The Observation Deck

Bill,

You make excellent points and I agree with you on most of them. I know you are very knowledgeable on planning and you as well as others on the planning commission invest a great deal of your own time to benefit our city and we all appreciate it. The problem is that the project to date is in a catch 22. When Savannah meets with some of the people that you mentione or developers, they ask if the city is behind the project. They don't want to approve funds even for feasibility studies if the city doesn't want it. Why would they?

I personally talked with Gene Krebs of the Greater Ohio organization. He is a mover and a shaker in Ohio and knows how to open purse strings. He felt there was money at that time for a feasibility study and the city would only have to contribute some labor. But the catch was the city had to ask for the money. It can't be Savannah or me without city support.

Everyone that either Savannah or I talked to said the first step was the city had to want the project. That is why I believe that Mr. Kelly sent her to your committee to get an assessment as to if this is something that would be of interest for Lakewood to pursue.

The second step is the feasibility study and that would work on many of the details that both you and Stan mention. In fact there are many creative suggestions both people in and out of city government have made for clean fill. Even sitting up a 501C3 to entice donations that would be tax deductible. I suspect that there is money out there that we can use for the feasibility study if the city wants to take the first step.

I do agree with Jim on breaking the project into parts - with the exception of the feasibility study. It is important to realize that this is not a park improvement project (although it does tremendously improve the park). This should be thought of as an income generation project.

The timing right now is perfect. We need jobs, which this will provide and we should be coming out of this recession just as the homes or mixed uses that the pennisula provides are being finished. So there will be pent=up demand.

Lastly Stan, box retail works well on Berea road, but for high end luxury homes, waterfront is where you will get the most bang for your dollar.

Jim O'Bryan wrote:Not me.

I think they are doing a pretty damn good job, cutting $4 million from the budget.

However, we now need to find at least another $1.5 - $3 million.

Raise taxes?

Charge for trash pick-up?

Front yard trash pick up?

Cut more from the elderly?

Raise rates on permits?

OR

figure out something new.

Well, what are your thoughts?

.

Step one: Determine why it is necessary to pay a firefighter $125,000 per year.

Lynn - If you go back and look at Bill's letter. The first step is actually talking to the Port Authority about whether it's a possibility.

The funding step is one of the last steps.

Before any project goes to funders, all the little details must be worked out along with possible funders. Funding is the last step, city is the second last, tons of steps before hand.

Trust me on this, they will not let you leapfrog.

Bill has outlined the steps necessary before the Planning Commission can consider it, but there is a lot more steps before submission.

He has kindly outlined some of the steps necessary before submission, this criteria is for all submissions.

I'm sure Savannah has done a lot of work and done a lot of her homework, but this type of project is going to require a lot of government agency committment.

Best of luck.

Bill Call wrote:

Jim O'Bryan wrote:Not me.

I think they are doing a pretty damn good job, cutting $4 million from the budget.

However, we now need to find at least another $1.5 - $3 million.

Raise taxes?

Charge for trash pick-up?

Front yard trash pick up?

Cut more from the elderly?

Raise rates on permits?

OR

figure out something new.

Well, what are your thoughts?

.

Step one: Determine why it is necessary to pay a firefighter $125,000 per year.

Bill,

I'd love to see you, willingly, jump in a burning house, after working 24 hours straight, for a salary lower than that.

If you can do that, then you can ask that question first.

Floating some additional thoughts / options

I believe the key elements to lakefront development are a master plan, like Savannah’s, with vision; money and prioritizing stages of development. Think emphasis would need to be on achieving ROI ASAP by making Savannah’s amphitheater and concessions a top priority. Bring the arts to the people free of charge, on existing land, most nights of the week and start bringing money in from concessions – every day/night of the week. Lakewood could have concerts, open air theater, festivals, dancing, idol contest with broadcast partners…..

