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THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2021
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Chikaming Township Board opposes draft non-discrimination ordinance BY FRANCESCA SAGALA
icking up on a matter that was tabled previously, members of the Chikaming Township Board of Trustees approved not passing a draft non-discrimination ordinance for the time being at their Thursday, July 8, meeting. Board members approved not passing it in a 4-1 vote (Supervisor David Bunte was the dissenting “nay” vote). Board members heard from the Rev. Dr. Sid Mohn, who serves as director of Interfaith Action of Southwest Michigan. The organization had worked with a group in Buchanan to develop a “One Buchanan” initiative, which led to the city passing a non-discrimination ordinance. Mohn said that nondiscrimination is provided on a federal level for LGBT individuals relative to same sex marriage and employment protections but not to housing public accommodations, which are “traditionally components of nondiscrimination commitments.” He said there have been efforts for the past two years for the U.S. Congress to pass legislation, the Equality Act, which has passed twice in the U.S. House of Representatives but has not been introduced in the U.S. Senate – “so there is a lack of federal protections,” Mohn said. On the statewide level, Mohn said “non-discrimination commitments are invested in the Michigan Commission on Civil Rights,” which is monitoring the Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act. Mohn said the act only includes the
term “sex” but does not include “sexual orientation” or “gender identity.” “The commission indicates that it understands sex to include sexual orientation and gender identity, but the general assembly does not agree to that interpretation,” he said, adding that efforts have been made since the 1970s in the Michigan General Assembly to “expand the act to be more specific and more comprehensive around universal non-discrimination protections.” “At this point, there is no bona fide protection on a statewide level relative to sexual orientation or gender identity,” Mohn added. Mohn said local units of government have been passing non-discrimination ordinances “to say in these places we have a commitment to diversity, to unity and to non-discrimination.” Referring to a letter that was written by mayor pro tem Laura Goos of the City of St. Joseph, which passed a nondiscrimination ordinance, trustee Rich Sullivan said that it appears having municipalities pass the ordinance may be an “end run” to get the Legislature to “act on something.” Mohn said this isn’t “something we’re doing as a legislative strategy.” Sullivan said that the draft ordinance states there will be “no impact on the township’s budget;” however, the last page under “Violations and Penalties” states that “any violation of any provision of this article is a civil infraction punishable by fine of not more than $500 plus the cost of investigation and prosecution.” He asked if someone has an alleged charge if they are “coming to the
township, is the township sending the zoning person, is the township sending the police.” “So it isn’t no impact on the budget,” he said, adding that it “seems to put a lot on the township.” Treasurer Liz Rettig said she was concerned about the township becoming involved, such as if a tenant sues a landlord if a tenant says “no” to them. “Now, all of a sudden, the township is involved because it’s a discrimination matter - are we getting sued because there’s an ordinance in place?” she said. Mohn said that the township would serve as the “intermediary,” receiving complaints and recommending them to the appropriate state entity, such as advising someone who’s made a housing complaint how to contact the Michigan Commission on Civil Rights. In a 4-1 vote (Bunte opposed), board members did approve creating a policy on non-discrimination for the township, which will be posted in the township’s policy book and website.
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oard members approved a donation in a 4-1 vote (Rettig abstained due to being part of the attorney’s office that drafted part of the agreement) from Jerry and Beverly Kohn, who Bunte said “approached the township with their interest in donating for the purchase” of the old Sawyer fire station property and donating it back to the township, as well as donating the adjacent parcel that they own to the township. Bunte said that he’s been working with the township’s attorney and the
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Kohn’s attorney. He added that this would be a sale from the existing owner of the fire station to the township in the amount of $150,000, of which then would be donated by the Kohns, who’ve committed to tearing the building down as well as to the donation of the parcel. The two parcels will be combined into a potential community center park. Upon the Park Board’s request, board members approved matching a $50,000 grant from the Michiana Arts Foundation for the construction of a permanent open-air stage at Harbert Community Park, which would also include a viewing platform, an ADA access path leading to the stage and native plants along the pathway. Board member also approved allowing the Park Board to return to the township board for additional funds if needed. The improvements would be part of the first phase of improvements to the park and may begin in the fall, Arthur Anderson, park board chair, said. The improvements incorporate aspects of the Park Board’s Five-Year Strategic Plan. The plan for the community park was put together by local architect Bill McCollum and Altamanu, Inc., with John Mac Manus presenting the plan with Anderson that night. Board members approved contributing $2,000 to the Friends of Berrien County Trails’ Berrien County Hike, Bike and Paddle Trails Master Plan being put together by Abonmarche. A bid from McGuire to redesign the lobby at Township Center was approved. A platted lot division at 6130 Browntown Road was approved.
