04/04/1979 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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II. Routine Items For Council Approval A. Council Minutes March 28, 1979 Mr. Delay moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, to approve Council minutes as noted. Motion carried unanimously. e B. Legislative Subcommittee Minutes March 29, 1979 Manager noted only two Councilors were in attendance at the Subcom- mittee meeting. He said the Subcommittee had unanimously voted on all bills as reported in the minutes. Perhaps Council would like to discuss some of the bills, and he referred them to HB 2424 and S8 659 regarding sexual orientation. The Human Rights Council had requested the City Council approve and support the bills rather than just author- izing the commission to testify in favor. Ms. Smith felt the Council should indicate to the Human Rights Council the City Council's approval of the commissions' testifying in support of those bills. She did support the bills. However, she felt, based on the recent referendum and vote of the citizens, it would be inappro- priate for Council to approve supporting the bills when the community had voted in opposition to that stance. She felt it more appropriate to authorize the commissions to testify rather than Council going on record in full support. Ms. Schue supported the action of the Legislative Subcommittee. She encouraged Councilors to make their decisions on the basis of what ~ they feel is right, and not on the basis of what they feel is popular. ,., Mr. Obie would not vote for the two bills. He said it had nothing to do with the issue, but that the Council has been directed by the people of the community as to how the citizens feel. The Council is elected not only as leader, but as the peoples' representative. He was uncomfortable with Ms. Smith's position, but felt he could support it. Rosemary Battori spoke on behalf of the Womens Commission. She strongly urged Council to endorse the stand taken by the Legislative Subcommittee in favor of HB 2424. She said any form of discrimination is a statewide problem, and should be handled by the Legislature. The bill would disallow discrimination based on sexual orientation in housing, employment, and public accommodations. Mr. Delay moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, to approve the Legislative Subcommittee minutes as noted. Ms. Smith moved, seconded by Mr. Obie, to amend the motion regarding HB 2424 and SB 629, authorizing the Human Rights Council to testify without the Council's support and approval. - 4/4/79--2 181