Council Meeting 5.16.2005

[Stan Austin]

Lakewood City Council held its regular meeting on May 16, 2005.

The first item of business was a resolution in a communication from Mayor Thomas George commending Lakewood Paramedic Scott Russell. While off duty, Russell happened to be at the scene of a motorcycle accident on I-90. He provided timely emergency medical assistance to the accident victim. Several of Russellís fellow paramedics were on hand to accept the commendation on his behalf. As the resolution was read, their walkie-talkies squawked, calling them away to an emergency.

The Heritage Advisory Board, under the stewardship of Richard Sicha, then presented its annual awards to properties that have been renovated or remodeled to exemplary standards. Ten examples were shown in a slide presentation ranging from commercial renovations to residential additions. The proud owners accepted resolutions from council. Audience members had appreciative and envious looks as the slides showed the work.

Under old business, the third reading of the Economic Development Package (fee rescheduling) was read.

First up was the Rules and Ordinances committeesí recommendation to repeal three ordinances relating to bowling alleys, gas wells, and motion picture films. According to Councilman Denis Dunn (at large), who chairs that committee, the repeal of these obsolete ordinances sends a message that Lakewood has a good business environment when it acts to eliminate unnecessary regulations.

Fee schedules for various permits were addressed. As discussed in previous readings, this restructuring is to make some fees more commensurate with the services that the city provides, for instance in inspection of homes. These fees have been increased. Some increases to rental property owners will be offset by a corresponding expenditure on a city web site, which highlights the availability of qualifying rental properties. This was an idea offered by Councilman Ed Fitzgerald (at large) several months ago to help fill rental vacancies.

For large-scale developments, the fees were reduced by half. This reduction will make Lakewood more competitive with surrounding cities in attracting new projects.

In corridor comments, an exclusive feature of the Lakewood Observer, Lakewood School Board President Edward Favre indicated that the schools would save $500,000 with the new fee structure. He pointed out that original building cost estimates for the new schools being built have been impacted by recent rises in petroleum and cement prices. This fee savings will allow the schools to maintain the original project scope.

Under further old business, a proposal by Councilman Ryan Demro (Ward 2) won approval. This is an ordinance to make landlords pay fines and take corrective measures if their tenantsí nuisance actions require repeated police responses. This measure went through a year of committee work and considered the testimony of affected individuals and groups. The police chief has indicated that he will institute the ordinance with careful and measured steps.

Quite often, a proposal can serve as a trial run for a much larger issue. Such is the case with a proposal by Finance Director Vincent Nogalo. Nogalo wants to bring the collection of payroll taxes in-house and away from the Regional Income Tax Agency (RITA). His study indicates that the city can do the work for $720,000 as compared to RITAís costs of $811,000. The larger issue at hand here is regionalism. Councilman Dunn said that while many have promoted regionalism as a more effective form of government, this proposal seems to be a step backward from that effort. Councilman Fitzgerald questioned whether regionalism was a good move if its costs were higher. These two lines of argument using the collection of taxes as a focal point, should serve to highlight the larger debate on regionalism.

At the end of each council meeting, there is an opportunity where anyone may comment on general topics. One citizen who has availed herself of that right on a regular basis, is Danita Campion. She has complained many times about excessive noise from an air conditioner at the Bin food store on Sloane Avenue. The Bin has requested city assistance for an expansion. Councilman Patrick Corrigan (Ward one), in whose Ward are the Bin and Campion, has vowed that the Bin must take measures to abate the noise from the air conditioner as a condition of receiving city assistance.

Filed by Lakewood Observer City Council reporter Stan Austin