85-05 CDBG Funds for Lawther Center Improvements

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PLACED ON 1ST READING & REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE 9/6/05. ORDINANCE N0: 85-OS BY:Corrigan, Demro, Dever, Dunn, FitzGerald, Madigan, Seelie. AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE authorizing the expenditure of Community Development Block Grant funds (CDBG) in the amount of One Hundred Twenty Five Thousand dollars ($125,000.00) to undertake several physical improvements at the Kathleen and Robert Lawther Center (formerly "Senior Center West'. WHEREAS, per 24C.F.R.570.208(a)(Z)(ii)(A) and 24C.F.R.570.208(b)(2), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development allows grantees to utilize CDBG funding for the removal of material and architectural barriers in public facilities that restrict the mobility or accessibility of elderly persons or disabled adults, and for repairs of publicly-owned buildings associated with the provision of certain public services, respectively; and WHEREAS, the Kathleen and Robert Lawther Center has served since 1978 as a place where Lakewood's elderly residents can receive critically needed services, and gather to socialize and engage in beneficial programs and activities; and WHEREAS, the building's rear entrance, adjacent vestibule, men's restroom, elevator, and drinking fountain are currently noncompliant with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) requirements and cause numerous safety hazards for seniors visiting the building; and WHEREAS, several areas of the building are in critical need. of repair due to the excessive use and age of the facility; and WHEREAS, the City of Lakewood has sufficient CDBG funds available from the proceeds of the sale of the CDBG-funded, City-owned Arthur House congregate living facility to provide the requested assistance in the amount of One Hundred and Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($125,000); and WHEREAS, the Citizens Advisory Committee convened on August 4, 2005 and reviewed and unanimously approved a recommendation to City Council to approve the expenditure of One Hundred and Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($125,000) of the proceeds from the sale of the Arthur House congregate living facility for the improvement of the Kathleen and Robert Lawther Center; and WHEREAS, this Council by a vote of at least fve (5) members elected hereto determines that this ordinance is an emergency measure, and that this ordinance shall take effect at the earliest date possible as set forth in ARTICLE III, SECTIONS 10 and 13 of the SECOND AMENDED CHARTER OF THE CITY OF LAKEWOOD, and that immediate action is necessary to provide for the preservation of the public health, safety and welfare, and to ensure accessibility to the Kathleen and Robert Lawther Center for all Lakewood residents regardless of disability and to maintain the facility in a condition that is decent, safe and sanitary. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF LAKEWOOD, STATE OF OHIO: Section 1. That the. Mayor or his designee is hereby authorized and directed to expend One Hundred and Twenty-Five Thousand dollars ($125,000) on the identified improvements to bring the Kathleen and Robert Lawther Center into compliance with the Americans with Disability Ach requirements and to improve the interior condition of the building. Section 2. It is found and determined that all formal actions of this Council concerning and relating to the passage of this Ordinance were adopted in an open meeting of this Council, and that all .such deliberations of this Council and any of its committees that resulted in such formal actions, were in meetings open to the public in compliance with all legal requirements. Section 3. This Ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure for the reasons set forth and defined in the preamble of this Ordinance, and provided it receives the affirmative vote of at least five (5) of its members elected to Council, this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force at the earliest date possible upon its adoption by the Council andrr approval by the Mapyo~r. Adopted: C e z ~ ~ 9 200 ~ ~~.~W~1'i~" i~,19-~?~h President Clerk of C cil--~ Approved: ~ D Mayor