Search â–¸ Agenda item attachment
A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to proposed amendments to the following ordinance: and proposed amendments to Chapter 14.04 of the Cambridge Municipal Code (the "Fair Housing Ordinance). Fair Housing (passed to a 2nd reading) AWAITING HOME RULE LEGISLATION-BEFORE PROPOSAL CAN BE ORDAINED
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Title 14 – Fair Housing
Sections
14.04.010
Authority
14.04.020
Powers and duties of the Cambridge Human Rights Commission
14.04.030
Definitions
14.04.040
Unlawful practices
14.04.050
Complaint procedures
14.04.060
Remedies
14.04.070
Review of Commission’s decision;
Enforcement of Commission’s order
14.04.080
Consistency
14.04.090
Severability
Chapter 14.04 - FAIR HOUSING
14.04.010 - Authority
This chapter is enacted pursuant to the power conferred by the Commonwealth on the City
Council of the City of Cambridge by Chapter 413 of the Acts of 1991, as amended.
14.04.020 - Powers and duties of the Cambridge Human Rights Commission.
This chapter shall be administered and enforced by the Cambridge Human Rights
Commission established by Chapter 2.76 of this Code.
The Commission shall work with the City Manager to provide for fair housing practices within
the City of Cambridge.
This ordinance is intended to incorporate the substantive provisions and protections of Title
VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, as amended (42 USC Sections 3601 et seq., the Fair Housing
Act, and Chapter 151B of the General Laws, and is to be interpreted in a manner which is not
inconsistent therewith.
A. The Commission, to carry out the policies of this chapter, shall exercise the following
powers and duties:
1. Receive, process and investigate complaints and initiate its own investigations of
violations of this chapter, in accordance with Section 14.04.050;
2. Transmit for filing with other government agencies copies of any complaint filed
with the Commission, or of which the Commission is otherwise aware, that relate
to acts of discrimination under the jurisdiction of such agencies;
3. Engage in conciliation to resolve any complaint over which it has jurisdiction, and
draft, approve, and monitor any conciliation agreement agreed to by the parties in
the dispute;
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4. Hold hearings; summon witnesses and compel their attendance; administer oaths;
take the testimony of any person under oath, and order the production of any
relevant evidence, so as to permit reasonable discovery, in the same manner and
to the same extent as exercised by the Massachusetts Commission Against
Discrimination;
5. Seek or apply remedies as enumerated in Section 14.04.060 and urge and use its
best efforts to effect compliance with its recommendations and findings;
6. Seek or accept grants, gifts, or bequests to help finance its activities.
B. Every power and duty enjoyed by the Commission as enumerated in Chapter 2.76 of
this code for protecting and advancing the human rights of the people of Cambridge
shall be retained and exercised to enable the Commission to promulgate rules and
procedures consistent with this chapter and the laws of the Commonwealth, in order to
effectuate the goals, policies and provisions of this chapter.
C. The provisions of this chapter shall be liberally construed in order to accomplish the
goals of fair housing in Cambridge.
(Ord. 1130 (part), 1992)
14.04.030 - Definitions.
A. "Accessible" means with respect to buildings containing covered multifamily dwellings that
the public or common use areas to the building can be approached, entered and used by
individuals with physical disabilities. "Accessible route" means a continuous unobstructed
path connecting accessible elements and space in a building or within a site that can be
negotiated by a person with a severe disability using a wheelchair and that is also safe and
usable by people with other disabilities.
B. "Age" means the actual or perceived chronological age of an individual eighteen years or
older.
C. "Aggrieved person" includes anyone who claims to have been injured or is about to be
injured by any unlawful practice listed in Section 14.04.040 of this chapter.
D. "Blockbusting" means any effort, for profit, to induce or attempt to induce a person to sell
or rent a dwelling by representations regarding the entry into a neighborhood of a person or
persons of a particular race, color, sex, age, religious creed, disability, national origin or
ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, family status, military status, or
source of income.
