Council 10.01.2007

[Stan Austin]

Lakewood Christian Service Center Celebrates 25th

The October 1, 2007 council meeting was called to order at 7:34 by president Robert Seelie.

Mayor Thomas George and Nickie Antonio (at large) joined in a resolution honoring the Lakewood Christian Service Center on its 25th Anniversary. The resolution points out that it is a network comprised of faith based institutions, businesses and civic organizations that work with a dedicated staff and volunteers. Individuals from these groups have worked diligently to serve the needs of Lakewood citizens in crisis providing basic assistance and personalized referral services strengthening those that they serve and the greater community as well.

The Housing Committee of council chaired by Antonio met quite a few times to consider proposals originally brought up by Mary Louise Madigan (ward four). These involved outdoor grilling in crowded areas and defining allowable window coverings or treatments. The committee indicated that it needed more time to review the proper language as it pertains to window treatments. The committee did recommend an ordinance that further defines safe distances for grilling food next to public right of ways. A right of way would probably be a sidewalk which first prompted Madigan’s proposal and the safe distance for locating the grill would be 15 feet away. It also goes into more detail than previous ordinances about the storage of fuels for grills and there use on balconies of multi family residences.

The committee also reviewed a report from Planning Director Thomas Jordan on the HOME Program which provides down payment assistance towards the purchase of homes. Since 1995 over 300 buyers have become home owners with the help of this program. Last year the City assisted 24 borrowers and expects to help 30 this year. An increase was requested to meet the expected demand. Also, an additional $25,000 was requested for a special category which is assistance in the purchase of single houses which have been converted from doubles. This is a program that has begun with a house on Bunts nearing completion. A detailed article on the conversion and the program is expected in the next issue of the Observer.

For those who are aficionados of inter governmental relationships a particularly esoteric ordinance was passed at the meeting. Previously, the Lakewood Civil Service Commission operating under the City of Lakewood government administered all the civil service proceedingsâ€â€