[1]
Editor's Note—Ord. no. 3280-01 §1, adopted August 15, 2001, repealed this art. II, §130.020, and enacted the new provisions set out herein. Former §130.020 derived from CC 1997 §21.6; ord. no. 1854-85, 12-18-1985; ord. no. 2103-88, 9-21-1988; ord. no. 2221-90, 1-17-1990 and ord. no. 2878-97, 7-16-1997.
[Ord. No. 3280-01 §1, 8-15-2001]
A.
The
Community Enrichment Commission shall consist of a minimum of nine
(9) members and a maximum of twenty-seven (27) members appointed by
the Council. Five (5) members in attendance shall constitute a quorum.
All members of the Commission shall be registered voters of the City
and shall hold no other office or position in the City Government
except on short-term, interim study committees. All appointments shall
be for a term of three (3) years, except appointments to fill a vacancy
shall be for the duration of the unexpired term and terms of original
members and any members appointed to original terms following inception
of the Commission shall be staggered for one (1), two (2) and three
(3) years such that the terms of approximately an equal number of
members shall expire each year.
B.
The
Commission shall fix the time and place of its meetings and shall,
except as herein provided, adopt such other procedures as the Commission
shall deem necessary for the successful administration of the provisions
and consummation of the purposes of this Chapter.
C.
The
Community Enrichment Commission shall focus on preservation and enhancement
of the human environment in the City of Hazelwood, including, but
not limited to, the promotion of literacy, learning, respect and diversity
in all aspects of community life, beautification, the arts and the
elimination of discrimination and to that end the Commission shall
have the following powers and purposes:
1.
To conduct programs designed to promote literacy and encourage appreciation
of and the highest standards in printed, recorded and videotaped material
through cooperation with libraries, schools and other interested persons,
groups and associations; and through dissemination of pertinent materials
for supplementary and educational purposes to the public through such
sources.
2.
To conduct programs designed to preserve, enhance, promote and celebrate
diversity and respect among residents of the City and foster, through
community affairs or otherwise, good will, cooperation and conciliation
among the various groups within the community and outside the community.
3.
To formulate and carry out educational programs that will aid in
the elimination and prevention of all types of prejudice and discrimination
based on age, ancestry, color, creed, handicap, marital status, national
origin, race, religion or sex.
4.
To conduct programs designed to promote pride in neighborhoods and
the City by encouraging residents to improve and maintain their properties
by establishing programs to assist residents, disseminating information
on programs and reward programs for residents.
5.
To conduct programs and disseminate information about the arts in
cooperation with interested groups and associations.
6.
To serve as ambassadors for the City at events sponsored by the City
of Hazelwood or events sponsored by outside organizations as deemed
appropriate by the Council.
7.
To conduct other programs and events that promote awareness about
issues and concerns in the City as deemed appropriate by the Commission
and/or the Council.
8.
To receive, hear, and investigate complaints and initiate its own
investigations concerning racial, religious and ethnic group tensions,
prejudice, intolerance, bigotry and discrimination and any breach
of peace or disorder occasioned thereby and concerning any discriminatory
practices against any person in employment, recreation, housing or
other phase of public welfare because of age, ancestry, color, creed,
handicap, marital status, national origin, race, religion or sex,
and report same to the City Council with their recommendations.
9.
To receive and investigate any and all written complaints charging
housing discrimination, seek conciliation of such complaints, hold
hearings, make findings of fact and issue recommendations to the City
Council and the City Attorney. The City Council shall review and make
recommendations including the decision to prosecute or to instruct
the City Attorney to file a civil suit to enjoin the violation or
to take other appropriate action. The Commission shall administer
the City's Fair Housing Code as contained in the Hazelwood Municipal
Code in a manner affirmatively to further the policies of that Code
and to prevent or eliminate discriminatory housing practices.
10.
To make recommendations to the City Council concerning the adoption
of policies, procedures and legislation which will aid in the elimination
of all types of discrimination based upon age, ancestry, color, creed,
handicap, marital status, national origin, race, religion or sex and/or
which will foster an appreciation of reading, learning and other endeavors
that shape the human spirit and give substance to the human environment
of our community.
11.
The Commission may adopt such rules, procedures and regulations not
inconsistent with the laws of the United States and the State of Missouri
and Charter and ordinances of the City of Hazelwood for the guidance
and carrying out of its activities as it deems proper, including the
right to public or private hearings, subpoena witnesses and compel
their attendance, administer oaths, take the testimony of any person
under oath relating to any matter under investigation or in question.
The Commission may make rules as to the issuance of subpoenas. Refusal
to obey a subpoena issued pursuant to this Section may be certified
to the Municipal Court of the City of Hazelwood for appropriate action.
12.
The Commission shall elect a Chairman from one (1) of its appointed
members, shall set time and place of its meetings, and shall furnish
the City Council with copies of the minutes of said meetings.
