[Adopted by Ord. No. O-93-06 (§ 2-44 of the Revised General Ordinances), as amended through Ord. No. O-02-27]
There is hereby established a Human Relations Council (hereafter "Council") within the Township of Freehold which shall foster through community efforts or otherwise, good will, cooperation and conciliation among the groups and elements of the inhabitants of the community.
A. 
The Human Relations Council shall consist of 13 members appointed by the Mayor and shall serve without compensation. Membership shall be made up from the following categories:
[Amended 2-16-2010 by Ord. No. O-10-1]
(1) 
Mayor or designee from Township Committee: one member.
(2) 
Law enforcement: one member.
(3) 
Professional counselor: one member.
(4) 
Clergy: two members.
(5) 
Educator: two members.
(6) 
Business community: one member.
(7) 
Minorities: three members.
(8) 
Members at large: two.
B. 
The members shall serve three-year terms; however, each member shall initially serve until December 31 of the year of their initial appointment. Thereafter, the term of the Mayor or designee from the Township Committee shall expire each December 31. The Mayor shall stagger the terms of the remaining eight members so that the terms of two members shall be for one year; the terms of three members shall be for two years and the terms of three members shall be for three years. Subsequently, each appointment of the eight general members shall be for three-year terms.
[Amended 12-27-2005 by Ord. No. O-05-48]
The officers of the Council shall consist of a Chairperson appointed by the Mayor, a Vice Chairperson appointed by the Mayor and a Secretary selected by the Council. Each officer will serve for one year.
The council shall meet at least quarterly on date or dates to be designated by it during the months of January, April, July and September. Special meetings may be called at the discretion of the Chairperson or the Mayor with not less than seven days' notice in writing to all Council members.
A vacancy on the Human Relations Council occurring other than by expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term by appointment of the Mayor.
The Human Relations Council shall have the following powers and duties:
A. 
To foster and promote good will, cooperation and conciliation among all inhabitants of Freehold Township, including mediation of cultural problems and incidents of bias.
B. 
To conduct forums that will allow groups or individuals to share cultural problems; to review stereotyping or bias incidents that may occur.
C. 
To cooperate with other units of government or agencies concerned with purposes similar to that of the Council.
D. 
To make recommendations to the Mayor and Township Committee for the development of policies, procedures and programs that will aid in the prevention and elimination of all types of discrimination based upon race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity.
[Amended 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. O-16-14]
E. 
To make an annual report to the Mayor and Township Committee of its activities.