04/08/196862
April 8, 1968
The adjourned meeting of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village
of Deerfield was called to order by the President at 8 :10 p.m. on April €3, 1968
in the Deerfield High School auditorium. The clerk called the roil and reported
that the following were
Present: H. Ross Finney, President
Charles R. Bootz
Bernard Forrest
George !"elm
Charles-H.Raff
George P. Schleicher
Absent: Raymond L. Craig
and that a quo,num was present and in attendance at the meeting. Also present
were Messrs. Richard Houpt, Village attorney, and Norris Stilphen, manager.
The Village attorney read a proposed ordinance amending the Municipal
Code pertaining to the licensing of real estate brokers, stating the policy
for "open housing ", establishing procedures for licensing, fees, staridards
of conduct, creation of Review Board, complaints, procedures, and penalties
for violations.
A large audience of approximately 310 persons were present. President
Finney announced that persons wishing to speak were limited to three minutes
in order to permit all to be heard.
Trustee Kelm stated it was his opinion that all property in the Village
should be included, not merely residential prope rty. The Village attorney
stated that this provision could be added. Trustee Schleicher questioned
provision for closed meetings by the Review Board since a new law requires
public meetings for all boards and commissionsexcept for specific circumstances.
The Village attorney stated the law had not been tested in Court, but there
were strong,arguments for the validity of this section with respect to the
matters contained in the ordinance. Trustee Kelm asked that the Real Estate
brokers give consideration to the matter of open or closed meetings.
Mr. Howard Kane, Chairman of the Human Relations Commission, reviewed
the work of the Commission, eight public meetings having been held to consider
an "open housing" or "human dignity" ordinance. He stated it was and is the
recommendation of the members of the Human Relations Commission that a broader
ordinance be adopted to include individuals as well as real estate brokers.
He urged the Board to reconsider the adoption of the broader ordinance recom-
mended by the Commission.
About 60 persons expressed opinions on the proposed ordinance. Most
urged the passage of the ordinance recommended by the Human Relations Commission.
Several high school students spoke in favor of the enactment of a broad ordinance,
stating they felt deprived of the opportunity to meet and work with persons of
other races. Several citizens urged that a referendum be held on the question
of whether an open housing ordinance should be passed, and stated it was their
opinion that an ordinance was not needed.
President Finney stated the proposed ordinance would be on the agenda
for the next regular meeting on April 15, 1968. He commended the people who
had spoken, expecially the students, for their thoughtful opinions, and stated
the Board would give due regard to'the opinions expressed..
On motion by Trustee Bootz, seconded by Trustee Raff, the meeting was
adjourned at 11 :30 p.m.
APPROVED:
President
l
ATTEST:
Village Clerk