Yellow Freight Systems v. Mayor's

The controlling issue in this case is whether the Mayor's Commission on Human Rights ("Commission") of Springfield, Missouri,
had the authority to find plaintiff violated a city ordinance in connection with a complaint filed by an employee alleging
unlawful discrimination in the termination of her employment. The judgment of the trial court enjoining the Commission from
enforcing its order for reinstatement and backpay for the employee is affirmed. The facts giving rise to the order are more fully set out in a prior opinion by the court of appeals which reversed and remanded
the case on procedural grounds. See Yellow Freight System v. Mayor's Com'n., 737 S.W.2d 250 (Mo.App. 1987). Briefly, the facts
pertinent to this decision are as follows: An ordinance, Chapter 18A, §§ 1 thru 29 Springfield City Code,
was adopted by the City of Springfield, Missouri, a home rule charter city. This ordinance established the Mayor's Commission
on Human Rights, defined its purpose and powers, and granted the right to appeal. The ordinance purported to create a municipal
agency with the power to hear contested cases of discrimination in employment and housing, and give relief in accordance with
its stated purpose. The ordinance also provided that an appeal or enforcement of the Commission's decision could be brought
in the Circuit Court of Greene County and that the city attorney could bring proceedings in the City of Springfield's Municipal
Court for punishment of anyone violating the ordinance.