E. "Covered multifamily dwelling" means buildings consisting of four or more dwelling units if
such buildings have one or more elevators; and ground floor dwelling units in other buildings
consisting of four or more dwelling units.
F. "Disability" means a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more
of a person’s major life activities, a record of having such impairment, or being regarded as
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having such an impairment. This term does not include current, illegal use of or addiction to
a controlled substance as defined in Section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act [21 USC
802].
G. "Discrimination" shall mean a policy or practice that by design or effect segregates, creates
unequal status, separates, or has a disproportionate impact on the basis of race, color, sex,
age, religious creed, disability, national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation, gender
identity, marital status, family status, military status, or source of income.
H. "Dwelling" as used herein means any building, structure, or portion thereof which is
occupied as, or designed or intended for occupancy as a residence by one or more families,
and any vacant land which is offered for sale or lease for the construction or location
thereupon of any such building, structure or portion thereof. A "dwelling unit" is a unit of
residence for a family of one or more persons.
I. "Family" shall include a single individual.
J. "Family status" shall mean the actual or supposed condition of having children below the age
of eighteen years domiciled with a parent, or another person having parental custody of such
child or children, or the designee of such parent or other person having such custody with
the written permission of such parent or other person. The protection afforded against
discrimination on the basis of family status shall apply to any person who is pregnant or is in
the process of securing legal custody of any individual who has not attained the age of
eighteen years. Nothing herein shall limit the applicability of reasonable local, state, or
federal restrictions regarding the maximum number of persons permitted to occupy a
dwelling.
K. ”Gender identity” means a person’s gender-related identity, appearance or behavior,
whether or not that gender-related identity, appearance or behavior is different from that
traditionally associated with the person’s physiology or assigned sex at birth.
L. "Housing set aside for, or limited to, the elderly" means housing:
1. Provided under any state or federal program specifically designed and operated to assist
elderly persons; or
2. Intended for, and solely occupied by, persons sixty-two years of age or older; or
3. Intended and operated for occupancy by at least one person fifty-five years of age or
older per unit. Housing qualifies as housing for the elderly under this section if and only
if
a. It has significant facilities and services designed to meet the physical or social needs
of elderly persons, or if provision of such facilities and services is not practicable, or
that such housing is necessary to provide important housing opportunities for
elderly persons; and
b. At least eighty percent of the units are occupied by at least one person fifty-five
years of age or older; and
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c. There is publication and notice of, and adherence to, policies and procedures which
demonstrate an intent by the owner or manager to provide housing for persons
fifty-five years of age or older.
M. "Marital status" means the actual or supposed state of being or having been single, married,
separated, or divorced.
N. "Military status" means the actual or supposed condition of being, not being, having been
or not having been in the service of the military.
O. "Person" includes one or more individuals, partnerships, associations, corporations, labor
organizations,
legal
representatives,
mutual
companies,
joint-stock
companies,
unincorporated organizations, fiduciaries, trustees, trustees in bankruptcy, receivers, the
City of Cambridge, and all political subdivisions, boards, and commissions thereof.
P. "Real estate transaction" shall mean the making or purchasing of loans or providing other
financial assistance for purchasing, constructing, improving, repairing or maintaining a
dwelling; or secured by residential real estate; or the selling, brokering or appraising of
residential real property.
Q. "Reasonable attorney's fees and costs" includes the reasonable expenses of expert
witnesses, the reasonable cost of any study, analysis, engineering report, test, or project
which is found by the court to be necessary for the preparation of the party's case, and
reasonable attorney fees. The amount of fees and costs awarded shall be based upon
prevailing market rates for the kind and quality of services furnished.
R. "Religious creed" means the actual or supposed faith, belief, or moral philosophy of an
individual or the lack thereof.
S. "Sexual orientation" shall mean the actual or supposed heterosexuality, homosexuality, or
bisexuality of an individual.
T. "Source of income" means public assistance recipiency. "Source of income" shall not include
income derived from criminal activity.
