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<br />MINUTES OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE <br />January 8th, 2024 <br />East Conference Room <br />Present: Councilmembers Kepple, Baker, Marx, Bullock, Shachner, Strebig, Baker (5:55 p.m.) <br />lso Present: Law Director Vargo and Council staff <br />A <br />Call to Order: 5:40 PM <br />Approval of the minutes of the December 11, 2023 Committee of the Whole <br />Motion made and seconded to approve the minutes. Councilmembers Kepple, Strebig, Marx, <br />Bullock and Shachner in favor. Councilmembers Rader and Baker absent. <br />C <br />andidate interviews for Charter Review Commission <br />President Kepple announced that candidate Dan O’Malley withdrew his application due to a <br />potential conflict on the Port Authority. <br />Martha WoernerInterview: <br />Martha Woerner was warmly acknowledged by Council, who collectively expressed gratitude for <br />her willingness to serve and ensured her awareness of the public nature of the meeting. When <br />asked about her specific strengths regarding the Charter Review position, Ms. Woerner <br />highlighted her master’s degree in public policy and her experience in local government, <br />particularly with the Cleveland School District, emphasizing the valuable insights these <br />experiences provide. When questioned about potential modifications to Lakewood's Charter, Ms. <br />Woerner expressed a neutral position, conveying that currently, she does not possess strong <br />opinions on particular changes she would recommend for the Charter. When questioned about <br />her prior experiences, Ms. Woerner mentioned her proficiency in document review, specifically <br />highlighting her involvement in formulating the employee handbook for the Cleveland School <br />District. Ms. Woerner additionally expressed her interest in engaging with former members of <br />the Charter Review Commission to understand any challenges encountered or areas for <br />improvement in the process. Council expressed gratitude for Ms. Woerner's public experience, <br />underscoring the significance of assessing the efficacy of Lakewood's Third Amended Charter <br />and seeking input from those who have the most interaction with it. <br />Dean Jackson Interview: <br />Mr. Jackson expressed his enthusiasm for citizen involvement in the discussion and shaping of <br />Lakewood's City Charter. He stated that he sees the charter review process as an excellent <br />opportunity for civic engagement. When asked about his familiarity with the existing charter, Mr. <br />Jackson acknowledged having reviewed it in the past and affirmed his dedication to conducting a <br />more comprehensive examination in the future. Council asked about any specific changes he <br />may have in mind. In response, Mr. Jackson articulated his interest in addressing larger <br />1 <br /> <br />