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MINUTES <br /> OF THE <br /> SPECIAL MEETING <br /> OF <br /> LAKEWOOD CITY COUNCIL <br /> AUDITORIUM <br /> September 6, 2022 <br /> 6:30 P.M. <br /> Regular Meeting of the Lakewood City Council called to order at 6:30 PM by Acting President <br /> Kepple <br /> Present: Kyle Baker, Thomas R. Bullock III, Sarah Kepple, Cindy Marx, Tristan Rader, Jason <br /> Shachner <br /> Also Present: Deputy Clerk Lascu & Clerk Bach, Police Chief Kaucheck, Assistant Law Director <br /> Swallow, Chief of Staff John Storey, approximately 65 members of the public <br /> Motion by Councilmember Kepple, seconded by Councilmember Rader to excuse the absence of <br /> Council President Litten. All members voted in favor. Motion passed. <br /> 1. RESOLUTION 2022-32 - A RESOLUTION to take effect immediately provided it <br /> receives the affirmative vote of at least two thirds of the members of Council, or <br /> otherwise to take effect and be in force after the earliest period allowed by law,adopting <br /> the City of Lakewood Reproductive Health Care Policy. <br /> Councilmember Shachner delivered remarks discussing the evolution of the city's response to <br /> the Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson decision. First was a resolution, introduced in a special <br /> meeting by Councilmembers Kepple & Rader, condemning the decision. On July 5h Ordinance <br /> 20-2022 was proposed to codify limitations on enforcement of the "heartbeat law"within the <br /> City of Lakewood. Following introduction of Ord. 20-2022, Council and the administration met <br /> and entered into a dialogue about how to create the strongest legislation to offer the broadest <br /> protection and peace of mind for residents. The result of those conversations is Resolution 2022- <br /> 32 which, if adopted, would enact a reproductive health policy. <br /> Councilmember Shachner expressed appreciation to the administration for its partnership in <br /> drafting the policy and resolution. He acknowledged and explained some of the differences of <br /> opinion that Council and the administration negotiated regarding the language and scope of the <br /> original legislation. <br /> Councilmember Shachner explained that Resolution 2022-32 strictly pertains to the allocation of <br /> city resources. He noted that the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office has publicly announced <br /> that it will not refer abortion cases for criminal prosecution. Therefore, he argued, it does not <br /> make good sense for the City to pursue these cases. He clarified that the proposed resolution <br /> 1 <br />