Meeting Time: July 27, 2021 at 6:00pm EDT
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Agenda Item

RESOLUTION 2021-23 - A RESOLUTION to take effect immediately provided it receives the affirmative vote of at least two thirds of the members of Council, or otherwise to take effect and be in force at the earliest period allowed by law, authorizing the Mayor to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Superintendent of the Lakewood City Schools regarding the division of duties and responsibilities for the operation and maintenance of recreation fields and facilities. (Referred to PWS 6/7/21)

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    Patrick Andrews over 2 years ago

    I support the proposed MOU for many of the reasons elaborated in the previous comments. Well maintained ballfields and a well run recreation department are important for fostering the sense of real, physical community.

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    Jason Verderber over 2 years ago

    I support the MOU if it is structured with clearly stated objectives, defines the responsibilities of those involved, and contains mechanisms that will hold all parties accountable. A greater sense of urgency is also desperately needed. The opportunity exists to begin corrective action on these fields in 2021 which would prevent the fields to continue to be in disrepair for yet another summer in 2022.

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    Kirstin Craciun over 2 years ago

    My name is Kirstin Craciun and I support this MOU as a first step to fixing the baseball fields. I appreciate the voices that have raised this issue and brought attention to it.

    I am hopeful that a sense of urgency accompanies next steps, to include a firm timetable for making needed repairs and accountability if commitments aren’t adhered to.

    Thank you,
    Kirstin

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    Andy Comer over 2 years ago

    While this appears to be a good faith effort to address the existing field issues and begin a course of correction, the fields have deteriorated over the years to a point that maintenance will no longer correct the majority of issues that the lack of maintenance has created. Time is of the essence if you wish correct the fields to have useable and maintainable fields for the 2022 seasons. I believe this can be a good first step and look forward to seeing the time and effort dedicated to correcting the issues that many of your constituents have presented in these comments.

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    Chris Constantine over 2 years ago

    I support this MOU between city hall and the BOE, clearly delineated and defined responsibilities will help tremendously with accountability and overall the condition of the fields. A prime example of the disconnect between the two organizations was the renovations at Foxx Field a few years back. The parks department replaced the backstops, put in new dugouts and other improvements to the seating areas but did not touch the infield, which was uneven and actually needs to be completely regraded due to abuse and poor upkeep. It is one of the 3 full sized fields in the city and is borderline dangerous to play on. It made no sense to make all of the other improvements but not touch the infield. The city's investment in Old Stone House and Lakefront field saw similar issues.

    I have four children ages 8 to 19 that have grown up playing sports in Lakewood, including one who has played LCBA baseball and now plays for Lakewood High. The condition of the ball fields has been poor in the past but has gotten worse in the last few years. I support any measure that will improve the conditions.

    Chris Constantine
    1440 Arthur

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    Amanda Vasil over 2 years ago

    I support the MOU to bring much-needed structure and accountability to the maintenance of Lakewood’s rec fields and facilities so that further safety and usage issues are prevented. But it’s imperative that the City takes action in an agile fashion: solidifying a comprehensive, long-term plan AND making immediate improvements. This MOU promises “…immediate preservation of the public property, health, and safety and to provide for the usual daily operation…”, so the expectation and obligation is that by the end of 2021 tangible fixes will be made. Immediate means now, not next year.

    Recreation fields and facilities are an important extension of Lakewood’s park system—the heart of our community. Please make this a priority.

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    Michael Coleman over 2 years ago

    My name is Mike Coleman, and I have been involved with baseball in Lakewood for more than a decade as coach, parent and umpire. My sons have played baseball here in Lakewood in the rec, travel and high school levels.

    I will echo what many say on here concerning the conditions of our fields. But when “safety concerns” are mentioned, let me explain what these concerns are.

    Lakewood is a wonderful community, and in this community, there are many volunteers who help our youth learn life’s passions like sports and music by becoming a youth coach or instructor. In baseball, this begins at a very young age where children are taught how to hit, field, throw, etc. Nothing has been more disheartening to see a young child being taught how to properly field a ground ball (glove down, eyes on the ball) only to have the ball bounce right into their face because the field is ridiculously poor. Now, baseball always carries a risk, and it’s not for everyone, but you can literally see how this sucks the joy out of a child’s face. They know it’s hard, And there are other problems, too. I’ve seen several kids hustling to first at Kaufman, trying to help their team and do what the coach has taught, only to face plant into first base because of an uneven field. These are just a handful of examples. It’s really no wonder why participation levels have dropped recently.

