MINUTES 03-18-19 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Strategy. I anticipate much more conversation and deliberation regarding the proposed strategy and the seven action steps contained therein in the coming months via the Housing and other Committees. However, it is the view of this particular member of Council as least that most, if not all, of the proposed action steps relate to policy and strategy that has been employed by the Administration and promoted and supported by Council for many years. For example, Community Development Block Grant allocations, programs that focus on supporting low /moderate income households, partnerships with Lakewood Alive /community entities and other similar programs are all emphasized in this proposed strategy. This demonstrates that City Council and the Administration have taken seriously the issue of affordable housing in Lakewood for many years and will continue to do so. The proposed Affordable Housing Strategy frames these and other possible tools in a seemingly composite and comprehensive nature and, again, this member of Council looks forward to further deliberation on this matter. Regarding proposed Ordinance 35-18, Housing Committee members voted unanimously to not recommend adoption by City Council. Motion by Vice President Anderson, seconded by President O'Leary to receive and file the report. Discussion: Mr. Bullock stated that he had a 2 hour discussion with housing specialists in the Community Development department and became familiar with the tools available to Lakewood to increase affordable housing. He added that some inspection work might be needed and a conversation with HUD would help address some of the market gaps. Lastly, he stated that the committee and the legislative sponsor did good work that resulted in no passage. Mr. Rader stated that the city's plan is a great starting point. He added that the deliberation ended up being a really good learning experience on how we think about and how we strategize for affordable housing in the future. He stated that source of income in regard to housing might be a better statewide protection than on the city level. On the motion: All members voting yea. Motion passed. 5. Health &Human Services Committee report regarding meeting held March 11, 2019. (to be provided) Health & Human Services Committee met with representatives from the Cuyahoga County Board of Health and staff from the Human Services Department to discuss lead exposure among children. Mr. Sobolewski from the Board of Health shared that strides have been made; 18.6% of kids in 2004 were tested with higher level amounts of lead in their blood, compared to 2017 where only 6.3% were found to have higher blood lead levels. We currently are being reactionary only in our approach. 80% of ages 0 -6 are being tested, however only 50% of kids between ages 1 & 2 are being tested. Conservatively, 65% of Lakewood residences have a possibility of being impacted by