07-26-10 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JULY 26, 2010 community. He stated that all the Council needs is rational basis for their actions is sufficient enough to pass this bill. Mr. Hull noted that Councilmember Rouse questioned about ex-offender’s being included in the language of this bill. He stated that he is currently representing an ex-offender. Mr. Hull noted that maybe a separate amendment to this ordinance would be needed to address that issue and he would be more than happy to give his thoughts and expertise on that amendment. He reiterated that this bill is based on experience from other cities in Indiana and around the country and urged the Council to pass this bill. Dr. Stacy Davis, 304 Runaway Bay 3B, Mishawaka, Indiana, stated that employment matters. She stated that the first thing asked upon meeting a stranger is what do you do for a living. She stated that there is nothing more destructive to a person self worth that being unemployed, underemployed or being in a hostile work environment. Tonight the Common Council has the ability to vote and pass Bill 30-10 that would allow straight, gay, lesbian bi-sexual and transgendered community members the ability to go to the South Bend Human Rights Commission as a means to conciliate employment if they believed that they have been discriminated against due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. She stated straight because for far too long sexual orientation has only been associated with the GLBT community. She stated that no one is free from discriminatory practices in employment regarding sexual orientation or gender identity. She stated that this bill does not give special privileges but allow the same rights to approach the Human Rights Commission regarding discriminatory practices in employment. She stated that Bill 30-10 shows that the City of South Bend is open to anyone with the skills and talent to improve it whether they are gay or straight. She urged the Council to consider that when making their decision on this bill. She urged the Council to pass Bill 30-10. Eric Siroka, 15714 Cedar Cove Drive, Granger, Indiana, stated that he is a Rabbi here in South Bend and is here tonight as a concerned individual on the passage of Bill 30-10. It has already been said that this bill is a modest and reasonable proposal regarding employment fairness and is vital to the social and economic future of this community. It is an issue of human dignity as well. It is an obligation to do what is right and just for if we do not protect the rights and uphold the law for all individuals of the community then we have done nothing to defend the rights of anyone in this community. He urged the Council to pass this bill. Abbee D. Smith, 108 N. Main Street, South Bend, Indiana, stated that she owns a business called Intrigue Counseling. Ms. Smith stated that she grew up in this area and her family has operated businesses in this area for over 75 years. She stated that she knows what it means to serve a diverse community in South Bend. She stated that there is strength in diversity. She stated that it has been said that small business owners such as her will struggle with the legislation and feel it is burdensome. She stated that those that fear making this bill in to legislation are not making good business decisions. This amendment is simply about treating employees fairly which should not be burdensome to any good business owner. In order for her business to thrive she needs to treat her st employees fairly and equally. She stated that South Bend claims to be a 21 Century City and is correct in wanting to treat employees fairly and be evaluated by their job performance not on irrelevant characteristics. She stated that her business is successful because her staff is respectful, timely, responsible, caring, professional and competent. Those are the factors that make a business successful. And those are the factors that as a business owner should focus on when evaluating their employees. Many business across the country have seen that expecting outstanding performance and treating all employees equally without regard to their orientation or gender identity is advantageous it simply makes good business sense and urged the Council to support Bill No. 30-10. Gladys Muhammad, 808 N. Ironwood Drive, South Bend, Indiana, stated that she supports Bill No. 30-10 simply on the basis of freedom, justice and equality and not to discriminate because of race color creed or sexual preference. She believes that everyone has the right to work especially in this economy; everyone needs to work and keep their job. 5