I have worked with Dubai, Singapore and others regarding waterfront land / structures and entertainment. Many options are available – Savannah’s peninsula doesn’t necessarily need to be created from landfill or dredging – believe it or not the whole structure could float which makes it non-land and therefore affects taxes… Other countries have entire shopping centers, houses, offices, bridges, roads etc ALL floating.

Also, remember originally the Port Authority thought they could take over Whiskey Island Marina and now Wendy Park to move their operation there. Wendy Park area is next to the city / river and was/is the last untouched, natural waterfront area for miles and miles. For 60 million+ they were going to fill in marina and take over entire piece of 60-acre natural waterfront. If not for Ed Hauser and a concerned group of vigilant citizens this would have become a reality. Instead the land was saved for the general public to enjoy for years to come, including tying the land and trails into the metropark system. A documentary was created about this by Blue Hole Productions – they were producing another documentary: “Walking the Riverâ€￾ (released last month) which they put it on hold when they became aware of the Port Authority’s battle with Whiskey Island Marina and land next to it. Film was shown at Cleveland Independent film festival in ’07 called: “Citizen Hauser.“
http://www.blueholeproductions.org/

Let’s All Dream Big, Work Together and Get it Done

Ivor Karabatkovic wrote:Step one: Determine why it is necessary to pay a firefighter $125,000 per year.

Bill,

I'd love to see you, willingly, jump in a burning house, after working 24 hours straight, for a salary lower than that.

If you can do that, then you can ask that question first.[/quote]

By that reasoning a private in the US Army should be paid $1, 500,000 per year, Nurses $1,350,000 per year and convenience store clerks $1,000,000 per year.

Your attitude exemplifies the difference between those who think cities exist to serve the needs of its citizens and those who think cities exist to serve the needs of its employees.

This City, and many others, is faced with bankruptcy. Bankruptcy driven partially by the dismal economy in Cuyahoga County, partially by the taxpayer subsidized urban sprall but mostly by a unionized work force that treats the City like its own private cash cow.

Take a look: http://blog.heritage.org/2008/05/14/mor ... ement-act/

Of course in the Obamanation we won't have to worry anymore. We can kick back and relax with the knowledge that someone else will pay for it!

It's going to be soo cool...

How much in Lakewood City taxes do you pay anyway?

I sure mis that edit buttoned!

Bill,

I'd love to see you, willingly, jump in a burning house, after working 24 hours straight, for a salary lower than that.

If you can do that, then you can ask that question first.

Justine, is that you?

Bill Call wrote: Step one: Determine why it is necessary to pay a firefighter $125,000 per year.

Lakewood does not pay fire fighters 125k per year. From information in the 2007 CAFR, the average of Fire and EMS salaries is around 64k.

Savannah Farris' presentation at the Cleveland Institute of Art. There were 15 displays that night, Savannah's had the largest crowd, the most comments. I could not get a clear picture of the exhibit the entire night. The place was packed and so was this.

"Wow is Lakewood really looking at doing this?" It was great speaking with her teachers, and others walking by. It would be a huge brand builder for Lakewood, and even the study would do wonders towards attracting residents to Lakewood.

As I travel, I am finding out that Lakewood is being defined as a very energetic community, willing to push the community envelope, as long as it helps the community on the whole. It always sounds so nice when described by others, I wish I could move here.

.

First off, I would encourage everyone to attend the recently announced 2009 budget hearings. You will learn a great deal about where our money comes from and where it goes. I applaud the Mayor and his administration for the job they have done to balance the budget in 2008 and efforts for 2009. It’s not an easy job.


Cutting Expenses
Recyclebank seems to be promising as there is a monetary incentive for residents to participate. This will probably decrease the City’s modest revenue for their recycling efforts but at the same time it would also greatly lower the City’s expense of refuse collection as there will be less trash picked up, hauled away and dumped. Combined with curbside pickup would save even more. Is Recyclebank available in NEO yet?

