The Observation Deck

The Mayor's response:

From: Summers, Mike [mailto:Mike.Summers@lakewoodoh.net]
Sent: Monday, August 18, 2014 9:42 AM
To: Matt Markling
Cc: Anderson, David; Bullock, Tom; Marx, Cynthia; Hagan, Mary; Juris, Shawn; Madigan, Mary; Bach, Maureen; Nowlin, Ryan; O'Leary, Sam
Subject: FW: "Streets, Sidewalks and Curbs, What Are We Paying For?"

Matt,

Note below from our city engineer.

From: Papke, Mark
Sent: Monday, August 18, 2014 9:33 AM
To: Summers, Mike
Subject: RE: "Streets, Sidewalks and Curbs, What Are We Paying For?"

Mayor,

We have a pre-construction video so we can look at each individual claim. Rob Erickson is in the field looking at these claims this morning. If the areas were damaged as a result of the work (adjacent to base repairs) they will be remediated. If areas were damaged as a result of Contractor negligence then they will be remediated at the Contractor’s expense.

In the bid, we placed a limited quantity of curb replacement for each street and we have field marked out the areas where curbs are missing to be replaced.

Please contact me with any questions.

Regards,

Mark K. Papke, PE, CPESC
City Engineer

City of Lakewood / Division of Engineering & Construction
12650 Detroit Avenue Lakewood, OH 44107
p. 216.529.6807 f. 216.521.1379

http://www.onelakewood.com

 THINK GREEN only print when necessary


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From: Summers, Mike
Sent: Monday, August 18, 2014 8:41 AM
To: Papke, Mark
Subject: FW: "Streets, Sidewalks and Curbs, What Are We Paying For?"
Importance: High

Are you aware of any damage caused by our contractor on Franklin?

Matt

Busy with Car Kulture Show wraps, and paper production, but wanted to mention...


Friday my wife and I came home around 5pm and found our yard had been driven over numerous
times by heavy construction equipment. Breaking my driveway, breaking three more curbs,
collapsing a sewer grate, and breaking 3 sidewalk squares, moving 3 others and two curbs down
the street. Their dump truck was seen backing into other driveways on the street. Not sure of any
damage. Now while some neighbors felt this was a hit placed on us, I assured them it was just an
simple accident, and a police report will put us on record...

So I call the police to make a report as my yard had basically been turfed by the construction
company. My wife the gardener was nearly hysterical over the damage, also feeling it was a hit.

So the police officer came, and we walked the scene of the crime, and he admitted, quite a job
of damage and turfing. I asked when I could get a report, he said, "There will be no report, as
we do not write up reports on the building department." I asked, How do I get a record so I have
proof that it happened? "You can get a copy of the call sheet for a small fee in three days." I asked
"What will the report number be?" He said, "Well there is no report as we do not write up reports,
so that no number is generated." I said, How do I claim the damage through my insurance
company for my claim?" He responded, "Well residents are not responsible for sidewalks and curbs
so that I would not need to file with my insurance company. I said, "I have letters from residents
from all over the city who feel the city is using heavy-handed bullying techniques to get residents
to jump into p[ay programs for sidewalks." He had not heard of that. I asked, "Do you ever write up
damage by city or contractor vehicles that do damage like this?" He said, "No, unless there was injury."

"So the city and their contractors can drive around and break every sidewalk, drive and curb in the city like drunken kids on a bender out to prove they are bad boys and the police do nothing?" "Mr. O'Bryan I would not say that."

I have been getting letters from people around the city, and to be honest it is pretty crazy between the city not being responsible for the damage they do, to helping some people cover expenses but not others, to strong-arm tactics to get people who just moved into their home to pay or be fined. It is starting to sound like a town run by thugs, not "cool" people.

Photos and videos to come, just really busy right now, and without a police report I am at the mercy of the people that turfed my yard.

Lakewood is so cool. Well the residents are.

Stay tuned.

.

UPDATE - UPDATE

Robert Erickson, Engineering Technician stopped by to talk about the street and the damage.

Pleasant, knowledgeable person, that took the time to address many concerns I had. All were
answered though some answers we both pondered equally, but what was important to me was...

1) He checks on all projects on his watch throughout the day. He was able to talk in depth about
various troubling aspects of many different streets and explain variations and why. He knew about
just about everything but the curb broken, and the recent damage.

2) IMPORTANT - The city video tapes all streets for curbs, walks, and yards before construction
begins so that they have a visual record of any damage by city crews or contractor crews. Anything
damaged, will be fixed by the city or the contractor depending on who broke it.

3) Shelly Paving - They have won awards the past two years for paving in in Lakewood, Ohio. He
thought they were one best of the many people doing work in Lakewood.

4) While my observations were correct, and concerns real. He thinks by the end of the project,
everyone will be happy, because they do good work, and the city has been checking with them.

Nice, knowledgeable person.

Thanks to David Anderson, and Robert for the time this morning.

.

I, too, have had ongoing conversatin with Rob Ericson (spelling?) about another city project and he is always courteous, professional, and honest about the status of what is happening and projected timelines.

From Ward 1 Councilman David Anderson:

From: Anderson, David [mailto:David.Anderson@lakewoodoh.net]
Sent: Monday, August 18, 2014 10:22 AM
To: Summers, Mike; Matt Markling
Cc: Bullock, Tom; Marx, Cynthia; Hagan, Mary; Juris, Shawn; Madigan, Mary; Bach, Maureen; Nowlin, Ryan; O'Leary, Sam
Subject: RE: "Streets, Sidewalks and Curbs, What Are We Paying For?"

