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Town of Grand Island, NY
Erie County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Code
New Laws (1) Index Notes (1)
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Grand Island 12-21-1964[1] (Ch. 21 of the 1963 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance provided that it shall be effective 1-4-1965.
The authority for this chapter is conferred by Article 12D of the General Municipal Law of the State of New York.
This chapter shall be known as the "Commission on Human Rights."
The Town Board of the Town of Grand Island, pursuant to the authority as above stated, does hereby create and establish a Commission on Human Rights.
This Commission shall be composed of five persons, all who shall be residents of the Town of Grand Island, who shall be appointed by the Town Board.
Said members of this Commission shall serve without compensation.
Of the members of the board first appointed, one shall hold office for the term of one year, one for the term of two years, one for the term of three years, one for the term of four years, one for the term of five years, from and after his appointment. Their successors shall be appointed for the term of five years from and after the expiration of the term of their predecessors in office. If a vacancy shall occur otherwise than by expiration of term, it shall be filled by the Town Board by appointment for the unexpired term. The Town Board shall have the power to remove any member of the Commission for cause and after public hearing. Any member of said Commission may succeed himself.
The Commission on Human Rights shall have the power to adopt bylaws and rules and regulations necessary for the proper conduct of its authorized duties for the Town. Said Commission, after appointment, shall elect a Chairman and such other officers as may be necessary. All meetings of said Commission shall be held at the call of the Chairman. Such Commission shall keep minutes of its meetings, showing the vote of each member upon every question, and shall also keep records of all official action.
It shall be the duty of the Commission:
A. 
To foster mutual respect and understanding among all racial, religious and nationality groups in the community.
B. 
To make such studies in any field of human relationship in the community as in the judgment of the Commission will aid in effectuating its general purposes.
C. 
To inquire into incidents of tension and conflict among or between various racial, religious and nationality groups, and to take such action as may be designed to alleviate such tensions and conflict. Upon completion of an inquiry, the Commission will report to the Town Board.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
D. 
To conduct and recommend such educational programs as, in the judgment of the Commission, will increase goodwill among inhabitants of the community and open new opportunities into all phases of community life for all inhabitants.
E. 
To submit meeting minutes to the Town Board after any meeting of the Commission.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
The Commission shall discharge the following obligations:
A. 
To receive complaints of alleged discrimination because of race, creed, color or national origin, to seek the active assistance of the state commission for human rights in the solution of complaints which fall within the jurisdiction of the state commission and to prepare its own plans in the case of other complaints with a view to reducing and eliminating such alleged discrimination through the process of conference, conciliation and persuasion.
B. 
To hold conferences, and other public meetings in the interest of the constructive resolution of racial, religious and nationality group tensions and the prejudice and discrimination occasioned thereby.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Original Section 21-9, Employees, officers and expenses, and Section 21-10, Budget, which immediately followed this section, were deleted at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
Said Commission may accept any grant or device of real estate or any gift or bequest of money or other personal property or any donation to be applied — principal or income — for either temporary or permanent use for the Commission. If the use, however, for such purpose will subject the municipality to expense for improvement, maintenance or renewal, the use of any grant or device of real estate shall be approved by the Town Board. Monies received for such purpose, unless otherwise provided for in the terms of the gift or bequest, shall be deposited with the Supervisor of the Town of Grand Island to the account of the Human Rights Commission, and the same may be withdrawn and paid out in the same manner as money appropriated for Commission purposes.
Said Commission shall make a monthly report to the Town Board via the Supervisor setting forth a complete statement of all financial transactions for the preceding month. Such Commission shall also make a biannual report to the Town Board of all programs accomplished, programs in progress and programs under consideration. The first biannual report to be due July 1, 1965, and every six months thereafter.
Said Commission shall continue in accordance with the procedure established above; provided, however, that the Town Board shall have the power and authority to abolish said Commission without notice by majority resolution.