Lakewood 15th City To Pass LGBTQ Equality Protection Legislation

Council President and Ward II Councilman Sam O'Leary called the June 20, 2016 meeting of Council to order with a shout out to Cleveland's newest Champions.

The first order of business was a Committee of the Whole report given by Councilman O'Leary regarding a proposed ordinance that would “ensure that all persons within the City have equal access to employment, housing, public accommodations, and education.” The Committee discussed some minor changes to the ordinance that had been done prior, including the changes to the number of members that would be included in a new Human Rights Commission and the number of employees needed for the ordinance to affect an employer, from five to four.

There were 12 people present to speak to Council on the topic. The first to speak was former Lakewood Councilwoman and current Ohio State Representative Nickie Antonio. Representative Antonio shared her enthusiasm for the ordinance and was pleased to see improvements made to equal rights legislation she helped foster in Lakewood when she was a Councilwoman. Director of the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, Patty Ryan was next to speak and lend the Chamber's support for the legislation. The remaining speakers included the Director for Equality Ohio, two LGBT married couples, transgender men and women, a straight supporter, a Lakewood business owner, and the parents of a transgender girl. All expressed their elation for Lakewood's progressive step forward.

Next, Council members Cindy Marx (At-Large), Daniel O'Malley (Ward IV), David Anderson (Ward I), Tom Bullock (At-Large), and Sam O'Leary all gave statements on why they were supporting the legislation.

Council then proceeded to pass the ordinance unanimously making it the 15th city in Ohio to pass such a piece of legislation. The chamber erupted in applause upon the vote being cast.

Next, the Director of Lakewood Emergency Room, Dr. Judith Welsh spoke to Council about the emergency room since the closing of the hospital. She began by assuring that the ER is still capable of treating any patient with any emergency complaint they have. The only difference, she remarked, is that inpatient beds are being measured in miles instead of feet. She emphasized that they are not an Urgent Care and will continue to perform critical care emergency procedures. Urgent Cares, she explained are usually staffed by general practitioners who are often not given the same specialized training that emergency physicians are. The ER is capable of evaluation and stabilization of patients with heart attacks, strokes, major trauma, bleeding in the brain, overdoses, and severe mental health problems, all issues that Urgent Cares are not properly prepared for.

When asked where patients in need of hospital stay would be sent, Dr. Welsh said that they can go wherever they prefer, even if it is not a Clinic hospital. When asked what would happen if a child is brought in with a broken bone, she responded the same as before the Hospital closed. The child would be stabilized and transferred to a trauma center, either Metro or Fairview Hospital for further treatment.

Dr. Welsh said that all the physicians working in the ER are board certified and “the same great doctors you get at all of Cleveland Clinic's medical centers." The medical staff participate in continuing education at Main Campus and the Clinic patient satisfaction scores have skyrocketed in recent months. They have over 90% satisfaction in all survey areas, including overall care, doctor communication, nursing courtesy, willing to recommend, and controlling pain.

Dr. Welsh ended her statement by saying that the “Cleveland Clinic Lakewood Emergency Department is effective caring for the citizens of Lakewood, which is something to be very proud of.”

Council thanked Dr. Walsh for taking the time to speak to them. Several members of Council then asked her clarifying questions.

Five members from Save Lakewood Hospital were present and spoke during the public comment portion of this agenda item.

Councilman O'Leary then asked Council to pass a resolution recognizing Lakewood Reads as a community event. Every summer Lakewood High School and the Lakewood Public Library team up to create the Lakewood Reads. The goal is to engage the entire community in celebrating literacy by reading the same book together. This year's Lakewood High School required summer reading, and Lakewood Reads book selection, is the 2006 book Field Notes From A catastrophe: Man, nature, and Climate Change by Elizabeth Kolbert.

Council proceeded to pass the resolution and encourage everyone to pick up the book and read it this summer.

Next, Councilman John Litten (Ward III) asked Council to consider moving the codes regarding the placement of swimming pools in Lakewood from the sanitary code to the zoning code. The current code restricts swimming pools from front and side yards. Although Councilman Litten is not requesting any changes to the ordinance itself, he stated that there could be unique circumstances where the consideration of a variance could be desired. Unfortunately, if such a situation does occur the property owner would have no path for requesting a variance since the sanitary code does not allow them. The zoning code however, does allow variance requests if unique site conditions exist and the other standards are met.

Council referred the ordinance to both the Planning Commission and the Rules and Ordinances Committee.

Coming to the end of the agenda items Council opened the floor to public comment. Eight people spoke, all of which were in regards to the closing of Lakewood Hospital. Six were members of Save Lakewood Hospital a few of which had spoken during the public comment section earlier in the meeting. The remaining two were people who had positive experiences with the Lakewood ER and wanted to share it with Council.

With the end of public comment there were a few announcements from Council and the administration, but none so exciting than the anticipation of the solstice celebration at the Solstice Steps the following day.

Following announcements, Council President O'Leary adjourned the meeting which ran over three hours.