Regular Meeting of the Lakewood City Council called to order at 7:30 P.M. by President Seelie.
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Present: Councilmembers Brian T. Corrigan, Ryan Patrick Demro, Michael W. Dever, Edward FitzGerald, Mary Louise Madigan, Robert M. Seelie.
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Also Present: Mayor George, Law Director Brown, Finance Director Nogalo, Police Chief Malley, Fire Chief Mroz, Planning & Development Director Pietravoia, Human Services Director Buckon, Acting Public Works Director Beno, Assistant Director of Public Safety for Housing and Building Gallagher, Executive Assistant to the Mayor Novak,.

Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of Silence
Roll Call

Motion by Mr. Seelie, seconded by Mr. Dever, to excuse the absence of Dunn. Mr. Demro asked the reason for Mr. Dunn’s absence. Mr. Seelie responded that Mr. Dunn was out of town at Harvard.

Five members voting yea.
Mr. Demro voting nay.
Motion adopted.
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Motion by Mr. Seelie, seconded by Mr. Dever, to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council held 12/15/03 without the necessity of a reading.

Mr. Demro and Ms. Madigan indicated they would be abstaining from the vote on the Minutes vote being that they were not members of Council at the last December 15, 2003 Meeting.

Motion adopted. Four members voting yea.
Mr. Demro and Ms. Madigan abstaining.

****NEW BUSINESS****

1. Election for the Offices of President and Vice President of Lakewood City Council Term Commencing January 1, 2004.

Motion by Mr. Corrigan, seconded by Ms. Madigan, to nominate Robert M. Seelie for President of Council.

Motion adopted. All members voting yea.

Motion by Mr. Seelie, seconded by Mr. Demro, to nominate Brian T. Corrigan as Vice President of Council.

Motion adopted. All members voting yea.
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2. Communication from Councilmember Demro regarding Flag Pole. (Pg. 3)

Mr. Demro indicated he would be moving to amend the Resolution also.

Motion by Mr. Demro, seconded by Mr. Seelie, to receive and file the communication.

Mr. Corrigan asked what the amendment will be. Mr. Demro responded that the amendment would be to strike and replace where it says, “A Resolution” in the first Section – at the very end, “to place the flag in front of the Refuse and Recycling Plant at 12920 Berea Road”. To strike where it starts, “the Refuse…” and replace with, “any municipal facility or park as deemed fit by the mayor”. Mr. Demro indicated that he thought that gave the mayor the flexibility to take care of the issue as opposed to Council indicating exactly where it must be placed.

Mr. Corrigan said he agreed that there were more pressing issues in the City and that he would be voting for the Resolution that night. He said he had problems with wording indicating the pole would be placed at the Refuse Plant. He said that this would be part of the day to day operations of the City and that Council could not tell the mayor what to do or what not to do through resolution.

Motion adopted. All members voting yea.
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3. RESOLUTION NO. 7831-04 – A RESOLUTION requesting that the Mayor remove the flagpole that was installed in front of City Hall last June and place it in front of the Refuse and Recycling Plant at 12920 Berea Road. (Pg. 4)

Motion by Mr. Demro, seconded by Mr. Seelie, to amend Resolution No. 7831-04 by striking the words; “…the Refuse and Recycling Plant at 12920 Berea Road” and replace it with, “any municipal facility or park as deemed fit by the Mayor”.

Mr. Corrigan stated he would also like to refer the Resolution to the Administration. Mr. Demro agreed.

Yeas: Corrigan, Demro, Dever, FitzGerald, Madigan, Seelie
Nays: None
Motion adopted. Resolution No. 7831-04 amended.

Motion by Mr. Seelie, seconded by Mr. Demro, to adopt and refer Resolution No. 7831-04 to the Administration as amended.

Motion adopted. Resolution No. 7831-04 adopted as amended and referred to the Administration. All members voting yea.
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4. Communication from Mayor George regarding Council Approval of the Appointment of the Director of Law and the Director of Finance. (Pg. 5)

Motion by Mr. Seelie, seconded by Mr. Dever, to receive and file the communication.

Mr. FitzGerald indicated he was familiar with Mr. Brown’s expertise in municipal law through working at the Prosecutor’s Office and said Mr. Brown was a great selection. Ms. Madigan indicated she too was familiar with Mr. Brown’s work at the Prosecutor’s Office and was happy with the selection. Mr. Demro indicated that he had the opportunity to talk with Mr. Brown and Nogalo and found them to be responsive to his questions and indicated they were both good choices.

Mayor George provided that Mr. Brown was a councilmember for 12 years, ten years with the Civil Service Commission and has been a Lakewood resident over 30 years. He said he will count on his advice not only on legal matters but for policy matters as a resident of the City. He said that Mr. Brown served as chief for the civil division as County Prosecutor for Bill Mason and represented Cuyahoga County government in matters.

Mayor George indicated that Vic Nogalo comes highly recommended, that he worked with councilmembers in the past, and that he has worked with state auditors recently. He said that as councilmembers are aware of lean financial times at the City, Mr. Nogalo’s past employment at the City will enable him to immediately begin work without the need for on the job training.

Mr. Dever echoed comments made regarding the choices indicating they both had outstanding reputations.

Motion to receive and file the communication.

Motion adopted. All members voting yea.
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5. RESOLUTION NO. 7832-04 – AN EMERGENCY RESOLUTION approving the appointment of Thomas Brown to the position of Director of Law upon his taking the oath of office. (Pg. 6)

Motion by Mr. Seelie, seconded by Ms. Madigan, to adopt Resolution No. 7832-04.

Motion adopted. All members voting yea.
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6. RESOLUTION NO. 7833-04 – AN EMERGENCY RESOLUTION approving the appointment of Vgekoslav Nogalo to the position of Director of Finance upon his taking the oath of office. (Pg. 7)

Motion by Mr. Seelie, seconded by Mr. Demro, to adopt Resolution No. 7833-04.

Motion adopted. All members voting yea.
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7. Communication from Mayor Elect George regarding St. Edward Football Team. (Pg. 8)

Motion by Mr. Seelie, seconded by Mr. Dever, to receive and file the communication.

Motion adopted. All members voting yea.
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8. RESOLUTION NO. 7834-04 – A RESOLUTION to honor the 2003 St. Edward High School Varsity Football team for their outstanding performance during the 2003 high school football season. (Pg. 9)

Motion by Mr. Seelie, seconded by Mr. Dever, to adopt Resolution No. 7834-04.

Motion adopted. All members voting yea.
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9. Liquor Permit application for a D5 transfer to Grafton Enterprises, d/b/a Grafton Street Pub; 13603 Madison Avenue from Century Twenty Two LLC, d/b/a Victorys same address. (Pg. 10)

Mr. FitzGerald indicated that the report indicated the Administration had not found any cause under the Code to object. He asked the Ward Councilmember in the area of the establishment for any comment and Mr. Seelie responded he did not have any objection.

Motion by Mr. FitzGerald, seconded by Mr. Seelie, to file no objection to the liquor permit.

Motion adopted. All members voting yea.
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Public Comment on non-agenda items was heard here.
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Motion by Mr. Seelie, seconded by Mr. Corrigan, to adjourn the meeting.
Meeting adjourned 8:30 P.M.

Approved:____________________________ __________________
CLERK
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PRESIDENT