Progress
One of the goals of the Human Relations Commission is to identify changes, which if made would benefit the entire Saint Charles Community. Once identified, the HRC works with members of the Community, City Staff, City Council and the Mayor to draft, develop, plan and implement changes. Here is some of the progress made over time.
2021 Pride Month Proclamation
On June 1, 2021 the first day of what many celebrate as #PrideMonth, Mayor Dan Borgmeyer proclaimed June as Pride Month in St. Charles City. He proclaimed the City’s support of the LGBTQ+ community, recognized them as an integral part of the City, and invited everyone to find ways they can live and work together with a commitment to mutual respect and understanding. He presented the proclamation to Beth Finder, President of Pride St. Charles, with members of the LGBTQ+ community present. The Human Relations Commission had requested the proclamation and were pleased the Mayor moved forward with the idea, Read the proclamation here.
2021 City of Saint Charles Respect, Harmony, & Understanding Week, April 19 - 23
“I want to thank the Human Relations Commission for their dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion in our City,” said Mayor Dan Borgmeyer. “Groups like the HRC are a great example of how we can all work together to make Saint Charles a great place to live, work and play for today’s generation and for generations to come.” Read the proclamations from the City of Saint Charles and the Missouri House of Representatives.
2020 Annual Report
The Commission completed and presented its 2020 Annual Report at the March 16, 2021 City Council meeting
Gender Identity and Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Ordinance Changes
This work began on August 15, 2019 when the HRC unanimously voted to put forth the recommendation to City Council to include terminology for gender identity and gender expression within ordinances relating to discrimination protections. On Dec 3, 2019 the HRC presented their initial recommendations along with why these changes were important. At that meeting, City Council requested the HRC review and make specific language recommendations regarding the ordinances. The HRC began the review of City ordinances. Of those ordinances, they identified nine Sections for which they created language and proposed changes. Bill 13169 was introduced at City Council on November 3, 2020. At the November 17th City Council meeting the Bill with (due to a required review oversite) the Planning & Zoning Section 400 being held back, was voted upon. Two dozen members of the community, even with COVID as a deterrent, appeared in person and fourteen gave public comment in support of the Bill. None spoke in opposition. Bill 13169 was passed. On Jan 5, 2021 the Planning and Zoning Commission submitted an application to amend that Section of Bill 13169 that had been removed from the original Bill, that and passed on Jan 19, 2021. With that final step, all changes proposed by the HRC were passed. These changes afford basic Human Rights protections to our neighbors who have lived without stated protections under the law, that so many others have long enjoyed.
Establishment of Martin Luther King Day as a City Holiday
On January 12, 2016, as a result of the HRC’s work and request, the Saint Charles City Council passed Bill 11814, An Ordinance Amending Section 130.340 of the Code of Ordinances to Provide Martin Luther King Day as an Observed Holiday for City staff. The Bill was sponsored by Councilperson Mary Ann Ohms. The bill passed unanimously with Councilpersons Tom Besselman, Laurie Feldman, John Hanneke, Rod Herrmann, Bridget Ohmes, Mary Ann Ohms, Ron Stivison, Jerry Reese and Mary West, all in favor. The Bill was approved by Mayor Sally A. Faith on January 15, 2016 and is known as Ordinance 16-011.