04-11-05 Personnel & Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

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r 1 a Personnel and Finance Committee 2005 South Bend Common Council The April 11, 2005 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Roland Kelly at 3:15 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Kelly,Puzzello, Varner, Kuspa, White, Pfeifer and Rouse; City Clerk John Voorde, Rita Kopola, Director of Public Works Gary Gilot, Gail McGuire and William F. Eagan of the South Bend Human Rights Commission, Dr. Catherine M. Pittman, other unidentified members from the public and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Kelly noted that the committee is composed of Council Members Varner, Kuspa,White and himself as Chairperson. Council Member Kelly stated that the committee meeting was called to have a power point presentation from South Bend Equality. Catherine M. Pittman, PhD noted that she is a Psychology Professor at Saint Mary's College. On January 19, 2005, a position statement was prepared by the South Bend Human Rights Commission. She noted that it is in the multi-page handout entitled"Evidence of Discrimination against GLBT individuals in the South Bend Area" (copy attached). Dr. Pittman then proceeded with the power point presentation. She noted that GLBT stands for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender. She stated that in the "big picture" according to a 2000 survey, 49% of Americans have gay friends or family. She then reviewed the slides referenced in the handout. South Bend Equality, which is a group of concerned citizens, is concerned about alleged discrimination in housing,employment, education and public accommodations. Dr. Pittman then reviewed standards which were used in developing the South Bend Equality Case Report of Alleged Discrimination; noting that it had the approval of the Institutional Review Board of Saint Mary's College. She stated that twenty(20) individuals were interviewed for the record, many of whom "submitted information at some risk". In summary, Dr. Pittman stated that GLBT individuals are unprotected. She encouraged the Council to work with the Human.Rights Commission in finding a remedy. She stated that she believes that the issue is one of fairness. She asked the Council to carefully review each of the "alleged discrimination reports"which are set forth in the handout. In response to a question from Council Member White, Dr. Pittman stated that there were slightly more than twenty (20) individuals; and that overall they may have spoken with 50 persons. In response to a question from Dr. Varner, Dr. Pittman confirmed that the report is a survey and that none of the allegations were investigated. Dr. Varner noted that perceptions can be different. He also voiced concern over statistics from the Los Angeles Times poll. Dr. Pittman noted that a Gallup poll was used. April 11,2005 Personnel and Finance Committee Meeing Minutes -page 1-