(Ord. 1130 (part), 1992)
14.04.040 - Unlawful practices.
A. It shall be an unlawful practice:
1. For any person whose business includes granting mortgage loans or engaging in
residential real estate transactions to discriminate against any person in the granting of,
refusal to grant, in making available, refusing to make available, or in the terms or
conditions of, a loan or transaction because of race, color, sex, age, religious creed,
disability, national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status,
family status, military status, or source of income. Such transactions shall include, but
are not limited to:
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a. The making or purchasing of loans or the provision of other financial assistance for
purchasing, constructing, improving, repairing, or maintaining a dwelling; or the
making or purchasing of loans or the provision of other financial assistance secured
by residential or commercial real estate;
b. Any intercourse that involves the selling, brokering, inspection, repair, design,
construction, alteration, leasing, subleasing, subletting, mortgaging, rental, or
appraising of a building, structure, dwelling, or portion thereof, or parcel of land,
developed, or undeveloped, whether privately or publicly owned. Nothing in this
subsection prohibits a person engaged in the business of furnishing appraisals of
real property from considering factors other than race, color, sex, age, religious
creed, disability, national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity,
marital status, family status, military status, or source of income.
2. For any person to deny another person access to, or membership or participation in, a
multiple listing service, real estate brokers' organization, or other service, organization,
or facility relating to the business of selling or renting dwellings, or to discriminate
against such person in the terms or conditions of such access, membership, or
participation, on account of race, color, religious creed, sex, age, disability, national
origin or ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, family status,
military status, or source of income.
3. For any person to refuse to rent, lease, sell, or negotiate for sale, or otherwise to deny
or withhold from any person or persons a dwelling or any services or facilities in
connection therewith, or to print, publicize, advertise, make any written or oral
statement, or otherwise communicate publicly or privately, in a manner that indicates
any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religious creed, sex,
age, disability, national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital
status, family status, military status, or source of income.
4. For any person to misrepresent that a dwelling is not available for inspection, sale, or
rental because of race, color, religious creed, sex, age, disability, national origin or
ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, family status, military
status, or source of income.
5. For any person to engage in blockbusting by making implicit or explicit representations
regarding the entry or prospective entry into the neighborhood or representations
regarding the effects or consequences of any such entry or prospective entry of a person
or persons of a particular race, color, sex, age, religious creed, disability, national origin
or ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, family status, military
status, or source of income.
6. For any person to make false representations regarding the availability of a suitable
dwelling within a particular neighborhood or area; or in not disclosing or offering to
show all properties listed or held for sale or rent within a particular neighborhood or
area, or within a requested price or rental range; or make false representations
regarding the listing, prospective listing, sale, prospective sale, or rental of any dwelling
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because of race, color, sex, age, religious creed, disability, national origin or ancestry,
sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, family status, military status, or
source of income.
7. For any person to coerce, intimidate, threaten or interfere in any manner with any
person in the exercise or enjoyment of, or on account of his or her having exercised or
enjoyed, or on account of his or her having aided or encouraged any other person in the
exercise or enjoyment of, any right granted or protected by this chapter.
8. For any person to restrict or attempt to restrict the housing choices of persons by
engaging in any conduct relating to the sale or rental of a dwelling that otherwise makes
unavailable or denies dwellings because of race, color, sex, age, religious creed,
disability, national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status,
family status, military status, or source of income.
9. For any person to discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions or privileges
of sale or rental of a dwelling, or on the provision of services or facilities in connection
therewith, because of race, color, sex, age, religious creed, disability national origin or
ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, family status, military
status, or source of income.