    Hopefully this MoU is a step in the right direction to get the fields in proper condition. I hope it’s just the first step.

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    Kandace Pustulka over 2 years ago

    I fully support an agreement of the division of duties between city and schools for maintenance of recreation facilities. I believe the school district should not be involved at all, and that the city or a separate entity like the athletic boosters should over see the operation and maintenance of recreational sports programs and facilities. Funding from the school system should not be utilized for this program and should be funded from other means. Which is why I suggest something like the athletic boosters. The facilities used for these programs are great but are in desperate need of repair and upgrade for the safety of our children. Emergency city spending may be or is needed immediately, and then the city can proceed with how to fund and continue these programs.

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    Kevin Wenderoth over 2 years ago

    While I do support this MoU there is a lack of urgency by both the City and the BOE to take IMMEDIATE action to address these issues. Citizens should expect immediate action now coupled with a long term plan to address this long standing problem.

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    Vince Frantz over 2 years ago

    It’s clear that Council, Mayor and the School Administration have gained a new understanding for what the fields mean for our residents as well as the need for a more thorough and detailed maintenance plan.

    However we also have seen how little residents, city hall and rec dept volunteers have any say or oversight in the quality or direction of our rec programs. The commissions that stand under the CREC have been aware of these issues for years but remain toothless to make change and the School Board remains ignorant of the growing problems due to an organizational blind spot.

    If the City is to continue to have a 3rd party School District entity provide the civil service of a City Rec Dept, then the city and school board must develop a stronger leadership structure along with collaborative, working commissions that are charged with serving the public.

    We have a unique opportunity and challenge to get this right. The MoU must be a starting point and contain language to work towards a more representative structure for a Lakewood Recreation Dept along with near term wording to address the facility maintenance.

    This and future generations of Lakewood residents will thank these Administrations, Council, and School Board for correcting the course.

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    Margie Hoelker over 2 years ago

    We love Lakewood and we love raising our family in Lakewood. The parks in Lakewood are wonderful and the recent improvements reflect how much our residents, especially our families love engaging in the outdoors among their other community members. Why not have our baseball fields do the same? Kids take pride in playing on fields that are well maintained and reflect the pride they feel for their community. Let's have folks step up and clarify the responsibilities for the operation and maintenance of recreation fields for the purposes of accountability and ultimately the beautification of our great city.

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    Chad Zumkehr over 2 years ago

    The condition of the baseball fields need immediate attention. Both of our sons played years of Lakewood recreation baseball. The condition of the fields has deteriorated over the last 12 years. Moreover, the recreation baseball league had been disappointing to the point my younger son has played the last three years in another Municipal Little League program. We appreciate the diversity of Lakewood, which includes kids attending a plethora of different schools. Investment in the Baseball/Softball recreation program and fields would only welcome and encourage more kids to join from different schools and bring the children and community together. Most of Lakewood's baseball fields have gorgeous settings. The diamonds just need some upgrades with an accountable maintenance program.

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    Kurt Shoaff over 2 years ago

    As a longtime resident of the City of Lakewood I have been regularly disappointed with the maintenance of the ball diamond infields throughout the city. I believe the system as it is set up is flawed. The Rec dept handles all of the maintenance duties on the infield on all of the diamonds used by youth/adult baseball and softball. I believe, and it’s apparent by the maintenance, that this is too much for the rec dept to handle. It doesn’t make much sense for the city parks department to take care of the whole park but defer just the ball diamonds to the rec department. I know no other town that operates this way. There is a long way to go to get our diamonds in the shape of many of our surrounding communities but I believe an initial step would be to have the city at least maintain the infields on city park property. The soccer fields have come along way, for the better, in our city parks,i.e. Madison, and believe our diamonds could follow suit. Having over 20+ years in the parks/recreation field and a current employee of the Cleveland Metroparks I would love to be a part of further discussion and action regarding our kids fields. Feel free to contact me. Thank you for your time and consideration.
    Kurt Shoaff
    1072 Summit Ave

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    Robert Friel over 2 years ago

    Lakewood is a fabulous community to raise a family. Despite all of the strengths, one of the weaknesses is the lack of green space. Therefore, it is imperative that we maintain the parks and fields that we do have.

