Human Rights Ordinance
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CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
November 20, 2000
TO: Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Kelly Larson, Human Rights Director yJ..
SUBJECT: Proposed Ordinance Change
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this memo is to present for City Council adoption, an amendment to
Chapter 27, Section 27-27(4) of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Dubuque.
RECOMMENDATION
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The Human Rights Commission is recommending the adoption of the attached ordinance.
The Commission is concerned that the current language in the ordinance does not
accurately reflect the scope of the Commission's duties.
First, the current language refers to the Commission's role in promoting "good will
among the various protected groups under this chapter." The Commission is of the belief
that "good will" is a vague term subject to various interpretations. They recommend
substituting "civil and respectful behavior" as a more accurate description of the attitudes
they are seeking to promote.
Second, the Commission is concerned that the goal refers to furthering good will "among
protected groups," which could be read to suggest that good will between protected
groups and the "majority" is irrelevant. Consequently, they recommend that the
ordinance be amended to reflect their duties as promoting "civil and respectful behavior"
among all residents.
Finally, the Commission is concerned that the ordinance refers to activities that tend to
"minimize or eliminate" discrimination. The Commission believes that reference to
"minimizing" discrimination suggests that some amount of discrimination is acceptable.
Consequently, they recommend deleting the word "minimize," so that the ordinance
refers only to eliminating discrimination.
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BUDGET IMPACT
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There is no budget impact anticipated because of the adoption of the attached
amendments.
ACTION STEP
The requested action is for the City Council to adopt the attached ordinance amending
Chapter 27, "Human Relations" of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Dubuque at
their December 4, 2000, Council meeting.
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Human Rights Department
City Hall Annex
1300 Main Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4732
(319) 589-4190
(319) 589-4299 FAX
(319) 589-4193 TDD
IYUB~E
~ck~
December II, 2000
Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
50 W. 13th Street, City Hall
Dubuque, Iowa 5200 I
Dear Mayor Duggan and City Council Members,
As chair of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission, I wish to submit an amendment to Chapter
27, Section 27-27(4) for consideration by the City Council.
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The commission, in its regular review of the ordinance sections pertinent to our work, believes
that the language of the ordinance is in need of change to better reflect the current situation in our city and
to more accurately represent the purpose of the commission's activity.
The attached memorandum from Human Rights Director to City Manager Mike Van Milligen
details the specific changes we request.
We ask that you approve these changes at the December 18, 2000 City Council meeting. Should
questions arise, I am available at 588-5151 (work) or at home 588-4487. Thank you for your thoughtful
consideration of this request.
Sincerely
~~
Thorn Determan, Chair
Human Rights Commission
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ORDINANCE NO. 109-00
AN ORDINANCE AMENDEDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF
THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA, BY REPEALING SECTION 27-27(4)
POWERS AND DUTIES AND ENACTING A NEW SECTION 27-27(4)
POWERS AND DUTIES IN LIEU THEREOF.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. That the Code of Ordinances of the City of Dubuque, Iowa, be
amended by repealing Section 27-27(4) Powers and Duties.
Section 2. That the Code of Ordinances of the City of Dubuque, Iowa, be
amended by enacting a new Section 27-27(4) Powers and Duties in lieu thereof as
follows:
Section 27-27(4). Powers And Duties:
To issue such publication and reports of investigations and research as in
the judgment of the Commission shall promote civil and respectful
behavior which shall tend to eliminate discrimination in public
accommodations, employment, apprenticeship and on-the-job training
programs, vocational schools, housing or credit because of age, race,
creed, color, sex, national origin, religion, ancestry, disability or marital
status.
Passed, approved and adopted this 18th day of December
Terrance M. Duggan, Mayor
Attest:
Jeanne Schneider
City Clerk
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EFFECT OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
Section 27-27(4). Powers And Duties:
To issue such publication and reports of investigations and research as in
the judgment of the Commission shall tend to promote good will among
the ',ariOllS prot~cted groups civil and respectful behavior under this
Chapter which shall tend to minimize or eliminate discrimination in public
accommodations, employment, apprenticeship and on-the-job training
programs, vocational schools, housing or credit because of age, race,
creed, color, sex, national origin, religion, ancestry, disability or marital
status.
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