicles. pdf Written by AI

The minutes record: “Motion made by President Kepple to refer Ordinance 05-2026 to Finance Committee, seconded by Vice President Baker.” minutes ▶ video

Next: listed on the City Council agenda for Feb 2. agenda 02.02

Authorizes up to $32,695,000 in bonds to retire notes issued for projects including a refuse recycling facility, street resurfacing, improvements to City Hall, Winterhurst Ice Arena and Fire Station #3, park improvements, and water and sewer work. The document says the bonds may be combined with other City bonds into one issue, with a maximum maturity of 31 years and an overall interest cost of no more than 6.00% a year. pdf Written by AI

The minutes record: “Motion made by President Kepple to refer Ordinances 06-2026 through Ordinance 14-2026 to Committee of the Whole, seconded by Vice President Baker.” minutes ▶ video

Next: listed on the Committee of the Whole agenda for Jan 26. agenda 01.26

President Kepple's letter updates Council committee chairs and members, effective after the new Ward 4 member is sworn in. Chairs include Steiner (Public Safety), Evans (Housing, Planning & Development), Strebig (Health & Human Services), Bullock (Public Works & Sustainability), Baker (Finance) and the Ward 4 member (Rules & Ordinances), with Kepple chairing the Committee of the Whole. pdf Written by AI

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

Vice President Baker's letter re-introduces rules for front yard plantings first proposed as Ordinance 18-2025, which was referred to the Housing, Planning & Development Committee on May 19, 2025 and automatically discharged under the end-of-biennium rule after three hearings. The letter says the new version includes changes made in committee in response to resident feedback and asks that it be referred to committee. pdf Written by AI

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

Human Resources Director Claudia Dillinger's letter submits an updated 2026 Salary Ordinance. It says the changes align license and certification stipends with the 2026–2028 labor agreements and move the Public Information Officer from pay grade 31 to 33 because of increased job responsibilities and to remain competitive. pdf Written by AI

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

Finance Director Renee Mahoney's letter says the 2026 1st Quarter Transfer Ordinance reflects 25 percent of the total transfers between funds anticipated in the 2026 appropriations, plus advances back to the General Fund made to other funds at the end of 2025. pdf Written by AI

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

Finance Director Renee Mahoney's letter introduces an ordinance to seek quotes for municipal capital leases of up to $2,375,000 for a fire medical squad, a fire special operations truck, five police vehicles, a refuse side-load packer truck, a salt truck, a sewer truck and a sewer van. It asks that the legislation go to the Finance Committee. pdf Written by AI

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

Public Works Director Chris Gordon's letter notifies Council that the City's Division of Streets & Forestry was awarded up to $125,000 from Cuyahoga County's 2026 County Road Preventative Maintenance Reimbursement Program. The money reimburses material costs for crack sealing, pavement marking and pavement repairs on County roads. pdf Written by AI

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