In response to criticism from city officials and nearby residents, Forest City Land Group is making a modest effort to improve the appearance of their unfinished Rockport Square project.

First announced in the summer of 2003, the $25 million project along Detroit Rd. in the city’s East End was supposed to take three years to complete and include construction of 59 townhouses, 42 live-work lofts, six shops, and an outdoor dining courtyard. The 4.5-acre site had been owned by Bob Fairchild Chevrolet, which moved to Westlake, and the former Koepke Motors.

A joint partnership between Forest City and Rysar Properties broke ground on the redevelopment project in 2004. Two years later, Forest City acquired Rysar’s interest in the deal, and managed to get around two-dozen townhomes built before the economy soured.

Currently, two wide swathes on either side of Detroit Rd., where the remainder of the project – lofts and an Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar – was planned are completely vacant and surrounded by a six-foot tall chain link fence.  (see site plan .PDF)

Beach Ave. residents circulate petition

Citizen discontent with the visual appearance of the site surfaced at the September 8^th meeting of Lakewood City Council. Councilperson Nickie Antonio (At-Large) mentioned that Beach Ave. residents were circulating a petition expressing their unhappiness with the situation. “Clearly, the residents around that [area] are concerned,” she said.

Mayor Edward O. FitzGerald concurred. “I am very dissatisfied with the property maintenance there, and I have been for some time.” FitzGerald said he didn’t accept Forest City’s explanation for the presence of a large dumpster and portable toilet on the vacant lot. He also felt they should at least broom sweep the lots. “We’re not getting the response we want,” he said. Councilperson Mary Louise Madigan (Ward 4) agreed, “It does look terrible, and that’s why there’s a petition.”

Forest City agrees to mark the site

Artist's rendering produced by Forest City of the proposed signage for the empty lot at the corner of Detroit Ave. and Hopkins Ave.

Artist's rendering produced by Forest City of the proposed signage for the empty lot near the corner of Detroit Ave. and Beach Ave.

Artist's rendering produced by Forest City of the proposed signage for the empty lot at the corner of Detroit Ave. and Hopkins Ave.

Artist's rendering produced by Forest City of the proposed signage for the unfinished portion of their Rockport Square project.

During the September 20^th meeting of the Economic Development Committee, Madigan said she had been in contact with Forest City VP of Joint Ventures Bill Sanderson and Rockport Square Sale Representative Cathy Deininger. She said they agreed to post signs around the empty lots identifying them as development sites. The dumpster and portable toilet were removed.

Director of Planning and Development Nathan Kelly said the fences could not be removed from the site for safety reasons. He said the pavement has a lot of holes in it, and one parcel still has a basement.

Mayor ‘not done with them’

At the September 22^nd Listening2Lakewood event held at Garfield Elementary School, FitzGerald elaborated on his frustrations with Rockport Square in response to a question from the audience.

He said he’d been in contact with Forest City about the condition of the vacant lots at Rockport Square, and made his dissatisfaction clear to them. “They’ve done a lousy job maintaining that lot,” he said. “They have not been respectful of our community standards.”

FitzGerald said the company was not responsive, and he knew it was only a matter of time before the site drew citizen complaints. He dispatched the city’s building department to conduct an inspection of the property, which resulted in the issuance of citations.

The move grabbed Forest City’s attention. “They were somewhat responsive, but not to my liking,” he said. The mayor also explained that the company was cold to the idea of building a temporary community garden in the open space.

FitzGerald said Forest City is unlikely to make any additional improvements to the site before winter, but added, “I’m not done with them.”

Forest City Responds

When contacted about the situation, Forest City VP of Corporate Communications Jeff Linton said via e-mail that the company is satisfied with its working relationship with the city, but clarified two points.

The dumpster and portable toilet were on-site and in use, he said, because several of the townhomes had interior build-outs underway. The portable toilet is an OSHA requirement, he noted.

Regarding the community garden, Linton said Forest City is “very open to the idea of a community garden in a mutually agreeable location.”

Linton emphasized that Rockport Square has been a “distinct success” for Lakewood – with more than 26 units sold over the past three months – amidst rotten economic conditions. “The city deserves credit for having had the courage to engage with us,” he said, “But we have also held to our commitments as well by delivering a high-quality product that is responsive to the needs and high standards of Lakewood.”

Linton said the final two phases of the project will move forward, but “only as it makes economic sense to do so.”

Compared to their peers in cities with similar demographics and fiscal resources, Lakewood’s elected officials are consistently paid less, according to a study issued by the city’s Civil Service Commission. (see .PDF)

The commission reviewed current Lakewood municipal salaries and identified 18 people serving in executive or managerial roles who were paid more than Mayor Edward O. FitzGerald.

In the interest of attracting and retaining qualified candidates, the commission recommended a $25,000 salary bump for the mayor and a $4,000 raise for each of the city’s seven council members. The mayor’s annual pay would rise from $75,653 to $100,000, plus medical benefits. A council member’s yearly haul would go from $7,000 to $11,000, with optional medical benefits, not to exceed $14,300.

The commission suggested these salary adjustments would enable city council to reach parity with similar cities and avoid “drastic increases” in the future.

