Mexican identification cards will be the subject of a probable meeting between the Gilbert Town Council and the Gilbert Human Relations Commission.
The commission decided Wednesday to meet in June with the council to recommend that Gilbert officially recognize the card issued by the Mexican government to its citizens living abroad. A date has not been set.
Human relations chairwoman Tami Smull has met with the mayor and council members and feels confident at least three council members — which is the minimum needed to call the meeting — support an informal workstudy session, which could be a precursor to an official presentation during a regular meeting.
Three council members, including Vice Mayor Larry Morrison, expressed such support during a special commission meeting last week.
"I think that would be a pretty good assumption," Morrison said of a future meeting.
The commission initially tried to make its recommendation at a formal council meeting in February, but Mayor Steve Berman opted not to include the commission on the agenda. Three council members could have overruled Berman, but the support was not there at that time.
Berman said he still opposes a meeting and would first like to see a written report from the commission.
"I think we’ve given this issue way more energy than it deserves," Berman said.
The commission unanimously voted in December to ask the Town Council to join Chandler, Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe and other cities by officially recognizing the Matricula Consular.
After its unsuccessful request to be placed on a February council agenda, the commission — at the request of Berman — heard testimony March 3 from card opponents.
The commission called a special meeting March 31 and voted 7-2 to affirm its recommendation and seek a meeting with the council.
