11/10/1975 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

the ordinance. Councilman Murray emphasized that that point was debated at length in task force meetings, and he thought that the task force would feel strongly that it should be as written into the ordinance. Councilman Keller asked if that meant it would be mandatory for the Council to interview finalists, and Mr. Murray e answered that it did. He went on to explain that the recent Council bylaws re- vision on appointments to boards and commission would come into play in arriving at who the finalists would be. Mrs. Beal moved second by Mr. Murray to delete reference to senior citizens in the ordinance, substituting instead "commission on aging." Councilman Keller suggested the motion include changing "handicapped" to "limited mobil ity" as suggested. Mrs. Beal felt however that all other handicapped should not be crossed off - the blind, mentally retarded, etc. - which would be the case if terms were confined to those with limited mobility. Mr. Long said that under the present code the term "handicapped" is much broader than limited mobility. It refers to both physical and mental disability, he said, whereas limited mobility defines only those with limited physical mobility. Vote was taken on the motion as stated. Motion carried unanimously. Mrs. Beal moved second by Mrs. Shirey that at least one-third 'of~the . membership of the commission on .aging comprise senior citizens them- selves. Mr. Long wondered how the Council wuld define a "senior citizen." Councilman Murray thought the motion unnecessary. He suspicioned that at least one-third of the membership would be those generally considered senior citizens anyway. Mayor Anderson thought an over-structured commission could cause problems, and that it might be better to leave it to the Council's judgment in making appoint- e ments as to who might better serve. Mrs. Beal with consent of the second (Shirey) withdrew the motion. Mayor Anderson asked for comments on whether the human rights council should deal with any identifiable groups. Councilwoman Shirey thought there should be some provision for that. She said it was not the intent of the group drafting the ordinance to exclude anyone; it was the intent to provide some place to take problems. She suggested adding a provision which would give the human rights council the right to deal with areas of concern not addressed by the individual commissions. Mrs. Shirey moved second by Mr. Murray to amend the ordinance by adding ".. . areas of those concerns not addressed ~y the individual commission maybe referred to the human rights council to conduct the investigation, research, and hearings necessary to effectuate." Mr. Long said that the proposal which came from the task force did not exclude 'any- one. The question, he said, is whether religion and perhaps other categories were to be removed from where they were dealt with. Language to the effect that the council would address problems not specifically covered will give the human rights council nothing to deal with. He asked the Council which functions or categories it wished to remove and place under the jurisdiction of the human rights council. Councilman Murray thought perhaps it would be better to give that area the "test of time." He felt if those types of problems were encountered with some frequency, e it might be better to revise the ordinance at that time. He withdrew his second. Mrs. Shirey then withdrew her motion with the comment that there should perhaps be some wording more specific that would give people lI!ore choice. 11/10/75 - 10 S8s