There is hereby established a Commission on Human Rights. The
Commission shall consist of four (4) members who shall be appointed
by a majority of the members of the Board of Aldermen from among the
residents of the City and who shall serve as such without compensation.
The Board of Aldermen shall endeavor to include individuals on the
Commission from various protected categories that have historically
been discriminated against. Of the four (4) members first (1st) appointed,
one (1) shall be appointed for one (1) year, one (1) shall be appointed
for two (2) years and one (1) shall be appointed for three (3) years.
Thereafter, appointment shall be for terms of three (3) years. In
the event of the death, resignation or removal of any member, his/her
successor shall be appointed to serve for the unexpired period of
the term for which such member had been appointed.
A.
The Commission
shall elect a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Secretary from among
its members and create and fill such other offices as it may determine.
The term of such elective officers shall be for one (1) year.
B.
The Commission
shall meet periodically as necessary. The Chairperson shall preside
at all meetings. Three (3) members shall constitute a quorum at any
meeting.
C.
The Commission
shall adopt rules and procedures for the conduct and transaction of
its business and shall keep a record of its proceedings.
D.
Any Commission
member having three (3) unscheduled absences without good cause within
a period of one (1) year, or who shall be absent from three (3) consecutive
regular meetings without consent of the Chairperson or person acting
in such Chairperson's stead, shall automatically forfeit such office,
and the Chairperson shall promptly notify the Board of Aldermen through
the City Clerk of such vacancy.
A.
The Commission
shall have the following functions, powers and duties:
1.
To encourage
fair treatment for and to foster mutual understanding and respect
among, and to discourage discrimination against, any racial, ethnic,
religious or other group protected by this Chapter, members of these
groups or persons with disabilities.
2.
To formulate and carry out educational programs designed to minimize or eliminate those discriminatory practices made unlawful by Article III of this Chapter.
3.
To receive and investigate complaints alleging any discriminatory practices made unlawful by Article III of this Chapter.
4.
To implement
the purposes of this Chapter by conference, conciliation and persuasion
so that persons may be guaranteed their civil rights and good will
be fostered.
5.
To provide mediation services to resolve incidences of alleged discriminatory practices made unlawful by Article III of this Chapter.
6.
To cooperate
with other organizations, private and public, to discourage discrimination.
7.
To advise
the Board of Aldermen on human rights issues.
8.
To hold
public hearings on the state of human rights and relations in the
City and on specific human rights issues.
9.
To sponsor
or initiate specifically targeted workshops and ongoing programs to
improve human relations and to decrease tensions in the City.
10.
To
present informational programs on human rights to school, business,
service and other organizations.
11.
To
formulate policies and to adopt, promulgate, amend and rescind suitable
rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Chapter
and said policies of the Commission in connection therewith.
12.
To
provide each year to the Board of Aldermen a full written report of
all its activities and of its recommendations.