Laserfiche WebLink
<br />.. ,~ <br />l'.lQ <br />. 'U <br /> <br />4/l4l69 <br /> <br />, <br /> <br />saying he felt he had a right to choose his tenants. <br /> <br />Mr. Gordon Crider; 4045 Oak Street, Pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church, read a statement <br />from fifty-four parishioners who supported the ordinance. <br /> <br />The Council discussed the selection of the three-man panel, and its duties under the ordinance. <br />The City Attorney questioned the validity of Section 9 (b) and whether a criminal penalty could <br />be ,imposed, or whether it should not be a civil penalty. Mr. Vetri explained that this clause <br />had been included to resolve the question of an obstinate violator, and agreed that Section <br />9(b) could very well be stricken. The Council agreed that this section should be amended. <br /> <br />Mr. Jim Jenkins, 2035 Charnelton, First United Methodist Church, 'said the administrative board <br />of his church had gone on record as favoring this ordinance. <br /> <br />Mrs. Mary Briscoe, speaking for Mrs. John Bascomb, president of the League of Women Voters, <br />read a statement in support of the ordinance. <br /> <br />Mr. Garske again~:expressed his concern that persons of dubious character might bring false <br />charges. Mrs. Hayward commented that she was sure everyone was concerned that no invalid <br />charges be made against citizens in the community, anq that no false arrests be made. However, <br />she does not want discrimination to take place in the community. Mr. Vetri explained that the <br />city investigator would determine whether there was any merit to the charges, and that this wou14 <br />be an adequate means of protecting reputations of individuals in the 'community. ' <br /> <br />, <br /> <br />The City Attorney gave members of the Council a resume of federal, state and the proposed city <br />ordinance, and explained that he had a problem looking at two identical ordinances, one with <br />a civil penalty and the other exactly the same with criminal sanctions, and criminal penalties. <br />He suggested that they be put into one ordinance. <br /> <br />Mr. Johnson said the point raised by the Attorney deserves further consideration. The <br />Commission had considered amending the criminal statute to provide additionally that jurisdic- <br />tion in municipal court would not lie in a case where that particular matter o~ complaint had <br />already been filed in the civil route, so they could not have, in effect, double jeopardy. <br /> <br />Dr. Purdy asked Mr. Johnson if he would be opposed to the three-man panel being appo.inted by <br />the Mayor, or by the Mayor and the City'Council. Dr. Purdy felt this would be better ,than <br />placing it with the Commission or Chairman. Mr. Johnson could see no objection, and felt it <br />might be desirable. <br /> <br />The City Manager asked if the respondent was not satisfied with the decision of the panel, <br />what his appeal would be from the civil process. Mr. Johnson replied that, if he did not <br />accept his efforts at conciliation, the matter would be referred to the City Attorney's office <br />to make a decision whether to take the matter to municipal court. ' <br /> <br />, <br /> <br />There was a discussion concerning the appointment and makeup of the three-man panel. The Mayor <br />commented that members of the Human Rights Commission are knowledgeable of many situations <br />where it would be necessary for the Mayor to study each case" and, he would probably have to go <br />to the Chairman of the Commission to seek council. There would be nothing to prevent the <br />Human Rights Commission from soliciting outside help if they felt it was required. Mayor <br />Anderson felt the Human Rights Commissi6n would be better disposed to take on this task. <br /> <br />Councilman Teague asked the Commission what consideration had been given individual rights. <br />He asked if ~he Commission considered writing a letter of intent to clarify the ordinance. Dr. <br />, Potts sa~d they did not. <br /> <br />Mr. Tom Gunning said black people have no choice or individual rights - they have no right to <br />own or to earn because of discrimination. <br /> <br />Dr. Potts said people still may impose conditions on rental or sal~-of their property. The <br />point is, those conditions must apply to all people, with no discrimination on the basis of <br />aex, nationality, color, religion etc. <br /> <br />Mr. Paul Cope, 3979 Alder, felt having two ordinances was overdoing it, and would like to see <br />the Council deal with only one ordinance. <br /> <br />Councilman Mohr said Dr. Pott had touched on the very important and primary purpose: of. the <br />ordinance. The law creates an expectation of behavior. Society has moved ahead and the govern- <br />ment is just catching up. <br /> <br />t <br /> <br />Councilwoman Hayward asked if the next step would be consideration of the ordinance at a regular <br />meeting. Mayor Anderson said that was correct, and suggested that the Council give the City <br />Attorney direction regarding changes and modifications. <br /> <br />After discussion of possible amendments, Councilwoman Hayward moved'seconded by Mr. Mohr that <br />the City Attorney make provision that if a complaint goes the civil route, the municipal court <br />has no jurisdiction over it. The motion carried. <br /> <br />The Mayor <br />cha llenge <br />to work. <br />Gano for <br /> <br />said that the City has an excellent Human Rights Commission that will accept a <br />and has given this problem local recognition. However, the test will be getting it <br />He thanked Dr. Pott and members of the Human Rights Commission, Mr. Vetri and Mr. <br />their participation in preparation of the ordinance. <br /> <br />the City Attorney explained that Mr. Arthur Johnson, attorney and member of the Human Rights Commission, <br />4/14/69 - 8 <br /> <br />~ <br />