The Aug. 21 meeting of Willowick City Council saw successive readings of four ordinances pertaining to strengthening city policies on vacant properties. Read the full story and watch a video of Law Director Michael Lucas discussing the demolition ordinance by clicking here.

Written reported from the Beautification Commission and the Recreation Department were released to the public at the Aug. 21 meeting.

Willowick Recreation Department Report from Julie Kless, recreation director

Youth Leagues: Youth basket ball sign-ups will begin Tuesday, Sept. 4 at Manry.

Programming: Our fall/winter program guide will be in the Sept. courier for all residents

Departmental:

• Soccer and football have started their fall seasons.
• Our Doggie Swim will be on Monday, Aug. 27, at Manry pool. Dogs weighing 50 pounds or more will swim from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and dogs weighing 50 pounds or fewer will swim from 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
• A thank you to Terry and the parks crew for all their hard work this summer.
• The middle school football team will be starting their games at Manry on Wednesday, Aug. 29th.

City of Willowick Beautification Commission Report from Ann Turk, commission director and Ward II councilwoman

Notes from the committee meeting on July 26, 2012:

• Voted to take the words "LED lights" out of our goals and just have our goal be planting "Redspire Pear" and "Honey Locust" trees along Vine Street in Willowick. We can add them (the lights) later to the trees but we should not have this in any letter when requesting donations.
• Ann discussed a list of contacts she has contracted for grant applications for our committee: ODNR; USDOT; Dan Troy, Lake Co. commissioner; Lorraine Fende, Ohio House Rep.; and Ed Rahel, director of this ODOT district. No results. Presently checking on "Tiger Grants," which stands for "Transportation Investment Generating Economic Growth."
• We discussed a letter requesting donations from corporations, businesses, chamber of commerce and doing an advertisement.
• We need guidelines from our mayor and law director on setting up a bank account for deposits.
• Established a motto for our Beautification Commission, "Preserving our City to be Attractive, Vibrant and Green."
• Discussed a beautification program for residents to participate and giving out awards such as gift cards from area businesses and having an award sign put in their yard.

 Beautification Commission meetings are the second last Wednesday of every month. The next meeting will be held Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2012.