Columbia City Council considers discrimination policy, animal tethering ordinance changes

Columbia City Council members will consider two ordinance changes at its meeting Monday night aimed to make them more inclusive and enforceable.

Based on a recommendation from the Commission of Human Rights, the first will provide additional anti-discrimination protections to groups not previously covered in the city’s ordinance.

Right now, the current ordinance prohibits discrimination in employment, housing or public accommodation on things like race, color, religion or disability.

The additions would prohibit gender discrimination based on citizenship status, gender expression, victims of crimes such as sexual assault or domestic violence, and people trying to gain order of protection status.

Animals are also the subject of a proposed ordinance change relating to tethering them.

Under the proposal, animals cannot be tethered longer than thirty minutes unless they have adequate food, water and shelter. A capable human must also be home and supervising them.

Staff said this will also help animal control officers better enforce the ordinance.