    Lakewood Park's transformation over the last seven years has been spectacular. It's time for our baseball and softball fields to experience the same rejuvenation. With fewer fields than comparable cities with a similar population, we should strive to make the fields that we do have spectacular as a drawing point for potential residents and current families.

    I believe that this resolution will provide for a more effective division of labor to improve the quality of our fields throughout Lakewood. Such a resolution will allow a more streamlined plan to take effect and be implemented to improve the city as a whole for all residents.

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    Ray Krncevic over 2 years ago

    The current state of our public ball fields in Lakewood is unacceptable. So is the fact that the current responsibility for maintaining the fields boils down to a murky relationship among multiple municipal entities. A clear delineation of duties is needed to fix the problem, and the MOU is a necessary first step. Ultimately, there needs to be one individual/agency in charge, accountable to ensure that effective plans are developed and executed. The buck can’t stop with more than one person. Other surrounding suburbs with a lower tax burden seem to be able to maintain first class recreation facilities; there’s no reason Lakewood can’t do the same.

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    Michelle Coleman over 2 years ago

    My son played on a club baseball team this year and we spent a lot of time on fields in other cities around Cleveland. This experience opened my eyes to the fact that Lakewood has the worst fields of any city in the Cleveland area. Other inner-ring suburbs such as Euclid, Cuyahoga Heights and Parma have beautiful fields that are well-maintained and offer more amenities. We pay more in taxes than these other cities but our fields are far worse. We couldn’t even think of holding a money-making tournament like they do with the situation we are currently in. I am not a huge fan of continuing to split the field care-taking because this seems to allow too much of “passing the buck” but it is better than doing nothing and therefore a step forward.

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    Brendan McCarthy over 2 years ago

    The baseball fields are in lousy shape. They need immediate attention. Please invest our resources, this is so important to so many of our residents. Kids, parents, grandparents and friends- all Lakewood!! Thank you.

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    Damon Gilliland over 2 years ago

    It is with great hope and expectations that I support formalizing the operations and responsibilities of the City of Lakewood, the Recreation Department and other involved parties. With the Solstice Steps and other recent investments at Lakewood Park, the City of Lakewood has demonstrated that when motivated to do so, they can implement public works that serve to beautify and enrich our community. It’s with pride and a true sense of community does my family make use of these assets. It’s a tangible way that connects us to our neighbors, families and our local leadership.

    Unfortunately too much our recreational assets are not being maintained or utilized to their full potential. Much to the frustration of those participating in recreation league sports, the overwhelming sense is that the City and/or Recreation Department is falling short through either mismanagement or indifference. In stark contrast to Lakewood Park's general beautification and redevelopment is the neglected Lakefront field. This juxtaposition serves as a metaphor for the lack of investment, in capital and/or talent, needed for facilities that meet our community standards.

    I stand with other concerned citizens who demand traceability and accountability from our local leadership and our Recreation Department. With clearer goals, standards and measurements, I am confident that stewardship of our assets can and will improve. The result will bring material benefit to the health and wellbeing our children and community.

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    Delaney Gilliland over 2 years ago

    Roles must be explicitly defined and entities must work together rather than in isolation. The current, undefined, finger pointing approach does not work.

    Fields must be prepared and maintained in a timely manner to allow teams to take the fields for practice/recreation beginning in April and continuing throughout the entire season and even into the fall. This requires attention to facilities year round, not just during the season of play. Practices and games should not be cancelled due to puddling from previous rains, children should not be tripping and falling in divots and holes, pedestrians should not be walking into the outfield and getting hit by balls due to painted lines not being visible.

    Our tax dollars surely afford us more than is being provided.

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    Nancy Rowell over 2 years ago

    We are writing to support the resolution for the operation and maintenance of the recreations fields, for our youth and a healthy thriving community.
    Tim and Nancy Rowell