(KLZA)-- A large contingent of Auburn residents attended Monday nights City Council meeting concerning a request for the  Council to rescind action taken in March adopting a Sanctuary City of “Life” statement. 

Nikki Hayes made the request suggesting the statement has had a negative economic impact on business owners and community members,  and does not serve a city purpose or function, and creates an unnecessary divide among community members. 

Hayes and Dr. Gary Ensz spoke to the Council supporting the change.  Dr. Ensz called the statement exclusionary and said he feels it reduces Auburn's ability to attract new residents and creates unnecessary division and would possibly disqualify the city from some federal grants. 

Council member Katy Billings made a motion to replace the statement with a new statement that says, “ The City of Auburn shall be known as a city that respects and values the inherent dignity of everyone, period. That simple. That basic.”

The proposal to rescind the previous statement and replace it with the statement offered by Billings passed on a 5-1 vote with Council member Shawn Clark casting the nay vote.