There is hereby established a Commission on Human Rights. The Commission shall consist of five (5) members who shall be appointed by a majority of the members of the City Council from among the residents of the City and who shall serve as such without compensation. The City Council shall endeavor to include individuals on the Commission from various protected categories that have historically been discriminated against. Of the five (5) members first (1st) appointed, two (2) shall be appointed for one (1) year, two (2) shall be appointed for two (2) years and one (1) shall be appointed for three (3) years. Thereafter, appointment shall be for terms of three (3) years. In the event of the death, resignation or removal of any member, his/her successor shall be appointed to serve for the unexpired period of the term for which such member had been appointed.
A. 
The Commission shall elect a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Secretary from among its members and create and fill such other offices as it may determine. The term of such elective officers shall be for one (1) year.
B. 
The Commission shall meet periodically as necessary. The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings. Three (3) members shall constitute a quorum at any meeting.
C. 
The Commission shall adopt rules and procedures for the conduct and transaction of its business and shall keep a record of its proceedings.
D. 
Any Commission member having three (3) unscheduled absences without good cause within a period of one (1) year, or who shall be absent from three (3) consecutive regular meetings without consent of the Chairperson or person acting in such Chairperson's stead, shall automatically forfeit such office, and the Chairperson shall promptly notify the City Council through the City Clerk of such vacancy.
A. 
The Commission shall have the following functions, powers and duties:
1. 
To encourage fair treatment for, and to foster mutual understanding and respect among, and to discourage discrimination against, any racial, ethnic, religious or other group protected by this Chapter, members of these groups or persons with disabilities.
2. 
To formulate and carry out educational programs designed to minimize or eliminate those discriminatory practices made unlawful by Article III of this Chapter.
3. 
To receive and investigate complaints alleging any discriminatory practices made unlawful by Article III of this Chapter.
4. 
To implement the purposes of this Chapter by conference, conciliation and persuasion so that persons may be guaranteed their civil rights and good will be fostered.
5. 
To provide mediation services to resolve incidences of alleged discriminatory practices made unlawful by Article III of this Chapter.
6. 
To cooperate with other organizations, private and public, to discourage discrimination.
7. 
To advise the City Council on human rights issues.
8. 
To hold public hearings on the state of human rights and relations in the City and on specific human rights issues.
9. 
To sponsor or initiate specifically targeted workshops and ongoing programs to improve human relations and to decrease tensions in the City.
10. 
To present informational programs on human rights to school, business, service and other organizations.
11. 
To formulate policies and to adopt, promulgate, amend and rescind suitable rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Chapter and said policies of the Commission in connection therewith.
12. 
To provide each year to the City Council a full written report of all its activities and of its recommendations.