HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.09.2006COUNCIL WORK SESSION
January 9, 2006
5:00 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Hurley, Kincaid, Welper, Gunderson, Greenwood, Getty, Cole,
Schmitt.
Moved by Schmitt, seconded by Kincaid that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes:
Seven. Motion carried.
David Meeks, Executive Director of Human Rights Commission, reviewed changes to the
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Waterloo Code of Ordinances to add Sexual Orientation to the current list of protected basis in
employment, housing, public accommodations, education and credit. Mr. Meeks stated the
ordinance does not endorse a life style but it is about the rights and privileges of taxpayers and
citizens throughout the community. The Human Rights office has had citizens requesting
assistance concerning loss of housing, employment and/or harassment and the office cannot
process such complaints under the current ordinance. The Human Rights office is currently not
empowered to investigate or even take formal discrimination complaints filed on the basis of
sexual orientation. The Human Rights Commission does not track complaints by sexual
orientation so they don't know how many complaints have been received based on sexual
orientation. They would have to look back at their intakes. The sexual orientation complaints
are grouped into non jurisdictional, but the Human Rights office tries to mediate to resolve with
the parties but they can't enforce a finding. Mr. Meeks stated sexual orientation is different from
the Iowa Code dealing with hate crimes because that would involve assaults, criminal mischief,
trespass, arson and threats of violence because of sexual orientation. Mr. Meeks stated adopting
the ordinance puts a good face on the city of Waterloo, not because it's the nice thing to do but
because it's the right thing to do.
Councilperson Schmitt asked the Human Rights Commission for the number of non -
jurisdictional requests. Councilperson Schmitt asked what is the public's feelings on adding the
sexual orientation language and asked if the commission has addressed neighborhoods and
churches, and has the message gotten out that this does not endorse a life style. Mr. Meeks
responded they have roundtable discussions, and it is on ongoing education, but adopting the
ordinance can't wait until the entire public is educated.
Warrant George, a member of the Human Rights Commission, said a group known as The
Fairness Alliance already has started a community education process, which included sending a
letter explain the ordinance change to every church in Waterloo and offering to meet with church
officials to answer questions. Mr. George noted only one church responded, and it was positive.
Mr. Meeks distributed handouts of supportive material. Ames, Bettendorf, Cedar Rapids,
Clinton, Davenport, Decorah, Des Moines and Iowa City have adopted ordinances making it
illegal to discriminate against residents based on sexual orientation. Many school districts in
Iowa protect individuals based on sexual orientation in their harassment or discrimination
policies.
Mayor Hurley stated the council will continue dialogue with the Human Rights Commission.
Mr. Meeks needs to get the information requested and also ideas to make the public aware of the
ordinance change. Mayor Hurley stated when the ordinance is put on the council agenda, it will
take three readings for adoption, and if it takes three meetings that is what he would like to do
until everybody gets their three minutes.
Councilperson Cole stated she disagrees with holding three separate readings as she would like
quorums held in different parts of the community to allow citizens to speak for three minutes.
Councilperson Cole stated it makes sense to her to have forums other than in the council
chambers and have the ordinance passed in one reading. Councilperson Cole stated this is going
to be an extremely red hot button issue as we have seen it rear its ugly head when this has come
up around the state.
Nikki Rainey, a member of the Human Rights Commission, read a statement from the EEO
policy for her employer, the Pauline Company, which includes sexual orientation.
Council Work Session
January 9, 2006
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The council asked the commission to compile statistics on the number of complaints other
communities with sexual orientation protection have received and an estimate of the number of
contacts the Human Rights Commission has received concerning sexual orientation.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Cole that the
meeting be adjourned at 5:28 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk