Nov. 21, 2007
Contact: Pat Dodds, Public Affairs Officer, (480) 312-2336
Proposed Dec. 4 Council vote on anti-discrimination
ordinance pertains only to city employment
UPDATE 12/5/07: The City Council on Dec. 4 voted to enact amendments to the anti-discrimination section of the City's personnel ordinance, as described below. The Council voted to take no further action on recommendations regarding city businesses and contractors.
The Scottsdale City Council on Dec. 4 will consider expanding the anti-discrimination section of the city’s personnel ordinance to prohibit discrimination against city employees based on sexual orientation or gender identification. The proposed amendment does not affect city businesses or contractors.
The meeting begins at 5 p.m. at City Hall, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd.
The amendment was recommended by the city’s Human Relations Commission in September and endorsed by the Scottsdale Personnel Board on Nov. 19. It would formally prohibit discrimination in the city’s employment of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered individuals.
The Human Relations Commission has also recommended that Scottsdale consider more wide-ranging ordinances that would extend similar anti-discrimination requirements to city contractors and businesses within Scottsdale. However, the Council is not scheduled to vote on those recommendations Dec. 4.
The Council will have the opportunity to discuss the HRC’s additional recommendations regarding businesses and contractors and decide the city’s next steps. If the Council decides to consider the recommendations at a later date, the city would ensure that city businesses, city contractors and the general public would have numerous opportunities to provide comments and ask questions.
The complete City Council report is available at http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Assets/documents/council/2007/120407/Item11.pdf