Pursuant to authority granted to said Common Council, there
shall be established, organized and appointed for such city a Commission
on the Status of Women, created for the purposes as stated herein
and having delegated to it the duties hereinafter set forth.
The Commission shall elect such officers as it may deem necessary
at its first meeting and thereafter during the month of September
of each year, and said officers shall serve in their capacities for
one year. The Commission shall hold regular meetings at least once
each month and designate the time and place thereof. The Commission
shall keep records of all its proceedings.
The Commission shall have the following areas of concern:
A. To review progress and assist in the elimination of gender-based
discrimination and to help improve the status of women in the City
of Norwalk.
B. To study the conditions and needs of the women of the Norwalk community
and make recommendations to the Mayor and the Common Council regarding
policies and practices as they affect women.
C. To hold forums or public hearings as it deems necessary for the purpose
of gathering information.
D. To provide information to the public concerning the Commission's
activities and concerning matters of consequence to women.
E. To conduct outreach to encourage public participation to improve
the status of women.
F. To serve as a mediator in matters concerning women.
G. To seek the advice and cooperation of public and private groups in
the promotion of programs for women.
H. To assess programs and practices in all city agencies as they relate
to or affect women, including but not limited to employment, wages
and benefits as they may affect female employees of the city.
I. To serve as a clearinghouse on programs and agencies operating to
assist women.
J. To promote equality in the appointment and hiring of persons for
all levels of government positions.
K. To utilize such voluntary and uncompensated services of private individuals,
agencies and organizations as may from time to time be offered and
needed.
L. To submit a biennial report of its activities to the Mayor and Common
Council in nonelection years beginning in 1988, and to make intermediate
reports upon request by the Mayor or a Committee of the Common Council.
The Commission shall report its findings with specific recommendations
for legislation on ways to improve the status of Norwalk women no
later than April of every other year.
This ordinance shall take effect upon passage and compliance
with the provisions of the Charter and Code of the City of Norwalk.