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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNo 907 Human Rights Commission Ordinance No. 907 HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION* Division 2. Human Rights Commission __________ *Cross references: Article IV Boards, Committees and Commissions *State law references: Department of Human Rights, Minn. Stat. Ch. 363. __________ Sec. 2-186. Human rights commission. Sec. 2-186. Statement of Public Policy and Mission It is hereby declared by the City Council that it is the public policy of the City to fulfill its responsibility as a partner of the State Department of Human Rights in assisting the State in obtaining equal opportunity in housing, employment, public accommodations, public services and education for all its citizens and to work consistently to improve the human rights climate of the City. To this end the City Council adopts this mission statement: The mission of the Maplewood Human Rights Commission is to aidandadvocate for equal opportunities for all citizens of Maplewood in: housing, employment, public accommodations, services and education, in addition to continuously working to improve human rights within the community. (Code 1982, § 2-71) State Law references – Minnesota Human Rights Act, Minn. Stats, Ch. 363; State Department of Human Rights, Minn. Stats. § 363.04 et seq. Sec. 2-187. Established There is hereby established, within the City of Maplewood, a Human Rights Commission. (Code 1982, § 2-72) Sec. 2-188. Purpose The purpose of the Human Rights Commission is to aid and advise the City Council in ensuring for all citizens of the City equal opportunity in those areas protected by law; and to aid and advise the City Council regarding other human rights related concerns. Sec. 2-189. Composition; appointment; terms; compensation; removal (1) The commission will be composed of seven voting members. All terms end on the first day of May in the year in which they expire. (2) The members of the Commission will be appointed by the City Council after due consideration has been given to their interest and commitment to civil and human rights principles; to their knowledge in the fields of employment, housing, public accommodations, public services, veterans’ issues, social work, education and other areas affected by the state human rights act (Minn. Stat. Ch. 363); to their ability to serve in a genuine leadership role in the community by virtue of their positions of responsibility in business and civic affairs; to their ability to provide adequate representation of the classes of persons protected under the State Human Rights Act; and to recommendations obtained from various sources including other human rights committees or commissions. (3) All members will be appointed for three-year terms that are staggered in order to provide continuity of policy and program. No member may serve more than three consecutive full terms except as noted above. (4) The members of the Commission shall serve without compensation and may be removed from office pursuant to the policies and procedures established by the City for all boards and commissions. (5) The City Council should also attempt to appoint members based on the following criteria in order to help ensure that the representation on the Commission has the necessary background and experience to effectively perform its duties: a. At least two members should have a background and experience in one or more of the following areas: public housing, civil rights, veterans’ issues, education, employment or social work. b. At least one member should be a lawyer with sufficient background and experience in one or more of the areas noted above to provide meaningful support to the Commission. c. At least one member should represent business interests within the community. d. Up to two members may be at-large members from outside Maplewood; the remaining members should be Maplewood residents. (Ord. No. 807, 4-18-95; Ord. No. 818, 10-3-95; Ord. No. 877, § I, 7-6-95; Ord. No. 877, §§ 1A, 1B, 7-6-99; Ord. No. 1008, § 3, 7-7-09) Sec. 2-190. Duties and Responsibilities In fulfillment of the purpose of this division, the duties and responsibilities of the Human Rights Commission must: (1) Study and review programs and policies and aid the City Council in enlisting the cooperation of agencies, organizations and individuals in the City in an active program directed to create equal opportunity and eliminate discrimination and inequalities. (2) Advise and aid the City Council in implementing recommendations that may be appropriate to the City including, but not limited to: a. Specific programs of public information regarding the statutory requirements of the Minnesota State Human Rights Act (Minn. Stat. Ch. 363). b. Comprehensive studies and surveys of practices in the community. c. Programs of affirmative action to be developed with employers, the housing industry, the educational institutions and government agencies. d. Programs of review to give and gain information regarding compliance with state requirements concerning equal opportunity. e. Programs designed to alleviate community tension and embrace and celebrate diversity. f. Programs designed to create a genuine climate of community readiness to accept orderly and demonstrable change in eliminating barriers to equal opportunity. (3) Attempt to conciliate, within its authority, all grievances involving discrimination occurring within the City and make all appropriate reports to the City Council and State Department of Human Rights. (4) Establish committees, as the Commission finds it to be necessary, in the following areas: a. Employment and housing. b. Public information. c. Public services d. Legislation. e. Liaison with other organizations including other city commissions and agencies. (5) Perform such other functions concerning human rights as the City Council may from time to time direct. (6) Prepare and submit a report to the City Council on a semi-annual basis describing its actions and activities during the year, along with recommendations for changes which the Commission may deem desirable. (7) The Commission must formulate bylaws to govern all other matters relating to the conduct and operation of the Commission, officers and duties, dates and conduct of meetings, quorum and other relevant matters including, but not limited to, amendments of the bylaws. The bylaws of the Commission and any amendments thereto must be submitted to the City Council for approval. (Code 1980, § 25.01) Cross references: Conditions for appointment to City Boards and Commissions, § 22-8. The approval of Ordinance No. 907 does hereby repeal City Code Section 2-186 through 2-190. This ordinance shall take effect after publishing in the official newspaper. The Maplewood City Council approved this ordinance on July 26, 2010.