HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 4397.pdf Commission Memorandum
REPORT TO: Honorable Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Tim Cooper, Assistant City Attorney
Greg Sullivan, City Attorney
SUBJECT: Commission Resolution No. 4397, Affirming Policy on Fair Housing
Practices
MEETING DATE: August 27, 2012
AGENDA ITEM TYPE: Consent
RECOMMENDATION: Approve Resolution No. 4397, affirming the City’s policy on Fair Housing practices.
BACKGROUND: On August 22, 1994, the City Commission adopted Resolution No. 3004,
establishing a policy on fair housing practices. The City’s adopted Fair Housing Policy
establishes a commitment to ensuring that housing opportunities are available on an equal
opportunity basis through our administrative and regulatory practices. It is important that the
City periodically review its policy for compliance with applicable non-discrimination laws,
including the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1988, as amended, and the Montana Human Rights
Act. Resolution No. 4397 is the result of such review to ensure that the City’s practices are
consistent with applicable non-discrimination laws and recent case law.
UNRESOLVED ISSUES: None identified.
ALTERNATIVES: As suggested by the City Commission. FISCAL EFFECTS: None identified.
Attachment: Commission Resolution No. 4397 Report compiled on: August 16, 2012
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COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 4397
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
BOZEMAN, MONTANA, AFFIRMING ITS POLICY ON FAIR HOUSING
PRACTICES.
WHEREAS, the Bozeman City Commission desires to give meaning to the guarantees of
equal rights contained in the Constitution and laws of this State and the United States, and to
encourage and bring about mutual self-respect and understanding among all citizens and groups
in the City jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, under the Federal Fair Housing Act, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of
1968, as amended, it is unlawful to deny housing to any person because of race, color, religion,
sex, handicap or disability, familial status, or national origin; and
WHEREAS, under the Montana Human Rights Act, Title 49-2-305, MCA, it is unlawful
to deny housing to any person because of race, creed, sex, marital status, religion, color, age,
familial status, physical or mental disability, or national origin; and
WHEREAS, to reinforce its commitment to ensuring that housing opportunities are
available on an equal opportunity basis, the City of Bozeman desires to affirm its policy on Fair
Housing practices.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that:
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The City of Bozeman, Montana, makes a firm commitment to do all within its power to
eliminate discrimination in housing.
Section 1
That a Fair Housing Law Poster, which includes the Equal Housing Opportunity logo,
Section 2
will be placed at Bozeman City Hall.
That the following procedures will be used to accomplish the purpose of this Resolution.
Section 3
1. The City Commission shall inform all Bozeman employees of the City’s commitment
to fair housing;
2. The City Clerk will post this Resolution in the City’s buildings and other public
places and publicize it;
3. The City Commission shall direct all employees to forward immediately to the City
Attorney any reports they receive of housing discrimination; and
4. The City Attorney shall forward such complaints to the Montana Human Rights
Bureau, Department of Labor and Industry, Capital Station, P.O. Box 1728, Helena,
MT 59620, tel: (800) 542-0807, within 10 days of receipt of said complaint.
This resolution shall be in full force and effect upon approval.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Commission of the City of Bozeman,
Montana, at a regular session thereof held on the 27th day of August, 2012.
___________________________________ SEAN A. BECKER Mayor
ATTEST: ________________________________________
STACY ULMEN, CMC
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM: ___________________________________
GREG SULLIVAN
City Attorney
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