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7 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Council's materials. He reported estimated costs of mediation at $17,000 , bringing the total <br />annual cost of this initiative to $197,000. <br /> <br />Mr. Norris asked for confirmation that this or dinance still allows us to contract with a third <br />party to process complaints . Mr. Brown confirmed that this is the case. Mr. Norris said the <br />Commission can create a smaller hearings panel that would not necessarily involve the entire <br />commission. Mr. Elli s confirmed that this is correct. Ms. Smith asked at what point a complaint <br />goes from being confidential to public. Mr. Ellis said if the commission decides to have a public <br />hearing , the complaint would then become public . <br /> <br />On motion by Mr. Huja , the pub lic hearing was opened. <br /> <br />Rev. Dr. Melanie Miller, 717 Montrose Ave., Sojourners United Church of Christ, said she <br />supports human rights. We cannot tolerate discrimination in order to live in a healthy <br />community. This must include enforcement powers. <br /> <br />Mr. Jim Moore, 1213 Hazel St., former member of the Dialogue on Race (DOR) Steering <br />Committee, said the task force report did not include empirical evidence of discrimination , and <br />Council is chasing shadows with this commission. He asked for postponement or v erbiage that <br />puts this on a three to five year trial basis. <br /> <br />Mr. Marvin Joiner, resident since 1960, said a leading City does not need a Human Rights <br />Commission. We should spend money on things like parks instead. <br /> <br />Ms. Suzanna Nicholson, 501 2nd St., N.E., thanked Councilors Szakos, Smith and Norris <br />for their recent stand on enforcement. Council has heard no evidence that a commi ssion will <br />harm business, and if this does not work as planned it can be retooled by future Councils. <br /> <br />Mr. Alex Gulatta, 2110 Tar leton Dr., said enforcement is important, but making it effective <br />for only employers with 5 -15 employees misses the point and gives large employers a free ride. <br />The EEOC and the state human rights process lack meaningful authority. <br /> <br />Ms. Joy Johnson, 802 A Hardy Dr., said this commission should have enforcement powers. <br />She said it is hard to believe that there are still people who do not believe there are violations to <br />human rights. There must be an avenue for people who feel their human rights have been <br />vi olated. <br /> <br />Mr. Lewis Martin, 923 Marshall St., said the City cannot pass ordinances that are not <br />enabled by state legislation. Councilors are violating their oath by passing an ordinance that <br />creates a new protected class that is not previously granted by t he state. <br /> <br />Mr. Robert Smith, Belmont resident, said he is against the proposed human rights <br />ordinance. <br /> <br />Ms. Edith Goode, 305 2nd St., said she supports a commission with local enforcement. <br />