06-28-10 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JUNE 28, 2010 Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand stated that at the June 14, 2010 meeting of the Council under Privilege of the Floor the issue concerning the Kennedy Park CSO Project and concerns regarding on street parking was raised. She stated that there are maps on file in the Office of the City Clerk addressing this issue. Councilmember Henry Davis asked Councilmember Puzzello, Chairperson of the PARCS Committee if she would hold a committee meeting to address the Martin Luther King Center, Charles Black Center and the Kennedy Park Tennis Courts. Councilmember Henry Davis stated that this past week he has called several City Departments regarding issues for his constituents and was not greeted in a very friendly manner. He stated that customer services should be a number one priority for every department of the City. He stated that the lack of empathy and the explanation of “this is not my job” is totally unacceptable. He encouraged better communication and customer service for all city departments. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR COMMENTS REGARDING BILL NO. 30-10 AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE 9, OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE ADDRESSING THE HUMAN RIGHTS ORDINANCE BY THE INCLUSION OF NEW PROVISIONS ADDRESSING EMPLOYMENT FAIRNESS Penny Hughes – 1918 Southernview Drive, South Bend, Indiana, stated that she is the Chairperson of the South Bend Human Rights Commission and that on June 17, 2010, The South Bend Human Rights Commission vigorously and unanimously voted to support an extension of the South Bend Human Rights ordinance to prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of an employee’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Ms. Hughes filed a copy with the Office of the City Clerk. She stated as Chairperson of the South Bend Human Rights Commission and on its behalf, she requested that the Common Council favorably act on pending Bill No. 30-10. Tony Flora 202 E. Angela, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he is the Secretary of the North Central Indiana AFL-CIO Council. Mr. Flora advised that the North Central Indiana AFL-CIO Labor Council supports the ordinance introduced by Common Council members Oliver Davis, Ann Puzzello and Buddy Kirsits allowing the South Bend Human Rights Commission to investigate claims of employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. The AFL-CIO Central Labor Council voted at its June 2010 meeting to take this position. The AFL-CIO has a long history of dedication to workplace fairness and is a strong advocate for an end to discrimination against all employees. In 2005, the AFL-CIO stated, “Discrimination based on sexual orientation is inconsistent with the fundamental value of equality; simply put, it is wrong.” This statement is part of the AFL-CIO’s declaration of “The Values that Unite Us as a People and A Movement.” The North Central Indiana AFL-CIO, the federation of Unions in the six north central counties of Indiana, asks that the South Bend Common Council support the amendments proposed to the South Bend Human Rights Ordinance. He stated that their support of this amendment is consistent wit the AFL-CIO’s commitment to improve the lives of workers and their families, and the goal of bringing economic justice to the workplace and social justice to the community. Mary Studer, 5332 Fairfaix Ct., South Bend, Indiana, stated that she has taught for the last eighteen years at the college level at Southwestern Michigan College, St. Mary’s and Notre Dame. She stated that she would like to take a few minutes to explain to the Council some economic comparison and how it may bring some issues into context on the amendment to the South Bend Human Rights Ordinance to include new provisions addressing employment fairness. She noted that Center for Applied Economic Research at Montana State University at Billings recently published some interesting information regarding the social impact on education. Its director ranked the states on how beneficial their public education system impacts society in each of their states. The number one 20