Jacksonville’s Human Rights Ordinance comes up as a first reading on the agenda at today’s City Council meeting. Readers of JaxLookout.com may wish to join in via the City’s website https://www.coj.net/city-council/events/all-events/amended-city-council-meeting NOTE: The time of the meeting has been changed to 4:00pm. Due to COVID-19, the meeting will be held on a Zoom platform and not in Council Chambers.
Councilman Aaron Bowman has filed a bill that addresses the concerns noted by the First District Court of Appeals regarding how the 2017 HRO was written and noticed. There are two co-sponsors: Matt Carlucci and LeAnna Cumber. It is possible that other members of City Council may sign on as co-sponsors.
What to expect: Typically, on a first reading the public and Council is given notice that a bill has been introduced. No other action is anticipated for today so there will be no opportunity for public comment at this meeting. Instead the bill will probably be referred to the Council committees where it has already been assigned: the Rules; Finance; and Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health and Safety Committees. All of these committees will meet in the week of May 18, but specific dates and times have yet to be scheduled. There will be a public hearing, where the public will be allowed to comment, on May 26. Following this hearing, the bill may be sent back to the three committees. A final vote by the full Council is expected on June 9.
Sherry Magill
Editorial Staff
Claire Goforth
Thank you, Bob, for keeping us briefed on the HRO amendment. We also will look to you for advice for how we can support the bill.