TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: Peter D. Lear, CPA, CGMA, City Manager
TITLE: Ordinance No. 2017-01, first reading, amending Code of the City of North Port Chapter 16 - Human Rights to add genetic information, handicap, creed, ancestry, and veteran's status and to clarify terms therein, by amending Section 16.01 - Purpose and intent, and Section 16.02 - Definitions
Recommended Action
Continue Ordinance No. 2017-01 for second reading November 13, 2017.
Background Information
The City Commission at its regularly scheduled meeting of May 23, 2017, discussed the merits of amending certain provisions of Chapter 16 - Human Rights. The Commission voted 5-0 on the following direction to draft an ordinance for first reading:
A vote was taken on the main motion as amended, to bring back on Ordinance amending Chapter 16 of the City Code, to using Ordinance No. 2015-47 as a template; adding, in the first Whereas, "including, but not limited to discrimination based on age, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, marital status, familial status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or physical characteristic; and" In Section 16.01 a) and b) adding Veterans status. In Section 3, under Discriminate, discrimination or discriminatory, adding Veterans status to that list. Page 3, under the definition of Employer, to remove "five or more." Under the definition Physical Characteristics, list Pregnancy. Adding the definition within Section 3, of Veterans Status, means a person who served in the active military, naval or air service and who was discharged or released under honorable conditions only, or who, later received an upgraded discharge under honorable conditions, notwithstanding any action by the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs on individuals discharged or released with other than honorable discharges; and to add the definitions as proposed in the draft Ordinance and adding the other four classes to those sections where veterans are being added in 16.01 and 16.02; and also in the Whereas paragraph.
The attached ordinance is based on Ordinance No. 2015-47 and includes the revisions directed by the motion, as amended. Additional revisions include: (i) adjustments to formatting for consistency; (ii) the addition of provisions for findings, conflicts, and coding of amendments; (iii) an updated caption (block); and (iv) updated signature lines.
Strategic Plan
Not applicable
Financial Impact
Not applicable
Procurement
Not applicable
Attachments:
1. Ordinance No. 2017-01
2. Minutes from May 23, 2017 City Commission Regular Meeting (excerpts)
3. Ordinance No. 2015-47
4. Draft of Ordinance No. 2017-01 discussed at the May 23, 2017 City Commission Regular Meeting
5. Excerpt from the Code of the City of North Port, Florida - Chapter 16 - Human Rights
Prepared by: Amber L. Slayton
Department Director: Amber L. Slayton