Community Affairs, Housing, Health and Education Committee

Agenda

1. Call to Order

   Chair Shanklin called the meeting to order at 1:32 p.m.

2. Roll Call

   Chair Shanklin introduced the committee members and non-committee members present. A quorum was established. Note: All committee members and non-committee members present attended virtually, except for Vice Chair Chambers Armstrong, Committee Member Bowens, Council Member Arthur and Committee Member Triplett, who attended in Chambers.

3. Pending Legislation
4. 1. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 156 OF THE LOUISVILLE METRO CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATING TO THE REDUCTION OF FINES AND COSTS FOR OWNER OCCUPIED PROPERTIES.
   Ordinance
   Action: tabled

   This item remained tabled in committee.

5. 2. AN ORDINANCE CREATING CHAPTER 167 OF THE LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON COUNTY METRO GOVERNMENT CODE OF ORDINANCES REQUIRING PROPERTY OWNERS TO REMEDY LEAD HAZARDS LEAD ABATEMENT OF IN ALL RENTAL HOUSING UNITS IN LOUISVILLE METRO. (AMENDMENT BY SUBSTITUTION)(AS AMENDED)
   Ordinance
   Action: held

   This item remained held in committee.

6. 3. A RESOLUTION CALLING ON KENTUCKY LEGISLATORS TO PASS A MEASURE ELIMINATING THE SALES AND USE TAX ON FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS.
   Resolution
   Action: recommended for approval Passed

   A motion was made by Committee Member Triplett, seconded by Vice Chair Chambers Armstrong, that this Resolution be recommended for approval. The following spoke to this item: - Vice Chair Chambers Armstrong - Council Member McCraney - Committee Member Parker - Kentucky State Representative Attica Scott - Council Member Arthur - Committee Member Dorsey The following was discussed: - This Resolution is in support of a House Bill that was filed by the General Assembly - A brief review of the Resolution was provided - There are currently 24 states that do not charge tax on feminine hygiene products - It is estimated that Kentucky makes $9M a year from taxing feminine hygiene products - Kentucky does exempt taxes on certain products and examples were provided - Kentucky should view feminine products as a necessary medical product - Woman are estimated to spend an additional $150M yearly on the sales taxes for feminine hygiene products - Kentucky is ranked the third worst state in the nation for women's employment and earnings - Women have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic - There are women and children that unfortunately have to wear the same feminine product or diaper for a longer period of time than recommended because they cannot afford the cost and sales tax on these much needed items - If Kentucky is going to force births by participating in anti-abortion measures then Kentucky can take care of its women, mothers and children - Council Members spoke in support of this Resolution and this cause - It was requested that Committee Member Dorsey and Chair Shanklin be added as co-sponsors to this Resolution The motion carried by a voice vote and the Resolution was sent to the Consent Calendar.

7. 4. A RESOLUTION CALLING ON KENTUCKY LEGISLATORS TO PASS A MEASURE ELIMINATING THE SALES AND USE TAX FOR DIAPERS.
   Resolution
   Action: recommended for approval Passed

   A motion was made by Committee Member Triplett, seconded by Vice Chair Chambers Armstrong, that this Resolution be recommended for approval. The following spoke to this item: - Vice Chair Chambers Armstrong - Council Member McCraney - Committee Member Benson - Kentucky State Representative Attica Scott - Chair Shanklin - Committee Member Parker - Council Member Arthur - Committee Member Dorsey The following was discussed: - Some discussion was had regarding this Resolution under item 3. R-080-22 - 1 in 3 families struggle to afford diapers every month - The average cost of diapers is $80.00 per child per month - The average child goes through 200 diaper changes every month - Some children wear the same diaper for hours at a time because parents try and stretch the amount of diapers they have before they run out of the diaper supply and need to purchase more - Daycares often require parents to supply diapers for their children's daily use and if a days worth of diapers is not provided the daycare facilities will turn the children away which will cause the parent to have to stay home from work because they cannot afford the diapers needed - Questions were asked regarding whether the use of cloth diapers was still active as cloth diapers are more cost effective -- though the cloth diapers are cost effective the mother or parents do not have access to a washer and dryer machine to properly clean every cloth diaper used that day - It was stated that not all households are two-parent households to help to wash the cloth diapers - Discussion was had about the qualifications needed to use the resources provided by the Diaper Bank - So many low income families have limited access to private laundry facilities to be able to clean the used cloth diapers - Senior citizens as well as babies in this population are vulnerable to the sales tax on diapers - It was requested that Committee Member Dorsey be added as a co-sponsor to this Resolution The motion carried by a voice vote and the Resolution was sent to the Consent Calendar.

8. Adjournment

   Without objection, Chair Shanklin adjourned the meeting at 2:08 p.m.

9. Note: Items sent to the Consent Calendar or Old Business will be heard before the full Council at the Metro Council meeting on July 28, 2022.
10. Non-Committee Member(s)

    Council Member Jecorey Arthur (D-4), Council Member Donna Purvis (D-5) and Council Member Paula McCraney (D-7)

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12. Support Staff

    Kathryn Meador, Jefferson County Attorney's Office

13. Clerk(s)

    Olivia Bennett, Assistant Clerk Lisa Franklin Gray, Assistant Clerk Marissa Brown, Assistant Clerk