The city council members on Monday were examining a 16-page ordinance proposed by the Akron Mayor Daniel Horriganintended to address cases of discrimination.

The 16-page ordinance creates a five member local civil rights commission which would have the authority to investigate cases in which the residents felt they have been the victim of discrimination in compliance with existing laws.

If probable cause is found by the panel, that would be from across the socioeconomic spectrum in the city and appointed by the city council, would recommend a binding remedy.

The ordinance does not prohibit people who believe that they are the victims of discrimination from taking their case to the state or federal level. The ordinance simply gives them the opportunity to seek a remedy locally as an option.

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Horrigan told an audience on Monday that, “most other major cities in Ohio, including Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Dayton have all enacted similar ordinance, and I feel more strongly than ever, I feel we need to add the City of Akron to that list because discrimination of any kind is bad for business, it's bad for the community, it's bad for families, and it's bad for individuals.”

The Akron City Council member Tara Mosley-Samples, who was seeing the ordinance for first time before a special committee meeting on Monday afternoon, said she believes that there will be some modifications to the proposed legislation but she also believes it is good for the city.

"I truly believe that if we are going to live up to our reputation as a welcoming city, it has to be more than just words on paper," said Horrigan.

The ordinance was to be presented to the council for first time at their regular meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday.

Mrudula Duddempudi.