B. For the purposes of this section, discrimination on the basis of disability includes:
1. A refusal to permit, at the expense of the person with a disability , reasonable
modifications of existing premises occupied or to be occupied by the person with a disability, if
the modifications may be necessary to afford the person with a disability full enjoyment of the
premises except that, in the case of a rental, that landlord may, where it is reasonable to do so,
condition permission for a modification on the renter's agreeing to restore the interior of the
premises to the condition that existed before the modification, reasonable wear and tear
excepted;
2. A refusal to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices, or services,
when such accommodations may be necessary to afford a person with a disability equal
opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling;
3. In connection with the design and construction of covered multifamily dwellings for first
occupancy after March thirteenth, nineteen hundred ninety-one, a failure to design and
construct dwellings in such a manner that:
a. The dwellings have at least one building entrance on an accessible route, unless it
is impractical to do so because of the terrain or unusual characteristics of the site;
b. With respect to dwellings with a building entrance on an accessible route;
i. The public use and common use portions of the dwellings are readily accessible
to and usable by persons with disabilities;
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ii. All the doors designed to allow passage into and within all premises are
sufficiently wide to allow passage by persons with disabilities in wheelchairs;
and
iii. All premises within covered multifamily dwelling units contain an accessible
route into and through the dwelling; light switches, electrical outlets,
thermostats, and other environmental controls are in accessible locations;
there are reinforcements in the bathroom walls to allow later installation of
grab bars; and there are usable kitchens and bathrooms such that an individual
in a wheelchair can maneuver about the space. Compliance with the
appropriate requirements of the American National Standard for Accessible
and Usable Buildings and Facilities ["ANSI’s ICC A117.1-2017”] satisfies the
requirements of this subsection.
C. The following practices shall not be deemed unlawful:
1. The leasing, rental, or other provision with or without a fee, of a space within a church,
temple, synagogue, religious school, or other facility used for other than a commercial
purpose, to persons of the same religion, or from giving preference to such persons,
unless membership in such religion is restricted on account of race, color, or national
origin;
2. A private club not open to the public that, as an incident to its primary purpose, provides
lodging that it owns or operates for other than a commercial purpose from limiting the
rental or occupancy of that lodging to its members or from giving preference to its
members;
3. The establishment of government-sponsored housing programs operated either directly
by government agencies or indirectly through government subsidization and regulation,
which are determined by the Commission to be specifically designed to assist elderly
persons, persons with disabilities, or economically disadvantaged individuals, provided
that such programs shall not discriminate among elderly persons, persons with
disabilities, or economically disadvantaged on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religious
creed, disability, national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital
status, or source of income;
4. The establishment of housing set aside for, or limited to, elderly persons or persons with
disabilities, provided that such establishment shall not discriminate among elderly
persons or persons with disabilities on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religious creed,
disability, national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status,
military status, or source of income;
5. The establishment of same-sex dormitories or portions thereof by educational facilities,
provided that such establishment shall not discriminate among its residents on the basis
of race, color, age, religious creed, disability, national origin or ancestry, sexual
orientation, gender identity, marital status, family status, military status, or source of
income;
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6. The establishment of a hospital, convent, monastery, shelter, asylum, or residential
facility for the care and lodging of persons in need of special medical, rehabilitative,
social, or psychological support, including, but not limited to half-way houses, drug
treatment centers, detoxification facilities, and shelters for the homeless.
D. The following practices shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter:
1. The leasing or renting of a room or rooms within a dwelling unit which is occupied by
the owner as his or her residence and in which the roomer or boarder must pass through
the space or a portion thereof occupied by such owner in order to gain access to the
room or rooms thus let or rented;
2. The leasing or renting of a single apartment in a two-family dwelling, the other
residential unit of which is occupied by the owner as his or her residence.
(Ord. 1130 (part), 1992)
14.04.050 - Complaint procedures.
A. Any aggrieved person may make, sign, and file with the Commission a verified complaint in
writing which shall state the name and address of the person alleged to have committed a
violation of this chapter and the particulars and other information as may be required by the
Commission. The Commission may, in like manner, make, sign, and file such a complaint
whenever it has reason to believe that any person has engaged in, or is engaging in an
unlawful practice.
