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REGULAR MEETING September 25, 2017
<br /> ENFORCE THE COUNTY'S HUMAN RIGHTS
<br /> ORDINANCE
<br /> Councilmember Jo M. Broden, Chair of the Health and Public Safety Committee, reported that
<br /> they met this afternoon and send this bill forward with a favorable recommendation.
<br /> Lonnie Douglas, Director of the South Bend Human Rights Commission,with offices at 319
<br /> North Niles Avenue, South Bend, IN, served as the presenter of this bill. Mr. Douglas stated, My
<br /> purpose in arriving before you tonight is to seek your approval to allow the City of South Bend's
<br /> Human Rights Commission to enter into an interlocal agreement with the City of Mishawaka and
<br /> the County of St. Joseph. In order for that to happen,three (3)things have already happened that
<br /> makes it possible for us to do this. The first thing was that in February, 2017,the Common
<br /> Council of Mishawaka and the County Council and the Commissioners entered into an
<br /> agreement that our human rights agency mirrored. They accepted that and wanted to go forward
<br /> with it. As that, they had the right to choose someone to work for them, so they could choose
<br /> either the State of Indiana or the City of South Bend. On September 12th, 2017, they passed their
<br /> portion of this, saying that they were willing to go with the City of South Bend. The reason for
<br /> that is that there are some protections that the City of South Bend's ordinance offers that the
<br /> State does not offer. If at the end of April or the 1St of May,they decide that, yes, they need this,
<br /> the City of South Bend and the County will have to agree that$52,000 will have to be put into
<br /> the coffers to carry forward. They have thirty (3 0) days from May 1St to decide, so, effectively,
<br /> it's May 31St when the final decision will be made. The reason we feel it's necessary is that we
<br /> feel that all of our constituents in the County need to find and get resolution for problems that
<br /> they have here, locally. We also believe that we can resolve the problems much quicker here in
<br /> the City of South Bend and the County, rather than going to Indianapolis to do this. Also, we feel
<br /> that, dealing with the City of South Bend, we're not in the business of beating people up or
<br /> seeking to sue people. We're in the business of trying resolve issues. And, the City of South
<br /> Bend has always been that way.
<br /> Councilmember Oliver Davis stated that he was not present for the committee meeting this
<br /> afternoon, but stated that he felt there should be more finances allotted to the Human Rights
<br /> interlocal program.
<br /> Mr. Douglas responded, I'm glad you brought that up, because the City of South Bend is
<br /> compensated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for investigating
<br /> cases, and that could range from$1,800 to a maximum of$3,600, depending on the case. We are
<br /> also compensated by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for investigating
<br /> employment cases. Not nearly as well as we as HUD compensates us—we get$700 a case for
<br /> each case we investigate. But,that being said, that would help us offset what we're doing until
<br /> we can come up with a finding or determination as to whether or not we need to go forward with
<br /> this.
<br /> Councilmember Davis asked, So, there will be monies possibly coming in, even though it won't
<br /> be from the County or the City?
<br /> Mr. Douglas responded, I'm at peace.
<br /> This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and
<br /> opponents were given an opportunity to be heard.
<br /> Those from the public wishing to speak in favor of this bill:
<br /> Samuel Brown, 222 East Navarre Street, South Bend, IN, stated that he thinks this is a win for
<br /> the City and the County.
<br /> GlendaRae Hernandez, 702 East South Street, South Bend, IN, stated that she serves as the
<br /> Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission and that this has been something for which they
<br /> have wished for a long time. Ms. Hernandez stated, We're looking forward to being able to serve
<br /> any citizen of the whole county.
<br /> There were none from the public wishing to speak in opposition to this bill.
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