Community Newsletter - September 2023

Community Newsletter September 2023 Edition

Note from Mayor Meghan F. George

It would be an understatement to say that weather in Northeast Ohio has been extreme in recent weeks. With eight tornadoes touching down across nearby communities, multiple earthquakes shaking Lake County, and torrential 30-year thunderstorm events drenching the entire region, we have all been affected. The fallout from this extreme weather has ranged from basement backups from stormwater to trees smashing into homes to power outages at over 140,00 homes (some lasting up to a week).

Here in Lakewood, on Wednesday August 23rd we saw more rain in a shorter time than any other city in our county – nearly four inches fell in just a few hours. This storm, along with a similar storm in July, were both measured to be 30-year-plus storm events. Unfortunately, that overwhelming amount of precipitation resulted in many residents experiencing flooded basements and the misery that comes with it. This was not unique to Lakewood as these backups occurred throughout Cuyahoga County and the region.

The overall systems our cities have in place were simply overwhelmed by Mother Nature. Whether it was Bay Village or Gates Mills, homes and businesses were soaked and suffering. The storm was so severe that ODOT completely closed Interstate 90 in both directions through Lakewood, while our Fire Department had to perform swift-water rescues of ten motorists trapped in their cars on the highway and at risk of drowning. This endeavor was a first for our brave firefighters.

Following the storm, our Public Works Department has been working heavy hours to deal with the fallout. That includes helping homeowners assess flooded basements; working overtime to run extra refuse routes to pick up trash generated from storm damage; and dealing with the damage to trees across the city.

All of this makes us question what the future holds for weather in Lakewood and Northeast Ohio. How often will we be experiencing these types of severe and even scary climate events in the years to come? Is the new norm that we must deal with an ever-increasing frequency of intense storms? Unfortunately, the signs and the science point to an answer of yes.

With this in mind, the City of Lakewood has been taking steps to be proactive in addressing the threats that climate impacts place on our community. In May, the City officially adopted a Climate Action Plan, which has elements dedicated to ensuring that our community is ready and resilient in the face of an evolving climate and more frequent and intense major weather events.

Lakewood’s sewer system is over 100 years old and clearly outdated, so last year we also dedicated $25 million in ARPA funding as part of our effort to upgrade the system and continue implementing our Integrated Wet Weather Improvement Plan (IWWIP). The sewer upgrades being implemented include two soon-to-be-constructed sewer overflow basins, one at our sewer plant and another on Lake Avenue, that will provide millions of additional gallons of overflow capacity during major deluges like the ones we have recently experienced. A capital project to upgrade our storm interceptor that runs the length of our city along Edgewater Drive is also currently underway.

The team at City Hall will continue to focus on implementing both our IWWIP and our Climate Action Plan to make Lakewood more climate resilient. While climate change is an issue that affects us all, our city is focused on being a leader in adapting and making sure the impacts to the quality of life for our residents are minimized.

Mayor Meghan F. George

Upcoming Events & Updates

Community Programming at Winterhurst Ice Arena

The City of Lakewood and our operating partners at Lakewood Community Ice are exited to share the Community Programming schedule for Winterhurst Ice Arena. Check out the opportunities for learn to skate, parent & tot hockey, adult drop-in hockey, and open skate. We look forward to seeing you on the ice this fall.

For the full schedule of programming, click here.

Don't Miss the Fun at the Lakewood Community Festival

The 35th Annual Lakewood Community Festival is set for Saturday, September 9, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Madison Park, 13029 Madison Avenue.

Craft and game booths, live entertainment, an inflatable obstacle course, the Rocky River Nature Center, and children's games will all be part of the festivities, as well as a variety of delectable foods including stuffed cabbage, pierogis, cabbage and noodles, kielbasa and sauerkraut, pizza, and more. An assortment of traditional ethnic baked goods and desserts will be available as well.

The festival, sponsored by the Lakewood Community Festival, Inc. and the City of Lakewood, is traditionally the last event of the summer. Proceeds from the festival will be donated to various local organizations. This event will be held rain or shine.

Welcome New Police Officers

On August 25th, Mayor George administered the Oath of Office to three new members of the Lakewood Police Department. Chief Fischer then proudly shared a word of welcome to the new officers as they begin their career with the City of Lakewood.

Congratulations and welcome to Officers Veljko Nikolic, Connor Abt, and Erin Wallace. Thank you for serving our community!

New Courts at Kauffman Park

This year, the City undertook two separate court surfacing projects. The first has converted some of the tennis courts at Lakewood Park into four pickleball courts while keeping the remaining space dedicated to tennis. Over at Kauffman Park, we have updated two tennis courts to now function as multipurpose courts. One will be available for tennis or pickleball and the other for volleyball or badminton.

The new courts continue significant recent investments at Kauffman, which include playground improvements and a new walking path in 2020 and a complete renovation of the baseball field last year.

All of the upgraded courts are now open for public use, and the City is excited to offer our residents the opportunity to enjoy the growing sport of pickleball, as well as badminton, tennis, and volleyball.

Department of Human Services Receives Compass Award from State of Ohio

Congratulations to the Department of Human Services-Lakewood Area Collaborative for being selected to receive a Compass Award from the State of Ohio for their Financial Literacy Seminar Series.

This quarterly recognition program commends organizations, programs, and individuals across the state who are working to guide Ohioans toward financial literacy and empowerment. For more information about the Compass Award, click here.

For more information about the Financial Literacy Seminar Series, click here.

Car Seat Fit Stop

The Lakewood Fire Department will hold a car seat safety check on Sunday, September 10 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Fire Station #1, 14601 Madison Avenue. This free event is open to Lakewood families who would like to have their car seats installed or checked for proper setup.

For more information or to register, click here.

Attention Lakewood Landlords

The 2023 Housing license renewals begin on Friday, September 1. Licenses must be renewed by Wednesday, November 1, 2023.

For details on how to renew please click here.

Seeking Applicants for Lakewood Boards and Commissions

The City of Lakewood is seeking volunteers ready to engage with the community and advise their local government. Citizen participation in the governing process is part of what makes Lakewood a great place to call home. Over 70 Lakewood citizens volunteer their time, experience, and expertise to serve on one of Lakewood's many Boards and Commissions.

For more information about the City Boards and Commissions, current openings, and application information, click here.

H2O Summer Service Camp 2023

The Help 2 Others (H2O) Summer Service Camp has wrapped and the 2023 season has proven to be another successful summer for our participants, counselors, and community.

H2O Summer Service Camp provided unique experiences for many of Lakewood's middle school residents. Each two-week session was filled with volunteer work, speakers, reflection, group bonding, and fun. The theme this year was "Light the Path for Others", encouraging them to learn and grow by doing for others.

For a full recap of the highlights of the 2023 Summer Service Camp, check out this slideshow.

We are Hiring!

The City of Lakewood is currently seeking applicants for the following openings:

Fleet (2)
Public Information Officer
Chief Mechanic - Wastewater Treatment Plant

For more information and to apply, please click here.