B. No complaint shall be considered unless it is filed within one hundred eighty days after the
occurrence of the alleged unlawful practice, or in the case of continuing unlawful practices,
within one hundred eighty days after the termination of the unlawful practices. A complaint
may be reasonably and fairly amended at any time. A complaint referred to the Commission
by the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination after having been timely filed
there will be considered filed for the purposes of this chapter.
C. The filing of a complaint, the failure to file a complaint, or the dismissal of a complaint by
the Commission shall not bar an aggrieved person from filing a civil action in the Superior
Court within two years after the occurrence or termination of an alleged discriminatory
practice; provided, that the aggrieved person may not initiate an action with respect to an
alleged discriminatory practice that forms the basis of a charged issued by the Commission,
if a Commission's hearing has begun with respect to the charge. The Court shall be
empowered to award the plaintiff actual and punitive damages; grant as relief, as it deems
appropriate, any temporary or permanent injunction, temporary restraining order or other
order; and allow reasonable attorney's fees and costs. The plaintiff shall be liable for
reasonable attorney's fees and costs only to the extent that the plaintiff's participation in
the proceeding was frivolous or vexatious or was for the purpose of harassment; to the
extent that the plaintiff is the prevailing party, the respondent shall be liable for reasonable
attorney's fees and costs, unless special circumstances make recovery of such fees and costs
unjust.
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D. Upon the filing of the complaint, the Commission shall, by certified mail, return receipt
requested, serve notice upon the complainant acknowledging the filing and advising the
complainant of the time limits and choice of forum under the law. At any time after the filing
of the complaint, the Commission, by its attorneys, may seek temporary or preliminary
injunctive relief in the Superior Court, pending final disposition of the complaint, if the
Commission concludes such action is necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.
E. The Commission shall promptly serve a copy of the complaint and a notice upon the
respondent advising him or her of his procedural rights and obligations under the law, by
certified mail, return receipt requested. The respondent may, in response to said notice, file
a verified answer with the Commission not later than ten days after receipt of the notice of
the complaint.
F. The chairperson of the Commission shall designate the Executive Director or one or more of
the Commissioners to make, with the assistance of the staff of the Commission, a prompt
investigation of the alleged discriminatory act. The investigation shall be commenced within
thirty days after receipt of the complaint.
G. The Commission shall complete its investigation and issue a final investigative report
consistent with Section 14.04.059 within one hundred days after receipt of the complaint
unless impracticable, and if impracticable, shall notify the complainant and the respondent
in writing and state the reasons for the delay.
H. Any conciliation agreement arising out of conciliation efforts by the Commission shall be an
agreement between the respondent and the complainant and shall be approved by the
Commission and shall be made public unless the complainant and the respondent otherwise
agree and the Commission determines disclosure is not necessary to further the purposes of
this chapter.
I. At the close of the investigation, the Commission shall issue a final investigative report. Said
report shall conclude whether or not probable cause exists for crediting the allegations of
the complaint.
J. If lack of probable cause is found, the Commission shall dismiss the complaint, notify the
parties of its finding, and inform the complainant of his or her right to commence a private
civil action in the Superior Court. Said action shall be commenced within ninety days from
the date of the dismissal or within two years from the date of the violation alleged,
whichever occurs later. The court shall be empowered to award the plaintiff actual and
punitive damages; grant as relief, as it deems appropriate, any temporary or permanent
injunction, temporary restraining order or other order: and allow reasonable attorney's fees
and costs as permitted under Section 14.04.053 of this code.
K. If probable cause is found, both the complainant and respondent shall be notified in writing.
Either party may elect, within twenty days from receipt of the Commission's finding, to file a
civil action in the Superior Court.
1. If a timely election is made by either party, the Commission shall immediately notify the
office of the Attorney General, who shall file a civil action on behalf of the aggrieved
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person within thirty days after a timely election is made. Any complainant may intervene
as of right in said civil action. The Commission shall administratively close the case,
without prejudice.