Mark Papke's note below is consistent with what I heard directly from Joe Beno as he walked me through the Franklin Avenue site as well as the comments I gained separately from the Shelly construction manager. I, in turn, have told neighbors on Franklin that the curb areas marked with white spray paint will be replaced. The supposed damage done by construction vehicles seems legitimate and I trust that Mark will work to see whether these few additional areas are included in the spot curb replacement as well.

Thank you for responding to these inquiries, Mayor Summers, and to you, Joe Beno, for walking me through the site here on Riverside and Franklin last week.

Yours in service,

David W. Anderson
Council Member, Ward 1

[telephone redacted]

Matt

To follow up.

David Anderson has been as approachable as anyone could be about this. Of course David is one of
those rare politicians that listens to residents, follows up and has serious honest conversation with
even disgruntled residents, and answers questions or says he does not know, and gets answers
though even he is having trouble with getting some answers.

The City Engineer, Robert Ericson is on the job site throughout the day, and is always eager to talk
to residents about concerns. This at least let's us know, the City is watching.

The residents, many who are rightfully upset, are willing to listen to Robert and David, and give
this construction company space to finish the job.

...

I wanted to get this out before the end of the year!

UPDATED UPDATED UPDATED

So many people have asked how the entire project turned out. If you remember, I had come to
the conclusion that city were doing a half-assed job on street repair. After speaking with some in
the project, others and many here on the Deck I was assured relax and let the professionals do their thing.

Only because it's our money, and everyone took the time to reassure me to relax and let the
professionals work, I have been wanting to update all of you of how we spent our money, and the
great news. LEMONS? not here!

PLEASE, read the first thread before commenting, PLEASE!

I have noticed most of the FaceBook crowd never bothers with the set up, or the facts, so PLEASE
take a couple minutes and look at the beginning of this thread..

If you remember our street was falling apart after the "Jimmy Dimora Street Painter" had been
brought in by Mayor George, to make sure a bunch of streets were the right color. While it had
been advertised as tearing off 4"-6" and really only did about 1" or so, we were amazed that it
lasted as long as it did, about half as long as we were told. HOWEVER we were happy as there was
a lake that formed on the inside of the bend, and affectionately referred to it as "Lake George"
when bragging about the color of our street. Well until it all fell apart.

This time we were assured it would be right, please read first section.

I keep comments to a minimum because it has been pointed out,
that I don't know anything about streets or journalism.


Instead of one large lake we have 3 pretty big lakes. Two on the side of the bend, which if
frozen means cars into the curb, and bent tie rods. On the flip side it is nice to live on a
river and a lake. The are changing the name to "LAKEwood, Land of a thousand lakes."


The reflections this a day after the rain, sparkles all down the street! This also features
I guess the latest construction, where you actually put the curb and tree lawn lower than
the street.


They also took this "neue style" into driveways and aprons, while not safe, it's cool at
night with the lights bouncing off of it.



I am hoping to catch some bass in this one. Across the street you can see how they have
artfully blended new curbs, with little curbs and no curbs. All within feet of each other.

On Archdale, they got lakes too!



AND!


Lakes with fishing piers.


In this one it looks like miniature beavers have a built a damn.


Now this is cool, I would have never thought it worked, but like on a bathroom sink.
When the lakes get too big, they finally make it up, over the lip of the sewers, and let
off just enough water to not kill off the baby fish. Cooooool! Note how dry that sewer is!


Those with children must have opted out of the waterfront.
(Full disclosure, I have no idea if kids live anywhere near hear)




While these neighbors only complained a little. Note only a couple feet of new curb.

Meanwhile this neighbor stood out on her tree lawn every day, all day complaining to
everyone on the crew about her yard. You know the type, perfect beautiful yard, perfect
neighbors, yeah we all know at least one. Well look at how they got even with her
watching them everyday!


hahaha a big clunky old style curb. Almost white! Poor woman, no one told her to relax.haha

While others right next door, kept quiet and got the ultra cool...


... minimalist curbs. You know what they say, less is more and wood is the new kale.


My new neighbor got new sidewalks, driveway and baby lake. But under her walk was GOLD!


Lumber she can burn. Had it been early in the year before the city spent the money on
something else, they could have reimbursed her for the City Tree Roots breaking her
sidewalk. Oh well, they still make excellent fire wood, sand candles or Kraft Beer.


But this is the super ultimate extra special fix all. Not only does it have curbs lower than
the street, its own private finger lake, a small lake, possibly for blue gills or crappie in the
spring on the tree lawn, when water comes in off the street, BUT, BUT after that, the gas
company thought the pipe was broke, came out, dug up the yard, poured new sidewalks,
with little baby lakes in them! This has to be the most valuable property in Lakewood.
Bedroom on the first floor, private entrance, next to a river, and surrounded by lakes, yet
minutes from Downtown and their perfect streets!

100 photos here, decide for yourself, you paid for it. Drive down it. Come fishing.

http://www.lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/jim-obryan/franklin-blvd-road-repair-2014

Until then, I’m taking my bad journalism, and lack of knowledge, and making some lemonade! They couldn't get us access to the beach or Lake Erie, so they gave us our own
lakes on Frankln and Archdale. LAKEwood!


Available soon featuring the puddles of Franklin Blvd.

.