11/10/1975 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Joan Kalvalage, 1605 Pearl Street, #1, echoed Ms. Meek and Mr. Williams, saying it was not made clear why the young people proposing a youth commission had not been consulted before a decision was made on this proposal. She said this experience was one more example in the pattern of discrimination against "kids." There should - be at least an explanation of why there had been no consideration of the young people's proposal for a youth commission. Jim Forbes, representing the Intervention Center, said that agency supported the idea of a youth commission that would give young people the right to have a part in the community. An unidentified woman, giving her address as 1821 Jefferson Street, noted the amount of work put forth for the women's organizations to have a strong women's commission. She suggested that organization of the women's com- mission proceed, then the other groups would have the same right as the women had in presenting their concerns; the women's commission should not be lost in other things related to human rights. She was opposed to the wording in the ordinance as it related to the women's commission, saying that the "cards were stacked" when the word "person" was used instead of "woman." She felt the balance needed would not be possible, that the Mayor artd Council in having the decision with regard to membership on the women's commission would not be giving that power over to the women. Public hearing was closed, there being no further testimony presented, and a short recess was declared. Upon reconvening, Councilman Murray explained that the charge to the task force I-B-2 dealt specifically with a women's commission. He explained also the procedures and process followed in arrive at the ordinance under discussion. With regard to comments about the exclusion of the youth rights commission, Mr. Murray said the Council had discussed that proposal a couple of times. He personally was of the opinion that there should be included a provision for youth, recognizing e there may be a q~estion with regard to the applicability of youth problems to the human rights commission. He hoped the proposal for a youth rights com- mission or some sort of youth advocacy group would not be set aside. He call ed attention to the recently adopted citizen participation program and said any youth group would come under that same process. With regard to having nine members on each commission, Mr. Murray said the task force was not especially attached to that number. It was taken directly from the present human rights ordinance which calls for not less than nine nor more than fifteen. Any fewer than that many had not been discussed at length, he said. Mayor Anderson commented that some flaws had been found in the existing human rights ordinance, and this opportunity for an update was welcomed. Any document outlining the rights of individuals in a community, he said, has to be technically a good legal document. He called on Stan Long, assista~t city attorney, to re- spond to comments with regard to the ordinance as it is now written. Mr. Long pointed out that the existing human rights ordinance does not have sub- poen~, power. The question of whether it could be granted by the Council has been investigated three or four times, he said, and the conclusion reached each time was that it is not legally possible for the Council to grant subpoena power. With regard to the possibility of being unco-operative, not continuing with a complaint, Mr. Long said an attorney bears the risk of having a case determined by a hearings officer. If there is no co-operation, the commission will make the decision based on information before the hearings officer. The attorney, he said, has the usual legal right to take a case to court. Commenting on the concern expressed e about multiple complaints where a person may have been subject to discrimination on more than one cause, Mr. Long said it should be understood that staff people will be able to assist in making a complaint. Also, complaints can be amended. 11/10/75 - 8 583