Form a purchasing co-op or other alliance with west side cities. Maybe include the school districts as well. Cities could negotiate favorable contract terms for all items purchased. This would require coordination and maybe an increase in overhead but I believe the savings could make it worthwhile.

Maybe implement some kind of ‘preferred provider’ status to companies the City frequently purchases or contracts services from. The City could negotiate lower rates up front rather than issue RFPs each time they need something. This decreases the cost of doing business with the City as the companies don’t need to spend time and resources completing RFPs and in turn pass on the savings to the City with preferred rates. Everyone wins.

Implement some of the ideas the TWG came up with to enable the City run more efficiently and improve productivity (i.e. less bodies doing more).

Do we need all those new stamped red concrete crosswalks? They do look nice but would Lakewood be better served keeping our existing crosswalks and re-paving badly needed streets?



Increasing Revenue
The new housing initiatives recently announced sound very promising. The quality and value of our overall housing stock will increase and hopefully attract new families with decent paying jobs. This should increase income and property tax revenues but it won’t happen overnight.

I like the idea of charging nuisance fees to tenants, landlords and residents for excessive visits by Lakewood Police and Fire. Lakewood is not a trailer park community.

Savannah’s Peninsula is worth revisiting. Is there a demand for these activities? (i.e. a wait list at other marinas, a need for high-end retail, how would the peninsula be utilized during the winter?). This won't happen overnight either.

Maybe a City ‘sin tax’ on all alcohol and tobacco? Think how much this would generate from all the bars and grocery/convenient stores in Lakewood. Or would everyone start buying their favorite adult beverages in neighboring cities?

Maybe some kind of cost recovery surcharge associated with every ticket issued by our police department? (similar to what Atlanta and other cities implemented during the $4 a gallon gas this summer) Around 14,000 tickets were issued in 2007. If $20 were added to each ticket, this would result in $280,000 in additional revenue.

Maybe increase the parking permit fees? I pay a measly 5 bucks for the privilege of parking on my street for one year.

While I’m on parking, can we eliminate all parking meters on Detroit and Madison and charge a flat yearly fee of 10 or 15 bucks to every housing unit/business in the City (payable when you file your income tax return)? Would this increase business along these streets or would it encourage people to park their cars for days on end? Removing the parking meters would eliminate the cost associated with collecting all those quarters, dimes and nickels (and maybe 2 full time positions?). I realize the City recently invested in new meters, can these be re-sold?

I’m not in favor of an income tax increase but maybe the time is approaching as we no longer enjoy year after year of excess revenue over expenses. A quarter % increase might do in the short term. Maybe have marginal rates for higher incomes? The additional revenue could be used to make investments into Lakewood’s technology infrastructure.

Please, no red light or speed cameras. Although we could use a few, these are an eyesore.

First off, I would encourage everyone to attend the recently announced 2009 budget hearings. You will learn a great deal about where our money comes from and where it goes. I applaud the Mayor and his administration for the job they have done to balance the budget in 2008 and efforts for 2009. It’s not an easy job.


Cutting Expenses
Recyclebank seems to be promising as there is a monetary incentive for residents to participate. This will probably decrease the City’s modest revenue for their recycling efforts but at the same time it would also greatly lower the City’s expense of refuse collection as there will be less trash picked up, hauled away and dumped. Combined with curbside pickup would save even more. Is Recyclebank available in NEO yet?

Form a purchasing co-op or other alliance with west side cities. Maybe include the school districts as well. Cities could negotiate favorable contract terms for all items purchased. This would require coordination and maybe an increase in overhead but I believe the savings could make it worthwhile.

Maybe implement some kind of ‘preferred provider’ status to companies the City frequently purchases or contracts services from. The City could negotiate lower rates up front rather than issue RFPs each time they need something. This decreases the cost of doing business with the City as the companies don’t need to spend time and resources completing RFPs and in turn pass on the savings to the City with preferred rates. Everyone wins.

Implement some of the ideas the TWG came up with to enable the City run more efficiently and improve productivity (i.e. less bodies doing more).

