The Iowa City City Council will consider a resolution at its next meeting regarding diversity issues in the community.

City Councilors Rick Dobyns and Jim Throgmorton met to draft the proposed resolution.

Throgmorton introduced a similar resolution following the slaying of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, but some councilors had expressed some concerns about the council’s role in making resolutions on national issues.

"[We must be] really cautious that about where we start and draw the line on making resolutions on national issues," Councilor Susan Mims said during the April 17 council meeting. "To me, as a council, what we need to focus on is what’s going on in our own backyard. Racism is alive and well in this community."

The resolution regarding diversity issues will be introduced and voted on during the council’s May 15 meeting.

— by Kristen East