Laserfiche WebLink
northeast Ohio municipalities, Director Butler could not locate any other Ohio municipalities that <br />had a dedicated code chapteron the subject. <br />Director Butler explained the work he did to engage experts on both sides of this debate. He <br />provided the written comments he received from both sides. He remarked that there are many <br />areas where both sides agree. Specifically, both agree that the Supreme Court has ruledspousal <br />consent, parental consent without a judicial bypass, and the hospital transfer requirementsin <br />Lakewood’s Codetoconflict with Roe v. Wade. <br />Director Butler stated that if Chapter 503 were repealed then Ohio law would generally preside <br />and govern abortions. However, he noted that the “heartbeat”bill, currently being challenged in <br />the courts is more restrictive than the requirements of Chapter 503. He clarified that the City <br />would certainly lose a court challenge if its requirement on gestational age is more permissive <br />than that of the state. <br />Councilmember Anderson questioned why folks defending abortion access want to repeal this <br />section of the Code if it is actually more permissive than state law. <br />In response to a question by Councilmember Rader, Director Gelsomino stated that this section <br />of the Code has not been discussed inmore than 11 years but that she is unaware of discussions <br />prior to then. <br />Councilmember George clarified that while she is open to reviewing Chapter 503 section by <br />section that her goal is to repeal it entirely. <br />Director Butler clarified that the first part of Chapter503 deals with abortion clinics or <br />freestanding outpatient surgery centers, and that the second partseeks to regulate the practice of <br />all abortions. He noted that experts on both sides of this debate agree that ORC highly regulates <br />abortion clinics in the state and that it is most likely that LCO ismedically outdated in a number <br />of areas. <br />Councilmember Rader expressed that he is comfortable repealing Chapter503and moved to <br />recommend adoption of Ordinance 15-19. Councilmember George seconded the motion and both <br />members voted in favor. <br />Motion passed. <br />ORDINANCE 16-19-AN ORDINANCE enacting new Chapter 110, Access Public <br />Records, of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Lakewood to create transparency and <br />timely easy-of-access to public records and set requirements for the city’s online public <br />records request system. <br />Director Butler provided an update that the Law Department is researching outside software <br />vendors that provide the one stop online citizen access portal described in the ordinance. He <br />noted that the portal tracks the length of time a response is taking. Cleveland’s average response <br />2 <br /> <br /> <br />