33-13 Amend 149.14 domestic partner benefits

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PLACED ON 1ST READING`&::REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE 11/18/13 PLACED ON 2ND READING 12/2/13. ORDINANCE NO. ?3313 BY: Anderson, Bullock, Juris, Madigan, Nowlin, Powers, Smith. AN ORDINANCE amending Section 149.14, Hospitalization Coverage for Em- ployees, of the Lakewood Codified Ordinances, to make it consistent with existing city policy and to codify the provision of health care coverage for employees' domestic part- ners and their children. WHEREAS, the City of Lakewood seeks to demonstrate its commitment to inclu- sion and diversity in our workforce and throughout the community through legislative and administrative policies; and WHEREAS, the City seeks to optimize service to its residents and recruit the best employees by drawing from the largest possible pool of qualified applicants; and WHEREAS, the City seeks to ensure that the terms and conditions of City em- ployment are extended on an equal basis to all employees; and WHEREAS, recent changes to federal law dictate that affordable health insurance be made accessible to eligible employees and their families; and WHEREAS, in October 2013, the administration announced and Council support- ed policy changes that would extend health care coverage to the same -sex domestic part- ners of eligible city employees and their children; and WHEREAS, those changes will become effective in January 2014; and WHEREAS, it is fitting to amend the Codified Ordinances in order to ensure that future employees may have access to these benefits regardless of other administrative changes that may arise; and WHEREAS, pursuant to the Constitution of the State of Ohio and the Ohio Re- vised Code, municipalities have the power of local self - government and to enact laws that are for the health, safety, welfare, comfort and peace of the citizens of the municipality; now, therefore BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF LAKEWOOD, OHIO: Section 1. Section 149.14, Hospitalization Coverage for Employees, of the Lake- wood Codified Ordinances, currently reading as follows: 149.14 HOSPITALIZATION COVERAGE FOR EMPLOYEES. (a) For the purposes of this section, "eligible City employees" means employees of Lakewood Municipal Court and the City of Lake-