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MINUTES OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE <br /> November 22, 2021 <br /> AUDITORIUM <br /> Present: Councilmembers Bullock, Litten & Neff <br /> Also: Councilmembers Kepple & Rader, Director Rancatore, Assistant Director Schuster, <br /> Assistant Director Eddy, Director Leininger, Development Officer Wyman, Director Gelsomino, <br /> Ian Andrews & Allison Urbanek of Lakewood Alive, Jarrell McAlister — Board President of <br /> Lakewood Alive, several members of the public, Clerk Bach&Deputy Clerk Lascu taking minutes <br /> Call to Order: 6:10 p.m. <br /> Chairman Bullock requested a moment of silence for the victim of a fatal car accident at W. <br /> 117'h St. & Clifton. He then provided an overview of the topics to be discussed that evening. <br /> Approval of the minutes of the November 1, 2021 and November 15, 2021 meetings of the <br /> Finance Committee <br /> A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the November 1, 2021 and <br /> November 15, 2021 meetings of the Finance Committee. All members voted in favor. Motion <br /> passed. Minutes approved. <br /> Lakewood Alive <br /> Jarrell McAlister, Board President of Lakewood Alive, introduced Lakewood Alive staff <br /> members Executive Director Ian Andrews and Housing & Internal Operations Director Allison <br /> Urbanek to the committee. <br /> Ian Andrews spoke to the various roles Lakewood Alive takes on through its work. He noted that <br /> the organization works with every department in city hall through its small business support and <br /> resident assistance efforts. Lakewood Alive is involved with 5 different business associations in <br /> Lakewood and serves as the fiscal agent for some of those associations. Due to COVID, it has <br /> started a monthly phone call which connects a citywide group of restaurants and businesses. <br /> Networking opportunities like these have helped businesses access the small business relief <br /> program and has helped build a sense of community among owners. Lakewood Alive is also <br /> undertaking efforts to install more public art throughout the city, address parking meter issues, <br /> and assisting businesses in seeking operating space. <br /> Allison Urbanek described Lakewood Alive's housing related efforts in the community. The <br /> organization has a housing outreach program which provides homeowner education, 1 on 1 <br /> counseling, provides help with loan applications, etc. It also has an aging-in-place program, <br /> where staff complete reviews of seniors' homes and try to make minor adjustments or repairs, <br /> like installing grab bars or handrails or improving lighting, to improve the quality of life in the <br /> home. If larger scale projects, like ramps and chair lifts, are needed, Lakewood Alive staff works <br /> to connect seniors with community development organizations or the right contractors. The <br /> 1 <br />