07-24-06 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JULY 24, 2006 BILL NO. 32-06 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 4324 SOUTH MICHIGAN STREET AND 119 NORMAN STREET, COUNCILMANIC DISTRICT NUMBER FIVE (5) IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA Councilmember Puzzello made a motion to accept the substitute version of this bill as on file in the Office of the City Clerk. Councilmember Dieter seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes. Councilmember Pfeifer made a motion to refer this bill to the Zoning and Annexation Committee and set it for Public Hearing and Third Reading on August 14, 2006. Councilmember Puzzello seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes. NEW BUSINESS Councilmember Varner reported that MACOG (Michiana Area Council of Governments) met last week and discussed the next steps in the U.S. 31 South Project. Councilmember Roland Kelly reported that the Area Plan Commission met last week and his report is on file in the office of the City Clerk. Councilmember Rouse reported that the Waste Management Board met to discuss the budget for 2007. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR Mr. Robert Holmer, 127 N. Sheridan, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he discussed his support for the ordinance at his workplace, Wal-Mart, one of his co-workers became uncomfortable. The employee reported him to a manager and said that he seemed to have “gay tendencies.” Mr. Holmer stated that he is heterosexual, and that Wal-Mart protects employees from sexual orientation discrimination. Mr. Holmer stated that if he worked anywhere else in the city, that he could have lost his job because of his co-worker’s complaint. Mr. David Carter, 320 Milburn Ct., Mishawaka, Indiana, stated that he is a Mishawaka resident, who owns property in South Bend. Mr. Carter stated that the Council’s decision on this issue is egregious. Discrimination against gays in employment, housing and education is still happening as well as gay bashing in the city. Mr. Carter stated that he has a friend in South Bend who was severely beaten for being gay. Ms. Rhonda Redman, 518 N. Scott, South Bend, Indiana, thanked all of the Council Members for their hard work on the issue, particularly Councilmember’s Pfeifer and Kelly for sponsoring the ordinance. Ms. Redman stated that as a child, her mother taught her that “anything that is worthwhile is worth fighting for.” Ms. Redman advised that it’s sad gays have to fight for the right to be treated fairly. She added that if it takes a fight, then that’s what her mom taught her to do. She stated that’s what she will continue to do. She thanked the Council again for all of their hard work, and noted that she would like to tell everyone that it is over, but she doesn’t think that as of yet. 21