Do we need all those new stamped red concrete crosswalks? They do look nice but would Lakewood be better served keeping our existing crosswalks and re-paving badly needed streets?



Increasing Revenue
The new housing initiatives recently announced sound very promising. The quality and value of our overall housing stock will increase and hopefully attract new families with decent paying jobs. This should increase income and property tax revenues but it won’t happen overnight.

I like the idea of charging nuisance fees to tenants, landlords and residents for excessive visits by Lakewood Police and Fire. Lakewood is not a trailer park community.

Savannah’s Peninsula is worth revisiting. Is there a demand for these activities? (i.e. a wait list at other marinas, a need for high-end retail, how would the peninsula be utilized during the winter?). This won't happen overnight either.

Maybe a City ‘sin tax’ on all alcohol and tobacco? Think how much this would generate from all the bars and grocery/convenient stores in Lakewood. Or would everyone start buying their favorite adult beverages in neighboring cities?

Maybe some kind of cost recovery surcharge associated with every ticket issued by our police department? (similar to what Atlanta and other cities implemented during the $4 a gallon gas this summer) Around 14,000 tickets were issued in 2007. If $20 were added to each ticket, this would result in $280,000 in additional revenue.

Maybe increase the parking permit fees? I pay a measly 5 bucks for the privilege of parking on my street for one year.

While I’m on parking, can we eliminate all parking meters on Detroit and Madison and charge a flat yearly fee of 10 or 15 bucks to every housing unit/business in the City (payable when you file your income tax return)? Would this increase business along these streets or would it encourage people to park their cars for days on end? Removing the parking meters would eliminate the cost associated with collecting all those quarters, dimes and nickels (and maybe 2 full time positions?). I realize the City recently invested in new meters, can these be re-sold?

I’m not in favor of an income tax increase but maybe the time is approaching as we no longer enjoy year after year of excess revenue over expenses. A quarter % increase might do in the short term. Maybe have marginal rates for higher incomes? The additional revenue could be used to make investments into Lakewood’s technology infrastructure.

Please, no red light or speed cameras. Although we could use a few, these are an eyesore.

Please excuse the double post.

Note to self: if you are having IE issues, don’t hit the refresh button

Hi Charlie. A few comments on your post above, which included some very good ideas....

As regards recycling, I recently read that recycled material fetches almost nothing these days. I suspect, unfortunately, that recycling programs are no longer paying for themselves and I also suspect that any program (like Recyclebank?) that counts on the sale of recycled material is on shaky ground. Someone weigh in here please.

My understanding is that the stamped crosswalks are also for the benefit of our blind residents. I like them.

A city sin-tax on alcohol and tobacco sales will, as you speculated, drive people to Cleveland and Rocky River for such purchases. It would never work.

The parking permit is a biggie with me. I can't imagine why it is so inexpensive to park your car on the street. And I also wonder, now that we have our own municipal tax department, are permitholders being checked to see if they are on the city tax rolls? I sure hope so.

Also, you can't pull the meters. They are there in large part to ensure that those spaces are not squatted.

And finally, if I recall correctly, a city income tax now requires a vote of city residents. Around three years back a measure was approved by Lakewood voters that permitted the water rate changes the city wanted, in exchange for requiring that future city tax increases be voted on and not subject to just the approval of city council. Which was mostly a sham because I believe state law requires any increase over 2% to be voted on anyway. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong....

Let me add one more thing, not related to Charlie's post. Lakewood prides itself on walkability, and to a lesser extent bikeability. In order to enhance these characteristics, Lakewood should do two things. One, ban cell phone use while driving in the city. Cell phone drivers are a menace to others who use the streets and crosswalks. It's worse than drunk driving. And two, plow the sidewalks in the winter. Judging by what I see outside now, it won't be long before Lakewood is no longer walkable. This is particularly important given that our children walk to school.

It's largely about safety but it's also about "building the brand" as JO puts it.