There is hereby established an organization which shall be known as
the "Human Relations Commission" for the Borough of Norristown, and whenever
the word "Commission" appears in this chapter, it shall be construed to mean
the Human Relations Commission of Norristown.
All members of the Commission shall serve without compensation.
The officers of the Commission shall consist of a Chair, a Vice Chair
and a Recording Secretary. Organization of the Commission shall take place
at the beginning of every calendar year but no later than February 1. At the
organization meeting of the Commission, the first order of business shall
be to nominate and elect the officers to a term of office for a period of
no more than one (1) year. Any officer shall be eligible to succeed himself/herself,
but no person shall be elected to the same office for more than two (2) successive
terms.
It shall be the responsibility of the Commission to cause an annual
written report of it's activities, opinions and recommendations to the Mayor,
Borough Council and other interested, concerned parties.
It shall be the duty of the Commission to focus upon problems of group
relationships within the Borough of Norristown and render appropriate recommendations
to correct discovered problems. The Commission, whenever possible, shall cooperate
with the Mayor and Borough Council and all other borough boards, departments,
commissions and appropriate representatives of public, private and parochial
schools in their efforts to resolve problems of intergroup relationships within
the community.
The Commission is further authorized and empowered:
A. To ascertain all practices and policies calculated to
create conflicts and tensions and recommend ways and means for their elimination.
B. To recommend to the Mayor and Council ways and means
of discouraging and combating prejudice, intolerance and bigotry in all groups
and in their relations with one another and to recommend ways and 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.
C. To 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 the duties of the Commission.
D. To 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.
E. To endeavor, by education and proper communication, 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
and to endeavor, by education, to reduce de facto segregation and discrimination
in housing.
F. To refer complaints of violations of the Pennsylvania
Human Relations Act to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.
G. To adopt rules for the transaction of business and to
keep a record of its activities and minutes of all meetings.
The Commission shall name such subcommittees as, in its judgment, will
aid effectively in the purpose of this chapter and shall empower them to focus
upon the problems of prejudice, intolerance, bigotry and discrimination in
all or any fields of human relationships within the purview of this chapter.
This chapter shall be deemed an exercise of the power of the borough
pursuant to P.L. 1523, January 24, 1966, which authorizes any political subdivision to create such a Local
Human Relations Commission; and further, this chapter complies with Section
512E of the Home Rule Charter of the Borough of Norristown.
If a member is absent from three (3) consecutive regular meetings without
good cause, his/her term may be declared vacant upon the affirmative vote
of a majority of the remaining members of the Commission. A vote to remove
a member or declare a vacancy may be taken after the member has received ten
(10) days' prior written notice of the intent to take such vote. A hearing
shall be held by the Commission in connection with the vote if the member
shall request it, in writing, at least two (2) days prior to the vote.