FULLERTON : Non-Discrimination Contract Policy OKd

The City Council on a 3-2 vote this week created a non-discrimination policy to be included in all city contracts, replacing an affirmative-action clause that one council member said was never formally approved.

The new policy states that “in the awarding of the contract, the city shall give equal opportunity to all bidders, regardless of sex, race, creed, color, national or ethnic origin.”

Councilman Chris Norby introduced the new policy, which was opposed Tuesday night by Mayor Molly McClanahan and Councilman Don Bankhead. McClanahan said she supports an affirmative-action policy, which she said is more likely to increase minority participation.

Norby argued at a council meeting two weeks ago that affirmative action can be divisive and detract from the achievements of minorities.

Any contract that uses state or federal money must include an affirmative-action clause calling for minority involvement in the project.

But the city staff has included a brief affirmative-action statement in contracts for projects that are totally city funded.

Norby argued that the council had never formally approved the language in the affirmative-action policy and said it should be removed from the contracts.

The issue arose when the council discussed a $150,000 contract for a study on development of the city’s train station.