The to-be-formed nine-member panel also will investigate complaints from residents who feel the city has discriminated against them in employment, housing, immigration, public health, public safety, public transportation, and parks or recreation.

The commission replaces a defunct one that looked into race and ethnicity.

The new commission will address discrimination based on age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, national origin, marital status, medical condition, physical limitation, race, religion and sexual orientation.

While the ordinance passed the City Council unanimously, Mayor Rocky Anderson said the commission lacks "real teeth."

He said he wouldn't veto it, but added he would rather see the council pass ordinances that "prohibit discrimination in housing and employment, that provide for equal insurance benefits and other legal rights.”

"Right now somebody could be denied housing because they're gay or lesbian and there's no recourse," he said.

Councilman Eric Jergensen - who pushed the ordinance, along with Councilwoman Jill Remington Love - said the mayor can seek those other, toothier, ordinances now.

"If he wants to suggest ordinance, let him go ahead," Jergensen said.

"I'd like to find out where we are as a city and what recommendations they [commission members] would make to us as a city before moving forward."