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City of Mount Vernon, NY
Westchester County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Code
New Laws (30) Index Notes (1)
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Council of the City of Mount Vernon 8-14-1963, approved 8-15-1963. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A Commission on Human Rights is hereby established by the City of Mount Vernon in accordance with Article 12-D of the General Municipal Law, as enacted by Chapter 376 of the Laws of 1963.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: In accordance with an amendment to Article 12-D of the General Municipal Law, the Council of the City of Mount Vernon changed the name of the Commission on Human Relations to the Commission on Human Rights by ordinance adopted 7-22-1964, approved 7-23-1964.
The Commission shall consist of 15 members to be appointed by the Mayor. The Mayor shall designate one of such members to be Chairman, who shall serve as Chairman at the pleasure of the Mayor.
Of the members first appointed, five shall be appointed for terms of office of one year each, five for terms of office of two years each and five for terms of office of three years each. Thereafter, all appointments, except to fill vacancies, shall be for terms of office of three years each. Vacancies occurring otherwise than by expiration of terms of office shall be filled for the unexpired terms of the offices so filled.
The members of the Commission, including the Chairman, shall serve without salary but may be reimbursed for their actual expenses necessarily incurred in the discharge of their official duties.
In making appointments to the Commission the Mayor shall take into consideration the various religious, racial, nationality and political groups in the community.
The Commission on Human Rights hereby created shall have the power and authority, subject to applicable civil service requirements, to employ an Executive Director and such other subordinates, experts, attorneys or other employees as may be prescribed by the Board of Estimate and Contract.
There is hereby appropriated to the Commission on Human Rights to defray its expenses from October 1 through December 31, 1963, the sum of $3,000, to be financed by a budget note or notes to be hereafter authorized.
It shall be the duty of the Commission, as provided in Article 12-D of the General Municipal Law:
A. 
To foster mutual respect and understanding among all racial, religious and nationality groups in the City of Mount Vernon.
B. 
To make such studies in any field of human relationship in the community as in the judgment of the Commission will aid in effectuating its general purposes.
C. 
To inquire into incidents of tension and conflict among or between various racial, religious and nationality groups, and to take such action as may be designed to alleviate such tensions and conflict.
D. 
To conduct and recommend such educational programs as, in the judgment of the Commission, will increase goodwill among inhabitants of the community and open new opportunities into all phases of community life for all inhabitants.
E. 
To report complaints to the Division of Human Rights alleging unlawful discriminatory practices under Article 15 of the Executive Law.
[Added 2-24-1982, approved 2-25-1982]
The Commission shall discharge the following obligations:
A. 
Receive complaints of alleged discrimination because of race, creed, color or national origin, seek the active assistance of the Division of Human Rights in the solution of complaints which fall within the jurisdiction of the Division and prepare its own plans in the case of other complaints, with a view to reducing and eliminating such alleged discrimination through the process of conference, conciliation and persuasion.
[Amended 2-24-1982, approved 2-25-1982]
B. 
Hold conferences and other public meetings in the interest of the constructive resolution of racial, religious and nationality group tensions and the prejudice and discrimination occasioned thereby.
C. 
Issue such publications and reports of investigation as in its judgment will tend to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.
D. 
Enlist the cooperation and participation of the various racial, religious and nationality groups, community organizations, industry and labor organizations, media or mass communication, fraternal and benevolent associations and other groups in an educational campaign devoted to fostering among the diverse groups of the community mutual esteem, justice and equity and opening new opportunities into all phases of community life for all individuals.
[Amended 2-24-1982, approved 2-25-1982]
E. 
Encourage and stimulate agencies under the jurisdiction of the Mayor to take such action as will fulfill the purposes of this chapter.
F. 
Submit a quarterly report to the Mayor and to the City Council on its activities.
In the event the provisions of the General Municipal Law, Article 12-D, are amended, such amendments shall be effective with respect to the Commission on Human Rights created hereby.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: In accordance with an amendment to Article 12-D of the General Municipal Law, the Council of the City of Mount Vernon changed the name of the Commission on Human Relations to the Commission on Human Rights by ordinance adopted 7-22-1964, approved 7-23-1964.
This chapter shall take effect October 1, 1963, after its approval by the Board of Estimate and Contract.