There is hereby created a Human Relations Commission
for the Borough of Norristown. The Commission shall consist of seven
members broadly representing the various ethnic, religious, gender
and other groups of the community. All members of the Commission shall
be residents of the Borough of Norristown for at least one year preceding
their appointment to the Commission.
No Commissioner shall at the same time be an
elected or appointed official or employee of the United States Federal
Government, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the County of Montgomery
or the Borough of Norristown.
A.
The initial terms of two of the members of the Commission
shall be for one year, two members of the Commission shall have terms
of two years, and three members of the Commission shall have terms
of three years. After the Commission has been established, upon the
expiration of the terms of the original Commissioners, all of the
terms for the new Commissioners shall be for three years and shall
commence on January 1 of such year.
B.
The Commissioners shall be appointed by the Mayor
as provided in the Home Rule Charter. Any vacancy occurring in the
Commission for any reason shall be filled by the Mayor as provided
by the Home Rule Charter for the unexpired term within 30 days after
such vacancy.
The Commission shall have the power to make,
amend and enforce rules and regulations to put into effect the purpose
of the Commission. Such rules and regulations must first be approved
by the Council. All rules and regulations and modifications thereof
shall be made available for public inspection.
The borough shall furnish to the Commission
such clerical assistance as needed for the work of the Commission.
The borough shall provide a suitable and convenient room for the use
of the Commission, and the Commission shall order from the borough
the necessary stationery, postage, printing and supplies needed by
the Commission in the performance of its duties.
The Commission shall keep minutes of its proceedings and records of its examinations and other official actions. Except as provided in § 4-89, all records of the Commission shall be open to the public at reasonable times and places.
A.
The Commission shall have the power to receive complaints
and make an investigation of such complaints on all matters which
are the focus of this chapter. The complaints must be based upon factual
situations which occur in the geographic boundaries of the borough.
B.
The investigation shall be made by the members of
the Commission.
C.
All complaints and investigations made by the Commission
shall be confidential and shall not be open to the public except by
a duly issued subpoena or a court of competent jurisdiction.
All members of the Commission shall serve without
compensation, and the Commission shall not incur any expenses or obligation
without prior approval from the Borough Council.
The Commission shall hold such meetings and
hearings from time to time as authorized by the rules and regulations
of said Commission.
With the approval of Borough Council, the Commission
shall have the power to issue subpoenas, over the signature of the
Chairman, and to require the attendance of witnesses and the production
of records and papers pertaining to any matter before the Commission.
The fee for such witnesses for attendance and travel shall be paid
by the party requesting the appearance of such witness.
A.
It shall be the duty of the Commission to focus upon
the problems of group relationship within the borough and advise and
cooperate with the Borough Council, the borough administration and
any other authority in the solving of any such problems.
B.
The Commission is further authorized and empowered
to:
(1)
Devise and recommend to the Mayor and Borough Council
ways and means of discouraging and combating prejudice, intolerance
and bigotry in all groups and in their relations with one another.
(2)
Discover and disclose all practices and policies calculated
to create conflicts and tensions and recommend ways and means for
their elimination.
(3)
Report and recommend means of eliminating any unfair
and unjust discrimination against any person or group which would
be deemed detrimental to the best interest of the community.
(4)
Enlist the cooperation of all racial, religious, educational,
community, civic, labor, fraternal and benevolent associations and
all other groups, associations and societies and all constructive
community forces and talents that would be helpful in discharging
its duties.
(5)
Cooperate with federal, state and citizens' organizations
and public, private and parochial schools in formulating and developing
courses of education to stimulate the interest of the entire population
in accomplishing the objectives of the Commission.
(6)
Endeavor, by persuasion and education, to induce public
and private employers, labor and professional organizations and employment
agencies to institute nondiscriminatory practices in employment, union
membership, promotion. wages. working conditions, layoffs and job
opportunities.
(7)
Endeavor, by persuasion and education, to reduce de
facto segregation and discrimination in housing.
(9)
Adopt rules for the transaction of business and keep
a record of its activities and minutes of all meetings.