2. If a timely election is not made, the case shall proceed to a public hearing. No
Commissioner participating in the aforementioned hearing shall have been involved in
the prior investigation. The Massachusetts law of evidence shall apply at the
Commissioner's hearing. At any such hearing before the Commission, all parties and
witnesses shall have the right to be advised and represented by counsel at their own
expense. The complainant shall be represented by the Executive Director of the
Commission as prescribed by the Commission's Rules of Procedure.
3. Hearings shall be conducted in accordance with the Commission's Rules of Procedure
which shall ensure that all parties are afforded due process of law.
L. The hearing Commissioners shall issue a report which lists findings of fact and conclusions of
law within sixty days after the conclusion of the hearing. If the hearing Commissioners
conclude that the charges of discriminatory conduct by the respondent cannot be
substantiated, the case shall be dismissed with prejudice.
M. The decision of the hearing Commissioners is subject to review by the entire Commission.
The review must be initiated within thirty days from the date of the decision or said decision
becomes the final administrative decision.
N. The Commission shall make a final administrative disposition of the complaint within one
year from the date of the receipt of the complaint, unless impracticable. If impracticable, it
must notify the complainant and the respondent in writing and list the reasons for not doing
so.
(Ord. 1130 (part), 1992)
14.04.060 - Remedies—Relief sought and granted.
A. After a finding of probable cause is made, the Commission may file a petition in equity in
the Superior Court seeking injunctive relief against the respondent. If justice so requires, the
court shall be authorized to grant relief including:
1. Orders or decrees restraining the respondent from selling, renting, or otherwise making
the real estate transaction unavailable to the complainant;
2. Any appropriate injunctive relief the court deems necessary to protect the rights of the
complainant.
B. If the Commission, in the final administrative report of its decision, finds that any respondent
committed any unlawful practice under this chapter, said Commission may:
1. Award to the complainant damages to reimburse him for expenses incurred including,
but not limited to, moving, storage of furniture and personal effects, and alternative
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housing or space because of the respondent's unlawful acts. Damages for emotional
distress may also be awarded to the complainant;
2. Assess to the respondent civil penalties not to exceed ten thousand dollars for the first
offense, twenty-five thousand dollars for the second offense within a five-year period
ending at the time of filing the complaint; fifty thousand dollars for a third or subsequent
offense within a seven-year period ending at the time of filing the complaint. In a
proceeding involving two or more respondents, the hearing Commissioners may assess
a civil penalty against each respondent that the hearing commissioners determine has
been engaged or is about to engage in a discriminatory housing practice;
3. Seek relief from the Superior Court including any temporary or permanent injunction,
temporary restraining order or other order it deems appropriate.
(Ord. 1130 (part), 1992)
14.04.070 - Review of Commission's final administrative decision— Enforcement of order of
Commission.
A. Any party aggrieved by the Commission's final administrative decision may seek judicial
review within thirty days from the date of service of said decision in the Superior Court
pursuant to Chapter Thirty A of the General Laws.
B. The Commission's final administrative decision may be enforced by the Commission, or any
person entitled to relief, by filing a petition in the Superior Court seeking compliance with
the decision. The Commission may obtain a decree of the court for enforcement of its order
upon a showing that a copy of the petition for enforcement was served upon the party
subject to the dictates of the decision.
(Ord. 1130 (part), 1992)
14.04.080 - Consistency.
In the event that any provision of this chapter conflicts with, or is inconsistent with any prior
enacted law, regulation, or ordinance of the City of Cambridge, then this chapter shall control.
(Ord. 1130 (part), 1992)
14.04.090 - Severability.
If any provision of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstance shall
for any reason, be held invalid, the remainder of this chapter and the application thereof shall
not be affected and shall continue to be in full force and effect.
(Ord. 1130 (part), 1992)
In City Council December 9, 2019.
Adopted by a yea and nay vote:-
Yeas 9; Nays 0; Absent 0.
Attest:- Anthony I. Wilson, City Clerk
A true copy;
ATTEST:-
Anthony I. Wilson
City Clerk