The commission is composed of two members appointed by the mayor, and one member appointed by city council. The city charter mandates that it produce salary recommendations for the city’s elected officers every two years.

In February, former councilperson Michael Dever was appointed to a commission vacancy. At the time he was approved, Councilperson Mary Louise Madigan (Ward 4) noted that the city received only one application for the opening. Commission members receive a small stipend for their participation.

Council has 60 days to accept, reject or modify salary recommendations

The commission issued their recommendations in a letter to council members dated July 1^st. Council, per the city charter, had to respond to the proposal by around September 1^st. The matter did not appear on the docket for any of council’s regular meetings. In 2008, the commission also issued a call for salary increases. The issue moved to committee, where it was buried. (see .PDF)

Salary survey data

This grid outlines mayoral salary data collected by the commission. It is ordered by general fund size. The general fund is usually the source for most municipal salaries.

There are caveats. Lakewood has a mayor who also serves as public safety director. Other cities employ one person as public safety director and have a separate city manager who is appointed by city council. Lakewood’s charter does permit the mayor to appoint someone else as public safety director.

The general fund numbers are rounded and are in the millions of dollars. For example, Elyria’s general fund is $86 million. The data the commission provided for Cuyahoga Falls was unclear, so the most recent general fund number available on their Web site was used. In addition to medical benefits, several city managers and mayors also have an automobile allowance. Check the commission report for complete details.

Like the other chart, this data is ordered by general fund size. For ease of comparison, the general fund numbers have been rounded and are in the millions of dollars. Shaker Heights’ general fund total is roughly $61 million. Population is rounded and in the thousands. Elyria’s population is about 56,000. Also be aware that certain cities pay their council presidents slightly more than the rest of council.

Do Lakewood’s elected officials need salary parity?

One could argue that the recent performance of Lakewood’s elected officials does not merit a pay increase, but that’s not the issue the commission examined. The commission looked to see if current wages are commensurate with cities of similar size and financial capability.

If one looks at all of the numbers, $11,000 is probably a fair annual amount to pay part-time council people. It’s within a few grand of Lakewood’s peer cities. Really, the positions should be full-time with greater salaries, but that is neither here nor there.

The mayor’s salary is less of a clear-cut decision, and the commission was bold in recommending a jump of $25,000 to $100,000. It’s one thing to give that kind of money to a dedicated city manger who understands the concept of commitment. It’s another story to reward a politician who openly pursues higher office after less than two years on the job. $75,000 is adequate for someone with commitment issues. $100,000 is good for someone truly dedicated to the betterment of the city.

No instant pay increases

Considering the number of municipal layoffs and cuts to city services over the last few years, it might be hard from a public relations standpoint for city council to approve the commission’s salary recommendations– but one never knows.

The city charter prohibits city council from giving themselves instant raises during their current term. They would have to be re-elected to a new term to enjoy a bigger paycheck. The same thing applies to the mayor.

City should follow state’s lead in salary disclosure

Some people will be surprised to learn 18 city workers earn more than the mayor. Out of respect for the taxpayer, the city ought to do what the state does: publish all salary data online. This is how it should be done.

Plain Dealer reporter Henry Gomez today said that Lakewood Mayor Edward O. FitzGerald confirmed that he is Public Official 14 (Po14) who is referenced in the Jimmy Dimora indictment.

Gomez said the mayor indicated he has discussed the Winterhurst matter with the FBI, and that his contact with Dimora was nothing more than a courtesy call. FitzGerald has not been accused of any wrongdoing related to the county corruption case.

The city leases Winterhurst to Ice Land USA, which is owned by William Neiheiser, who was indicted today along with Dimora.

From the Dimora indictment (see the .PDF):

306. It was the object of the conspiracy that DIMORA solicited and accepted things of value, including free and discounted home improvements, materials and financial assistance, from NEIHEISER and Reliance Mechanical, in return for DIMORA using his County position to benefit NEIHEISER, Reliance Mechanical and Winterhurst, both as requested and as future opportunities arose.

On or about March 6, 2008 at approximately 8:15 p.m., DIMORA spoke to P014, who said, “I heard you were lookin’ for me.” DIMORA replied, “Yeah. I was sittin’ here with a friend of mine who’s been tryin’ to get ahold of you and talk to you about your ice rink. He wants to make a proposal to you uh that he thinks will be advantageous to the City and to you if uh you wanted to talk to him and I mean the guy’s…. ” P014 asked if it was NEIHEISER. DIMORA confirmed it was. P014 said that he has been unable to return NEIHEISER’s call because P014 had been in union negotiations. P014 told DIMORA that P014 would “be more than happy to talk to the guy.” DIMORA said, “Okay. Oh, do you want me to tell … I’m sittin’ next to him here but he can’t hear me. Do you want me to tell him like you’ll call him next week or….” P014 told DIMORA to have NEIHEISER call him at 9:30 the following morning and P014 will “make time … I’ll make time … I’ll make time to talk to him.” DIMORA told P014, “If there’s anything we can do, uh, let us know, you know, uh, any help we can provide.” (pg. 95)