Lakewood City Council Proposes Budget Priorities

Cleveland OH

09 September, 2020

9:34 AM

Description

LAKEWOOD, OH — Lakewood City Council proposed its budget priorities for 2021 on Tuesday. During this week's meeting, City Council her six proposals. Additional proposals could be forthcoming, and details of proposed projects could still change. "In past years, Council has agreed to support all or nearly all proposals. These are traditional small, specific concepts that Council adds to the broader annual budgeting initiated later in the year by the administration," Councilperson Tom Bullock told Patch in an email. Among this year's proposed budget priorities include: Traffic calming and speed analysis — Councilperson Tess NeffGoal: Implement signage and speed controls to enhance safety on residential streets.Specifically focused on: Granger, Larchmont, and Cordova.Estimated expense: $45,000Speed tables — Councilperson John LittenGoal: Purchase and installation of signage and speed tables, augmented by radar speed signs and flashing signage. Estimated expense: $40,000-$50,000HAWK Crosswalks — Councilperson Jason Shachner Goal: Increase pedestrian safety.Targeted area: Madison Avenue between Westwood/Morrison and Warren RoadEstimated expense: $11,500-$15,500 for HAWK Study and Design and $65,000-$95,000 for constructionAnti-racism task force — Councilperson Sarah KeppleGoal: To aid the city's anti-racism task force by hiring a consultant to integrate the group with municipal government Estimated expense: $25,000-30,000Tree canopy — KeppleGoal: To increase the tree canopy by 10 percent, to 33.5 percent by the year 2035. The 2021 goal will be a prorated percentage of that goal.Estimated expense: $150,000Zero Emission Lakewood — Councilpersons Tristan Rader and Tom BullockGoal: Creating Lakewood's first Climate Action Plan (CAP) through an equity lens will help meet the city's 100 percent renewable energy goal and ensure everyone benefits from this transition.Estimated expense: $60,000Bicycle Master Plan — Bullock Goal: Expanded resources for a more comprehensive signage and wayfinding treatment across Lakewood. Hold safety trainings in schools and workplaces, award free safety lights for graduates of traffic safety courses, group rides, etc.Estimated expense: $100,000Public Art — BullockGoal: The Planning Department will work to ensure execution of one large and three to five smaller public art projects.Estimated expense: $100,000 ($75,000 for one large piece, $25,000 for smaller pieces)Expansion of Clean Power use — Bullock Goal: City contracts should supply clean electricity to power 100 percent of city operations.Estimated expense: Surcharge on existing billShopLakewood Marketplace — Kepple Goal: Establish digital infrastructure for local online shopping. "In Phase 1, council will work with community partners and a consultant to gather information from consumers and businesses, set the scope and parameters for the project, and whether and how to move forward with an existing digital product or custom solution."Estimated expense: $25,000 - $30,000