38-2023 - Amend 149.14 Hospitalization coverage

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DocuSign Envelope ID: 27CE1015-8397-4CCE-9DD9-31 F514ECBED3 ORDINANCE NO. 38-2023, BY: Baker, Bullock, Litten, Marx, Rader, Shachner AN ORDINANCE to take effect immediately provided it receives the affirmative vote of at least five members of Council, amending Section 149.14 of the Lakewood Codified Ordinances to remove medical coverage for same sex partners in light of the legalization of same sex marriage in the State of Ohio. WHEREAS, Lakewood had offered coverage to same sex partners and their families prior to same sex marriage being legal; and WHEREAS, same sex partners can now legally marry in the State of Ohio alleviating the need to continue to provide this coverage; and WHEREAS, as set forth in Section 2.12 of the Third Amended Charter of the City of Lakewood, this Council by a vote of at least two thirds of its members determines that this ordinance is an emergency measure and that it shall take effect immediately, and that it is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public property, health, and safety and to provide for the usual daily operation of municipal departments, in that this benefit should be changed for the new budget year; now, therefore BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF LAKEWOOD, OHIO: Section 1. That Section 149.14 Hospitalization Coverage for Employees of the Lakewood 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 Lakewood who meet the eligibility criteria established by the City's health and welfare plans, but excludes members of Council, part-time hourly employees, temporary employees, seasonal employees, school guards, and members of the Civil Service Commission. Medical benefits shall become effective for each eligible employee on the first day of the calendar month following the month in which the individual is hired. (b) The Director of Finance is hereby authorized to pay from City funds on behalf of each eligible City employee who is a participant in the City's primary group hospitalization plan or dental plan as adopted by the City, the full or a portion of the monthly cost of said coverage, including claims costs and all administrative charges, for single or family coverage, including coverage for same -sex domestic partners and children of same -sex domestic partners, as selected by the employee and as established by City policy or an applicable collective bargaining agreement. is hereby repealed. Section 2. That new Section 149.14 Hospitalization Coverage for Employees of the Lakewood Codified Ordinances is hereby enacted to read 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 Lakewood who meet the eligibility criteria established by the City's health and welfare plans, but excludes members of Council, part-time hourly employees, temporary employees, seasonal employees, school guards, and members of the Civil