MINUTES 05-06-19 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilman O'Malley asked that since Chapter 503 of the code is 40 years old, that it refers to departments which no longer exist, and since then there have been a multitude of state and federal regulations passed that govern abortion, Council would merely be repealing this section of code and Lakewood would continue to be governed by the current standards established on higher levels of government. Councilmembers George and O'Leary indicated that was their belief. Director Butler stated he has not had time to review this piece of legislation closely. In his initial review, he does not feel that there is a section in the chapter that is not already regulated or superseded by state or federal law. Mayor Summers stated that he did not anticipate that Council would try to pass this ordinance under first reading. He cautioned Council against doing so and asked that the ordinance receive further deliberation. Councilman Bullock added his agreement that Council should follow regular order in regard to the ordinance. President O'Leary stated that he believes that there is adequate time tonight for the analysis needed to determine if the chapter needs to be repealed. He believes the municipality does not desire to regulate abortions and that is what Chapter 503 does. Councilwoman George expressed support for suspending the rules and stated that state law already regulates abortion facilities. She sees the effort as an update to the City Code. Councilman O'Malley stated that although he has made up his mind on the issue, he is amenable to discussing the item in committee and following regular order. Councilman Rader expressed his support for Councilman O'Malley's statements. He added that there were several people that wanted to be at the meeting and he indicated to them that Council would follow a process in evaluating the law. Due to this, he stated that he cannot support the motion to suspend the rules and that he would abstain from the vote. A roll call vote was taken on the motion to suspend the rules: Yeas: George, Litten, O'Leary Nays: Anderson, Bullock, O'Malley Abstain: Rader The motion failed. Councilmember Bullock made a motion to refer the ordinance to the Rules & Ordinances committee, which was seconded by Councilwoman George. Councilman Rader expressed his support for the decision to place it in Rule & Ordinances committee. All members voting yea. The motion passed.