ORDINANCE NO. BL2016-419

An ordinance requiring members of the Metropolitan Council and other Davidson County elected officials to receive diversity training through the office of the Metropolitan Department of Human Resources.

WHEREAS, discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, and national origin violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Tennessee Human Rights Act (Tenn. Code Ann §4-21-101, et seq); and

WHEREAS, Civil Service Policy 3.1-I of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County provides that harassment of any person in the form of verbal or physical conduct based upon a person's race, gender, color, religion, national origin or disability, creed, gender identity, or sexual orientation will not be condoned; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Megan Barry’s Amended Executive Order nos. 006 and 007 require all Metropolitan Government employees, as well as all board and commission members to undergo training on diversity issues; and

WHEREAS, the training of all Metropolitan Government employees, as well as its board and commission members, is an important measure to enhance the performance of their public duties and to help limit the Metropolitan Government's exposure to civil liability; and

WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the members of the Metropolitan Council, as well as the citizens and residents of Nashville & Davidson County, that training and instruction be provided to Metropolitan Council members and other Davidson County elected officials regarding diversity issues; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Department of Human Resources currently maintains a program on diversity, offering training seminars in coordination with the Metropolitan Department of Law and the Human Relations Commission.

WHEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL OF NASHVILLE & DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That each member of the Metropolitan Council and all Davidson County elected officials shall participate in and complete a diversity training seminar conducted under the direction of the Metropolitan Department of Human Resources. Such training shall include information about the Metropolitan Government’s policies on diversity issues. This training may be combined with any other related training that is required.

Section 2. That, notwithstanding Section 1, members of the Metropolitan Council and Davidson County elected officials who can establish attendance at a diversity training seminar or program within the preceding five (5) years are exempt from this requirement.

Section 3. That the Metropolitan Department of Human Resources shall report annually to the Vice Mayor on the status of the training provided for herein. The report shall specify the Metropolitan Council members and Davidson County elected officials that have complied, or failed to comply, with this Ordinance.

Sponsored by: Karen Johnson, Erica Gilmore, Bob Mendes, Sharon Hurt, DeCosta Hastings, Brenda Haywood, Scott Davis, Brett Withers, Freddie O'Connell, Mina Johnson, Edward Kindall, Tanaka Vercher, Fabian Bedne, Jacobia Dowell, Samuel Coleman, Burkley Allen

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Introduced:	September 20, 2016
Passed First Reading:	September 20, 2016
Referred to:	Personnel, Public Information, Human Relations, and Housing Committee
Passed Second Reading:	October 4, 2016
Passed Third Reading:	October 18, 2016
Approved:	October 19, 2016
By: