ORDER-2015-72 : Amending Melrose Revised Ordinances, Ch. 15, Article X, Human Rights Commission, Sec. 15-50, Policy Statement as set forth herein.

Transcript (~6 min @ 6:45)

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▶ 6:47 Francis X. Wright Jr.: And if I may, before we discuss it, we got into public participation before we conducted attendance. And just so the record is clear, with us is Peter Mortimer, the Vice Chair, Alderman Byrd, a member of the committee, John Tramantozzi, Gail Inferno, a member of the committee, ex next officio member, Donald Kahn, and non-voting members, Robert Boisselle, Jennifer Lemelin, Mary Beth McAteer-Margolis, and Monica Medeiros. Now, on the order, Alderman Byrd.

▶ 7:23 Jaclyn L. Bird: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'd like to thank the members of the Melrose Human Rights Commission for their support on this order and also for bringing this issue, several of them, to my attention just a few months ago. This is something, just to be clear, I think the letter was very helpful from the Human Rights Commission to give some context to why the matter is important. And the order this evening is updating this Chapter 15, Article X, Section 1550, which is the policy statement regarding anti-discrimination, and it changes three terms. It adds—I'm sorry, it changes one term and adds two terms to that list. So it changes sexual preference to sexual orientation and adds the terms gender identity and gender expression. This is something that, as Ms. Tissell mentioned, is something that has been discussed and enacted at the state level and it's also we're following in the footsteps of many other municipalities. I think we would be the tenth if nothing has changed in the last couple of weeks to add more including Salem Boston and Worcester and Somerville in that list so I ask for your support of this order this evening and thank you for your

▶ 8:46 Peter D. Mortimer: consideration thank you mr. chairman if that's a motion to recommend passage

▶ 8:52 Francis X. Wright Jr.: I'll second it thank you mr. thank you all for the discussion yes I thank you

▶ 8:54 John N. Tramontozzi: mr. chairman also I just for the record I do want to note that these are Proposed changes to chapter 15-50 of the revised code of ordinances was submitted to the city solicitor, Robert VanCampen, for his review. He has determined that they were fine, raised no objection regarding constitutional issues, and he's his letter that was submitted dated December 2nd 2014 is in the package and subject to review by by others as well so I just wanted to make

▶ 9:35 Francis X. Wright Jr.: note of that thank you thank you all the maturement Ozi as I my next move was to read that letter I'll do that now there I'll remember it I acknowledge receipt of an email communication dated December 2nd from clerk of committees Mary Beth Harrington seeking a written communication from me concerning the above referenced order in early June of this year you contacted me to discuss the proper method to ensure by ordinance the rights and interests of transgender transgender and transsexual individuals at that time we discussed making slight revisions to chapter 15-50 of the revised code of ordinances as the best way to accomplish this you have subsequently presented the revised language for consideration to the Board of Aldermen in my view the amendment proposed through the instant order accomplishes your objective and of ensuring the rights and interests of transgender and transsexual individuals in the city of Melrose and the proposed revision appeared to be in proper form I have no further change to offer a few of the members of the legal legislative Affairs Committee have any additional questions for me please let me know very yours Robert Van Campen city solicitor is there any further discussion Alderman

▶ 10:50 Monica C. Medeiros: Medeiros thank you mr. chairman although I'm not a member of this committee I was hoping that we could perhaps get some further clarification from mr. Van Campen relative to if the changes provided here or proposed here are simply to bring us in line with what's already existing in state law and if there are any specific changes that would be specific to Melrose and and outside of what is already in I know some things have been enacted at the

▶ 11:27 Francis X. Wright Jr.: state house so are you making a proposal that we hold the matter in committee and

▶ 11:30 Monica C. Medeiros: no just perhaps that we get some clarification for the full board should

▶ 11:35 Francis X. Wright Jr.: this move forward for purposes of it devoted the full board so we'd have further clarification from him at the time we voted the full board but we'll move this matter forward to this evening so yeah in one form or another yes okay yeah i'll be happy to do that thank you thank you any other discussion alderman khan yeah and um mr chairman in 1991

▶ 11:54 Speaker 5: i had the opportunity to be president of the board of aldermen at the time that we drafted the ordinance that created the human rights commission and at that time i think we aspire to be a community where no group of Melrose Ian's would be discriminated against and I think that this is another move in the right direction so I hope that the committee acts favorably on this order Thank You Alderman Conn any

▶ 12:31 Francis X. Wright Jr.: further discussion seeing none we have a motion before us to amend the Human Commission ordinance. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? The matter will be recommended to the full board.

▶ 12:45 Speaker 1: I have a motion to dismiss. Motion to adjourn. To adjourn. I'm sorry. It's my legal training.